Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Montana Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced bipartisan legislation to create a Small Business Local Relief Fund to provide economic relief for very small businesses with fewer than 20 workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “This bipartisan legislation is about taking the decision making powers out of the hands of Washington D.C. and putting it in the hands of our local communities who know their own needs best,” Daines said. “We need more targeted action that strengthens local response and empowers our local economic development leaders to provide relief for our most vulnerable small and rural businesses in the
Daines Pushes to Protect National Guard Members Retirement During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter urging Senate leadership to temporarily lower the minimum requirement for a satisfactory year of service to accommodate National Guard personnel who are unable to drill and acquire points towards retirement because of the COVID-19 outbreak. “Many guardsmen and women who have dedicated a life of service, face the very real possibility of being a couple points short of retiring with 30 years due to no fault of their own. This is a retirement that, under normal circumstances, would have been assured but is currently in question,” Daines wrote. Currently,
Daines Secures Over $200,000 to Expand Telehealth Services in Montana During Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be directing $264,641 to the University of Montana System and Montana State University to support increased telehealth capabilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “In Montana, telehealth is a powerful tool for our providers to expand access to care, especially in vulnerable communities during this public health crisis,” Daines said. “I am glad to have secured these funds to enable more health professional on the front lines of this pandemic to deliver safe and effective care. I will continue working
Daines: We Must Prioritize Made in Montana Beef, Support Montana Ranchers
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a resolution that would urge the President and U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef in trade negotiations. “During these unprecedented and challenging times, Montana producers and ranchers are struggling to keep their operations going,” Daines said. “That’s why it is important we pursue negotiations with our trading partners to include country of origin labeling. We must support ranchers in Montana and across the U.S. and ensure that only beef made and slaughtered in America receive the Product of the USA label.” Additionally, Daines cosponsored
Daines Pushes for PPP Relief Eligibility for Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter urging the Trump administration to allow qualifying veteran service organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to be eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) perform services to veterans and their families in states across our nation, and this is certainly the case in Montana,” Daines wrote. “When times get tough, the Montana VFW is there for Veterans. To help local VFWs meet their obligations and continue serving their communities, I urge you to swiftly find a
Daines Secures Nearly $50 Million to Expand Testing for Coronavirus in Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana will be receiving $49,914,794 to develop, purchase, administer, process, and analyze COVID-19 tests, scale-up laboratory capacity, trace contacts, and support employer testing. “I am glad to have secured this critical funding to boost testing for the coronavirus in Montana,” Daines said. “As we work to safely reopen the economy, it is critical that Montana’s testing needs are met. I will continue to working to ensure our communities have the resources needed to help get us through this crisis.” This funding announcement today includes the $16 million Daines originally secured for testing
Daines, Tester, Gianforte Lead Bipartisan Letter to Trump in Support of State Funeral for Last Surviving WWII Medal of Honor Recipient
U.S. CONGRESS—U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Jon Tester, and U.S. Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a bipartisan letter today calling on President Donald Trump to designate a state funeral in honor of the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, and to recognize millions of Americans for their service and sacrifice during the war. “The ‘Greatest Generation’ represents the character and strength of Montana and the United States of America,” the delegation wrote. “For example, Montana’s very own Captain William W. Galt, U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor during WWII for gallantry, risking his life, while serving
Daines Secures Over $1 Million for Community Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be directing $1,258,912 to Montana through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. “This critical funding will support Montana’s most vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic including low-income individuals and families and Montana seniors,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have worked to secure these resources for our communities and I will continue working to ensure Montana’s local needs are met during this crisis.” The CSBG funding supports projects that: Lessen poverty in communities Address the needs of low-income individuals including the
Daines: We Must Support the Postal Service, Protect Rural Montana Communities Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Senate leadership urging emergency funding, additional borrowing authority, and debt forgiveness to support the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and help it survive the current national pandemic. “The Postal Service plays a critical role in American society, and its services are needed now more than ever, especially in our rural communities where local access to grocery stores, pharmacies, and other vital services is often limited or nonexistent,” Daines wrote. “Without immediate relief, the USPS may have to limit or cease operations, which would cause significant harm to Americans who