Daines Announces Washington, D.C. Legislative and Administrative Hires
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced legislative and administrative staff hires for his Washington, D.C. office. “My number one priority is serving the people of Montana and ensuring their voices are heard in Washington, D.C.” Daines stated. “Our staff has the experience, enthusiasm and dedication needed to provide Montanans with the service they deserve.” Wally Hsueh will serve as legislative director for Daines’ office, where he will provide strategic policy guidance and oversee all legislative activity. Hsueh, who brings more than 20 years of Capitol Hill experience to Daines’ office, has served in multiple leadership positions and
Montana Senators Urge FAA to Address Montanans’ Safety Concerns Over Powder River Expansion
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today pressed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resolve Montanans’ ongoing concerns regarding the expansion of the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC) before issuing a final Record of Decision. In a meeting today with FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, the Montana Senators called on Huerta to reevaluate the Air Force’s plan in light of increased economic activity and air traffic in southeastern Montana. The Senators also urged Huerta to strongly consider removing the controversial PR-3 Low segment of the PRTC and further provide the area with the necessary radar capabilities to better
Daines Announces Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has been selected to serve on five Senate Appropriations subcommittees. Daines will serve on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies; Defense; Interior, Environment and Related Agencies; State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies. Daines noted that the subcommittees’ focus will address a number of issues of great importance to Montana, including the management of public lands and support for Montana’s mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base by ensuring that our service members have
Daines Applauds Final Passage of Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan Senate passage of legislation approving the Keystone XL pipeline by a vote of 62-36. This long-awaited legislation will create tens of thousands of good paying jobs, bring much needed economic opportunity to Montana and move the nation one step closer to North American energy independence. “Today, the Senate finally took long-awaited action and passed commonsense, pro-growth legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. This job-creating project will increase economic opportunity in Montana – in turn, raising tax revenues to fund our schools and infrastructure while lowering energy costs for the hardworking
Daines’ Efforts to Stop Unilateral Monument Designations Draws Majority Support
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines’ fight to protect Montana from the Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate new national monuments without local support today gained majority support on the Senate floor. Under a vote of 50-47, a majority of U.S. Senators today support Daines’ amendment expressing the sense of Congress that that all future National Monument designations should be subject to consultation with local governance and the approval of the Governor and legislature of states in which designation would occur. “I am encouraged that a majority of the Senate shares Montanans’ strong belief that the hardworking Americans most affected
Daines Stresses Importance of Montana’s Freight Rail Network
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sought to address the critical need for expanded rail capacity to support Montana jobs and key industries, such as agriculture and mining. During today’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on Freight Rail Transport, Daines pressed the panel on how to improve track capacity and maximize efficiency on our nation’s rail system. “80 percent of our wheat crop is exported overseas, so it’s our connection from rails to the ports that allows us to grow jobs and support Montana farmers,” Daines stated during today’s hearing. Immediately prior to today’s
Daines Works to Protect Montana From Catastrophic Wildfire
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is working to ensure Montana has the resources needed to combat wildfires and invest in much-need fire prevention efforts. Daines joined Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) to introduce the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, which overhauls federal wildfire policy, increases funding for prevention and ensures large forest fires are treated and funded as true natural disasters. “Montanans know firsthand the economic and physical damage caused by catastrophic wildfire – yet year after year, the federal government falls short in providing the funds needed to both treat and prevent these devastating fires,” Daines
Daines: Montanans’ Voices Must Be Heard in Monument Designations
Daines introduces amendment to help protect Montanans from Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate new national monuments without local support WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines is fighting to protect Montana from the Obama administration’s efforts to unilaterally designate large swaths of land as national monuments, without securing local input and state support. Last night, Daines introduced an amendment to S.1, legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, that would express the sense of Congress that all future national monument designations should be subject to consultation with local governance and the approval of the Governor and legislature of states in
Daines Helps Introduce Bill to Ensure Veterans’ Access to Local Healthcare
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines has joined Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and a bipartisan coalition of Senators to introduce legislation to ensure Montana veterans have local access to the healthcare services they need. The bill, the Veterans Access to Community Care Act of 2015 (S. 207), would allow veterans to access community healthcare providers if the veteran lives more than 40 miles driving distance—rather than as the crow flies—from the closest VA medical facility that could provide the services the veteran needs. “Thousands of Montana veterans live hundreds of miles away from their closest VA healthcare facility. This bill ensures that