Daines: Montana Counties Set to Receive Long-Awaited SRS Payments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Forest Service will allocate nearly $18 million to Montana’s rural and forested counties under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. The Forest Service this week released 2014 SRS payment levels for Montana counties following the recent reauthorization of the critical program. “The Secure Rural Schools program is a lifeline for Montana’s rural counties – many of which have suffered from severe economic challenges in the wake of declining timber harvests and natural resource production. These payments are welcome news for the dozens of Montana counties that are already stretching their
Montana Delegation Introduces Legislation to Ensure Completion of Montana Hydro Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester, along with Representative Ryan Zinke, are introducing legislation in the Senate and House to ensure the completion of two hydroelectric facilities in Montana. The delegation’s bills will 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 a critical component of our state’s all-of-the-above energy portfolio that provides a reliable and affordable source of electricity for hardworking Montana families,” Daines stated. “The completion of
Daines Introduces Historic Reform Bill to Protect Montanans’ Privacy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce widely supported bipartisan legislation that ends the bulk collection of Americans’ phone records. Daines is an original cosponsor of the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015, which ends bulk collection under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act and requires greater oversight, transparency, and accountability in surveillance activities. Three provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), including Section 215, are due to sunset on June 1. “Montanans have seen firsthand the dangers of big government’s intrusion into our daily lives, our personal information and our privacy,” Daines stated. “It’s critical that comprehensive reforms are put
Daines Congratulates Helena Native Dr. Dava Newman on Confirmation as NASA Deputy Administrator
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Helena native Dr. Dava Newman on her confirmation as the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Deputy Administrator. The United States Senate unanimously confirmed Newman today. Before today’s vote, Daines spoke on the Senate floor in support of Newman’s nomination. Video of Daines’ floor speech is available to watch here and download here. “Dr. Newman is a talented individual, passionate about aerospace engineering, and is generating awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math opportunities in Montana’s students,” Daines stated. “Dr. Newman is an incredibly accomplished Montanan who truly exemplifies our state’s legacy of public service. I know she will lead with honor
Tester, Daines and Zinke to Forest Service: We need to see more
(Washington, D.C) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke are pushing the Forest Service for answers about how the agency plans to implement the forestry provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill. In a letter to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, the entire Montana delegation noted that after the Farm Bill passed over a year ago the Department was quick to approve Montana’s recommended areas that deserve expedited treatment for timber harvest, but since then there has been little action. “We need to see more,” the members wrote. “The health of the approximately 17 million acres of National
Daines Works to Prioritize State Based Sage Grouse Conservation Plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce legislation that prioritizes state-created conservation and management plans for the recovery of the Sage Grouse. Daines is an original cosponsor of S. 1036, the Sage-Grouse Protection and Conservation Act, which would require the Department of the Interior to share scientific data with states, assist states in crafting and implementing their plans, and recognize the state plans for a minimum of six years. The Act empowers states to take the lead in Sage Grouse conservation while preventing a listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “Montana is best equipped to manage and
Daines Statement on Bipartisan Passage of Human Trafficking Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today applauded the long-overdue passage of the bipartisan Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, critical legislation Daines has co-sponsored to help victims of human trafficking. “I’m glad that the Senate finally took the long-overdue step forward and approved this bipartisan legislation to help victims of modern-day slavery. Too often, victims of human trafficking are underserved and fail to get the resources they desperately need. This bill will provide our law enforcement officials and communities with the necessary tools to help lift these innocent victims out of the shadows. Montanans know firsthand the importance of cracking down on
Daines Votes to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines released the following statement on his vote to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program for two years — providing rural Montana counties with critical support for schools and community services. “It is critical that the federal government fulfill its long-standing promise to our forested counties, which have faced significant economic challenges under declining timber harvests and the ongoing mismanagement of our National Forests. It’s unacceptable that Washington’s inaction has led to such great uncertainty in these already struggling communities. Last night, I was proud to vote to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program — a vote I’ve long been fighting for
On Tax Day, Daines Continues Fight to Repeal Death Tax
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today marked “Tax Day” by continuing his efforts to stand up for hardworking Montanans and repeal the death tax. Daines has signed on as a cosponsor to S.860 the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, which would permanently repeal the federal estate tax, commonly known as the death tax. This bill would effectively end a long-standing tax on family farms, ranches, and businesses upon the death of an owner. “On tax day, we are once again reminded that our nation’s tax code places an undue burden and unnecessary hardship on hardworking Montana families, small businesses, farmers and ranchers,” Daines stated. “The death tax is a direct