Press Releases

Daines Statement on Air Force Decision to Move Forward with Powder River Expansion

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today called the United States Air Force’s decision to move forward with the expansion of the Powder River Training Complex “disappointing and discouraging,” and called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address Montanans’ strong concerns before approving the Air Force’s proposal. The Air Force today issued a record of decision on the proposed expansion that failed to address the many concerns that Montanans and the members of Montana’s Congressional delegation had repeatedly raised. The final proposal now goes before the FAA for final review and approval. “The Air Force’s decision to move

Daines: Montana CBS Programming Restored for DIRECTV Subscribers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that 24 hours following his urging, DIRECTV and Cordillera Communications have struck an agreement that will restore Montana subscribers’ access to CBS programming. Yesterday, Daines wrote a letter to DIRECTV and Cordillera Communications officials urging the companies to come to a resolution on a negotiations standstill that had left Montana DIRECTV subscribers without CBS programming since January 1. This afternoon, Daines’ office received word from DIRECTV and Cordillera Communications that service will be restored today – just in time for tomorrow’s National Football League playoff game between the Indianapolis Colts and the

Daines Statement on Nebraska Supreme Court Keystone Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement regarding the Nebraska Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline: “This decision is a win for the people of Montana and the thousands of American families who will directly benefit from the jobs created by Keystone XL pipeline’s construction,” Daines stated. “This project has strong bipartisan support, will create thousands of good-paying jobs, and will provide struggling Montana communities with millions of dollars of badly needed revenue for infrastructure and education. With the Nebraska Supreme Court’s recent ruling, the President

Daines Urges DIRECTV, Cordillera Communications to Resolve CBS Programming Conflict

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today urged DIRECTV and Cordillera Communications to promptly resolve conflicts in contract negotiations that have left thousands of Montanans without access the state’s CBS programming since January 1. In a letter to DIRECTV Chief Content Officer Daniel York and Cordillera Communications Vice President Jon Saunders, Daines reiterated Montanans’ frustrations with the loss of local news and sports coverage and pressed both parties to quickly find a resolution. “These subscribers are missing local news, public affairs programing and emergency weather alerts that they have subscribed to and expect to receive,” Daines wrote. “I urge both

Daines, Senate Energy Committee Approve Keystone XL Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Steve Daines joined the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today to approve Daines-cosponsored legislation that would permit construction of the job-creating Keystone XL pipeline, clearing the way for full Senate vote. The bill, S. 1, was introduced earlier this week and has 60 bipartisan cosponsors. It was passed in Committee today with bipartisan support. “Along its way the pipeline crosses through six counties total injecting thousands of jobs to dying rural communities and millions of dollars in tax revenue to support weakening infrastructure and neighborhood schools,” Daines stated. “Simply stated, Keystone XL is not just a

Daines Signs Onto Term Limits Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has joined Senator David Vitter (R-LA) in introducing legislation that would establish term limits for members of Congress. The bill, S.J.Res.1, proposes a Constitutional amendment that would limit the number of terms that a member of Congress can hold to three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate. “Too often, career politicians lose sight of why they are in Washington, D.C. and who they are there to serve. When politicians become more focused on looking out for their own self-interest instead of the needs of their constituents,

Daines: Political Games Delaying Keystone XL Construction

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today condemned the partisanship and political games, including President Barack Obama’s recent veto threat, that have delayed the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline for more than six years. Criticizing the years of gridlock that have held back the project and the hundreds of good-paying Montana jobs it would create, Daines called for immediate approval of the pipeline’s construction. “This pipeline checks every box of commonsense – it’s environmentally sound, it creates jobs, it’s economic opportunity and it’s going to help us toward North American energy independence. So why are we still waiting?” Daines said. “The time for

Tester, Daines introduce Little Shell recognition bill

(U.S. Senate) – On the first day of the 114th Congress, Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines introduced a bill to grant the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Cree federal recognition. The Little Shell Tribe, headquartered in Great Falls, has sought federal recognition for over 35 years.  The State of Montana recognized the Little Shell tribe in 2000. “Congress has a trust responsibility to our nation’s tribes, and that responsibility should extend to Montana’s Little Shell,” said Tester, ranking member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.  “Their federal recognition will strengthen all of Indian Country and help us live up

Daines Helps Introduce Keystone Legislation in Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the day he was officially sworn into office, Montana Senator Steve Daines helped introduce his first bill in the U.S. Senate. Daines is an original cosponsor of S. 1, legislation to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and the first Senate bill to be introduced in the 114th Congress, which began today. “Special interests and political games have been standing in the way of the Keystone XL pipeline and the jobs it will create for far too long. That’s why we’re wasting no time in getting to work to approve construction of this job-creating project. My