Daines Attends Historic Ceremony to Sign Documents Implementing the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement and Compact
U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Secretary Ryan Zinke and Blackfeet Nation Chairman Harry Barnes for the historic signing of documents implementing legislation Daines fought for since arriving in Congress: the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act. The Blackfeet water compact will resolve all claims to water rights on the Blackfeet Reservation and ensure access to reliable and clean water for the communities within the Reservation, as well as farms, ranches, and businesses in the surrounding area. Today’s signing brings the settlement closer to becoming final and enforceable. Photo Credit: U.S. Department of the Interior “The Blackfeet Tribe has been waiting
Daines, Senators Call on Administration to Restore More Choice for Americans in Health Insurance Markets
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and 34 other senators today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Labor Secretary R. Alexander Acosta, and HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar urging the administration to restore 12-month terms for short-term, limited duration insurance plans, which were available for two decades before being prohibited by Obama administration rules in 2016. The senators also urged the administration to clarify that issuers can offer renewal guarantees for STLD plans as a consumer option. “Allowing STLD plans to offer terms of up to 12 months along with renewal guarantees, consistent with the October 12,
Montana Delegation Introduces Bill to Name Site of B-47 Crash in Memory of Fallen Heroes
U.S. SENATE — This week, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte introduced the B–47 Ridge Designation Act. This legislation honors Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, Lt. David Sutton, and Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh who all tragically lost their lives in an Air Force B-47 Bomber crash in Montana in 1962. The bill officially names the unnamed ridge off of Emigrant Peak in Park County where the crash occurred as the ‘B-47 Ridge’ and allows the placement of a memorial plaque at the site. The placement and the maintenance of the memorial will be paid for without taxpayer
Committee Passes Daines’ Initiatives to Support Butte Veterans Home, Malta Training Center
U.S. SENATE — Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ initiative to quicken the construction of the Butte Veterans home by making sure the VA establishes a deadline for its completion and ensuring the VA properly uses the taxpayer dollars that fund the project. “Montana veterans have been waiting for too long for a veterans’ home in Butte,” said Daines. “After years of mismanagement and inefficient use of taxpayer dollars, it is time the VA put the shovel in the ground for this project.” The Committee also passed Daines’ initiative to fully fund the construction of a new
Daines Amendment to Protect States’ Rights, Allow Medical Marijuana Use for Veterans Passes
U.S. SENATE – Today, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ amendment that protects states’ 10th Amendment right and allows veterans’ to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal. The amendment would allow for parity between VA and non-VA facilities in states like Montana, which have medical marijuana programs. It does not change current laws preventing the possession or dispensing of marijuana on VA property, but simply allows veterans to discuss all options that are legally available in their state with their VA doctor. “Veterans should not be discriminated
President Signs Montana Delegation’s Bill to Rename Three VA Facilities in Honor of Montana Veterans
Montana VA clinics to honor David Thatcher, Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, and Ben Steele U.S. SENATE — President Donald Trump signed the Montana congressional delegation’s legislation to rename three Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. This legislation, which was introduced by U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte, recognizes the commitment to duty and the personal courage of three Montana veterans by renaming VA facilities in Missoula and Billings in their honor. The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Missoula will be renamed in honor of David J. Thatcher, the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Billings will be renamed in honor of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow
Daines Secures Forest Service’s Commitment to Clear Hazardous Dead Trees from Montana National Forest
Clearing debris supports timber jobs and public safety U.S. SENATE – This week, Vicki Christiansen, Interim Chief of the Forest Service, announced that she approved U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ request to expedite removal of dead and dying timber leftover from wildfires in the Lolo National Forest. “Dead and dying trees are sitting in our National Forests, creating safety hazards and losing their economic value,” said Daines. “Clearing the debris will support good-paying timber jobs at nearby mills that have been waiting to take action.” Interim Chief Christiansen made the announcement after being questioned by Daines at a Senate Energy and
President to Sign Daines’ Bill to Overhaul VA, Strengthen Care for Veterans
U.S. SENATE – In the hours leading up to President Donald Trump signing the VA MISSION Act into law, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the Senate floor to highlight the positive impact that this legislation will have on veterans’ access to critical health care services. This legislation, which Daines helped champion in the U.S. Senate, will overhaul the VA Choice Program and provide better health care for Montana’s veterans. Daines will join President Trump at the White House this afternoon for a bill signing ceremony for this essential reform. Watch video HERE. Download video HERE. Excerpt from Prepared Remarks:
McConnell Responds to Daines’ Demands to Cancel August Recess
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has responded to Daines’ demands and cancelled the Senate’s upcoming August recess to help avoid last minute funding battles and push through the backlog of judicial nominees currently before the U.S. Senate. “In order to drain the swamp, the pumps need to keep running in August,” said Daines. “While I’m thankful the Majority Leader has heeded my call to cancel August recess, simply keeping the Senate open in August isn’t enough — we need to take clear steps to avoid politically-created funding crises and move forward