Daines Leads Senate Hearing on Mental Health, Addiction Challenges Facing Montana
U.S. SENATE — As the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee on Heath Care, Senator Steve Daines today led a hearing on improving mental health and addiction services in our communities, where he highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana. Click HERE to watch and download the Senator’s opening remarks. “May is Mental Health Awareness Month – an issue at the top of my mind and many others following a year of isolation for Montanans and Americans across the country,” Daines said. “Since the pandemic, lockdowns, economic hardships, and social isolation have only helped intensify what we already know – we need
Daines Presses Biden’s Trade Rep on Waiving Vaccine Patents, Trade Issues Impacting MT
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines challenged the United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai on President Biden’s proposal to waive vaccine patents and called on the Biden administration to re-engage with the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) for the benefit of Montana. To watch the exchange, click HERE. “China has long been a serial abuser of IP, and the China Phase One deal made progress in that space. Our focus needs to be on fully and aggressively enforcing that deal. We need to strengthen and enforce our IP protections, not weaken or waive them,” Daines said. “I am very concerned that the recent decision
Daines Helping Lead Effort in U.S. Senate to End Workforce Shortage
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines is leading efforts in the U.S. Senate to help incentivize getting Montanans back to work as the state continues to recover from the pandemic. Daines cosponsored the “Back to Work Bonus Act,” which would give currently unemployed workers who return to work a one-time payment similar to a hiring bonus, and he introduced the “Get Americans Back to Work Act,” which would end the federal unemployment pandemic enhancement payments. “Businesses across Montana and the country are struggling to find workers and some are even being forced to close,” Daines said. “We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of this pandemic and Montanans can safely return to work. We need to be
Daines to Biden: Waiving COVID-19 Vaccine Patents, IP Protections Undermines American Innovation
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines is calling on President Biden to protect American innovation and not give away COVID-19 vaccine patents and IP protections to foreign countries that were made possible because of American science and ingenuity. Daines’ request comes after the Biden administration announced its support for waiving IP protections for COVID-19 vaccines earlier this month. “Suspending World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations to protect IP on COVID-19 vaccines would not only fail to significantly speed up vaccine distribution to the rest of the world, but it would set a dangerous precedent on IP protection at the international level and undermine American innovation,” the letter states. “IP protections
Daines Helps Secure Over $12 Million For Montana Airports
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $12,031,247.00 will be allocated to various airports across Montana to strengthen air travel infrastructure. “These grants will help local Montana airports with infrastructure projects and improve their ability to accommodate the high travel demand that Montana faces each summer. I’m glad to see these airports receive the support that they need,” Daines said. The $12,031,247.00 will be distributed to the following airports: $708,363.00 to Bozeman Yellowstone International in Bozeman, MT to acquire aircraft rescue & firefighting safety equipment, acquire aircraft rescue & firefighting vehicle $2,475,968.00 to Frank Wiley Field in Miles City, MT to install airport beacons, rehabilitate taxiway,
Daines Announces $250K Grant for the National Museum of Forest Service History in Missoula
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the National Museum of Forest Service History in Missoula will be receiving a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant of $250,000. “I’m glad to see the National Museum of Forest Service History in Missoula receive resources that will contribute to community outreach and education on the importance of our forests, timber jobs and timber products. This funding will help support and maintain Montana’s rich timber legacy,” Daines said. The funding was secured in the spending package which passed in December 2020.
Daines Announces $185K Grant for Glendive’s Dawson Community Airport
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Glendive will be receiving $185,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to construct a new terminal building at the Dawson Community Airport as part of funding from the CARES Act. “The pandemic has placed extra burdens on local governments and their budgets, so I am glad to have helped secure this grant for Glendive to fund the final phase of construction of the Dawson Community Airport’s new terminal building,” Daines said.
Daines, Tester Bring Awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester’s resolution marking May 5th, 2021, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls passed the U.S. Senate. “It’s important to keep the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis at the forefront of the national conversation. On May 5 we remember Hanna Harris, who would be celebrating her 29th birthday, and the countless other lives that have been lost due to this crisis. Shedding a light on this tragic issue is a way to effectively address and protect our native communities,” Daines said. “I will continue to advocate for public safety as we look
Daines Applauds New Return-to-Work Program in Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement after Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced the creation of a new return-to-work bonus program and a return to pre-pandemic unemployment insurance requirements. “Across Montana we’re seeing small businesses put up ‘help wanted’ or ‘now hiring’ signs. We’re even seeing some Montana small businesses close because they can’t find enough workers to fill openings,” Daines said. “Governor Gianforte’s commonsense decision will help incentivize Montanans getting back to work. Montanans can safely return to work and small businesses throughout Montana have plenty of job openings. This is a great decision for