Daines Helps Introduce Bill to Rein in Regulatory Authority
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines has introduced legislation to rein in out of control executive agencies that interpret laws inappropriately to grant themselves more regulatory authority than Congress intended. The Regulatory Authority Clarification Act would allow Congress to provide additional clarification on what regulatory authority has or hasn’t been granted by passing concurrent resolutions. “Montanans know far too well the cost of Washington’s top-down, unchecked ability to issue broad and burdensome regulations,” Daines stated. “This legislation is a good step towards reducing the costly red-tape that hinders the growth and stability of hardworking Montana businesses. It’s far past time
Daines Announces $10 Million in Funding for Infrastructure Improvements in Kalispell
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that the city of Kalispell has been awarded $10 million in Transportation, Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds for critical infrastructure improvements in downtown Kalispell. The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project will construct rail and road infrastructure at Glacier Rail Park to accommodate existing and prospective customers and remove rail from downtown Kalispell. The project will also increase pedestrian and cyclist access to streets, as well as construct a trail system and parks stretching across the community. “This long-overdue grant is great news for the city of Kalispell and will
Daines Honors Montanans of the Week: Sgt. Michaela Boushey and SSG Shayne Boushey of Havre
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Sgt. Michaela Boushey and SSG Shayne Boushey of Havre for their dedicated service to Montana and the nation. Sgt. Michaela Boushey has served in the Montana Army National Guard for eight years, including four years in the 112th Security and Support Detachment Aviation Unit. Her husband, SSG Shayne Boushey, has completed deployments with both the Infantry Battalion and the Military Police Company. During his deployment to Afghanistan, SSG Boushey helped saved the lives of his fellow servicemembers following a Taliban suicide bomb attack. Next week, Daines’ wife Cindy will present the Bousheys with certificates of
Daines Fights to Block Obama Administration’s Misguided Anti-Coal Regulations
HELENA, Mont. — Following publication of the Obama administration’s new anti-coal regulations in the Federal Register, Senator Steve Daines today announced several efforts to block President Obama’s anti-coal regulations and any future regulations on coal-fired plants. Daines joined Montana Attorney General Tim Fox in Helena this morning to announce that Montana, along with 23 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government to halt the Obama administration’s so-called Clean Power Plan. Daines also announced that he has signed onto two Senate measures to block the Obama administration’s job-killing regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plans. “America can and
Daines: President’s Disregard for Our Troops is Shameful
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today blasted President Obama’s unprecedented veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security and passed both chambers of Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support: “It is reckless that the Commander-in-Chief is holding hostage critical support for the safety and security of our nation’s service members. Congress sent a clear and strong bipartisan message to the President that the American people support prioritizing and protecting the needs of the brave men and women serving our country. To deny our troops needed stability while serving both here
Daines Works to Remove Barriers to Tribal Energy Development
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today investigated the barriers holding back Montana tribes from developing energy resources on their lands and called on the Obama administration to improve meaningful consultation with tribes during the federal decision making process. During a Senate Indian Affairs oversight hearing on the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) report on Indian Energy Development, Daines pressed Larry Roberts, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of Interior on the unnecessary bureaucracy and lack of communication that has long-hindered tribal energy development. “As the GAO reports and our witnesses today tell us, energy development on
Tester, Daines, and Zinke meet with Canadian ambassador regarding timber concerns
Montana delegation calls for new Softwood Lumber Agreement (U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester, Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke are working together with Montana’s neighbor to the north to ensure the state’s lumber mills are treated fairly. Montana’s Congressional delegation today sat down with Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer to urge him to begin negotiating a new Softwood Lumber Agreement. The agreement expired on October 12 and is creating uncertainty for mills in Montana and across the country. The delegation requested that the Canadians come to the table to hammer out a deal to avoid future litigation and take
Daines Helps Introduce Bipartisan Public Lands Bill
Legislation Would Reauthorize The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce legislation reauthorizing the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA). Before it expired in 2011, FLTFA allowed the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service in the western United States to use the proceeds from sales of certain federally designated areas to protect lands of exceptional conservation value. “As an avid hunter and fisherman, I know the importance of having the tools necessary to protect and
Daines Works to Secure Broadband for Rural Montanans
Senator Steve Daines today pressed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and Rural Utilities Service officials on the need for swift action to provide broadband for thousands of rural Montanans who currently are without service. During an Agriculture Appropriations hearing earlier this morning on “A review of Rural Development in 21st Century America,” Daines reaffirmed his commitment to the deployment of broadband to Montana’s rural and tribal communities and called on USDA leaders to take steps to ensure investments are actually being made in rural communities still lacking broadband service. “Not only does access to broadband connect rural Americans