Daines Fights for Montana Transportation Priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward key provisions important to Montana transportation and public safety. Daines joined the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today in moving forward the “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,” which reauthorizes Amtrak services. Daines successfully included an amendment requiring Amtrak to evaluate options for establishing additional Amtrak stops that would have a positive financial impact to Amtrak, including a potential station in Culbertson, Montana. Daines’ amendment also requires evaluation of options to enhance economic development and accessibility of Amtrak stations and their surrounding areas. In the “Transportation, Housing and Urban
Daines Statement on Obamacare Supreme Court Ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s King v. Burwell ruling: “Obamacare is a poorly written law that is failing the American people. I’ll continue working to repeal this failed law and replace it with Montana-driven solutions that increase access to affordable care for all Montanans and put patients first.” ###
Daines Announces Miles City Airport to Receive Grant to Rehabilitate Runway
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that Miles City’s Frank Wiley Field will receive $2.5 million to rehabilitate the airport’s runway and modernize its visual guidance system. The grant was awarded under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “Safe and reliable air service is critical to the long-term economic needs of Montana’s rural communities, including Miles City,” Daines stated. “This grant will provide the Miles City airport with the tools needed to better serve the transportation needs of area residents.” The AIP was developed to promote the development and preservation of the nation’s airport system. Eligible
Daines Joins Cavuto to Discuss OPM Hack
Senator Steve Daines today reiterated his call for Director Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Katherine Archuleta to step down amid serious concerns that under her watch, OPM failed to address major security flaws and systemic problems leading to the largest ever breach of federal employees’ personal information. In the interview, Daines also called for the resignation of Donna Seymour the Chief Information Office (CIO) for OPM. “We need to hold the government accountable to standards we hold people in the private sector accountable to. The director should be let go, I think the CIO as well at OPM should be fired. This is unacceptable, it
Daines: OPM Director Should Step Down
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today called on Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Katherine Archuleta to step down in light of recent reports that due to failures in OPM’s security, an estimated 18 million current, former and prospective federal employees were victims of a mass cyber breach. “Under Katherine Archuleta’s watch, OPM allowed one of the largest breaches of federal employees’ personal information in our nation’s history. More, Ms. Archuleta has refused to take accountability for this great failure – in turn failing the American people, whom she swore an oath to protect and defend,” Daines
Daines Presses Highway Safety Administrator for Answers on Fire Truck Safety
Senator Steve Daines today pressed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for answers about delayed recall efforts for a failing fire truck component that resulted in a deadly crash outside of Helena, Montana last summer. During today’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing with NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind, Daines recalled the crash and pressed Rosekind as to why a full recall of the defective part has taken approximately one year to institute. Daines also pointed out that the component in question was a NHTSA approved solution to a previous recall in 2003, yet still was faulty – ultimately leading
Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Gene Peterson
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today honored Gene Peterson, a native of Culbertson and resident of Missoula, for his fifty successful years of shaping Montana’s broadcasting industry and long history of public service to the state. Peterson was inducted into the Montana Broadcasters Hall of Fame earlier this month. In addition to working in Montana broadcasting for more than fifty years, Peterson has served as president of the Missoula Chamber of Commerce and a member of the St. Patrick Hospital Advisory Board and Grizzly Scholarship Association. Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” initiative highlights a Montanan by submitting a statement of
Daines Introduces Bill to Honor Jeannette Rankin on U.S. Currency
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to require that former Montana Representative Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, be featured as the first woman on U.S. paper currency. Today, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced that it is taking nominations for the new face of the $10 bill. Daines introduced the “Celebrating the First Woman in Congress Currency Act” to require that Jeannette Rankin be the first woman on paper currency. “Jeannette Rankin, a proud Montanan and the first woman to serve in Congress, has left a lasting mark on our nation’s democratic process,” Daines
Daines’ Bills to Provide Critical Funding for Montana’s Rural Water Infrastructure Receive First Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines’ bills to provide much-needed funding for Montana rural water infrastructure received their first Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing today. Daines’ bills— S. 1552 the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act and S. 1365, the Authorized Rural Water Projects Completion Act – provide much-needed funding and authorization for the construction and completion of critical rural water infrastructure projects in Montana and other states. Daines’ remarks can be viewed here and downloaded here. “Water is a basic need of life. In Montana, we depend on a steady supply to irrigate our crops, water our livestock