Daines Stands Up for Montana Veterans, WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots & VA Accountability
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today stood up for Montana veterans, WWII Women Air Service Pilots who trained in Great Falls and worked to increase accountability at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Daines secured numerous provisions to address Montana veterans’ long standing concerns in Senator Johnny Isakson’s (R-GA) Veterans First Act, which was introduced earlier today. Daines’ provisions include: Veterans Choice Act Improvement Major components of Daines’ bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 were included in the Veterans First Act. Some of Daines’ reforms include an overall reform of the VA to help rural veterans by establishing
Daines Joins Effort to Reform Criminal Justice System
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of Senators to highlight their comprehensive criminal justice legislation that focuses efforts on violent criminals and serious drug offenders and establishes recidivism reduction programs, while granting greater sentencing flexibility for certain low-level drug offenders. The bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 narrows the scope of mandatory minimum prison sentences to focus on the most serious drug offenders and violent criminals, while broadening and establishing new outlets for individuals with minimal non-felony criminal histories that may trigger mandatory minimum sentences under current law. “Our criminal justice system needs to focus
Daines Presses Defense Secretary on Much-Needed Huey Helicopter Upgrades
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today pressed Department of Defense Secretary Ash Carter on the timeline to upgrade Vietnam-era UH-1N helicopters to provide much-needed security for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) stationed at Malmstron Air Force Base (AFB). During this morning’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on the proposed FY 2017 U.S. Department of Defense budget, Daines worked to secure a timeline for new equipment to protect America’s nuclear missiles. “Given the increased risk for terrorism here at home, I am concerned at how low on the priority list this appears to be,” Daines stated. “The Air Force still has not decided how they’re
Daines Calls on Interior Secretary Jewell to Visit Colstrip, Crow Reservation During Upcoming Travel to Montana
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today called on Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to tour Colstrip and the Crow Reservation during her upcoming travel to Montana. “Secretary Jewell needs to hear directly from the people impacted by Interior’s actions and come to communities like Colstrip and the Crow Reservation to see what it means for Montana families,” Daines stated. “We’ve already seen layoffs in coal communities across our state as a result of the Obama administration’s war on coal. I encourage Secretary Jewell to meet with folks in Colstrip and the Crow tribe to hear directly from them about the impact of
Daines Announces over $1 Million in Funding for Tribal Transportation Safety Projects
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana tribes will receive more than $1 million in funding for tribal transportation safety projects. “These grants will provide Montana tribes with critical resources to improve transportation safety in their communities,” Daines states. “I look forward to seeing the tribes utilize these grants to improve highway safety for tribal members. Congratulations to these tribes on their success in this competitive grant process.” The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provided approximately $450 million for the Tribal Transportation Program, with two percent (approximately $9 million) available through a competitive, discretionary program to address safety issues. Montana
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Wyatt Zylawy of Superior
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Wyatt Zylawy for his outstanding achievements in his recent Coast Guard training and for his noble commitment to serving our country. 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 on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve The
Daines Introduces Bill to Update Cultural Educational Program for Native Students
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to update decades-old data the federal government uses to distribute funds to benefit Native American students. The Johnson-O’Malley Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act would make about 500,000 Native students eligible to access federal resources that would help address many of the students’ unique academic and cultural needs. Because of the lack of accurate data in how Native students are counted by the federal government, many Native students in public schools across the country eligible for federal cultural educational support through the Johnson O’Malley (JOM) program have lacked access to such resources.
Daines Strengthens Montana’s Transportation Network
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today worked to strengthen Montana’s transportation network. “Our transportation network from our roadways to our skies to our railways will be a safer form of travel for all Montanans,” Daines stated. “This legislation puts Montanans first and addresses concerns from all corners of our state to increase tourism and encourage economic development projects that create more good-paying jobs.” Daines successfully included important provisions to improve Montana air, rail and surface transportation in the FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and
Daines Defends Montana Farmers, Ranchers and Land Owners
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today worked to defend Montana farmers, ranchers and land owners from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greatly expanded Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Senate Democrats once again blocked efforts to stop President Obama’s WOTUS rule that is a direct threat to Montana’s agriculture and natural resources industries, jobs and water rights. “It is shameful that once again Senate Democrats would rather defend President Obama’s overreaching policies than stand up for hardworking farmers, ranchers and land owners,” Daines stated. “Montanans who live and work on the land every day know how to best manage our state’s resources