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Tag: National Security

Daines: Malmstrom to Receive Helicopter Upgrade This Summer Following Direct Request

November 17, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Malmstrom Air Force Base will receive the MH-139 “Grey Wolf” helicopter upgrade replacing the Vietnam era UH-1N “Huey’s” in the summer of 2021. Malmstrom will be the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) base in the country to receive this critical upgrade. This news follows Daines’ direct request and extensive work to secure the upgraded helicopters for Montana. “Today’s announcement that Malmstrom will be receiving these critical helicopter upgrades is great news for Montana and our country’s national security,” Daines said. “I’m proud to have fought to secure this critical upgrade for Malmstrom and

Daines Fights to Protect Montana Air National Guard’s C-130s

November 13, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Senate and House Armed Services Committee Leadership to maintain a minimum inventory of 292 C-130 aircraft, which includes those used by the Montana Air National Guard, in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).  “Our Air National Guard C-130 flying wings provide nearly half of the Air Force’s tactical airlift capability. For more than 50 years, we have brought Americans into combat, provided humanitarian relief around the globe, and supported domestic response throughout the nation,” Daines wrote. “As the Air Force proposes changes to align our force structure with the National Defense Strategy (NDS), it is vitally important we

Daines Fights to Protect Montanans from Government Spy Programs

January 23, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he will be introducing bipartisan legislation to protect the civil liberties and privacy of Montanans from government spying programs. Daines’ bipartisan bill reforms Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act which the National Security Agency has used to create a secret mass surveillance program that swept up millions of Americans’ phone calls. “Montanans want their privacy protected. That’s why I’m fighting to protect our civil liberties and stop the federal government from interfering into our lives,” Daines said. Daines’ bipartisan Safeguarding Americans’ Private Records Act reforms Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act

Daines Votes for Montana Defense Priorities, Little Shell Recognition in Defense Bill

December 17, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for a major defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a 3.1% pay raise for the military, critical defense priorities for Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls and federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Daines fought to include provisions that will preserve and protect Malmstrom’s mission, while safeguarding national security for generations to come.   “This legislation strengthens Montana’s defense priorities and gives our men and women in uniform a much deserved 3.1% pay raise,” Daines said. “This is about peace through strength. Our nuclear deterrents

Daines Successfully Retains Little Shell Recognition, Montana Defense Priorities in Final NDAA

December 9, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he successfully preserved big wins for Montana in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) including the federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians and critical defense priorities for Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. Daines fought for years to help get federal recognition for the Little Shell Tribe. Earlier this year, Daines successfully fought to include federal recognition of the Tribe as an amendment in the Senate passed NDAA. Daines then successfully demanded it be included in the final NDAA. “Today is great news for Montana. After

Daines Pushes for Montana Priorities, Stronger GBSD in NDAA

October 1, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines wrote a letter to Congressional leadership urging nuclear modernization and an increase in funding towards the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), the W87-1 warhead, and plutonium pit production in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana is a part of the GBSD project. “The effectiveness of our nuclear deterrent is rooted in the flexibility of the nuclear triad, its reliability, and its ability to stay head of the capabilities of our adversaries,” Daines wrote. “We urge DoD to preserve a robust program of nuclear modernization across the next five-year

Daines Fighting To Ensure Replacement For The Minuteman III Stays On Track

September 26, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Daines joined a bipartisan group of senators today on a letter urging Department of Defense Secretary Mark Esper to prevent any delays for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), which will replace the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.  “We write to emphasize the importance of delivering the Air Force’s long-overdue Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) replacement effort,” Daines wrote. “To deter a nuclear attack on the United States and its allies in today’s multipolar nuclear security environment, comprehensive U.S. nuclear modernization to include each leg of the triad

Daines: Our Enemies Wounded Us, But Didn’t Defeat Us

September 11, 2019

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate in memory of the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks on our nation.   To download the full video, click HERE. Daines honored those lost on September 11th saying, “Today, Montanans, and Americans across our country are taking time to reflect upon the horrific acts of 9/11. Today, we take time to remember the thousands of lives lost on that horrible day. We remember the daughters who lost their mothers, the sons who lost their fathers, loved ones and friends, and the communities that

Daines Advances Key Montana Priorities in Senate Defense Bill

June 27, 2019

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today advanced key Montana priorities with U.S. Senate passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA passed with a vote of 86-8. “The Senate defense bill protects and promotes Montana’s critical contributions to our national security,” Daines said. “I look forward to working with the House to ensure we keep critical Montana provisions that strengthens our nuclear deterrence, empowers our standing on the world stage and gets the men and women who serve in Montana the resources they need.” Key Highlights in the Senate passed NDAA: Prioritizes nuclear deterrence– $22 million increase for GBSD $8.9 million increase for Minuteman upgrades $29 million

Daines Calls on Air Force to Decide on UH-1N Helicopter Replacement

March 18, 2016

Leads Eight Senators in Letter to Air Force Secretary  U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today led eight Senators in calling on the Air Force to expedite their decision on the course of action to replace Vietnam–era UH-1N helicopters that provide security for our nuclear weapons.  Daines letter was signed by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Deb Fischer (R-NE).  In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James, the Senators press the Air Force to decide between a sole source acquisition process