PHOTO: Daines Meets with Children’s Miracle Network Champion Jordynn Hardman
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today met with Helena native Jordynn Hardman, the 2015 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Champion for Montana. Hardman discussed with Daines her journey to receiving a diagnosis, her plans to become a writer and the important role Children’s Miracle Network plays in her life. Senator Daines with Jordynn Hardman “Jordynn is an incredible young woman who inspires others to live each day to the fullest,” Daines stated. “She is dedicated, smart and resilient and it was honor to be able to hear her story. Children’s Miracle Network has no better ambassador than Jordynn.” “I loved
Daines Works To Expand Markets for Montana Energy
Senator Steve Daines today worked to break down some of the regulatory barriers facing Montana energy producers and expand markets for made in Montana energy. During today’s Energy and Natural Resources hearing, Daines sought to ensure that Montana coal isn’t hindered by duplicative regulations that could increase energy prices and negatively impact the thousands of jobs and more than one hundred million dollars in tax revenue each year that coal provides. Daines: “Can you provide some examples of federal actions where the public would have been better served if federal agencies deliberated the impact to grid reliability in meaningful fashion
Senators Call on Commerce, Ag Secretaries to Prioritize Broadband Access for Rural Americans
Daines, Manchin, King lead bipartisan effort to ensure high-speed broadband for rural communities WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Angus King (I-ME) today led a bipartisan effort to ensure the federal government prioritizes high-speed broadband access for rural Americans. In a bipartisan letter signed by more than a dozen Senators, the Senators pressed Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Co-Chairs of the Broadband Opportunity Council, for a detailed analysis of the various federal broadband initiatives that can be coordinated across agencies to bridge the digital divide and bring rural America into the
Bozeman Daily Chronicle: MSU professor, Daines speak to Stockgrowers
About 75 ranchers and folks from allied industries were at Montana State University on Friday for the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s mid-year meeting. During the general session Friday morning, association president Gene Curry, of Valier, ran down a list of lobbying successes in Helena. The passage of the CSKT water compact, state funding for the Department of Livestock and its Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Bozeman, and defeating the Humane Society of the United State’s proposals were highlighted. Curry was followed by MSU agricultural economics professor Gary Brester. He optimistically told the ranchers that the short- and long-term outlook on cattle prices, which hit
Montana’s Senators Work to Improve Access to Montana’s Outdoors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of the upcoming National Trails Day, Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester are working to improve maintenance of Montana’s National Forest trails. Daines and Tester have signed onto S.1110, the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act of 2015, which would ensure existing Forest Service resources are better used to maintain National Forest trails. It would also significantly increase the role of volunteers and local partners in maintaining the usability and sustainability of the National Forest trail system. “Montana has a rich outdoor heritage that is critical to our state’s economy and our way of
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Jim Weber of Helena
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today recognized Jim Weber, a welding and machining teacher at Capital High School in Helena, Montana. Under Mr. Weber’s leadership his class recently made 15 machined fly rods to donate to the Big Hearts Under the Big Sky program. Big Hearts Under the Big Sky allows service members, children with life-threatening illnesses and women battling breast cancer, opportunities to enjoy the outdoors at no cost. 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
Daines Statement on EPA Study Confirming Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft assessment concluding that hydraulic fracturing has not led to “widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources.” “The EPA assessment reflects what Montanans have long known: hydraulic fracturing is a safe and effective way to access Montana’s vast energy resources. The federal government needs to step back and allow states to take the lead in regulating hydraulic fracturing.” ###
Daines Takes to Senate Floor to Blast Rising Costs of Obamacare
Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to blast the rising costs of Obamacare in Montana, as insurers across the state have asked for double-digit increases in premiums for 2016. Below are key excerpts from Daines’ floor speech: “Look no further than Montana, where it is evident that health care premiums aren’t as affordable as President Obama promised they would be. “Policies sold through Obamacare exchanges are becoming even more expensive. “In Montana, according to fillings with the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance…insurers across the board are asking for double-digit increases for 2016 policies. “Blue Cross Blue
Daines Introduces Legislation to Decrease Regulatory Burden on Montana Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to rollback the regulatory burdens and uncertainty facing too many Montana small businesses. Daines’ bill, S.1487, the Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act, ensures that small businesses aren’t subjected to unexamined and altered regulations that change at the whims of Washington bureaucrats. The bill requires any interpretative rule to undergo the Notice and Comment process if there is a change to a previously issued rule. The bill will ensure that any federal agency will not have broad unchecked authority to burden without notice businesses with dramatically altered rules without discussion and