Press Releases

Daines Calls on Biden Administration to Analyze Sawtimber Levels in Montana

Encourages public-private partnerships to bolster active forest management U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a group of his colleagues in urging U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore to analyze and release standing sawtimber levels in high priority firesheds in Montana. This data is important to motivate and focus collaborative work between federal land management agencies and private forest product companies as they work to remove hazardous fuels. Active forest management is the most effective means to preventing catastrophic wildfires. Additionally, utilizing public-private partnerships can simultaneously reduce fire risk and vitalize rural communities in Montana that rely on the timber industry. “Decades of wildfire

Daines Fights for Montanans’ Second Amendment Rights

Joins Colleagues in Demanding Answers for Shipping Policies Targeting Firearms and Ammunition U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined his colleagues in sending letters to major shipping companies regarding their policies surrounding firearms and ammunition. Over the past year, several large freight and shipping companies have implemented policies that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industries, ranging from prohibiting shipments containing certain firearm parts to total bans on firearms and ammunition. “[DHL/XPO Logistics/Saia’s] policy is an affront to the Second Amendment and discriminates against the millions of law-abiding citizens, including many of our constituents, who utilize and value their constitutional right to keep and bear arms,” the Senators wrote.  “Your policy

Daines Slams Biden Administration for New Proposed Rule That Would Increase Cost of Domestic Energy Production

Every Senate Democrat Paved the Way for the Rule to Take Place U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Biden administration announced a new proposed rule that would drastically increase the cost of oil and gas production on public lands. “Since Day One President Biden has sent a clear message to Montana energy producers: this administration is coming for you. From shutting down lease sales to begging our adversaries for oil to this new rule that will raise rates for Montana oil and gas producers, the Biden administration is proving that they would rather bow to

Daines: “Biden VA Continues to Fail our Veterans”

Criticizes Agency for Taking too Long to Change Leadership in Montana  U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) announced changes to the Montana VA Healthcare System. “Montana has one of the highest populations of veterans per capita in the United States yet the Biden administration’s VA continues to fail our heroes who have sacrificed so much for our country. The fact that it took this long for the Administration to make a much-needed leadership change in Montana shows the Biden administration is not prioritizing care for our veterans. Unfortunately, the Democrat-controlled

Daines Effort to Crack Down on Fentanyl Crisis Included in NDAA 

U.S. SENATE – U.S.Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, today announced that his “FEND Off Fentanyl Act” was officially included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate began voting on the NDAA this week. “Enough is enough. The fentanyl that is spilling through Joe Biden’s open border and into the Treasure State is destroying our local communities,” Daines said. “I am proud that my ‘FEND Off Fentanyl Act’ was officially included in this year’s NDAA, and included my specific concerns to add transparency to President Biden’s sanctions exemptions. I am working to ensure this legislation passes the Senate and is sent to

Daines: Biden Defense Department Focus on Race and Gender Destroys American Ideals, Morale and Weakens Military Recruitment 

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced an amendment to mandate the Department of Defense (DoD) base its promotion, selection, assignment and other personnel decisions on merit and not race and gender. The Biden Defense Department advocates for using DEI criteria as a “necessity” and considers it a “force multiplier.” It also sets numerical racial quotas in its recruiting applicant pools. “Gender and race-based discrimination has no place in America and especially not in the military. For decades our military has shown the world that people of diverse backgrounds can unite around a common purpose of serving an ideal higher than themselves and protect our freedom.

Daines Slams Biden for Weakness on World Stage, Works to Strengthen NDAA

Highlights Mission of 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls To watch Daines’ remarks, click HERE. U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today delivered remarks at the weekly Republican Senate Leadership press conference highlighting the importance of pushing back on President Joe Biden’s woke agenda and using the “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA) to strengthen the United States’ national security. Senator Daines is working to include several of his priorities, including banning tax dollars from being used to host drag shows, sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals involved with the spy balloon and an analysis of North American Aerospace Defense

Daines’ Bipartisan Bill to Settle Montana’s Final Indian Water Rights Settlement One Step Closer to Becoming Law

Daines’ “Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act” passes out of committee, heads to Senate floor U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing applauded the passage of his bipartisan “Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act.” The historic bill would finalize Montana’s last Indian water rights settlement. Watch and download HERE. “This is a historic step for Montana. It is a bipartisan agreement, the Fort Belknap Water Rights Compact, the last compact for the state of Montana. We are now one step closer to getting this to the President Biden’s desk. There has been a lot

Daines Calls for Passage of Largest Bipartisan Hydropower Permitting Reform Bill in Two Decades

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee hearing, highlighted his bipartisan “Community and Hydropower Improvement Act” and called on the committee to pass his bill that would streamline the permitting and licensing process, boost hydropower in Montana and increase tribal engagement. Listen to Daines’ full remarks HERE. “The ‘Community and Hydropower Improvement Act’ streamlines permitting and licensing as well as increases tribal engagement. The bill creates an expedited licensing process for powering non-powered dams and building closed loop pumped storage. It limits the scope of environmental review and mitigation to real, on the ground and