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Tag: Agriculture

USDA Announces Financial Assistance for Montana Producers Impacted by Natural Disasters

January 7, 2021

U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines shared that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that Montana’s farmers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019 will be eligible to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program to receive funds that will help alleviate financial loss due to severe weather incidents.  “This is long overdue for our farmers in Northeast Montana who have faced excessive rain and substantial flooding in the past few years,” Daines said. “I am thankful that the USDA has granted access to this vital program that will help our producers get back on their feet after devastating

Daines Bill Providing Permanent Tax Relief for Montana Breweries, Distilleries Signed Into Law

December 29, 2020

U.S. SENATE—U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill supporting Montana breweries and distilleries across the state was recently signed into law. Daines’ bill, the “Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act,” provides permanent tax relief for small craft breweries and distilleries, supporting jobs across Montana. “In Montana, we’re home to some of the best craft breweries in the country. Now, with my bipartisan bill being signed into law, these small businesses will have permanent tax relief which will create jobs across Montana and support our Montana barley growers,” Daines said.  Daines’ bill makes the excise tax relief enacted by the “2017 Tax

Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk

December 21, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act.” The bill will permanently settle the century long CSKT water dispute, support Montana jobs, modernize rural infrastructure and protect the water rights of all Montanans. “After years of hard work, the U.S. Senate just passed our bipartisan bill that permanently resolves the century long CSKT water dispute, and will soon become law. Without our bill, thousands of Montanans would be forced into very expensive litigation and our ag economy would’ve taken over a one billion dollar hit,” Daines said. “That’s why we’ve worked so hard to pass

President Trump Signs Daines, Gianforte Bill to Save Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts into Law

October 31, 2020

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today celebrated their bill to save the Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts being signed into law by President Trump. The bill ensures irrigators in the communities continue receiving affordable power that enables irrigation for farm and ranch land. “This is a great day for Montana’s farmers and ranchers in Sidney and Kinsey who depend on affordable power and reliable irrigation access,” Daines said. “This bill protects Montana ag jobs and ensures Montana irrigators in Sidney and Kinsey can sleep soundly at night knowing they won’t be faced with unreasonable price increases this December and in the future. Thank you to

Daines Announces $14 Billion in Second Round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, All Wheat Farmers Now Eligible

September 18, 2020

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that President Trump and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be providing an additional $14 billion through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) that will be made available to Montana farmers and ranchers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs due to COVID-19. Producers can apply for assistance through this program beginning September 21st through December 11th, 2020. More information on CFAP and how to apply can be found at farmers.gov/cfap or your local FSA office. “This is great news for our agriculture producers, especially our wheat farmers across Montana,”

Daines, Gianforte Successfully Secure Update to EIDL Program for Montana Farmers, Ranchers

August 26, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte announced that the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) will be modifying criteria for its Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which placed additional burdens on agricultural producers. This action follows Daines’ and Gianforte’s direct request to the SBA. “I’m pleased the SBA listened to the concerns of Montana farmers and ranchers and modified the EIDL loan criteria to reflect the way agricultural businesses operate. I’ll continue fighting to make sure COVID-19 relief programs are providing help, not additional hardship,” Daines said. “Montana ag producers shouldn’t have to jump

Investigation into Conservation Easement Scandal Underscores Importance of Daines’ Bipartisan Bill

August 25, 2020

U.S. SENATE – The U.S. Senate Finance Committee today concluded an investigation into the abuse of conservation easement tax benefits, further highlighting the need for reform and Daines’ bipartisan bill. Daines has been a leader on this issue, introducing bipartisan legislation to crack down on bad actors abusing the system. “The abuse of the charitable conservation easement tax incentive must be put to an end. In light of the conclusions of the Finance Committee’s report, I am urging the Senate to take up my legislation and put a stop to this fraudulent behavior once and for all,” Daines said. “My bipartisan

Daines, Gianforte Urge Administration to Streamline COVID-19 Relief for Montana Ag

August 11, 2020

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) asking it to clarify the rationale behind its lien criteria and loan processes for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. “It is our understanding that SBA is requiring loan recipients to send physical checks via certified mail from Montana to Fort Worth, Texas in order for SBA to endorse purchases made by agricultural producers in the daily course of their business operations,” Daines and Gianforte wrote. “This process imposes excessive burdens on Montana’s agricultural producers. In addition to the hassle,

Daines, Gianforte Call on DOJ to Investigate JBS Acquisition of Lamb Processing Facility

July 30, 2020

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation on JBS USA Holdings’ acquisition of a Mountain States Rosen (“MSR”) lamb processing facility in Greeley, CO. This acquisition could have a major impact on sheep ranchers in Montana and their ability to get lamb to market, as well as result in an increase in lamb imports. “We urge you to immediately open an investigation into this acquisition and demand that JBS cease from any irreversible actions that might harm the ability of American sheep ranchers to

Daines’ Bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act Passes Senate Committee

July 29, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured passage of his bipartisan bill, the “Montana Water Rights Protection Act,” out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, clearing the way for a Senate vote on the bill. “For decades, the CSKT water dispute has gone unresolved in Montana, leading to uncertainty for thousands of Montanans across our state. That’s why I introduced the bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act which permanently settles the CSKT water dispute, protects the water rights of all Montanans, creates jobs, modernizes critical infrastructure needs in Northwestern Montana, protects Montana agriculture, avoids costly litigation and has the Trump administration’s