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
Daines, Zinke Introduce Legislation to Give States & Tribes Say in Energy Development
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced bicameral legislation to 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 Certainty for States and Tribes Act, S.2938 and H.R. 5259, provides critical flexibility needed to keep Montana mines open, protect thousands of good-paying jobs and provide needed support for government and community services. “The Obama administration has completely ignored the will and well-being of Montanans and
Daines Announces Over $3 Million in Funding for Montana Health Centers
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $3,118,584.00 in funding for community health centers in Montana to provide improved continuity of care, mobile services to rural locations and increased access to affordable care. The Department of Health and Human Services will provide funding to improve community health and public healthcare services. “Montana Community Health Centers provide critical healthcare services for Montanans, increasing access close to home,” Daines stated. “Through this additional funding these health centers will further enhance their quality and reliability of care for Cascade and Glacier Counties.” Grants awarded today include: Cascade City – County Health Department: $1,494,954.00 Glacier Community Health
Daines Rural Water Projects Bill Receives Senate Hearing
Daines Presses Forest Service on Health of Watersheds and Impact of Litigation U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill that would move Montana rural water projects forward and ensure the completion of authorized projects across Montana today received its first hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Western Water Supply and Planning Enhancement Act would help improve the efficiency of existing water supply infrastructure, ease the regulatory burden on new projects, and protect water rights that are critical to the prosperity of the Western United States. “From the crops and grazing fields of our state’s agriculture providers, water is our most valuable resource,” Daines
Montana Congressional Delegation Fights for Disaster Relief Funding
(Washington, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester, Senator Steve Daines, and Representative Ryan Zinke today called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve the State of Montana’s funding request to help rebuild communities across Montana after they were devastated by a mid-April snow storm. “The resulting damage from this storm impacted Montana’s rural communities, severely damaged local infrastructure, and left thousands of residents and commercial customers without electricity,” Tester, Daines, and Zinke wrote in a letter to the FEMA Administrator. “These communities urgently need federal resources in order to help them restore their infrastructure and way of life.” The storm occurred
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Delaney Biel of Hinsdale High
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized to Delaney Biel, a fifth generation Montana rancher and Hinsdale High School senior. Delaney is a nationally certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and will soon be receiving her state certification. Biel in a classroom learning about being an EMT. Click here to download. 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
Daines, Zinke Introduce Measures Demanding Answers to Secure Nuclear Missiles
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced measures that aim to ensure the Department of Defense (DoD) secures the nation’s nuclear assets. Daines’ bill directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to tell Congress within five days how they will secure nuclear missiles made vulnerable by the insufficient capability of the UH-1N, and implement the necessary mitigation with additional resources within sixty days. Zinke introduced a similar bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that aims to address the security shortfalls of
Daines Hails Passage of Legislation to Improve Montana’s Energy Future
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the passage of bipartisan legislation that works to improve the future of Montana energy. “I’m proud to see the passage of bipartisan legislation that protects Montana energy jobs, is critical to irrigate over 50,000 acres of cropland in the eastern part of our state and strengthens rural water systems that serve tens of thousands of Montana families,” Daines stated. “I’m working to provide certainty for our farmers, ranchers and communities by reducing bureaucratic red tape.” Click here to watch Daines’ statement. Click here to download Daines’ statement. The Senate today passed the FY 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act