Daines Statement on Northwestern Announcement on Colstrip Power Plants
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement applauding Northwestern Energy’s announcement that it will acquire Avista’s share inColstrip’s units 3 and 4 which will help support Montana energy jobs. “The Colstrip power plant supports reliable, high-paying jobs while also contributing to Montana’s all-of-the-above energy portfolio,” Daines said.“This is great news for made in Montana energy, Montana jobs, American energy dominance and our national security.” Daines shared a video highlighting the important work Colstrip does to power Montana in honor of the announcement. Daines has been a strong supporter of Colstrip and Montana energy production. To see more of his work, click HERE.
Daines, Risch: Biden Administration Report Admits Cancelling Keystone XL Pipeline Killed Thousands of Jobs, Cost Billions
U.S. SENATE – Senators Steve Daines (Mont.) and Jim Risch (Idaho) today issued the following statements in response to the Biden administration releasing a past-due report demanded by the two senators and required by law that had the administration give a detailed account of the effects of its decision to cancel construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. President Biden revoked the cross-border operation permit for the project the first day he took office. The report released by the U.S. Department of Energy states the Keystone XL pipeline would have created between 16,000 and 59,000 jobs and would have had a positive economic impact of between $3.16 and $9.6 billion. “The Biden administration finally owned up to what we have known
Daines Statement on Biden Admin’s Heavy-Handed WOTUS Rule
U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “This is a step in the wrong direction from the Biden administration and it infringes on the rights of Montana farmers, ranchers and landowners,” Daines said. “This overreaching rule threatens Montana ag and natural resources and is unacceptable. I will continue to vigorously fight to protect Montanans from out-of-touch rules handed down from D.C. bureaucrats.” The EPA WOTUS rule defines which bodies of water are subject to federal jurisdiction under the 1970 Clean Water Act. The Obama administration rule was
Daines’ Bipartisan Forest Management Bill Passes U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the passage of his bipartisan bill to facilitate efficient and effective forest management by empowering collaboratives and public-private partnerships. “Collaboration is key in better managing Montana’s forests—I’m glad to see this bipartisan bill to bring everyone to the table to help design, develop and implement innovative projects to create healthier environments, empower rural economies, and prevent devastating wildfires pass the U.S. Senate,” Daines said. The “Root and Stem Act” received broad bipartisan support from Montana forestry and conservation groups – see statements of support HERE. Senator Daines introduced the “Root and Stem Act” with Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in October 2021. See the full text of the “Root and Stem Act” HERE. Senator Daines will continue fighting for
Daines Introduces Bill to Protect, Expand Montana Veterans’ Access to Community Care
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation to expand and protect Montana veterans’ access to care in their local communities. “Montana veterans have served and sacrificed for our state and nation – the VA needs to ensure that serving our veterans with the highest quality of care is at the core of everything they do. I am glad to help protect Montana veterans’ access to health care in their communities,” Daines said. The “Protecting Veteran Community Care Act” strengthens the existing community care program, limits the VA’s ability to restrict access to care in the community, and requires the VA to
Daines Votes Against Fueling Congress’ Spending Insanity
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted against the $1.7 trillion, 4,155-page omnibus spending package that includes $9.8 billion of earmarks, fails to secure the southern border and will spur inflation. “At a time when Montanans are already facing sky-high prices everywhere from the grocery store to the gas pump, I cannot support a $1.7 trillion package that was written behind closed doors, is packed with wasteful spending and fails to address the crises facing Montana families like the wide-open southern border. Rather than getting Congress’ fiscal house in order, this giant bill will only fuel inflation and big government spending insanity. Montanans deserve transparency and accountability from their
Daines Announces Changes to Leadership, Communications Team
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced changes to his leadership team and communications staff. Matt Lloyd will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director. Lloyd has more than 25 years of experience at the national and state levels of government in the executive and legislative branches as well as the private sector. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for U.S. Senator Rob Portman. Prior to his time with Senator Portman, he served in senior communications roles in the Trump administration at the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Previously, Lloyd served as Deputy Chief of Staff
What Montana Law Enforcement is Saying About Daines’ Bipartisan SAFE Banking Act
U.S. SENATE – This week, several Montana sheriffs voiced their support for Senator Daines’ bipartisan “SAFE Banking Act” to promote public safety. “Regardless of how you feel about recreational marijuana, the people of Montana have spoken. Recreational marijuana is legal in our state. It’s our responsibility to make sure we have a safe way for businesses to conduct their business. Every time that I’ve seen a cash-only business exist in any community, there’s a huge element of organized crime that comes with that. Senator Daines is taking a very responsible and logical step to ensure public safety is key. What he’s doing
Daines Delivers Big Wins for Montana Servicemembers, National Security
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted to pass several major Montana priorities in the bipartisan “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA) including the repeal of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for servicemembers, a pay raise for troops and critical support for Malmstrom Air Force Base. “This year’s bipartisan defense package ends Biden’s overreaching vaccine mandate for Montana servicemembers, includes a well-deserved pay raise for our military, protects women from the draft, and strengthens our nuclear triad to ensure America’s military remains the best and most intimidating in the world. This legislation contains a lot of big wins for Montanans who wear the uniform and bolsters our national security. I’m glad to support it,” Daines