Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Tom Kuntz of Red Lodge
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Tom Kuntz of Red Lodge for his company’s generous donations to non-profits throughout Carbon County. Tom is the owner of local pizza shop Red Lodge Pizza Co., which contributed $11,700 of its profits to 20 various non-profits to help support their goals and missions. His contributions make up the largest portion of $34,000 raised during this year’s third annual charitable contribution program on behalf of the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional
Daines, Gillibrand, Gibson, Valadao Urge VA to Clarify Decision Against Providing ‘Blue Water’ Veterans VA Benefits
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Chris Gibson (R-NY) and David Valadao (R-CA) today are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to clarify their misguided decision against providing “Blue Water” Navy veterans with the disability and health care benefits that they deserve for diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure. In a letter to VA Secretary Bob McDonald and Deputy Secretary Gibson, the members request the VA to clarify how they came to their conclusion ruling against providing care to “Blue Water” Navy veterans. On February 5, Daines and Gillibrand received a letter from VA Secretary
Tester, Daines designate National Asbestos Awareness Week
Senators’ resolution highlights impact of asbestos on Libby & Troy (U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are designating the first week of April as National Asbestos Awareness week to educate the public about asbestos-related diseases that have plagued folks in Libby and Troy. The Senators’ resolution highlights the devastating impacts of asbestos exposure to residents in Libby and Troy and urges the U.S. Surgeon General to educate people about the public health issues related to asbestos exposure. “While we work together to continue to clean up Libby and Troy and care for its residents, we also have
Daines Calls on USDA to Expand Veterans’ Employment Opportunities to Montana
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand their Bridges to Opportunity Program to Montana to help increase veterans’ employment opportunities in agriculture. The Bridges to Opportunity Program this week announced its partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Hiring Our Heroes” program, which is a nationwide initiative to help veterans find meaningful and available work opportunities. In a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Daines urged the Secretary to work to ensure the Department expands their efforts to Montana to help serve the state’s almost 100,000 veterans. “I urgently request you to ensure these efforts
Daines Presses Kerry on Coal
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today pressed the Obama administration on their anti-coal, anti-energy policies and emphasized the important role that innovation holds in America’s energy future. During this afternoon’s Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs hearing, Daines pressed Secretary of State John Kerry on the Obama administration’s failure to take into account the effect of anti-energy policies on hardworking Montana families including the disastrous effects to tribal and union jobs. Under Daines’ questioning, Kerry acknowledged that coal will continue to be an “energy of choice” because it is affordable. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to
Daines Fights to Enhance Safety of Combat Soldiers
Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Senator Steve Daines today fought to enhance the safety of America’s soldiers in combat theaters by underscoring the importance of lighter gear for soldiers. During this morning’s Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 funding request for the Army, Daines pressed Acting Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy and Chief of Staff of the Army General Mark Milley on issuing lighter materials to soldiers on the battlefield. The Army Research Lab has strong partnerships with many universities throughout the country – including in Montana – through their Open
Daines Reaffirms Importance of Passenger Rail to Montana
Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Senator Steve Daines today called on Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman to work with Eastern Montana stakeholders on efforts to reinstate an Empire Builder stop in Culbertson, Montana. During this morning’s Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on passenger rail, Daines successfully received a commitment from Boardman to visit and work with local leaders to discuss modernizing the existing station or building a new station in Culbertson. Daines: “Mr. Boardman, the recent FAST Act is the longest surface transportation bill Congress has produced in 17 years, it
Daines Grills Interior Secretary Jewell on Coal Leasing Moratorium
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today pressed the Department of Interior on their proposed review of the coal leasing program and the unwarranted moratorium on coal leasing. During this morning’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the Department of Interior’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request, Daines demanded answers from Interior Secretary Sally Jewell regarding the decision to place a moratorium on new coal leasing and for certainty in the Department’s plan. “In Montana, we do see the moratorium on coal leasing as a direct assault on our state,” Daines stated. “Our state relies on production of coal, including federal coal,
Daines Joins 34 Senators, 171 Representatives in Filing Amicus Brief, Urge Circuit Court to Block EPA Attempt to Transform the Nation’s Electricity Sector
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today joined 34 Senators and 171 House Members in filing an amicus brief in the case of State of West Virginia, et al. v. Environmental Protection Agency, et al. The bipartisan amicus brief is in support of petitions filed by 27 states, including Montana, seeking to overturn the EPA final rule identified as the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602, 80 Fed. Reg. 64,662 (Oct. 23, 2015), also known as the “Clean Power Plan.” A copy of the brief can be found here. As Senators and Representatives duly elected to serve in the Congress of the