Press Releases

Daines and Bipartisan Bicameral Coalition Introduce Bill to Protect Law-Abiding Gun Owners

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the Export Control Reform Act of 2016, which transfers regulatory responsibility for non-military-grade firearms from the U.S. Department of State to the U.S. Department of Commerce.  “The Obama administration is continually making attempts at restricting the rights of law-abiding Americans to own guns,” Daines stated. “Their latest heavy-handed policy unduly targets gunsmiths, most of whom make little to no income and simply do it for the love of the trade, or are small business owners who will be negatively impacted by this burdensome cost. This bill protects both our Second Amendment rights and our small businesses from government overreach.”   The Export

Daines Votes to Give 9/11 Victims Justice

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after voting to override President Obama’s veto of legislation that would allow families of victims of terror attacks on U.S. soil to sue the foreign states that fund terrorism and permit them to hold accountable those who aid and abet terrorism. The vote was 97-1.   “It has been 15 years since the horrific terror attack of Sept. 11, 2001, that rocked our nation and forever changed our world – that is 15 years too long for justice for these victims,” Daines stated. “These families deserve long-overdue closure and to seek justice

Daines Statement Following Clean Power Plan Oral Arguments

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the conclusion of oral arguments in West Virginia v. EPA before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  “Under President Obama’s Unaffordable Power Plan, Montanans who can afford it the least are paying the steepest price,” Daines stated. “I’m thankful for our Attorney General Tim Fox who is working tirelessly to ensure that this rule is stopped to protect coal jobs and the hardworking families coal supports.”                 Earlier tonight, Daines took part in a bipartisan press conference joined by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito

Daines Announces over $150,000 for CSKT Employment Program

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $156,202 in funding for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe (CSKT) to implement an employment and economic development program. The funding is for the CSKT’s Pilot Project Implementation Plan and Pilot Training Initiative, which is the third phase of their Sustainable Economic Development Project funded by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). “This grant is good news to help CSKT complete the final phase of their project that will increase sustainable employment and economic development opportunities,” Daines stated.  Janet Camel, Planning Director, CSKT Economic Development Office: “The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are very

Daines, Nelson: Patrons Should Be Protected from Online Booking Scams

Daines and Nelson introduce legislation to protect consumers from online booking scams   U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) today introduced legislation to protect consumers from online booking scams.   Daines and Nelson introduced The Stop Online Booking Scams Act that protects consumers from illegitimate third party websites that trick consumers into thinking they are making reservations directly with hotels. Online booking sites have created a marketplace where consumers can shop for hotels across thousands of brands on a single platform. With the rise of online booking (480 bookings per minute) has come an increase in online

Daines Announces $1,094,800 for Law Enforcement for the Chippewa Cree Tribe, Crow Tribe

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $1,094,800 in funding for the Chippewa Cree Tribe and the Crow Tribe to enhance law enforcement practices and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts in nine purpose areas including public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; violence against women; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs.  The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The Chippewa Cree Tribe received $480,223 and the Crow Tribe received $505,125.  “This funding will provide additional resources to help tribes’ public safety needs,” Daines

Daines Implores Energy Chairman to Prioritize LWCF Permanent Reauthorization

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today implored Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to preserve permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in the Senate passed S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act.  “LWCF was created in the spirit of reinvesting the revenues from the sale of our national resources into future resources for all Americans – asset for asset,” Daines wrote. “Like many of the 85 members who voted in support of S. 2012 on the floor, we consider LWCF a top policy priority in the context of

Daines Statement on the Passing of Ben Steele

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in memory of the life of World War II POW and Bataan Death March survivor, Ben Steele:  “Montana has lost an American hero and a state treasure,” Daines stated. “Ben Steele will be remembered for his service, his courage and his artistic legacy.”  On July 10, 2015, Daines honored Steele as Montanan of the Week for his exceptional service to the nation and the Billings community. Daines met Steele on September 9, 2013 in Washington, D.C. for the Big Sky Honor Flight. ###

Daines Announces $750,000 for Kootenai Rail Development

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $750,000 in funding for the Kootenai Business Park in Libby.   “Through these additional funds Lincoln County will be able to create and save good-paying Montana jobs,” Daines stated. “The Kootenai Rail Development Project will invigorate the region and be a boon for local business.” Daines authored a letter of support for this project on April 21, 2016 to the Economic Development Administration (EDA), “Completion of the new rail spur will reassure current businesses in the Kootenai Business Park that economic rail transportation will be available to them, and is considered vital to attract new businesses with good-paying jobs.” This EDA