Press Releases

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Colter Scully, a rising senior at Powell County High School. Colter is currently preparing for his board of reviews to complete his Eagle Scout application. Three years ago, Colter was inspired to create a frisbee-golf course in his community. Thanks to his leadership and perseverance, the course was opened on May 31st, 2016. 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

(U.S. Congress)—Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke this week pushed the U.S. Forest Service to finalize an important document and advance a decades-old permitting process for the Rock Creek Mine in northwest Montana. In a letter to Kootenai National Forest Supervisor Chris Savage, the Montana congressional delegation encouraged the Forest Service to finalize the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in a timely manner. The SEIS must be finalized before the Rock Creek Mine project can move forward in the federal permitting process.  “The permitting process is a necessary step towards ensuring that the project’s proposed operations

U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today urged Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Bob McDonald to prioritize a quick and qualified replacement for outgoing VA Montana Director John Ginnity. The VA Montana went for nine months without a full-time director before Ginnity was appointed director in March of 2015. The members also requested a full congressional meeting with Secretary McDonald to ensure this replacement is timely and with a top candidate.  Daines and Zinke wrote: “The failure of the VA to prioritize the hiring of these leadership positions with honorable individuals reflects a

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important healthcare resources for Montanans to improve the quality and reliability of services. “Montanans deserve reliable access to quality healthcare services close to home,” Daines stated. “Through my efforts, our health care providers will be able to better serve rural communities across our state and country.” The Senate Committee on Appropriations today passed the bipartisan FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Bill. Daines secured the following resources for Montana:  Air Ambulance: Secured language to require the Government Accountability Office to author a report about the costs and coverage

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after Montana VA Director John Ginnity announced his resignation.   “Montana veterans deserve a leader who will ensure their needs are being met and the Montana VA has not lived up to this commitment. The Montana VA needs a strong leader who understands the mission and will not fail Montana veterans.”  Daines has always fought to ensure that Montana VA leadership is serving Montana’s veterans. March 23: Daines sent a letter to the Office of Inspector General asking them to investigate misconduct as a whole at the VA – possibly from

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ amendment to provide additional security for land based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) sites, like Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB) today unanimously passed the United States Senate and will now be included in the National Defense Authorization Act.  It was confirmed this year that the UH-1N Huey helicopter does not meet the security requirements for land based missile sites. The Air Force has known this since before 2001 and is working currently to replace the Huey’s.  Daines’ amendment requires the Department of Defense to certify what security shortfalls the UH-1N has created, and how it

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced major legislation that will improve the health of both Indian and federal forest land. Daines’ bill, the Tribal Forestry Participation and Protection Act helps keep Indian forest land and nearby federal forest land healthy by fostering greater cooperation between tribes and the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. This legislation will empower Montana tribes and federal agencies with a new tool to expedite critical restoration projects on certain federal lands, thereby increasing active management and improving forest health.  “We need commonsense forest management reform that cuts through the bureaucratic red tape, improves the health