Daines Demands Biden Admin’s Illegal VA Abortion Rule Be Reversed
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today is demanding the Biden administration reverse a recent rule purporting to allow VA clinics to provide abortions after the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) determined such an action would be illegal. “I insist that you immediately rescind the illegal IFR and revert the VA’s policies to the long-standing prior regulation excluding abortion from the VA’s medical benefits package as well as the CHAMPVA program, in conformity with the law and Congressional intent,” Daines wrote. Daines also issued the following statement. “Instead of focusing on improving care for our nation’s veterans, the Biden administration wants
Daines Renews Call for Details of Biden’s Vague 30×30 Initiative
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, who serves as the Senate Western Caucus Chairman, sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland renewing his request for details on the Biden administration’s “30 by 30” initiative, or “America the Beautiful.” “As we have warned in the past, the lack of information and transparency leads many Westerners to fear the ‘America the Beautiful’ initiative is at best, a thoughtless approach to conservation, and at worst, a top-down land-grab,” the Chairmen wrote. “Healthy and resilient landscapes are the cornerstone of our western way of life. Those who are closest to the land,
Daines Launches New Website to Better Serve Montanans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today launched a new and improved website to improve access to services and information for Montanans. “Congress is here to serve, not be served,” Daines said. “Our new and improved website will ensure Montanans have better access to the services and information they need and be able to contact me any time they have an issue.” Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen
Daines Statement on Biden’s Decision to Ease Venezuela Sanctions for Oil Imports
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released a statement on President Biden’s decisionto ease Venezuela sanctions for oil imports instead of taking steps to increase domestic oil production. “Biden has learned nothing. We need to unleash American energy development–NOT rely on dictators in adversarial countries like Venezuela for oil,” Daines said. In March 2022, Daines introduced a bill to prohibit the United States from importing Iranian and Venezuelan crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas. Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
WASHIGNTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation directing the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to prioritize completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) by the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028. The Senator introduced The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). “The Continental Divide Trail provides an unmatched outdoor experience for Montanans and visitors alike,” Daines said. “My bipartisan bill ensures the trail will continue to provide public access and a continuous route will finally be completed!” “The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Daines Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation To Support Childhood Cancer Research
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines cosponsored bipartisan legislation to help fund childhood cancer research and assist patients and families battling cancer. “No child should have to grow up battling cancer. I am glad to join my colleagues in fighting for a cancer free future for Montana’s children,” Daines said. Read the full text of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Reauthorization Act HERE. Contact: Rachel Dumke, Blake Kernen
DAINES INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN PACKAGE TO EXPAND MONTANA’S MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE, CARE FOR MONTANANS
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), co-chairs of the Senate Finance Committee’s Workforce Working Group, today introduced a slate of bipartisan bills that will support Montana’s mental health workforce and boost substance use disorder services, ensuring that Montanans across the state have access to care. “Access to mental health services is critical for our rural communities and veterans—especially in states like Montana where suicide is sadly taking too many lives. We must ensure our health care workforce have the tools and resources they need to serve Montanans across our state. I’m glad to work on these bipartisan bills to empower and
Daines Talks Forest Management, Forestry Jobs at Senate Hearing
U.S. SENATE – At a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines discussed his bipartisan bills that would promote active forest management by reversing the disastrous Cottonwood decision and help protect Montana from catastrophic wildfires by supporting Montana Job Corps Civilian Centers’ mission and ensuring graduates have a pipeline to wildfire and forestry jobs. Click HERE to watch and download “Sustainable forest management creates sustainable rural economies. It also leads to more carbon sequestration, important mitigation strategies that relate to warmer summers and longer fire seasons, healthier watersheds and air, and productive wildlife habitat. Better forest management can also help Montana’s housing shortage—at one time
Daines, Colleagues Stand with Sportsmen, Introduce Bill to Stop the Ban of Traditional Ammo & Tackle
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines lead a group of 22 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. Not only would this affect our