Daines Calls on VA to Name New Montana Director, Address Mental Health Care Challenges
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is calling on Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald to quickly name a permanent director of VA Montana and take steps to address the mental health care challenges facing the Montana facility. In a letter sent today to McDonald, Daines stressed that the prolonged delay in naming a new director has prevented VA Montana from addressing serious challenges facing the agency – including the recruitment and retention of qualified mental health care professionals. “Among other adverse impacts, the absence of a permanent director providing clear leadership for the entire organization is an impediment to recruiting
Daines, Tester introduce bill to permanently ban government from taxing Internet
(U.S. Senate) –Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today introduced a bill to permanently ban federal, state and local governments from taxing access to the Internet. The Senators’ bill, the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act, would permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access that is set to expire on October 1, 2015. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax on Internet access if the moratorium is lifted. “The Internet provides instant access to information, allows small businesses to compete in a global marketplace, and strengthens education and health care,” Tester
Billings Gazette: Daines hot about EPA wood stove regs
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., is burning up about the latest EPA regulations for new wood stoves.
Daines Congratulates Billings, Helena Students
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Richmond Paschall and Jeremy Van Dyke on their appointments to the United States Naval Academy. Richmond Paschall, from Billings, received a nomination to the Academy from Senator Daines and was also nominated by Senator Jon Tester and former Senator John Walsh. He is a student at Billings West High School where he is the current Vice President of the student body and a member of the football and track team. Paschall is also a member of the National Honor Society and attended the Naval Academy Summer Seminar. Jeremy Van Dyke, from Helena,
Daily Caller: The EPA Is Ready To Regulate Americans’ Wood Stoves
The EPA has finalized a 344-page rule to make wood stoves more environmentally friendly, meaning that millions of Americans will soon be forced to buy more expensive wood-fired stoves.
Daines Demands Answers to Secure Americans’ Personally Identifiable Information
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following today’s announcement that more than 80 million Americans may have had their personally identifiable information compromised after a data breach at Anthem Health Insurance, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is calling on Congress to strengthen victim notifications requirements and ensure that Americans are promptly informed when their personal information may have been exposed. During this morning’s Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on consumer data breach solutions, Daines reaffirmed his commitment to expediting notification requirements and ensuring that data security standards are up to date. “Today’s headlines underscore the absolute importance of moving forward to strengthen our cybersecurity
Daines Works to Advance Interests of Montana Tribes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today spoke out about the lack of assistance available for tribal housing loan programs and called on Congress to find solutions to make loan programs more accessible for Montana’s tribes. “If you don’t have a home, achieving other life needs is difficult. But with these high unemployment rates we see in Indian country, access to loans is very difficult. The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, I believe, is an important law to facilitate access to housing for Native American communities,” Daines stated today during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on hearing
Daines Blasts Costly EPA Wood Stove Regs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today blasted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new regulations on wood burning stoves as a direct threat to Montanans’ access to affordable energy. This afternoon, the EPA rolled out its final regulations on residential wood heaters, pellet stoves and other wood burning stoves. The new regulations are projected to have a $45.7 million annualized compliance cost, which could lead to higher costs or decreased access to stoves for Montana consumers. “The EPA’s shortsighted regulatory overreach is once again hitting hardworking Montanans in their pocketbooks,” Daines stated. “Thousands of Montanans rely on wood burning stoves
Daines Congratulates Andrew Obst on Naval Academy Appointment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Kalispell student Andrew Obst on his appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Obst, a senior at Flathead High School in Kalispell, received a nomination to the Naval Academy from Daines last year. Obst has served as a Search and Rescue volunteer in Libby, is a member of Flathead 4-H Shooting Sports, where he was a 2014 State Champion in Small Bore Pistol, and is active in football, track and field and wrestling. “I’m proud of Andrew, a hardworking young leader, for his tremendous accomplishments and his recent appointment to the United States