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Tag: National Defense

Daines Demands Briefing from Biden Administration Regarding Spy Balloon Over Montana

February 2, 2023

U.S. SENATE – Following reports of a surveillance balloon detected over Billings and other parts of Montana, U.S. Senator Steve Daines demanded a full briefing from the Biden administration on the situation. Below and attached is Daines’ letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: February 2, 2023 The Honorable Lloyd Austin Secretary of Defense U.S. Department of Defense 1400 Defense Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20301-1400 Dear Secretary Austin, I write regarding the concerning event of a high altitude surveillance balloon detected in Montana which has resulted in national security concerns as well as disruptions in civilian air traffic in Billings, Montana. The fact that this balloon was

Daines Applauds Passage of Critical National Defense Bill

September 18, 2017

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the bipartisan passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical resources for national security missions and support programs for military families. “Montana’s Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard servicemembers stand ready to defend our country from rogue nations and extremist groups,” Daines stated. “I’ve secured important measures to ensure that our nation’s heroes have the resources they need to focus on the mission and get the job done.”   Daines secured the following provisions that bolster Montana’s critical role in nuclear deterrence, power projection, mobility and domestic emergency response:  UH-1N Replacement:  Funded at $108.6

Daines Introduces Bill to Temporarily Stop Gitmo Transfers

May 26, 2016

Nearly Two Dozen Detainees Reportedly Set for Release This Summer  U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation to temporarily ban the transfer or release of detainees from Guantanamo Bay.  The administration reportedly is set to release nearly two dozen Gitmo detainees to several different countries this summer amid efforts to close the prison before the end of the president’s term. Daines’ bill, S. 2999 would prohibit these transfers until either the end of this year or enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2017.   “Terrorists captured by U.S. forces belong in Guantanamo period,” Daines stated.“President Obama is prioritizing

Daines Leads Bipartisan Group of Senators in Introducing Measure to Strengthen Cybersecurity

May 25, 2016

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today lead a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that directs the president to elevate U.S. Cyber Command to a Combatant Command. U.S. Cyber Command it is currently a subordinate unit to U.S. Strategic Command. Congress established U.S. Special Operations Command to address a rapidly growing need, strengthen the warfighter and to unify forces. Today, with cyber threats being one of the fastest growing national security threats we face, the need for another Combatant Command is clear. Daines’ amendment will elevate the command so it

Daines, Zinke Introduce Measures Demanding Answers to Secure Nuclear Missiles

May 12, 2016

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today introduced measures that aim to ensure the Department of Defense (DoD) secures the nation’s nuclear assets.    Daines’ bill directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to tell Congress within five days how they will secure nuclear missiles made vulnerable by the insufficient capability of the UH-1N, and implement the necessary mitigation with additional resources within sixty days. Zinke introduced a similar bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that aims to address the security shortfalls of

Daines: Terrorists Don’t Belong in Americans’ Back Yards

February 23, 2016

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on President Obama’s announcement to transfer terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to facilities within U.S. Borders.  “Since 2009, Congress has repeatedly acted to prevent the transfer of terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to American soil. The President’s plan violates laws passed by Congress—including many that bear the President’s own signature—that directly prohibit funds from being used to move enemy combatants from Guantanamo Bay to U.S. facilities. This action is just the latest in long list of President Obama’s propensity of executive overreach and disregard for the will of the American people.  “Moving these

Malmstrom Officer Joins Daines DC Office as Air Force Fellow

January 27, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced Air Force Major Benji L. Johnson has been selected to serve as a Military Fellow in Daines’ Washington, D.C. office through 2016. Johnson was most recently the Assistant Director of Operations, Codes, for the 341st Operations Support Squadron at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana. “I am excited to welcome Major Johnson to support our work on the military and national defense issues facing Montana and our nation,” Daines stated. “Major Johnson’s extensive experience will be an asset to our office’s efforts to best serve Montana’s military members and our continued work to support our nation’s

Daines Statement in Honor of Veterans Day

November 10, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement to honor America’s heroes ahead of Veterans Day: “On Veterans Day, we gather across Montana and all around America to show our respect and gratitude for those who have served our country. Veterans Day is a special day for our nation. It is a day in which we pause and thank those who have served and continue to serve.  “For decades, our enemies have tested our strength, yet we continue to demonstrate our resolve. America and the world are better places because of the courage our veterans and service members

Daines Hails Strong Bipartisan Passage of Critical Defense Legislation

November 10, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Senator Steve Daines today applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate today with strong bipartisan support after President Obama dropped his senseless veto threat of the legislation: “Montana plays a critical role in meeting our nation’s security and military needs. The NDAA provides the critical support our men and women in uniform need to carry out their missions,” Daines stated. “I’m glad the President has dropped his senseless veto threat and joined a bipartisan Congress in prioritizing the needs of our service members, while protecting the important role that Montana holds in our national

Daines: President’s Disregard for Our Troops is Shameful

October 22, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today blasted President Obama’s unprecedented veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security and passed both chambers of Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support:   “It is reckless that the Commander-in-Chief is holding hostage critical support for the safety and security of our nation’s service members. Congress sent a clear and strong bipartisan message to the President that the American people support prioritizing and protecting the needs of the brave men and women serving our country. To deny our troops needed stability while serving both here