Press Releases

HELENA, Mont. —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced legislation to protect wildland firefighters retirement.  Currently, if injured and not able to return to a firefighting position, federal wildland firefighters must switch from the 20-year retirement track authorized for federal employees with certain hazardous jobs to the 30-year retirement track for ordinary federal employees. Daines’ fix will allow wildland firefighters to remain on the 20-year retirement track if they’re injured on the job. Additionally, Daines’ fix requires that overtime pay be considered as income for purposes of calculating worker’s compensation disability benefits since overtime pay constitutes a significant portion of wildland firefighter

HELENA, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today met with Dr. Kathy Berger, the director of the Montana VA Healthcare System, to discuss prioritizing Montana veterans and ensuring they receive the care they deserve.  Daines pressed Berger on holding officials at the VA accountable and ensuring those who have served receives the best possible care. They also discussed the unique challenges facing veterans living in rural areas, issues related to Health Net and third party providers, as well as the obstacles that exist in providing quality care, regardless of a veteran’s residence or location. “Dr. Berger has a tall order ahead

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement on Yahoo’s disclosure that more than 1 billion accounts were attacked:  “The Yahoo breach is a glaring example of how vulnerable our digital information is,” Daines stated. “Private companies must uphold the highest standard to combat cyber criminals and prevent future breaches.” In September, Yahoo disclosed that 500 million users were attacked in 2014.  Before serving in Congress, Daines worked in the technology sector for more than twelve years. He served as vice president of Montana-based RightNow Technologies, a global leader in cloud computing and multi-billion dollar technology company that became Bozeman, Montana’s largest commercial employer. ###

CIRCLE, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on former Texas Governor Rick Perry, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Energy:  “Governor Perry will restore balance to the Department of Energy so that its priorities better reflect our nation’s all-of-the-above energy mix,” Daines stated. “We need to encourage federal investments in fossil fuel research and make the United States a leader in clean coal technology to make our nation energy secure. I look forward to supporting his nomination and making America an energy leader.”  ###

BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Interior:  “Ryan Zinke protected us abroad and in combat and I know he will do the same for our treasured public lands as Secretary of the Interior,” Daines stated. “In Congress, I’ve seen Ryan stand up and fight to protect our way of life.  As a westerner, Ryan understands the challenges of having the federal government as your largest neighbor and I couldn’t think of a better fit for Secretary of the Interior.” Audio of

COLUMBUS, Mont. —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to exempt small business from burdensome regulations found in their 317-page “net neutrality” rules. Daines led the effort in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to extend a temporary exemption from the FCC’s so-called “enhanced transparency requirements,” which would require internet service providers to disclose an excess of information about their network performance, some of which may require investing in new equipment and hiring an engineer.  If the FCC doesn’t take action by December 15, 2016, small businesses will be subject to these burdensome requirements. In a

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill to encourage and increase the use of crowdsourcing and citizen science within the federal government to advance and accelerate scientific research, literacy and diplomacy passed the U.S. Senate this evening.  This is the first ever legislation to grant explicit authority to the government to use these methods. Daines’ bill is included in S. 3084 American Innovation and Competitiveness Act. “The best solutions to the challenges facing our country are going to come from hardworking folks – not the federal bureaucracy,” Daines stated. “By encouraging the federal government to pursue citizen-driven solutions we will be able

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured passage of legislation to combat the spread of invasive mussels in Montana.  Daines secured language in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act, clarifying congressional intent that inspection stations are not just intended to be in the Columbia River Basin, they must be strategically located across Montana and the West to prevent transmission of these invasive species from all bodies of water.  “If these invasive mussels continue to mature and spread it will have a costly impact on Montana’s ecosystem, obstructing irrigation and hydropower infrastructure and negatively impacting our economy,” Daines stated. “Watercraft

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the passage of the Blackfeet water compact in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act.  The authorization of Blackfeet water compact is included in the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).  The WIIN Act authorizes the Blackfeet water compact and ends decades of litigation and paves the way for more than 400 million of investment water, irrigation and infrastructure projects. “Today is a historic day for the Blackfeet Tribe, Montana farmers, ranchers and families, ” Daines stated. “The Blackfeet water compact will update decades old infrastructure, strengthen