Press Releases

Daines, Gillibrand Demand No Further Delays for Blue Water Veterans

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote a letter urging Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert Wilkie, to reverse his decision to delay benefits by another six months to the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans. “This is a disheartening and unnecessary action,” the senators wrote. “Delaying these benefits for another six month without specific and valid cause only adds insult to these veterans, many of whom have been waiting for these benefits for seventeen years.” To read the full letter, click HERE. Daines and Gillibrand have been leading the fight for Blue Water Veterans in the Senate

Daines, Gianforte Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Fix PILT for Montana Counties

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte yesterday introduced the bipartisan Small County Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Parity Act.   “Far too often our rural communities are pushed aside and not given the resources they need,”Senator Daines said. “These PILT payments deliver critical services to folks in rural Montana, and I’m glad to introduce this important legislation to increase those resources in Montana’s small counties.”  “In Montana, 55 of our 56 counties receive PILT funding. As the largest landowner in our state, the federal government must keep its commitment to our communities and make them whole,” Congressman Gianforte said. “The existing

Daines Bill Set to Generate $6.6 Billion in Federal Revenue

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his bill, the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2019, will generate $6.6 Billion in federal revenue, according to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Tax, by restoring integrity back to the conservation program. “My bipartisan bill will protect this critical conservation tool by stopping abuse from bad actors,” Daines said. “The massive $6.6 billion revenue estimate shows that, despite previous IRS guidance, abuses have continued and it demonstrates the need to bring integrity back to this program so it can be used for years to come.” The bill limits qualifying conservations contributions,

Daines Secures Over $47 Million in Funding for Montana Airports

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $47,798,711 will be directed towards strengthening Montana’s air travel infrastructure. “It’s critical Montana has the best air travel infrastructure in the country,” Daines said. “These grants will lead to more jobs and development in Montana’s rural communities.”   The funding is part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) under the Department of Transportation. As a member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, Daines was instrumental in securing funding for the Airport Improvement Program. To read which airports the $47,798,711 will be distributed towards, please click HERE. Background:  Daines has been active

Daines Announces $188,717 for Telehealth Network in Bighorn County

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $188,717 will be directed towards the Bighorn Valley Health Center to create a new Telehealth network addressing substance abuse. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the agency’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. “A strong telehealth network is vital to Montana’s rural communities,” Daines said. “This grant will boost our investments in rural development and help to increase access to limited primary care, oral health care, behavioral health care and substance abuse treatment.”   The program was reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, which Daines fought for as the

Daines Secures Over $9 Million in Funding for Glacier Park and Missoula International Airports

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $9,783,353 million will be directed towards strengthening Montana’s air travel infrastructure at Glacier Park International Airport and Missoula International Airport.    “It is one of my highest priorities to ensure Montana has the infrastructure needed to help our economy grow,” Daines said. “These grants will ensure that our airports in Missoula and Glacier Park have the most up to date equipment and resources necessary for not only Montana’s strong tourism industry but aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles as well.”   Of the $9,783,353 million total, $3,500,000 will be distributed to Glacier Park International

HHS Responds to Daines’ Demand to Revoke Government Pension of Convicted Pedophile

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines received a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in response to the Senator’s call for action to take away convicted pedophile Stanley Patrick Weber’s government pension. “I’m glad to see HHS respond to my demand and take action in finding a way to prevent this convicted pedophile from receiving a dime of his government pension,” Daines said. “This disgusting situation should never have happened in the first place – that’s why I’ve introduced and am fighting for legislation that would prevent future convicted pedophiles from receiving a government pension.” To read the

Daines, Gianforte Fight for Jobs in Indian Country

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte reintroduced legislation to permanently extend the Indian Coal Production Tax Credit (ICPTC). “This is about bringing economic opportunity and jobs to Indian country” Daines said. “This tax credit will create good, high paying jobs, generate vital local tax revenue to support essential services, and promote tribal self-determination and energy independence.” “The Indian Coal Production Tax Credit benefits the Crow Tribe, its members, and the people of Montana,” said Gianforte. “I am proud to introduce legislation to permanently extend the tax credit, support tribal development, and help strengthen Montana’s economy with

Senate Approves Federal Recognition of Little Shell Tribe After Years-Long Push by Daines & Tester

(U.S. Senate) – The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians is one step closer to achieving federal recognition today, thanks to a legislative push by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester. The Senators’ legislation passed today as a Daines amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act—the Senate’s must-pass annual defense bill. “Today is a historic day for Montana’s Little Shell Tribe,” Daines said. “For the first time in history, our bill to federally recognize the Tribe passed the Senate. This is a major milestone for the Little Shell Tribe, and I’ll continue pushing until we get this done once