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Tag: VA

Daines Honors Jean Turnage on Senate Floor

October 1, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today spoke on the Senate floor to honor Jean Turnage, former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice and State Senate President who passed away earlier this week. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks.  Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor: “I rise today in recognition of Jean Turnage, former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice and State Senate President who passed away earlier this week. “Chief Justice Turnage was a true public servant who always put Montana and this nation first. He is remembered as a fair and tolerant judge, and a true gentleman

Daines Calls on Senate Veterans Affairs Committee To Help Blue Water Vietnam Veterans

September 29, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today called on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to pass his legislation to ensure that Blue Water Navy veterans who are victims of Agent Orange-related diseases receive the care and compensation they have long deserved. During today’s Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on “Examining the Impact of Exposure to Toxic Chemicals on Veterans and the VA’s Response,” Daines testified on the importance of reversing a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decision that cut benefits for Vietnam-era Navy veterans, known as “Blue Water” vets, who were exposed to the powerful toxin Agent Orange.  “As the son of a

Daines Statement on Passing of Former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Turnage

September 28, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the passing of former Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Turnage: “Chief Justice Turnage was a true public servant who always put Montana and this nation first. As a World War II veteran, a state legislator and Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, he exemplified Montana’s strong legacy of service.  Cindy and I are keeping the Turnage family in our thoughts and prayers during this time.” ###

Daines: VA Incompetence Hurting America’s Veterans

September 3, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today expressed his deep concerns regarding the latest report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General: “This report paints a disturbing pattern of incompetence at the Department of the Veterans Affairs. It is unconscionable that our nation’s veterans have not been able to effectively access the health care that was promised to them. The level of this failure should outrage every American, and it’s incomprehensible that the VA’s haphazard record keeping system and crippling bureaucracy hides the true scope of this issue. Our veterans deserve the utmost care and respect and yet the

Daines: New VA Service Animal Rule is a “Step in the Right Direction”

August 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today commended news that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has revised its rules regarding veterans’ ability to bring service animals to VA facilities. Veterans in some states, including Montana, have had difficulty bringing their animals into VA medical facilities. The VA’s new rule will put clear guidance in place that allows the presence of service animals at VA facilities across the United States. “While there is still work to be done, today’s announcement is a step in the right direction. I’m glad the VA has responded to my calls to ensure our veterans

Daines Recognizes PTSD Awareness Day on Senate Floor

June 26, 2015

To mark National Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day, this Saturday, June 27, Senator Steve Daines took to the Senate floor to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental illnesses like PTSD among service members and veterans. Below are key excerpts from Daines’ floor speech: “PTSD is a serious problem affecting too many of our country’s bravest individuals. We must do more to help our heroes. “There is no greater honor or responsibility than fighting for our veterans. We owe them our freedom. We owe them nothing but our best. Anything less is unacceptable. “We need to have the same

Daines Works to Ensure Due Process for Veterans Erroneously Discharged

June 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced he has helped introduce two measures to ensure due process for veterans who suffer from mental health illnesses who may have been erroneously given an administrative discharge, rather than an honorable discharge. Daines has joined Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to introduce S. 1567 which ensures active duty members who suffer from invisible wounds, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) aren’t incorrectly administratively discharged. An administrative discharge is often given for minor misconducts, which can be attributed to behaviors seen in those suffering from PTSD or TBI.

Daines Fights for Montana Veterans’ Priorities in Senate Appropriations Bill

May 21, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today helped secure important reforms that increase Montana veterans’ access to health care services and ensure that all Montana veterans are treated with the utmost care and respect in both life and death. Daines successfully worked to include language addressing several of Montana veterans’ long-standing concerns in the FY 2016 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which was marked up and approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this afternoon. “Our nation’s heroes should have easy access to the resources, services and medical care they need and deserve,” Daines stated. “I’m glad

Daines: VA Reforms are Welcome First Step in Ensuring Veterans Receive Needed Care

March 24, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today commended the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for addressing Montana veterans’ long standing concerns and taking steps to ensure veterans are able to receive health care services close to home.  The VA announced today that it is reforming its calculation used to determine distance between a veteran’s residence and the nearest VA health facility when allowing veterans who live more than 40-miles from a VA facility to receive care closer to home.  Daines called the reform “an important step forward,” while also reiterating his call to address a loophole that prevents some veterans from receiving

Daines Outlines Priorities for American Prosperity

March 16, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today delivered his maiden speech on the Senate floor and outlined his priorities as Montana’s new United States Senator. During his speech, Daines discussed the need for state-based solutions to restore economic growth that keeps America safe and secure. Key excerpts from Daines’ speech are below: We are blessed to live in the greatest nation on earth. And it is the solemn responsibility of the United States Senate to do everything in its power to keep it that way.  Washington is more concerned with its own self-interest and self-gain than the well being of the