Press Releases

Daines Helps Secure Grant for Helena Regional Airport

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Helena Regional Airport will receive $1,004,743.00 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help with airport improvements and the creation of an incentive package for attracting a direct service route to Phoenix. “I’m glad to see the Helena Regional Airport receive the resources they need to continue their expansion, meet the traveling needs of Montanans, and to help support Montana jobs, economy and tourism sector.” Daines said. In January, Daines wrote a letter in support of Helena Regional Airport to receive Small Community Air Service Development grant funds.  ###  Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler

Daines, Tester, Rosendale Push for Drought Relief, Assistance for Montana Farmers & Ranchers

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Matt Rosendale today continued their push for drought relief for Montana farmers and ranchers. Daines, Tester and Rosendale are teaming up to urge USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide additional drought relief and flexibilities for Montana agriculture producers located in counties that were not covered by drought designations or federal assistance programs. “Unfortunately, many of the producers who suffered the greatest heat-related losses were either located in counties not covered by the drought designations, experienced losses not covered by drought assistance programs, or both,” the letter states. “Due to the severity of the situation, we believe that additional federal assistance

Daines Continues Push for Secretary Haaland to Listen to the Science, Delist & Return Management of the Grizzly Bear Back to Montana

U.S. SENATE — At a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing, U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to listen to the science of her own agency officials, delist the grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE), and return management back to the state of Montana. Click HERE to watch and download the exchange. “While these two recovered populations languish on the Endangered Species list, conflicts with grizzlies are on the rise—Montana has seen two tragic fatalities already this year,” Daines said. “Montana has a proven track record of conserving recovered predators and is more than ready to assume responsibility of managing the grizzly bear.

Daines Introduces Bill to Support Yellowstone Airport & Sidney-Richland Airport, Support Montana Jobs

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation to support Yellowstone Airport and Sidney-Richland Airport to benefit Montana jobs, tourism sector and the economy. “Airports across the country experienced reduced flights and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local airports should not be penalized for this,” Daines said. “As Montana tourism continues to recover from the pandemic, we must support local jobs and protect funding for Montana airports.” Department of Transportation funding for Sidney-Richland Airport and Yellowstone Airport, which are currently planning or undertaking numerous expansion projects, are being threatened due to the reduction in flights caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduced number of flights in

Daines Continues Work to Pass Forest Management Reform to Prevent Deadly Wildfires in Montana

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation that would increase active forest management to prevent deadly wildfires in Montana. This legislation is in addition to several other forest management and wildfire prevention measures Daines is working to get signed into law. “Montana is battling yet another catastrophic wildfire season. We must do everything we can to manage our forests to reduce the risk of severe wildfires and protect Montana families and communities from the deadly flames,” Daines said. “This bill would allow Governors to work with the Forest Service on prioritizing areas at the highest risk of wildfire and expediting treatment to reduce this risk. The ‘FIRESHEDS Act’ responds to the crisis

Daines Votes Against Stone-Manning’s Nomination Following New Information Uncovered Regarding Her Involvement in a Tree Spiking Eco-Terrorism Crime

U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted against President Biden’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Tracy Stone-Manning, during a United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources meeting. Daines’ “NO” vote follows new information uncovered about Stone-Manning’s involvement in a 1989 tree spiking crime including obstructing a federal investigation for four years. To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. Daines’ remarks as prepared for delivery: “Mr. Chairman, before proceeding with this vote, as Montana’s voice on this Committee, I want to provide you all with the Montana perspective on the nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning to lead the Bureau of Land Management. 

Daines Leads Fight to Protect Montana Family Farms, Small Businesses From Increased Tax Burden

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led all 50 Senate Republicans in urging President Biden to abandon his effort to impose a tax increase on Montana family-owned businesses, farms, and ranches. “These changes are a significant tax increase that would hit family-owned businesses, farms, and ranches hard, particularly in rural communities,” the Senators wrote. “These businesses consist largely of illiquid assets that will in many cases need to be sold or leveraged in order to pay the new tax burden. Making these changes could force business operators to sell property, lay off employees, or close their doors just to cover these new tax obligations.”  Read the full text of

Daines Slams Biden Admin for Keeping Northern Border Closed to MT Families, Businesses

U.S. SENATE — Despite an announcement this week that Canada will reopen the northern border for fully vaccinated Americans on August 9th, the Biden administration today responded that they will keep the northern border closed until at least August 21st. U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement. “Yet again, the Biden administration is refusing to reopen the northern border for our economy and jobs, while leaving the southern border wide open to illegal drugs and immigrants. The hypocrisy is outrageous,” Daines said. “Montana families and our economy rely on the cross-border travel and many families are suffering from this decision to keep our northern border closed. The President needs to stop playing games

Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Vulnerable Mothers, Unborn Children from Dangerous Chemical Abortions on College Campuses

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the “Protecting Life on College Campus Act” to prohibit federal funds from going to any college or university with a campus health clinic that provides abortions or abortion drugs. “For too long the abortion industry has been taking advantage of vulnerable women and now, blue states like California are beginning to require campus clinics to provide chemical abortions on demand,” Daines stated. “These do-it-yourself abortions put young women in dangerous situations that they are oftentimes forced to deal with alone in their dorm room. This not only ends the life of an unborn child, it endangers the mother’s life as