Daines Honors Montanans of the Week: The Eighth Grade Class at Big Timber Grade School
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today recognized the eighth grade class at Big Timber Grade School for taking over the writing for the Big Timber Pioneer Newspaper. The Big Timber Pioneer participated in Newspapers in Education Week and the lucky new young writers were the eighth graders of the Big Timber Grade School. This very special edition of the newspaper was a compilation of stories written and pictures taken by the individuals. There are 38 students in the class and they all wrote an article. “Our eighth graders worked very hard on this edition. Lindsey Kroskob at the Pioneer was phenomenal! The special edition
Daines, Tester Help Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Medically Necessary Equipment in Rural America
U.S. SENATE —Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester this week helped introduce the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2016, legislation that would provide durable medical equipment (DME) providers and patients in certain parts of the country with relief from harmful payment policies. DME providers help connect patients with medically necessary equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen. This bipartisan legislation would extend the current payment phase-in period of six months to 15 months, which is necessary to avert deep cuts in reimbursement for these products. Without action, these cuts could harm Medicare beneficiary access following the rollout
Daines Calls on Air Force to Decide on UH-1N Helicopter Replacement
Leads Eight Senators in Letter to Air Force Secretary U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today led eight Senators in calling on the Air Force to expedite their decision on the course of action to replace Vietnam–era UH-1N helicopters that provide security for our nuclear weapons. Daines letter was signed by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Deb Fischer (R-NE). In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James, the Senators press the Air Force to decide between a sole source acquisition process
Tester and Daines’ East Rosebud bill receives Senate hearing
Bipartisan legislation will preserve the free-flowing condition of the East Rosebud Creek (U.S. Senate)—Montana Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines’ bill to designate the East Rosebud Creek as Wild and Scenic received a hearing today in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Tester and Daines’ bill was built through on-the-ground collaboration and will preserve the free-flowing condition of East Rosebud Creek under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. When S. 1577 becomes law, it will be the first Wild and Scenic designation in Montana in 40 years. “This legislation proves that on-the-ground collaboration works,” Tester said. “Preserving
Montana Congressional Delegation Congratulates Caitlin Gillespie on U.S. Air Force Academy Appointment
U.S. CONGRESS – Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Representative Ryan Zinke congratulated Hamilton High School student Caitlin Gillespie on her appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Gillespie was nominated to the academy by the entire Montana Congressional delegation. Gillespie is a senior at Hamilton High School and was captain of both her Track & Field and Basketball teams, and is a proud member of her State Champion Class A Basketball Team. She is on the Honor Roll, homecoming royalty and is a delegate for the American Legion’s Girl’s All State. Gillespie has also accomplished her first solo
Tester, Daines Legislation Honoring Montana’s Medal of Honor Recipients Passes Senate
Senators’ bill will rename Reserve Center in Great Falls (U.S. SENATE) – Earlier today, the Senate passed Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines’ legislation to rename the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Great Falls to the “Captain John E. Moran and Captain Willian Wylie Galt Armed Forces Reserve Center.” Tester and Daines introduced this legislation last year to honor Captain Moran and Captain Galt, the only two Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from Montana. “Both our state and our nation owe a huge debt of gratitude to Captain Galt and Captain Moran,” Tester said. “Their courage and commitment to the ideals of
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