Daines: No Balanced Budget, No Pay for Congress
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today re-introduced the “Balanced Budget Accountability Act” to hold Congress accountable and require a balanced budget or members won’t get paid. This legislation would help address our public debt crisis, and is the first bill Daines introduces each Congress. “Congress is here to serve–not to be served. If Congress can’t do its job and pass a balanced budget, members shouldn’t get paid,” Daines said. “As our national debt soars and inflation continues to hammer Montana families, it’s past time we bring accountability to Washington, and my “Balanced Budget Accountability Act” will do just that.” Read
Daines Demands Biden Admin Address Rural Montana Nursing Home Staffing Shortages, Improve Care for Montana Seniors
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a group of bipartisan senators to express concerns with the Biden administration’s plans to issue one-size-fits-all staffing mandates for Montana nursing homes. Daines and the group of senators are urging the Administration to address the severe workforce shortages facing rural Montana and ensure Montana seniors have access to quality, long-term care. “We fear a one-size-fits-all staffing mandate would undermine access to care for patients, particularly in rural communities. Instead, we urge you to work with Congress and rural stakeholders on tailored solutions that address the severe workforce challenges in our states’ underserved
Daines to Introduce Bills Protecting Unborn Children, Vulnerable Mothers
Announces bills ahead of 50th annual March for Life U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today announced he will reintroduce two bills to protect babies with Down syndrome from abortion and protect vulnerable mothers and their unborn children from chemical abortions on college campuses. Daines, founder of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, is introducing the bills to help mark the 50th anniversary of the March for Life in Washington, D.C. “Every life is created with God-given dignity and potential—no matter how small or how many chromosomes they may have,” Daines said.“We are making great strides to build a culture of life in America but
Daines Calls on Biden Admin to Address Housing Issues for Wildland Firefighters
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a group of bipartisan senators calling on the Biden administration to provide information on the availability and cost of federal firefighter housing. In many states, including Montana, housing issues are a key barrier to firefighter recruitment and retention. “On November 17, 2022, the Government Accountability Office published a report on the barriers to wildland firefighter recruitment and retention, and one of the primary barriers identified by the report was the cost associated with a remote duty station, including the costs for federal housing. This finding confirms the anecdotes we have heard from
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