Daines: Montana Needs a Multi-Year Highway Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the DRIVE Act, which lays the groundwork for a multi-year highway bill, and the 34th short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund since 2009: “Today the Senate took an important step in moving forward a bipartisan, multi-year bill to address our nation’s infrastructure needs. Montanans deserve a long-term solution that provides needed certainty, improves our infrastructure country, and most importantly, helps create jobs. “I am disappointed that Congress also had to once again pass a short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund, but I’m thankful that we are
Daines’ Bills to Expand Montana Hydro Power Pass Out of Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines’ bills to ensure the completion of two hydroelectric facilities in Montana today unanimously passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Daines’ bills provide for the reinstatement and three-year extension of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Clark Canyon Dam Hydro Project in Dillon, Montana and a six-year extension of the FERC license for the Gibson Dam Hydro Project near Augusta, Montana. “Hydropower is a critical component of an all-of-the-above energy portfolio that provides a reliable and affordable source of electricity for hardworking Montana families,” Daines stated. “I’m pleased to
Daines, Zinke Call on Army Corps of Engineers to Complete Environmental Study on Gateway Pacific Terminal
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT) today led a bipartisan group of sixteen Senators and seventeen House members in urging the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the required review process for the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal before making any decisions that could impact the project’s future. Daines’ and Zinke’s letters come in the wake of news that the Seattle District of the Corps may make an atypical final determination on key components of the project before completing the required Environmental Impact Study (EIS). Such action not only threatens the future of the project,
Daines, Alexander Statements on Proposed Rule to Regulate Ivory
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 29 — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) made the following statements today on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed rule to regulate domestic ivory trade: “I’m pleased that the proposed rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service more clearly focuses on addressing the real threat of poachers and those who are violating our laws,” Daines stated. “While this proposed rule appears to mitigate some of the concerns from law-abiding citizens who would have been penalized for owning items containing lawful ivory, I will continue to carefully inspect this rule to ensure it does not implement any further burdens on
Billings Gazette: Montana congressmen rush to keep coal port review on track
BILLINGS – With Montana coal exports in jeopardy, the state’s Republican congressmen are asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ignore Indian tribe requests to end environmental review of a Washington coal port. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Ryan Zinke petitioned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to not abandon the environmental review of the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point in Bellingham, Wash. The Lummi Tribe, which has fishing grounds next to Cherry Point, asked the Army Corps in January to the abandon review of the port proposal. The Lummi argue its treaty fishing rights would
Daines Helps Introduce Legislation to Defund Planned Parenthood, Safeguard Women’s Health Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines has helped introduce legislation to protect women’s access to health services and defund Planned Parenthood. This legislation, S.1881, follows the release of gruesome footage showcasing Planned Parenthood’s role in the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies. The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation in the next week. The bill is sponsored by Senator Joni Ernst (IA) and cosponsored by Senators Mitch McConnell (KY), John Barrasso (WY), Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (AR), Richard Burr (NC) Dan Coats (IN), Tom Cotton (AR) John Cornyn (TX), Ted Cruz (TX), Mike Enzi (WY), Deb
KULR: Deadline for Road Construction Funding Friday, Could Halt Projects
BILLINGS – Summer is construction season across the state, but that could be put on hold. Right now, Washington is in a standoff over transportation issues, which include paying to fix roads and bridges. The deadline for the decision is in three days. The House has accepted a five-month extension but the senate is hoping to get a six-year solution done by the deadline on Friday. “Infrastructure is an investment, not an expense. Longer term highway bill that is payed for and prioritized is certainly at the top of my list,” said Representative Ryan Zinke. The Senate wants to deal with
Daines Applauds House Passage of the REINS Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House passage of H.R. 427, the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, commonsense legislation that will bring much-needed accountability and transparency to the federal regulatory process: “It’s time to rein in Washington’s overbearing, costly regulations and provide Montana families, business owners, and hardworking taxpayers with the relief they deserve,” Daines stated. “Montana small businesses know far too well the cost of Washington’s top-down unchecked ability to issue burdensome regulations. Today, the House took the necessary step forward to bring much-needed accountability to the regulatory process and I urge Senate leadership to take up
CQ Roll Call: Senate Freshman Appropriators Seek Their Place at the Table
When four Republican freshmen were tapped to join the Senate Appropriations Committee this session, it was taken as a sign of the panel’s waning appeal in a no-earmarks era. Senators used to wait years to join the committee and even longer to rise up the ranks. Four of the once-coveted seats — and even a subcommittee chairmanship — were extended to Steve Daines of Montana, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, James Lankford of Oklahoma and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. Since then, the newcomers have scrambled to find ways to have an impact. Capito said they’re all learning that they can bring change even sitting “all the way at