Press Releases

Daines Pushes for MT Bars and Taverns to be Eligible for Coronavirus Small Business Loans

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) urging the agency to allow the over 2,400 Montana bars and taverns to be eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides $350 billion in 100 percent forgivable loans (grants) to small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic if they maintain or rehire their employees. “These small mom and pop establishments are an integral part of the local tourism economy in my state and are among those businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 and corresponding public health closures,” Daines wrote. “I ask that during this

Daines Urges President Trump to Immediately Approve Disaster Relief Funding For Montana During Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged President Trump to support the State of Montana’s major disaster declaration request and urge its immediate approval. “Montana has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and immediate federal assistance is needed to continue mitigating this disaster,” Daines wrote. “Approval of the disaster declaration will open up much needed funding through programs such as the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, which will provide much needed support to workers who have been impacted by this pandemic through no fault of their own.” To read the full letter, click HERE. Background:    Daines has

Daines Secures Over $1 Billion in Aid for Montana During Coronavirus Outbreak

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted and advanced a Coronavirus economic relief package that will provide Montana workers, small business, hospitals, and state and local governments more than one billion dollars in emergency relief to handle the Coronavirus outbreak. The aid package puts Montana workers first, expands unemployment insurance, helps Montana small businesses keep and stay open, supports healthcare workers and hospitals on the front lines fighting the virus, prioritizes rural health, accelerates the development and manufacturing of drugs to treat and prevent the virus, stabilizes the economy and more.   To download the full video, click

Daines Secures Critical Funding, Stronger Provisions for Tribal Communities in Coronavirus Economic

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he was able to successfully secure stronger provisions and critical funding for tribal communities in the Coronavirus Economic Recovery Package. Earlier this month, Daines urged President Trump to ensure Montana tribal communities have access to federal assistance during coronavirus outbreak. “As the Coronavirus pandemic impacts millions of Americans across the country, we cannot ignore one of our most vulnerable populations, Native Americans,” Daines said. “I am glad President Trump, the administration and Senate Leadership acted on my request for stronger funding for our tribal communities. I look forward to getting our

Daines: Senate Must Come Together and Pass Critical Coronavirus Economic Relief Package

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Senate voted a second time against the CARES Act, a Coronavirus economic recovery package that would deliver major relief for millions of workers, working families and small businesses in Montana and across the country.   To download a clip of the quote, click HERE. “This is a time we must get this done for the good of our country… The senate bill before us provides relief for workers, for families, for small businesses, and for healthcare professionals,” Daines said. To download the full speech, click HERE. Phase 3:

Daines: We Must Work and Stand Together to Provide Relief to Workers, Families, Small Businesses and Healthcare Professionals Now

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the Senate voted against a Coronavirus economic recovery package that would deliver major relief for millions of workers, working families and small businesses in Montana and across the country. “The health and livelihoods of the American people are in danger and I’m disappointed the Senate didn’t move forward to support crucial legislation to respond to the health crisis and rescue workers and small businesses across our country. We need to stand and work together during this difficult period in our nation’s history,” Daines said. For audio of the

Daines Leading Charge on Accelerated Drug Development, Manufacturing for Coronavirus

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced a plan and over $10 billion in funding for accelerated drug development and manufacturing to treat and prevent the Coronavirus. Daines has been working with top healthcare and medical leaders including National Institute of Health Director Dr. Collins, Federal Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Hahn, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Director Dr. Bright, Former Federal Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Gottlieb, and the White House on a bold plan to accelerate the development of drugs to treat and prevent Coronavirus. To download the full video, click HERE. “One important area we need to

President Trump Signs Daines’ Bill Protecting GI Education Benefits During Coronavirus Outbreak

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that President Trump signed his bipartisan bill, the Emergency GI Fix for Coronavirus School Closures, into law. This legislation will stop veterans, and those who depend on them, from losing GI Bill education benefits during the Coronavirus outbreak. “During these times of uncertainty, veterans shouldn’t have to worry about losing their GI benefits. I’m glad that Congress came together to pass this important bill,” Daines said. This law authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which oversees the disbursing of the GI Bill, to keep students at their current benefit levels even

Daines Urges President Trump to Prioritize Public Health, Montana Businesses During Northern Border Travel Restrictions

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged President Trump to prioritize the shipment of essential goods such as medical supplies, agricultural commodities, and energy, which will help local Montana businesses and border communities, during ongoing negotiations with Canada over travel restrictions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Daines also emphasized the importance of ensuring that local communities and businesses are kept informed when exemptions are granted or restrictions considered.   “These exemptions will undoubtedly evolve as the pandemic progresses, but we believe that some level of certainty regarding what businesses and individuals will be exempt from future actions is