Daines Grills Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Grain Inspections
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today demanded the release of the safety reports that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted during the shutdown of grain inspections at the Port of Vancouver. During today’s Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on the USDA’s Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request, Daines called on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to release the three safety reports conducted during the duration of the lockout to ensure that the USDA’s decisions are transparent and accountable to the grain growers across Montana and the nation. “It’s relevant to me and it’s relevant to our grain growers across Montana
Daines Outlines Priorities for American Prosperity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today delivered his maiden speech on the Senate floor and outlined his priorities as Montana’s new United States Senator. During his speech, Daines discussed the need for state-based solutions to restore economic growth that keeps America safe and secure. Key excerpts from Daines’ speech are below: We are blessed to live in the greatest nation on earth. And it is the solemn responsibility of the United States Senate to do everything in its power to keep it that way. Washington is more concerned with its own self-interest and self-gain than the well being of the
Daines Works to Expand Recreational Access to Public Lands, Promote Montana’s Outdoors Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today pushed for bipartisan solutions to preserve Montana’s outdoors heritage and protect Montanans’ Second Amendment rights. During today’s Energy and Natural Resources legislative hearing on S. 556, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015, Daines stressed the importance ofprotecting access to Montana’s public lands and increasing recreational opportunities for hunters and anglers. “This is an important bill to Montana and I am a proud cosponsor. Like so many Montanans, hunting, fishing and access to public lands is a way of life for us. It passed down through my grandfather, to my dad, and to me, as a
Daines Fights for Tribal Needs at Three Senate Hearings
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today fought for Montana’s tribes, pressing Obama administration witnesses on the responsible stewardship of federal funds to benefit tribal housing, health services and public safety. During three different Senate Committee hearings today, Daines called on witnesses to ensure that federal dollars intended for Montana’s tribes are being properly allocated to help tribal members on Montana’s reservations, rather than being misused or creating bureaucratic waste. Daines sought to rein in exorbitant administrative costs at Indian Health Service (IHS), ensure efficient allocation of tribal housing resources and address the communications challenges facing first responders on reservations and
Daines, Tester honor Montana Medal of Honor recipients
Montana’s Senators introduce a bill to rename Armed Forces Reserve Center in Great Falls after Montana heroes (U.S. SENATE) – To honor the service of two Montana Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester have introduced legislation to rename the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Great Falls the “Captain John E. Moran and Captain William Wylie Galt Armed Forces Reserve Center.” Captain John E. Moran served in the Philippine-American War and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1910. He was later elected County Clerk and Recorder of Cascade County. Captain William Wylie Galt was born
Daines Congratulates Missoula Student on West Point Academy Appointment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today congratulated Missoula student Samantha Clark on her appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Samantha, the daughter of James and Janean Clark of Missoula, will graduate from Sentinel High School this spring. She serves as Key Club Secretary and was a delegate to Montana American Legion Auxiliary Girls State in 2014. She is active in competitive fencing, horseback riding, downhill skiing and shooting sports. “Samantha is an exceptional student, a talented athlete and a leader in her community and school. Her appointment to the United States Military Academy is an incredible
Daines: Obama Administration Abandons Ammo Ban Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that at his urging, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has abandoned its proposal to ban M855 ammunition for one of the most common firearms in the United States: the AR-15. “The Obama administration’s decision to abandon its misguided ammunition ban is welcome news for countless law-abiding firearm owners and sportsmen. I’m glad that the ATF has heeded my call and listened to the more than 80,000 Americans who spoke out in opposition to this senseless restriction. However, this is not the first nor the last time the Obama administration
Daines Demands Commitment to On-Time Federal Grain Inspection Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today renewed his call to ensure timely and efficient grain inspections from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are conducted so that normal shipments of Montana grain will continue uninterrupted. In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders, Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Daines underscored the importance of maintaining continuous required grain inspection for farmers, ranchers and producers. Daines also highlighted the need for USDA to provide a specific plan in the case of disruptions in grain inspections. “The ability to get one’s harvest to consumers quickly and efficiently
Daines, 46 Fellow Senators Send Letter to Iranian Leaders on Nuclear Negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines, along with 46 Republican Senators, today sent an open letter to the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. The letter emphasizes the role of Congress in scrutinizing any potential agreement between the Obama administration and Iranian leadership. A PDF of the official letter may be found here. The full text of the letter is below: An Open Letter to the Leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran: It has come to our attention while observing your nuclear negotiations with our government that you may