Daines Pushes to Expand Permanent Telehealth Coverage
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Congressional leadership calling for the expansion of access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic to be made permanent. Provisions from Daines’ “CONNECT for Health Act” have allowed Medicare beneficiaries in Montana to utilize telehealth services and were included in previous COVID-19 legislation but will expire following the pandemic unless Congress acts to make those measures permanent. “Telehealth has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring that patients can continue to receive the health care services that they need while minimizing the spread of the virus
Daines’ Bipartisan Bill Supporting Montanans Diagnosed with ALS Passes U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE – Today, the U.S. Senate passed Senator Daines’ bipartisan bill that helps support Montanans battling the devastating disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. For a video statement from the Senator, click HERE. “ALS is a devastating disease, and Montanans who have been diagnosed with it should not have to wait five months to receive disability benefits. My bipartisan bill eliminates this waiting period, providing quicker access to benefits for those who suffer from this aggressive disease. I’m glad to see my bill pass the U.S. Senate, and I will continue fighting until it’s passed out of the House and signed into law to help support Montanans battling ALS,” Daines said. Currently,
Daines Statement on New Agreement Between MLB, Montana Minor League Teams
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after it was announced that after months of negotiations, Major League Baseball (MLB) and Montana’s Minor League Baseball teams have come to an agreement on the future of professional baseball in Montana. “Professional baseball in Montana helps bring our communities together and drive our local economies,” Daines said. “I’m very glad that after months of negotiations, MLB and Montana’s minor league teams have come to an agreement to allow Great Falls, Missoula, and Billings to continue playing professional baseball in their communities. It was my privilege to fight for the future of Montana’s
Daines Urges CDC to Ensure all Montana Communities Get Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Once Approved
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure Montanans across the state, including those in rural communities, get access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible. This follows Daines’ announcement that he participated in Pfizer’s vaccine trial to build confidence and trust for Montanans and the American people wondering if they should take the vaccine. “As states across the country work to develop their vaccine distribution plans in consultation with the federal government, I encourage the CDC to consider the unique challenges facing those in remote and
Daines to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Montana Jobs, Small Businesses, Community Banks Impacted by Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced plans to introduce bipartisan legislation that will protect Montana jobs and provide critical relief to Montana small businesses, community banks and credit unions. “Montana small businesses and our local community banks have been drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They need relief to help protect jobs and workers, not unnecessary loans and payments during these hard times. That’s why I’ll be introducing bipartisan legislation to ensure small dollar loans are forgiven,” Daines said. Daines’ legislation will end the requirement that Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance grants be subtracted from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Daines Announces Participation in Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Trial, Positive Test For Antibodies
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his participation in Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine trial. The trial is a blind trial, however, Daines has since tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. This follows Pfizer’s announcement of the vaccine being 95% effective and plans to seek FDA emergency use authorization in the coming days. “Back in August, I got a call from my mom telling me how Pfizer was looking for people to enroll in their COVID-19 vaccine trial right in my hometown of Bozeman. Thanks to that call, my sweet wife Cindy and I decided to go online and enroll in the trial – joining
Daines: Malmstrom to Receive Helicopter Upgrade This Summer Following Direct Request
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Malmstrom Air Force Base will receive the MH-139 “Grey Wolf” helicopter upgrade replacing the Vietnam era UH-1N “Huey’s” in the summer of 2021. Malmstrom will be the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) base in the country to receive this critical upgrade. This news follows Daines’ direct request and extensive work to secure the upgraded helicopters for Montana. “Today’s announcement that Malmstrom will be receiving these critical helicopter upgrades is great news for Montana and our country’s national security,” Daines said. “I’m proud to have fought to secure this critical upgrade for Malmstrom and
Daines Fights to Protect Montana Air National Guard’s C-130s
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Senate and House Armed Services Committee Leadership to maintain a minimum inventory of 292 C-130 aircraft, which includes those used by the Montana Air National Guard, in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “Our Air National Guard C-130 flying wings provide nearly half of the Air Force’s tactical airlift capability. For more than 50 years, we have brought Americans into combat, provided humanitarian relief around the globe, and supported domestic response throughout the nation,” Daines wrote. “As the Air Force proposes changes to align our force structure with the National Defense Strategy (NDS), it is vitally important we
Daines’ Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Montana Wildland Firefighters, First Responders Passes U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing the bravery, sacrifice, and heroism of wildland firefighters and first responders across Montana and the nation has passed the U.S. Senate. The resolution also honors those who have lost their lives this fire season, including Montanans Tom Duffy and Sara Madsen. “Montana’s wildland firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and families from devastating wildfires, and this was a devastating fire season,” Daines said. “I’m glad to see the Senate pass my resolution recognizing these Montana heroes and honoring