Daines, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Permanently Ban Earmarks
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and his Senate colleagues today introduced legislation to permanently ban earmarks. This follows a partisan agreement between Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro to bring the practice back to Congress. “Earmarks do nothing but add to the toxic, swampy culture that DC’s known for,” Daines said. “These back-room deals promote pay-for-play behavior that make lobbyists rich on the taxpayer’s dime. It’s time we get rid of earmarks once and for all.” “Earmarks allow lobbyists and politicians to belly up to the pork barrel buffet in order to fund pet projects that are
Daines Secures More Than $15 Million in Funding for Montana Airports
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that more than $15 million will be directed towards strengthening Montana’s air travel infrastructure. “COVID-19 has been hard on Montana’s tourism and aviation sectors. As we’re working our way out of this pandemic and Montana airports begin to recover, it’s critical that we support local infrastructure,” Daines said. “These grants will deliver much needed economic relief to our airports and in turn help support hospitality jobs by bringing more visitors to our great state.” The funding is part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) under the Department of Transportation. At the time of passage, Daines
Daines Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Making Tax Relief for Small Businesses Permanent
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to make the 20 percent pass-through small business tax deduction permanent. His bill, the “Main Street Tax Certainty Act,” will support small businesses, help create jobs and strengthen our economy. Without congressional action the tax deduction will expire at the end of 2025. “Montana small businesses help our communities thrive and prosper–they’re what make our hometowns feel like home,” Daines said. “Making this main street tax relief permanent will provide the certainty needed to help Montana small businesses stay afloat, create more jobs, and expand their operations.” Read the full text HERE. The 2017 Tax Cuts
Daines Announces Changes to Communications Team
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced changes to his communications staff. Katherine McKeogh, Press Secretary. McKeogh joins Team Daines as press secretary. McKeogh most recently served as press secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services. Previously, McKeogh served as deputy press secretary for House Minority Whip Steve Scalise and as a communications staffer for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rachel Dumke, Deputy Press Secretary. Dumke joined Team Daines after serving as press assistant for Daines’ 2020 Senate race. Katie Schoettler remains as Daines’ communications director, Mallory Walser as digital director, and Emma Guarino as press assistant.
Daines Named Ranking Member of Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today was named ranking member of the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care. “I look forward to representing Montana and serving as ranking member of the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care,” Daines stated. “There is a lot of work to be done to address many issues impacting Montana including continuing to combat the challenges posed by the pandemic, lowering the costs of prescription drugs, addressing the meth crisis devastating Montana communities, ensuring responsible spending of taxpayer dollars, and addressing rural healthcare needs for Montana.” Daines will also serve on the below U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittees: International Trade, Customs, and Global
Daines Slams Becerra for Pro-Abortion Agenda, Attacks on Religious Freedom, Support for Open Borders & Healthcare for Illegal Immigrants
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today took President Biden’s Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee Xavier Becerra to task for his attacks on religious liberty, pro-abortion agenda, support for open borders, and stance on providing taxpayer funded healthcare to illegal immigrants. To watch, click HERE. Becerra refused to answer Daines’ questions about his support for abortion including selective abortion for babies with Down syndrome and partial-birth abortion. To watch the exchange, click HERE. Daines questioned Becerra on his attacks on religious freedom throughout his time as California’s Attorney General including on the Little Sisters of the Poor. Becerra dodged. To watch the exchange, click HERE. Daines also pressed Becerra on his support for open borders and
Rep. Haaland’s Ideological Agenda Takes Center Stage at Senate Hearing, Daines Will Oppose Nomination, Work to Defeat It
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he will oppose the nomination of President Biden’s Interior Secretary Nominee Deb Haaland, and will work to block and defeat it. The announcement follows a two-day U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing where Haaland’s ideological agenda that threatens the Montana way of life took center stage. “This week’s hearing confirmed what I feared from Rep. Haaland’s record and our one-on-one conversation—she’s a hardline ideologue with radical views out of touch with Montana and the West. Rep. Haaland opposes the Keystone XL pipeline and has called for a ban on fracking, the elimination of fossil
What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Rally Against Rep. Haaland’s Nomination to DOI
U.S. SENATE – This week, several Montana leaders across the state have sent statements in opposition to President Biden’s Interior Secretary nominee Rep. Deb Haaland. Montana leaders have thanked Daines for his work highlighting concerns about Haaland’s radical views and ideological agenda that will impact the Montana way of life. Statements Opposing Rep. Haaland’s Nomination: “My concern with Rep. Haaland lies solely with her stances on numerous issues that are at odds with our Montana way of life. From Second Amendment rights to energy development to grizzly bears and agriculture, Rep. Haaland’s positions don’t line up with Montana’s priorities. I agree that it’s past time for
Daines Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Help Disabled Veterans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today cosponsored the “Major Richard Star Act” to allow certain disabled veterans to receive their retirement pension and disability pension at the same time. Federal law currently restricts most veterans from receiving both payments, forcing them to choose one or the other. This bill alleviates that concern for some 42,000 veterans nationwide. “Montana’s veterans and their families have made great sacrifices to serve our country. We need to ensure that federal laws are working to support these brave men and women, not working against them,” Daines stated. “This legislation will help retired veterans with disabilities get the support that they need. I won’t stop working to