Daines Secures Vital Reforms to Ensure On-Time Federal Grain Inspections for Montana Farmers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has secured key reforms to the United States Grain Standards Act to ensure Montana farmers are protected from disruptions in federally mandated grain inspections, like what occurred last summer at the Port of Vancouver. The Senate Agriculture Committee today passed the United States Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, which contains provisions authored by Daines to maintain continuous required grain inspection for farmers, ranchers and producers. The legislation was passed with a strong bipartisan vote, clearing the way for full Senate consideration. “Montana farmers and ranchers deserve certainty that
Daines ‘Stands with Rand’ in Opposition to NSA Bulk Collection of Montanans’ Phone Records
Senator Steve Daines today stood alongside Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and called for the end of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) bulk meta-data collection program. Below are key excerpts from Daines’ floor speech: “I know firsthand the power that big data holds – I also know the great risks that arise when this power is abused. There is a clear and direct threat to Americans’ civil liberties that comes with the mass collection of our personal information and phone records. “This program is a direct threat to our Constitutional rights. It has jeopardized our civil liberties with little proven effectiveness.
Daines Partners with Google to Bring Small Business Workshops to Bozeman, Billings
Senator Steve Daines today announced that representatives from Google will host free tech workshops for Montana small business owners in Bozeman on Thursday, May 28 and Billings on Friday, May 29. Daines’ workshops are part of Google’s Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map small business events. Google experts will help small business owners create their own websites, courtesy of StartLogic. Businesses receive a customized domain name, free web hosting for one year, a local business listing on Google Maps, free tools, training and resources. Google experts are on hand to train the business owners on how to reach more
Daines’ Bills to Expand Montana Hydropower Receive First Committee Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines bills to ensure the completion of two hydroelectric facilities in Montana received their first Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing today. Daines’ bills provide for the reinstatement and three-year extension of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for Clark Canyon Dam Hydro Project in Dillon, Montana and a six-year extension of the FERC license for the Gibson Dam Hydro Project near Augusta, Montana. “Hydropower is an important aspect of an all-of-the-above energy mix,” Daines stated. “These two pieces of legislation will allow construction of two important Montana hydro projects.” Daines is a
Montana Senators Introduce Bill to Make Indian Coal Production Tax Credit Permanent
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced legislation to permanently extend the Indian Coal Production Tax Credit (ICPTC). The ICPTC provides a crucial tax incentive to level the playing field for future development of the tribal coal resources that are currently subject to more regulatory requirements than comparable development on private, state or federal lands. The credit protects the economic viability of existing tribal coal mining projects, which support much-needed tribal jobs and provide a major source of non-Federal revenue for coal-producing tribes. “The Indian Coal Production Tax Credit is an essential tool in Montana
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Sun River Watershed Group
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today recognized the achievement of the Sun River Watershed group from Cascade, MT for recently being named one of four finalists for the 2015 North American Riverprize. Since 1994, the group has prioritized the management and restoration of the river. 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
Tester, Daines introduce bill to improve Montana’s rural water infrastructure
Senators’ bill will invest in tribal and rural water needs (U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today announced they will introduce a bipartisan bill to guarantee critical investments to improve and update Montana’s aging rural water systems. The Authorized Rural Water Projects Completion Act will establish a guaranteed annual investment of $80 million from the Reclamation Fund to upgrade eligible rural water systems for 20 years. Montana has two rural water systems that would have access to these funds: the Fort Peck-Dry Prairie Rural Water System and Rocky Boy’s-North Central Montana Rural Water System. Additionally, if authorized
Daines, Montana Ag & Business Leaders Call for Passage of Trade Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today joined Montana farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and business leaders in calling for the swift passage of bipartisan legislation to give Congress and the American people a greater voice in trade negotiations. “Montanans know the importance of trade to our state’s economy. Montana ag producers, manufacturers and small businesses need fair and transparent trade policies that increase access to new markets and help grow their businesses,” Daines stated. “This bipartisan trade legislation is an important first step in establishing clear guidelines that enforce transparency, maintain Congress’ important role in the process and ensure Montanans’ voices
Daines Introduces Bill to Roll Back EPA Regs
“A War on Coal is a War on the Crow People” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce legislation that ensures Montanans have access to affordable energy and protects good-paying coal jobs. Daines is an original cosponsor of The Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act (ARENA), which holds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accountable and protects states’ rights by requiring the EPA to demonstrate how their proposed regulations could impact each state. This legislation preempts the EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan, set to be released this summer, which could shutter Montana’s coal-fired power