Daines Introduces Bill to Cut Red Tape to Improve Forest Health, Support Critical Timber Jobs
U.S. SENATE – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill that will address the challenges stemming from the Cottonwood decision that created a new standard for re-consultation on Forest Plans when ‘new information’ is made available. The bill will improve the health of forests, advance wildlife and restoration projects, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and support timber jobs. “Even the Obama Administration agreed that the Cottonwood decision was flawed and crippled forest management. This law has tied the hands of our land managers, prevented them from following the best available science in management decisions, and diverted resources for an paperwork exercise yielding
Daines Leads Bipartisan Letter to Amtrak Opposing Job Cuts, Reduced Hours of Service
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to the President of Amtrak opposing their plans to terminate one out of every five employees, putting thousands out of work, and reducing the hours of operation of the National Network long distance trains. Daines stressed the need to protect these jobs and the local economy they support on the Hi-Line. “We are deeply concerned by the downsizing plan outlined in your supplemental funding request and believe it to be contrary to public interest. These cuts would not only dramatically reduce the utility of the nation’s passenger rail network,
Trump Administration Expresses Support for Daines’ Bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act
U.S. SENATE – At a U.S. Senate Hearing today, the Trump administration expressed support for U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” which permanently settles the century-long Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) water dispute. At the hearing, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Tim Petty discussed the benefits of the bill which will create more than 6,000 jobs, modernize critical NW Montana infrastructure, avoid costly litigation, protect the water rights of all Montanans and provide certainty for Montana’s farmers and ranchers. Daines kicked off the hearing by emphasizing why the bill is necessary, how
Daines Sends Bipartisan Letter to USDA on Regulatory Relief for the Meat Processing Industry
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to consider four areas for regulatory and programmatic reform in the meat processing industry. “When high-capacity processing facilities experienced outbreaks amongst employees, operations were forced to shut-off or slow down production, leaving the rancher with livestock they could not move and the consumer with either empty grocery shelves or overpriced products,” Daines wrote. “These pitfalls can be avoided in the future if we take action today to promote a diversified food supply chain. Regulations must be streamlined to
Daines Announces $1 Million for Montana Department of Justice to Continue Fight Against Meth Epidemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Montana Department of Justice will receive a $1 million grant as part of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Methamphetamine Program under the Department of Justice. This program provides funding to law enforcement to aid them in slowing the purchasing and distribution of meth that is ravaging Montana communities and families. “This funding will help support our law enforcement and give them resources and tools needed to protect our communities from Montana’s devastating meth crisis,” Daines said. Daines’ Work to Combat Montana’s Drug Epidemic: Last December, Daines voted for a
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Create Jobs, Support Montana Outfitters and Guides Economically Impacted by COVID-19
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill that will provide economic opportunities for Montana’s outfitters and guides impacted by COVID-19 and related travel restrictions. The bipartisan “Trail Stewardship for Economic Recovery Act” will provide funding for outfitters & guides to conduct trail maintenance projects on Forest Service lands. “Montana’s outfitters and guides have seen a drastic decline in business due to the coronavirus pandemic and the travel restrictions that have been put in to place,” Daines said. “My bipartisan bill will help our outfitters and guides make ends meet by creating jobs and new opportunities
Daines Secures $834,158 for Healthcare Training in Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is distributing $834,158 to Montana universities to help increase the healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities. “I’m glad to have helped secure this funding which is critical to ensuring our rural and underserved communities are taken care of,” Daines said. “This funding will help improve the quality, distribution, and diversity of health professionals working across Montana.” Montana State University received $344,880 and the University of Montana received $489,278 that will help train more healthcare workers
Daines: Montana’s Wilderness Shouldn’t Be Used as a Playground for the Rich & Famous
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he will be introducing a bill that would increase the penalties for landing any unauthorized aerial vehicles on designated wilderness areas in national forests. His bill will raise the maximum penalty to $20,000. “Montana’s wilderness shouldn’t be taken advantage of and exploited as a playground for the rich and famous,” Daines said. “Montanans value wilderness for the solitude it provides and the adventure that is involved to travel to so many beautiful locations. My bill will make folks with a deep pocket think twice before entering our pristine wilderness areas unlawfully.”
Daines Signs On To Major Police Reform Legislation in Senate
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines cosponsored a major police reform bill in the Senate, the JUSTICE Act, which will help restore confidence between communities and law enforcement by increasing accountability, transparency and commonsense training. Click HERE for the video statement. “The men and women who serve our communities in law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to protect our families, and a few bad actors have reflected poorly upon the values of their service,” Daines said. ”We must work to restore confidence between our communities and law enforcement, and this bipartisan bill does just that by increasing accountability,