In The News

After legislation that could spell the end for Medicaid expansion in states like Montana cleared the U.S. House on a close vote, some are calling on Montana’s senators to defeat a Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The Montana Budget and Policy Center, a nonprofit that researches budget, tax and economic issues, said Thursday the revised version of the American Health Care Act would effectively end Medicaid expansion in Montana, which has extended coverage to more than 70,000 people. “The bill passed by the US House of Representatives is even worse for Montanans and our state

The Senate voted Thursday to approve a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September, preventing a government shutdown.   President Trump is expected to sign the measure, which passed 79 to 18. It includes more than $15 billion in new defense spending and $1.5 billion in money for U.S. border security, ahead of a deadline to keep the government open past Friday.   The five-month spending measure clears the way for Congress to begin talks over spending priorities for the fiscal year that begins in October. Trump has already outlined a request for GOP lawmakers to slash

Vice President Mike Pence called a House vote set for Thursday to repeal and replace portions of Obamacare as “one of the defining victories for life.” “When we vote to repeal and replace Obamacare we will finally vote to defund Planned Parenthood,” Pence said to a standing ovation. Pence was speaking at the 10th anniversary “Campaign for Life” gala in Washington, held by Susan B. Anthony List, an organization that lobbies in favor of abortion restrictions. Roughly 650 guest gathered for the event. The bill the House is voting on Thursday to repeal and replace parts of Obamacare, the American

The congressional GOP’s protracted efforts to repeal Obamacare could exact a heavy toll on the rest of Donald Trump’s legislative agenda. If repeal in the House is successful, action on some of the president’s top legislative priorities is expected to be pushed back to late this year or even next year, when lawmakers will be up for reelection and more reluctant to cast tough votes. The delay also threatens to sap whatever Republican momentum remains from the election, in the midst of what’s often the most prolific stretch of a new presidency. Tax reform is the most prominent issue expected

MISSOULA — Upward Bound remains on the financial ropes and at risk of shuttering at the University of Montana and around the country despite calls this month from lawmakers to keep the college preparation program for disadvantaged students alive. The U.S. Department of Education, which funds Upward Bound, ruled some programs ineligible for funding for the next five years, but it estimated the decision affects only 5 percent of the grant applications. Elle Cook, an Upward Bound student at UM, is among those affected. Last week, Cook said she probably wouldn’t be enrolled in college at all if it weren’t

Leadership from the Montana Stockgrowers Association, the Montana Public Lands Council and the Montana Cattlewomen were in Washington, D.C. March 28 through 30. They met with cabinet members of the Trump administration, lawmakers and agency officials on issues important to the Montana ranching sector, including public lands grazing, sage grouse, beef checkoff legislation, environmental regulations, trade and taxes. “We have an opportunity to move on many key priorities under the new administration and this Congress.” said Bryan Mussard, MSGA president. “Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke was gracious to meet with our delegation to discuss the Interior’s land and wildlife

Jamie Jo Lynch, formerly of Butte, recently was selected by the Montana State Society to represent Montana in the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Lynch, the daughter of Jim Lynch and Lauren Kippen, was born and reared in Butte and graduated from Butte High. She graduated in May 2016 from Boise State University, where she studied Environmental Science and Political Science with Sustainability. She lives in Washington, D.C., where she works for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester as executive assistant to the chief of staff and legislative director. When home in Montana she likes to be outdoors running or

Montana Sen. Steve Daines announced Wednesday that newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will deliver a keynote address at the 2017 Montana Ag Summit in Great Falls five weeks from now. The Montana Ag Summit, co-sponsored by Daines and the Montana Chamber Foundation, will take place in Great Falls on May 31 and June 1. It will bring some of the nation’s highest-profile agricultural leaders to Montana’s Golden Triangle to meet with the public and discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen Montana agriculture’s international relationships, showcase current technological advancements and examine the challenges of federal policies and regulations for

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) says he’s optimistic U.S. beef producers will soon be able to sell their products in China. Sen. Daines says that as one of the world’s largest beef importers, China is a key market for Montana producers. But the country banned U.S. beef imports in 2003 after a case of Mad Cow Disease. Sen. Daines recently returned from a trip to China and Japan. While in china he met with some of the country leaders about opening up beef imports from the United States. Chinese officials said last fall they intended to lift the ban, but Sen. Daines says they are waiting for the