Daines Leads Bipartisan Group of Senators in Introducing Measure to Strengthen Cybersecurity
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today lead a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that directs the president to elevate U.S. Cyber Command to a Combatant Command. U.S. Cyber Command it is currently a subordinate unit to U.S. Strategic Command. Congress established U.S. Special Operations Command to address a rapidly growing need, strengthen the warfighter and to unify forces. Today, with cyber threats being one of the fastest growing national security threats we face, the need for another Combatant Command is clear. Daines’ amendment will elevate the command so it
Daines, Tester Congratulate Ashleigh Lehotsky of Great Falls on U.S. Air Force Academy Appointment
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today congratulated Charles M. Russell (CMR) High School graduate Ashleigh Lehotsky on her appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Daines and Tester both nominated Lehotsky and called to congratulate her. Ashleigh Lehotsky is a graduate of Charles M. Russell (CMR) High School and is currently a cadet in the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. While in high school she was President of Key Club, received the Outstanding Engineering Student Award and was First Chair on the CMR Symphonic Band. Lehotsky was the 2014 AA State Track and Field Shot Put Champion and holds the CMR Shot
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Bob Newman of Musselshell County
U.S. SENATE — In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized U.S. Army veteran Bob Newman of Musselshell County. After leaving the Army, Newman went into law enforcement and served his community in Musselshell County Sheriff’s Department. 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
Daines Moves Forward Investments in Montana Infrastructure
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important investments in Montana air, rail and surface transportation. The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan 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 Urban Development (HUD), and related agencies in fiscal year 2017. “Infrastructure is an important part of our everyday lives, from our roads to the skies to our railways,” Daines stated. “I’m proud to secure investments to increase safety and create more good-paying jobs.” Daines’ moved forward the following provisions to
Daines Addresses Montana’s Veterans Long-Standing Concerns
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today moved forward important reforms that increase Montana veterans’ access to healthcare services. This afternoon, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the FY 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which includes many of Daines’ reforms that address Montana’s veterans long-standing concerns. “I am proud to secure important priorities for Montana on behalf of those that served our nation in uniform,” Daines stated. Daines also successfully included an amendment during the committee process protects veterans’ ability to discuss with VA physicians the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal. The amendment would
Daines Makes Important Gains for Montana Farmers and Ranchers
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured key provisions for Montana farmers and ranchers. “As a steadfast champion of our state’s number one industry, I work everyday to ensure that our farmers and ranchers are being heard and well represented,” Daines stated. “I was able to secure important provisions to sustain funding for initiatives to help farmers and ranchers with loans, help stop diseases that are encroaching our forests and expand employment opportunities for veterans in agriculture.” “The Montana Grain Growers Association thanks Sen. Daines’ for protecting the ARS Insect Research Unit in Sidney and for his efforts to secure increased funding for the
Daines, Tester Call on Congress to Stop Massive Expansion of Government Surveillance and Hacking Power
Stopping Mass Hacking Act Reverses Disastrous Changes to Warrant Procedures; Congress Must Act or Government Will Be Able to Hack Millions of Americans’ Devices with a Single Warrant, Compromising Security and Privacy U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced the Stopping Mass Hacking (SMH) Act to protect millions of law-abiding Americans from government hacking. The Stopping Mass Hacking (SMH) Act, S. 2952, is a bipartisan effort that prevents recently approved changes to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure from going into effect. The changes would allow the government to get a single warrant to hack
Daines Rallies Support for Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Representatives Chris Gibson (R-NY) and David Valadao (R-CA) to rally support for their legislation to ensure Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans are eligible to receive benefits linked to Agent Orange Exposure. Daines at the U.S. Capitol with Senate and House co-sponsors and veterans. Click here to download. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Daines introduced legislation to ensure thousands of Vietnam-era Navy veterans, known as “Blue Water” vets, who were exposed to the powerful toxin Agent Orange will be eligible to receive disability and health care benefits
Daines Leads ICBM Coalition Urging Defense Department to Expedite Security of Nuclear Weapons
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led the bipartisan ICBM coalition urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to outline a clear plan for the security of the nuclear missiles stationed in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming following the news that the Department of Defense failed to approve the Air Forces’ request for a faster acquisition process. In a letter to DoD Secretary Ash Carter, the members expressed their concerns with DoD’s announcement to proceed with the slowest proposed route to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1Ns. “We write to express serious concerns with the absence of an appropriate and timely path to replace