Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced legislation to encourage cross boundary management of forests to protect water resources, enhance wildlife habitat, restore forest health, and strengthen local economies. The bipartisan Empowering State Forestry to Improve Forest Health Act of 2017 would encourage a landscape approach to forest management. The bill has been endorsed by the American Forest Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters.  “I’ve been working closely with Montanans to make sure that we have locally-driven management of our forests,” said Daines. “This bipartisan solution will maintain healthy forests, increase the role of

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Alexander Acosta for U.S. Secretary of Labor. “Alexander Acosta will work to ensure workers in Montana have the support and protections they need and deserve,” Daines stated. “I look forward to working with Secretary Acosta to provide Montana businesses with relief from burdensome regulations so that we can promote the wellbeing of Montana workers and retirees, and create more opportunities for Montanans looking for work.” On April 25, Daines met with Acosta in his Washington, D.C. office and hand delivered a letter

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $2,499,999.00 in funding for the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) Clinic for asbestos health screening.  “The Center for Asbestos Related Disease is a vital nonprofit resource that helps with identification treatment, and research for those with asbestos exposure,” said Daines. “Too many Montana families have suffered at the hands of asbestos and through this additional funding, Dr. Black and his team will be able to continue the excellent work they have been doing and the people of Libby will have the support they need to fight the consequences of this deadly

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today introduced two bipartisan, bicameral bills to protect and recognize wildland firefighters. First, the Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act requires the federal government to provide a special designation to call wildland firefighters just that, wildland firefighters, rather than their current designation as forestry technicians. Providing wildland firefighters with the proper title will improve recruitment efforts and morale and also give due recognition to those brave individuals who risk their lives to protect others’ and their property.  Second, the Wildland Firefighter Fairness Act addresses several technical problems wildland firefighters face. Currently, many

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after meeting with President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Alexander Acosta. “Alexander Acosta will be a champion for the American worker,” Daines stated. “Montanans deserve a system with financial investment rules that encourage savings, optimize investment choices and increase access to investment advice. Mr. Acosta will be an advocate for providing regulatory relief for Montana small businesses to help them thrive while ensuring that employees are protected.” During the meeting, Daines hand delivered a letter outlining Montana priorities to Acosta. Dear Mr. Acosta:  Congratulations

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on President Donald J. Trump’s intention to levy a 20 percent import tax on Canadian softwood lumber. “President Trump has taken decisive action to put America first and protect against unfairly subsidized lumber that harms Montana mills,” Daines stated. “For too long Canadian softwood lumber has had a significant negative impact on Montana jobs. Canada needs to play by the same set of rules that Montanans do.” A timeline of Daines’ efforts to renegotiate a new Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) for Montana’s sawmills is below:   April 27, 2006: SLA signed – seven

U.S. CONGRESS —U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and U.S. Representative Dave Brat (R-VA) today introduced bicameral legislation that would require congressional budgetary scorekeepers to account for interest costs incurred on borrowed funds needed for legislative proposals.  The Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs (BASIC) Act will include the cost of debt in both Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) analysis so that Congress can have the full picture of legislative costs to the American taxpayer. “Congress employs gimmicks to shield hardworking American taxpayers from knowing exactly how much it is spending,” Daines stated. “It’s time the

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue.  “I am thrilled to have a Secretary of Agriculture that will prioritize Montana’s number one economic driver,” Daines stated. “Secretary Perdue has extensive experience advocating for agriculture and will work to expand opportunities for Montana agriculture. I look forward to hosting Secretary Perdue in Montana.” On March 23, 2017, Daines questioned Governor Sonny Perdue on trade and forest management reform during his nomination hearing.

Bill Would Keep Government Running, End Shutdowns that Disrupt Critical Government Services & Cost Taxpayers Billions  U.S. SENATE — As Congress races to prevent another government shutdown this week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation that would permanently prevent the federal government from shutting down, ensuring that essential government services aren’t disrupted and protecting taxpayers who must bear the resulting cost. The End Government Shutdowns Act would create an automatic continuing resolution (CR) for any regular appropriations bill or existing CR, keeping the federal government open and reducing the chance of last-minute, budget-busting bills being forced through Congress.  “Washington’s govern-by-crisis