In The News

BILLINGS, Mont. – Senator Steve Daines announced today Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence will be coming to Billings Wednesday “for a firsthand look at Montana’s devastating meth crisis.” “Montana has a crisis on its hands. Mexican meth is pouring into our state and tearing our families and communities apart,” Daines said. “I’ve been fighting hard to tackle this growing issue all over our state and I’m very grateful to welcome Vice President Mike Pence to Billings next week to continue this fight. Together with the Trump Administration and folks all over Montana, we must win this

Sen. Steve Daines on Monday said a phone call to President Donald Trump over the weekend convinced the commander-in-chief to keep the Anaconda Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center open, saying it plays an important role in southwest Montana. Daines told reporters during a media call that he phoned Trump on Saturday to discuss the site’s significance to the Montana economy and its top ranking within the Civilian Conservation Corps. “The president gratefully overruled the decision made by Secretary (Alex) Acosta,” Daines said. “This is about jobs. The decision would have been devastating, and I’m glad the president listened to the

U.S. Senator Steve Daines was recognized recently as the most transparent, accountable and innovative representative in Washington by the Congressional Management Foundation. Bradford Fitch, President and CEO, Congressional Management Foundation added this comment in a press release: ‘As a Democracy Award winner, Senator Daines’ office is one of the best in Congress. This designation demonstrates that Senator Daines has made a significant commitment to being the best public servant for his constituents in Montana. He and his staff are to be congratulated for not only being a model for colleagues in Congress, but for helping to restore trust and faith

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines secured President Trump’s decision to keep the Anaconda Job Corps training center open, overruling the closure announced late last month by the U.S. Department of Labor. Daines announced the decision Monday at a 3 p.m. video conference call with Anaconda stakeholders. President Trump’s decision followed Daines’ telephone discussion with Trump on Saturday. According to Daines’ staff, the senator stressed that the Anaconda center was one of the top-ranked in the country and must remain open. Trump then overruled the decision to close the site. The Anaconda Job Corps training center has some 170 students and 63 staff members. 

The U.S. Department of Defense already spends $200 million on services from Montana private contractors, Sen. Steve Daines said Wednesday. But, there are more opportunities for Montana businesses than are being realized, he said during a Billings workshop on government contract work. The event, organized by Big Sky Economic Development of Billings, drew several federal government agencies, as well as defense contractors Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Boeing.  “I understand what it takes to have to sell our products because if you aren’t selling something, you aren’t doing anything. You’ve got to be making something happen every day,” Daines

Montana’s Republican Senator Steve Daines is strengthening his response to the Trump Administration’s planned closure of the Job Corps’ Civilian Conservation Center in Anaconda. On Friday Daines and fellow Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte sent the U.S. Department of Labor a letter saying that while they appreciate the Labor Department’s effort to better align the Anaconda facility’s organizational structure with the department’s mission, they have concerns about it’s closure. The pair urged Labor to, “Maintain [the facility’s] operating status or provide suitable and equivalent alternatives,” for the students it serves. Tuesday, Daines said, “There’s not a good rationale. Sometimes they use

The U.S. Forest Service has deployed land mobile radios on the fireline since the Vietnam War, and the equipment hasn’t changed much over the years. But Colin Watts, assistant director for land mobile radio at the Missoula Technology and Development Center, said the future is about to change. “The future is digital and the future is data,” Watts said. “Real-time telemetry and data management is going to be a growing concern. The ability to extend that data envelope into the forest where we operate is key to us in the future.” Watts and other experts in firefighting technology led Sen.

MISSOULA – FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr visited Missoula Tuesday as part of his week-long trip through Montana and Wyoming where he’s hearing from rural areas about internet and cell service connectivity issues. Carr was joined by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) at the Montana Children’s Specialist, where they discussed the benefits and roadblocks of telehealth where patients can visit a doctor remotely. Doctors and patients video chat, and can have a full appointment from miles away. “This can save lives literally, by closing that gap,” Sen. Daines said. There are only six major hospitals in Montana; Kalispell Regional Medical Center and the Billings

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines visited the Montanore offices in Libby Friday to discuss the progress of the mine project with members of local government and the community. Along with Daines, State Sen. Mike Cuffe, District 1, and State Rep. Steve Gunderson, District 1, were also in attendance, alongside county government and school officials, as well as members of the community associated with various organizations and boards. Doug Stiles, manager of Montana Operations for Hecla Mining, gave a short update on progress with the Montanore and Rock Creek mine projects. Hecla is working with the U.S. Forest Service to update their