Press Releases

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

Daines Announces over $12 Million in Grants for Montana Community Health Centers

U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced over $12 million in grants for Montana Community Health Centers. “Community Health Centers provide vital and affordable care to the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Daines. “These critical funds will work to improve the health and wellbeing of thousands of Montanans.” The following Community Health Centers received grants from the Department of Health and Human Services: RiverStone Health: $3,338,867.00 Lincoln County Community Health Center: $1,689,470.00 Glacier Community Health Center: $1,603,310.00 Bullhook Community Health Center: $1,689,606.00 Bighorn Valley Health Center: $3,767,224.00 Background: On February 6, 2018, Daines joined a bipartisan press conference

Daines Applauds Zinke for Prioritizing Montana, Sperry Chalet Reconstruction in DOI Funding Request

U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines applauded Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Ryan Zinke for prioritizing Montana in the DOI’s appropriations request and setting aside $12 million for the reconstruction of Glacier National Park’s Sperry Chalet hotel.  The Sperry Chalet hotel was burned down in a forest fire in August 2017. “Glacier’s Sperry Chalet hotel has been a place for visitors to stay for over a century,” said Daines. “I thank Secretary Zinke for putting Montana’s priorities first and fighting to rebuild this historic building.”   ###

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Broadband to Rural Montanans

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the bipartisan Reprioritizing Unserved Rural Areas and Locations for Broadband (RURAL Broadband) Act of 2018, which will prioritize federal funds that are used to provide broadband access to areas that are unserved with no access before they are used to upgrade areas with existing service.  “We must work to close the rural-digital divide so our rural communities can be part of the 21st Century economy,” said Daines. “My bill ensures that these critical funds be used for the communities who need them most.” Read the full bull text, HERE. Statements of Support: “The Montana Telecommunications Association (MTA) enthusiastically supports the good-government legislation introduced by Senators Steve

Daines Joins President at White House to Roll Back Dodd-Frank Regulations

U.S. SENATE – Today, President Donald Trump invited U.S. Senator Steve Daines to a bill signing ceremony at the White House for legislation that will roll back disastrous Dodd-Frank regulations. “Montana’s rural banks, credit unions and customers have been the biggest victims of Dodd-Frank,” said Daines. “It was great to join the President at the White House to finally takes steps to provide relief to our rural communities.” The Dodd-Frank Act has done tremendous harm to Montana by eliminating small community banks and credit unions and by limiting consumer access to their services, such as mortgages and depository services. Since

Daines Introduces Legislation to Protect Tribes from Costly Obamacare Employer Mandate

Senator Steve Daines today announced the introduction of legislation to protect Native American tribes from Obamacare’s costly employer mandate. The Tribal Employment and Jobs Protection Act will exempt tribes and tribal employers from Obamacare’s employer mandate. The bill prevent massive fines that tribal employers would incur under Obamacare’s employer mandate. The employer mandate places an undue burden on tribes, leading to lost jobs and increased unemployment. Instead of bolstering tribal economies, it drives out opportunities and wages. Tribal members were already exempt from the individual mandate in the original Obamacare law. This legislation upholds the United States’ trust responsibility to

Senate Sends Bill to Overhaul VA, Deliver on Promises to Our Veterans to President’s Desk

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today supported and the Senate passed, the VA MISSION Act, which will overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs and fix many of the shortcomings in the VA Choice Program. “Under the Choice Program, our veterans did not receive the healthcare they deserved,” said Daines. “The bipartisan VA MISSION Act will follow through on the promises that were made to our Veterans.” This week, Daines took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to join him in supporting the VA Mission Act. Watch video HERE. Download video HERE. The bipartisan MISSION Act will