Daines Introduces Bill to Temporarily Stop Gitmo Transfers
Nearly Two Dozen Detainees Reportedly Set for Release This Summer U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to temporarily ban the transfer or release of detainees from Guantanamo Bay. The administration reportedly is set to release nearly two dozen Gitmo detainees to several different countries this summer amid efforts to close the prison before the end of the president’s term. Daines’ bill, S. 2999 would prohibit these transfers until either the end of this year or enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2017. “Terrorists captured by U.S. forces belong in Guantanamo period,” Daines stated.“President Obama is prioritizing
Daines Prioritizes National Security and Secures Air Support for Nuclear Weapons
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today worked to bolster aviation security, cybersecurity and nuclear security. The Senate Committee on Appropriations today marked up and passed the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. “It’s unconscionable to imagine that our nuclear warheads do not have adequate air security,” Daines stated. “With my provisions and additional funding, we will have the needed air support for our nuclear weapons until the permanent solution of an expedited procurement is complete.” Daines secured the following provisions in the Defense Appropriations Bill: Upgrading UH-1Ns: $75 million in the bill for the Air
Daines Announces over $99,000 for Polson Hospital
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that St. Joseph Hospital in Polson will receive $99,023 to address healthcare needs in rural areas. The grant will be used by St. Joseph Hospital to engage a network of hospitals serving rural communities through development of a Western Montana Rural Nursing Collaborative (WMRNC). WMRNC provides a unique partnership of hospitals that seek to expand, enhance and improve access to services in rural communities and allow patients to receive high-quality care closer to home. “This is a collaborative project and a made-in-Montana solution that supports our nurses, helps lower healthcare costs and
Daines Named ‘Hero of Main Street’
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has received the “Hero of Main Street” award from the National Retail Federation for his support of legislation critical to the retail industry. Daines is part of a bipartisan group honored for their support of a wide range of issues including international trade, infrastructure investment, tax reform and labor issues. “I’m proud to be recognized for my efforts supporting local Montana business owners that create good-paying jobs,” Daines stated. “Senator Daines has shown through his support that he cares about retailers big and small, and values the role these businesses play
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