News

Daines, Blumenthal Introduce Bill to Protect Students’ Data

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today introduced legislation to ensure proper safeguards are in place to protect students’ data.    The Safeguarding American Families from Exposure by Keeping Information and Data Secure (SAFE KIDS) Act protects student privacy by establishing clear parameters for third-party operators when using data collected from students. The legislation empowers parents to control access to their children’s information. The current federal protections for student data, including the tools currently available to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), are woefully inadequate. The SAFE KIDS Act empowers the FTC to oversee and enforce collection, storage and usage of

Daines, Alexander Introduce Legislation to Halt Over-Regulation of Legal Ivory

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) today introduced legislation to halt the Obama administration’s over-regulation of lawfully owned ivory found in antique firearms, musical instruments and other family heirlooms and antiques often sought by collectors. The African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015 ends the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s unilateral moratorium on the importation, exportation, and sale of lawfully possessed ivory, while also making significant efforts to assist anti-poaching efforts in countries with elephant populations. “It’s senseless that the Obama administration wants to retroactively penalize Montanans who have legally owned ivory-containing antique firearms, musical

Daines, Zinke Announce Legislation to Protect Tribes from Costly Obamacare Employer Mandate

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT) today announced the introduction of legislation to protect Native American tribes from Obamacare’s costly employer mandate. The Tribal Employment and Jobs Protection Act, which was introduced today in the Senate and House, will exempt tribes and tribal employers from Obamacare’s employer mandate. The bills prevent massive fines that tribal employers would incur under Obamacare’s employer mandate. “Tribes should not be forced to pay severe fines due to duplicative federal mandates in the President’s flawed health care law,” Daines stated. “These unreasonable fines have the potential to kill jobs

Helena Independent Record: Daines taps Library of Congress book trove for Montana libraries

BILLINGS — The Library of Congress receives 25,000 new books every day, and when there are duplicate copies, the extras go to the House and Senate lawmakers — for free. It’s a “who knew?” kind of arrangement that surprised U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and his staff when they recently asked about connecting Montana’s libraries with the nation’s library of record. Daines figured he could take his share of the free publications and ship 150 books to Montana schools and public libraries every month. The first boxes of books went out this month. If there are more books available, the

Daines Speaks at Helena Native Newman’s Swearing-in as NASA Deputy Administrator

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today spoke at the ceremonial swearing-in of Helena native Dr. Dava Newman as the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Deputy Administrator. The United States Senate unanimously confirmed Newman on April 27, 2015. Click here to download the picture of Newman and Daines. “Dr. Newman is inspiration for countless of young Montanans who are excited about not only space exploration, but also science, technology, engineering and math,” Daines stated. “I have no doubt that Dr. Newman will be a dedicated and tireless public servant who will continue to exemplify our state’s rich legacy of

ABC FOX Montana: Helena Native Sworn-In as NASA Deputy Administrator

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Helena native is sworn in as the Deputy Administrator of NASA. The United States Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Dava Newman to the position back in April. On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke at her ceremonial swearing in. He calls Dr. Newman an inspiration for countless of young Montanans who are excited about not only space exploration, but also science, technology, engineering and math. Newman is a graduate of C.R. Anderson Middle School and Capital High School in Helena.

Daines Applauds Air Force Decision to Maintain RED HORSE Unit at Malmstrom

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded news that the 819th RED HORSE squadron will remain stationed at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base. “This is great news for Malmstrom, the Great Falls community and the state of Montana,” Daines stated. “The 819th RED HORSE unit at Malmstrom Air Force Base holds an important role in our national security and is a critical partner for the Montana Air National Guard’s 219th RED HORSE unit. I’m thankful that the Air Force has recognized the importance of maintaining an active RED HORSE unit at Malmstrom, but our work to protect this critical

PHOTO: Daines Presents Montanan of the Week to Son of Crow Code Talker

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines presented his Montanan of the Week award to Judge Not Afraid, son of Crow Code Talker, Cyril Not Afraid. Cyril Not Afraid was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for serving in the armed forces as a “code talker,” speaking his native Apsaalooké (Crow) language during wartime in order to transmit and receive military intelligence and successfully avoid disclosing information to enemy forces. Click here to download the photo of Daines and Judge Not Afraid.  “I am proud to honor the memory of Cyril Not Afraid for his brave and selfless service on behalf of

Daines Statement on Iran Nuclear Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Obama administration’s announcement that the P5+1 has reached an agreement with Iran, the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism:  “I remain unconvinced that this agreement will prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon. This agreement paves the way for Iran to further direct its resources in leading the way as the world’s greatest state-sponsor of terrorism.” Last night, Daines took to the Senate floor to outline parameters of what a final deal with Iran must include. The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (Public Law 114-17) prevents the president from waiving or