Tester, Daines lead effort to combat Native American veteran homelessness
Montana senators sponsor bill to permanently reauthorize successful tribal housing initiative (Montana) – To honor the contributions Native American veterans have made to this nation, Vice Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee Jon Tester and Senator Steve Daines have introduced bipartisan legislation to combat veteran homelessness in Indian Country. The Senators’ bipartisan bill will make HUD-VASH funds, which provide rental assistance to homeless or at-risk homeless veterans, permanently available to Native American tribes and tribal housing authorities. “Native Americans serve in the military at the highest rate per capita of any group in the United States,” Tester said. “This year
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Pipeline Safety Bill
“SAFE PIPES” Act Would Reauthorize PHMSA Through 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to help ensure the safety of America’s pipeline network. The legislation, known as 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 U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.). “Safe and secure pipeline infrastructure is critical to our nation and is especially important to Montanans – both for economic opportunity and environmental
Daines Statement in Honor of Veterans Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement to honor America’s heroes ahead of Veterans Day: “On Veterans Day, we gather across Montana and all around America to show our respect and gratitude for those who have served our country. Veterans Day is a special day for our nation. It is a day in which we pause and thank those who have served and continue to serve. “For decades, our enemies have tested our strength, yet we continue to demonstrate our resolve. America and the world are better places because of the courage our veterans and service members
Daines: Senate Working to Uphold Promises to Our Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today commended the unanimous passage of critical veterans’ funding legislation that addresses several of Montana veterans’ long-standing concerns. The Senate today passed the bipartisan FY 2016 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that secures important reforms to increase Montana veterans’ access to health care services and ensure that all Montana veterans are treated with the utmost care and respect. “Today Republicans and Democrats joined together to ensure our nation’s veterans have access to the services and support they deserve,” Daines stated. “Our veterans deserve the utmost care and respect, which is why Congress must
Daines Hails Strong Bipartisan Passage of Critical Defense Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate today with strong bipartisan support after President Obama dropped his senseless veto threat of the legislation: “Montana plays a critical role in meeting our nation’s security and military needs. The NDAA provides the critical support our men and women in uniform need to carry out their missions,” Daines stated. “I’m glad the President has dropped his senseless veto threat and joined a bipartisan Congress in prioritizing the needs of our service members, while protecting the important role that Montana holds in our national
Daines Works to Protect Consumers from Backlash Over Online Reviews
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has signed onto bipartisan legislation to protect consumers who want to write honest online reviews of companies, without fear of financial repercussions from the businesses being reviewed. Daines is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Consumer Review Freedom Act, which would prohibit the use of non-disparagement clauses referred to as “gag clauses,” which are often found in little-read online user agreements. Businesses can use these clauses to penalize or fine customers for negative but honest reviews of their services on websites such as Yelp or TripAdvisor. Non-disparagement clauses stifle consumer speech by silencing
Daines Helps Recognize November as National Native American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines has helped introduced a Senate resolution to recognize the month of November as National Native American Heritage Month. The resolution celebrates the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and recognizes their many contributions to the United States. The resolution was unanimously passed by the Senate. “National Native American Heritage Month honors the importance of tribal self-governance, preserving indigenous languages, the United States’ commitment to strengthening the government-to-government relationship and the importance of Native Americans’ heritage to our country at large,” Daines stated. “This resolution also honors Native American veterans like the Crow Tribe Code Talkers, who played
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Pete Gardzina of Montana City
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Pete Gardzina from Montana City. Pete is the current Transition Assistance Advisor for the Montana National Guard and works to help Montana veterans transition to civilian life after returning from deployment. 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
Daines: President Obama’s Rejection of the Keystone XL is an Affront to the American People
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today admonished President Barack Obama for rejecting TransCanada’s application to build the job-creating Keystone XL pipeline: “It has taken more than seven years for President Obama to come clean with the American people and admit his anti-energy and anti-American jobs agenda. President Obama had an opportunity to help create good-paying jobs with the construction of the Keystone pipeline, but instead he chose to blatantly disregard the economic needs of this nation, the need for good-paying jobs, like union jobs, energy costs for Montana families and the will of the American people. The rejection of