Daines Advances Key Montana Priorities in Senate Defense Bill
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today advanced key Montana priorities with U.S. Senate passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA passed with a vote of 86-8. “The Senate defense bill protects and promotes Montana’s critical contributions to our national security,” Daines said. “I look forward to working with the House to ensure we keep critical Montana provisions that strengthens our nuclear deterrence, empowers our standing on the world stage and gets the men and women who serve in Montana the resources they need.” Key Highlights in the Senate passed NDAA: Prioritizes nuclear deterrence– $22 million increase for GBSD $8.9 million increase for Minuteman upgrades $29 million
Daines Secures Over $8 Million in Funding for Montana Airports, Communities
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $8,019,366 million will be directed towards strengthening Montana’s air travel infrastructure across the state. “Strengthening the infrastructure that supports air travel in Montana is vital to our local economy,” Daines said. “These grants will lead to greater access for Montana’s visitors and more good paying jobs for Montana’s thriving tourism industry.” 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. The $8,019,366 will be
Daines Announces $34 Million in PILT Funding for Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $34 million in Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to Montana’s rural counties. “This is good news for our rural communities in Montana,” Daines said. “These payments ensure critical services are delivered so all Montanans, including those in our rural communities, receive the quality of life they deserve.” Under the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program, Montana rural communities will receive $34 million to support essential services such as firefighters, police, schools and road construction. Complete information on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s PILT payments by state and county
Daines Statement on Job Corps Announcement
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the news that all Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers, including Montana’s Anaconda and Trapper Creek Centers, will remain open and operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “This is a big win for Montana and our country. I’m glad that President Trump, Secretary Perdue, and Secretary Acosta listened, and are keeping these critical centers open and under the Department of Agriculture,” Daines said. “Our job corps centers are critical. They provide hundreds of jobs in Montana, and provide future generations of young Montanans the tools they need
Daines Launches Bills to Mitigate MMIW Crisis in Indian Country
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing continued his fight to combat the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis occurring across Montana’s Tribal communities and the West. In conjunction with the hearing, Daines introduced two pieces of legislation, the Finding and Investigating Native Disappearance Act (FIND) and The Tribal Reporting and Accountability to Congress Act (TRAC). Click HERE to download. “I want to thank you all for coming before us today as we continue to work to put an end to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis,” Daines said. “[T]oday I
Daines Celebrates New Affordable Clean Energy Rule
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today praised the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to repeal and replace the Clean Power Plan (CPP) with the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. “The new ACE plan is great news for Montana’s rural communities,” Daines said. “The Obama EPA Power Plan would have wiped out Colstrip immediately, killing high paying jobs, local and state tax revenue that helps pay for our schools, and affordable reliable energy that keeps the lights on. This ACE Rule would instead provide flexibility to states and power plants to innovate to reduce pollution rather than eliminating coal
Little Shell Federal Recognition Bill One Step Closer to Becoming Law after Push by Daines & Tester
(U.S. Senate) – Federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians has advanced further than ever before after a push by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester to successfully include their bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act—the Senate’s must-pass annual defense legislation. The Little Shell Tribe has sought federal recognition for nearly four decades, and has been recognized by the State of Montana since 2000. “Great news today for Montana’s Little Shell Tribe,” Daines said. “After decades of fighting for the federal recognition they deserved, we’re one step closer to making it a reality. I’m honored to have
Daines: We Must Protect the American Flag
U.S. SENATE — Today, U. S. Senator Steve Daines renewed efforts to prohibit the burning of the American flag. Daines’ reintroduction of his constitutional amendment falls on Flag Day. “Our United States flag is a timeless symbol of liberty that tells the story of America, the story of our enduring pursuit of freedom,” Daines said. “Remembering the sacrifices of all who carried its colors into battle, our nation should always render the flag the honor and dignity it is due.” Background: On June 14, 2018, Daines commemorated national Flag Day by highlighting the Constitutional Amendment to prohibit the burning of the American flag on
Daines’ Blue Water Navy Veterans Bill Heads to President’s Desk
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today celebrated his bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act unanimously passing the U.S. Senate and heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “Our Vietnam vets who served both on land and sea deserve equal care for their bravery in defense of our country,” Daines said. “I am happy to see my legislation pass. It is due time we get our Blue Water Vets the care their sacrifices demanded.” During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed approximately 20 million gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam to remove jungle foliage. This toxic chemical