Daines Applauds Final Passage of Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan Senate passage of legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline by a vote of 62-36. This long-awaited legislation will create tens of thousands of good paying jobs, bring much needed economic opportunity to Montana and move the nation one step closer to North American energy independence. “Today, the Senate finally took long-awaited action and passed commonsense, pro-growth legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. This job-creating project will increase economic opportunity in Montana – in turn, raising tax revenues to fund our schools and infrastructure while lowering energy costs for the hardworking
Daines’ Efforts to Stop Unilateral Monument Designations Draws Majority Support
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines’ fight to protect Montana from the Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate new national monuments without local support today gained majority support on the Senate floor. Under a vote of 50-47, a majority of U.S. Senators today support Daines’ amendment expressing the sense of Congress that that all future National Monument designations should be subject to consultation with local governance and the approval of the Governor and legislature of states in which designation would occur. “I am encouraged that a majority of the Senate shares Montanans’ strong belief that the hardworking Americans most affected
Daines Stresses Importance of Montana’s Freight Rail Network
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sought to address the critical need for expanded rail capacity to support Montana jobs and key industries, such as agriculture and mining. During today’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on Freight Rail Transport, Daines pressed the panel on how to improve track capacity and maximize efficiency on our nation’s rail system. “80 percent of our wheat crop is exported overseas, so it’s our connection from rails to the ports that allows us to grow jobs and support Montana farmers,” Daines stated during today’s hearing. Immediately prior to today’s
Daines Works to Protect Montana From Catastrophic Wildfire
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is working to ensure Montana has the resources needed to combat wildfires and invest in much-need fire prevention efforts. Daines joined Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) to introduce the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, which overhauls federal wildfire policy, increases funding for prevention and ensures large forest fires are treated and funded as true natural disasters. “Montanans know firsthand the economic and physical damage caused by catastrophic wildfire – yet year after year, the federal government falls short in providing the funds needed to both treat and prevent these devastating fires,” Daines
Daines: Montanans’ Voices Must Be Heard in Monument Designations
Daines introduces amendment to help protect Montanans from Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate new national monuments without local support WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is fighting to protect Montana from the Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate large swaths of land as national monuments, without securing local input and state support. Last night, Daines introduced an amendment to S.1, legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, that would express the sense of Congress that all future national monument designations should be subject to consultation with local governance and the approval of the Governor and legislature of states in
Daines Helps Introduce Bill to Ensure Veterans’ Access to Local Healthcare
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines has joined Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and a bipartisan coalition of Senators to introduce legislation to ensure Montana veterans have local access to the healthcare services they need. The bill, the Veterans Access to Community Care Act of 2015 (S. 207), would allow veterans to access community healthcare providers if the veteran lives more than 40 miles driving distance—rather than as the crow flies—from the closest VA medical facility that could provide the services the veteran needs. “Thousands of Montana veterans live hundreds of miles away from their closest VA healthcare facility. This bill ensures that
Daines Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s 2015 State of the Union address: “Montanans don’t need more tax increases and more government spending— we need more good-paying jobs. If the President is serious about creating jobs and growing our economy, his first step would be approving the Keystone XL pipeline. Montanans deserve real solutions and results, not more partisan gridlock. I’ll continue fighting for commonsense, bipartisan solutions that grow our economy, lower energy prices, and put hardworking middle class Montanans first.” Video of Daines’ remarks may be viewed here. ###
Daines Statement on Air Force Decision to Move Forward with Powder River Expansion
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called the United States Air Force’s decision to move forward with the expansion of the Powder River Training Complex “disappointing and discouraging,” and called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address Montanans’ strong concerns before approving the Air Force’s proposal. The Air Force today issued a record of decision on the proposed expansion that failed to address the many concerns that Montanans and the members of Montana’s Congressional delegation had repeatedly raised. The final proposal now goes before the FAA for final review and approval. “The Air Force’s decision to move
Daines: Montana CBS Programming Restored for DIRECTV Subscribers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that 24 hours following his urging, DIRECTV and Cordillera Communications have struck an agreement that will restore Montana subscribers’ access to CBS programming. Yesterday, Daines wrote a letter to DIRECTV and Cordillera Communications officials urging the companies to come to a resolution on a negotiations standstill that had left Montana DIRECTV subscribers without CBS programming since January 1. This afternoon, Daines’ office received word from DIRECTV and Cordillera Communications that service will be restored today – just in time for tomorrow’s National Football League playoff game between the Indianapolis Colts and the