Press Releases

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after his bipartisan amendment to promote tribes’ access to national criminal databases passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. This amendment, which supports tribes’ participation in the Tribal Access Program (TAP), is part of his greater effort to reduce the number of native women and girls who go missing or are murdered. “We must curb the tragic epidemic of native women and girls who go missing or are murdered and strengthen tribes’ ability to keep their citizens safe,” said Daines. “Sovereignty and security go hand in hand.” The bipartisan

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after President Donald Trump appointed Rodney Dean Ostermiller as United States Marshal for the District of Montana. “Mr. Ostermiller has exemplified Montana’s spirit of service through his commitment to keep Montanans safe and give back to his community,” said Daines. “He is one of Montana’s finest and I know he will continue to do what it takes to protect Americans’ security.” “Thank you to Senator Daines for recommending me and to President Trump for the appointment. It is an honor and a privilege to receive the appointment of U.S.

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Senate rejected his amendment to protect Americans and withhold certain federal funding from cities who deliberately protect illegal immigrants by refusing to cooperate with immigration services. “It’s commonsense that our cities must follow the law and prioritize securing the safety of innocent Americans,” said Daines. “We should not be sending money we don’t have to cities that do not value the security of their law-abiding citizens.” The amendment received bipartisan support with the support of 54 Senators, but failed to receive the 60 votes necessary for passage.

Overseas criminals conspired to use cryptocurrency in Columbia Falls School District hack, issue death threats to children U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today in a Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hearing raised concerns about overseas hackers’ use of cryptocurrency to issue death threats to children in Montana’s Columbia Falls School District. Daines questioned United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission chairman, Christopher Giancarlo, about what can be done to both protect Americans’ security, while also preserving the freedom to innovate through technology. Watch the video HERE. Download the video HERE.   “The attack on Columbia Falls School District

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sponsored the bipartisan Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act, legislation to target tax scammers who threaten a critical conservation program used in Montana. “As Montanans, we value the natural beauty of the outdoors,” said Daines. “We must protect the integrity of conservation incentives meant to encourage public enjoyment by prohibiting scammers from taking advantage of taxpayers.”  Background: Current law allows taxpayers who place their property into a conservation easement to receive a tax deduction for the market value of the land. This encourages land conservation for the public’s enjoyment. Senator Daines cosponsored the Conservation

Proposed Washington State law would tax fuel produced at Colstrip, raise Montana energy costs, kill good-paying jobs U.S. SENATE — Montana U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. House Representative Greg Gianforte today sent a letter to the Washington State legislature urging the body to reject legislation that would tax fuel produced at the Colstrip Power Plant and raise energy costs for Montanans. Download video HERE. “Any increase in prices due to taxes imposed by this bill could have detrimental effects on Montana families. They should not have to suffer again because of the actions of a government body nearly one thousand

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today, during a Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) hearing, questioned witnesses on how the United States can strengthen efforts to hold China accountable for religious freedom and human rights abuses. “The ability to practice a religion without fear of persecution is a basic human right,” said Daines. “The United States must do more to ensure China upholds this fundamental freedom and end its human rights abuses.” Watch the video HERE. Download the video HERE. Background: On February 12, 2018, Daines sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, urging him to appoint a

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today, during a Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) hearing, questioned witnesses on how the United States can strengthen efforts to hold China accountable for religious freedom and human rights abuses. “The ability to practice a religion without fear of persecution is a basic human right,” said Daines. “The United States must do more to ensure China upholds this fundamental freedom and end its human rights abuses.” Watch the video HERE. Download the video HERE. Background:  On February 12, 2018, Daines sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, urging him to appoint a

Motorized vehicles largest contributor to outdoor economy U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis released a preliminary study confirming that access to public lands is critical to Montana jobs and the local economy. Montana’s outdoor recreation economy includes snowmobiling, hunting, hiking, fishing, bike riding and other outdoor recreation activities. “It’s clear that increasing public access to public lands is a driving force for Montana’s economy,” said Daines. “Opening up non-wilderness, public lands to activities like biking, snowmobiling and hunting increases public access and continues to strengthen local economies