Press Releases

Daines, Duckworth Highlight GSA Cybersecurity Deficiency in Operations

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today wrote to the General Services Administration (GSA) highlighting the clear deficiency in GSA’s operations regarding foreign-owned buildings.  In a letter to GSA Acting Administrator Timothy Horne, the Senators expressed concern with GSA’s practice of leasing high-security space from foreign owners and the cybersecurity risks created by conducting high-security operations in foreign-owned buildings. Daines also requested a response by March 31, 2017 as to how GSA will address these issues. “Federal agencies are among the top targets for cyber criminals, with many agencies experiencing thousands of attempted attacks daily,” Daines and

Hirono, Daines Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Expiration of Asia-Pacific Expedited Travel Program

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced the bipartisan APEC Business Travel Card Reauthorization Act to make permanent the APEC Business Travel Card Program, which grants U.S. citizens access to fast-track processing lanes at airports across the Asia-Pacific. Without reauthorization, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cannot issue cards to U.S. citizens after September 30, 2018. Over 200 Hawaii residents are active holders of the APEC Business Travel Card which saves 43 minutes on average in airport wait times. “The APEC Business Travel Card has helped hundreds of Hawaii residents travel and conduct business with ease

Zinke Heeds Daines’ Call: Reverses Obama Directive Restricting Hunting and Fishing

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the first actions taken by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to return power back to the people.  “I’m pretty certain the bureaucrat that put this regulation in place has never hunted elk in Montana,” Daines stated. “Secretary Zinke is off to a strong start protecting Montana’s and our country’s hunting and fishing heritage.” “Secretary Zinke’s first actions in office also help unlock access to our nation’s public lands. In Montana we know that nearly 2 million acres of our public lands are inaccessible and I am hopeful this action will

Daines: Perry Confirmed as Energy Secretary

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 Energy, former Texas Governor Rick Perry. “Secretary Perry will work to make our nation energy secure and I’m excited to partner with him to restore the balance between fossil fuel and renewable energy investments to create more good-paying jobs,” Daines stated.  Immediately following Perry’s confirmation, Daines wrote to Perry: “Mr. Perry, I cannot think of a more important place to witness firsthand the need for investments in clean coal technology and grid security

Daines: Carson Confirmed as HUD Secretary

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the U.S. voted to confirm President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Dr. Ben Carson. “Secretary Carson knows what it is like to grow up in poverty and will use that experience along with his deep devotion to the country to best serve Americans,” Daines stated. “It is only fitting that his career marked by consistent compassion would lead him to this position.”  Carson was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Development on January 24,

Tester and Daines Reintroduce Bill to Preserve East Rosebud Creek

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to permanently preserve the East Rosebud Creek in south central Montana. Tester and Daines are introducing the legislation at the request of local Montana residents.  Their bill will designate 20 miles of East Rosebud Creek as wild and scenic under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which will preserve the free-flowing condition of the creek located south of Roscoe, Montana. “East Rosebud Creek is one of Montana’s most hidden treasures with world-class fisheries and breathtaking views,” Tester said. “This is another made-in-Montana solution that was built through

Daines, Tester Introduce Two Bills to Complete Montana Hydro Projects

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced legislation to ensure the completion of two hydroelectric facilities in Montana. The bills will provide for the reinstatement and three-year extension of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Clark Canyon Dam Hydro Project in Dillon, Montana and a six-year extension of the FERC license for the Gibson Dam Hydro Project near Augusta, Montana. “The Gibson Dam and Clark Canyon Dam are critical for tax revenue and jobs in Montana communities,” Daines stated. “These bills will help create more Montana made energy projects that provide a reliable source of energy and will create good-paying

Daines Named “Friend of Farm Bureau” by the American Farm Bureau Federation

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he was recognized by the American Farm Bureau with its “Friend of Farm Bureau” award for his strong support of agriculture and his advocacy on behalf of Montana farmers and ranchers. The American Farm Bureau Federation gives the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award to members of Congress who have led on issues critical to farmers and ranchers across the country, supported Farm Bureau issues, as demonstrated by their voting records and who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureau.  Daines was presented with the award today by the Montana Farm Bureau

Daines: Zinke Confirmed as Interior Secretary

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 the Interior, Montana’s U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke.  “This is a historic moment for Montana as Congressman Zinke is the first Montanan to ever serve in a President’s cabinet,” Daines stated. “Ryan is a Montanan who grew up in America’s public lands. He knows that we must strike the right balance between conservation and responsible energy development, and he understands more than most that one-size fits all policies from Washington, D.C., never work for