Daines Demands Answers from the VA on Decisions Impacting Veterans Health Care
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs calling for transparency and answers on decisions impacting Montana veterans. This includes an investigation which found 1,600 potentially ineligible providers in the VA’s system, the VA quietly consolidating Community Care offices and pending VA health care facility closures. “As you know, the GAO recently flagged some 1,600 health care providers as potentially ineligible to participate in the VCCP, including many who were deceased, had violent criminal records, and had revoked or suspended medical licenses. Our veterans and taxpayers deserve better. I would like to know
Daines, Tester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Clean Up Montana’s Abandoned Mines
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today introduced a bipartisan bill to make it easier for “Good Samaritans” to help clean up and improve water quality in and around abandoned hardrock mines across Montana. “My bipartisan bill will help remove obstacles to abandoned mine clean up in Montana,” Daines said. “Cutting burdensome red tape and shielding Good Samaritan organizations from liability will increase the pace and scale of reclamation and in turn, support rural Montana communities, create jobs and restore and enhance our environment.” “Montana has a long rich history of hardrock mining, but all too often abandoned mines are left untreated and aren’t reclaimed,” said Tester. “The metals
Daines Demands Answers from Biden on Mass Release of Illegal Immigrants into the U.S. on Taxpayer Funded Flights
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines is demanding answers from the Biden administration about recent reports of taxpayer dollars being used to transport illegal immigrants on “midnight flights” and the mass release of illegal immigrants into American communities. “We write today regarding the movement of dangerous illegal immigrants from the border for release into law-abiding American communities. In light of the public reporting around “midnight flights” of illegal immigrants, we request a full accounting of your Department’s activities so that we can understand the scope of this challenge. We are concerned that the use of these midnight flights by Immigration
Daines, King Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Increased Visitation on Public Lands and Support Partnerships with Montana Gateway Communities
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine), top Republican and Democrat on the Senate’s National Parks Subcommittee, introduced the bipartisan “Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act” to support gateway communities and address challenges facing national parks and public lands like increased visitation and housing shortages. The bipartisan bill also aims to help boost visitation at lesser known parks and recreation areas. “Our national parks and public lands set us apart from the rest of the world, and Montana’s gateway communities know firsthand the benefits and challenges they bring. While increased recreation on our public lands and
Daines Blasts Amnesty International’s Report Calling Israel Apartheid State, Demands Retraction from Organization
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter demanding Amnesty International retract its biased and erroneous report which accuses the State of Israel of being an apartheid state. “I write to express my strong disapproval with Amnesty International’s recent biased and erroneous report accusing the State of Israel of being an apartheid state, and I call for its retraction. I am concerned such accusations will only worsen antisemitism, encourage anti-Israel extremists, and harm efforts for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” Daines wrote. “Israel is a strong democracy with robust opposition and minority parties, including an Arab party within
Daines: Illegal Immigrants with Arrest Warrants Should be Arrested, Not Cleared by TSA
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bill to prohibit the use of an ICE arrest warrant as a form of identification at aviation checkpoints. “It’s pretty simple — if an illegal immigrant presents their own arrest warrant as a form of ID, they should be immediately arrested, not cleared by TSA to hop on a plane in the United States,” Daines said. “The fact this is even an issue is beyond outrageous. This is a threat to our national security and it must be stopped immediately.” Daines introduced this bill after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administer David Pekoske confirmed TSA
Daines, Senate Colleagues Fight for Pregnant Moms to Receive Tax Relief
U.S. Senate — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today, joined by several of his Senate colleagues, reintroduced the “Child Tax Credit for Pregnant Moms Act,” which allows pregnant moms to claim the Child Tax Credit for their unborn children. “Expecting parents begin providing and preparing for their child the minute they learn they’re having a baby—the Child Tax Credit should reflect the fact that unborn children are children too,” Daines said. “From prenatal care to stocking up on baby supplies, this tax relief will help parents prepare for the arrival of their baby.” “Learning you’re bringing a baby into the world sets off a
Daines Calls on Biden Admin to Reconsider Denial of Montana Small Refinery Exemptions
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines is calling on the Biden administration to reconsider its proposed blanket denial of Montana small refinery exemptions (SRE) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program as this runs counter to congressional intent under the Clean Air Act. “We are puzzled by the action EPA took in these proposals, including the unprecedented and drastic step to propose a blanket denial of all 65 outstanding small refinery hardship petitions at a time of increasing gasoline prices and several small refinery closures around the nation,” Daines wrote. “The current proposal neglects not only its own economic impacts, but negates
Daines Announces Over $450K to Support Anaconda Telehealth Program
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $457,603 will be granted to AWARE Inc. in Anaconda, Montana to purchase equipment and software to help improve the connectivity and capabilities of their telehealth program and provide critical remote services to Montanans. “For many Montanans, telehealth has become a vital lifeline to healthcare,” Daines said. “I’m glad to see AWARE Inc. in Anaconda receive these resources to help make telehealth more reliable and accessible for Montanans.” Daines helped secure this funding through the CARES Act. ### Contact: Rachel Dumke, Katie Schoettler