Press Releases

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the inclusion of his amendment to provide security for nuclear sites in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “This will improve accountability and bring needed security improvements for our nuclear arsenal,” Daines stated. “We have an obligation to secure our nuclear weapons at Malmstrom and this will begin doing so.” Daines’ amendment requires the Department of Defense to certify what security shortfalls the UH-1N has created, and how it will alleviate those risks with outside resources until the acquisition process for new helicopters is complete.  Daines has long been pushing the Air Force to

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded bipartisan passage of a bill to provide a long-term extension of the Iran Sanctions Act: “These sanctions are an important tool in holding Iran – the world’s leading state sponsor of terror – accountable in maintaining our strength in the region,” Daines stated. “Iran is not a friend to our country or our allies and it’s critical they aren’t treated like a normal country until they behave like a normal country.”  The Iran Sanctions Extension Act: Extends sanctions on Iran for 10 years Targets Iran’s energy sector Pressures Iran to cease developing weapons of mass

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the unanimous passage of a resolution to mark October 6, 2016 as National Manufacturing Day.  Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.  “Manufacturing plays an integral role in supporting hardworking families across our state,” Daines stated. “Manufacturing jobs pay an average of 17 percent higher wages than non-manufacturing jobs and I’m proud to support funding to create more of these high-paying jobs.”   Paddy Fleming Center Director Montana Manufacturing Extension Center: “This is great to news to the 2,841 manufacturers of Montana, who provide 23,931 high paying jobs

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $1,402,200.00 for the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) to study how best to improve accessibility and efficiency of rural public transportation.   “It’s great to see additional funds being sent to an organization that has been an advocate for rural transportation efficiency and safety for over 20 years,” Daines stated.  “As a graduate of MSU’s College of Engineering, I am proud their contributions are recognized and these funds will be used to improve mobility in Montana and rural America.” The Western Transportation Institute (WTI) is a department within Montana State University’s (MSU) College of Engineering.  They

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the inclusion of his amendment to elevate U.S. Cyber Command to a Combatant Command in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). U.S. Cyber Command it is currently a subordinate unit to U.S. Strategic Command.  “The elevation of CYBERCOM will ensure that we are always one step ahead of the enemies who seek to destroy us and our way of life,” Daines stated. “As radical Islamic extremists continue to recruit online, it is imperative now more than ever that CYBERCOM has the tools to react quickly and defeat the enemy.” Congress established U.S. Strategic Command

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill to promote the use of telehealth today passed the U.S. Senate.  The Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration, to study technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models and the ability of those models to improve patient care and provider education.   “Geographic location should not dictate quality of care,” Daines stated. “This bill will promote opportunities to increasingly open up access to high-quality care in rural communities that is not currently available, such as access to specialists; support

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the unanimous U.S. Senate passage of his legislation to protect consumers who want to write honest online reviews of companies, without fear of financial repercussions from the businesses being reviewed.   Daines’ bill, the Consumer Review Freedom Act, would prohibit the use of non-disparagement clauses referred to as “gag clauses,” which are often found in little-read online user agreements.   “Today was a good day for the First Amendment rights of Americans,” Daines stated. “This legislation protects folks who provide honest feedback about the products and services they purchase. I look forward to continuing to read

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill that allows federal, state and local policymakers to better understand the economic impact outdoor recreation has to the American economy unanimously passed the U.S. Senate this evening.  This legislation would inform policymakers and business leaders on the jobs created, and the consumer spending driven by, the outdoor recreation economy. “Montana is well-known for our world-class outdoor recreation that is critical to our state’s economy,” Daines stated. “This legislation will help us to better understand the economic impact of outdoor recreation and the good paying jobs it supports. I look forward to the President swiftly signing this bill into law

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris’s ruling on Alliance for the Wild Rockies et al v. Marten et al. “Yet another ruling confirms that we need urgent action to reverse the disastrous Cottonwood decision,” Daines stated. “Too many commonsense forest management projects have been halted because of lawsuits from fringe environmentalists that do more to harm forest health.”  U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris on Tuesday cited the Ninth Circuit’s Cottonwood ruling to halt the Red Lodge forest management project through an injunction order. The project would reduce the risk