Daines Travels to Alaska for Senate Energy Field Hearing
U.S. SENATE — This week, Senator Steve Daines traveled to Alaska to participate in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources field hearing to examine opportunities for innovation in America’s energy industry. Daines was joined by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Barrasso (R-WY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Angus King (I-ME), in addition to U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, who testified at the hearing. Daines with Murkowski as they prepare to head out from Anchorage to Bethel, Alaska. Click here to watch. Daines, Moniz and fellow senators traveled to Bethel, Alaska where the field hearing would be held. Click here to watch.
Daines, Zinke Commend Extension of Yellowstone Bison Quarantine Plan Comment Period
U.S. CONGRESS — Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke successfully secured a two-week extension of the comment period for the National Park Service’s (NPS) Environmental Assessment of Yellowstone National Park’s Bison Quarantine Plan. The previous deadline for the comment period was February 15, 2016. At Daines’ and Zinke’s urging, NPS recently announced that the comment period would be extended to February 29, 2016. In a letter sent last week to NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis, Daines and Zinke called on the agency to extend the comment period to accommodate the concerns of Montana ranchers,
Daines Statement on Passing of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement upon news of the passing of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. “Our nation has lost a giant of freedom who leaves behind a legacy of tirelessly defending our Constitution and the principles that make our nation great. Justice Scalia was a man of faith and a brilliant legal mind who dedicated himself to our country with a servant’s heart. Cindy and I are praying for his family and are grateful for his service to our country.” U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was appointed the court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. Scalia was unanimously confirmed by the
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Beverly Anderson of Conrad
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Beverly Anderson of Conrad, Montana for her ongoing work to better her community. Daines noted that she is a standout in the Conrad community and has a giving spirit for caring for those in need. 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
Daines Statement on Montanore Project Decisions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today commended the United States Forest Service for their full approval of the long-overdue Montanore Project, while expressing his disappointment in Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s (MDEQ) partial approval of the project. The Montanore Project will create much-needed jobs and economic opportunity in Lincoln County. “The Forest Service’s long-overdue approval is welcome news for Lincoln County and an important step forward in getting this job-creating project across the finish line,” Daines stated. “The Montanore Project will create hundreds of much-needed jobs and provide significant economic benefits and tax revenue to communities across northwestern Montana. I am disappointed that Governor
Daines Secures Permanent Ban on Government Taxation of the Internet
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today secured a permanent ban on state and local governments from taxing Internet access. Daines is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act that passed the Senate this afternoon as part of H.R.644, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act. The Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act would permanently extend the current moratorium on taxing Internet access. Montana is one of a few states that would automatically impose a 3.75 percent tax on Internet access if the moratorium is lifted. “The Internet is a critical avenue for Montana businesses to compete in the global marketplace and serves as a
Daines Meets Montana Special Olympics Global Messenger
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today met with Montana Special Olympics Global Messenger, Patrick Chapman of Great Falls, in the United States Capitol. Daines gave a tour of his office and the United States Capitol to Chapman, President and CEO of Special Olympics Montana Bob Norbie, Chief Marketing Officer for Special Olympics Kirsten Suto Seckler and Special Olympics International’s Global CEO Mary Davis. Daines with Chapman at his desk “Patrick is an impressive young Montanan who has shown that with passion and dedication, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to,” Daines stated. “It is my honor to congratulate Patrick as
Daines Works to Bolster National Security, Strengthen North Korea Sanctions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following reports of yet another North Korean missile test, Senator Steve Daines today worked to successfully pass bipartisan legislation to bolster national security by strengthening sanctions on North Korea. “We can’t sit by idly and allow a dangerous regime to conduct ballistic missile tests without repercussions,” Daines stated. “This legislation is crucial to not only strengthening sanctions but outlining a comprehensive strategy to combat North Korea’s criminal cyber activities and horrific human rights violations. We must continue to confront the extremist regimes that threaten our global security, troops and allies in the region and that violate innate human rights.” Daines is a
Daines Fights to Ensure Readiness of Montana Military Missions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today called on the U.S. Air Force to prioritize the readiness of Montana’s military missions by ensuring the modernization of aircraft at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base. During this morning’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on the proposed FY 2017 U.S. Air Force budget, Daines pressed Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh about the Air Force’s plan to ensure top security for the transport of nuclear weapons by replacing Vietnam-era Huey helicopters. “Malmstrom Air Force Base is currently using Vietnam-era Huey helicopters to provide security for the