Daines Secures Necessary Reforms to Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today secured important provisions to improve Montana air travel for passengers, pilots and the aviation industry. During today’s Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation mark-up on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016, Daines fought to secure important provisions for Montana. “It’s important that Montanans have reliable, safe and affordable access to air travel,” Daines stated. “This is a step in the right direction in securing our skyways by prioritizing necessary infrastructure improvements for our airports. ” Daines secured the following provisions in the FAA reauthorization: Maintains Essential Air Service (EAS) serving seven Montana communities.
Daines Statement on President Obama’s Nominee to the Supreme Court
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement reiterating that the American people should have the opportunity to elect a new President before a new Supreme Court justice is seated: “The replacement of Justice Scalia will have far-reaching impacts on our country for a generation. The American people have already begun voting on who the next President will be and their voice should continue to be reflected in a process that will have lasting implications on our nation. The U.S. Senate should exercise its constitutional powers by not confirming a new Supreme Court justice until the American people elect a
Daines’ Bill to Reform Veterans Choice Act Receives First Legislative Hearing
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines’ legislation to improve health care services for America’s veterans today received its first legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Daines’ bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 makes major changes to the Veterans Choice Program, which was created in 2014 to allow veterans to get needed health care outside of the VA system, and creates a permanent program with advance funding. More information on the legislation is available here. Additionally, the Express Appeal Act of 2016, cosponsored by Daines, received a legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs committee today. The Express
Daines Applauds House Passage of Legislation to Expand Montana Hydro
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House of Representative’s passage of legislation to ensure the completion of two hydroelectric facilities in Montana. The legislation would provide for the reinstatement and three-year extension of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Clark Canyon Dam Hydro Project in Dillon, Montana and a six-year extension of the FERC license for the Gibson Dam Hydro Project near Augusta, Montana. “The Gibson Dam and Clark Canyon Dam are two projects that are critical for tax revenue and jobs in Montana communities,” Daines stated. “I’m excited to see bipartisan support for the completion of made-in
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Gordon Stoner of Outlook
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Gordon Stoner, a wheat grower from Outlook on his newly elected position serving as the President of the National Association of Wheat Growers. 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’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve
Daines Announces Over $750,000 to Combat Opioid and Heroin Abuse
U.S. SENATE — Following yesterday’s passage of bipartisan legislation to address prescription opioid abuse and heroin epidemic in America, Senator Steve Daines today announced $379,167 in funding for Bighorn Valley Health Center and $379,167 in funding for Billhook Community Health Center to help tackle this crisis. “Tackling our nation’s drug epidemic from all sides – to help the victims of addiction dealing with their disease to providing resources for our law enforcement officials – is the only way we’re going to change course and combat drug abuses,” Daines stated. “This funding is critical to helping Montanans get care closer to home and serve those most
Daines Statement on Arch Coal’s Announcement to Suspend Efforts to Obtain Otter Creek Mining Permit
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in response to Arch Coal, Inc.’s announcement that it will suspend efforts to obtain a mining permit for the Otter Creek coal reserves near Ashland, Montana: “Arch Coal’s suspension of its pursuit of a permit for the Otter Creek Mine is a devastating loss for Montana’s economy and schools – for jobs, tax revenues and made-in-Montana energy. This decision is an unfortunate repercussion of President Obama’s all-fronts assault on domestic energy production. I’ll continue to do everything I can to support Montana’s coal industry and defend the jobs and livelihoods
Daines Slams Obama Administration on Long-Delayed Admission of Iranian Cyberattack on New York Dam
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Obama administration after reports indicate that they will name Iran as the perpetrator of a 2013 cyberattack on a New York dam. “It is downright shameful that it has taken President Obama three years to denounce Iran for a malicious cybersecurity attack on our country while at the same time sitting at a negotiating table with them,” Daines stated. “This failure is undoubtedly linked to President Obama’s clouded judgment in ushering through his misguided deal with Iran, which has only endangered our national security. “Just this week Iran tested two ballistic missiles inscribed with ‘Israel must be
Tester, Daines celebrate Montana’s Senate Youth Delegates
(U.S. SENATE) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines met with two of Montana’s brightest young students this week as part of the United States Senate Youth Program’s (USSYP) 54th Annual Washington Week. Out of hundreds of students from across the state, seniors Mollie Lemm of Polson, and Arthur Pettit of Missoula, were selected to represent Montana on Capitol Hill. Lemm and Pettit joined a group of 102 other student delegates for an intensive week in the nation’s capital, where they met with Senators, Representatives, Ambassadors, Cabinet Members, and a Justice of the Supreme Court. The purpose of the program,