Press Releases

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today stressed the importance of processing agricultural leases on Native American lands in a more timely manner.    In a letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Director Bruce Loudermilk, Daines urges BIA to process and approve Native Americans’ agricultural lease applications in a more timely manner. Current leases can take months to process, which results much-needed economic revenue being lost or delayed. Daines’ letter is available to download HERE and below: Dear Mr. Loudermilk: I write expressing concern regarding the length of time it takes for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to approve agricultural

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement congratulating President-elect Donald J. Trump: “Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on winning Montana and the presidency.  Now the hard work really begins as we bring our nation together and move our country forward for hardworking families.” Audio of Daines’ statement is available to download HERE.  ###

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Crow Tribe’s recent elections: “Congratulations to Chairman-elect AJ Not Afraid on his election.  I appreciated the opportunity to work with him as Secretary of the Crow Tribe and I look forward to continuing to do so in his new role.  “And I want to thank Chairman Old Coyote for inviting me to his home and welcoming me to Indian Country.  I deeply respect the Chairman’s dedication to the sovereignty and economic security of his people.”  ###

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to reverse the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals disastrous Cottonwood Decision. In a memo to his colleagues, Daines underscored the critical nature of quick action to avoid further crippling of federal land management across Ninth Circuit states, and demonstrate why Congress should statutorily reverse the decision this year.  “To avoid the ‘crippling’ impacts on federal land management across Ninth Circuit states, Congress should statutorily reverse the Cottonwood decision by amending federal law to codify DOJ’s legal position in legislation enacted this year,” Daines wrote. 

BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced a new opportunity for Montanans to share their experiences on the Obamacare exchange with his office.  “Since Obamacare became the unhappy law of the land, Montanans have been hit with higher costs and fewer choices,” Daines stated. “I want to make sure Montanans feel heard and represented in Congress – that’s why I’m asking for them to share with me their story on how Obamacare has affected their lives.” Montanans who want to share their story can do so by visiting Daines’ website: https://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/share-your-story Earlier today, Daines held a roundtable in Billings with local business

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals applied their decision in Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. Forest Service to rule against a forest health restoration project near Bozeman.   “Today’s disastrous ruling against a commonsense project to reduce wildfire risk and protect Bozeman’s watershed makes it even more urgent that we enact meaningful forest reform that will remove this sort of absurd regulatory burden.”    ###

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today demanded transparency around the closure of Colstrip Units 1 and 2 to provide certainty to hardworking Montana families who rely on good-paying jobs at Colstrip.  In a letter to Paul Farr, the President and CEO of Talen Energy Corporation, Daines sought clarification if a decision had already been made to close Colstrip Units 1 and 2 at the earliest opportunity in 2017 and if the disclosure of this decision is being withheld.   Daines requested Farr to confirm that: No decision by Talen has been made to close these facilities in 2017 or any other future date;

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey informed the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary that Hillary Rodham Clinton is back under investigation.  “Hillary Rodham Clinton’s reckless conduct put our national security at risk,” Daines stated. “The citizens of our country deserve an honest and transparent investigation to hold the former Secretary accountable.”  ###

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement upon Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement of Dr. Kathy Berger’s appointment as permanent Director of VA Montana Health Care System.  “The appointment of a new VA Montana Director is welcome news for Montana’s veterans and I wish Dr. Berger the best,” Daines stated. “Now that our veterans have a new director I look forward to seeing a commitment and change to ensure their needs are not only being met, but that Montana’s veterans receive the best possible care.” Daines met with VA Secretary Bob McDonald on September 26, 2016 on