Press Releases

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

Tester, Daines Fight for Montana Counties on Capitol Hill

(U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are calling on Congress to support Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) which are critical to helping Montana counties balance their budgets.  If Congress doesn’t act before the end of the year, PILT payments will run dry. PILT supported 55 Montana counties last year to the tune of $30 million. Additionally, SRS expired September 30, 2015 and counties have been waiting for nearly a year for Congress to reauthorize this critical initiative.  SRS provided $18 million to more than half of Montana’s counties last year.    

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Joan Eliel of Broadwater County

BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Joan Eliel, Investigator/Program Specialist with the Montana Department of Justice for receiving one of three 2016 Outstanding Crime Victim Advocate of the Year Awards.   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 of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form

Daines Leads 29 Senators Urging President Obama to Refrain From ‘No First Use’ Nuclear Weapons Policy

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today led 29 Senators in urging President Obama to refrain from implementing the dangerous and irresponsible ‘no first use’ nuclear weapons policy. In a letter to President Barack Obama, the Senators underscore the strategic importance of the nuclear arsenal to domestic safety and geopolitical strength. “While no American wishes to employ nuclear weapons in conflict, establishing a no first use policy would weaken the nation’s security and make the world less safe by crippling America’s nuclear deterrence posture—a stabilizing agent for the cause of peace across decades—and further incentivize allies and enemies alike to develop nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction and