Daines Urges TSA to Provide Glacier Park International Third X-Ray Machine
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to fulfill Glacier Park International Airport’s request for a third X-ray machine. In a letter to TSA Acting Administrator Dr. Huban Gowadia, Daines noted the increased tourism in the Kalispell area and the need to ensure timely screening for passengers. “GPI provides reliable air service for nearly 250,000 passengers per year, enabling economic growth and allowing thousands of tourists to visit Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley every year,” Daines wrote. “As you make decisions about resource allocations in the coming months, I urge you to accommodate GPI’s request.” Daines’
Daines, McCaskill Introduce Legislation to Protect Taxpayer Dollars
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced legislation to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS spends over $7 billion on acquisition programs annually. This legislation would codify acquisition best practices, increase transparency and accountability, increase communication and understanding of needs to industry providing these technologies, and require notification to the Inspector General and Congress when certain cost, schedule, and performance objectives are not met. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reviewed 26 acquisition programs at DHS in fiscal year 2016 (FY16) worth $7 billion.
FAA Heeds Daines’ Request: Provides Medical Certification Exemption From REAL ID
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has heeded Daines’ request and will accept Montana licenses, regardless of REAL ID status, for medical certification purpose. In a letter from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to Daines, Huerta wrote that, “The FAA believes that the requirement to hold a driver’s license to exercise the relief of BasicMed does not require a REAL ID compliant license.” Click HERE to read FAA’s letter to Daines. “It’s good progress to see the FAA recognize Montana licenses regardless of a federal law that Montanans have said they don’t want,” Daines stated. “I will continue working to ensure
Daines Urges FEMA to Hold Listening Session in Montana
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to hold one of its tribal listening sessions in Montana as part of the process of updating its tribal consultation policy. In a letter to FEMA head Robert Fenton, Daines noted that Montana tribal leaders and homeland security directors have expressed a strong desire to provide their input on the FEMA consultation policy and requested that the agency hold a listening session in Montana to ensure their voices are heard. “As you prepare that schedule ahead of the finalization of the renewed policy by August 2017, I
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: The People of Libby
U.S. SENATE — During National Asbestos Awareness Week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized the people of Libby, Montana, for their resiliency and strength in confronting economic, environmental, and public health challenges. Daines is pictured with Dr. Brad Black, Ms. Tanis Hernandez, and Ms. Tracy McNew of CARD. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan
Daines Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators to Gain Permanent Reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing legislation to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which would fully realize LWCF’s promise to conserve parks, open spaces, and wildlife habitat for the benefit of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. “LWCF is a critical tool that helps expand access to our public lands and preserves our Montana way of life,” Daines stated. “By permanently reauthorizing LWCF we can remove uncertainty and protect access to public lands for future generations.” U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Michael Bennet (D-CO) Susan Collins (R-ME),
Daines: Gorsuch Confirmed for U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Judge Neil Gorsuch was confirmed to be the next U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice: “Judge Gorsuch is mainstream and he’s not going to legislate from the bench. As a fellow westerner, he will uphold our Montana values and defend our Second Amendment rights. The Senate did its job and I look forward now to seeing Judge Gorsuch on the court.” Gorsuch has widespread support from mainstream groups across Montana. Daines has consistently underscored the reasons why Gorsuch belongs on the U.S. Supreme Court. On April 6, 2017, Daines
Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Local Governments From Abandoned Federal Buildings
U.S. SENATE —During National Asbestos Awareness Week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation safeguard local governments from having to take ownership of old federal buildings filled with asbestos after bankruptcy. Daines’ bill requires the federal government to take into account commonsense factors when deciding whether a bidder for federal property is capable of fulfilling its financial obligations, preventing local governments from having to take possession of asbestos-filled buildings post-bankruptcy through tax liens. “A promise made must be a promise kept,” Daines stated. “An abandoned asbestos-filled building in downtown Billings could have serious health implications. That’s why I’m taking action
Daines: Gorsuch Will Be The Ninth Supreme Court Justice
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor after the U.S. Senate voted to invoke the “nuclear option” because of unprecedented obstruction at the hands of Senate Democrats to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. Click HERE to download Daines’ remarks. Click HERE to watch Daines’ remarks. Daines’ remarks as prepared are below: “One of the most consequential votes I cast is a vote to confirm a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. It’s a lifetime appointment to our nation’s highest court. “As it stands today – the U.S. Senate is on the precipice of