Press Releases

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today slammed Senate Democrats refusal to provide funding for Zika, a public health emergency and for failing to fund our troops.   For the third time this year, Senate Democrats voted against a formerly agreed to bipartisan $1.1 billion compromise in emergency funding to fight Zika – a level that Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden confirmed is the level required to meet the immediate needs of Zika response efforts.   “President Obama is directing Democrat Senators to put public health and safety of the American people aside in favor of partisan politics,” Daines

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $3,456,026.00 in funding for critical upgrades at the Yellowstone Airport located just north of West Yellowstone. “This airport serves a critical role in helping to combat the growing fires in Yellowstone National Park and this additional funding will help keep this airport operational for years to come,” Daines stated. The funding will be used to acquire safety equipment and/or fencing, construct heliport/helipad, install apron edge lights, install miscellaneous NAVAIDS, rehabilitate apron, rehabilitate taxiway and remove obstruction.  Daines secured the following provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization: Airport Improvement Program (AIP) dollars which

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $853,333 in funding for the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) for the next year and a half, which strengthens Montana small manufacturers through partnerships and guidance. MMEC has worked with nearly 1,200 of the manufacturers in the state. According to the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research,  MMEC delivers an 8:1 return on investment for the citizens of the state of Montana.   “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

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and U.S. Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA) today led a bicameral effort urging the Obama administration to rescind the July 22, 2016 guidance under the International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that declared that gunsmithing is “manufacturing” of a firearm and thus requires the gunsmith to register and pay a registration fee of $2,250. In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, the members underscore that this new guidance negatively harms hardworking small businesses and law-abiding gun owners and implore Kerry to give this his immediate attention and rescind the guidance.  “The vast

Columbia Falls, Mont.— U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the U.S. Air Force’s announcement that the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program has reached Milestone A.  “This is great news for maintaining our nation’s ‘peace through strength’ strategy at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base and the security of our nation,” Daines stated. “We must ensure our nuclear capabilities are ready for 21st century warfare. I will continue pushing to guarantee we modernize our nuclear weapons.” Daines has been actively pushing the Department of Defense to reach Milestone A.  On July 8, Daines led a bipartisan effort in urging Department of Defense Secretary Ash Carter

BOZEMAN, Mont. —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $348,357 in funding for seven Montana tribes to support their existing library operation and to maintain core library services.  “This funding will ensure that tribal libraries are up-to-date and properly serve Indian Country,” Daines stated. “The Native American Library Services Grant is important to improving libraries in Montana’s native communities.” The Native American Library Services Basic Grant is distributed in equal amounts among eligible applicants. The funds were provided to following tribes throught the Native American Library Services.              The Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Chippewa Cree Tribe,

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today condemned the Obama administration following reports that 12 Yemeni nationals and three Afghans were transferred from Guantanamo Bay. “Terrorists captured by U.S. forces belong in Guantanamo, not in custody of a nation that may allow them to return to the battlefield as we have seen before,” Daines stated. “This President is more focused on releasing dangerous terrorists to fulfill a campaign promise than protecting our national security.” On May 26, Daines introduced legislation to temporarily ban the transfer or release of detainees from Guantanamo Bay until either the end of this year or enactment of the National Defense Authorization

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines marked the Fourth Annual Startup Day Across America by welcoming Uber to Montana. Daines spoke at the launch of Uber in Bozeman and was the first Montanan to take a ride in an Uber in Bozeman. State Representative Daniel Zolnikov was the driver.  On Daines’ ride, he picked up a dozen roses for his wife Cindy and surprised her with concert tickets to the Keith Urban concert in Bozeman last night. “It’s great to see Montana join states across the country in creating economic opportunites with safe and reliable rides for our families, veterans

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that the coal scoping meeting he hosted in Billings generated 68 comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for their review of the federal coal program. On June 21, Daines held a public scoping meeting in Billings to ensure that the Department of Interior (DOI) hears the voices that will be most impacted by their review of the federal coal program. Montana has the nation’s largest estimated recoverable coal reserves.  “It’s great that Montanans have been able to make their voices heard in decisions that affect their families’ ability to put food on the table,” Daines