Daines Calls to Split the Ninth Circuit, Give Montanans Fair Access to Courts
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called to reform the United States Court of Appeals system for the Ninth Circuit by sponsoring the Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act. As part of the Ninth Circuit, Montanans and other citizens are unable to have their cases heard in a timely manner, and are therefore being denied equal access to justice,” Daines said. “By splitting the Ninth Circuit, it will help improve America’s judicial system.” The bill would split the Ninth Circuit and make the headquarters of the new Twelfth Circuit, which would include Montana, in Seattle. In addition the bill would add four new
Daines, Tester, Gianforte Urge Swift Action on Clean Water Bill
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester, and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to U.S. Senate and House Committee Leadership urging action on the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act, which would provide access to clean, safe drinking water to citizens of central and eastern Montana. The bill was reintroduced in February 2019. “Montanans deserve clean, safe drinking water,” the letter states. “We ask you to help us pass our Clean Water for Rural Communities Act at the beginning of this Congress… which includes authorization language for two rural water systems in Montana.” The letter was sent
Daines Urges Forest Service to Restore Access on Public Lands
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service demanding they reconsider proposed mountain bike closures in the Blue Joint and Sapphire Wilderness Study Areas on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana. “With over $7 billion in consumer spending coming from Montana’s outdoor recreation economy, we should be encouraging adaptive management principles across the Agency that help U.S. Forest Service decision-makers manage different uses across various landscapes, not exclude them,” the letter states. “I am concerned this approach will foster additional closures in areas with historic use and that the greater recreation community will suffer
Daines Honors Native Women in Montana, Across the Nation
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. The resolution celebrates the heritage, culture, and history of Native women and recognizes the many contributions Native women have made to our nation. “Native women have made a profound impact in Montana and across our country,” Daines said. “By honoring the importance of their contributions, we can ensure that future generations of young women can learn from the legacies of these great leaders.” The full resolution can be found HERE. ###
Daines Pushes to Stop Nursing Home Abuse, Protect Seniors in Montana
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing pressed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure that horrific cases of nursing home abuse in Montana, such as a recent case in Lewistown, will never happen again. Download video HERE “Last year, a state-run nursing home in Montana was cited for failing to protect patients from verbal, physical, and sexually abusive behaviors of fellow patients… according to reports, on 13 occasions, officials were not notified of incidents that included abuse in the facility’s wing which houses dementia patients,” Daines said. At the hearing, Daines
Daines Fights for Montana Brewers
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today cosponsored the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act to permanently reduce the excise tax on Montana’s small craft breweries. This bill will make a provision included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, which Daines supported in 2017. “All across Montana, we’re home to breweries that support our barley growers and create high-paying jobs,” Daines said. “I look forward to making these changes that were included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, which will help continue to drive the success of these small businesses across our state and
Daines Fights for Certainty for Montana Ranchers
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act to provide Montana ranchers with certainty in delaying the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate and reforming Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. “Montana’s ranchers and livestock haulers drive Montana’s economy,” Daines said. “We must find a solution that keeps our roads safe and allows Montana’s agricultural commodities to get to market humanely and on time. I’ll continue pushing to provide our ranchers and livestock haulers with certainty and remove undue burdens from their businesses.” The legislation indefinitely delays the ELD mandate for ag haulers and requires the Department
Daines, Tester Designate National Asbestos Awareness Week
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester championed legislation to designate April 1-7, 2019 “National Asbestos Awareness Week” as part of their ongoing efforts to combat the dangers of asbestos exposure. The bipartisan resolution raises awareness about asbestos-caused diseases and urges the U.S. Surgeon General to teach Americans about the substance’s risks. “Asbestos caused diseases have tragically claimed the lives of far too many Montanans,” Daines said. “By shedding light on the dangers of asbestos exposure, we can work to protect the health of Montanans state wide and ensure that what happened in Libby and Troy never happen again.”
Senate Western Caucus Applauds Andrew Wheeler’s Confirmation as EPA Administrator
U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (Mont.) and Caucus Members Senators Mike Rounds (S.D.), Jim Inhofe (Okla.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), John Boozman (Ark.), John Barrasso (Wyo.) celebrated the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Having worked with Administrator Wheeler both in Montana and DC, he takes a commonsense approach to solving issues important to Montana and other states,” Daines said. “I look forward to continuing to partner with Administrator Wheeler to protect our environment in Montana, finalize and clean up our superfund sites in Butte, Anaconda, Libby and other