Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Russ Fullmer of Sidney
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Russ Fullmer of Sidney. Russ Fullmer will be retiring from Sidney Sugars Inc. in December after 30 years of loyal service and hard work. 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 filling out the contact form on Daines’
Daines Statement on Double-Digit Obamacare Rate Increases
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the double-digit Obamacare rate increases for approximately 41,000 Montanans: “Despite President Obama’s promises, health care premiums are not as affordable for many Americans as he claimed they would be. These steep premium increases make it harder to have access to affordable healthcare and create severe hardships for thousands of Montanans. It’s money that’s no longer in the pockets of Montanans. We need to ensure health care is affordable and accessible for all Montanans, and that starts with repealing Obamacare and its costly mandates, burdensome taxes and senseless regulations.” The average rate
Daines Statement on Historic Pope Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement ahead of Pope Francis’ address to a joint meeting of Congress: “On behalf of all Montanans, it is a privilege to welcome His Holiness Pope Francis to the United States and to our nation’s capital,” Daines stated. “We should let this day remind us that our great nation was founded with the vision that we are all endowed with certain natural rights and dignity that come from God, not from government. It is the role of government to protect and defend our rights. I am thankful for the strong legacy of faith
Senators Introduce Born-Alive Protection Act
Washington, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today along with 20 Senate cosponsors helped introduce the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. “We cannot stand idly by and allow those who can’t fight for themselves to receive substandard care or simply no care at all,” Daines stated. “The right to life is protected by our Constitution and is part of the framework of the Declaration of Independence. We must continue to be a voice for those who have none. We need to get this common sense legislation passed and on the President’s desk.” The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which is identical to that passed
Daines Statement on Department of Interior’s Sage Grouse Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Department of the Interior’s sage grouse announcement: “While it is good news that the sage grouse is not listed as an endangered species, I remain concerned that the Obama administration’s land-use plans will have a harmful impact on Montana’s economy, our land users and Montanans’ way of life. The fact remains, sage grouse numbers have increased in the west by nearly two-thirds since 2013. Montana needs to continue take the lead on sage grouse conservation and I hope BLM can revise their plans to allow Montana to do so. Because a sage
Daines: We Must Continue to be a Voice for Those Who Don’t Have a Voice
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to underscore the importance of Senate passage of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which will prevent late-term abortion nationwide beyond 20 weeks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Daines is an original cosponsor of the commonsense Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This legislation would prevent late-term abortion nationwide beyond 20 weeks – more than halfway through pregnancy when a baby can feel pain. Daines’ made the following remarks on the Senate floor: “The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act will do exactly that: protect unborn children who can feel pain. “Studies have shown that babies can feel pain by
Daines Applauds Senate Passage of Federal Grain Inspection Reforms
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today applauded the Senate passage of the United States Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, which contains key reforms secured by Daines to ensure Montana farmers are protected from disruptions in federally mandated grain inspections, like what occurred last summer at the Port of Vancouver. Daines’ provisions maintain continuous required grain inspection for farmers, ranchers and producers. The legislation was passed by the Senate today without opposition. The House is expected to take up the legislation in coming days. “Today’s passage of the U.S. Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act is good news for Montana
Daines Leads Montana, North Dakota Congressional Delegations in Urging Army Corps of Engineers to Prioritize the Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today led the Montana and North Dakota congressional delegations in urging the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to prioritize concerns at the Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam. In a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and BOR Commissioner Estevan Lopez, the bipartisan delegations emphasized the economic benefit that the dam provides to both Montana and North Dakota. On September 8, a federal judge blocked construction of the planned dam along the Yellowstone River near the Montana-North Dakota border due to environmental concerns. “We urge ACE and BOR to address the
Daines Investigates Pipeline Safety, PHMSA Reauthorization at Montana Field Hearing
BILLINGS, Mont. — Senator Steve Daines today held a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The hearing examined current issues and challenges relating to the inspection and safe management of the nation’s pipeline network, as well as the importance of safely transporting our natural resources through pipelines, highways and rail lines. Daines and witnesses also examined the upcoming reauthorization of PHMSA and its efficacy in overseeing and enforcing federal regulations in light of recent pipeline ruptures in eastern Montana. “I’m thankful that we were