Daines Secures Much-Needed Reform to Address Failures in America’s Justice System
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured provisions to improve access to broadband on tribal lands, increase transparency and reform America’s judicial system. “When our courts are overburdened and overworked, Americans are left underserved and waiting too long for justice. I’m pleased that my colleagues are taking this important step to modernize the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, ” Daines stated. “I’m also proud to secure numerous reforms that work to increase transparency, improve broadband on tribal lands and ensure Americans’ have the access to justice they deserve. ” Daines joined the Senate Appropriations Committee today in approving the FY2017 Financial
Daines Strengthens Access to Public Lands, Stops Obama’s Regulatory Overreach
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured many important resources for Montana to fully fund wildfire suppression, prohibit President Obama’s overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, promote responsible public lands policies and honors Indian trust responsibilities. The Senate Committee on Appropriations today passed the bipartisan FY2017 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill which funds the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and other agencies. “As a fifth generation Montanan and avid outdoorsman, I value Montana’s vast natural resources and our way of life –
Daines Secures Reinstatement of Royalty Policy Committee
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured passage of his amendment to help protect Montana coal jobs from the Obama administration’s recent moratorium on new federal coal leases and ensure that states and tribes have a significant voice in any changes to federal coal, oil, gas royalties or leasing policy. The Senate Committee on Appropriations today unanimously passed Daines’ amendment in the FY2017 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill which would reestablish the Royalty Policy Committee to ensure greater transparency in creating royalty and leasing policy for mineral production from federal and tribal lands. “Those most impacted by
Daines to Listen to Montanans, After Snubbed by Interior
On the same day, BLM is hosting an official meeting in Seattle, Washington with no plan to hear Montanans’ voices U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he will hold a public meeting on June 21, 2016 in Billings, Montana to ensure that the Department of Interior (DOI) hears the voices that will be most impacted by their review of the federal coal program. While the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) claims that they are “particularly interested in gathering public input on the issues and policies that should be outlined in the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement” on June 21 they are holding
Daines’ Bill to Protect Small Businesses Passes Commerce Committee
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the overwhelming bipartisan passage of his legislation to protect Montana small businesses from burdensome regulations found in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 317-page “net neutrality” rules. The Small Business Broadband Deployment Act of 2015 passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee this morning. It extends a temporary exemption from the FCC’s new so-called “enhanced transparency requirements,” which would require internet service providers to disclose an excess of information about their network performance, some of which may require investing in new equipment and hiring an engineer. “Too many small businesses have suffered due
Daines Works to Stop President Obama’s WOTUS Rule
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today successfully worked to stop President Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that seeks regulate virtually every ditch and pond that may be occasionally wet across the United States. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, of which Daines is a member, approved a bill that would prohibit the WOTUS rule. This bill is set to be taken up by the full Senate Committee on Appropriations on Thursday. “The WOTUS rule is a clear effort by the Obama administration to gain control over
Daines Announces Grants for MSU for Rural Healthcare & Asbestos Research
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced Montana State University (MSU) received $190,000 to increase quality healthcare services and for asbestos research. MSU received $172,000 for the State Office of Rural Health (SORH) to improve access to, and the quality of, healthcare for rural Montana. “I look forward to seeing Montana State University use this funding to expand their healthcare services to increase the quality of services for rural Montanans,” Daines stated. Kristin Juliar, Director of Montana Area Health Education Center and Office of Rural Health: “We find inspiration every day in the work of the healthcare organizations that serve rural and
Daines Applauds Passage of Critical Defense Legislation
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security. The NDAA passed 85-13. “Authorizing the funding our military needs is more important now than ever as we witness radical Islam continue to take root around the world, and in our backyards,” Daines stated. “The tragedy in Orlando was another act of war on our homeland – and it is critical we provide our military the tools to destroy our enemies overseas and strengthen our security at home. I am proud this bipartisan legislation takes important steps towards improving our nation’s
Daines Statement on Abhorrent Net Neutrality Decision
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sustained the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) net neutrality rules: “This decision is an affront to hardworking Americans who rely on the internet for economic opportunity and access to critical communication services,” Daines stated. “Net Neutrality remains a solution in search of a problem that kills jobs, chills innovation and slows investment. I will continue working in the Senate to maintain a free and open internet to rein in the Obama administration’s regulatory overreach.” Before serving in Congress, Daines worked in the