News

Tester, Daines and Zinke to Forest Service: We need to see more

(Washington, D.C) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke are pushing the Forest Service for answers about how the agency plans to implement the forestry provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill.  In a letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, the entire Montana delegation noted that after the Farm Bill passed over a year ago the Department was quick to approve Montana’s recommended areas that deserve expedited treatment for timber harvest, but since then there has been little action. “We need to see more,” the members wrote. “The health of the approximately 17 million acres of National

Daines Works to Prioritize State Based Sage Grouse Conservation Plans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce legislation that prioritizes state-created conservation and management plans for the recovery of the Sage Grouse. Daines is an original cosponsor of S. 1036, the Sage-Grouse Protection and Conservation Act, which would require the Department of the Interior to share scientific data with states, assist states in crafting and implementing their plans, and recognize the state plans for a minimum of six years. The Act empowers states to take the lead in Sage Grouse conservation while preventing a listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “Montana is best equipped to manage and

Daines Statement on Bipartisan Passage of Human Trafficking Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today applauded the long-overdue passage of the bipartisan Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, critical legislation Daines has co-sponsored to help victims of human trafficking. “I’m glad that the Senate finally took the long-overdue step forward and approved this bipartisan legislation to help victims of modern-day slavery. Too often, victims of human trafficking are underserved and fail to get the resources they desperately need.  This bill will provide our law enforcement officials and communities with the necessary tools to help lift these innocent victims out of the shadows. Montanans know firsthand the importance of cracking down on

Flathead Beacon: Montana Delegation Lauds Secure Rural Schools Funding

On April 14, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would require the federal government to issue SRS payments beginning in June. The House of Representatives voted on a similar measure last month. Sens. Steve Daines and Tester and Rep. Ryan Zinke all supported the legislation. In 2014, Montana counties received $21 million in SRS funds, part of more than $300 million doled out nationally.

NBC Montana: MT Republicans push repeal of ‘Death Tax’

MISSOULA, Mont. – On tax day, Senator Steve Daines, (R) Montana, Representative Ryan Zinke, (R) Montana, and the Montana Republican Party touted their support of a bill that would eliminate the federal estate tax. Republicans call it the death tax. In a press release, the Montana Republican Party said the measure would “protect 28,000 Montana farms and ranches from being unfairly punished by the federal government and ensure that future generations don’t face bankruptcy when their family farm is passed down to their children.” However, we did some digging and found that the number of people affected by the estate

Daines Votes to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines released the following statement on his vote to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for two years — providing rural Montana counties with critical support for schools and community services. “It is critical that the federal government fulfill its long-standing promise to our forested counties, which have faced significant economic challenges under declining timber harvests and the ongoing mismanagement of our National Forests. It’s unacceptable that Washington’s inaction has led to such great uncertainty in these already struggling communities.  Last night, I was proud to vote to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program — a vote I’ve long been fighting for

On Tax Day, Daines Continues Fight to Repeal Death Tax

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today marked “Tax Day” by continuing his efforts to stand up for hardworking Montanans and repeal the death tax. Daines has signed on as a cosponsor to S.860 the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, which would permanently repeal the federal estate tax, commonly known as the death tax. This bill would effectively end a long-standing tax on family farms, ranches, and businesses upon the death of an owner. “On tax day, we are once again reminded that our nation’s tax code places an undue burden and unnecessary hardship on hardworking Montana families, small businesses, farmers and ranchers,” Daines stated. “The death tax is a direct

Daines Secures FAA Commitment to Maintain High Level of Safety in Powder River Training Complex

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today secured a commitment from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to maintain a high level of aviation safety in southeastern Montana in the wake of the Powder Riving Training Complex expansion. In today’s Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on reauthorizing the FAA, Daines pressed FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to ensure that the FAA take steps to maintain safe and secure skies in southeastern Montana and better incorporate Montanans’ input as the Air Force moves forward with the expansion without addressing Montanans’ numerous, long-established concerns. “I think we share the same fear that the