Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Caley Clark of White Sulphur Springs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Caley Clark, a teacher in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. Ms. Clark was the only Montanan selected from a pool of more than 300 applicants to participate in this week’s Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Teacher Institute. Daines presented Ms. Clark with her award this week while she was in town for the teaching institute. Click here to download high-resolution photos. 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
Daines Announces Critical Funding for Six Montana Community Airports
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that six Montana airports will receive more than $2.8 million dollars for critical construction and maintenance needs. Grants will be awarded to airports in Circle, Columbus, Glendive, Lewistown, Sidney and West Yellowstone. “Montana’s community airports provide critical transportation services to Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “These grants will ensure that Montana’s smaller airports are able to meet rising ridership demands, ensure safe and reliable service for their passengers and meeting the long-term economic needs of the communities they serve.” Grants awarded today by the Federal Aviation Administration include: Circle Town County Airport:
Daines, Fischer Call for Field Hearing on PHMSA Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) have formally requested that the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hold a field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the agency’s efficacy in overseeing the transportation of hazardous materials. Before the hearing will be scheduled, the request must receive approval from the Commerce Committee Chairman and Ranking member. In a letter to Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), Daines and Fischer urged the Committee to convene a field hearing on PHMSA’s responsibility in ensuring
Billings Gazette: Tribes scramble to avoid $1 million fines under Affordable Care Act
Montana’s Indian tribes, which until recently thought the Affordable Care Act would pass them by, could face fines exceeding $1 million for not offering insurance to employees. Beginning in 2016, businesses with 50 or more full-time workers will have to offer at least a minimum amount of health insurance to employees. Those who don’t comply face tax penalties, and that includes tribal governments. The requirement has been a surprise to tribes, said George Heavy Runner, Blackfeet Insurance Services health and wellness coordinator. As individuals, American Indians have the option of choosing not to follow Affordable Care Act rules. Many assumed
Daines Calls for Defunding Planned Parenthood, Safeguarding Women’s Health Care
“Planned Parenthood has clearly articulated the value they place on babies’ organs and limbs, but what they fail to acknowledge is the value that the American people know full well, and that is the value of our children. And that is priceless.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to speak out about legislation he helped introduce to defund of Planned Parenthood and ensure that there is no overall reduction in federal funds for women’s health care services. Daines is a cosponsor of S. 1881, which was introduced this week following the release of gruesome footage showcasing
Daines, Energy Committee Move Forward Key Energy Reforms
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped pass multiple pieces of legislation that will help expand Montana energy production, permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and rein in the Obama administration’s overreaching anti-energy regulations. “This bipartisan legislation will not only strengthen our country’s global competitiveness, but also empower our tribes to develop their energy resources, expand Montana families’ access to affordable energy and create good-paying energy jobs,” Daines stated. “I am committed to continue working for commonsense solutions that protect Montanans’ access to public lands and keep energy prices low for hardworking Montana families.” Daines also worked to secure
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,