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Tag: Agriculture

Daines Slams EPA Waters of the U.S. Power Grab

May 27, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today slammed the newly released Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Waters of the United States” rule as a direct threat to Montana’s agriculture and natural resources industries, jobs and water rights: “Once again, the Obama administration is pushing forward its extreme agenda with little regard for its devastating impacts on Montanans. By expanding the EPA’s powers to regulate virtually any spot across the country that is occasionally wet, this new rule has the potential to cripple Montana’s agriculture and natural resources industries, hurt Montana jobs and threaten Montanans’ property rights. Montanans who live and work

Daines Secures Vital Reforms to Ensure On-Time Federal Grain Inspections for Montana Farmers

May 21, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has secured key reforms to the United States Grain Standards Act to ensure Montana farmers are protected from disruptions in federally mandated grain inspections, like what occurred last summer at the Port of Vancouver. The Senate Agriculture Committee today passed the United States Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, which contains provisions authored by Daines to maintain continuous required grain inspection for farmers, ranchers and producers. The legislation was passed with a strong bipartisan vote, clearing the way for full Senate consideration. “Montana farmers and ranchers deserve certainty that

Daines, Montana Ag & Business Leaders Call for Passage of Trade Legislation

May 14, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today joined Montana farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and business leaders in calling for the swift passage of bipartisan legislation to give Congress and the American people a greater voice in trade negotiations. “Montanans know the importance of trade to our state’s economy. Montana ag producers, manufacturers and small businesses need fair and transparent trade policies that increase access to new markets and help grow their businesses,” Daines stated. “This bipartisan trade legislation is an important first step in establishing clear guidelines that enforce transparency, maintain Congress’ important role in the process and ensure Montanans’ voices

Billings Gazette: Daines: Fast-tracking trade agreements right for Montana’s economy

May 14, 2015

Because exports to the Asian Pacific are crucial to Montana’s economy, Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said Thursday he will support fast-tracking trade agreements for President Barack Obama. The announcement made between votes on the Senate floor was the first time Daines publicly confirmed granting Obama trade promotion authority, or TPA. TPA would bind Congress to an up or down vote on two major upcoming trade agreements, meaning Congressional amendments would be off limits on agreements negotiated by the Democratic president. The first trade agreement coming up, the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, would have the biggest effect on Montana, particularly agriculture,

Daines Works to Prioritize State Based Sage Grouse Conservation Plans

April 22, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today helped introduce legislation that prioritizes state-created conservation and management plans for the recovery of the Sage Grouse. Daines is an original cosponsor of S. 1036, the Sage-Grouse Protection and Conservation Act, which would require the Department of the Interior to share scientific data with states, assist states in crafting and implementing their plans, and recognize the state plans for a minimum of six years. The Act empowers states to take the lead in Sage Grouse conservation while preventing a listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “Montana is best equipped to manage and

NBC Montana: MT Republicans push repeal of ‘Death Tax’

April 15, 2015

MISSOULA, Mont. – On tax day, Senator Steve Daines, (R) Montana, Representative Ryan Zinke, (R) Montana, and the Montana Republican Party touted their support of a bill that would eliminate the federal estate tax. Republicans call it the death tax. In a press release, the Montana Republican Party said the measure would “protect 28,000 Montana farms and ranches from being unfairly punished by the federal government and ensure that future generations don’t face bankruptcy when their family farm is passed down to their children.” However, we did some digging and found that the number of people affected by the estate

On Tax Day, Daines Continues Fight to Repeal Death Tax

April 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today marked “Tax Day” by continuing his efforts to stand up for hardworking Montanans and repeal the death tax. Daines has signed on as a cosponsor to S.860 the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015, which would permanently repeal the federal estate tax, commonly known as the death tax. This bill would effectively end a long-standing tax on family farms, ranches, and businesses upon the death of an owner. “On tax day, we are once again reminded that our nation’s tax code places an undue burden and unnecessary hardship on hardworking Montana families, small businesses, farmers and ranchers,” Daines stated. “The death tax is a direct

Daines Focuses on Solutions to Better Federal Forest Management

March 24, 2015

Lincoln County Commissioner testifies about importance of forest management reform for rural jobs, tax revenue WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today pressed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to find solutions to increase timber harvests and called on them to work with local leaders to achieve increased harvests. During today’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on improving forest health, Daines pressed USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie on solutions to increase timber harvests after U.S. Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell acknowledged to Daines last week that a goal of nearly tripling harvests in Montana’s National Forests is “very reasonable.” The Forest Service

Daines Grills Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Grain Inspections

March 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today demanded the release of the safety reports that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted during the shutdown of grain inspections at the Port of Vancouver.    During today’s Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on the USDA’s Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request, Daines called on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to release the three safety reports conducted during the duration of the lockout to ensure that the USDA’s decisions are transparent and accountable to the grain growers across Montana and the nation. “It’s relevant to me and it’s relevant to our grain growers across Montana