Daines Calls on Senate Veterans Affairs Committee To Help Blue Water Vietnam Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today called on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to pass his legislation to ensure that Blue Water Navy veterans who are victims of Agent Orange-related diseases receive the care and compensation they have long deserved. During today’s Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on “Examining the Impact of Exposure to Toxic Chemicals on Veterans and the VA’s Response,” Daines testified on the importance of reversing a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decision that cut benefits for Vietnam-era Navy veterans, known as “Blue Water” vets, who were exposed to the powerful toxin Agent Orange. “As the son of a
Billings Gazette: Congress Responds to Grain Shipping Meltdown with New Law
In response to a grain shipment meltdown that bottled up Montana wheat last summer, Congress passed a law Monday forcing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to intervene when port grain inspections fail. House lawmakers approved the Grain Standards Reauthorization Act on Monday. Tucked away in the bill was an amendment by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., requiring the USDA to intervene immediately when port grain inspections stop, as they did at the United Grain terminal in Washington during union protests in 2014. The Senate last week passed the bill, which now heads to President Barack Obama. Grain inspectors employed by
Daines Statement on Passing of Former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Turnage
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the passing of former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Turnage: “Chief Justice Turnage was a true public servant who always put Montana and this nation first. As a World War II veteran, a state legislator and Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, he exemplified Montana’s strong legacy of service. Cindy and I are keeping the Turnage family in our thoughts and prayers during this time.” ###
KUMV: Mont., ND Delegations Ask to Keep Funding for Yellowstone Bypass Project
Funding for the construction of a fish bypass on the Yellowstone River is up in the air. A judge granted an injunction that stopped construction, and in the meantime, almost $60 million of federal funding is set to expire. Last week, some members of Congress sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that money doesn’t disappear. Word traveled fast to the office of Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., when a judge granted an injunction on the Yellowstone River Fish Bypass project. “It didn’t take long for farmers and ranchers of eastern Montana to be calling our office,
Newsmax: Sen. Steve Daines on Obamacare: “It’s All Turning Out Not to be True”
President Barack Obama lied to the American people about the effects of Obamacare on the price and availability of health care, Sen. Steve Daines tells Newsmax TV. “I would challenge President Obama to jump on Air Force One and come out to Montana and stand up and explain to Montanans why our commissioner – I’ve got the facts in front of me here – the Montana commissioner of security and insurance published our approved rates for the state of Montana for next year,” the “Big Sky Country” Republican told “Newsmax Prime” host J.D. Hayworth. “These are now approved by the
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Russ Fullmer of Sidney
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Russ Fullmer of Sidney. Russ Fullmer will be retiring from Sidney Sugars Inc. in December after 30 years of loyal service and hard work. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’
Daines Statement on Double-Digit Obamacare Rate Increases
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the double-digit Obamacare rate increases for approximately 41,000 Montanans: “Despite President Obama’s promises, health care premiums are not as affordable for many Americans as he claimed they would be. These steep premium increases make it harder to have access to affordable healthcare and create severe hardships for thousands of Montanans. It’s money that’s no longer in the pockets of Montanans. We need to ensure health care is affordable and accessible for all Montanans, and that starts with repealing Obamacare and its costly mandates, burdensome taxes and senseless regulations.” The average rate
Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Conservation Fund Reauthorization Not Included in Latest Budget Resolution
As Congress battles over a way to keep the federal government open, the future of a popular conservation fund hangs in the balance. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, a pot of federal money used for parks and more, expires Sept. 30, and the latest draft of a budget resolution doesn’t include any language reauthorizing the fund, meaning new money won’t go into the fund after it expires. Money from the fund has helped build numerous parks and trails around Bozeman. “” frameborder=”0″ width=”320″ name=”google_ads_iframe_/1089311/BDC_Home_InStory_Top_320x50_0″ marginwidth=”0″ scrolling=”no”> Over the past year, groups like the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Business for
Helena Independent Record: Daines Pushes for Forest Policy Reforms Tied to Increased Wildfire Spending
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines joined other Republicans Wednesday in calling reforms to wildfire spending inadequate without also including reforms to forest management policy. In a conference call, Daines, Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, and Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, challenged wildfire funding requests from the Obama administration and calls from some state and federal lawmakers to end the practice of “fire borrowing” without also passing reforms to limit litigation and increase the pace and scale of forest management. “It’s irresponsible and a missed opportunity to only address funding issues without reform,” Daines said in light of the recent fire season across the