Press Releases

Senators’ Bill Designates Montana Creek as “Wild and Scenic”  (U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines’ bill to designate portions of the East Rosebud Creek as Wild and Scenic has cleared the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and now heads to the Senate floor.   The Senators’ bill will preserve 20 miles of creek originating in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and flowing out to the prairie where it joins the Yellowstone River just west of Columbus, Montana.   “East Rosebud Creek will take your breath away, it’s just one of those indescribable places,” said Tester. “From the Cutthroat Trout to the

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) today joined Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in a colloquy on the Senate floor to speak about the Democratic filibuster of the FY 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill.  The funding bill came out of the Senate Committee on Appropriations with the unanimous support of Democrat and Republican members. However, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said that his members are blocking critical funding for our troops so that his party wouldn’t be at the “mercy” of Republicans.   As all of the members said in the colloquy, this filibuster comes

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today welcomed the next step to go to conference on S.2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act, which passed the U.S. Senate in April by a bipartisan vote of 85-12. The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly voted to appoint conferees and go to conference on S. 2012, the next step in the legislative process.  “It’s great to see momentum to permanently reauthorize LWCF, move forward critical forest reform to improve forest health and protect good-paying Montana energy jobs,” Daines stated.   This key legislation will help expand Montana energy production and at Daines’ request will permanently reauthorize the Land and

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the upcoming closure of Colstrip Units 1 & 2:  “The closure of Colstrip units 1 and 2 is devastating news. Colstrip provides hundreds of good paying jobs, is an anchor to the entire economy and tax base of Montana and because of fringe environmental extremists and the onslaught of anti-energy regulations from the Obama administration we are seeing this important plant, one of the largest coal-fired generating stations in the West and our largest industrial facility in Montana, lose significant part of its generating capacity. We need to stop the

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $7,348,4900.00 in funding for critical construction upgrades for four Montana airports. Grants will be awarded to airports in Stevensville, Great Falls, Kalispell and Bozeman. “This funding will ensure that our airports can continue to serve their communities and keep Montana as a top travel destination for tourists,” Daines stated.  Grants awarded today by the U.S. Department of Transportation include:  Stevensville Airport: $1,999,142.00  Great Falls International Airport: In addition to the $7,175,439.00 secured by Great Falls International last week, they will receive an additional $1,820,614.00.  Glacier Park International: $1,204,079.00 Bozeman Yellowstone International: $2,324,655.00  More information

Daines Joins Bipartisan Call to Expand Mobile Network in Rural America U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan effort urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the Universal Service Fund’s (USF) Mobility Fund, which is aimed at providing broadband service to rural and underserved areas. Daines was joined by 27 Senators in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler calling for the agency to prioritize new mobile broadband deployment in areas that support agricultural activity as well as preserve and upgrade mobile broadband where it is currently available.  “Without the certainty that essential mobile broadband infrastructure

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Montana State Auditor Montana Lindeen announced the double-digit requested rate increases under Obamacare insurance plans.            “President Obama promised Obamacare would drive down the cost of healthcare premiums, instead we are seeing astronomical proposed increases in Montana,” Daines stated. “Obamacare continues to take money out of the pockets of hardworking Montana families with no relief in sight. Obamacare is failing Montanans, and we must repeal it.” The average proposed rate filings for 2017 plans for the individual market is a 34.6 percent increase with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana requesting a 62.1 percent increase.

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Tom Kuntz of Ennis for his dedication to the community and the Ennis Community Children’s School.  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 on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve.  The following is the statement submitted to the Congressional Record:    MONTANAN OF

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke out in support Montana’s hardworking farmers and ranchers against Vermont’s law that could impact Montana jobs and the price families’ pay at the grocery store. Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan compromise with a vote of 63-30 to protect Montana farmers and ranchers. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks.  “Make no mistake, this Vermont law is an attack on the heart of Montana’s way of life,” Daines stated. “It’s an attack on Montana farm and ranch operations, and I won’t stand for it. I will stand up for Montana and continue to fight