Tag: Montana

Daines Hails Passage of Legislation to Improve Montana’s Energy Future

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the passage of bipartisan legislation that works to improve the future of Montana energy. “I’m proud to see the passage of bipartisan legislation that protects Montana energy jobs, is critical to irrigate over 50,000 acres of cropland in the eastern part of our state and strengthens rural water systems that serve tens of thousands of Montana families,” Daines stated. “I’m working to provide certainty for our farmers, ranchers and communities by reducing bureaucratic red tape.” Click here to watch Daines’ statement. Click here to download Daines’ statement.  The Senate today passed the FY 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act

Daines Announces Nearly $7 Million in Critical Funding for Montana Health Centers

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $6,989,615.00 in funding for community health centers in Montana to provide improved continuity of care, mobile services to rural locations and increased access to affordable care. The Department of Health and Human Services will provide funding to improve community health and public healthcare services. “Montana’s community health centers provide reliable and quality healthcare services to thousands of Montanans,” Daines stated. “Through this additional funding these health centers will be able to better serve rural communities and maintain the continuity of services.” Grants awarded today include: Lincoln County Community Health Center: $1,508,655.00 Montana Migrant Council, Inc.: $1,884,532.00

Daines’ Bill to Allow Women World War II Pilots Inurnment at Arlington Heads to President Obama’s Desk

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ bill to allow women World War II pilots to be eligible for inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery is headed to President Obama’s desk for his signature. The U.S. House of Representatives last night passed Daines’ legislation following unanimous Senate passage on May 11, 2016. “This is a wrong that needed to be made right and I’m proud to be part of restoring benefits to our WWII women pilots who trained right here in Montana,” Daines stated. “With the President’s signature, our women pilots will now have the honor that they have always deserved.” Click here to watch Daines’

Daines Announces UH-1N Helicopter Replacement Decision

U.S. SENATE — Following a meeting with U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah James, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Air Force will be going with the slowest proposed route to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1Ns that provide security for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The Air Force had the option to utilize existing contracts for Blackhawk helicopters and secure the ICBMs up to two years faster, or enter into a normal acquisition process.  “We have an obligation to secure our nuclear weapons at Malmstrom,” Daines stated. “Right now, our world’s most powerful weapons are sitting unsecured in

Daines Slams Unprecedented U.S. Army Corps Decision on Gateway Pacific Terminal

U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) released their unprecedented de minimis determination halting the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) infrastructure project based on the Lummi Tribe’s assertion that the project will impact their usual and accustomed fishing rights.  This is the first time ACE has given a single tribe veto-authority of a project of this scale under their purview without a full environmental review with alternatives and mitigations formally explored.  “Today the U.S. Army Corps chose one tribe’s treaty rights over another harming good-paying union and tribal jobs,” Daines stated. “The Gateway Pacific

Daines Applauds Decision to Enhance Tools to Combat Wildfires, Protect Public Safety

BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the federal government’s decision to work with Montana to enhance the tools necessary to combat wildfires. “It’s great to see the federal government work with Montanans to combat wildfires,” Daines stated. “While this announcement is a step in the right direction, the Forest Service needs to continue working with our state to utilize all aerial firefighting resources on federal fires at any time to protect our forests and communities.”  Last fire season, Daines urged the United States Department of Agriculture to reverse their prohibition on the use of UH-1H helicopters to combat Montana wildfires. Daines is

Daines Tours VA Equine Therapy Center in Helena

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today toured the Montana Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Equine Therapy Center in Helena and learned about how the program helps veterans across Montana.  Daines recorded a video of his experience. Click here to view: Click here to watch the video Click here to download the video Click here to download the picture  Daines was joined by members of his Veteran Affairs team at the Montana VA Equine Therapy Center to learn more about the program and its work to help veterans with service-related illness.   The Montana VA Equine Therapy Center is the only center of its kind

Daines’ Resolution to Celebrate Nation’s Teachers Passes Senate

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines this week celebrated and honored teachers by introducing a resolution to commemorate National Teacher Appreciation Week, the week of May 2, 2016. This week the resolution passed the Senate unanimously “During National Teacher Appreciation Week, and every day, I want to thank my first grade teacher Mrs. Hahn for teaching me how to read at Longfellow Elementary School in Bozeman. She truly believed in her students and gave me the confidence to succeed as a young child,” Daines stated. “Our teachers are tireless public servants who support, inspire and cultivate the next generation of Montana leaders.” Daines invites

Daines Statement on the Passing of Senator Conrad Burns

Daines Statement on the Passing of Senator Conrad Burns U.S. SENATE – Former United States Senator Conrad Burns passed away peacefully in his home today. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement on his passing: “Conrad Burns left a legacy as a faithful husband, father, Marine, and Senator who loved Montana and his country. He passed away with his boots on, active and engaged until the very end, and will be dearly missed. God bless you, Conrad.” Burns spent the morning having coffee with friends, sharing memories of his service as a U.S. Marine and passed away peacefully at home this afternoon from

Daines Stands Up for Montana Veterans, WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots & VA Accountability

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today stood up for Montana veterans, WWII Women Air Service Pilots who trained in Great Falls and worked to increase accountability at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Daines secured numerous provisions to address Montana veterans’ long standing concerns in Senator Johnny Isakson’s (R-GA) Veterans First Act, which was introduced earlier today. Daines’ provisions include: Veterans Choice Act Improvement  Major components of Daines’ bill, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 were included in the Veterans First Act. Some of Daines’ reforms include an overall reform of the VA to help rural veterans by establishing