Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Boost Specialized Wildland Firefighter Training at Montana Civilian Conservation Centers
U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the bipartisan “Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act” to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to offer specialized training, specifically wildland firefighter training, to Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center students. This would create a pipeline for young Montanans to enter into careers fighting fires and caring for public lands. “As Montana faces devastating wildfires season after season and the forestry sector continues to face labor shortages, we need to be doing everything we can to ensure we have an experienced team of wildland firefighters to protect our local communities,” Daines said. “Investing in our
Daines Reintroduces Bill to Audit CDC Decision-Making Process
U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines, along with a group of Republican senators, reintroduced the “Restore Public Health Institution Trust Act,” which would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the CDC’s decision-making and messaging process in light of past failures and provide recommendations to improve the agency’s approach. “The CDC’s confusing and often contradictory messaging regarding COVID-19 undermined trust in the very institutions Americans were looking to for guidance during the pandemic. It’s clear we need a review of the CDC’s actions to bring more transparency into their decision-making process and provide an avenue for accountability and potential reforms,” said Daines. U.S.
Daines on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria Bartiromo: Biden and the Democrats’ Priorities are Out-of-Step with the American People
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Steve Daines appeared on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria Bartiromo to discuss President Biden and Democrats’ $80 billion IRS spending plan, debt ceiling negotiations and energy security. Daines on IRS funding: “Look, this is just an example of how misplaced the priorities are this administration, how out of step they are with the rest of America. Why in the world would we add over 80,000 more agents to harass taxpayers when we could be deploying resources to secure the southern border? How about deploying resources to help secure our schools, protect our children? This is yet one more example of how far left this
Daines Delivers Powerful Remarks on the Human Cost of Southern Border Crisis
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate today about the fentanyl epidemic that is a direct result of the Biden administration’s failure to secure the southern border. Specifically, he highlighted Reilly Schrapps, a 24 year old from Butte who died after taking a pill laced with fentanyl last summer. Click HERE to watch full remarks and HERE to download. Excerpts from Daines’ remarks as prepared for delivery: “When most people talk about the fentanyl crisis gripping our communities today, they talk about the numbers. And the numbers are powerful. In 2022, synthetic opioids, like deadly fentanyl, claimed over 75,000 lives in our country. It’s estimated over 150 people die
Daines Reintroduces Bill to Stop Fentanyl Trafficking into Montana
U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines, along with a group of Republican senators, reintroduced the “Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act,” that would add large-scale drug smuggling as an additional basis for Title 42 expedited removal immigration authority. Montana has seen a 1,100 percent increase in fatal overdoses linked to fentanyl since 2017. “The fentanyl that is coming through President Biden’s open southern border and into Montana is wreaking havoc on our local communities,” said Senator Daines. “We need to be using every resource at our disposal to stem the flood of illegal drugs into the United States, including Title 42. Montanans have had enough of
Daines Secures Commitment from IRS Commissioner to End Improper Audits on Disabled First Responders
U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at a Senate Finance hearing secured a commitment from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Danny Werfel to end improper audits of disabled first responders. Daines’ bipartisan bill to end these wrongful audits was signed in to law last year, but does not take effect until 2026. Because of this delay many disabled first responders could still be subject to improper outreach and audits from the IRS. Watch the exchange HERE. Daines: “Thank you, Mr. Werfel. I’d like to begin by addressing my ‘Putting First Responders First Act,’ which was signed into law as part of the retirement legislation that
Daines Criticizes Biden Chief Economist Nominee Claims that Administration has “Top Track Record” on Energy Production
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today criticized Jared Bernstein, nominee to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, for his claim at the administration has a “top track record” on domestic energy production. Under questioning from Daines about the unsustainability of the administration’s climate policies. Bernstein claimed the administration is in pro-oil and pro-natural gas, a claim that Daines said was “laughable.” Click HERE to watch the exchange. Senator Daines: “Thank you. I been watching this hearing today, was just curious coming back about the Keystone Pipeline Dr. Bernstein. You refuse to say whether you recommend shutting down the Keystone pipeline
Forest Service Chief Calls for Passage of Daines’ Cottonwood 9th Circuit Court Decision Fix at Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing
U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing questioned U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore on common sense forest management and the importance of passing his complete and permanent fix to the Cottonwood 9th Circuit Court decision. Senator Daines: “We need to get that Ninth Circuit Cottonwood fix passed because its looming deadline that now has expired last month and now that has expired, would you agree that a full and permanent Cottonwood solution should be a high priority and a bipartisan priority for this Congress?” U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore: “Yes, sir. I do.”
Daines, Colleagues Stand With Sportsmen, Reintroduce Bill to Stop the Ban of Traditional Ammo & Tackle
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines led a group of 23 of his colleagues to introduce a bill to prohibit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from banning the use of traditional lead ammunition or tackle on public lands unless such action is supported by the best available science and state wildlife and fish agencies. “Sportsmen are the original conservationists and play an important role in wildlife management—the last thing we should do is limit their access to public lands by implementing a blanket-ban on traditional ammo and tackle, reduce revenue for important state wildlife