Press Releases

U.S. SENATE — Chairman of the Senate Western Caucus, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (Mont.), and Caucus Members Cory Gardner (Colo.) and John Hoeven (N.D.), issued the following statements on the confirmation of James Hubbard to serve as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment. “As chair of the Senate Western Caucus, I led my colleagues in urging swift consideration of this nomination, and it’s great to see it happen,” Daines said. “Hubbard will play a critical role in advancing forest management reform and promoting better stewardship of our forest lands. I look forward to working together and bringing

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representative Greg Gianforte today announced the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) signed the Final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Rock Creek Project on the Kootenai National Forest. The project, 13 miles northeast of Noxon, is estimated to create 340 full-time mine jobs when at full production, and contribute to an additional 299 secondary jobs per year. “The Rock Creek project will spur good paying jobs for hundreds and bring roughly $40 million annually to the local economy. This project also means more tax revenue for essential public services such as schools, law enforcement and

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the Helena Regional Airport received a $4,605,472 grant secured through the Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program. “This is great news for Montana,” Daines said. “This funding will ensure Montanans and visitors to our great state have reliable access and infrastructure to enjoy the things that make our state exceptional.”  Jeff Wadekamper, Director of Helena Regioanl Airport, touted the grant and said, “Passenger traffic through the Helena Regional Airport continues to grow, and this funding helps to ensure the airport can support continued growth and expanded opportunities for commercial air service. We

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Central Valley Fire District (CVFD) in Belgrade, MT was awarded a grant of $904,717 for the hiring of additional firefighters. The grant, administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is part of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. “The Central Valley Fire District’s firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities from devastation,” Daines said. “This funding will help them continue to provide quality emergency services to their citizens and community. I’m proud to have supported Ron and the Central

U.S. SENATE —Today, in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Congress to take action on his bill that will improve the health of national forests and revitalize the timber industry. Daines’ bill, the Protect Collaboration for Healthier Forests Act, establishes a pilot arbitration program authorizing the U.S. Forest Service to use binding arbitration in Montana and Idaho as an alternative dispute resolution process for certain forest restoration projects. “As we speak there are 27 timber sales currently under litigation in Montana. I can’t even see the mountains out my back door in my home

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the University of Montana received a $1,500,000 grant from the Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as part of its Low and No Emission Vehicle Deployment Program. “This is great news for the University of Montana, its students and the surrounding community,” Daines said. “This grant will not only help strengthen the University’s transit system, but improve air quality and lower fuel costs. I am proud to have supported this grant initiative.”  The grant was requested by the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM), to help fund their

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte today sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long to urge the approval of Montana’s major disaster declaration request following this year’s severe flooding. The declaration will provide federal funding to assist in cleanup and recovery efforts needed to support Montana’s communities and economy. “Montana experienced heavy spring flooding this year that severely impacted communities and infrastructure across our state. Montana’s affected communities cannot afford delays in funding and urgently need federal resources to restore their way of life,” the letter writes. To read the full letter

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today met with community leaders and stakeholders to address the importance and future of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a widely supported, bipartisan program critical to Montana jobs and protecting Montanans’ outdoor way of life. Without congressional action, the program will expire at the end of September. Daines was joined by Mary Hollow with Prickly Pear Land Trust, Mark Lambrecht with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mark Aagenes with The Nature Conservancy, Glenn Marx with the Montana Association of Land Trusts, and Dave Chadwick with Montana Wildlife Federation. “LWCF is so important to Montana,

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by President Donald J. Trump. Watch HERE Download HERE “We got good news today – President Trump just signed the NDAA that authorizes spending for our U.S. military. It’s also very important for Montana and our nuclear mission, and what the men and women who serve at Malmstrom Air Force Base do for our nation and our state. It’s a big win for Montana and a big win for our nation,” Daines said. Daines secured several provisions in the