KTVQ: Tough Montana Reception for Carbon Regulations
HELENA – The new strict carbon emission regulations announced by President Obama are getting cold reviews from Montana coal interests, but praise from some farming, alternative energy and environmental groups. The final Environmental Protection Agency rule calls for the states to reduce carbon emissions from their power plants by nealy one-third (32 percent) by 2030 from their 2005 levels. Gov. Steve Bullock (D-Montana) last fall touted a Montana Department of Environmental Quality report saying the state could meet future requirements without a shutdown of the state’s coal-fired plants, using alternative energy sources and possibly carbon sequestration, among other things, to
KMMS: Daines: Privacy and Security Both Matter in Cyber Reforms
Senator Steve Daines today underscored the importance of enhancing America’s cybersecurity infrastructure while striking the right balance between protecting Americans from borderless cyber criminals and protecting Americans’ privacy. “We must ensure that we have robust and transparent debate about cyber protections and what reforms must be implemented to protect Americans’ civil liberties.”
Daines: Fight to Defend Life, Protect Women’s Health Care Services Is Not Over
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today reiterated his call to redirect funds away from Planned Parenthood while reaffirming his dedication to fully funding women’s health care services: “Today, I voted to reaffirm my dedication to protecting women’s health while removing funds from a scandal-plagued organization that has been caught selling human baby parts. I cannot support an organization that would place a dollar amount on a baby’s body parts. The fight to protect women’s health care, while redirecting funds away from Planned Parenthood, is not over. I will continue working vigorously to defend life and protect the most vulnerable in our society: the
Daines Leads 27 Senators in Urging State Department to Halt Misguided ITAR Changes
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today led a group of 27 Senators in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Anthony Dearth in response to proposed changes to definitions in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which has the potential to limit Americans’ freedom of speech and negatively impact Americans’ Second Amendment freedoms. On June 3rd, the State Department proposed changes to modify several definitions in ITAR that would empower the federal government to regulate public use of any content that contains information about defense articles, which includes every common hunting and
Daines Slams Obama Admin’s Latest Anti-Energy Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Obama administration’s newly released regulations as the latest step in Obama’s war on American energy and the thousands of jobs Montana’s energy industry supports: “The Obama administration’s war on American energy is a war on American families and a war on American jobs. The Obama administration’s so-called ‘Clean Power Plan’ not only would shutter our country’s coal-fired power plants, but also hinder tribes’ and states’ ability to develop their coal resources. “Just last month, the Supreme Court issued a severe rebuke of the Obama administration’s sweeping energy regulations, yet the Obama administration
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