Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Paul Kanning of Flaxville
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Paul Kanning of Flaxville as Montanan of the Week. This past week Paul testified before the Senate Committee on Appropriations about the importance of assisting veterans find employment opportunities in agriculture. Daines met with Kanning in his DC office this week prior to his testimony. Click here to download a high-resolution photo. 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
Daines Presses Obama Administration on Security at Montana Airports
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today pressed the Obama administration on the security of Montana airports. During today’s Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on transportation security, Daines pressed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator Peter Neffenger on procuring necessary security equipment for the Helena and Great Falls airports. Daines also called on the Neffenger to look into TSA’s proposed removal of passenger screening at the airport in Butte due to their choice in screeners. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. ###
Daines to Department of Interior: Conditions at Tribal Schools are Unacceptable
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today passionately implored the Obama administration to improve conditions at tribal schools. During today’s Senate Indian Affairs committee hearing on Indian education, Daines pressed Department of Interior (DOI) Acting Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Lawrence Roberts on his failure to conduct any health inspections at Montana’s Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) facilities from 2012-2014. “In a recent conversation with Loverty Erickson, Superintendent of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal School, my office was horrified to learn that the school has a broken fire alarm system, not a single disability accessible bathroom, and no drinkable tap water on campus,
Daines Pushes to Reduce Red Tape in Forest Management on Federal, Tribal Lands
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today pushed to find solutions to increase active forest management by reducing red tape on federal lands, including lands adjacent to tribal lands. During this morning’s Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on the U.S. Forest Service’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget, Daines commended the Forest Service for progress on implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill, while expressing his dismay that it’s not being completed at an adequate pace. “As you are aware, nearly five million acres in Montana were designated as insect and disease areas under the 2014 Farm Bill,” Daines
Daines Introduces Legislation to Permanently Ban Guantanamo Transfers to U.S. and Suspend International Releases
Legislation Would Also Prohibit The Closure or Transfer to Cuba of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo U.S. SENATE —Following yesterday’s announcement that the Obama administration had released two more Guantanamo Bay detainees, Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill that would permanently ban the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. and would suspend the release of Guantanamo detainees internationally until September 30, 2017. Daines’ bill the Detaining Terrorists to Protect Americans Act of 2016, would permanently prohibit the closure or transfer of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. “Terrorists captured by U.S. forces belong in Guantanamo, a location that has played a pivotal role for collecting intelligence
Daines Hails New Vet Center in Helena
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today hailed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ announcement that they will increase veterans access to Readjustment counseling services in Helena and the surrounding area through the creation of a permanent Vet Center in Helena. “Our veterans deserve the best care possible, close to home and without delay. Rural veterans face a higher suicide rate – and it’s welcome news to see the VA prioritize our rural veterans.” Daines stated. “This new Helena Vet Center is an important step forward in halting the tragic issues they face and will provide our veterans with the care they need.” Daines
Daines, 42 Senators File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case Challenging Obama Administration’s Immigration Executive Actions
U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today joined 42 Senators in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of a challenge by a majority of the nation’s governors and attorneys general of the states, led by the State of Texas, to the Obama Administration’s November 2014 executive actions on immigration. The Supreme Court took up this case (United States of America vs. State of Texas) after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in November of 2015 affirmed a preliminary injunction by a federal district court in Brownsville, Texas blocking the Obama Administration from moving
Daines Statement on Passing of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in honor of Crow War Chief Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow who passed away today at the age of 102. “Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow leaves an unmatched legacy as the Crow Tribe’s historian and storyteller, a decorated World War II veteran and the first member of the Crow Tribe to attain a master’s degree,” Daines stated. “Medicine Crow’s spirit, humility and life achievements leave a lasting imprint on Montana’s history. My deepest condolences are with Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow’s family and all of Crow Nation.” Daines will be delivering a
Daines, Zinke Statement on Pacific International Terminals, Inc. Pausing the Gateway Pacific Terminal Review
U.S. CONGRESS — Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today issued the following statement after Pacific International Terminals, Inc. announced that they are voluntarily requesting the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) to pause the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) infrastructure project. “The federal government is clearly slow walking the approval process on the Gateway Pacfiic Terminal as part of its effort to destroy coal jobs,” Daines stated. “The Gateway Pacific Terminal would provide access to international markets for Montana coal and agriculture products – including Crow coal – creating much needed good-paying union and tribal jobs.