Daines to Biden Admin: Do Not Use VA Personnel to Mitigate Your Southern Border Crisis
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines is demanding the Biden administration commit to preventing VA health care professionals from being used to facilitate an expected surge of illegal immigration as a result of the reversal of Title 42. “If the Title 42 Order is rescinded, it is necessary that you provide a detailed plan to Congress and that it does not rely on the VA’s “Fourth Mission.” The VA plays an essential role in responding to a crisis when called; however, it must not be part of the response plan to a foreseeable problem when the circumstance is avoidable. The
Following Visit to Ukraine, Daines & Spartz Push Biden to Take More Action
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines (Mont.) and Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (Ind.) today are pushing President Biden to take additional immediate actions to support Ukraine. This comes after Daines and Spartz were the first United States officials to visit Ukraine and speak with Ukrainian leaders on the ground since Russia’s invasion. “We write following our recent visit to Ukraine where we saw firsthand the devastation and atrocities committed by Russian forces on the Ukrainian people in Bucha and elsewhere. The mass graves, extrajudicial killings, and violence against civilians clearly demonstrated the evil of President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. These war crimes are
Daines: Biden’s Reversal of 2020 NEPA Modernization Another Blow to Montana, Energy Security
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rule that make projects, including commonsense forest management and Montana mining, harder and more expensive. “I’m very disappointed to see the Biden administration remove commonsense policies that were put in place to modernize the outdated and cumbersome environmental review process which would allow for responsible natural resource development and land management,” Daines said. “This is another step in the wrong direction from Biden especially when we should be doing all we can to increase forest management to mitigate fire risk and expand domestic mining operations for
Daines Statement on Successful Push to Change School District Policy Allowing Emily Pennington to Finish School
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today made the following statement after Billings School District 2 announced a policy change that will allow Emily Pennington to finish school and graduate with her class. “Emily Pennington and her family never backed down in the face of a challenge and last night, their dedication and hard work paid off,” Daines said. “I’m glad to see such a passionate student given the opportunity to finish school and graduate. Congratulations, Emily!” Last month, Daines pushed the district to amend their policy and allow Emily to graduate. He also spoke with Emily’s mom to show his support for the
Daines Announces Updates to Communications Team
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the following updates to his communications staff: Rachel Dumke, Press Secretary. Dumke has served as Daines’ press secretary since January 2022. She previously worked as Daines’ deputy press secretary after working on his 2020 campaign. Blake Kernen, Deputy Press Secretary. Kernen joins Daines’ communications team after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. She previously worked for Senator David Perdue on his official press team and reelection campaign. Samantha Wiesneth, Press Assistant. Wiesneth has served as Daines’ press assistant since May 2021. Katie Schoettler remains as Daines’ Communications Director & Senior Advisor, and Mallory Walser remains as
Daines Statement on Courts Striking Down Biden’s Travel Mask Mandates
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after a federal judge struck down President Biden’s mask mandate for Montana travelers. “This is a big victory for Montanans and commonsense,” Daines said. “It’s past time we let families get back to normal and put an end to all of Biden’s unscientific, unconstitutional mandates for good.” This ruling comes after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced they would extend the travel mask mandate until May 3, 2022. Background: Daines has been leading efforts in Congress against Biden’s vaccine mandates and while he is pro-vaccine, he is anti-mandate. On March 15, 2022, Daines’
Daines Becomes One of First American Leaders to Visit Ukraine Since Russia’s Invasion
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines visited Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian officials and see firsthand the aftermath of Putin’s atrocious war crimes against the people of Ukraine. “While meeting with leaders in NATO countries bordering Ukraine, I was invited to meet Ukrainian officials in Kyiv and Bucha and see firsthand the butchery and war crimes committed by Putin,” Daines said. “There is indisputable evidence of Putin’s war crimes everywhere—the images of shallow mass graves filled with civilians, women and children are heart wrenching. America and the world need to know about Putin’s atrocities against the innocent people of Ukraine now, not
Daines Statement on Biden’s Attack on Montanans’ Second Amendment Rights
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement on President Biden’s announcement to impose new regulations on Montana gun owners. “The Constitution is clear—Montanans have the right to keep and bear arms,” Daines said.“President Biden’s latest attack on the Second Amendment goes after law-abiding Montanans and hurts our Montana way of life. I’ll fight back against this every step of the way.” ### Contact: Rachel Dumke, Katie Schoettler
Daines to Biden: Don’t Cut VA Medical Services for Montana Veterans
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines is calling on President Biden to consult with Montana veterans about the impacts of closing rural Montana VA health care facilities. “For many elderly Veterans, VA facilities are the only place they seek care. The reasons Veterans often cite are that they are better understood, respected, and cared for at their local VA Medical Center (VAMC). VA facilities often serve as the crux for elderly Veterans’ community. Time and time again, we have been told by elderly Veterans that they enjoy visiting their VAMCs. They build networks of friends and VA staff that serve