Daines Presses PHMSA Administrator Nominee on Rail and Pipeline Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today underscored the need to ensure safe and environmentally sound transportation of our natural resources, whether by pipeline or rail. Daines pressed Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Administrator Nominee Marie Therese Dominguez on the recent oil spills in Montana and the need to ensure public confidence in America’s pipelines. Daines also highlighted the economic impact of the oil, gas and coal industry to Montana. “PHMSA plays a very important role in Montana. It’s a big state, and it’s vital to ensure safe and environmentally sound transport of our natural resources, whether it’s
Daines Joins 49 Fellow Senators in Raising Concerns with Planned Parenthood Practices, Urging HHS Secretary to Comply with Investigations, Conduct Assessment to Facilitate Congressional Review
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group including 49 other senators in a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell following the release of footage by the Center for Medical Progress depicting senior Planned Parenthood Federation of America executives discussing in gruesome detail the organization’s role in the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies. In the letter, the senators draw attention to the legal, ethical, and policy issues raised by the footage and call on HHS Secretary Burwell to cooperate with ongoing and future investigations into these questions. “The footage raises a
In Case You Missed It: Daines on Protecting our Military Recruiters, Latest Developments on Iran Deal
“The fastest way to stop a bad guy with a gun – is a good guy with a gun.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today appeared on CNN, Fox News and Fox Business to speak on the importance of his bill, the SEMPER FI Act, which would allow military officers and non-commissioned officers the ability to carry a firearm at military recruitment centers. Daines underscored the crucial need for our men and women in uniform to be able to protect and defend themselves. Additionally, Daines joined Fox Business to discuss the latest developments on the Iran Deal. In the
Daines: Americans Shouldn’t Have to Pay the Price for Obama Administration’s OPM Hack
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today highlighted the growing cyber-warfare threats facing our nation, and the incompetence of the Obama administration that led to a massive breach of personal and security information at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that resulted in the resignation of Director Katherine Archuleta. Click here to watch Daines’ speech. Click here to download Daines’ speech. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this evening: “Mr. President, the headlines in the past few months have been enough to paint a startling picture of how our nation is handling cybersecurity and technology issues these days. “Before I came to
Daines, Hunter Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Allow Military to Carry at Recruitment Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) today introduced legislation to allow military officers the ability to carry weapons at military recruitment centers. The Securing Military Personnel Response Firearm Initiative (SEMPER FI) Act, which was introduced today in the Senate and the House, allows the military to authorize recruiters to be armed when they’re at recruitment centers or allows them to improve structural security at recruitment centers. The bill also limits the carrying of a sidearm to officers and non-commissioned officers. In February 1992, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued Directive 5210.56, which stated that
Daines Introduces Legislation to Increase Transparency in Regulatory Rules
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to provide oversight in the federal regulatory structure by creating much needed transparency for the American people. Daines’ bill, the Regulatory Impact Scale on the Economy Small Business Act of 2015 (RISE Act), would provide the federal government with a proper framework to effectively monitor regulatory activity. The bill brings essential accountability and transparency to the federal regulatory process, which currently lacks a codified, standardized means to measure economic impact. “Too often the federal government keeps the public in the dark when issuing regulations that have the potential to create billions
Daines Statement on the UN Security Council Iran Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the United Nations (UN) Security Council voted unanimously to approve the P5+1 deal with Iran, the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism: “The President taking the deal with Iran to the United Nations before Congress even had its first full day to review the deal is an affront to the American people. The UN’s vote will not corner Congress into rubberstamping a bad deal. The actions taken by the President make clear that he is more concerned with his legacy than ensuring the safety of the American people. This
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Shayne Pierre of Polson
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today recognized Shayne Pierre of Polson, Montana for his exceptional heroism. This past May, Shayne acted heroically when a drunk driver collided with a school bus. He helped save the entire bus and attended to the driver, despite sustaining injuries himself. 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
Daines, Forest Service Affirm Importance of Categorical Exclusions as Forest Restoration Tool
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today pressed the U.S. Forest Service to outline reforms needed to restore the health of the National Forest system and clarify the importance of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) as utilized by the Forest Service in forest health restoration projects. Click here to download Daines’ questioning. Click here to watch Daines’ questioning. During today’s Energy and Natural Resources hearing, Daines reaffirmed his commitment to forest management reform and asked Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell about how CEs are used to expedite forest restoration projects and enhance the environment. “I’m very determined, I’m very motivated to pass