Forest reform needed to protect Montana communities
Montana’s National Forests and public lands have been a treasured part of our state’s heritage for generations. Growing up in Bozeman, I spent weekends hunting in the Bridgers, backpacking in the Beartooths and fishing the rivers and streams of southwest Montana. Cindy and I were engaged on a 10,000-foot summit in the Gallatin National Forest. The love of the outdoors is a tradition that I, like many Montanans, have been thankful to pass along to my kids. While Montanans recognize the importance of our public lands, memories alone won’t protect these precious resources for future generations. We must work together
Daines Calls for Long-Term Highway Bill on Senate Floor
“I’m looking forward to passing a long-term multi-year highway bill that provides certainty, that improves the infrastructure of our country, and most importantly, creates jobs.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to press for the need to pass a multi-year highway bill that provides Montana and the nation with the certainty needed to make long-term infrastructure investments. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this morning: “What we need is to support a long-term highway bill. It creates construction jobs, it creates union jobs – that’s what sitting on the table right now and going to be debated this week in the United States
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Lesley Robinson of Dodson
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Phillips County Commissioner Lesley Robinson of Dodson, Montana for her service to Montana and counties in several other western states. Mrs. Robinson was recently elected as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Counties (NACo) during the Committee’s 80th Annual Conference. She will now serve as regional representative for the entire western region of the United States. 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
Daines Secures Much-Needed Reforms for America’s Cybersecurity, Postal Service, Financial Services Sector
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today secured provisions to safeguard American’s cyber infrastructure, protect rural postal service, reduce regulatory burdens and help Montana community banks and credit unions better serve their customers. Daines joined the Senate Appropriations Committee today in approving the FY2016 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. Daines secured key provisions to maintain six-day delivery through FY16 and urge the U.S. Postal Service to make good-faith efforts to either renew postal contract station agreements or find suitable alternatives to serve rural areas. In light of the Office and Personnel Management’s failure to report on numerous occasions
The Hill: Senate funders vote to extend OPM fraud protection
A Senate committee has agreed to extend identity fraud protections for the victims of the recent hacks that have rattled the government. The provision came as part of a larger funding bill that would also boost funding and oversight for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the agency at the center of the recent data breach. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday advanced a bill that would allot $264.5 million for the OPM, which has been struggling to handle the fallout from two damaging cyberattacks that exposed more than 22 million people’s sensitive information. That funding level is $24 million,
Daines Helps Secure Permanent Reauthorization of LWCF in Bipartisan Energy Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that will permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund: “As Montana’s sole member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I’m pleased that the Committee has reached a bipartisan solution to permanently reauthorize LWCF. LWCF is an important program for Montana that helps expand access to our public lands. I’m excited to finally take this significant step forward to ensure that this critical program remains in place for generations to come.” The Energy Policy
Daines Presses PHMSA Administrator Nominee on Rail and Pipeline Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today underscored the need to ensure safe and environmentally sound transportation of our natural resources, whether by pipeline or rail. Daines pressed Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Administrator Nominee Marie Therese Dominguez on the recent oil spills in Montana and the need to ensure public confidence in America’s pipelines. Daines also highlighted the economic impact of the oil, gas and coal industry to Montana. “PHMSA plays a very important role in Montana. It’s a big state, and it’s vital to ensure safe and environmentally sound transport of our natural resources, whether it’s
Daines Joins 49 Fellow Senators in Raising Concerns with Planned Parenthood Practices, Urging HHS Secretary to Comply with Investigations, Conduct Assessment to Facilitate Congressional Review
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group including 49 other senators in a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell following the release of footage by the Center for Medical Progress depicting senior Planned Parenthood Federation of America executives discussing in gruesome detail the organization’s role in the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies. In the letter, the senators draw attention to the legal, ethical, and policy issues raised by the footage and call on HHS Secretary Burwell to cooperate with ongoing and future investigations into these questions. “The footage raises a
In Case You Missed It: Daines on Protecting our Military Recruiters, Latest Developments on Iran Deal
“The fastest way to stop a bad guy with a gun – is a good guy with a gun.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today appeared on CNN, Fox News and Fox Business to speak on the importance of his bill, the SEMPER FI Act, which would allow military officers and non-commissioned officers the ability to carry a firearm at military recruitment centers. Daines underscored the crucial need for our men and women in uniform to be able to protect and defend themselves. Additionally, Daines joined Fox Business to discuss the latest developments on the Iran Deal. In the