Tag: Daines’ Work on Coronavirus

Daines Successfully Pushes for MT Ag Producers to be Eligible for Coronavirus Small Business Loans

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana’s farmers and ranchers will be eligible for the Paycheck Protections Program (PPP), which provides $350 billion in loans and grants to small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic if they maintain or rehire their employees. This announcement follows Daines’ push to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure ag businesses are eligible for Coronavirus relief loans. “Montana farmers and ranchers are facing tough challenges and hardships because of the Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “It is only right that our Ag producers have the same access to relief that was secured

Daines Secures Expanded Telehealth Services for Indian Country During Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Indian Health Service (IHS) will be expanding telehealth services across IHS federal facilities for tribal members. This follows Daines’ request to President Trump to include funding for IHS, including for telehealth, so that Montana tribes have the same treatment as their non-tribal entities during the Coronavirus pandemic. “Expanding tele-health services in Indian country is critical to getting folks access to care during the Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “This will ensure that our rural tribal members, especially tribal seniors can receive care without the risk of leaving their homes and breaking

Daines Secures over $12 Million for Health Centers and Workforce Expansion in Montana During the Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that $12,181,409 will be directed to various health centers and workforce expansion across Montana to help the state respond to the Coronavirus pandemic, including $616,070 to Marias Healthcare Services in Shelby, one of the hardest hit Coronavirus spots in Montana. “This is about getting our health care professionals on the front lines the resources they need to combat the Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “I fought to ensure our health centers and providers received this critical funding needed to protect public health and help get Montanans the care they need.”   For full information

Daines: Montanans are Eligible to Receive Expanded Unemployment for Coronavirus This Week

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montanans will be eligible, as soon as this week to receive expanded unemployment benefits made possible through the Coronavirus Economic Recovery package. Daines led the fight in the U.S. Senate to expand federal unemployment insurance for Montana workers who lost their job due to COVID-19. “This is about getting Montana workers who lost their job because of the Coronavirus pandemic the relief they need to help pay the bills and put food on the table,” Daines said. “I fought to secure expanded unemployment benefits in the final Coronavirus Economic Recovery package

Daines Calls On State Department to Investigate China’s Role in Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to work with our allies around the world and fully investigate China’s response to the emergence of the virus causing COVID-19. “As you are well aware, China’s initial response to reports of an atypical pneumonia being detected by medical personnel in Hubei province in late 2019 were ham-fisted with government officials hiding cases, punishing doctors who dared to speak-up, and resulted in delays that worsened the impact of COVID-19 on public health and the economies of countries around the world,” Daines wrote.

Daines Urges HHS, CMS to Protect Montana Medicare Beneficiaries During the Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Secretary Azar and Administrator Verma encouraging both the U.S Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to consider solutions to protect Medicare beneficiaries and ensure they receive the care they need in the safest possible setting during the COVID-19 public health emergency. “As we seek additional options for protecting the lives of those most negatively affected by the pandemic, we are writing to encourage you to continue engaging with our offices and relevant stakeholders to build upon these productive steps through effective

Daines Urges Forest Service to Provide Relief to Outdoor Recreation Industry Impacted by Coronavirus

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen to provide immediate relief to folks in the outdoor recreation industry amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. “As the Forest Service continues enacting measures in response to the COVID-19 National Emergency, I request you also exercise appropriate authorities to provide immediate relief to guides, outfitters, and the outdoor industry, that now face uncertainty and economic hardship due to a shortened season,” Daines wrote. “I look forward to partnering with you to provide relief to the outdoor industry and rural communities that it sustains.”   To read the full

Daines: Keep Montana Ports of Entry Open During Coronavirus Pandemic for Montana Ag, Trade

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan to consider the impact of the proposed temporary reduction of hours at a number of Montana Ports of Entry on Montana ag and Montana’s rural communities. “While reducing non-essential travel is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting public health, a reduction in hours at these critical ports would harm our farmers and ranchers and disrupt essential services and commerce for the Montana communities that rely upon these ports,” Daines wrote. “I urge you to take into account the

Daines Announces Expanded SNAP Benefits for Montana Families During Coronavirus Pandemic

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that SNAP benefits will be increased for Montana families during the Coronavirus pandemic. “This is about delivering relief for families struggling during the Coronavirus pandemic and I will continue working to ensure that Montanans have access to the resources they need during this crisis,” Daines said. Montana being eligible for SNAP Emergency Allotments means that all SNAP recipients in Montana would now be eligible to receive the maximum SNAP benefits by household size per month. To see the maximum SNAP benefits, click HERE. Background:    Daines has been leading the efforts

Daines Urges SBA to Ensure That Ag Businesses Receive Coronavirus Relief Funding

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that agricultural businesses are eligible for Coronavirus relief programs. “Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses in Montana and across the country are facing substantial market challenges due to the pandemic,” Daines wrote. “Small businesses, whether they are involved in agriculture or otherwise, need assistance in these unprecedented times and SBA can play an integral role in mitigating disruptions to our nation’s food supply and our economy more broadly.”   To read the full letter, click HERE.  Background:    Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress