Daines, Zinke Urge Governor Bullock to Block the Relocation of Syrian Refugees to Montana
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Montana Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke today urged Montana Governor Steve Bullock to block any efforts from the federal government to move Syrian refugees to Montana until exhaustive and comprehensive background checks can be completed. In a letter to Bullock, Daines and Zinke stressed the importance of prioritizing Montanans’ safety and security by refusing Syrian refugees until there is 100 percent confidence in these refugees’ backgrounds. At present, the state of Montana has not disallowed Syrian refugees from settling in Montana. “We write to urge you to object to any efforts by the federal government to place
Tester, Daines urge Senate to permanently reauthorize and fully fund LWCF
Senators: LWCF is “one of the country’s best conservation programs” (U.S. Senate) – Montana Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are urging Senate leaders to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to protect more of Montana’s best outdoor places. LWCF, which expired October 1, funds conservation projects in all 50 states using offshore oil and gas receipts. Tester and Daines, in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), called LWCF “one of the country’s best conservation programs,” pointing out that the fund has supported over 41,000 state and
Daines’ Bill to Protect Consumers Passes Senate Commerce Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today hailed the bipartisan passage of his legislation to protect and expand protections for consumers. The bipartisan Consumer Review Freedom Act unanimously passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee this morning. The bill would prohibit the use of non-disparagement clauses referred to as “gag clauses,” which are often found in little-read online user agreements. “Feedback from consumers provides valuable insights not only for companies but for other consumers looking for honest firsthand information,” Daines stated. “We should encourage competition and let consumers’ voices be heard on a free and open Internet. I’m pleased to see this commonsense legislation
Daines Announces $2.5 Million for Montana Tribal Schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that Lodge Grass Elementary School District and Heart Butte School District were awarded nearly $2.5 million in construction grants for FY2016. Heart Butte and Lodge Grass Elementary school districts are among seven educational agencies nationwide to receive Impact Aid Discretionary Construction Grants this year. The funding will be used to address emergency health and safety conditions in school facilities. “These grants will provide Heart Butte and Lodge Grass schools with additional resources to ensure the safety of their students and to better serve their communities,” Daines stated. “This additional support will help students on the
Daines: Coal Keeps the Lights On
“The Obama administration’s war on energy isn’t just a war on coal – it’s a war on American jobs, American families and our national security.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of today’s vote to fully nullify President Obama’s so-called “Clean Power Plan,” Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to join him in standing up for American energy independence. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Later tonight, the Senate is expected to pass two bipartisan resolutions disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulations on new and existing power sources. The
Senator Daines’ and Attorney General Fox’s “Brawl of the Wild” Rivalry Continues
Montana Senator Steve Daines and Attorney General Tim Fox have entered into their third annual wager over the upcoming University of Montana – Montana State University football game. If the Bobcats win the Brawl of the Wild, Attorney General Fox will be forced to wear a blue and gold Montana State necktie for a full day of work. Should the Grizzlies prevail, Senator Daines will likewise wear a University of Montana tie for a full workday. As Fox has won this bet in both of the past two years, the pressure is on to see if the Bobcats can pull
Daines: We Need Forest Management Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today fervently implored his Senate colleagues to take long-needed action and move forward bipartisan legislation that includes both a solution for wildfire funding and responsible forest management reforms. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on wildfire management strategies, Daines reiterated the need for comprehensive, bipartisan solutions that address the wildfire funding challenges facing the Forest Service, implement litigation reforms and improve the health of the National Forest system through increased active forest management. “I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, let’s come
Daines Introduces Legislation to Roll Back Red Tape for Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to protect Montana small businesses from burdensome regulations found in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 317-page “net neutrality” rules. The Small Business Broadband Deployment Act of 2015 would make permanent a temporary exemption from the FCC’s new so-called “enhanced transparency requirements,” which would require Internet service providers to disclose an excess of information about their network performance, some of which may require hiring an engineer. Daines’ bill makes the temporary exemption permanent so that small businesses don’t have to comply with unnecessary and burdensome regulations that would cost small businesses time and money. “Burdensome
Daines to President Obama: U.S. Should Not Accept Syrian Refugees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today called on President Obama to stop the United States from taking in Syrian refugees: “Until we have the capability to complete comprehensive and exhaustive background checks on Syrian refugees before they reach our shores, the United States should immediately stop taking in new refugees from the region. We are at war with Islamic extremists and anything less than 100% verification of these refugees’ backgrounds puts our national security at risk. “While I have strong sympathy for those caught in the conflict in Syria and the region, the President’s current plan to take in 10,000 Syrian