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Tag: VA

Tester, Daines continue delivering on their promises to “Blue Water Navy” veterans

January 13, 2016

(U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are working to deliver on the promises they’ve made to “Blue Water Navy” veterans by restoring their eligibility for service-connected disability benefits and health care as a result of Agent Orange exposure.  “Blue Water Navy” veterans served in the waters offshore during the Vietnam War.  In a letter to VA Secretary Bob McDonald, Tester and Daines urged the VA to reverse a 2002 rule that excluded “Blue Water Navy” veterans from the VA benefits and care to which they should be entitled.  The 2002 rule extended coverage only to Vietnam veterans

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Rick Young of Forsyth

December 4, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Rick Young of Forsyth, a U.S. Marine, for his dedicated efforts to expand quality health care for all Montana veterans. Despite suffering from a serious illness himself, Rick was able to successfully advocate for area veterans to receive long-term care through the Rosebud Health Care Center (RHCC) in Forsyth. RHCC recently established a contract with the VA, which now allows for veterans to receive long-term care in Forsyth rather than having to travel a greater distance to the approved Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility in Glendive. Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week

Tester, Daines lead effort to combat Native American veteran homelessness

November 11, 2015

Montana senators sponsor bill to permanently reauthorize successful tribal housing initiative (Montana) – To honor the contributions Native American veterans have made to this nation, Vice Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee Jon Tester and Senator Steve Daines have introduced bipartisan legislation to combat veteran homelessness in Indian Country. The Senators’ bipartisan bill will make HUD-VASH funds, which provide rental assistance to homeless or at-risk homeless veterans, permanently available to Native American tribes and tribal housing authorities. “Native Americans serve in the military at the highest rate per capita of any group in the United States,” Tester said.  “This year

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: Senate Working to Uphold Promises to Our Veterans

November 10, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today commended the unanimous passage of critical veterans’ funding legislation that addresses several of Montana veterans’ long-standing concerns. The Senate today passed the bipartisan FY 2016 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that secures important reforms to increase Montana veterans’ access to health care services and ensure that all Montana veterans are treated with the utmost care and respect.  “Today Republicans and Democrats joined together to ensure our nation’s veterans have access to the services and support they deserve,” Daines stated. “Our veterans deserve the utmost care and respect, which is why Congress must

Daines Helps Recognize November as National Native American Heritage Month

November 9, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines has helped introduced a Senate resolution to recognize the month of November as National Native American Heritage Month. The resolution celebrates the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and recognizes their many contributions to the United States. The resolution was unanimously passed by the Senate. “National Native American Heritage Month honors the importance of tribal self-governance, preserving indigenous languages, the United States’ commitment to strengthening the government-to-government relationship and the importance of Native Americans’ heritage to our country at large,” Daines stated. “This resolution also honors Native American veterans like the Crow Tribe Code Talkers, who played

Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Pete Gardzina of Montana City

November 6, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today honored Pete Gardzina from Montana City. Pete is the current Transition Assistance Advisor for the Montana National Guard and works to help Montana veterans transition to civilian life after returning from deployment.  Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress. Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here. Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by

Daines Calls on Senate to Take Up Rural Water Bills

October 8, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Senator Steve Daines today reaffirmed his commitment to moving forward Montana rural water projects and called on the Senate to take up his bills to ensure the completion of authorized projects across Montana. During today’s Energy and Natural Resources hearing on western water legislation, Daines emphasized the challenges associated with inadequate water management in western communities, including many regions in Montana. “My bills would facilitate water delivery to over 23 million acres in Montana and millions more acres across the West for rural communities without good access to quality water supply today,” Daines stated. “If we are going to address

Daines Applauds Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

October 7, 2015

Senator Steve Daines today applauded the overwhelming bipartisan passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides critical support for the nation’s military and national security. “Montana is playing a critical role in meeting our nation’s security and military needs and this bill provides the support our men and women in uniform need to carry out their missions,” Daines stated. “The NDAA prioritizes the needs of our service members, while protecting the important role that Montana holds in our national defense. I urge President Obama to drop his veto threat and stand with Congress, the American people and our

Daines Calls for Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

October 6, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to call on the Senate to swiftly pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes critical support for Montana’s military missions. Daines also called on Senate Democrats to stop blocking the Department of Defense Appropriations Act and fund the military.   Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this afternoon: “Montana has a rich legacy of service to our country— from maintaining our nation’s ‘peace through strength’ strategy at Montana’s Malmstrom Air Force Base, where we oversee one-third of