Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Sergeant Tim Lingle of the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Sergeant Tim Lingle of the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s office who was recently named the Montana American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. 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’
Daines’ Bipartisan Pipeline Safety Bill Passes Senate
U.S. SENATE — This evening, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Daines’ bipartisan legislation to help ensure the safety of America’s pipeline network. The Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, would reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019. The SAFE PIPES Act is also sponsored by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA). “A safe, secure and efficient pipeline infrastructure is critical to our nation and essential to Montana – for energy security, jobs and environment protection,” Daines stated. “Today’s passage of
Daines Presses FDA Commissioner on Importance of Biotechnology to Food Supply
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines worked to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upholds its duty to ensure that the U.S. has a safe food supply and abstains from marketing or labeling mandates that it determines have no bearing on food safety. During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration FDA and Related Agencies hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 funding request for the Food and Drug Administration, Daines pressed FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf on allowing sound science and the free market to continue driving innovation and rejecting harmful regulations
Daines Hails Recovery of Yellowstone Grizzly Bear
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today hailed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) announcement concerning the recovery of the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear: “It’s great news that the Fish and Wildlife Service is taking the important step forward in working to delist the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear after their population has significantly rebounded. I hope this announcement helps clear the way for responsible management of the species and more responsible management of our natural resources, including our National Forests. I will continue to encourage the Fish and Wildlife Service to reconsider the listing of the other populations of grizzly bears across
Daines Works to Connect Rural Montana
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today worked to increase broadband service and improve reliable connectivity for rural Montanans. During two Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearings this week, Daines emphasized the need for reliable broadband service throughout rural America and successfully moved forward bipartisan solutions and ensure that rural communities are not left behind. On Wednesday, all five Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioners testified before the Commerce Committee. During the hearing, Daines called on the commissioners to ensure an equitable distribution of Universal Service funds to help close the connectivity gap between urban and rural areas, including tribal communities.
Daines Slams Interior Secretary for Failing to Listen to States and Tribes in Moratorium on Coal Leasing
U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today took the Obama administration to task for failing to properly take into account states’ and tribes’ voices in placing a misguided moratorium on coal leasing. During this morning’s Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing on the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Fiscal Year 2017 budget request, Daines pressed Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to better incorporate Montanans voices in unilateral bureaucratic decisions that have the potential to severely cripple Montana’s coal industry. “Several tribal members and others who rely on coal jobs to provide for their families expressed strong concern regarding potential administration actions during a
Daines Visits Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
U.S. SENATE — On Monday, Senator Steve Daines went on a fact-finding mission to the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Daines was joined by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Cory Gardner (R-CO). Upon Daines return, he took to the Senate floor to underscore the importance of maintaining the detention center and not helping President Obama fulfill a campaign promise to bring detainees to American communities. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks.Click here to download Daines’ remarks. “Visiting Guantanamo Bay was a humble reminder of the services our military provides overseas to get these terrorists off the battlefield and ensure
Montana Congressional Delegation Congratulates Maren Kirkland of Billings on Receiving Naval Academy Appointment
U.S. CONGRESS – Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Representative Ryan Zinke congratulated Billings Senior High School student Maren Kirkland on her appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Kirkland is a senior at Billings Senior High School. She is a National Honor Society member, President of the Yellowstone County 4H Club, soccer and tennis All-State, and won second place in the American Mathematics Competition in 2014. Kirkland is also a volunteer with her school’s Senior Advocates program. “Maren Kirkland has proved herself to be an upstanding citizen and a hardworking student who I’m confident will thrive as she
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