{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"MT\" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/slate-of-energy-job-bills-championed-by-daines-signed-into-law", "Slate of Energy Job Bills Championed by Daines Signed into Law", "2020-12-30", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.30.20\n\t\t\t Slate of Energy Job Bills Championed by Daines Signed into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATELast Sunday, four bipartisan energy bills, as well as a tax extension for carbon capture, championed by Senator Steve Daines were signed into law. The bipartisan bills, the EFFECT Act,American Mineral Security Act, Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, and USE It Act, all help protect Montana energy jobs and support Montana's energy industry.\r\nThese bipartisan bills will help create and protect Montana energy jobs, promote renewable energy on public lands,and provide reliable, affordable energy to all Montanans, Daines said.I'm glad to have worked across the aisle to accomplish thesemajor wins for Montana's energy industry.\r\nSupporting Montana energy jobs has been a top priority forSenatorDaines. He is committed to creating more jobs in this industry and ensuring all Montanans have access to theseresources.\r\nBackground:\r\nEFFECT Act: The bill updates Department of Energy (DOE) authorities that enable carbon capture storage and utilization investment on existing coal and gas facilities, such as the Colstrip Power Plant.\r\nAmerican Mineral Security Act: This bill promotes the research and development of critical minerals which serve as an essential function to the manufacturing of energy, defense, currency, agriculture, health care, and electronic products and whose absence of which would have an impact on the economic or national security of the US.It will also direct the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior to jointly operate a program to design more efficient methods to extract, refine, and recycle critical materials. Additionally, it requires the Department of the Interior to designate and publish a list of critical minerals and work with states to conduct resource assessments to identify deposits of critical minerals.\r\nPublic Lands Renewable Energy Development Act: This bill creates and protects jobs in the energy sector. Itwill help increase renewable energy development on federal lands and expand associated economic benefits to local communities by developing a streamlined permitting process that will drive investment and development of renewable sources.\r\nUse It Act: This bill supports carbon capture, utilization and sequestration research by creating a program for the research, development and commercialization of direct air carbon capture.\r\nA two-year extension of 45Q tax credit for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage: This willmove the expiration of the tax credit from December 2023 to December 2025. This will provide much-needed certainty to producers and developers who are still awaiting needed regulations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to take advantage of this credit.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-bill-providing-permanent-tax-relief-for-montana-breweries-distilleries-signed-into-law", "Daines Bill Providing Permanent Tax Relief for Montana Breweries, Distilleries Signed Into Law", "2020-12-29", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.20\n\t\t\t Daines Bill Providing Permanent Tax Relief for Montana Breweries, Distilleries Signed Into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Daines' bill will help create jobs in Montana, support Montana farmers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATEU.S. Senator Steve Daines' bipartisan bill supporting Montana breweries and distilleries across the state was recently signed into law. Daines' bill, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, provides permanent tax relief for small craft breweries and distilleries, supporting jobs across Montana.\r\nIn Montana, we're home to some of the best craft breweries in the country. Now, with my bipartisan bill being signed into law, these small businesses will have permanent tax relief which will create jobs across Montana and support our Montana barley growers,Daines said.\r\nDaines' bill makes the excise tax relief enacted by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent for small craft breweries at $3.50 per barrel on the first 60,000 barrels, and $16 per barrel thereafter up to 2,000,000 barrels. This bill also expands the wine producer tax credit and establishes reduced excise taxes for craft distilleries.\r\nBackground:\r\nIn December, Daines sent a letter urging Senate leadership to pass this legislation.\r\nDainessupporteda similar provision in the 2017Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\r\nIn February of 2018, Dainescompleteda four-day tour across Montana to see the benefits firsthand of these tax credits on Montana's breweries.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/what-they-are-saying-montana-leaders-praise-montana-water-rights-protection-act-being-signed-into-law", "What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Praise Montana Water Rights Protection Act Being Signed into Law", "2020-12-29", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.29.20\n\t\t\t What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Praise Montana Water Rights Protection Act Being Signed into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  On Sunday, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester celebrated their bipartisan bill, the Montana Water Rights Protection Act, being signed into law by President Trump. The bill permanently settles the century long CSKT water dispute, supports Montana jobs, saves taxpayer dollars, modernizes rural infrastructure and protects the water rights of all Montanans. Several Montana leaders issued statements in support following the President's signing of this critical legislation.\r\nAfter years of effort, our bipartisan bill that settles the century long CSKT water dispute is now law. This is a huge win for all Montanans. Our bill protects the water rights of all Montanans, saves taxpayer dollars, createsjobs, modernizes rural infrastructure, protects Montana agriculture and prevents costly litigation. I'm very glad I could play a direct role in getting this done, and I thank President Trump for signing our bill into law.  Daines' statement following the signing\r\nToday is a historic day for Montana taxpayers, ranchers, farmers, and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Water is life, and the Compact honors our trust responsibilities, creates jobs, and prevents decades of costly litigation while investing in infrastructure and providing certainty to water users everywhere. I am proud to have led the effort to get this Compact signed into law, and I will continue working with the Tribes and water users to hold the government accountable and ensure it is implemented quickly and effectively.  Tester's statement following the signing\r\nThis law is a win for all Montanans. Our farmers, ranchers, the Salish and Kootenai tribes, and all water users across the state will now have the certainty they need. Thank you President Trump and my colleaguesin the Senate for getting this across the finish line.  Congressman Gianforte's statement following the signing\r\nStatements of Support:\r\nI cannot express how much we appreciate the hard work that the Montana Congressional Delegation put into this bill and now having it signed into law. From Senator Tester's initial introduction of the bill four years ago, to Senator Daines' introduction, amendments and work with the Trump Administration this year and to both of our Senators urging their respective leaders to include the bill in the omnibus appropriations bill, and to Congressman Gianforte's work with the Minority Leader in the House, all played pivotal roles and the residents of Montana should be thankful for their efforts. We certainly are grateful. We also express our appreciation to the many agriculture and conservation groups across Montana and even across the country who also helped advocate for passage of this truly historic and important bill. Shelly R. Fyant, Chairwoman, CSKT\r\nThank you to Senator Daines and Senator Tester for their leadership and continued perseverance for a permanent water settlement. An additional thanks goes to Representative Gianforte for his stewardship in the House. The success of Montana's agriculture industry is dependent upon water and water rights certainty. It is easily the single most important resource for people across Montana, which is why MSGA has long supported an agreement such as the Montana Water Rights Protection Act.  Jim Steinbeisser, President, Montana Stockgrowers Association The passage of the Compact will benefit all of Montana, while providing certainty and protecting senior municipal water rights for many of our members.  Tim Burton, Executive Director, Montana League of Cities and Towns\r\nThe passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act is great news for Montana. The legislation is a product of decades of negotiation and will settle farmers and ranchers water rights as far east as the Milk, Musselshell and Yellowstone rivers. This bipartisan bill and settlement is a good-faith compromise that will bring final resolution to a century-long water dispute, avoiding years of costly litigation. We especially want to thank bill sponsor Senator Steve Daines for all of his hard and also thank Senator Tester for co-sponsoring this legislation.  John Youngberg, Executive Vice President, Montana Farm Bureau Federation\r\nPassage of the Montana Water Right Protection Act provides for settlement of the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes water right claims that are crucial to providing certainty regarding adjudication of Montana water rights. Passage of this important settlement legislation will prevent costly litigation, protect water rights throughout Montana, and very importantly, recognize and protect Montana's primacy over our water resources. We extend our appreciation to Senator Steve Daines, Senator Jon Tester, and Congressman Greg Gianforte for their support and efforts to enable passage of this important legislation.  Mike Murphy, Executive Director, Montana Water Resources Association We appreciate the work and time that both Senator Daines and Senator Tester have put into the passage of this agreement. Without their steadfast support for Montana water users, Montana's agriculture industry would have taken over a billion dollar hit at a time when they could afford it the least. Our Senators have put in place an agreement that will ensure the future of agriculture in our state and protect our water resources for generations to come, while investing in Montana's economy and saving our taxpayers, farmers, and ranchers millions of dollars.  Tom Beck, Co-Chair, Farmers & Ranchers for Montana (FARM) On behalf of the Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators (AGAI), I wish to express our enthusiastic appreciation for the passage of the Montana Water Rights Protection Act. Senator Daines' continual work and \"never say never\" attitude will be enjoyed by many of us here at home. Senator Daines understands the value in this equitable solution, but rest assured the irrigators in the Gallatin Valley will be able to tell the story of a Montana solution that kept agriculture alive and focused on daily chores for generations rather than looking back on the dark days of litigation, telling the story of lost opportunities. From our 400+ irrigating members, THANK YOU, for a well-fought, positive outcome from Washington D.C., proving Montana's work ethic value.  Walt Sales, President, Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators On behalf of the Montana Agricultural Business Association, I am more than excited to hear of the passing of the CSKT Compact by Congress. This is a logical solution that protects access to farmers' and ranchers' most limiting resource - water. We thank those who put in a tremendous amount of work in a bipartisan way to see this through to fruition and protect Montana's vital agriculture community.  Luke Dighans, President, Montana Agricultural Business Association\r\nSenator Daines was the only public official that dug down into understanding what the CKST water compact really did to off reservation water users. He asked questions and listened to Montana ranchers and farmers. Senator Daines rewrote the bill doing the very best he could to protect our property rights and respect hundreds of years of water rights in Montana. Thank you Senator Daines for your leadership. We grateful to have you as a public servant to who works for ALL of us.  Bill Slaughter, Commissioner, Granite County\r\nI am pleased this has been resolved. Montana irrigators can breathe a gigantic sigh of relief now that this is done. Thank you Senator Daines for all your work on accomplishing this compact. This is the seventh and final compact in Montana. It's not a question of having one, it is a question of having what's in it and getting it done. I am very pleased with Senator Daines and so appreciate his leadership on this issue.  Fred Thomas, Former State Legislator", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-tester-bipartisan-bill-settling-century-long-montana-water-dispute-signed-into-law", "Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Signed Into Law", "2020-12-27", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.27.20\n\t\t\t Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Signed Into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester today celebrated their bipartisan bill, the Montana Water Rights Protection Act, being signed into law by President Trump. The bill permanently settles the century long CSKT water dispute, supports Montana jobs, modernizes rural infrastructure and protects the water rights of all Montanans.\r\nAfter years of a lot of effort, our bipartisan bill that settles the century long CSKT water dispute is now law, Daines said. This is a huge win for all Montanans. Our bill protects the water rights of all Montanans, saves taxpayer dollars, createsjobs, modernizes rural infrastructure, protects Montana agriculture and prevents costly litigation. I'm very glad I could play a direct role in getting this done, and I thank President Trump for signing our bill into law.\r\nToday is a historic day for Montana taxpayers, ranchers, farmers, and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes,Tester said.Water is life, and the Compact honors our trust responsibilities, creates jobs, and prevents decades of costly litigation while investing in infrastructure and providing certainty to water users everywhere. I am proud to have led the effort to get this Compact signed into law, and I will continue working with the Tribes and water users to hold the government accountable and ensure it is implemented quickly and effectively.\r\nThis law is a win for all Montanans. Our farmers, ranchers, the Salish and Kootenai tribes, and all water users across the state will now have the certainty they need, Congressman Greg Gianforte said. Thank you President Trump and my colleaguesin the Senate for getting this across the finish line.\r\nFor more background on the Montana Water Rights Protection Act,clickHERE and HERE.\r\nBack in June,in a U.S Senate hearing, the Trump administration expressed support for the bipartisan bill with the Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Tim Petty discussing the benefits of the bill, including job creation and modernizing infrastructure needs.\r\nWithout the efforts of Senator Daines and Senator Tester, Montana's agriculture economy would face a $1.3 billion hit. Thousands of Montanans would be forced to litigate their water rights causing a substantial uncertainty for Montana's farmers and ranchers.\r\nFor more information on Daines' efforts related to the Montana Water Rights Protection Act,\" clickHERE. For more information on Tester's efforts related to the legislation, click HERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7895", "Tester Statement on Signing of Coronavirus Economic Stimulus and Government Funding Package [press_release]", "2020-12-27", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Signing of Coronavirus Economic Stimulus and Government Funding Package \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed the coronavirus economic stimulus and the 2021 government appropriations package:\n This critical economic stimulus package isn't perfect, but it's the result of bipartisan compromise that will do some real good for families and businesses in our state. It's good news the President finally signed it into law, and I'm thankful we were able to secure this badly-needed relief for Montana's workers and small businesses that will help reopen our economy and get folks back to work.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7894", "Tester Statement on Presidential Veto of Annual Defense Bill [press_release]", "2020-12-23", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Presidential Veto of Annual Defense Bill \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the President vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act:\n This political stunt undermines our national security, defense installations in Montana and across the globe, and it delays the delivery of critical care and benefits for our servicemembers and veteransparticularly those suffering and dying from conditions associated with their exposure to Agent Orange. Democrats and Republicans came together to overwhelmingly pass this critical legislation earlier this yearjust as Congress has done for more than fifty years. Now we must move quickly in a bipartisan manner to override this veto, provide for our national defense, and deliver for our troops, veterans, and their families.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-delivers-big-wins-for-national-defense-troops-veterans", "Daines Delivers Big Wins for National Defense, Troops, Veterans", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.22.20\n\t\t\t Daines Delivers Big Wins for National Defense, Troops, Veterans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines yesterday voted to support and fund several critical defense and veterans priorities.\r\nThis critical funding ensures America maintains the best military in the world, gives our troops a much needed pay raise, provides support for Montana veterans and strengthens Montana's defense priorities, Daines said.\r\n\r\nStrengthens Montana's and the Nation's Defense Forces:\r\n \r\n$180 million for Air Force C-130 propeller upgrades (4-blade to 8-blade)\r\n$368 million for Army's CH-47 Chinook helicopters\r\n$923.4 million for National Guard Counter-Drug Program, which includes an increase of $100 million for the National Guard State Plans program and $20 million for the National Guard Counter-Drug schools program\r\n \r\nSupports Montana Veterans: \r\n \r\n$10.3 billion for Montana veterans mental health care\r\n\r\n$312 million for suicide prevention outreach\r\n\r\n\r\nSupports the request for medical care accounts, including amounts supporting VA MISSION Act programs.\r\n$300 million for VA Office of Rural Health and the Rural Health Initiative to overcome barriers to access in large rural states.\r\n$5 million for pilot program in agritherapy to train veterans in agricultural vocations in no less than three locations\r\n$661 million for women's health care\r\nProvides $2.6 billion for Electronic Health Record Modernization\r\nProvides $1.9 billion for Montana veteran homeless assistance programs\r\n \r\nSupports Military Research at Montana Universities and Small Businesses: \r\n \r\n$20 Million for Lightweight Composite Barrel research (Proof Research in Columbia Falls)\r\n$15 Million for Language Training Centers with report language at University of Montana (UM)\r\n$5 Million for Warfighter Physiology Research with report language at UM\r\n$5 Million for Hearing restoration research with report language at UM\r\n$4 Million for TechLink at Montana State University (MSU)\r\n$3 Million for MilTech at MSU\r\n$10 Million for Extreme Battery research at MSU\r\n$7 Million for Quantum cryptography research at MSU\r\n$3 Million for Department of Defense Partnership Intermediary Assistance to Marine Corps Warfighting Lab at MSU\r\n \r\nSupports Military Youth Programs:\r\n \r\n$75 Million for National Guard Youth Challenge\r\n$4.3 Million for Naval Sea Cadet youth programs\r\n$22.8 Million for Civil Air Patrol youth programs\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-leahy-bipartisan-bill-promoting-affordable-health-insurance-passes-senate-heads-to-presidents-desk-", "Daines, Leahy Bipartisan Bill Promoting Affordable Health Insurance Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.22.20\n\t\t\t Daines, Leahy Bipartisan Bill Promoting Affordable Health Insurance Passes Senate, Heads to President's Desk  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill prevents health insurance companies from price fixing, collusion\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE U.S.Senators Steve Daines (Mont.) and Patrick Leahy (Vt.) announced that their bipartisan bill promoting access to affordable health care by increasing transparency and enhancing consumer protections in the health insurance passed the U.S. Senate and will be headed to the President's desk to be signed into law. The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act willensure that health insurance issuers are subject to the same federal antitrust laws prohibiting unfair trade practices, such as price fixing and collusion, as virtually every other industry in our economy.\r\nOur bipartisan bill will allow for greater transparency and oversight into the health insurance industry and help make health insurance more affordable for Montanans and Americans across the country. I look forward to this commonsense bill being signed into law, Daines said. \r\nWhile ordinary Americans are suffering through an unprecedented, deadly pandemic, multi-billion dollar health insurance companies are boasting record-high profits. It makes little sense that these powerful actors should also benefit from an antiquated exemption allowing them to evade all scrutiny and oversight by our federal antitrust authorities. Our overwhelmingly bipartisan bill would simply subject health insurance providers to our federal antitrust laws  just like every other sector of the American economy. It's a commonsense bill whose time has come, and I hope President Trump swiftly signs it into law, Leahy said.\r\nThe bipartisan billamends the McCarran-Ferguson Act to restore the application of federal antitrust laws to the health insurance industry, but does not otherwise interfere with or impact the authority of state authorities to regulate health insurance provided under the act. This bill will help address instances of artificially higher premiums, unfair insurance restrictions, and harmful policy exclusions.\r\nBackground:\r\nOn February 19th, 2019, Senators Steve Daines and Patrick Leahyintroduced the bipartisanlegislation.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7889", "Tester Secures Bipartisan Compromise COVID Stimulus Package, Montana Wins in Government Funding Bill [press_release]", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement with the Senate slated to pass a compromise COVID stimulus package and an omnibus appropriations package funding the government through September 2021:\n\"For months, I've pushed leadership on both sides of the aisle to negotiate an economic stimulus package that will put our economy back on track and get Montanans back to work, and today Congress listened to Montana commonsense. No one got everything they wanted in this package, but it's a bipartisan compromise that provides targeted support for Montana small businesses and folks who lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and it will help get vaccines to folks in rural America quickly and effectively. I will keep working across the aisle to aggressively hold the federal government accountable so that relief gets into the hands of Montana families as soon as possible.\"\nSince March, Senator Tester has spoken to hundreds of Montana families, business owners, school administrators, and medical professionals about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Treasure State. He has been negotiating with Senators across the political spectrum for months to secure an economic stimulus deal so that Montana's economy can reopen safely. In the COVID stimulus package, Senator Tester secured:\n\t$20 billion for vaccine procurement and distribution  \t$22 billion in grants to states to support contact tracing, COVID-19 testing, and mitigation efforts to control the virus  \tAn additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits through March 14, 2021  \tExtends unemployment benefits to self-employed individuals, gig workers and those who have exhausted their state benefits  \tExtends deadline for use of the Coronavirus Relief Fund for states, cities, and Tribes from the CARES Act one year, until December 31, 2021  \t$284 billion for first and second forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans. Expands PPP eligibility for more critical access hospitals, local newspapers and TV and radio broadcasters, and 501(c)(6) nonprofits, including tourism promotion organizations and local chambers of commerce.  \t$15 billion for live entertainment venues  \t$65 million to implement Senator Tester's Broadband DATA Act, which updates federal broadband funding distribution maps to ensure accurate and efficient allocation of resources  \t$250 million for the Federal Communications Commission's COVID Telehealth Program  \t$1 billion to Indian Health Service for vaccines, testing and tracing, community health and health care provider support  \t$13 billion in direct payments for farmers and ranchers  \t$1 billion for Amtrak  \t$81 billion to support education  \t$25 billion for rental assistance, including $800 million reserved for Native American housing entities\nAdditionally, in the end of year omnibus appropriations package also expected to pass the Senate today, Senator Tester secured:\n\tThe Montana Water Rights Protection Act (S. 3019)-the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) water rights settlement-ratifying the water compact, and honoring our treaty responsibilities by providing $1.9 billion for water infrastructure and economic development on the CSKT reservation, and settling more than 10,000 water rights claims in the state water court  \tA five-year extension of the Frontier Community Health Integration Project (FCHIP), a priority for Montana's rural hospitals  \tA provision ending surprise medical billing by out-of-network providers and taking patients out of the cross-hairs  \tThe Craft Beverage Modernization Act to prevent an increase in excise tax for Montana's brewers and distillers", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7890", "Tester Secures Funding for Montana Homeland Security Priorities in Government Funding Bill [press_release]", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - In his position as Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Jon Tester successfully secured billions in funding for critical homeland security programs prioritized by Montanans as part of the annual process to fund the government for the next fiscal year. In the bipartisan deal passed by Congress this week, Tester negotiated substantial investments in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), screening operations and technology acquisitions for the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), Coast Guard readiness, and critical border security technology and assets.  \"This bipartisan deal keeps Montana families safe and is an example of what we can get done when we work together,\" said Tester. \"I am proud we are making smart investments in local law enforcement, security and technology at our airports and borders, and reducing threats from wildfires and other natural disasters.\" As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester is responsible for writing the 12 bills that fund the federal government each year. Among the Montana and national provisions Tester successfully included in today's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations package are: FEMA Fire Grants  \t$360 million, $5 million more than FY20, for Fire grants which provide equipment and training to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters. Montana received $1,932,922 in FY 2019, FY 2020 awards are still being made. FEMA SAFER Grants  \t$360 million, $5 million more than FY20, for SAFER grants which help communities increase or maintain the number of trained firefighters. Montana received $2,256,067 in FY 2019, FY 2020 awards are still being made. FEMA Operation Stonegarden  \tMaintains $90 million for Operation Stonegarden grants which provides funding to state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to enhance coordination with CBP and USBP to defend America's borders.  Montana received $1,287,580 in FY 2020. Montana State University  \tUp to $18 million for MSU to assist the DHS Science and Technology Directorate carry out its R&D mission, including:  o\t$7 million for Partnership Intermediary Agreements, which supports a partnership between DHS Science and Technology (S&T) and Montana State University, to use technical expertise at MilTech and the Applied Research Lab to help transition innovative technologies to address critical mission needs across DHS.  o\t$5 million to support collaboration between MSU and DHS (S&T) to continue to develop software analysis services that identify and measure security weaknesses in software design for data researchers and program developers. This funding is also to support growing collaboration between MSU and S&T on general cyber related projects.  o\t$6 million for DHS to create a national testing capacity to assess vulnerabilities and mitigate biological risks, including COVID-19, in building air and water handling systems, multi-building facilities, and waste water systems. The Center for Biofilm Engineering at MSU will partner with the Idaho National Laboratory for research to assess the role of biofilm in the transportation of pathogenic organisms in the built environment to create innovative biosurveillance and monitoring capabilities.  TSA Security Screening Technology  \t$100 million for the procurement and deployment of computed tomography (CT) machines (checked baggage scanners) and credential authentication technology (CAT) systems (passenger identification units). This legislation specifically directs TSA to consider small and rural airports in addition to larger ones when determining locations for deployment of CT and CAT scanners. TSA Law Enforcement Reimbursement Program  \tRestores $46.4 million to partially reimburse airports for providing law enforcement officer staffing. TSA Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) Program  \tRestores $61.8 million and 31 teams that are deployed to airports and transit systems to guard against terrorist attacks. TSA Canine Program  \t$170 million for 1,097 explosives detection canine teams. Tribal consultation  \tA requirement is included requiring DHS to update Tribal consultation training in conjunction with Tribes.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7891", "Tester Delivers Tax Cut for Montana Craft Alcohol Producers in Government Funding Bill [press_release]", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester delivered a shot of good news for Montana's craft alcohol producers as a part of the deal to fund the government for the next fiscal year.\nTester secured a deal to include his bipartisan the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) in the year-end legislation, making permanent a cut to excise taxes on small brewers, distillers, and vintners, and speeding up the process of getting labels approved by regulators, reducing the time it takes to get a product on the shelves. The deal helps Montana breweries avoid an $800,000 tax hike next year alone.\n\"Montana's craft alcohol producers make some of the finest spirits in the world - using local ingredients - and create thousands of good-paying jobs for our state,\" Tester said. \"Like many Main Street businesses, craft alcohol producers have been hit hard by the pandemic, and I am glad we were able to help them keep their doors open and be ready to welcome folks back for a cold drink once this pandemic is behind us.\"\nThe CBMTRA cuts excise taxes in half for small breweries on their first 60,000 barrels of annual production, and then lowers the excise tax by two dollars for every barrel produced up to two million barrels. For small distillers, it cuts the excise tax from $13.40 to $2.70 per gallon for the first 100,000 gallons produced.\nAccording to the Montana Brewers Association, there are more than 80 small breweries across the state that support over 2,700 jobs and produce more than six million gallons of beer each year. Montana breweries also purchase more than three million pounds of malt grain from Montana farmers and contribute over $400 million to the state's economy each year.\n\"Today we raise our glasses to say cheers and thank you to Senator Tester for cosponsoring this legislation and ensuring tax relief for brewers was included in the package,\" said Montana Brewers Association Executive Director Matt Leow. \"The craft brewing industry is facing unprecedented challenges, from reduced taproom business and weak keg sales due to COVID-19 to aluminum can shortages and increased can prices, but today craft brewers across Montana are celebrating news that Congress will deliver on the promise of tax relief for our industry.\"\n\"We're so grateful for Senator Tester's assistance on the CBMTRA,\" said Courtney McKee, co-owner and CEO of Butte's Headframe Spirits. \"Small businesses like ours, across the state and country, work hard to make good jobs with living wages for our employees. This year has been hard for many small businesses and many distilleries would not have survived a 400% tax increase January 1, 2021. Headframe Spirits has nearly 30 employees and continues to grow. As a certified B Corporation, we measure our success by the positive impact we have on our community and the economic impact we have on our state. We're proud to be a small business in Montana, adding value to Montana grown grain, and are grateful for the help to ensure we'll be here for the long haul.\"\nTester introduced the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act last year, and in July he urged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to defer all federal excise tax collection deadlines for domestic and imported alcohol beverages through December 31, 2020 to help producers cope with the pandemic.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7892", "Tester Secures Key Veteran and Montana Defense Priorities in Government Funding Bill [press_release]", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Secures Key Veteran and Montana Defense Priorities in Government Funding Bill \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Ranking Member delivers resources for medical care and benefits for troops and veterans; Montana's military research and defense priorities \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFollowing weeks of bipartisan negotiations, Senate Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Jon Tester successfully helped secure billions for critical programs under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) as part of the annual federal spending package to support veterans and servicemembers and enhance our national security.   \"For weeks, my colleagues and I worked across the aisle to secure these resources to support veterans, servicemembers, and communities across the country in need of critical relief during the COVID-19 pandemic,\" said Ranking Member Tester. \"Although far from perfect, I'm proud that Congress came together to deliver this spending bill that will make critical investments in Montana's defense capabilities and provide veterans and troops with the medical care and benefits they've earned.\" Tester advocated for the following VA provisions in the bipartisan deal:\n \n$104.4 billion for VA, including $12.5 billion in emergency funding to address the rapidly increasing cost of health care for veterans.\n$90 billion for VA medical care, including $10.3 billion for mental health; $1.3 billion for telehealth services; $1.2 billion for the Caregivers Program; $504 million for opioid misuse prevention and treatment; $815 million for medical and prosthetic research; $660.7 million for women veterans health care; and $300 million for rural health initiatives. \n$138.7 billion for veterans benefits, including veteran disability compensation, education benefits, vocational rehabilitation and job training.\n$94.2 billion in advance funding for veterans health care, and $145.3 billion in advance funding for veterans benefits. \n$278.3 million for related agencies including the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home.\n$25 million under the Department of Justice for veterans treatment courts.\nLanguage to allow $150 million for COVID-related medical construction projects at State Veterans Homes, as well as $100 million in additional funding for COVID-19 prevention and response at State Veterans Homes.\nLanguage requiring the Veterans Crisis Line to adhere to all requirements of the American Association of Suicidology and requiring VA to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis Line and referrals to VA mental health care.\nLanguage dedicating funds for expanding VA's child care program to decrease barriers to care for veterans receiving essential health services from the Department. \n \n  Tester also championed the following defense wins in the federal spending bill:\n \nMalmstrom Air Force Base: Investments to support Air Force nuclear modernization, including $1.4 billion for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program and $81 million for Minute Man III modernization and maintenance, and $41 million for the replacement of the Vietnam-era Huey helicopters with the MH-139 Grey Wolf.\nNational Guard: \n$950 million for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account (NGREA) to modernize reserve forces and ensure interoperability with the active duty force.\n$797 million for eight additional C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, and $180 million for engine and propeller upgrades of existing C-130H aircraft.\n$914.4 million for the Counter-Drug program, which includes an increase of $100 million for the National Guard State Plans.\nMilitary Personnel: Includes a 3 percent military pay raise.\nMedical Research: The bill includes $1.7 billion for medical research, including $370 million for the competitively peer-reviewed medical research program.\nMontana State University: \n$10 million for the Army Research Laboratory to support Montana State University's research in extreme battery production; improving battery materials and chemistry to make them inherently more rugged while meeting energy and power requirements.\n$4 million to help small businesses partner with DOD research laboratories through Techlink at Montana State University. \n$7 million for Montana State University's research into Quantum Cryptography to develop cutting edge technologies to ensure future technological advantages for the military.\n$3 million to support the University of Montana's partnership with the Marine Corps to assist with technology scouting, and rapid capabilities development.\nUniversity of Montana:  \n$15 million for critical language and culture training at the University of Montana for Special Operations forces and members of the intelligence community.\n$5 million to support the University of Montana's research into new systems to prevent noise induced hearing loss in war fighters.\n$5 million to develop sensor technologies to monitor the physiological conditions of warfighters in order to measure physical performance.\n$8.1 billion for critical military construction projects across the nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-delivers-targeted-covid-19-relief-for-montana", "Daines Delivers Targeted COVID-19 Relief for Montana", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.20\n\t\t\t Daines Delivers Targeted COVID-19 Relief for Montana \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Critical aid for Montana small businesses, workers, families, healthcare heroes, hospitals and vaccine distribution\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE  U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for aCOVID-19 relief package to help supportMontana small businesses, workers, families, schools, Tribes, and farmers and ranchers impacted by the pandemic. The relief package also includes nearly $20 billion for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.\r\n\r\n\r\nTo download the full statement, click HERE.\r\n\"This bipartisan targeted COVID-19 relief package is going to help Montana small businesses, workers, families, healthcare heroes, schools, Tribes and farmers and ranchers. It also provides billions of dollars for vaccine manufacturing and distribution which is critical to ending this pandemic once and for all. This has been a tough year for all Montanans, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We will get through this, Daines said.\r\nFor a topline list of provisions the Senator fought to have included, click HERE.\r\nSupports Montana Small Businesses and Jobs:\r\n \r\nProvides more than $300 billion for small businesses, including $284 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help keep Montana small businesses open and workers on the payroll. The PPP has helped nearly 24,000 small businesses in Montana, providing close to $1.8 billion.\r\n\r\nExpands PPP eligibility to include certain 501(c)(6) organizations. This includesMontana local organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, Destination Marketing Organizations, and Outdoor Recreation Organizations with 300 or fewer employees.This is something Daines specifically worked to include.\r\n\r\n\r\nProvides $20 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance grants.\r\nIncludes Daines' EIDL Forgiveness Act, which eliminates the requirement that PPP borrowers deduct the amount of their EIDL advance from their PPP forgiveness amount.\r\nIncludes the Save our Stages Act, which provides $15 billion for live venues and independent movie theaters. This was a priority for businesses across Montana, and Daines worked to get this included.\r\nExtends the SBA Debt Relief program, providing three months of additional principal and interest payments for all SBA borrowers, starting in February 2021.\r\nIncludes Daines' bipartisan bill, the \"Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act,\" which provides tax certainty for Montana breweries and distilleries, helping protect and create jobs across Montana.\r\nFive year extension of New Markets Tax Credit, a program which has mobilized private-sector resources to help deliver over $400 million in total project financing across Montana like the new Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) facility being constructed in Missoula that Daines visited in August.\r\nEnhances and extends the Employee Retention Tax Credit through June 30, 2021, which will help employers keep their employees on the job. Daines pushed for this targeted, worker-focused credit to be expanded during a June 2020 Finance Committee hearing.\r\n \r\nSupports Montana Families and Workers:\r\n \r\nProvides up to a $600 direct check per Montanan and child dependent.\r\nProvides $300 per week of supplemental unemployment insurance for Montanans who lost their jobs at no fault of their own. This is in addition to what an individual receives from the state's unemployment insurance.\r\n\r\n$300 supplement lasts for 10 weeks (December 26, 2020  March 14, 2021).\r\nExtends unemployment program for self-employed and gig workers to March 14, 2021 and increases the maximum number of weeks an individual may claim from 39 to 50.\r\nExtends relief for government and non-profit employees through March 14, 2021.\r\nExtends the authorization for enhanced unemployment benefits for those covered under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nPrioritizes COVID-19 Vaccines, Therapeutic Drugs & Testing:\r\n \r\nProvides $8.75 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to promote, distribute, administer, monitor, and track COVID-19 vaccines to ensure broad-based distribution, access, and coverage for Montanans and all Americans. In November, Daines called on the CDC to ensure Montanans across the state, including those in rural communities, get access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible.\r\nProvides $19.695 billion to continue supporting critical efforts to ensure Americans receive vaccines and therapeutics. Senator Daines has been a leader in the Senate to advocate for vaccine funding. Back in March, Senator Daines secured funding that jumpstarted Operation Warp Speed, the unprecedented effort to develop and distribute COVID-19 vaccines in record time. \r\n$22.4 billion is provided to states, localities, territories, and tribes for testing, contact tracing, and mitigation to monitor and combat the coronavirus. It will help also ensure Montanans can continue to get tests, and that test results are made available as quickly as possible.\r\nProvides the National Institutes of Health with $1.15 billion for research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 and $100 million to support the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics program to speed the development and commercialization of COVID-19 diagnostic tests.\r\n \r\nSupports Montana's Hospitals and Providers, Bolsters Rural Health Care Delivery, Expands Telehealth:\r\n \r\nIncludes $3 billion for the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to support Montana's hospitals and health care providers.\r\n\r\nLanguage is included directing 85% of unobligated balances or funds recovered to be for future distributions. Language is also included clarifying the definition of lost revenue for hospitals and allows hospital systems to transfer COVID funds among hospitals in their system.\r\n\r\n\r\nEstablishes a new, voluntary Rural Emergency Hospital designation offering financial support to struggling rural hospitals that can no longer support inpatient services and want to right-size their health care infrastructure to better align with community needs.\r\nInvests $3 billion to increase payments to all physicians and professionals for all services by 3.75 percent throughout 2021.\r\nProvides $3.25 billion to secure PPE and other supplies to support availability during the pandemic.\r\nEliminates Medicare restrictions to allow all beneficiaries to receive mental health services through telehealth on a permanent basis\r\nPromotes use of real-time benefit tools in Medicare that enable physicians to work with beneficiaries to find the lowest cost prescription drug at the time of prescribing.\r\nExtends the moratorium on the Medicare sequester set to expire on December 31, 2020, increasing payment to all providers by 2 percent for first three months of 2021. \r\n \r\nAddresses Substance Abuse and Mental Health:\r\n \r\nProvides $4.25 billion for substance abuse and mental health treatment and prevention. This includes robust investments in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention block grants. The bill also invests in suicide prevention, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and targets funding to individual behavioral health providers.\r\n \r\nSupports Child Care Providers:\r\n \r\n$10 billion to provide additional assistance Montana's working families, and support child care providers experiencing increased operating expenses and decreased revenue related to COVID-19. Daines has been working on providing relief to childcare providers during the pandemic.\r\n \r\nProvides Funding for Schools, Teachers &Students Navigating COVID-19:\r\n \r\n$82 billion to support Montanastudents, teachers, schools, and families with additional education needs related to COVID-19.\r\n \r\nSupports the United States Postal Service\r\n \r\nConverts unused $10 billion loan for USPS into a grant.\r\n \r\nSupports Montana Farmers and Ranchers\r\n \r\nProvides $13 billion of additional funds for agriculture and to assist farmers and ranchers negatively impacted by low commodity prices and supply chain challenges due to the pandemic.\r\n \r\nSupports Montana Tribal Communities\r\n \r\nExtends the use for the Coronavirus Relief Fund through December of 2021 to ensure our tribal members have the time necessary to get access to the critical resources needed to keep their communities safe.\r\nProvides $210 million to Indian Health Services to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19 in Indian Country through Indian Health Service, Tribal, and Urban Indian health programs.\r\nProvides $800 million for rental assistance for tribal members.\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-tester-bipartisan-bill-settling-century-long-montana-water-dispute-passes-senate-heads-to-presidents-desk", "Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.21.20\n\t\t\t Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Passes Senate, Heads to President's Desk \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S.Senators Steve Daines and Jon Testertoday celebratedSenate passage of their bipartisanbill, theMontana Water Rights Protection Act. The bill will permanentlysettle the century long CSKT water dispute, support Montana jobs, modernize rural infrastructure and protectthe water rights of allMontanans.\r\nAfter years of hard work, the U.S. Senate just passed our bipartisan bill that permanently resolves the century long CSKT water dispute, and will soon become law. Without our bill, thousands of Montanans would be forced into very expensive litigation and our ag economy would've taken over a one billion dollar hit,Daines said.That's why we've worked so hard to pass our bill that protects thewater rights of all Montanans, saves taxpayer dollars, createsjobs, modernizes rural infrastructure projects, protectsMontana agriculture and prevents verycostly litigation. This is a win for all Montanans.\r\nThis victory has been decades in the making, and is a huge win for Montana taxpayers, ranchers, farmers, and the Tribes,Tester said.Water is among our most valuable resources, and ratifying this Compacthonors our trust responsibilities,creates jobsandinvests ininfrastructure whileproviding certainty to water users everywhere. I'm thankful we were able to work togetherto get this critical legislationacross the finish line.\r\nI am glad we were able to get this done to bring certainty to Montana's farmers, ranchers, the Salish and Kootenai tribes, and all the water users across the state, Congressman Greg Gianforte said. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate for their work on this legislation.\r\nI cannot express how much we appreciate the hard work that the Montana Congressional Delegation put into this bill and now having it signed into law. From Senator Tester's initial introduction of the bill four years ago, to Senator Daines' introduction, amendments and work with the Trump Administration this year and to both of our Senators urging their respective leaders to include the bill in the omnibus appropriations bill, and to Congressman Gianforte's work with the Minority Leader in the House, all played pivotal roles and the residents of Montana should be thankful for their efforts. We certainly are grateful. We also express our appreciation to the many agriculture and conservation groups across Montana and even across the country who also helped advocate for passage of this truly historic and important bill. Shelly R. Fyant, Chairwoman, CSKT\r\nThe billpassed the House of Representatives earlier today and will now head to thePresident's deskto be signed into law.\r\nFor more background on the Montana Water Rights Protection Act,clickHERE and HERE.\r\nBack in June,in a U.S Senate hearing, the Trump administration expressed support for the bipartisan bill with the Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Tim Petty discussing the benefits of the bill, including job creation and modernizing infrastructure needs.\r\nWithout the efforts of Senator Daines and Senator Tester, Montana's agriculture economy would face a $1.3 billion hit. Thousands of Montanans would be forced to litigate their water rights causing a substantial uncertainty for Montana's farmers and ranchers.\r\nFor more information on Daines' efforts related to the Montana Water Rights Protection Act,\" clickHERE. For more information on Tester's efforts related to the legislation, click HERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/second-covid-19-vaccine-given-green-light-major-credit-given-to-daines", "Second COVID-19 Vaccine Given Green Light, Major Credit Given to Daines", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.20\n\t\t\t Second COVID-19 Vaccine Given Green Light, Major Credit Given to Daines \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  Today, a second COVID-19 vaccine received emergency use authorization from theFood and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine,made byModerna,will be distributed immediately. The accelerated development and delivery of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine was made possible as a result of Daines securing an initial $10 billion in the CARES Act in March to enable vaccine manufacturing and clinical trials to proceed simultaneously.\r\nWhen the pandemic hit, I used my background as a chemical engineer as well as my experience in the private sector working with FDA regulated products to work with our top researchers, top scientists and our top innovators on what we needed to do to get a COVID-19 vaccine into the hands of the American people as quickly and safely as possible. That turned into securing $10 billion to accelerate the development and the manufacturing as well as distribution of a vaccine, Daines said. Now, we have a second vaccine approved, and there's more to come. A vaccine is what will save lives, get our economy going again, get our lives back to normal and stop the pandemic. I'm very glad to have led the work in the U.S. Senate to help get us where we are today.\r\nStphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna gave credit to Daines for their vaccine being developed, manufactured and approved.\r\nI want to personally thank Senator Steve Daines for his early leadership and support for the CARES Act which enabled BARDA and Operation Warp Speed to accelerate our progress to this point. I am grateful for his full commitment in this fight against covid-19 through scientific innovation.\r\nSenator Roy Blunt,Chairman of the Senate Appropriations SubcommitteeonLabor, Health and Human Services, and Education, today also gave credit Daines for his work to help accelerate the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.\r\nSenator Daines took his background in manufacturing and business and was instrumental in advocating for a more aggressive way to use our investment toward vaccine development and production. This includes his support for the simultaneous research and development of a vaccine, which was a significant step toward vaccines being available for the American public in under one year. Senator Daines was a key factor in that discussion.\r\nIn March, Daines secured $10 billionto accelerate the research, development, manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, which helped jumpstart Operation Warp Speed.Topresearchers, scientists and administration officials havetouted the Senator's work.\r\nMontana is expected to receive a second round shipment of vaccines this month that will contain both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. The second round allocation will focus on rural hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.\r\nIn November, Daines called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure Montanans across the state, including those in rural communities, get access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible.\r\nDaines does not believe in mandating the vaccine, however, he encouragesindividualsto take it onceavailablein consultationwith their doctor.\r\nIn early December, Daines was asked to join the COVID-19 Vaccine Summit at the White House because of his work on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeuticdrugs under OWS.\r\nDaines and his wife areparticipatingin Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trial, where they'releading by example for Montanans and the American people wondering if they should get the vaccine.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-stabenow-grassley-wyden-reintroduce-bipartisan-bill-to-end-abuse-of-conservation-easements", "Daines, Stabenow, Grassley, Wyden Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to End Abuse of Conservation Easements", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.20\n\t\t\t Daines, Stabenow, Grassley, Wyden Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to End Abuse of Conservation Easements \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill protects program that promotes conservation, stops scam artists from ripping off American taxpayers\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE  U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Senate Finance Committee ChairmanChuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking MemberRon Wyden (D-Ore.) reintroduced abipartisan bill, theCharitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act,tostop the abuse ofconservation easements, save taxpayers billions of dollars andpromote conservation in the U.S.\r\nOur bipartisan bill will promote conservation in Montana, save taxpayers billions of dollars and stop scam artists from abusing a critical conservation program used across the country, Daines said. This will helpprotect Montana farmers and ranchers who want toconserve ourlands, and hold individualsaccountable who arelooking to game the system and pad their own wallets. It's time to pass this commonsense bipartisan bill.\r\nOur bill preserves the integrity of the conservation easement program which plays an important role in protecting family farms, open land, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities across Michigan and our country. Republicans and Democrats came together to end this abuse and save taxpayer money, Stabenow said.\r\nThe conservation easement program is an important tool for protecting and preserving our environment. But bad-faith scammers have taken advantage of the program through abusive schemes at the expense of American taxpayer. I investigated the growing number of these scams, and it's clear that they won't stop without legislative action. I'm glad to join Sen. Daines once again in introducing legislation that would stop these scams from undermining the good work of farmers, ranchers and conservationists, Grassley said.\r\nAbuse of syndicated conservation easements by some bad actors is one of the most egregious tax shelters out there. Our bill would ensure IRS has the tools to crack down on these transactions. IRS has been battling these scams for years, and our bipartisan Finance Committee report exposed their fraudulent nature in detail. There's broad, bipartisan agreement on our bill, and Congress should pass it before we adjourn, Wyden said.\r\nDespite increased enforcement from the IRS, recent IRS data shows the total amount of deductions claimed through these tax shelters increased from $6.8 billion in 2017 to $9.2 billion in 2018.\r\nThe Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act,whichtracks an IRS Listing Notice published in December 2016, would generally disallow a charitable deduction if it exceeds 2.5 times (250%) of a partner's original investment. The updated bill includes language concerning historic preservation deals, which are often more complicated and subject to greater oversight. The bill preserves this deduction for people with true charity and conservation in mind, including for family farms and ranches.\r\nTo read the bill text, click HERE.\r\nOrganizations that support this bipartisan legislation include: the Land Trust Alliance, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, The Appraisal Institute, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, Trust for Public Land, Pheasants Forever, and Quail Forever.\r\nBackground:\r\nIn late August, Daines renewed efforts to advance his bipartisan bill following the conclusion of a U.S. Senate Finance Committee investigation into abusive syndicated conservation easements. This updated legislation is the product of months of discussions with the Joint Committee on Taxation and stakeholders on how to ensure that the bill closes all loopholes that fraudsters might find to get around the new requirements.\r\nOn August 25th, 2020, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Ron Wyden of Oregon released a bipartisan report on their 16-month investigation into the abuse of syndicated conservation-easement transactions.\r\nOn June 30th, 2020, Daines asked IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig about the importance of passing his bipartisan Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act in a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing.\r\nOn January 17th, 2019, Daines introduced the bipartisan Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2019, a bill that would curb abuses of the popular conservation easement tax benefit while allowing it to continue to serve as an important tool for conserving land and protecting family farms and ranches.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7885", "Tester Nominates 19 of Montanas Best and Brightest Students to Prestigious Military Service Academies [press_release]", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced he is nominating 19 Montana students to be admitted to the country's four prestigious military service academies.\nTester selected these 19 students based on their academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and commitment to serving and leading in the United States military. To attend the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, or Merchant Marine Academies, a student must be nominated by a member of Congress.\n\"It is one of my greatest honors as Montana's Senior Senator to nominate our state's best and brightest to the nation's most prestigious military academies each year,\" said Tester. \"These young folks have proven they can work hard both in and out of the classroom, have shown promising leadership and teamwork skills, and are dedicated to serving their communities and their country. I'm looking forward to watching them continue to grow into the next generation of military leaders in America.\"\nMontana students who are interested in applying to a military academy in the future can request a nomination from Tester HERE.\nSenator Jon Tester's 2021 Military Academy nominees:\nBelgrade\n\n \nGideon Survoy - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n \n\nBigfork\n\n \nBrandon Wenzel - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n \n\nBillings\n \nNatalie Beck - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy\nKathryn Brower - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n \nBozeman\n \nErica Brackett - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy\n \nCameron\n \nKyle LaClair - U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n \nColumbia Falls\n \nCameron Kahle - U.S. Naval Academy\n \nCorvallis\n \nLogan VanDenburg - U.S. Naval Academy\n \nHarlem\n \nAlaynee Hawley - U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n \nHelena\n \nEthan Hayes - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n \nHot Springs\n \nEmmaRae Rasmussen - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy\n \nLavina\n \nJacob Smith - U.S. Naval Academy\n \nMissoula\n \nBremer Deaton - U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\nEthan Schroeder - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy\n \nRed Lodge\n \nCalahan Barker - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy\n \nTwo Dot\n \nMargaret Martin - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n \nWest Glacier\n \nJulia Sowerwine - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy\n \nWhitefish\n \nCamren Ross - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy\nLinnea Forsberg - U.S. Naval Academy", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7886", "Montana Health Care Providers to Receive Nearly $12 Million in Pandemic Relief, Tester Announces [press_release]", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Montana Health Care Providers to Receive Nearly $12 Million in Pandemic Relief, Tester Announces \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t 162 providers in Montana will receive a combined $ 11,916,997 \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that Montana health care providers will receive nearly $12 million in pandemic relief funds.\n162 providers across the state will share a combined $11,916,997 under the phase 3 general distribution of the Provider Relief Funding program Tester secured as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.\nMontana's health care providers have been bravely responding to this pandemic for months, and need every available resource, Tester said. This funding will help providers keep their doors open and continue treating patients while keeping Montana families and communities healthy.\nThe funding is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and distribution began today.\nTester has fought tirelessly to ensure Montana's health care providers have the resources they need to combat the coronavirus pandemic. He secured nearly $200 million for rural health care providers and clinics, and recently secured $3 million for 14 Montana community health centers to expand COVID-19 testing.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7887", "Tester Statement on Final Packers and Stockyards Undue Preference Rule [press_release]", "2020-12-16", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the final Packers and Stockyards undue preference rule:\n\"This rule is a slap in the face to America's family ranchers and poultry farmers, and it is a serious setback in the fight against corporate consolidation in agriculture that threatens America's food supply chain and the livelihoods of thousands of Montanans,\" said Tester. \"Months ago, Senator Chuck Grassley and I urged USDA to revise this rule so that it would provide producers with the long overdue protections against retaliation and predatory practices intended by the Packers and Stockyards Act. Unfortunately, USDA sided with corporations rather than America's farmers and ranchers, so it's essential that Congress step in and pass legislation that will safeguard rural America's economy and way of life.\"\nThis Agricultural Marketing Service rule was required by the 2008 Farm Bill, which obligated the USDA to implement regulations to establish criteria that the Secretary of Agriculture would use in determining whether an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act. Enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act has been notoriously weak, in part because of overly broad statutory terms that this rule was intended to clarify.\nEarlier this year, Tester released his three-part Rancher Relief Plan to protect family farmers and ranchers and combat corporate consolidation in agriculture. These bipartisan initiatives include:\n \nIncreasing interstate commerce and diversifying meat production in Montana and neighboring states;\nLegislation to ensure fair prices at the farm gate from large packers;\nAnd the first bipartisan Senate push for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling since Congress repealed it in 2015.\n \nTester is leading the charge in the efforts to create fair cattle markets for ranchers across the country. Tester demanded Attorney General Barr investigate pricing fixing in the cattle industry to determine the impetus for the glaring price irregularities in the marketplace. Additionally, after Montana's ranchers saw the steepest decline in cattle prices in forty years, Tester called on Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to take immediate action to stabilize beef markets. And in order to reduce the processing bottleneck and get more food onto the tables of folks in need, he wrote a letter to USDA requesting a waiver for the state of Montana to allow custom exempt butchers to process meat for food banks.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7881", "Tester Statement on Administration of First COVID-19 Vaccine Doses in Montana [press_release]", "2020-12-15", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Administration of First COVID-19 Vaccine Doses in Montana \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester released the following statement as the first doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine make their way to health care workers across Montana:\n This is an extraordinary moment: Montana's frontline health care workers are now getting the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations, a truly historic milestone in our fight to manage the spread of this virus and get our economy back on track. We owe a debt of gratitude to our health care workers and their families during this crisis that can never be repaid. I'll keep holding folks across the federal government accountable to ensure this vaccine is distributed to all Montanans quickly and efficiently, so we can put this virus behind us once and for all, and get back to work. \n  \nSenator Tester fought to secure more than $10 billion in funding for vaccine research, development, and distribution. Last week, Tester pressed officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a swift, equitable, and comprehensive distribution plan for veterans and VA staff. Tester, Montana's only member of the Senate Commerce Committee, secured commitments from vaccine delivery strategists at UPS and FedEx to ensure timely and efficient vaccine shipments to Montana's rural and frontier communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7882", "At Hearing on Future of Live Entertainment, Tester Urges Support for Montanas Independent Music Venues [press_release]", "2020-12-15", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the future of live entertainment today, U.S. Senator Jon Tester heard testimony on the dire circumstances facing independent music venues in Montana and across the country and urged support for his bills aimed at helping music venues survive the coronavirus pandemic.\nTester slammed Congress for failing to provide relief to music venues, many of which are at risk of going out of business due to the pandemic.\nI don't know if you guys are frustrated because we continue not to do anything, but it frustrates the hell out of me, Tester said. You guys are sitting out there, you've been impacted by something you don't have any control overbut you're getting submarined by this damn coronavirus.\nNoting that live music is an economic multiplier $1 in ticket sales generates $12 for the local economy  Tester urged Congress to pass his measures aimed at supporting live music venues, including his Entertainments New Credit Opportunity for Relief & Economic Sustainability (ENCORES) Act, a bill that will create a new tax credit for live entertainment venues with fewer than 500 employees to help cover the cost of refunded tickets for shows that were canceled due to the pandemic, and the bipartisan Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards a Recovery in Twenty-twenty (RESTART) Act which would create a long-term, partially forgivable loan program that targets small- and mid-sized businesses devastated by the public health crisis.\nTester is also a sponsor of the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act, which would provide Small Business Administration grants for independent music venue operators to keep venues afloat, pay employees, and preserve a critical economic sector for communities across Montana.\nI'm going to continue to make sure that we get these bills across the finish line, Tester said. in the end, we've got to come together, and we've got to help the economy.\nTester's full Q&A is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7883", "Montana VA Slated to Receive First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine for Veterans, Tester Announces [press_release]", "2020-12-15", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Montana VA Slated to Receive First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine for Veterans, Tester Announces \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, released the following statement following news that the Montana Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been selected as one of 103 VA sites to receive initial doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine:\n I'm encouraged that Montana has been selected as one of VA's initial sites for distribution of the Moderna vaccine. This first round of vaccinations will help save lives by effectively slowing the spread of the coronavirus at VA facilities, local hospitals, and in the community. Moving forward, I will continue to hold VA accountable in ensuring that it adequately distributes this vaccine to various clinics across the stateespecially those in rural areasto better protect veterans and frontline workers. \n\nIn accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, Montana VA will begin vaccinating veterans and health care personnel once the Food and Drug Administration issues an emergency use authorization for the Moderna vaccine.\nLast month, Tester urged VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to lay out the Department's plan to allocate a coronavirus vaccine, reach veterans in rural and hotspot areas, combat vaccine misinformation, and strengthen cross-government and community partnerships. He also implored the VA to distribute the vaccine following guidance from public health experts and requested the Department's strategy in allocating its initial doses among staff and vulnerable veterans to ensure those at highest risk receive the vaccine first. He later doubled down on this call at a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing last week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-statement-on-first-covid-19-vaccine-delivery-to-montana", "Daines Statement on First COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery to Montana", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.14.20\n\t\t\t Daines Statement on First COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery to Montana \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statementfollowing the first delivery of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to Montana:\r\nToday, the first COVID-19 vaccine was delivered to Montana and administered in the U.S. This day would not have beenpossible without American innovation, Operation Warp Speed, and the dedication from top scientists and theTrump administration, Daines said. I'm proud to have secured the initial$10 billion that helped make this modern medical miracle possible, and I will continue working to ensure allMontana communitiesget access.\r\nMontana is expected to receive an estimated first dose allocation of 9,750 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. The second round of doses are expected to be provided to the state in a separate shipment before the second dose schedule, which is 21 days after the first.\r\nDaines wasinstrumentalin securing the initial $10 billion for the research, development, manufacturing and distribution ofCOVID-19vaccines and therapeutics under Operation Warp Speed(OWS) - with topresearchers, scientists and administration officialstouting the Senator's work.\r\nOn March 22nd, theBillings Gazette reported: Daines Proposes $10 Billion to Pay for Early Manufacture of Coronavirus Drugs. Soon after, President Trumppraised Senator Daines for his worksecuring this funding and for prioritizing vaccine development saying, He's been right at the forefront.\r\nJust last week, Daines was asked to join the COVID-19 Vaccine Summit at the White House because of his work on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeuticdrugs under OWS.\r\nDaines and his wife are alsoparticipatingin Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trial, where they'releading by example for Montanans and the American people wondering if they should get the vaccine.\r\nBackground: \r\nA second COVID-19 vaccine, made by Moderna, is awaiting approval by the FDA. On December 17, 2020, the FDA will be meeting to discuss emergency use authorization of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7880", "Tester Statement on Arrival of First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments in Montana [press_release]", "2020-12-14", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Arrival of First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments in Montana \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAs the first shipments of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine make their way to Montana and frontline health care workers prepare to receive the initial round of doses, U.S. Senator Jon Tester released the following statement:\n Thanks to hard work of Americans across the country, the first COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in Montana and is ready for distribution. When the sun rises tomorrow, Montana's frontline health care workers will start receiving the first doses of the vaccine, marking an extraordinary milestone after many months of hardship and sacrifice. I'll continue my push to ensure a swift and efficient vaccine distribution process that makes sure every Montanan has access no matter who they are or where they live, so we can get to the other side of this crisis and get our economy back on track. \n  \nSenator Tester fought to secure more than $10 billion in funding for vaccine research, development, and distribution. Last week, Tester pressed officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a swift, equitable, and comprehensive distribution plan for veterans and VA staff. Tester, Montana's only member of the Senate Commerce Committee, secured commitments from vaccine delivery strategists at UPS and FedEx to ensure timely and efficient vaccine shipments to Montana's rural and frontier communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-helps-secure-51-million-grant-for-plains-infrastructure-project-", "Daines Helps Secure $5.1 Million Grant for Plains Infrastructure Project", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.20\n\t\t\t Daines Helps Secure $5.1 Million Grant for Plains Infrastructure Project  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that following his direct request, Plains, Montana will receive a $5,148,500 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant will help complete a major infrastructure project for the community by relocating the city's wastewater treatment plant, which is currently at risk of a catastrophic failure due to its vicinity to the Clark Fork River.\r\nThis grant is a critical investment for the Plains community as they work to improve their sanitation infrastructure by moving the wastewater treatment plant away from the Clark Fork River, Daines said. I'm glad that I could help secure this funding for the community and look forward to seeing the progress on the relocation project.\r\nBack in January, Daines wrote a letter in support of the Plains communities' grant request.\r\nMayor Dan Rowan thanked Daines for his help to secure the grant.\r\nThis is fantastic news for our community. This grant will allow us to move our wastewater treatment facility, protect the Clark Fork River, and save our ratepayers millions of dollars. The Town of Plains thanks Senator Daines for his strong support and helping us secure these funds.  Dan Rowan, Mayor, Town of Plains\r\nThe wastewater treatment plant is at imminent risk of a catastrophic failure from erosion due to long term flooding from the Clark Fork River. The existing wastewater treatment plant has four lagoons and an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system; it will be demolished, and new lagoons and UV disinfection will be installed outside of the flood plain.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-secures-montana-defense-priorities-in-final-defense-bill-passes-out-of-senate", "Daines Secures Montana Defense Priorities in Final Defense Bill, Passes out of Senate", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.20\n\t\t\t Daines Secures Montana Defense Priorities in Final Defense Bill, Passes out of Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted for severalMontanapriorities in the final defense bill known as theNational Defense Authorization Act or the\"NDAA,\"including a 3% pay raise for troops,support for Malmstrom Air Force Base andMontana's Guard Units and help for veterans exposed to Agent Orange.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor a statement from Daines, click HERE.\r\nFor TV Elements, click HERE.\r\nThisbipartisandefense bill ensures America maintains the best military in the world, strengthens Montana's defense priorities and gives ourtroops a much needed pay raise,Daines said.I will always work to ensure our troops and veterans who served our country have the support they need.\r\nThe NDAAprovides a 3% pay raise,increases hazardous duty pay, provides reserve relief for troops, strengthens our national security by modernizing Malmstrom and the nuclear arsenal and helps combat infiltration from China.\r\nDaines was also supportive of several critical amendments, including the Agent Orange amendmentthat addsmore medical conditions covered by the VA for Vietnam veterans impacted by Agent Orange. He also supported an amendment that setsa minimum C-130 inventory of 287 aircraft, preserving the Montana Air National Guard's fleet.\r\nMontana Defense Wins in the NDAA:\r\n \r\nAddresses limitations regarding Military Construction (MILCON) and Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) Launch Facilities. It will also allow the Secretary of Defense to use certain funds for MILCON projects related to modernizing missile silos and Missile Alert Facilities.\r\n \r\n \r\nGives a 3% pay increase for members of the military.\r\nProvides reserve retirement relief for service members affected by the COVID-19 stop movement order. This follows Daines' direct request.\r\nEstablishes a semiconductor incentive grant, to construct, expand or modernize facilities related to the production of semiconductors in the U.S. These grants would focus on producing microelectronics for use by the Department of Defense (DOD), intelligence community and other national security applications.\r\n$1.5 billion in full funding for GBSD which will strengthen our missile defense systems at Malmstrom.\r\n$194 million for Huey replacement, with Malmstrom the first ICBM base to receive upgraded versions.\r\n \r\n \r\nIncludes an amendment supported by Daines that adds three conditions (Parkinsonism, Bladder cancer, Hypothyroidism) to the list of Agent Orange related conditions.\r\n \r\n \r\nDaines amendment to allow free entry into parks for gold star families.\r\nAdopted a provision to set a minimum C-130 inventory of 287 aircraft following Daines' request.The original Senate bill set the number at 230, putting the Montana Air National Guard at risk.\r\n \r\nOther NDAA wins:\r\n \r\nPrioritizing Strategic Competition with China and Russia\r\n\r\nProtects the defense industrial base and supply chain, as well as intellectual property and technology, from disruption, infiltration, or theft by the Government of China and other adversaries\r\n\r\n\r\nCOVID Response\r\n\r\nAuthorizes $44 million for vaccine and biotechnology research supported by DOD.\r\n\r\n\r\nSupporting U.S. Heroes and Their Families\r\n \r\nPromotes professional development opportunities for military spouses by authorizing $4 million to assist with the development of interstate compacts on licensed occupations for military spouses.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/first-covid-19-vaccine-approved-for-emergency-use-distribution-to-begin", "First COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Emergency Use, Distribution to Begin", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.20\n\t\t\t First COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Emergency Use, Distribution to Begin \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  Today, the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use. The vaccine, made by Pfizer, will be distributed immediately. Daines has been instrumental in the research, development, manufacturing and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, securing the initial $10 billion for Operation Warp Speed. Daines is also participating in Pfizer's vaccine trial as a way to help build confidence and trust for Montanans and the American people wondering if they should take it.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor a video statement from Daines, click HERE.\r\nTo be where we are today is truly remarkable. Thanks to American innovation, the first COVID-19 vaccine is approved for emergency use and ready for distribution. This will help save lives, support our healthcare heroes, protect jobs and rebuild our economy, Daines said. I'm glad to have led the fight in the Senate to prioritize a COVID-19 vaccine, and will continue working to ensure all Montana communities get access. There is finally light at the end of the tunnel.\r\nDaines does not believe in mandating the vaccine, however, he encouragesindividualsto take it onceavailablein consultationwith their doctor.\r\nMontana is expected to receive 9,750 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this month.\r\nA second COVID-19 vaccine, made by Moderna, is awaiting approval by the FDA. On December 17, 2020, the FDA will be meeting to discuss emergency use authorization of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.\r\nDaines wasinstrumentalin securing funding for the research, development, manufacturing and distribution ofCOVID-19vaccines and therapeutics under Operation Warp Speed(OWS) - with topresearchers, scientists and administration officialstouting the Senator's work.\r\nEarlier this week, Daines was asked to join the COVID-19 Vaccine Summit at the White House because of his work on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeuticdrugs under OWS.\r\nDaines and his wife areparticipatingin Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trial, where they'releading by example for Montanans and the American people wondering if they should get the vaccine.\r\nIn November, Daines called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure Montanans across the state, including those in rural communities, get access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7875", "Tester Bill Honoring Bozeman Hero Travis Atkins Unanimously Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk [press_release]", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester's bipartisan bill renaming the Bozeman Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community-based clinic after fallen Montana hero, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins, unanimously passed the Senate yesterday and is heading to the President's desk to become law.\nThis is a great day for the Atkins family and the entire Bozeman community, said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. Staff Sergeant Atkins is an American hero who served our nation bravely and paid the ultimate sacrifice for his selfless actions on the battlefield. Naming the Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in his honor will ensure his legacy lives on for years to come, and I couldn't be prouder to have worked alongside folks in the community and at the VA to help make this day a reality. \nA Bozeman native, Atkins enlisted in the Army in November 2000. He deployed to Iraq in 2003 and was subsequently honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He reenlisted in the Army in 2005 after attending the University of Montana. He deployed a second time in 2006 and was promoted to Staff Sergeant May 1, 2007.\nAtkins was killed in action June 1, 2007, saving the lives of three fellow American soldiers from an insurgent suicide bomb in Iraq. Last year, Tester joined Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins' family at the White House where President Trump awarded Atkins with the Medal of Honorthe country's highest military honor-for his service, bravery, and sacrifice. In conjunction with the ceremony, Tester introduced bipartisan legislation along with Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte to rename the VA clinic in Atkins' hometown of Bozeman in his honor.\nEarlier this year, Tester announced that he secured a new 12,000 square foot veterans clinic for Bozeman. The clinicwhich is twice the size of the existing facility and will bear Atkins' namewill offer Primary Care, Behavioral Health, Laboratory, and Telehealth services to veterans. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2021.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7876", "Testers Landmark Agent Orange Veteran Exposure Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Presidents Desk [press_release]", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester's landmark bill delivering benefits and care to Vietnam veterans suffering from diseases and conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange is headed to the President's desk after passing the Senate today as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. Tester's legislation establishes a presumption of service connection for more than 34,000 veterans suffering from Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism.\nWith the passage of my Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act, we are now one step away from changing the lives of Vietnam veterans from Montana and across the country suffering from wounds of war as a result of their exposure to Agent Orange, said Tester. After countless delays, I'm proud that Congress came together to do right by our veterans and deliver on our sacred promise to pay the cost of war. I urge the President to quickly sign the annual defense bill into law, so that we may provide long-overdue benefits and care to those who served and sacrificed.\nTester secured his Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act in the final NDAA after successfully including his provision in the annual Senate defense bill earlier this year. In September, he led 45 Senators in urging leadership from the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to adopt his amendment in the final NDAA conference report, and repeated his call on the Senate floor.\nThe NDAA's inclusion of Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism recognizes both the National Academies' scientific evidence and illnesses that veterans have been waiting on for years that stem from exposures to Agent Orange that occurred nearly 50 years ago, said President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Lieutenant General Dana Atkins. We thank Senator Tester and all who worked on this provision to ensure those who fought for our country are not forgotten. Now, we must continue in the tradition of the past 59 years and pass the NDAA to provide needed benefits to thousands of ill veterans and all the other necessary provisions to support our national security.\nThe Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is grateful to Senator Jon Tester for securing three additional Agent Orange presumptive conditions in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, said President and Founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Bonnie Carroll. Our Vietnam veterans, their families, and survivors will now receive the healthcare and benefits they have earned through service and sacrifice. TAPS looks forward to the President signing this critical legislation into law.\nFor too long, our Vietnam veterans have had to fight forand have been deniedthe critical healthcare they need to treat medical conditions resulting from exposure to Agent Orange,\" said National Commander James W. Bill Oxford of The American Legion. \"The American Legion was pleased to support Senator Tester's amendment included in the FY 2021 NDAA addressing three serious health issues caused by Agent Orange. We urge President Trump to sign the measure into law when Congress sends him this critical legislation and end the waiting for many of our nation's ill veterans so they can receive the benefits they have rightly earned.\nWounded Warrior Project was proud to stand with our TEAM Coalition partners and Senator Tester to ensure that his amendment to add diseases to the list of presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange are included in the final version of the FY21 NDAA, said Vice President of Government & Community Relations at the Wounded Warrior Project, Jose Ramos. The ongoing issue of toxic exposures is a high priority for WWP, and we strongly believe veterans of all eras who suffered toxic wounds should get the care and benefits they deserve.  We thank Senator Tester for his leadership on this issue and look forward to seeing these changes become law.\n\"The VFW commends the Senate and House Armed Services Committees conferees of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 for including Senate Amendment 1972 in the final version of the bill. We thank Senator Tester for introducing this important amendment which will finally add Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism to the list of Department of Veterans Affairs' presumptive conditions for herbicide exposure,\" said Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Commander Hal Roesch. \"We urge President Trump to sign the NDAA into law and provide our Vietnam veterans the long-awaited care and benefits they deserve.\"\nFor years, DAV has been at the forefront in fighting to add bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism as presumptive to Agent Orange, said Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Commander Stephen Whitehead. We thank Senator Tester for his unrelenting advocacy and legislative actions to add these three diseases as presumptive to Agent Orange exposure in this year's NDAA. If signed into law, this will result in thousands of veterans gaining access to critical VA benefits and health carea life-changing and in some cases life-saving action that is long overdue.\nTREA: The Enlisted Association commends the Congress for taking long overdue action to add presumptive conditions in the NDAA for FY 2021 related to exposure to Agent Orange (Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism), said Director of Veterans and Military Policy at TREA: The Enlisted Association, Ken Greenberg. Thousands of Vietnam veterans and many TREA members will now be eligible for compensation from VA. TREA appreciates the leadership of SVAC Ranking Member Jon Tester, Chairman Jerry Moran and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee staff to secure the provisions in the final NDAA.\n\"PVA applauds the decision to retain Senator Tester's provision establishing a presumption of service connection for three additional Agent Orange-related conditions in the final FY 2021 NDAA, said Associate Executive Director for Government Relations Heather Ansley. Its inclusion signals an end to a decades-long fight for thousands of deserving Vietnam War Veterans, and we encourage the President to sign this bill.\"\nSenator Tester's bipartisan amendment adds Parkinsonism, along with two other diseases, to the VA list of presumptive illnesses linked to Agent Orange exposure, said Ted Thompson, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Because of his leadership, veterans will now have access to the health care services they need and deserve. After this legislation passes, thousands of veterans will no longer experience unnecessary delays in the care and treatment of their Parkinson's-like conditions.\nAs Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Tester has fought tirelessly to provide benefits for veterans suffering from diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. In 2017, the Senator led the charge to expand VA's list of these medical conditions, doubled down on his push in 2018, and later urged the Office of Management and Budget to assist the Department in this effort.\nEarlier this year, Tester led 42 Senators in blasting the Administration for stonewalling critical benefits for Vietnam veterans suffering from health conditions connected with their service. He also held a roundtable discussion with Senate Veterans' Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), stakeholders, and veterans' advocates to address longstanding issues associated with the effects of toxic exposures on our nation's servicemembers and veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7877", "Tester, Grassley Bill to Curb the Rising Rate of Rural Suicides Headed to the Presidents Desk [press_release]", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the only farmers currently serving in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have successfully included their Seeding Rural Resilience Acta bill aimed at curbing the rising rate of suicide in rural areasas part of this year's must-pass defense spending bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is now headed to the President's desk.\nRising rates of suicide among farmers and ranchers is a crisis that's all too familiar to Montanans who have seen it devastate communities across our state, said Tester. Between stagnant commodity prices, market consolidation, natural disasters caused by climate change, and a lack of mental health care resources, the rate at which farmers and ranchers are taking their own lives is continuing to grow. This bill isn't a silver bullet, but it's a critical step towards breaking down the stigmas surrounding mental health care and providing rural communities with the resources they need to thrive so they can keep doing what they do bestfeeding the world. \nI'm glad to see this bill so widely supported by my colleagues. This is a clear message to farmers across the country that we stand with you and support you during these trying times, Grassley said. This is a commonsense bill that continues important efforts to raise awareness about mental health and will provide additional resources for farmers and their families facing difficult situations.\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate is 45 percent higher in rural America than in urban areas. Americans in rural communities face isolation, distance from basic health care services, lack of broadband access, stigmas against receiving counseling, and financial burdens due to stagnant crop prices. These factors cause higher rates of stress for American farmers and ranchers, making it even harder for people in rural communities to get by.\nThe Seeding Rural Resilience Act creates three initiatives aimed at curbing the growing rate of suicides in rural America:\n \nImplements a Farmer-Facing Employee Training Program that requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide voluntary stress management training to Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and National Resources Conservation Service Employees;\nForms a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services and USDA to create a $3 million public service announcement campaign to increase public awareness of farm and ranch stress and destigmatize mental health care in rural communities; and\nDirects the Secretary of Agriculture to work with state, local and nongovernmental stakeholders to collaborate and determine best practices for responding to farm and ranch mental stress.\n \nAnyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK, or 1-800-273-8255.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7878", "Tester Sends Critical Defense Wins for Malmstrom, Montana National Guard  Veterans to Presidents Desk [press_release]", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Senate passed key defense priorities today spearheaded by U.S. Senator Jon Tester as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 to support Montana's military installations, servicemembers, veterans, and military families.\nThis bipartisan bill is a victory for the critical investments we need to make to our nation's military and national defense, said Tester. Once signed into law, this package will strengthen our ICBM mission, bolster the modernization efforts of our Air National Guard's C-130 fleet, and provide much needed support to Montana's men and women in uniform. And I'm especially thrilled that it includes my legislation to provide mental health care to Guardsmen and Reservists as well as folks in rural America, and finally gives our Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange access to the benefits and health care they've earned. \nTester secured a number of provisions in the annual defense bill including a 3 percent pay raise to all servicemembers, as well as hazard pay and 180 days of medical care for National Guard and Reserve servicemembers deployed to fight on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.\nMalmstrom Air Force Base \nMontana's Malmstrom Air Force Base is one of only three military bases across the country that house intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The current fleet of ICBMs were first developed in the 1960s. The 2021 NDAA includes a number of Tester-backed investments in the maintenance and modernization of our nation's ICBM force, including those at Malmstrom:\n \n$1.5 billion for research and development of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), our nation's future nuclear deterrent program. This money is also authorized to begin the construction and transition from current Minuteman III missile systems to the GBSD system.\n$194 million to fully support the replacement of the Air Force's UH-1N Huey with the MH-139 Grey Wolf. \n$47 million for procurement of Minuteman III modernization to ensure the viability of our nation's current strategic deterrent.\n$50 million to support the Defense Community Infrastructure Program which will provide grants, conclude cooperative agreements, and supplemental funds available under other federal programs to assist states and local governments in addressing deficiencies in community infrastructure projects or facilities that are located outside of military installations but that support military installations.\n$278 million for ICBM modernization research, development, test and evaluation. \n \nMontana Air National Guard C-130 Mission \nThe 120th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Montana Air National Guard, stationed at Great Falls Air National Guard Base at Great Falls International Airport, where they fly the C-130H Hercules. The 120th Airlift Wing serves a dual mission participating in the defense of the United States and in response to state declared emergencies. For years, Tester has been a champion for the 120th Airlift Wing ensuring vital modernizations and upgrades to the C-130 fleet. In this legislation, he successfully secured:\n \n$655 million for the Air Force to purchase seven additional C-130J aircraft. \n$140 million for procurement for C-130H modifications and upgrades.\nLanguage requiring the Air Force to maintain at least 287 tactical airlift aircraft, to prevent future elimination of C-130 units.\n \nTester also sent a number of his top legislative priorities to the President's desk, including:\n \nFair Care for Vietnam Veterans ActLandmark legislation requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide benefits to veterans suffering from conditions related to Agent Orange exposureincluding Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism.\nCare and Readiness Enhancement (CARE) for Reservists ActLegislation improving Guardsmen and Reservists' access to consistent mental health services, regardless of their deployment status, and authorize the DoD to fund needed behavioral or mental healthcare. The bill will also allow members of the Guard and Reserve to access Vet Centers for mental health screening and counseling, employment assessments, education training and other services to help them return to civilian life. \nIndividual Longitudinal Exposure Records (ILERs) AccessLegislation allowing servicemembers and veterans to access their individual longitudinal exposures record through an online portal. \nVeteran Housing Opportunities and Unemployment Support Extension (HOUSE) ActLegislation expanding eligibility for the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program to veterans with other than honorable discharges. \nSeeding Rural Resilience ActLegislation implementing programs that provide voluntary stress management training and establishing partnerships between the Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Agriculture to create a $3 million public service announcement campaign to increase public awareness of farm and ranch stress and destigmatize mental health care in rural communities.\nLegal ServicesLanguage providing legal services at VA facilities for veterans, spouses, and dependentsregardless of their discharge statuson a pro bono basis, and to establish new legal assistance clinics, or enhance existing legal assistance clinics or other pro bono efforts.\nStudy on Women Veterans UnemploymentLanguage directing the VA to conduct a study on unemployment rates between Post 9/11 Women Veterans and other groups of women veterans and their non-veteran counterparts. \n \nIn addition to successfully including a number of historic bills in the annual defense bill, Tester secured protections for servicemembers whose retirement eligibility was jeopardized as a result of annual trainings that were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also included a provision authorizing the Secretary of Defense to provide at least 14 days of housing for members of the Reserve Components ordered to active service in response to the national health crisis.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7879", "Tester Delivers More Than $5 Million to Relocate Plains Wastewater System [press_release]", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester today delivered more than $5 million to help Plains relocate its wastewater treatment facility. The current facility sits near the bank of the Clark Fork River and is at risk of catastrophic' failure due to erosion and flooding.\nThe Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) grant is worth $5,148,500, which is 89 percent of the total project cost, and will help build a new wastewater treatment plant that sits off the floodplain and out of danger. Tester wrote a letter to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor in January urging support for the project, writing that Plains would not be able to move its facility to a safer location without help.\nClean water is integral to our health, our livelihoods, and our economy here in Montana, Tester said. Protecting clean water is one of the smartest investments we can make, and I am proud to have helped secure this grant to help Plains move its wastewater treatment plant out of harm's way and make sure it remains secure for years to come.\nIn 2018 a five-year flood event surrounded the current facility, causing Plains to proactively work to relocate the facility before another flood causes a disaster. Tester has worked diligently to supply Montana's water and wastewater systems with the funding needed to stay up-to-date. Earlier this year, he secured $335,000 for Wolf Point and $533,000 for Scobey to upgrade outdated water mains. He secured nearly $3 million for Whitehall, Sweet Grass County, Whitefish, Cascade County, Seeley Lake, Sanders County, and Toole County, and $7 million to upgrade wastewater systems in Hardin.\nTester's letter urging support for the grant is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7870", "Tester Statement on President-Elect Bidens VA Secretary Selection [press_release]", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on President-Elect Biden's VA Secretary Selection \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRanking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Jon Tester today released the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Denis McDonough to be Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs:\n Now more than ever, veterans and their families need a strong leader who will prioritize delivering timely and quality health care and benefits over making political points. Denis McDonough has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to public service and a deep understanding that taking care of our veterans is a cost of war. I look forward to meeting with him to discuss his vision for the future of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the critical services it provides to our nation's veterans and their families.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7871", "Tester Statement Following Release of Damning Watchdog Report on VA Secretary Wilkie [press_release]", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement Following Release of Damning Watchdog Report on VA Secretary Wilkie \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRanking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Jon Tester released a statement today following a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General report on senior officials' response to a veteran's sexual assault allegations:\n The Inspector General's report sheds light on deep failures and unprofessional conduct by VA Secretary Wilkie and his senior political team. Above all else, it uncovers a disturbing pattern of unethical behavior at VA that placed a higher priority on politics and personal vendettas than on seeking justice for a veteran who was sexually assaulted at one of its facilities. The men and women at VA, particularly those at the highest levels, are entrusted with doing right by our nation's veterans. Secretary Wilkie and his leadership team have violated that trust. Moving forward, it is critical that all veterans, especially the survivors of sexual violence, are heard and respected.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7873", "Tester Secures Commitment from Vaccine Delivery Strategists that COVID Vaccines will Reach Montanas Rural Communities Overnight [press_release]", "2020-12-10", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As hospitals in Montana's seven largest cities prepare to receive the first round of COVID-19 vaccines for front-line health care workers once approved, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured a commitment from vaccine delivery strategists at UPS and FedEx that Montana's rural and frontier communities like Chester and Harlowton will receive vaccines by the next morning after leaving the distributor, even if they're far away from major cities.\nDuring today's Senate Commerce Committee Hearing, Tester pressed the global vaccine delivery strategists from UPS and FedExWesley Wheeler and Richard Smith, respectivelyon how quickly their companies would be able to distribute vaccines to Montana's more rural communities. Both Wheeler and Smith committed to delivering vaccines by 10:30 a.m. the next day, regardless of how remote the community is.\nHow longto the furthest location out theredo you think it will take to get from the distribution center where you pick up the vaccine to get it to its final location, assuming that its more than the seven major cities in Montana, Tester asked Wheeler and Smith. Assuming it's a town like Chester or Harlowton that have much smaller populations and are far away from these more populated areas in the state?\nSmith replied: As our old tagline used to say: Absolutely, positively overnight.\nWheeler replied: We're planning on next day 10:30 a.m. arrival anywhere that we're assigned.\nThe Pfizer vaccine requires cold-chain freezers to be preserved, and some rural hospitals may not have the infrastructure needed to store the critical immunizationsleaving them at a distinct disadvantage as distribution commences. If shippers like UPS and FedEx are able to guarantee a precise one-day delivery time, this could be a game changer for rural healthcare facilities. Hospitals will be better prepared to distribute the vaccine to patients ASAP, and less reliant on infrastructure they may not have.\nDistribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the U.S. will be coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), McKesson Corp., and shipping companies like UPS and FedEx. The Moderna vaccine distribution will be run by McKesson Corp., and Pfizer will be coordinating its own distribution due to the need for their vaccine to be stored at extremely cold temperatures. Both distributors will be using companies like UPS and FedEx to deliver vaccines to hospitals across the country.\nTester has been working tirelessly to ensure that Montana's rural and frontier communities are not left behind in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, he urged Senate leadership to break the partisan logjam over the next round of stimulus funding for Montana workers and small businesses across the state, and he recently secured nearly $6 million in pandemic relief funds for Montana. As a longtime member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he also secured significant investments into Montana's rural communitiesincluding funding for production agriculture, public lands, and infrastructureduring this year's budget negotiations.\nWatch the full video of Tester's questions during today's Senate Commerce Committee Hearing HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-retirement-security-is-critical-for-montanans", "Daines: Retirement Security is Critical for Montanans", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.20\n\t\t\t Daines: Retirement Security is Critical for Montanans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Urges passage of his bipartisan retirement security bill at Senate hearing\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE Today, at aU.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee hearing,U.S. Senator Steve Dainesstressed the importance of retirement security for Montanans. At the hearing, Daines urged passage of hisbipartisan retirement security bill, the Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act, to helpMontanans hold on to more of their hard-earned dollars and better prepare them for a peaceful retirement.\r\n\r\n\r\nTo download the Senator's opening remarks click, HERE.\r\nFor b-roll of the Senator on the hearing, click, HERE.\r\n\r\nMontanans and the American people work hard and save up for decades with the hope of achieving a peaceful retirement -a retirement where folks don't have to worry about outliving their savings, Daines said. But as Americans switch jobs at higher rates than ever before, they are often unknowingly leaving behind their retirement accounts. My bipartisanbill with Senator Warren solves this problem, ensuring people keep more of their hard earned money,by creating a national lost and found registry for retirement accountsThis bill is a win for Montana workers, families and businesses and must be passed into law.\r\nAs Americans leave jobs at a higher rate, a study by an investment management company showed that up to 30 percent of employees left behind some of their retirement savings when they switched jobs.\r\nDaines introduced his bipartisan legislation with Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). The bill would create a national lost and found registry for retirement accounts using data that employers are already required to report. This will allow former employees to use the online registry to find all of their former employer-sponsored retirement accounts, ensuring no dollar is left behind as they move from one job to the next.\r\n\r\nBackground:\r\nOn July 2nd, 2020, Daines introduced his bipartisan Retirement Savings Lost and Found Actto modernize the retirement system to better protect Americans' hard earned savings.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7869", "At Hearing, Tester Presses VA Leadership on Delayed COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan for Veterans and Staff [press_release]", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the nation eagerly awaits the approval of a coronavirus vaccine, Ranking Member Jon Tester is pushing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to release a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy for veterans and staff.\nAs the largest, integrated health care system in the country, Tester pressed Veterans Health Administration Executive in Charge Dr. Richard Stone on the Department's plans to roll-out a comprehensive vaccine strategy.\nI'm concerned that VA will be behind the curve, said Ranking Member Tester. Why do I say that? The CDC, the states, even IHS have already released public vaccine plans. To my knowledge, VA has yet to do so. And quite frankly, this is going be an undertaking that we have never seen before in this countryand the VA is a big part of that undertaking. So what's stopping the VA from putting out a vaccine plan right now? Why can't VA be more transparent about what the staff and the veterans need to expect? \nDr. Stone answered that VA submitted an order for 73,000 initial vaccine doses that will be distributed at dozens of sites after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirms the vaccine's safety and efficacy, and grants Pfizer emergency use authorizationwith an additional 122,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine once authorized by the FDA. Dr. Stone also highlighted that VA's current plan for distribution is with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).\nTester continued, Can you handle the [vaccine] distribution? And is it an adequate amount for the largest health care system in the nation? \nIt is not an adequate amount, Dr. Stone replied. This will be a long process for us to reach all seven million veterans who we believe will want a vaccination from us as well as all 400,000 employees of the agency. We do anticipate weekly distribution, and it remains to be seen how robust that weekly distribution will be.\nLast month, Tester urged the Department to lay out its plan to allocate a coronavirus vaccine, reach veterans in rural and hotspot areas, combat vaccine misinformation, and strengthen cross-government and community partnerships. He also implored the VA to distribute the vaccine following guidance from public health experts and requested the Department's strategy in allocating its initial doses among staff and vulnerable veterans to ensure those at highest risk receive the vaccine first.\nTester's opening statement as prepared for delivery can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7872", "Senate Unanimously Passes Testers Historic Bill to Support Women Veterans in End-of-Year Veterans Package [press_release]", "2020-12-09", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Senate unanimously passed provisions from 12 Tester-backed bills as part of an end-of-year veterans' packageincluding his historic legislation to address the needs of women veterans across the country.\nAs the only member of the Montana delegation to serve on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Tester has been a longtime champion for improving services and access to care for women veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Last year, Tester reintroduced his landmark Deborah Sampson Act alongside Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.), and worked with both chambers to secure provisions providing coverage and services to veteran survivors of military sexual trauma (MST).\nThis is a groundbreaking moment as we push VA to provide better access to care and services for the nearly two million women veterans across the country, said Ranking Member Tester. Women have served in uniform since the American Revolution and are now the fastest growing population of veterans in the country. It's our responsibility to make sure VA health care and benefits are tailored to meet their needs and are accessible to them and their families. Unanimous passage of my Deborah Sampson Actand of the entire legislative packagesends a clear message that Congress is willing to come together to do what's necessary and follow through on our responsibility to support all veterans. \nVA facilities need to be updated to accommodate the growing number of women veterans so we can meet their needs. Ensuring the VA has the capability to provide more equitable care and services is key to fulfilling our promise. Passage of this bill will enable us to better support women who answer the call to serve their nation in uniform, said Senator Boozman.\nThis is an historic step forward for women veterans across the nation, as well as their families, caregivers, and survivors, said Congresswoman Brownley. We must provide all veterans the care and benefits they have earned and deservewhich requires providing equity to women veterans. I am so proud that by passing this legislation, we are telling our women veterans: you are not invisible.\nThe Deborah Sampson Act includes the following provisions:\n \nCreates a dedicated Office of Women's Health at VA, expands reintegration and readjustment group counseling retreats for women veterans and their family members, and bolsters call center services for women veterans. \nEliminates barriers to care by staffing every VA health facility with a dedicated women's health primary care provider, training clinicians, and retrofitting VA facilities to enhance privacy and improve the environment of care for women veterans. \nBolsters supportive services by providing access to legal services for women veterans, expanding child care for veterans receiving VA health care, and requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on VA's efforts to support homeless or at-risk women veterans.\nImproves access to care and benefits for survivors of MST by expanding MST counseling to former Guard and Reserve members, allowing VA to treat the physical health conditions of MST, and improving the claims process for MST survivors at the Veterans Benefits Administration. \n \nTester additionally secured the following provisions to better support veterans in the end-of-year veterans' package:\nFull text of the end-of-year veterans' package is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-attends-white-house-covid-19-vaccine-summit", "Daines Attends White House COVID-19 Vaccine Summit", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.20\n\t\t\t Daines Attends White House COVID-19 Vaccine Summit \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Daines invited following months of work prioritizing COVID-19 vaccine development, manufacturing, distribution\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today was at the White House for theCOVID-19Vaccine Summit. Daineswas asked to join because of his work on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeuticdrugs under Operation Warp Speed (OWS). The Summit highlighted the success ofOWS,whichhas been critical in theaccelerated development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.\r\nTo download Daines' statement, clickHERE.\r\nJust finished up a great meeting with President Trump and his Operation Warp Speed team, this truly is remarkable that were going to have these vaccines available for Montanans and the American people before the end of the year. A job well done,Daines said.\r\nDaines wasinstrumentalin securing funding for the research, development and distribution ofCOVID-19vaccines and therapeutics under OWS- with topresearchers, scientists and administration officialstouting the Senator's work. Daines is alsoparticipatingin Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trial, where he's leading by example for Montanans and the American people wondering if they should get the vaccine once it's approved.\r\nTo download Daines' selfie video before the event, clickHERE. ClickHEREfor his Twitter post.\r\nDuring the Summit, President Trump signed an Executive Order to prioritize Americans getting the vaccine.\r\nHEREis a photo the Senator took during the event.\r\nAt the Summit, theSenator joined President Trump, Vice President Pence, OWS leaders, Administration officials andleaders that will play a key role in the distribution of a vaccine once it's approved, including CVS, Walgreens,FedEx andUPS.\r\nA COVID-19 vaccine may receiveapproval asearly as this weekend.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-leads-bipartisan-call-for-congress-to-address-looming-medicare-cuts", "Daines Leads Bipartisan Call for Congress to Address Looming Medicare Cuts", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.20\n\t\t\t Daines Leads Bipartisan Call for Congress to Address Looming Medicare Cuts \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Cuts will strain health care system, cripple Montana health care providers amid pandemic\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE  U.S. Senator Steve Daines called on Senate leadership to ensure that any year-end legislative package address the decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to severely cut physician payments beginning January 1, 2021. Senator Daines, along with 49 Senate colleagues, stressed that these payment cuts would further strain our nation's health care system and cripple health care providers as we continue to face the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.\r\nHealth care professionals across the spectrum are reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 emergency as they continue to serve patients during this global pandemic,Daines wrote.The payment cuts finalized by CMS would pose a threat to providers and their patients under any circumstances, but during a pandemic the impact is even more profound.\r\nTo read the full letter, clickHERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7868", "Tester Secures His Landmark Mental Health Bill for Guardsmen  Reservists in Final Annual Defense Legislation [press_release]", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Members of the National Guard and Reserves are one step closer to receiving mental health services following the inclusion of U.S. Senator Jon Tester's bipartisan Care and Readiness Enhancement (CARE) for Reservists Act in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. Tester's provision ensures that all Guardsmen and Reservists who need mental health services can access them, regardless of whether they have deployed.\nOver the last decade, Tester has led the charge in Congress to improve mental health care for the nation's servicemembers. In 2012, he proposed legislation to expand mental health services for Montana's National Guardsmen and Reservists, which paved the way for the introduction of his CARE for Reservists Act in 2015. He successfully reintroduced the legislation alongside Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in 2019 after publically urging bipartisan support for his bill.\nI'm thrilled that we're one step closer to delivering consistent mental health care to Guardsmen and Reservists with the inclusion of my bill in the annual must-pass defense package, said Senator Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. The truth is that my CARE for Reservists Act will go far in treating unseen wounds of war by expanding mental health options for members of the Guard and Reserves, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to care. And it'll provide counseling, employment training, and other critical services to help folks return to civilian life. I urge Congress to quickly pass this bill, so that we may follow through on our promise to connect every man and woman in uniform with the life-saving care they've earned. \nTester's CARE for Reservists Act improves Guardsmen and Reservists' access to mental health services by allowing the Defense Department to fund needed behavioral or mental health care, regardless of whether that reservist is within his or her pre-deployment window or has never deployed at all. The bill also allows members of the Guard and Reserve to access Vet Centers for mental health screening and counseling, employment assessments, education training, and other services to help them transition to civilian life. It is estimated that approximately 1.4 million former members of the National Guard or Reserve that were never federally activated could be eligible for this new benefit in 2021.\nTester's bill received strong support from mental health advocates as well as the National Guard and Reserve community.\n\"Congratulations to Senators Tester and Moran for getting this legislation across the finish line,\" said Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) CEO Jeremy Butler. \"Sometimes we overuse the word 'critical' in describing the importance of certain efforts, but this legislation truly fits that definition. Many National Guardsmen and Reservists are ineligible for mental healthcare because they have never deployed or they are not in their deployment window. With the worsening veterans suicide crisis, we cannot allow any servicemembers to fall through the cracks. This legislation fills those gaps.\"\nThe American Legion recognizes that all members of the uniformed armed forces, both past and present, are at risk for mental or physical injuries during their service. For far too long those who have served in our National Guard and Reserve military components have not had the protection of all available mental health and suicide prevention services offered through the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs, said The American Legion's National Veterans Affairs And Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Ralph Bozella. The CARE for Reservists Act addresses this issue and we strongly support legislation that expands mental health care services to National Guardsman and Reservists.\nThe CARE for Reservists Act takes an important step to expand mental health care and treatment to members of the National Guard and Reserves, said President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Lieutenant General Dana Atkins. When a reservist comes home, caring for their mental health needs is essential, not only for their reintegration, but to ensure their readiness for the next time our nation calls on them.\n\"NAMI Montana is incredibly grateful for this legislation to expand access to potentially lifesaving care for more of America's heroes, said National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Montana Executive Director Matt Kuntz. Mental health issues don't discriminate based upon the type of military service. Our nation's willingness to provide access to care for those conditions shouldn't either.\"\n\"The provisions contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2021 relating to the CARE for Reservists Act of 2020 will go a long way to address the long-standing gap in mental health care for our National Guard men and women and will provide these individuals with critical counseling and the medical treatment they deserve based on their service to our nation.\" said President of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, retired Commander Sergeant Major Karen Craig. \"We extend our sincere thanks to Senator Tester for introducing this important legislation and the resulting expansion of VA mental health care and programs to National Guard and Reserve members.\"\nYear 2020 is being called The year of the Guard' due to the incredible demands placed upon our National Guard Airmen and Soldiers, said Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard Major General Matt Quinn. On June 8, 2020, more than 118,000 National Guard Service members were deployed at home and abroad serving our states and protecting the nation from COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and the ongoing war on terror. Senator Tester's CARE for Reservists Act finally acknowledges their service and provides resources to ensure they receive the mental health care needed through the Department of Veterans Affairs. As they give to our states and nation, so should we give them the care to carry on.\nSuicide continues to be a heartbreaking challenge across the National Guard and Reserves, said President of the National Guard Association of the United States, retired Brigadier General J. Roy Robinson. Senator Tester's bill would provide additional resources that just could help make a difference for our some of our soldiers and airmen. We always know that we can count on Senator Tester to do right by those who wear the uniform and their families.\nSuicide has been deadlier than combat for the military, said Montana National Guard Association Executive Director Brad Livingston. More than 45,000 veterans and active-duty service members have killed themselves in the past six years. That is more than 20 deaths a dayin other words, more suicides each year than the total American military deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq. While the Pentagon has made strides in helping those in need, the rate of deaths is rising. This bill will implement a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention that also targets our military population while continuing to support our military families.\nFull text of Tester's bill is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-becerra-is-a-disaster-for-religious-freedom-pro-life-issues", "Daines: Becerra is a Disaster for Religious Freedom, Pro-Life Issues", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.20\n\t\t\t Daines: Becerra is a Disaster for Religious Freedom, Pro-Life Issues \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Steve Daines, founder and chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, released the following statement on Xavier Becerra:\r\nXavier Becerra is a disaster for religious freedom and pro-life issues,Daines stated.He has made his career aggressively pursuing a radical pro-abortion agenda and attacking the religious freedom of Americans who believe in the sanctity of human life.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-cybersecurity-bill-signed-into-law", "Daines Cybersecurity Bill Signed Into Law", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.20\n\t\t\t Daines Cybersecurity Bill Signed Into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATEU.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his bipartisan bill requiring commonsense cybersecurity standardsforinternet connected devicesbought by the U.S.government has been signed into law by President Trump.\r\nAfter years of bipartisan work and strong support, my commonsense bill to increase cybersecurity standards for internet connected devices has been signed into law,Daines said.As more and more products have internet connectivity, we must guarantee we have basic safeguards and protections in place to ensure our national security is safe from cyber threats.\r\nSpecifically, theInternetofThings(IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Actwould:\r\nRequire the National InstituteofStandards and Technology (NIST) to issue recommendations addressing, at a minimum, secure development, identity management, patching, and configuration management forIoTdevices.\r\nDirect theOfficeofManagement and Budget (OMB) to issue guidelines for each agency that are consistent with the NIST recommendations,including making any necessary revisions to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement new security standards and guidelines.\r\nRequire anyIoTdevicespurchased by the federal government to comply with those recommendations.\r\nDirect NIST to work with cybersecurity researchers, industry experts, and the DepartmentofHomeland Security (DHS) to publishguidelines onvulnerability disclosure and remediation for federal information systems.\r\nRequire contractors and vendors providing information systems to the U.S. government to adopt coordinated vulnerability disclosure policies, so that if a vulnerability is uncovered, that can be effectively shared with a vendor for remediation.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-feinstein-lamalfa-panetta-urge-passage-of-bipartisan-forest-management-bill", "Daines, Feinstein, LaMalfa, Panetta Urge Passage of Bipartisan Forest Management Bill", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.20\n\t\t\t Daines, Feinstein, LaMalfa, Panetta Urge Passage of Bipartisan Forest Management Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. CONGRESS U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Dianne Feinstein and Congressmen Doug LaMalfa and Jimmy Panetta led a bipartisan group of Members in urging Congressional Leadership to pass their bipartisan wildfire prevention and forest management legislation by the end of the year. The bipartisan bill will protect Western communities from deadly wildfires, promote public safety and create good paying timber jobs.\r\nWe write to you near the end of another catastrophic wildfire year. Over 8.7 million acres have burned in the West, 2.2 million acres more than the ten-year average. Experts predict that this trend will continue, as rising temperatures lead to drier, hotter conditions in many parts of the West,the Members wrote.Each year that Congress delays in passing forestry legislation, we jeopardize the lives and homes of our constituents. We respectfully urge you to include provisions from S. 4431 in any end-of-year legislative package and support passage of this Western priority.\r\nTo read the full letter, clickHERE.\r\nSenators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Congressmen Greg Gianforte, Jim Costa, Josh Harder and John Garamendi also signed the letter.\r\nThe bipartisan legislation has the support of over 100 organizations, including governors, mayors, counties, conservation organizations, and fire departments.\r\nBackground:\r\nOnSeptember 16th, 2020, in aU.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing,U.S. Senators Daines and Feinstein stressed the importance of passingtheir bipartisan wildfire prevention and forest management reform bill.\r\nOnSeptember 9th, 2020, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Dianne Feinstein announced that their bipartisan forest management reform bill had been given a hearing date in the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for the following week.\r\nOnAugust 20th, 2020, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Dianne Feinstein sent a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee calling for a hearing as soon as possible on their bipartisan forest management reform legislation.\r\nEarlier this summer, Daines and Feinsteinintroduceda major forest management reform bill after working for over a year on a bill that would have strong bipartisan consensus.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-gianforte-urge-passage-of-bipartisan-forest-management-bill", "Daines, Gianforte Urge Passage of Bipartisan Forest Management Bill", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.07.20\n\t\t\t Daines, Gianforte Urge Passage of Bipartisan Forest Management Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. CONGRESS U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter urging Congressional Leadership to pass their bipartisan forest management legislation by the end of the year. The bill will protect Montana communities from deadly wildfires, promote public safety and health, stop frivolous litigation, and create good paying timber jobs.\r\nWe write to you near the end of another catastrophic wildfire year. Over 8.7 million acres have burned in the West, 2.2 million acres more than the ten-year average. Experts predict that this trend will continue, as rising temperatures lead to drier, hotter conditions in many parts of the West,they wrote.Each year that Congress delays in passing forestry legislation, we jeopardize the lives and homes of our constituents. We respectfully urge you to include provisions from S. 4431 in any end-of-year legislative package and support passage of this Western priority.\r\nTo read the full letter, clickHERE.\r\nThe bipartisanbill was introduced by Senators Daines (R-MT)andFeinstein (D-CA) and CongressmenJimmy Panetta (D-CA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), and Greg Gianforte (R-MT).\r\nThe legislation also has the support of over 100 organizations, including governors, mayors, counties, conservation organizations, and fire departments.\r\nBackground:\r\nOnSeptember 16th, 2020, in aU.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing,U.S. Senators Daines and Feinstein stressed the importance of passingtheir bipartisan wildfire prevention and forest management reform bill.\r\nOnSeptember 9th, 2020, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Dianne Feinstein announced that their bipartisan forest management reform bill had been given a hearing date in the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for the following week.\r\nOnAugust 20th, 2020, Daines sent a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee calling for a hearing as soon as possible on his bipartisan forest management reform legislation.\r\nOnAugust 17th, 2020, Daines hosted a roundtable discussion with local Montana leaders, conservation groups, leaders in the timber industry, and fire officials on his bipartisan forest management reform bill at Flathead National Forest.\r\nEarlier this summer, Dainesintroducedhis major forest management reform bill after working for over a year on a bipartisan product that would have strong bipartisan consensus.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7863", "Tester to Congressional Leadership: Prioritize Funding for Primary Care Physicians in Underserved Communities [press_release]", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester is doubling down on his efforts to ensure primary care physicians serving at Teaching Health Centers (THCs) across the country have the support they need to continue on-the-job training before critical funding runs dry on December 11th, 2020.\nIn a letter to Congressional leadership, Tester and a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues are urging the passage of the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act, legislation that reauthorizes and increases funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program.\nTHCs play a vital role in training the next generation of primary care physicians, with residents handling an estimated one million patient visits annually in rural and urban communities, wrote Tester and his colleagues. Putting aside the economic adversity faced by these community health facilities due to COVID-19, it has been extraordinary difficult for the more than 50 THCs to recruit and operate effectively without the longer term stability our reauthorization bills would provide. We believe THCGME responds to the crisis-level shortage of primary care physicians by delivering doctors to the communities where they are needed most.\nThe THCGME program trains residents in new or expanded primary care resident training programs in community-based patient care centers, including in community health centers and rural health clinics.  Funding for THCGME has been sporadic, leading to negative impacts on program operations and resident recruitment.\nTester's bipartisan Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act brings much-needed stability to the THCGME program by:\n \nReauthorizing the THCGME program for five years;\nIncreasing the per-resident funding amount to cover increased residency costs;\nAdding residents to the existing program; and\nProviding opportunities for program growth to address physician shortages in areas of need.\n \nWithout reauthorization, funding for the THCGME program will expire December 11th, 2020.\nFull text of Tester's letter is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7865", "BREAKING: Tester Announces $125 Million Investment in Rural Broadband in Montana [press_release]", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced Montana will receive more than $125 million to expand high-speed internet access to more than 45,000 locations across rural Montana.\nThe funds are available through the Federal Communications Commission's Rural Development Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and will be allocated to providers to help close the digital gap and deliver high-speed internet service to unserved homes and businesses. Tester will now work to hold the companies receiving funds accountable through his role on the Senate Commerce Committee.\nFast, reliable internet service is critical, especially as we continue working, learning, and socializing from home, Tester said. \"But too many folks in Montana have slow, unreliable internet or don't have access altogether, and this groundbreaking investment will help bring those homes and businesses into the 21st century. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and make sure these resources are deployed quickly and effectively, and ensure no Montanan is left behind.\nThe RDOF funds will help providers build out broadband internet infrastructure to areas where access is currently unavailable. Contracts were awarded through a competitive bidding process, and providers will have 10 years to complete their projects.\nThe six providers participating in Montana are:\n \nBlackfoot Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - $12,703,077.60 in 2,687 locations\nCenturyLink, Inc. - $28,379,920.90 in 9,658 locations\nCommnet Wireless, LLC - $5,964,913.70 in 2,078 locations\nFrontier Communications Northwest, LLC - $5,818,165.30 in 1,874 locations\nRural American Broadband Consortium - $226,116.00 in 209 locations\nSpace Exploration Technologies Corp.  $72,723,246.20 in 29,478 locations\n \nAs a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and working farmer in an area with limited cell service, Tester has led the charge to force broadband providers to fix inaccurate coverage maps through his Broadband DATA Act. He recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would compensate broadband providers for giving free or discounted services and upgrades to low-income families in rural areas, and he is leading a bipartisan push to make permanent provisions expanding access to telehealth created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.\nHe recently secured $10.8 million to expand access to high-speed internet service in rural Montana through the ReConnect Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7866", "Tester Leads Bipartisan Group Demanding Senate Leadership Prevent Physician Payment Cuts [press_release]", "2020-12-07", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following up on his efforts to prevent reimbursement cuts for certain Medicare providers earlier this year, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today led a bipartisan group of colleagues in demanding that Senate Leadership work to avert a Trump Administration decision to decrease Medicare payments for certain medical professionals like physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, and social workers.\nTester is urging Senate Leadership to address reimbursement rate changes recently finalized by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of their Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for 2021. The proposal would significantly cut payments for many Medicare providers in the midst of a global public health crisis and poses a significant risk to patients in rural communities who already struggle to access quality care.\nHealth care professionals across the spectrum are reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 emergency as they continue to serve patients during this global pandemic, wrote Tester and his colleagues in a letter to Senate Leadership. The payment cuts finalized by CMS would pose a threat to providers and their patients under any circumstances, but during a pandemic the impact is even more profound. Therefore, we hope to work with you to address this critical issue.\nThe rate changes are intended to increase code values and reimbursement rates for in-office, outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) services, which are required for the majority of patient visits. While most Medicare providers recognize the need to increase the value of E/M codes, the cuts that CMS proposed to justify these increases will result in payment reductions for provider groups in 2021 during a time when all health care professionals are struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic.\nThroughout the coronavirus crisis, Tester has been fighting tooth and nail to ensure that medical professionals and health care workers have the tools they need to stay safe and healthy. Earlier this year, he wrote to CMS Administrator Seema Verma expressing concerns about the impacts of payment cuts for non-physician providers and its impact on rural communities. He also recently secured $3 million for 14 Montana community health centers to expand COVID-19 testing, and delivered nearly $200 million in relief funding for 121 rural Montana hospitals, health centers, and clinics.\nRead Tester's full letter to Senate Leadership HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-bipartisan-bill-promoting-veteran-outdoor-recovery-programs-signed-into-law", "Daines' Bipartisan Bill Promoting Veteran Outdoor Recovery Programs Signed into Law", "2020-12-06", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.06.20\n\t\t\t Daines' Bipartisan Bill Promoting Veteran Outdoor Recovery Programs Signed into Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill will utilize the outdoors to help veterans with medical treatment and therapy\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines' bipartisan bill that promotes outdoor veteran recovery programs and expands outdoor recreational opportunities for veterans on public lands was signed into law. The Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act will helpcreate treatment and therapy opportunities for veterans on public lands and outdoor spaces.\r\nThe outdoors is critical to our Montana way of life andcan help Montana veterans who are recoveringfrom trauma and injuries they experienced in combat,\"Daines said.\"That's why I'm gladmy bipartisan bill promoting recovery and treatment programs on public lands for the benefit of Montanaveterans has been signed into law.\r\nDaines' bipartisan bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs toestablish a task force onoutdoor recreation for veterans to report on and make recommendations regarding the use of public lands or other outdoor spaces for medical treatment and therapy for veterans.\r\nDaines' bipartisan bill has significantsupport from stakeholders.\r\nAt Vista Outdoor, we are committed to getting people of all ages, backgrounds, and professions outdoors.Those who have served our nation in uniform deserve all the benefits that the outdoors has to offer.We see this legislation as a critical first step to prioritizing outdoor activities for the treatment of veterans on our federal lands. With more than 20 million veterans and over 660 million acres of federal land, this legislation is a smart policy match and we support it wholeheartedly. -Fred Ferguson, Vice President of Public Affairs, Vista Outdoors\r\nTheCOMPACT Act (formerly Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act) is an important step towardconnecting moreveteranswith outdoor recreation on public lands and honoring our commitment to caring for our nation'sveteranswhen they return home. This legislation will help moreveterans experience the outdoors and further connect outdoor recreation to their health and wellness. We applaud the leaders of this important legislation on its passage and look forward to working with them on continued support of our veterans. -Lise Aangeenbrug, Executive Director, Outdoor Industry Association\r\nOur veterans deserve the best care possible, including appropriate doses of time in nature and the outdoors.As an ever-expanding body of evidence demonstrates, there is a direct connection between regular opportunities for recreating in nature and improvements in vets' physical and mental wellbeing. At REI, we are confident that the Access to Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act, paired with research being done around the country, can create more pathways for veterans to heal.We especially appreciate the leadership of those who led this important legislation and their commitment to removing barriers to connect veterans to nature as a form of healing. -Taldi Harrison, Government Affairs Manager, REI\r\nThe Access to Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act will connect America's veterans to the many health benefits that come with outdoor recreation.Our public lands and waters are an important venue to provide veterans with innovative opportunities to recover and heal. This legislation will bring government stakeholders together around a unified mission to connect more veterans to the outdoors.This important bill wouldn't have been possible without the leadership of those who introduced it and the coalition who supported it.Thanks to them, our veterans will have more opportunities outdoors. -Jessica Turner, Executive Director, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable\r\nThere's healing power in bicycling and outdoor recreation for mental and physical health. SenatorsDaines and Cortez Masto's legislation leverages the great outdoors to help with veterans' recovery close to home. Our nation's veterans deserve the best care available, and finding newopportunities to take advantage of public lands, parks and trails for better health is something we should all welcome. -Jenn Dice, CEO, PeopleForBikes\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-announces-service-academy-nominees", "Daines Announces Service Academy Nominees", "2020-12-05", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.05.20\n\t\t\t Daines Announces Service Academy Nominees \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his five principal nominations made up of Montana students who are applying for enrollment into U.S. Federal Service Academies.\r\nIt's an honor to nominate these five outstanding young Montanans who will compete for an appointment at one of our nation's service academies,Daines said.I applaud these hardworking students for their commitment to continuing Montana's legacy of service to our Armed Forces and wish them the best as they continue in this extremely competitive process.\r\nA congressional nomination is a critical step in the process for Montanans seeking admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.\r\nStudents interested in applying for a nomination from the Senator were required to submit an extensive application that documents their academic, civic and athletic abilities, as well as their commitment to military service. An academy selection board assembled by Daines reviewed the applications and conducted interviews of the applicants.\r\nThe following is a list of Daines' principal academy nominations:\r\nAlaynee Hawley, Harlem, principalNominee to U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nRiley Horton, Missoula, principalNominee to U.S. Air Force Academy\r\nCalahan Barker, Red Lodge, principalNominee to U.S. Naval Academy\r\nBrandon Wenzel, Big Fork, principalNominee to West Point Military Academy\r\nGideon Survoy, Bozeman, principalNominee to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-pushes-to-expand-permanent-telehealth-coverage", "Daines Pushes to Expand Permanent Telehealth Coverage", "2020-12-04", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.20\n\t\t\t Daines Pushes to Expand Permanent Telehealth Coverage \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Congressional leadership calling for the expansion of access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic to be made permanent. Provisions from Daines' CONNECT for Health Act have allowed Medicare beneficiaries in Montana to utilize telehealth services and were included in previous COVID-19 legislation but will expire following the pandemic unless Congress acts to make those measures permanent.\r\nTelehealth has been a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring that patients can continue to receive the health care services that they need while minimizing the spread of the virus and keeping health care providers and patients healthy and safe,Daines wrote. We continue to hear from our constituents and health care providers that the uncertainty about the long-term future of Medicare telehealth coverage is a barrier to organizations investing fully in telehealth. Congress needs to act now to better serve patients and health care providers during the pandemic, and to ensure that telehealth remains an option after the pandemic is over.\r\nTo read the full letter, clickHERE.\r\nIn his letter, Daines highlighted the growing use and benefits of telehealth during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as patients seek to avoid traveling to hospitals and other providers and instead receive care at home. New data shows that the number of Medicare beneficiaries using telehealth services increased by nearly 13,000 percent in just a month and a half during the pandemic.\r\nThe bipartisan and bicameral Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act was first introduced in 2016. The bill, which is cosponsored by 46 senators, is considered the most comprehensive telehealth legislation in Congress.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7860", "BREAKING: Tester Secures His Landmark Agent Orange Veteran Exposure Bill in Final Annual Defense Legislation [press_release]", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Vietnam veterans suffering from diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange are now one step closer to receiving the care and benefits they earned from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) following the inclusion of U.S. Senator Jon Tester's landmark bill in the final Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Tester's amendment establishes a presumption of service connection for veterans suffering from Bladder Cancer, Hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism.\nTester successfully secured his Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act in the annual Senate defense bill in July, when it passed the chamber overwhelmingly by a vote of 94-6. In September, he led 45 Senators in urging leadership from the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to keep his amendment in the final version of the bill as differences were worked out between the House and Senate versions, and repeated his call on the Senate floor.\nThis is a monumental win for more than 34,000 Vietnam veterans who have been subjected to countless delays while living with debilitating illnesses associated with their exposure to Agent Orange, said Tester. Inclusion of my amendment in the annual defense package sends a clear message to Vietnam veterans that their service is not forgotten. I'm proud that Congress could come together to deliver on our sacred promise to these men and women, and I couldn't be more honored to have led this fight on their behalf. It's my hope that both the House and Senate can quickly move this bill to the President, and that he signs it into law without any delay. These Vietnam veterans have already waited long enough. \nAs Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Tester has fought tirelessly to provide benefits for veterans suffering from diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. In 2017, the Senator led the charge to expand VA's list of medical conditions associated with exposure to Agent Orange, doubled down on his push in 2018, and later urged the Office of Management and Budget to assist the Department in this effort.\nEarlier this year, Tester led 42 Senators in blasting the Administration for stonewalling critical benefits for Vietnam veterans suffering from health conditions connected with their service. He also held a roundtable discussion with Senate Veterans' Affairs Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), stakeholders, and veterans' advocates to address longstanding issues associated with the effects of toxic exposures on our nation's servicemembers and veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7861", "Tester, Schatz Demand VA Secretary Halt Questionable Political Actions During Presidential Transition Process [press_release]", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ranking Members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs, are demanding that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) halt questionable political actions during the presidential transition process.\nWe are writing to request information regarding your plans for an organized transition to the Biden-Harris Administration and to direct you to cease any further efforts to rush policies or hiring decisions, during your final weeks as Secretary, which merit more scrutiny and should be left to the incoming Administration, wrote Senators Tester and Schatz to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. We are deeply troubled by previously announced and ongoing efforts to rush potentially harmful policies through the Department in the last days of the Trump Administration while at the same time attempting to embed politically connected individuals into career positions within VA.\nIn their letter, Tester and Schatz noted serious concerns with the Trump Administration's recent attempt to accelerate the hiring of political appointees and the conversion of political appointees to career positions prior to the Biden-Harris Administration taking office. They highlighted VA's recent announcement to convert a senior political appointee into a career position as second in command of the VA's Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP). OAWP, which has had its own significant challenges since its initial days under the Trump Administration, is responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of senior leader misconduct and allegations of whistleblower retaliation by VA supervisors.\nThey continued, We are also concerned by what appear to be accelerated efforts by the Executive Branch, including your Department, to hire and burrow-in political appointees as career employees and otherwise undermine the federal merit system. Not only is this illegal, but it involves expending taxpayer dollars on the salaries of individuals whose foremost qualifications appear that they were loyal to President Trump. That is not a standard that serves veterans or the American people.\nThe Senators also outlined significant concerns and requested information regarding several policy changes implemented by the VA during the COVID-19 pandemicincluding the Department's move to eliminate a rule that previously allowed veterans' representatives 48-hours to review a benefits decision before it was finalized.\nThe General Services Administration's (GSA) initial denial of the outcome of the 2020 electionand harmful withholding of transition resources from the Biden-Harris transition teamunduly delayed efforts to ensure veterans saw no disruption in their care, benefits or services during the transition of Administrations. Following a push from Tester, GSA finally agreed to a formal presidential transition process on November 23. Earlier this year, Tester also led a letter to VA raising serious concerns over the increasing politicization of the VA, including the potential misuse of taxpayer funds and other government assets in an effort to benefit the reelection of President Trump and certain Republican candidates seeking office in 2020.\nFull text of the Senators' letter is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-bipartisan-bill-supporting-montanans-diagnosed-with-als-passes-us-senate", "Daines' Bipartisan Bill Supporting Montanans Diagnosed with ALS Passes U.S. Senate", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.20\n\t\t\t Daines' Bipartisan Bill Supporting Montanans Diagnosed with ALS Passes U.S. Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE -Today, the U.S. Senate passedSenatorDaines' bipartisan billthat helps support Montanans battling the devastating diseasecalledamyotrophic lateral sclerosis orALS.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor a video statement from the Senator, click HERE.\r\nALS is a devastating disease, andMontanans who have been diagnosed with itshould not have towait fivemonths to receive disability benefits.My bipartisan bill eliminates thiswaiting period,providing quicker access to benefits for those who suffer from this aggressive disease. I'm glad to see my bill pass the U.S. Senate, and I will continue fighting until it's passed out of the House and signed into law to help support Montanans battling ALS, Daines said.\r\nCurrently, there is a Social Security Disability Insurance five-month waiting period for people with ALS. The five-month waiting period is intended to allow temporary conditions to reverse. However, there are no cures or treatments to delay or reverse the progression of ALS. Daines' legislation will allow Montanans with ALS to receive both Medicare and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in the first month the patient is under disability.\r\nALS is a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7857", "Tester Introduces Bill to Cut Red Tape on VA Grants for Organizations Assisting Homeless Veterans During COVID-19 Pandemic [press_release]", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Doubling down on his effort to protect homeless veterans during the national health crisis and assist organizations in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus, U.S. Senator Jon Tester recently introduced legislation to cut red tape on grants provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\nHomeless veterans are some of the most at-risk for COVID-19 complications, and their safety must remain our top priority, said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. My bill would ensure that facilities nationwide are well-equipped to stop the spread of the coronavirus by removing bureaucratic red tape on VA grants for organizations assisting homeless veterans during the pandemic, and helping to keep those working to end homelessness laser-focused on their mission of providing timely, quality support to those who've served. \nThe Grant Regulation Adjustment during the Coronavirus Emergency (GRACE) for Homeless Veterans Act of 2020 allows the VA to provide grants to organizations to update or acquire spaces to better allow for social distancing and quarantine than present group facilities without unnecessary funding regulations. It removes matching funds requirements for new grant recipients and freezes any property repayment requirements for current grantees during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.\n\"The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) extends our gratitude to Ranking Member Tester for introducing S. 4910, the GRACE for Homeless Veterans Act of 2020, said Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer. Since COVID-19 has gripped this country, the safest spaces for anyone are ones that allow for social distancing and isolation, both of which can be challenging to achieve in congregate facilities. Safe operation of Grant and Per Diem shelters will require renovation, physical expansion in some instances, and other modifications in order to comply with CDC guidelines for infection control and prevention. This bill removes long-standing disincentives that could deter providers from utilizing VA capital grants to fund renovations and improvements at their facilities. NCHV looks forward to working with the Ranking Member and urges Congress to pass this bill before adjournment to improve shelter safety as COVID cases surge once more nationwide.\"\nThe COVID-19 crisis has affected tens of thousands of homeless veterans as shelters have closed and funding for vital services have become strained. To assist these veterans during the pandemic, Tester introduced the Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 earlier this year to allow VA to use existing funds for a wider range of services, authorize the Department to collaborate with outside organizations to facilitate encampments on its properties, and ensure veterans and community providers participating in VA homeless programs have access to telehealth services.\nAs Ranking Member, Tester has fought tirelessly to ensure that veterans and the staff who provide their care have better access to life-saving supplies during the pandemic. After voting to deliver nearly $20 billion to strengthen the VA's response to COVID-19, Tester called on VA Secretary Wilkie to implement key provisions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide critical supplies, personal protective equipment, and testing capabilities with veterans and employees.\nFull text of Tester's bill is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7858", "Tester Pushes Senate Leadership to Act on COVID Relief for Montana Workers, Small Businesses [press_release]", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester continued his push to break the partisan logjam over the next round of coronavirus stimulus funding for Montana workers and small businesses in a letter to Senate leadership this week.\nI am hearing directly from Montana families, business owners, school administrators and medical professionals that the devastating effects of this pandemic are getting worse, wrote Tester to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. My state has already suffered nearly 700 COVID-19 deaths, and now our medical community is sounding the alarm that medical facilities are at capacity.  Schools are struggling with the additional costs of a providing quality education to students while also keeping them safe. Businesses are fighting  every day to make ends meet but can only do so much with the disruptions to everyday life.\nTester concluded, Instead of continuing to trade proposals back and forth in the press and point fingers at each other for failing to get a COVID-19 relief package done, it is time to come together and find a path forward to get meaningful relief across the finish line.  Montana businesses and families simply cannot afford for us to waste another moment.\nFrom the beginning of the pandemic, Tester has been in constant communication with Montanans from every corner of the state and has used that input to help guide the creation of a bipartisan package that focuses on providing relief workers and small businesses as well as stopping the spread of the virus so Montana's economy can reopen. Since the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act this spring, Tester has been pushing Senate leadership on both sides of the aisle to work together to craft a targeted bipartisan coronavirus relief package that will provide support to Montanans that need it most.\nTester's letter to leadership can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7859", "First Pilot Program to Improve Law Enforcement Response in Native Communities Launched After Passage of Testers Savannas Act [press_release]", "2020-12-01", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A pilot program launched by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation (CSKT) is developing a collaborative community response plan to quickly address emergent Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) cases in Indian Country, thanks to directives outlined through the recent enactment of U.S. Senator Jon Tester's groundbreaking legislation, Savanna's Act.\nSavanna's Act gives us the tools to help address the MMIP crisis, and now those tools are being put to use, said Tester. The implementation of this program is a step forward for Montana Tribes, MMIP advocates, and the survivors of violence that worked tirelessly to see Savanna's Act over the finish line. I'll keep pushing to ensure Indian Country has the resources necessary to continue to combat this crisis head-on and ensure our Native communities are safe.\nIn accordance with Tester's Savanna's Act, the CSKT's pilot project will develop a Tribal Community Response Plan (TCRP) to improve the collaborative response to missing Indigenous person cases by Tribal governments, law enforcement, and other partners through regionally appropriate guidelines. CSKT's TCRP pilot project is the first of its kind in the nation, and its results will serve as a guide to establish similar regional programs across the U.S.\nIndigenous women and girls in Montana face murder rates that are ten times higher than the national average, and according to the National Institute of Justice, more than 80 percent of Native American women have experienced violence, and half have experienced it within the last year.\nTester's Savanna's Act, signed into law earlier this year, is named in honor of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, who was murdered in North Dakota in August of 2017.\nSavanna's Act works to improve information sharing between Tribal and federal law enforcement agencies and increase data collection on cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people. It requires:\n \nLaw enforcement training on how to record victim Tribal enrollment information in federal databases;\nThe creation of standardized, regionally-appropriate guidelines for inter-jurisdictional cooperation on cases; and\nThe Attorney General to include data on missing and murdered Indigenous people in an annual report to Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-statement-on-new-agreement-between-mlb-montana-minor-league-teams", "Daines Statement on New Agreement Between MLB, Montana Minor League Teams", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.30.20\n\t\t\t Daines Statement on New Agreement Between MLB, Montana Minor League Teams \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after it was announced that after months of negotiations, Major League Baseball (MLB) and Montana's Minor League Baseball teams have come to an agreement on the future of professional baseball in Montana.\r\nProfessional baseball in Montana helps bring our communities together and drive our local economies,Daines said.I'm very glad that after months of negotiations, MLB and Montana's minor leagueteams have come to an agreement to allow Great Falls, Missoula, and Billings to continue playing professionalbaseball in their communities. It was my privilege to fight for the future of Montana's minor league teams, and I look forward to seeing the success of the league.\r\nDaines has been working to save Montana's Minor League teams since MLB announced they would be cutting ties with 42 minor league teams across the country.\r\nBeginning in 2021, the Pioneer League including the Billings Mustangs, Missoula PaddleHeads, and Great Falls Voyagers will be designated as a partner league with MLB. All of Montana's teams will maintain their existing team names and brands and will collaborate with MLB on operating expenses, marketing, ticketing, and fan engagement opportunities. They will also have a procedure in place with opportunities for players to transfer to MLB clubs.\r\nBackground:\r\nOnSeptember 30th, 2020, Daines sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Minor League Baseball President Pat O'Connor urging them to come to an agreement to preserve Montana's three baseball clubs and provide MLB clubs the option of having up to five MiLB affiliates.\r\nOnJune 25th, 2020, Daines introduced a bill that would make Major League Baseball teams ineligible to participate or benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program or emergencylending programs within theCARESAct if MLB moved forward with eliminating Montana's MiLB teams.\r\nOnMay 7th, 2020, Daines sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfredand MiLB PresidentPat O'Connor urging them to extend the deadline for a decision on MiLB teams in Montana due to the impact on sporting events from COVID-19.\r\nOnDecember 4th, 2019, Daines sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred urging them to continue supportingMontana's MiLB teamsdue to reports about an MLB proposal to sever ties with 42 Minor League teams.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7856", "Pioneer League Baseball to Stay in Montana, Tester Announces [press_release]", "2020-11-30", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced an agreement between Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Pioneer League to keep Montana's baseball clubs in Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula in Montana.\nBig Sky Country is professional baseball country, which is why I am pleased to announce that I successfully worked with MLB and our minor league teams to keep America's favorite pastime in Montana, said Tester. The roots of our Pioneer League clubs run deep, and I'm going to keep working to strengthen MLB's relationship with our state so that baseball will continue to thrive in our communities and across rural America.\nUnder the agreement, the Pioneer League has been designated a Partner League of MLB. Starting in 2021, the Pioneer League will transition from affiliated status to an independent professional MLB Partner League that continues to provide high-quality baseball to the states of Montana, Idaho, Utah and Colorado. All eight members of the Pioneer Leagueincluding the Billings Mustangs, the Great Falls Voyagers, and the Missoula Paddleheads will continue participating in the league and will maintain their existing team names and brands.\nAs a Partner League, the Pioneer League will collaborate with MLB on initiatives to provide organized baseball to communities throughout the Western U.S. and Canada. MLB will provide initial funding for the league's operating expenses, as well as install scouting technology in Pioneer League ballparks to provide MLB Clubs with first-class scouting information on Pioneer League players. The agreement will also include a procedure for player transfers to MLB Clubs. The Leagues also will explore joint marketing, ticketing and fan engagement opportunities.\nTester has fought hard to keep baseball in Montana, and he was slated to host a meeting with MLB executives in Montana before the COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, he urged MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred to maintain and expand the Pioneer League in Montana, outlining the positive impact of Montana's Minor League teams have on their communities and local economies. He also urged MLB not to abandon Montana and met with Deputy MLB Commissioner of Baseball Administration Dan Halem to discuss the League's proposal. Tester, a Montreal Exposand later, Washington Nationalsfan since the 1980s, would watch games broadcast from Canada after long days working on his farm in Big Sandy.\nMontana is one of only two states that does not have a single major league professional sports team, nor does it border a state that has a major league professional sports team. Montana's Pioneer League ball clubs build connections between Treasure State communities and baseball, and dozens of small businesses invest in marketing with Montana's teams to support the franchises and grow their customer bases.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-urges-cdc-to-ensure-all-montana-communities-get-access-to-covid-19-vaccines-once-approved", "Daines Urges CDC to Ensure all Montana Communities Get Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Once Approved", "2020-11-24", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.24.20\n\t\t\t Daines Urges CDC to Ensure all Montana Communities Get Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Once Approved \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Request follows Daines' participation in Pfizer's vaccine trial to build trust, confidence for Montanans\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE U.S.Senator Steve Daines today called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure Montanans across the state, including those in rural communities, get access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible. This follows Daines'announcement that he participated in Pfizer's vaccine trial to build confidence and trust for Montanans and the American people wondering if they should take the vaccine.\r\nAs states across the country work to develop their vaccine distribution plans in consultation with the federal government, I encourage the CDC to consider the unique challenges facing those in remote and rural communities in Montana and across the nation who may have difficulty accessing vaccination services,Daines wrote.It will also be critical to ensure that frontline health care heroes, essential workers, individuals with medical conditions possessing risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness, as well as staff and residents of long-term care facilities such as nursing homes have access to a safe and effective vaccine as soon as possible.\r\nTo read Daines' letter to CDC Director Redfield, clickHERE.\r\nDaines has been working with the nation's top scientists, researchers, American innovators, and Administration officials to lead the fight in the Senate to secure funding for the dual tracking of vaccine manufacturing and clinical trials, known as Operation Warp Speed.\r\nJustlast week, Senator Daines announced his participation in Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trial and his positive test for COVID-19 antibodies.\r\nBackground:\r\nDaines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country.To read about Daines' COVID-19 related efforts, clickHERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7854", "Following Tester Push on Behalf of Veterans, GSA Administrator Begins Formal Presidential Transition Process Ensuring Support to VA During COVID-19 Pandemic [press_release]", "2020-11-24", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The General Services Administration (GSA) has agreed to begin a formal presidential transition process to ensure that critical resources are delivered to veterans and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic following a push from U.S. Senator Jon Tester.\nThe GSA's denial of the outcome of the 2020 election, and harmful withholding of transition resources from the Biden-Harris transition team, jeopardized the lives and well-being of veterans nationwide. As Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Tester urged GSA Administrator Emily Murphy to proceed with the presidential transition process and work with the Biden-Harris transition team so that veterans are provided with the services and support they earned under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\nThe biggest current threat to the health and livelihood of veterans is the COVID-19 pandemic, Ranking Member Tester wrote. As the largest integrated health care system in the country with the responsibility of backing up the nation's health care systems, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is on the frontlines of this crisis. It is therefore critical for VA to supply all of its most recent information on the Department's COVID-19 efforts, high risk areas, Fourth Mission work, PPE availability and challenges, and vaccine supply and distribution planning to the Biden-Harris transition team. The incoming Administration needs this information to assess how VA's current leadership is handling the pandemic in order to ensure the greatest needs and safety of veterans and VA staff are being properly addressed. \nTester has fought tirelessly to ensure that veterans and the staff who provide their care have better access to life-saving supplies during the pandemic. In a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie yesterday, Tester led his committee colleagues in urging VA to swiftly develop and release its own COVID-19 vaccine strategyprior to the Biden-Harris Administrationto keep veterans and staff safe during the ongoing crisis. The Senators pressed VA on its plan to allocate a coronavirus vaccine, reach veterans in rural and hotspot areas, combat vaccine misinformation, and strengthen cross-government and community partnerships. They also requested VA's strategy in allocating its initial doses among staff and vulnerable veterans to make sure those at highest risk receive the vaccine first.\nFull text of Tester's letter is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7852", "Testers Bipartisan Bill to Stop Scams Targeting Montana Seniors Clears U.S. Senate [press_release]", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In a big win for Montana seniors who are more likely to be the target of malicious scams, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today celebrated the Senate's passage of his bipartisan Senior Fraud Prevention Act.\nTester's legislation will direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish an office that will combat fraud targeting the elderly, educate seniors and their families on how to detect scams, and improve fraud reporting systems.\nWe've seen an unprecedented increase in scams targeting Montana's older generations in the last few years, and so far Washington hasn't done nearly enough to put an end to it, said Tester. One in four seniors contacted by scammers end up losing money, and during these trying times, Montanans can't afford to lose a dime. I'm happy to see my bipartisan bill clear this hurdle, and I urge the House to bring it up for a vote as quickly as possible so we can give some much needed peace of mind to our elderly and their families.\nThe Government Accountability Office reports that scams cost seniors an estimated $2.9 billion annually. According to the FTC, one in four seniors contacted by scammers ended up sending them money in 2018losing an average of $9,000 each. That is up from just one in 14 seniors the year before.\nTester has proven himself a tried and true advocate for Montana's seniors, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. He recently secured nearly $1 million to help seniors with Alzheimer's in Missoula and Ravalli Counties remain independent, and he secured more than $300,000 in pandemic relief funding for older Montanans this spring. He also worked to bring more than $5.5 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to critical Montana programs that will help seniors stay healthy and safe during the crisis.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7853", "Tester, Colleagues Press VA on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan for Veterans and Staff [press_release]", "2020-11-23", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester is leading the effort to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking necessary steps to swiftly develop and release its own COVID-19 vaccine strategy to keep veterans and staff safe during the pandemic.\nIn a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie today, Tester led his committee colleagues in urging the Department to lay out its plan to allocate a coronavirus vaccine, reach veterans in rural and hotspot areas, combat vaccine misinformation, and strengthen cross-government and community partnerships.\nFor COVID-19 vaccine distribution to succeed there must be a well-organized plan to meet the needs of all veterans and their providers, the Senators wrote. Given all 50 states already had to submit their COVID-19 vaccine plans to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in mid-October and the CDC already released their COVID-19 Vaccine Program Interim Playbook on October 29, I am concerned VA is behind the curve. If the states and other Federal agencies have already publicly released their plans, why is VA lagging behind? When will VA's COVID-19 vaccine plan be available and released to Congress and the public?\nTester and his colleagues implored the VA to distribute the vaccine following guidance from public health experts and requested the Department's strategy in allocating its initial doses among staff and vulnerable veterans to ensure those at highest risk receive the vaccine first.\nThe Senators continued, Veterans and staff need to feel safe receiving any future COVID-19 vaccine, and this vaccine should be administered at no-cost to them. While the incoming Biden-Harris Administration is just a few months from taking office, the COVID-19 pandemic is still causing unprecedented sickness and death in our communities. Veterans and VA staff can't afford to wait until January 20 for a COVID-19 vaccine plan. The Department needs to take action now to ensure the health and safety of veterans, staff, and their families during this pandemic.\nA copy of the Senators' letter is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7850", "Tester, Colleagues Slam VA Privatization of Compensation and Pension Exams for Disabled Veterans [press_release]", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ranking Member Jon Tester of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee today led ten colleagues in expressing grave concerns over the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) recent decision to increase the privatization of Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams, negatively impacting services and benefits provided to disabled veterans.\nWe were alarmed to learn that VA's vision for the future of the C&P program is to fully utilize private contractors to take over the VA personnel's workload, which we believe has the potential for serious long-term negative impacts on the services and benefits provided to our nation's veterans, Tester and his colleagues wrote to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. As you know, when Congress established the pilot program to contract C&P exams with non-VA medical professionals, it was done in order to supplement VA's internal capacity to perform exams to help veterans, not supplant it.\nC&P examinations are a key component of ensuring veterans receive their earned disability benefits from VA. Eliminating associated VA personnel conducting these examsin addition to outsourcing examinations to private contractors at a potentially enormous cost to American taxpayerswould severely impact veterans and VA employees across the country, especially those in rural America.\nThe Senators continued, Given's VA's admission that there is a 350,000 backlog of C&P exams throughout the nation, and more than 480,000 claims are awaiting decisions, we fail to see the logic for continuing to reduce VA's internal capacity to perform these exams as VA already has experienced, qualified, and well-trained personnel ready to perform these duties. Veterans with unique health issues and conditions including Military Sexual Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and health impacts as a result of toxic exposures, benefit greatly from being seen by a VA medical professional compared to someone with less experience with veterans' unique medical and mental health conditions. We have concerns that these external contracted medical examiners, with less experience evaluating veterans' unique health conditions, could contribute to a growth in appeals when non-VA examiners misdiagnose these veterans.\nTester has been leading the effort in Congress to better protect veterans and their benefits during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Earlier this year, he called for more transparency and accountability in the VA disability claims process during the national health crisis. He also pressed VA to use its regulatory authority to grant waivers or extensions for veterans applying for disability benefits during the pandemic.\nA copy of the Senators' letter is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7851", "Tester Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Assess 200,000 Highway-Railroad Crossing to Boost Safety  Efficiency [press_release]", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In his efforts to make Montana's roads safer and more efficient, U.S. Senator Jon Tester recently introduced bipartisan legislation along with Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebr.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to identify and address instances of blocked railroad crossings by examining more than 200,000 crossings across the country.\nWe've got to do a better job ensuring that our highway-railroad crossings aren't blocking critical routes for emergency responders or causing significant delays or traffic, said Tester. In order to do that, Congress needs better data on these blocked crossings so that we can make our highways safer, more efficient, and get people where they need to go a lot faster. That's exactly what this bipartisan bill will do.\nIn December 2019, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) opened a Blocked Crossing Incident Reporter portal that the public and law enforcement could report blocked grade crossings to the agency. Tester's bill would authorize this portal as a three year pilot program, and the FRA would be required to analyze submissions to the portal based on key criteria and provide an analysis to Congress. By authorizing the blocked crossing portal and examining the results, Congress can better understand the scope and severity of blocked crossings and develop targeted, effective policy to address them.\nThe bill also requires the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to evaluate the requirements of the Section 130 railway-highway grade crossing program to identify any additional flexibilities in the program that could support states' efforts to make grade crossings safer.\nTester and Fischer also recently introduced their Right Track Act, which is aimed at bolstering train safety in rural communities across the country by requiring the FRA and FHWA to make recommendations on improving rail safety in rural America, increase public outreach on grade crossing safety, and target resources for grade crossing safety in rural areas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-to-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-support-montana-jobs-small-businesses-community-banks-impacted-by-pandemic", "Daines to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Montana Jobs, Small Businesses, Community Banks Impacted by Pandemic", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.20\n\t\t\t Daines to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Montana Jobs, Small Businesses, Community Banks Impacted by Pandemic \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill will forgive small dollar loans created by the EIDL Advance program\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced plans to introduce bipartisan legislation that will protect Montana jobs and provide critical relief to Montana small businesses, community banks and credit unions.\r\nMontana small businesses and our local community banks have been drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They need relief to help protect jobs and workers, not unnecessary loans and payments during these hard times. That's why I'll be introducingbipartisan legislation to ensure small dollar loans are forgiven,Daines said.\r\nDaines' legislation will end the requirement that Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance grants be subtracted from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness; ensuring small dollar loans created by this requirement are forgiven.\r\nDaines plans to introduce his legislation with Senator Angus King of Maine.\r\nAs part of the CARES Act, Congress created the EIDL Advance program, which allowed businesses to receive a grant of $1,000 per employee, capped at $10,000. However, small businesses who also received PPP loans must subtract the EIDL advance amount they received from their total forgiveness, leaving both small businesses and local community banks and credit unions with small dollar loans and a five-year term.\r\nBackground:\r\nOnOctober 18th, 2020, Daines sent a letter to leadership of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship urging them to address the issue between EIDL loans and the PPP forgiveness program.\r\nDaines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country.To read about Daines' COVID-19 related efforts clickHERE.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7849", "Tester Demands VA Action Following Damning Watchdog Report on Veterans Crisis Line Responder Missteps [press_release]", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester is demanding action from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) following a damning report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) outlining responder missteps in the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) which may have contributed to a veteran's death. The VCL provides an important service for responding to veterans in crisis and preventing veteran suicide.\nThe OIG report highlighted VCL staff's failure to request an emergency dispatch and adequately respond to a veteran in crisis, as well as underlying staff training and policy issues within the VCL and VA. Less than 12 hours after first contacting the VCL in July 2018, the veteran caller was found dead from an overdose.\nThis report is particularly disturbing because the veteran spoke to two different VCL responders and reported suicidal ideation, a past suicide attempt, access to lethal means, and intoxication from alcohol and drugs, Tester wrote to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. Despite these red flags, neither VCL responder requested an emergency dispatch to check on the veteran and provide any necessary, immediate intervention. Instead, VCL staff conducted safety planning with the veteran and submitted a routine consult to the veteran's local VA suicide prevention coordinator for follow-up.\nIn its review, the OIG found both VCL responders failed to adequately clarify the veteran's access to lethal means and therefore did not appropriately utilize the VCL protocol to reduce the veteran's access to a gun. Responders also failed to include key safety plan elements. In the letter, Tester stressed the urgent need for VA to evaluate its policies, training, and quality review mechanisms for determining veteran callers' suicide risk.\nTester continued, It is vital that VA ensure call responders are fully trained on how to properly assess suicide risk, and that VA leadership has strong quality assurance mechanisms in place to monitor staff's ability to respond to veterans in crisis. This OIG report should serve as a call to action for the Department and the VCLWe must ensure no veteran who reaches out for life-saving assistance falls through the cracks.\nRead Tester's full letter to Secretary Wilkie HERE.\nThe Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you are a veteran in crisis, or concerned about a veteran in crises, please call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-announces-participation-in-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-trial-positive-test-for-antibodies", "Daines Announces Participation in Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Trial, Positive Test For Antibodies", "2020-11-18", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.20\n\t\t\t Daines Announces Participation in Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Trial, Positive Test For Antibodies \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Daines: This is about building confidence for those looking to take the vaccine. It's about saving lives, protecting Montana jobs, promoting American innovation, restoring hope.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATEU.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced his participation in Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trial. The trial is a blind trial, however, Daines has since tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.Thisfollows Pfizer's announcement of the vaccine being 95% effective and plans to seek FDAemergency use authorization in the coming days.\r\nBack in August, I got a call from my mom telling me how Pfizer was looking for people to enroll in their COVID-19 vaccine trial right in my hometown of Bozeman. Thanks to that call, my sweet wife Cindy and I decided to go online and enroll in the trial  joining over one hundred everyday Montanans participating. While thiswas a blind trial, I have since testedpositivefor COVID-19antibodies.\r\nMy goal is to help build confidence and trust for Montanans and the American people wondering if they should take the vaccine when it is approved. This is about saving lives. This is about supporting our healthcare heroes. This is about protecting Montana jobs & workers and rebuilding our economy.This is about American exceptionalism and innovation.This is about restoring hope. This is about restoring normalcy into our way of life.\r\nSince the start of the pandemic, I've made the research, development and manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic drugs a top priority because I believe in order to get back to normal, we need a safe and effective vaccine. That's why I worked hand in hand with our nation's top scientists, researchers and American innovators to discuss what was needed to get a vaccine into the hands of the American people as safely and quickly as possible, including securing an initial $10 billion to move forward with dual tracking of clinical trials and manufacturing, known as Operation Warp Speed.\r\nWhile I believe a vaccine is key to getting back to normal, I do not believe in mandating it.Iwould, however, encourage people to get the vaccine once approved, in consultation with their doctor.I trust Montanans to make the decision for themselves, use commonsense and practice personal responsibility. While we wait for a final vaccine approval, we must remain smart, protect the most vulnerable in our communities, and be responsible.\r\nEarlier today, Pfizer announced their vaccine is 95% effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. They also announced plans toseek FDA emergency use authorization within days.\r\nBackground:\r\nPfizer and the Trump administrationentered into a $1.95 billion agreementtohelp withproduction and nationwide delivery of the vaccine. Thisfundingwas from Operation Warp Speed, which Daines was critical insecuring funding for since the start of the pandemic.\r\nSenator Daines was instrumental in securing $10 billion in funding through the CARES Act for thedevelopment and delivery of COVID-19vaccines and treatments under Operation Warp Speed - with topresearchers, scientists and administration officialstouting the Senator's work.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7846", "Tester, Fischer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Safety at Rural Train Crossings [press_release]", "2020-11-18", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following a series of train accidents across Montana in the last yearincluding a fatal crash in Bainville in MayU.S. Senators Jon Tester and Deb Fischer (R-NE) today introduced their bipartisan Right Track Act to bolster train safety in Eastern Montana and other rural communities.\nAfter far too many preventable tragedies at Montana rail crossings, we've got to provide rural communities with the resources they need to stay safe, said Tester. My bipartisan Right Track Act will provide towns across our state with critical investments to improve safety infrastructure and educate the public about the risk of collisions at grade crossings. The fact is, we can't let rural America get left behind when it comes to rail safety, and I'm going to work aggressively to get this bill passed as soon as possible.\nRail transportation is critical to keeping America's businesses and communities running, but more can be done to improve rural grade crossing safety, said Fischer. This legislation will enable the FRA and FHWA to make recommendations, facilitate public outreach, and target resources to keep our Heartland safe.\nThe Right Track Act contains three main components:\n \nIt will help counties and states better target safety infrastructure investments by requiring the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide recommendations to public and private stakeholders to reduce the number of highway-rail collisions at public at-grade crossings in counties with a population of 10 or fewer people per square mile.\nIt will increase public safety awareness by requiring the FRA and FHWA to conduct a public outreach and educational initiative to reduce collisions at grade crossings in rural counties.\nAnd it will provide a dedicated pool of funding for rural crossings by increasing the authorization for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program by $10 million per year for five years, and before any funds are distributed, that funding is set-aside for grants to improve grade crossing safety in rural counties. This funding can be used to install gates, add bells and lights, and creating overpasses at train crossings.\n \nTester is a longtime champion of safe and secure rail service to rural communities. Last month, he personally secured a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee on recent cuts to the Empire Builder service across Montana's Hi-Line. He also helped secure $1 billion for Amtrak in the CARES Act to maintain long distance routes during the pandemic and led the charge to restore ticket agents in Amtrak stations in Havre and Shelby.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7847", "Tester, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Native American Veterans Access to VA Health Care, Eliminate Copays [press_release]", "2020-11-18", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committeeare introducing the Native American Veteran Parity in Access to Care Today (PACT) Act, bipartisan legislation eliminating copayments for Native American veterans accessing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care. This legislation brings parity between Native American veterans receiving services at VA and Native Americans who receive services through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Indian Health Service (IHS).\nNative Americans receiving care at IHS are not subject to health care copayments in accordance with United States trust and treaty obligations. Native American veterans, however, are required to pay copayments when receiving services at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), creating a disparity for those who receive health care at VA rather than IHS and causing a potential barrier to access to care. The Senators' bipartisan bill would require VA to treat hospital care and medical services at VHA similarly to health care provided at IHS, eliminating copayments for Native American veterans.\nNative Americans serve our nation at the highest rates, and we have a responsibility to ensure they have access to benefits and care they've earned when they return home from service, said Ranking Member Tester. The fact is that the federal government is tasked with providing health care to all Native American veterans free of chargeand the buck stops with VA. Our bipartisan bill requires VA to bring its copay requirements in line with the Indian Health Service, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for our nation's Native veterans. \nOur nation is proud of the 21,000 Native Americans who have served our country, and it is our responsibility to make certain the care they are provided at the Department of Veterans Affairs is in line with current federal practice, said Chairman Moran. This legislation would eliminate the VA copay for Native American veterans to help them have greater access to the care and resources they have earned.\n\"The federal government's responsibility to provide quality healthcare to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans comes both from their service to this country and the federal government's treaty and trust obligations to American Indian and Alaska Native people. Currently, American Indian and Alaska Native veterans are required to pay a copayment before receiving services at the Veterans Health Administration, representing a significant barrier to care,\" said Fawn Sharp, President of the National Congress of American Indians. \"The Native American Veteran Parity in Access to Care Today Act improves accessibility to Veterans Health Administration services by eliminating copayments for our American Indian and Alaska Native veterans.\"\nThat National Indian Health Board is committed to ensuring the highest health status and outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans, and the Native American Veteran Parity in Access to Care Today (PACT) Act would allow Native Veterans to receive care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) without a copayment, said Stacy A. Bohlen, CEO of the National Indian Health Board. The PACT Act moves us closer to fulfillment of the federal government's dual responsibility to Native Veterans. NIHB commends Senator Tester and Senator Moran for leading this bill, and stands ready to work with Congress in a bipartisan manner to enact legislation that strengthens the government-to-government relationship, improves coordinated care between the Indian Health Service and VHA, and ultimately elevates healthcare access for all Native veterans across Indian Country.\nAs a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Tester joined his colleagues yesterday in introducing a Congressional resolution recognizing November 2020 as National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, highlighting the powerful contributions of Native Americans, including Native veterans, to the United States.\nFull text of the Senators' bill is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-malmstrom-to-receive-helicopter-upgrade-this-summer-following-direct-request", "Daines: Malmstrom to Receive Helicopter Upgrade This Summer Following Direct Request", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.20\n\t\t\t Daines: Malmstrom to Receive Helicopter Upgrade This Summer Following Direct Request \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Announcement follows years of work by Daines to secure UH-1N Huey helicopter replacements for Malmstrom\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t 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.\r\nToday'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 I look forward to seeing the upgraded helicopters in action in the future.\r\nGeneral Timothy Ray, Air Force Global Strike Command Commander, shared the news with Daines this morning. The new helicopters will provide critical security for intercontinental ballistic missiles stationed around Malmstrom Air Force Base.\r\nBackground:\r\nOnJuly 23rd, 2020, Daines voted for and secured Senate passage of critical Montana priorities in the Senate defense bill called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Daines secured a 3% pay raise for the military, relief for service members impacted by COVID-19 and support for the Montana Army and Air National Guard and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.\r\nOnMarch 10th, 2020, Daines announced that $15,077,162 will go to the renovation of an existing 3-Bay hangar at Malmstrom Air Force Base to facilitate the storage of the new MH-139 helicopter.\r\nOnSeptember 28th, 2018, President Trump signed a bill into law that prioritizes Montana's military units, installations, research partners, universities, small businesses and manufacturers. The bill was critical to Montana, Malmstrom, Montana National Guard and the rest of the nation.\r\nOnSeptember 18th, 2018,Daines voted to secure funding for Montana's military units, installations, research partners, universities, small businesses and manufactures.\r\nOnJune 18th, 2018, Daines today announced that he helped secure critical support for Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base in the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including legislation authorizingvital support for modernizing Malmstrom's ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) infrastructure and replacing UH-1N Huey military helicopters at the base.\r\nOnMay 17th, 2018, Daines urged Heather Wilson, Secretary of the Air Force, to consider Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls as a future base for the B-21 bomber. He also requested an update on the plan to replace Montana's aging UH-1N helicopters.\r\nOnJune 7th, 2016, Daines' amendment to provide additional security for land based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) sites, like Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB) unanimously passed the United States Senate and will now be included in the National Defense Authorization Act.\r\nOnMay 11th, 2016, Daines announced that the Air Force would 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.\r\nOnApril 27th, 2016, Daines pressed Department of Defense Secretary Ash Carter on the timeline to upgrade Vietnam-era UH-1N helicopters to provide much-needed security for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB).\r\nOnMarch 18th, 2016, Daines led eight Senators in calling on the Air Force to expedite their decision on the course of action to replace Vietnamera UH-1N helicopters that provide security for our nuclear weapons.\r\nOnFebruary 10th, 2016, Daines called on the U.S. Air Force to prioritize the readiness of Montana's military missions by ensuring the modernization of aircraft at Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7842", "Tester Statement on the Nomination of Judy Shelton for Federal Reserve Board [press_release]", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on the Nomination of Judy Shelton for Federal Reserve Board \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after voting against Judy Shelton's nomination to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors:\n Judy Shelton has repeatedly displayed a staggering ignorance of basic economic principles and a clear pattern of partisan political opportunism, not to mention she has advocated kneecapping rural America by selling off public lands, the Postal Service, and Amtrak to artificially prop up the budget. Frankly, she is uniquely unqualified to serve as a member of the Federal Reserve, and I have no confidence at all that she would be an independent voice helping steer our country through the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. \n\nShelton has advocated selling off public lands, the Postal Service, and Amtrak, and was recently forced to step down as the United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development after she missed too many meetings. She has advocated returning to the Gold Standard, eliminating deposit insurance, and for replacing the U.S. dollar with a global currency. Additionally, she has questioned the independence of the Federal Reserve, and whether the central bank should even exist.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7843", "Tester Honors Native American Heritage Month with Senate Resolution [press_release]", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is joining a bipartisan group of his colleagues to introduce a Congressional resolution celebrating Native American culture, heritage, and history.\nTester's resolution officially recognizes November 2020 as National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, highlighting the powerful contributions of Native Americans to the United States.\nBy marking November as Native American Heritage Month, we recognize the past, present, and future contributions of Native communities to the fabric of Montana and this nation, said Tester. From honoring Tribal sovereignty to promoting self-governance and determination, Native American Heritage Month serves as a reminder of our trust and treaty responsibilities to Indian Country.\nIn the resolution, Senator Tester and his colleagues recognize the commitment of the United States to supporting Tribal self-governance and self-determination and the contributions of Native Americans to the United States Armed Services.\nNative Americans have moving stories of tragedy, triumph, and perseverance that need to be shared with future generations, the resolution reads. Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholarsthe people of the United States have reason to honor the great achievements and contributions of Native Americans and their ancestors.\nFull text of Tester's resolution is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7844", "Malmstrom Named First U.S. Air Force Base to Receive New MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopters to Replace Huey Fleet, Following Tester Efforts [press_release]", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following sustained efforts from U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the U.S. Air Force announced today that Malmstrom Air Force Base will be the first to receive new MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters to replace the decades-old Vietnam-era Huey fleet. The new fleet is expected to be fully operational by 2023.\nAfter repeated delays, this announcement is welcomed news for our brave men and women at Malmstrom Air Force Base who will be first in line to receive this long-awaited helicopter replacement fleet, said Tester. At a time of increased global threats and near peer adversaries, this new batch of helicopters will strengthen our nation's defense capabilities, secure our ICBM fields, and provide greater relief and certainty to the airmen who work tirelessly to keep us safe. I'm proud to have championed this effort in Congress to ensure our Air Force's defense needs are met now, and well into the future. \nFor years, Tester fought tirelessly to secure new helicopters for Malmstroma critical component of the Air Force's land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) mission and used to secure and transport airmen between launching sites. In 2016, Tester expressed serious concerns regarding Malmstrom's outdated Huey helicopter fleet, detailing that it lacked the capability to fully secure the country's ICBM sites and proposed a plan to use an existing Army contract to replace the fleet with modern helicopters.\nTester successfully secured funding for the replacement helicopters through the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act and the Defense Appropriations bill. After multiple delays, Tester pressed the Air Force in 2018 to provide a detailed timeline on the program's replacement. He later sent a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Defense to replace the UH-1N helicopters used at ICBM sites.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7840", "Tester, Stabenow Push to Address Veteran Food Insecurity by Urging VA, USDA Coordination During COVID-19 and Beyond [press_release]", "2020-11-16", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase coordination and take swift action to address veteran food insecurity during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.\nWhile USDA is primarily responsible for food and nutrition assistance programs, the VA also has an important role to play in ending veteran hunger, Senators Tester and Stabenow wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. Some studies have found that more than 20 percent of veterans using VA health care experience food insecurity. However, the food insecurity screening used in VA health care is only one question covering the last three months, which is inadequate and may allow veterans to fall through the cracks. We ask that VA evaluate the use of an enhanced and validated screening tool, such as the Hunger Vital Sign' screening, which is only two questions but more accurately identifies individuals at risk of food insecurity over the past year.\nIn their letter, the Senators also urged VA to explore approaches for addressing food insecurity among vulnerable veteransincluding homebound veterans, homeless veterans, and student veteranswho have trouble accessing and affording nutritious food. The letter pressed USDA to halt the implementation of changes to the Supplementation Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which will be particularly harmful to veterans experiencing unemployment or homelessness, and to improve data collection of veteran participation in nutrition programs. Tester and Stabenow highlighted the importance of having both agencies work collaboratively to employ all available Federal and local tools to aggressively curb veteran hunger during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.\nThe Senators continued, We urge you to explore the possibility of a cooperative agreement between your agencies to allow VA and its extended stakeholder community to do SNAP eligibility screenings and enrollment, utilizing available data and records for veterans, looking to the example of the cooperative agreement currently in place with USDA and the Social Security Administration. Giving VA the tools to bridge the gap between nutrition counseling and actual nutrition assistance would make the difference for many veterans.\nA copy of the Senators' letter can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7841", "Tester Secures More Than $1.1 Million for Havre Area Head Start [press_release]", "2020-11-16", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that the Havre Area Head Start and Early Head Start program will receive $1,145,047 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding to continue providing early education opportunities and child care services for families in Northcentral Montana.\nOne of the most critical investments we can make is in the next generations of Montanans who will lead our state into the future, said Tester. Havre's Head Start program gives Montana families the resources they need to ensure their kids have the tools they need to be successful right off the bat, and I'm proud to have pushed for this funding.\nThe funding comes from the Administration for Children & Families, which oversees Head Start programs across Montana. Havre's Head Start program offers preschool and infant care options for parents who need daycare for their children, information for young families on pregnancy and fetal development, and school readiness material to make sure Montana kids are prepared for kindergarten.\nA former elementary school teacher and school board member, Tester has been a longtime champion for Head Start programs in Montana. As a senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, he secured more than $10 billion in funding for Head Start programs nationwide in recent budget negotiations. In addition, he secured $1.8 million in Head Start funding in Butte, more than $1 million for Great Falls Early Head Start, and $1.3 million for Head Start in Lame Deer.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-fights-to-protect-montana-air-national-guards-c-130s", "Daines Fights to Protect Montana Air National Guards C-130s", "2020-11-13", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.13.20\n\t\t\t Daines Fights to Protect Montana Air National Guard's C-130s \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Senate and House Armed Services CommitteeLeadership to maintain a minimum inventoryof 292 C-130 aircraft, which includes thoseused by the Montana Air National Guard, in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\r\nOur 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, andsupported 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 do not trade experience and knowhow in pursuit of expensive, less defined capabilities.\r\nTo read Daines' letter to Senate and House ArmedServices CommitteeLeadership, clickHERE.\r\nEnsuring that the minimum number of C-130 aircraft remains at 292 is critical so that squadrons, including the Montana Air National Guard, can conduct flight training, allow for more backup aircraft, and give America more flexibility for critical maintenance and depot periods that meet the requirements set by the NationalDefense Strategy (NDS).\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7838", "Tester Brings Home Major Investments in Montanas Rural Communities [press_release]", "2020-11-13", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured billions in funding for critical Montana priorities as a part of a series of bills to fund the government for the next fiscal year.\nTester worked diligently to include priorities in the Agriculture, Rural Development and Food and Drug Administration; Interior-Environment; and Energy and Water Development spending bills that invest in Montana's rural communities, specifically championing funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Milk River Project including St. Mary's, and provisions addressing price fixing and trade disparities within agricultural markets that impact Montana producers.\nInvestments in rural America are investments in Montana's future, said Tester. These bills include critical funding to address some of the most pressing issues folks in rural areas facethe rising rate of suicide among farmers and ranchers, consolidation and price disparities in production agriculture, and outdated or damaged infrastructure in and around our public lands. And while I'm happy to see that these bills include many of the Montana priorities I fought for, I'm very disturbed by Majority Leader McConnell's disregard for legislative process. By dodging the critical process of a good old-fashioned markup, Senators are unable to propose amendments on behalf of their states and Americans miss out on a critical public discussion of where exactly their tax dollars are going.\nThis year, Majority Leader McConnell chose to cancel Committee markups of the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations bills, eliminating the ability of Senators to both offer amendments and discuss issues in public before the American people in an open and transparent process. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Tester has repeatedly expressed frustration and discontent towards subverting the usual process of holding markup.\nIn that role, Tester plays a significant role in writing the 12 bills that fund the federal government each year.\nMontana priorities Tester successfully included in the Agriculture, Rural Development and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations are:\nFarm and Ranch Mental Health:\n \n$10 million for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network\nRequirements directing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a national strategy for addressing farm and ranch mental stress and establish best practices for state and community implementation\nRequirements directing USDA to expand the existing staff training pilot program to ensure that all farmer-facing employees have access to voluntary suicide prevention training\nRequirements directing USDA to provide quarterly reports detailing the indicators of stress, data on stress response strategies, and emerging trends in rural economic and health care needs resulting from these stress interventions\n \nBroadband:\n \n$400 million for USDA's ReConnect Program\n$87 million for broadband supporting Distance Learning and Telemedicine\n \nCattle, Grains, and Hemp:\n \nExpressions of concern regarding USDA's decision to resume imports of Brazilian beef\nRequirements directing USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service to provide a report to the committee with strategies being employed to ensure Brazilian beef imports are meeting set standards\nRequirements directing the Agriculture Secretary to work with the Attorney General to ensure meat pricing mechanisms are transparent and there is competition in the cattle industry\nExpressions of concern regarding Canada's unfair wheat grading practices, specifically acknowledging the need to address the Varietal Registration System in order to achieve parity in grain trade\nRequirements directing USDA to revise the hemp sampling and testing protocols within the interim final rule for hemp\n \nExtension:\n \n$3 million to research technology-based rangeland and livestock management strategies to optimize health and productivity of both Western rangeland based livestock and the rangeland ecosystem\n \nMontana priorities Tester successfully included in the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill are:\nLand and Water Conservation Fund:\n \nU.S. Forest Service Projects: \n$8 million for the Miller Lake Valley\n$6 million for Lolo Trails maintenance and restoration\n$6 million for the Kootenai Forestlands Conservation Project\n$4 million for the Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project\nBureau of Land Management Projects \n$10 million for the Lower Musselshell River Conservation Project\n$3.3 million for the Blackfoot River watershed\nU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Projects \n$2 million for Montana National Wildlife Refuges and Conservation Areas\n \nPayment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT):\n \n$515 million for PILT programming\n \nEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA):\n \n$4.283 billion in State and Tribal Assistance Grants\n$1.184 billion for Superfund emergency response, removal, and remedial actions\n$64.5 million to address PFAS Contamination \nRequirements directing EPA to continue analyzing the impacts of Canadian coal mining on the Kootenai watershed\nRequirements directing EPA to finalize its risk assessment for asbestos\nExpressions of support for research into the impacts of wildfire smoke\n \nU.S. Department of Interior:\n \n$1.313 billion in wildland fire preparedness and suppression\n \nU.S. Forest Service:\n \n$4.014 billion in wildland fire preparedness and suppression \n \nMontana priorities Tester successfully included in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill are:\nMilk River Project at St. Mary's:\n \n$3.2 million for the Milk River Project\nRequirements directing the Bureau of Reclamation to work with local stakeholders to upgrade and repair infrastructure without undue impact to water users\n \nRural Water Projects:\n \n$1.9 million for the Rocky Boy's/North Central rural water system\n$2.4 million for the Fort Peck/Dry Prairie rural water systems\n$117.4 million in additional rural water funding\n \nU.S. Department of Energy:\n \n$115 million for wind energy research\n$233.8 million for solar energy research\n$105 million for geothermal energy research\n$213.6 million for carbon capture and storage research\n \nWeatherization Assistance Program:\n \n$305 million in state assistance grants\n \nU.S. Army Corps of Engineers:\n \n$11 million for watercraft inspection stations for aquatic invasive species, including invasive mussels\n$5.3 million for operations and maintenance of Fort Peck Dam and Lake\n$1.7 million for operations and maintenance of Libby Dam", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7839", "Tester Demands Interior Secretary Reverse Order Forcing Regulations on Private Landowners, Kneecapping LWCF [press_release]", "2020-11-13", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After Interior Secretary David Bernhardt issued a secretarial order undermining the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) by placing additional burdensome federal regulations on private landowners and their property, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today demanded that Bernhardt reverse course and rescind the directive.\nI am deeply concerned by the Department of Interior's repeated attempts to undermine LWCF over the last two weeks, wrote Tester. Secretarial Order number 3388 issued by the Department today puts further restraints on LWCF, one of our nation's most critical conservation and public land access programs.  I urge you to immediately rescind this anti-public land order.\nTester continued, This undercuts what a landowner can do with their own private property, and creates unnecessary, additional levels of bureaucracy that will hamstring future land acquisition through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.\nSecretary Bernhardt's order requires private landowners to obtain written support from county and state governments before they can voluntarily initiate a land sale through LWCF. It also requires Interior to prioritize projects for the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service over any other bureau, neglecting the Bureau of Land Management's 245 million acres of public land, and relies on LWCF projects to resolve public land access issues, and it constrains all land acquisitions to current boundaries of federal land. This will significantly impede Interior's ability to utilize LWCF to resolve complex land access issues.\nThe strength of this program has been its ability to work with a wide array of stakeholders to protect our most important landscapes and create new recreational opportunities, Tester concluded. Any changes to implementing this program should be made as a result of careful, collaborative public engagement, and in line with the intent of Congress.  This order meets neither standard.\nLast week, Tester took Secretary Bernhardt and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to task after they missed a statutory deadline to submit a list of priority LWCF projects to Congress, as required by Tester's recently passed Great American Outdoors Act. In lieu of a project list from the Administration, Tester used his position in the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to include a number of priority Montana LWCF projects in the Senate's Interior Appropriations legislation released earlier this week. Those projects include:\n \nU.S. Forest Service Projects:  \n$8 million for the Miller Lake Valley\n$6 million for Lolo Trails maintenance and restoration\n$6 million for the Kootenai Forestlands Conservation Project\n$4 million for the Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project\nBureau of Land Management Projects: \n$10 million for the Lower Musselshell River Conservation Project\n$3.3 million for the Blackfoot River watershed\nU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Projects: \n$2 million for Montana National Wildlife Refuges and Conservation Areas\n \nTester first introduced a bill to fully fund the LWCF in 2009, and until recently was the only member of the Montana delegation to support full, mandatory funding for LWCF.\nTester's letter to Bernhardt can be found HERE.\nTester's letter to Bernhardt and Perdue from last week can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-montana-wildland-firefighters-first-responders-passes-us-senate", "Daines' Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Montana Wildland Firefighters, First Responders Passes U.S. Senate", "2020-11-12", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.12.20\n\t\t\t Daines' Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Montana Wildland Firefighters, First Responders Passes U.S. Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing the bravery, sacrifice, and heroism of wildland firefighters and first responders across Montana and the nation has passed the U.S. Senate. The resolution also honors those who have lost their lives this fire season, including Montanans Tom Duffy and Sara Madsen.\r\nMontana's wildland firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and families from devastating wildfires, and this was a devastating fire season,Daines said.I'm glad to see the Senate pass my resolution recognizing these Montana heroes and honoring those we've lost this fire season, including Tom Duffy and Sara Madsen. I will always stand with our fire fighters and first responders, and will continue working to ensure they have the resources and tools they need each fire season.\r\nTo download TV elements clickHERE.\r\nTo read the bipartisan resolution, clickHERE.\r\nThis wildfire season has been intense and has caused severe damage to forests, property, and even loss of life. Over 35 people died and over 4,000 properties were destroyed as wildfires burned across the West. Over 30,000 wildland firefighters and military were mobilized to fight fires throughout Montana, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and other states.\r\nBackground:\r\nOnOctober 6th, 2020, Daines introduced his Senate resolution to recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and heroism of wildland firefighters and first responders across Montana and the nation.\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7835", "Inauguration Tickets [press_release]", "2020-11-12", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Presidential Inauguration will take place Wednesday, January 20, 2021 on the West Steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.\nInauguration is overseen by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), which is committed to traditional, inclusive, and safe ceremonies. As the Senator's office does not oversee inaugural ceremonies, the number of available tickets are limited and cannot be guaranteed. Constituents can request up to four (4) Inauguration tickets below.\nDue to COVID-19, the ticket distribution process is currently being assessed. The JCCIC will continue to monitor the situation and provide more information as it becomes available. We cannot guarantee the number of tickets requested per person until the JCCIC makes a determination on how to proceed with ticketing. Constituents will likely need to pick up tickets in-person a few days prior to the Inauguration at Senator Tester's Washington, DC office. The person who reserved the Inauguration tickets must be the same person to pick them up, as verified by ID. Tickets are free and cannot be sold. Please take into consideration the travel restrictions for arriving in Washington, D.C. from Montana. There is typically a fourteen day quarantine required for travelers. Updates can be found here.\nThe deadline to request tickets is January 6, 2020.\nPlease note  neither the Senator's office nor the JCCIC are involved in the Official Inaugural Balls or the Inaugural Parade. Those events are handled by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.\nFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (From the JCCIC)\nWhat happens during a traditional Inaugural Ceremony?\nPROCESSION TO THE CAPITOL:  By tradition, the outgoing President accompanies the President-elect to the Capitol for the Swearing-In Ceremony.    VICE PRESIDENT'S SWEARING-IN CEREMONY PRESIDENT'S    SWEARING-IN CEREMONY INAUGURAL ADDRESS:  Since George Washington in 1789, every President has delivered an Inaugural address, ranging in length from 8,445 words to just 135.    HONORARY DEPARTURE:  Following the Swearing-In Ceremonies on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, the outgoing President and First Lady leave the Capitol to begin their post-presidential lives.    SIGNING CEREMONY:  The first official actions taken by the newly sworn President of the United States occur in the President's Room just off the Senate Chamber in the U.S. Capitol.    INAUGURAL LUNCHEON:  Since 1953, the JCCIC has hosted a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol for the new President, Vice President, and guests.    PASS IN REVIEW:  After the conclusion of the Inaugural Ceremonies and the luncheon, the President and Vice President make their way to the East Front steps of the Capitol where they review military troops before leading a procession of ceremonial military regiments, citizens' groups, marching bands, and floats down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.\nWhere will the tickets allow me to go?\n \nThe tickets allow access to specific sections of the Capitol Grounds. Additionally, there typically is a large section on the National Mall (past 4th Street) that is accessible to the general public.\nAccessibility services are provided in each ticketed section and will be available upon entering the section by request to the Accessibility Services Representative.\nTickets are free and may not be sold.\n \nWhat should I bring and how should I dress?\n \nYou should be prepared to spend at least three hours in the cold in a very large crowd.  This event may not be Montana-cold, but is historically wet and chilly.\nDress for warmth. As most tickets reserve spots in grassy areas, dress in clothing and shoes that can withstand mud.\nPack your patience. Security measures will be in place and taken very seriously. Be prepared to go through layers of safety measures, including metal detectors and bag checks.  Security requires ticket holders to arrive hours early. carrying no seats or large bags. Bags over 18x13x7 are prohibited.\nProhibited items include:           \nBags over 18x13x7;\nWeapons of any kind: firearms and ammo, explosives, knives/blades/sharp objects, mace/pepper spray; \nUmbrellas; \nDrones; \nBalloons;\nSigns larger than 20'x3'x1/4; \nCoolers;\nGlass or metal bottles, including insulated or double-walled water bottles; \nPets (unless they are service animals); \nAny other items determined to be potential safety hazards.\n \nWhat is the best way to get to the Inauguration?\n \nDue to street closures around the Capitol grounds and massive crowds using public transit, transportation options will be very limited. Please be prepared to walk several blocks and to wait in long lines.\n \nWhat if I cannot get tickets?\n \nSpectators can still gather along the National Mall, which typically includes large screens for viewing the Inaugural Ceremony.\nAdditionally, the new President typically goes on a ceremonial parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the U.S. Capitol to the White House after being sworn in. Spectators can line up along Pennsylvania Avenue during the parade. A number of bleacher seats can usually be reserved through the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Sidewalk viewing is free and will not be reserved.\n \nIf you have additional questions about the Inauguration, please visit the official website for the 59th Inauguration here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7837", "Tester on Veterans Day: We have a shared responsibility to serve those whove worn the uniform [press_release]", "2020-11-11", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester on Veterans Day: We have a shared responsibility to serve those who've worn the uniform' \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester, Ranking Member and Montana's only member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, today released the following statement to commemorate Veterans Day:\n Veterans Day stands as an important reminder to honor those who've served and reflect on the enduring sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and their families. But we shouldn't honor our nation's heroes just once a yeartheir service deserves our appreciation year-round. As Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I'm honored and humbled to work every day to hold the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable and connect more veterans with the proper care and benefits they've earned. As a nation, we have a shared responsibility to serve those who've worn the uniform and fought on behalf of our freedoms. To all our veterans and their familieswe thank you for your sacrifice. May you be celebrated today, and every day. \n  \nIn 2013, Senator Tester cosponsored bipartisan legislation to facilitate the construction of a Native American Veterans' Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, to honor the military service of Native Americans. The new memorial opened today on the National Mall.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7832", "Tester Statement on Importance of Affordable Care Act Following Supreme Court Arguments [press_release]", "2020-11-10", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Importance of Affordable Care Act Following Supreme Court Arguments \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in California v Texas, the Republican-backed lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA):\n This reckless effort by national Republicans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act isn't small potatoesa decision to strike down the law would destroy the health care system as we know it, jeopardizing lives, our economy, and the rural Montana hospitals that keep our communities safe. The ACA isn't perfect, but it provides critical protections for Montanans with pre-existing conditions and the care they depend on to stay healthy. We've got to make health care more accessible and more affordablenot leave millions out to dry in the middle of a national public health crisis. \n  \nFollowing the submission of a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the invalidation of the ACA by a group of Republican Attorneys General, Tester led his colleagues in demanding the Department of Justice defend the ACA as existing law in court and halt its efforts to repeal the health care protections for millions of Americans in the midst of a surge in cases in a global pandemic. If the Supreme Court overturns the ACA, 112,000 Montanans could lose coverage, including the 85,000 Montanans enrolled through Medicaid expansion and 7,000 Montanans under the of age 26 who have stayed on their parents' health coverage could lose their care.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7833", "Tester Secures Montana Priorities in Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Bill [press_release]", "2020-11-10", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today secured billions in funding for critical homeland security priorities for Montana and the country as part of a series of bills to fund the government for the next fiscal year.\nTester worked diligently to include priorities in the spending package that would restore funding for the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) that the Trump Administration attempted to eliminate as well as robust investments in the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and critical border security programs.\nOur country is facing significant threats to our national security during these unprecedented times, and this legislation will help keep Montana families safe by investing in threat reduction for wildfires and natural disasters, bolstering Coast Guard readiness, and making new advancements in security technology at our airports and on the northern border, said Tester. And while I'm happy to see that this package includes many of Montana's priorities I fought for, I'm deeply disturbed that our usual legislative processes have been thrown out the window. Circumventing a markup prevents us from crafting legislation that will do the most good for the American people, and instead allows my colleagues to bypass a meaningful process and include provisionslike nearly $2 billion for an ineffective border wallwithout any accountability to the public.\nThis year, the Republican majority chose to cancel Committee markups of the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations bills, eliminating the ability of Senators to both offer amendments and discuss issues in public before the American people in an open and transparent process. As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, Senator Tester has repeatedly expressed frustration and discontent towards subverting the usual process of holding markup.\nAs a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester is responsible for writing the 12 bills that fund the federal government each year. Among the Montana provisions Tester successfully included in today's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations package are:\nFEMA Fire Grants \n \n$355 million for Fire grants which provide equipment and training to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters. Montana received $1,932,922 in FY 2019, FY 2020 awards are still being made.\n \nFEMA SAFER Grants \n \n$355 million for SAFER grants which help communities increase or maintain the number of trained firefighters. Montana received $2,256,067 in FY 2019, FY 2020 awards are still being made.\n \nOperation Stonegarden\n \n$90 million for Operation Stonegarden grants which provide funding to state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to enhance coordination with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) to defend America's borders. Montana received $1,287,580 in FY 2020.\n \nMontana State University\n \n$7 million for Partnership Intermediary Agreements, which supports a partnership between DHS Science and Technology (S&T) and Montana State University, to use technical expertise at MilTech and the Applied Research Lab to help transition innovative technologies to address critical mission needs across DHS.\n$5 million to support collaboration between MSU and DHS (S&T) to continue to develop software analysis services that identify and measure security weaknesses in software design for data researchers and program developers. This funding is also to support growing collaboration between MSU and S&T on general cyber related projects.\n$6 million for DHS to create a national testing capacity to assess vulnerabilities and mitigate biological risks, including COVID-19, in building air and water handling systems, multi-building facilities, and waste water systems. The Center for Biofilm Engineering at MSU will partner with the Idaho National Laboratory for research to assess the role of biofilm in the transportation of pathogenic organisms in the built environment to create innovative biosurveillance and monitoring capabilities. \n \nBorder Security Technology\n \n$28 million for 30 autonomous surveillance towers (AST)\n$15 million for Mobile Modular Surveillance Systems (M2S2)\n$5 million for the small Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS) System\n \nElection Security\n \n$43 million for the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)\n \nTribal consultation \n \nA requirement is included mandating DHS to update Tribal consultation training in conjunction with Tribes \n \nFEMA Grants\n \n$560 million for the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP)\n$665 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)\nA set aside of $90 million for Nonprofit Security Grants through UASI and SHSGP\n$710 million for Firefighter grants \n$100 million for Port Security Grants \n$100 million for Transit Security Grants \n$355 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants \n$263 million for flood mapping \n$14 million each for Regional Catastrophic Preparedness and High Hazard Dams \n$125 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program\n$288 million for education, training and exercises\n \nTSA Funding\n \n$46 million for the TSA Law Enforcement Reimbursement Program to partially reimburse airports for providing law enforcement officer staffing\n$59 million for the TSA Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) Program which funds 31 teams that are deployed to airports and transit systems to guard against terrorist attacks\n$169 million to sustain 1,097 explosives detection canine teams\n$84 million to continue funding TSA staffing of exit lanes \n$140 million for 141 new computed tomography (CT) screening units for airport checkpoints\n$61 million for 960 Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units. Of the 960 units, 467 will be deployed to small and rural airports\n$40 million to continue reimbursing airports for in-line baggage screening systems built after 9/11\n \nCoast Guard\n \n$1.911 billion is provided for Coast Guard Procurement, Construction and Improvements, including $555 million for the Coast Guard's 2nd Polar Security Cutter (PSC) \n$546 million for the third Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and long lead time materials for the fourth OPC \n$160 million for two Fast Response Cutters \n$321 million for construction of shore facilities, $116 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7836", "Senate Unanimously Passes Tester-Backed Veterans COMPACT Act to Enhance Access to Mental Health Care [press_release]", "2020-11-10", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester today applauded the Senate's unanimous passage of the Veterans' Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020, or Veterans' COMPACT Act, a package of critical mental health provisions to support women veterans, eliminate emergency mental health care costs, and assist servicemembers transitioning to civilian life.\nI applaud my Senate colleagues for quickly passing the Veterans' COMPACT Act to increase access to critical mental health care and enhance the lives of our nation's heroes, said Ranking Member Tester. Effectively curbing the growing national suicide rate starts by taking an aggressive, all-hands-on-deck approach with an increased focus on supporting our veterans and those who are most frequently left behind, including women and individuals at-risk of homelessness. Building on the success of my landmark Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, this bipartisan, bicameral package will ensure we're doing just that by implementing the most effective tools to connect more veterans with life-saving care.\nThe Veterans' COMPACT Act features the following nine provisions that complement Tester's Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act to reduce veteran suicide:\n \nCare for those in crisis by providing acute crisis care for emergent suicide symptoms.\nHelp veterans build networks of support by creating a pilot program on information sharing between Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and designated relatives and friends of veterans regarding the assistance and benefits available to the veterans.\nTrack outcomes of VA's outreach to transitioning servicemembers by conducting an annual report on the Solid Start program of the Department.\nTailor education for family members by creating an education program for family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders.\nCreate an outdoor Recreation Task Force by establishing an Interagency Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for veterans. \nContact veterans who have not had contact with VA in two or more years to encourage them to receive comprehensive exams so that they continue their eligibility for coverage of emergency care not related to service-connected disabilities. \nRequire annual VA Police de-escalation and crisis intervention training.\nConduct a gap analysis of VA programs that provide assistance to women veterans who are homeless. \nProvide a report on locations where women veterans are using health care from the VA.\n \nTester has been leading the charge in Congress to connect American servicemembers and veterans with mental health resources to heal invisible wounds of war following their service. As Ranking Member, he introduced his bipartisan Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act last Congress to bolster VA's mental health workforce and increase rural veterans' access to care, while expanding veterans' access to alternative and local treatment options like animal therapy, outdoor sports and activities, yoga, and acupuncture. President Donald Trump signed Tester's monumental bill into law on October 17, 2020.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7830", "Tester Statement on Biden, Harris Victory in 2020 Presidential Election [press_release]", "2020-11-07", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Biden, Harris Victory in 2020 Presidential Election \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris were projected to win the 2020 presidential election:\n Sharla and I congratulate President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on their momentous victory and I look forward to working with them to move this country forward. We must come together and focus on what connects us, not what divides us. We live in the greatest nation in the world and I know we are capable of creating an even better future for generations to come.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7829", "Tester Demands Interior Secretary and Forest Service Produce LWCF Priority Project List After Departments Miss Deadline [press_release]", "2020-11-06", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senator Jon Tester today took Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and the Forest Service to task after the land management agencies missed a statutory deadline to submit a list of priority Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) projects to Congress, as required by Senator Tester's landmark Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).\nI am writing to you regarding the Department of the Interior's and Forest Service's failure to meet the statutory requirement to submit a list of Land and Water Conservation projects to the Senate today, wrote Tester. Ninety four days ago, the President signed the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act into law, which required the Department to submit a list by November 2nd.  The Department of the Interior missed this statutory deadline.  This is unacceptable and must be corrected immediately.  I urge the Department to uphold it role in administering LWCF and provide the project list to Congress.\nUnder Tester's Great American Outdoors Act, the Department of Interior and Forest Service are required to provide a list of proposed projects to be funded  by Congress through the Land and Water Conservation Fund by November 2nd. Without such a list, priority projects that have languished in funding for years could fall through the cracks.\nTester's GAOA secured full, mandatory funding for LWCF at $900 million a year, and $9.5 billion to address maintenance backlogs on public lands across the United States. Earlier this year, Tester wrote to Secretary Bernhardt and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue urging them to quickly submit a list of projects to Congress so that funding could get to communities as soon as possible.\nMandatory funding guaranteed in this law will essentially double available annual funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, meaning that even more projects to assist states with local parks and trails are on the table, Tester wrote in August. I encourage you to work aggressively with communities and stakeholder groups to find a full slate of projects to put Fiscal Year 2021's $900 million to good use. This is your chance to make up for years of lost time and low funding levels.\nEstablished in 1964, the LWCF uses revenues from oil and gas leasing to fund conservation and recreation priorities across the nation. Since its creation, the LWCF has invested millions into Montana's $7.1 billion outdoor recreation economy.\nTester first introduced a bill to fully fund the LWCF in 2009, and until recently was the only member of the Montana delegation to support full, mandatory funding for LWCF.\nTester's letter to Bernhardt can be found HERE.\nTester's August letter to Bernhardt and Perdue can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gianforte.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-trump-signs-gianforte-daines-bill-save-sidney-kinsey", "President Trump Signs Gianforte, Daines Bill to Save Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts into Law", "2020-10-31", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Greg Gianforte", "G000584", "gianforte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Greg Gianforte andU.S. Senator Steve Daines today celebratedtheir bill to savethe Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts being signedinto law by President Trump. The bill ensuresirrigators in the communities continue receiving affordable power that enables irrigation for farm and ranch land.\nAg is Montana's number one industry, and I appreciate President Trump signing into law our bipartisan bill to support farmers and ranchers. Our new law ensures more than 130 family farms in Eastern Montana have access to reliable irrigation,\"Gianforte said.\"I'll continue working hard to protect Montana farmers and ranchers.\"\nThis is a great day for Montana's farmers and ranchers in Sidney and Kinsey who depend on affordable power and reliable irrigation access,Daines said. This bill protects Montana ag jobs andensuresMontana irrigators in Sidney and Kinsey cansleep soundly at night knowing they won't be faced with unreasonable price increases this Decemberand in the future. Thank you to Congressman Gianforte for working with meto get this done, and to President Trump for signing our bill into law.\nThe Sidney and Kinsey Irrigation Districts will now have continued access to affordable power that facilitates irrigation. Together, the Districts serve more than 130 family farms and irrigates nearly 12,000 acres of farmland in eastern Montana. These fields produce hay, corn, potatoes, soybeans, and peas, and nearly 4,800 of the acres are sugar beets produced for Sidney Sugars, Inc. The operations from Kinsey also helps feed more than 20,000 cattle a year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/president-trump-signs-daines-gianforte-bill-to-save-sidney-kinsey-irrigation-districts-into-law-", "President Trump Signs Daines, Gianforte Bill to Save Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts into Law", "2020-10-31", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.31.20\n\t\t\t President Trump Signs Daines, Gianforte Bill to Save Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts into Law  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill ensures Montana farms and ranches have continued access to reliable power, protects Montana jobs\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. CONGRESS U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte today celebratedtheir bill to savethe Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts being signedinto law by President Trump. The bill ensuresirrigators in the communities continue receiving affordable power that enables irrigation for farm and ranch land.\r\nThis is a great day for Montana's farmers and ranchers in Sidney and Kinsey who depend on affordable power and reliable irrigation access,Daines said. This bill protects Montana ag jobs andensuresMontana irrigators in Sidney and Kinsey cansleep soundly at night knowing they won't be faced with unreasonable price increases this Decemberand in the future. Thank you to Congressman Gianforte for working with meto get this done, and to President Trump for signing our bill into law.\r\nAg is Montana's number one industry, and I appreciate President Trump signing into law our bipartisan bill to support farmers and ranchers. Our new law ensures more than 130 family farms in Eastern Montana have access to reliable irrigation,\" Gianforte said. \"I'll continue working hard to protect Montana farmers and ranchers.\"\r\nThe Sidney and Kinsey Irrigation Districts will now have continued access to affordable power that facilitates irrigation. Together, the Districts serve more than 130 family farms and irrigates nearly 12,000 acres of farmland in eastern Montana. These fields produce hay, corn, potatoes, soybeans, and peas, and nearly 4,800 of the acres are sugar beets produced for Sidney Sugars, Inc. The operations from Kinsey also helps feed more than 20,000 cattle a year.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7828", "Tester to VA: Stop Denying Personal Protective Equipment for Home Health Care Workers Caring for Vulnerable Veterans During COVID-19 [press_release]", "2020-10-30", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Ranking Member Jon Tester of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee is continuing to push the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement key provisions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to ensure veterans and health care workers are protected during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.\nUnder the CARES Act, VA is required to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for home health care workers who provide care to veterans. In a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie yesterday, Ranking Member Tester demanded the Department comply with the law and quickly distribute essential PPE to home care providers and contractors during the pandemic.\nWhen I fought to include this provision in law, it was so that home health workers could have the necessary PPE before they even stepped foot into a veteran's homenot for them to be forced to show up empty-handed and have to rely on the veteran patient to supply them with essential PPE, Ranking Member Tester wrote. VA should not be gambling with veterans' and providers' health by denying home health workers the PPE they need to safely do their jobs. Further, if the Department ran into issues implementing the law as intended, VA officials should have come directly to me and the other leaders of the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees.\nTester has fought tirelessly to ensure that veterans and the staff who provide their care have better access to life-saving supplies during the pandemic. After voting to deliver nearly $20 billion to strengthen the VA's response to COVID-19, Tester quickly called on Secretary Wilkie to implement key provisions under CARES to provide supplies to State Veterans Homes. He demanded VA proactively share PPE with veterans and employees at these facilities, and with home health care workers. Tester also pressed the federal government to make full use of its powers under the Defense Production Act, imploring Vice President Mike Pence to prioritize VA in any supply chain decisions to better protect veterans, health care professionals, and all Americans from the coronavirus.\nRanking Member Tester continued, Seven months after enactment, it is unacceptable that VA is not complying with the CARES Act and leaving homebound veterans and their providers at-risk during a major pandemic. What is VA's plan to comply with the CARES Act and provide both employees and contractors with appropriate PPE so they can care for veterans safely?\nRead Tester's full letter to Secretary Wilkie HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-announces-montana-veterans-gold-star-families-to-get-free-entrance-to-national-parks", "Daines Announces Montana Veterans, Gold Star Families to Get Free Entrance to National Parks", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.28.20\n\t\t\t Daines Announces Montana Veterans, Gold Star Families to Get Free Entrance to National Parks \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Department of the Interior will grant Montana veterans and Gold Star Families free access to national parks and other public lands starting Veterans Day, November 11th, 2020.\r\nMontana veterans and Gold Star Families have given so much defending our freedom. I'm thankful to the Trump administration and Secretary Bernhardt for granting free admission to our national parks and public lands for our nation's heroes and Gold Star Families, Daines said.\r\nEarlier this year, Daines introduced bipartisan legislation to provide Gold Star Families free admission into national parks and other federal public lands.\r\nGold Star Family members are those who are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a qualifying situation, such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-calls-on-senate-leadership-to-prevent-cuts-to-medicare-payments-protect-montana-patients", "Daines Calls on Senate Leadership to Prevent Cuts to Medicare Payments, Protect Montana Patients", "2020-10-27", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.27.20\n\t\t\t Daines Calls on Senate Leadership to Prevent Cuts to Medicare Payments, Protect Montana Patients \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Dainesyesterday sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to prevent Medicare payment cuts and protect patients in Montana in legislation before the end of the year.\r\nI have heard from Montanans that these payment cuts will further strain our state's health care system and practitioners already stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and could also jeopardize patient access to medically necessary services over the long-term, Daines wrote. I stand ready to work with you to prevent these harmful cuts and support Montana's physicians and other health care professionals who are on the frontlines of this pandemic to continue ensuring Montanans across the state can access necessary medical services.\r\nTo read Daines' letter to Senate leadership, click HERE.\r\nIn his letter, Daines expressed his concerns with payment cuts proposed for certain health care providers, which will affect a large number of specialty physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and other providers in Montana. Due to the pandemic, medical professionals across Montana are already facing financial challenges, and these payment reductions could hinder access to care for patients.\r\nAs Montana's health care system and medical providers continue to feel pressure from rising cases of COVID-19, Senator Daines is fighting to ensure our health care heroes across the state who are on the frontlines of this pandemic are supported so that Montanans can access necessary medical services.\r\nBackground:\r\nDaines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country.To read about Daines' COVID-19 related efforts, clickHERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gianforte.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/gianforte-receives-friend-farm-bureau-award-0", "Gianforte Receives Friend of Farm Bureau Award", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "Senate", "MT", "Greg Gianforte", "G000584", "gianforte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Montana Farm Bureau (MFBF) on Friday presented Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) with its Friend of Farm Bureau Award.\nIt's a tremendous honor to receive this Friend of Farm Bureau Award from the Farm Bureau for the work we've done back in Congress, Gianforte said. Ag is our number one industry. It's been a rough year with COVID-19 and not getting fair prices, but I'm optimistic. I think there's a lot we can to do help our farmers and ranchers get back on their feet and prosper again.\n\nJohn Youngberg, executive vice president of the MFBF, said, We appreciate his willingness to listen to us. His open-door policy allows us to come in and work with him. And also his votes on issues: he's been golden for agriculture, which is appropriate since it is Montana's number one industry.\nNicole Rolf, MFBF's director of national affairs, said, Congressman Gianforte is a true friend to the farmers and ranchers of Montana. He takes the time to really understand the wide variety of issues impacting us in our state and seeks out solutions with a business mindset and a dedicated work ethic. We appreciate all that he has done to support Montana agriculture while in Congress and are proud to recognize him with the Friend of Farm Bureau Award.\nThe American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) gives the Friend of Farm Bureau each Congress to lawmakers who have supported Farm Bureau policy, were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureau, and were approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors. The voting records of the 116th Congress are based on priority issues selected by the AFBF board.\nGianforte also received the award in 2018.\nClick HERE for audio of Gianforte's and Youngberg's statements.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-statement-on-amy-coney-barretts-confirmation-to-the-united-states-supreme-court", "Daines Statement on Amy Coney Barrett's Confirmation to the United States Supreme Court", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.26.20\n\t\t\t Daines Statement on Amy Coney Barrett's Confirmation to the United States Supreme Court \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATEU.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement after voting to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court:\r\n\r\nFor video of Daines' statement, click HERE.\r\nToday, I proudly voted to confirmAmy Coney Barrettto the United States Supreme Court. Justice Barrett's qualifications andcharacter are indisputable. She is a brilliant jurist, and asa mother of seven children, she is an inspiration to professional women, working moms and school-aged girls across Montana who can feel certain there is no American Dream that women can't achieve, Daines said. Justice Barrett will safeguard our liberties,defend the Constitution, and protect our Montana way of lifeincludingthe Second Amendment andourMontana jobsfordecadesto come.\r\n\r\nFor photos and TV elements of Daines' Oct. 1st meeting with Justice Barrett, click HERE.\r\nStatements in support of Daines' vote to confirm Justice Barrett to follow.\r\nBackground:\r\nOn October 25th, 2020, Daines voted YES on a procedural vote to advance the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court.\r\nOn October 24th, 2020, Daines spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate in support of confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett to our nation's highest court.\r\nOn October 22nd, 2020, Daines issued a statement afterthe nomination ofJudge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court was approved out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.\r\nOn October 1st, 2020, Daines met with President Trump's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, JudgeAmy Coney Barrett.\r\nOn September 26th, 2020, Daines issued a statement following President Donald Trump's announcement of Amy Coney Barrett as his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.\r\nOn September 18th, 2020, Daines issued his statement on the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-urges-deadline-flexibility-for-tribal-covid-relief-fund", "Daines Urges Deadline Flexibility for Tribal COVID Relief Fund", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.26.20\n\t\t\t Daines Urges Deadline Flexibility for Tribal COVID Relief Fund \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to give Montana Tribes more flexibility to utilize funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The letter asks Mnuchin and Meadows to expand the definition of allowable CRF incurred expenses to include projects that will be substantially completed by 2021.\r\nwhile tribes will be able to purchase masks and other short-term life goods before the end of 2020, the requirement that performance or delivery must occur during the covered period' severely handicaps tribes' ability to use these funds for some of their most pressing needs in responding to Coronavirus and largely defeats the purpose of the fund, Daines wrote. Updating the guidance to allow tribes and other CRF eligible entities to complete essential public health infrastructure projects will honor the intent of the CARES Act and address the ongoing needs of communities during the pandemic.\r\nTo read the letter, which Daines sent with Senator Martha McSally of Arizona, click HERE.\r\nStarting these critical public health projects with CRF funds is not allowed under current CRF guidance. Extending the deadline will allow Montana Tribes to complete their most significant pandemic response projects, including the construction of health care facilities and improvements to water infrastructure.\r\nBackground:\r\nDaines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country.To read about Daines' COVID-19 related efforts, clickHERE.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/what-they-are-saying-montana-leaders-thank-daines-for-voting-in-support-of-justice-amy-coney-barretts-confirmation", "What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Thank Daines for Voting in Support of Justice Amy Coney Barretts Confirmation", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.26.20\n\t\t\t What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Thank Daines for Voting in Support of Justice Amy Coney Barrett's Confirmation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE  Today U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted yes to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. Several Montana leaders issued statements in support of Daines' vote to confirm Justice Barrett.\r\nToday, I proudly voted to confirmAmy Coney Barrettto the United States Supreme Court. JusticeBarrett's qualifications andcharacter are indisputable. She is a brilliant jurist, and asa mother of seven children, she is an inspiration to professional women, working moms and school-aged girls across Montana who can feel certain there is no American Dream that women can't achieve.Justice Barrett will safeguard our liberties,defend the Constitution, and protect our Montana way of lifeincludingthe Second Amendment andourMontana jobsfordecadesto come.  Daines' statement following the vote\r\nStatements of Support:\r\nI want to thank President Trump and Senator Daines for supporting a strong female leader on our nation's highest court. Judge Amy Coney Barrett will be an excellent Justice on the United States Supreme Court and is a role model for future Montana women leaders. Judge Barrett will ensure future generations of Montanans are able to enjoy the rights and liberties secured for American citizens in our Constitution.  Elsie Arntzen, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction\r\nJudge Amy Coney Barrett's brilliance, scholarship, and legal acumen are widely known and accepted on both sides of the aisle. However, as a former law student of Judge Barrett, I can attest to her great character, selflessness, and commitment to our U.S. Constitution. As a Montanan, I am proud of Senator Daines for supporting such a qualified candidate to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.  Chase Giacomo, Former law student of Judge Barrett, Kalispell native\r\nAmy Coney Barrett is humble, and at the same time, she is leader in standing for the principles that have guided this nation so well for over 200 years. I watched her speak with grace and compassion, never wavering in her beliefs and never compromising judicial integrity. I believe she is the absolute best choice, for such a time as this, to fill the vacancy left by Justice Ginsburg. Thank you Senator for standing with Montanans as we strive to keep our country principled and conservative.  Kendra Espinoza, plaintiff,Espinoza v. Montana\r\n\r\nAfter watching Judge Barrett's confirmation hearings, it's clear that her commitment to the Constitution and upholding the rule of law is beyond reproach. I urge both of Montana's Senators to ignore the slanderous attacks and confirm this brilliant jurist as quickly as possible.  Wynn Meehan, Sheriff, Broadwater County\r\n\r\nJudge Barrett's appointment to the Supreme Court is welcome relief for those of us who have seen our way of life disappearing at the hands of activist judges. From the power plant at Colstrip, to the Keystone XL Pipeline, the fate of natural resource communities rests in the hands of judges who are thousands of miles away. Rural Montana needs someone who is willing to stand against popular opinion and rule with impartiality according to the Constitution. Amy Coney Barrett is that person and we can't afford to wait a second longer for her confirmation. Doug Martens, Commissioner, Rosebud County\r\n\r\nConcerned Montana gun owners sincerely appreciate that President Trump has nominated such an eminently qualified jurist as Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. We believe Judge Barrett will continue to view the words and concepts in the Constitution as the framers and adopters intended and understood them. We urge swift confirmation of Judge Barrett.  Gary Marbut, President, Montana Shooting Sports Association\r\n\r\nMontana Contractors Association enthusiastically supports the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court. Judge Barrett's nomination comes at a time when the construction industry, and business community at-large, face tremendous uncertainty in the midst of COVID-19 and a national election. The country needs stability during these tumultuous times and that begins with a predictable legal climate. Throughout her career, Judge Barret has demonstrated a faithful devotion to the constitution and a keen understanding of the Supreme Court's narrow role-to interpret the laws not make them. She's exactly who we need at this moment in history.  David Smith, Executive Director, Montana Contractor's Association\r\n\r\nMontana Petroleum Association is proud to support the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court. Judge Barrett's legal career is one marked by judicial restraint and a faithful adherence to the rule of law. These qualifications are a breath of fresh air for Montana energy producers and their dedicated employees who have experienced significant setbacks at the hands of activist courts. Judge Barret not only understands the consequence of judicial overreach but also possesses the humility to set aside her personal beliefs and rule according to the constitution. Acting as an effective check on the Executive and Legislative branches takes more than legal knowledge, it also requires the kind of courage possessed by Judge Barrett.  Alan Olson, Executive Director, Montana Petroleum Association\r\n\r\nThe Montana Building Industry Association (MBIA) supports President Trump's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett as Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her career as a federal appellate judge and Notre Dame law professor has been long and distinguished. Judge Barrett's decisions have helped curb government overreach. She has ruled in favor of private property rights, and has helped provide certainty for small business owners. We look forward to her time as a Supreme Court Justice. And we thank Senator Daines for his support of her nomination, and his dedication to Montana's construction industry.  Steve Snezek, Executive Director, Montana Building Industry Association\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7826", "Tester Pushes White House to Enforce USMCA, Resolve Canadas Grain Grading Issues Immediately [press_release]", "2020-10-26", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following reports that despite the ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) earlier this year, Canada has continued to downgrade American wheat imported into the country, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today urged U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer to immediately reach out to the Canadian trade representatives to resolve the issues and enforce the Agreement.\nIn theory, USMCA ends the Canadian practice of automatically downgrading all imported wheat to feed wheat, which is the lowest grade and therefore the cheapest to import, wrote Tester As USMCA goes into effect, the State of Montana is hearing that the Canadian government is unwilling to make changes to the [Varietal Registration System] that would bring any real equity to the grain grading system.  If Canada continues to refuse to accept U.S. varieties into the VRS, then U.S. grain growers are back at square one, and will be forced to sell their high-quality product as a low-quality import.\nTester continued: USMCA held such promise, but if we are unable to deliver any real outcomes for Montana farmers from the deal, we are failing folks in production agriculture.  Without robust enforcement, negotiated trade agreements will be unable to bring certainty and market stability to American farmers and ranchers.\nSenator Tester supported the USMCA and voted for it when it passed the Senate in January. His support was based in large part on the fix to Canada's unfair wheat grading practices, and he has long argued that, without strict enforcement, the trade agreement cannot provide a substantial benefit to Montana producers.\nUSMCA addressed a critical discrepancy in U.S.-Canada wheat trade by prohibiting either country from discriminating against the other's grain, ending the Canadian practice of automatically downgrading all imported wheat to feed wheatthe lowest grade and therefore cheapest to import. However, USMCA does not address the inherently discriminatory Canadian Varietal Registration System (VRS), a list of wheat varieties that may be sold on Canadian markets.  Wheat varieties not registered in the VRS must be sold as feed wheat, regardless of USMCA, and the VRS excludes many varieties grown in Northern tier states like Montana. Canada has indicated that it is unwilling to make changes to the VRS, allowing it to continue to unfairly downgrade Montana wheat.\nWhile I continue to hear the Administration and my Republican colleagues tout the success of USMCA in press releases, the fact remains that there is still work to do for Montana's wheat farmers, concluded Tester. That's why I ask that you immediately work to remedy the grain grading discrepancy, rather than tout USMCA as an untarnished success.\nTester has been an outspoken critic of President Trump's trade war and has pushed to hold the Administration accountable by passing legislation to give Congress a role in imposing tariffs. He has heard about the impact of these tariffs firsthand, holding in-person listening sessions with Montana farmers, ranchers, and small business owners about the consequences of the trade war.\nTester's full letter can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-judge-amy-coney-barretts-qualifications-character-are-indisputable-", "Daines: Judge Amy Coney Barretts Qualifications, Character are Indisputable", "2020-10-25", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.25.20\n\t\t\t Daines: Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Qualifications, Character are Indisputable  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Daines casts procedural vote to advance Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination, gives floor speech in support of confirmation\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted YES on a procedural voteto advance the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United StatesSupreme Court. Daines also spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate in support of confirming Judge Amy Coney Barrett to our nation's highest court.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor a clip of Daines' remarks click HERE. For full remarks click, HERE.\r\nAll Senate Democrats voted NO to advance Judge Barrett's nomination. If the proceduralvote failed, it would have stopped the confirmationof Judge Barrett from moving forward.\r\nExcerpts from Daines' remarks:\r\n\"Judge Barrett's qualifications and character are indisputable...\r\n\"Judge Barrett believes judges shouldn't legislate from the bench...\r\n\"She won't misuse her power as a judge to impose her policy preferences...\r\n\"And she won't twist the originaland truemeaning of the Constitution to advance a political agenda - of any kind...\r\n\"Judge Barrett will uphold our cherished constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment...\r\n\"Judge Barrett's strong record in support of the Second Amendment can give every law-abiding Montanan who owns a firearm, full confidence that she will NEVER allow the government to take away our guns...\r\n\"She will defend the Constitution and protect our Montana way of life, including our Montana jobs...\r\n\"Judge Barrett will not bend to the radical, fringe groups looking to kill Montana timber and coal jobs...\r\n\"She will be a fair-minded justice Montanans can be proud of...\r\n\"As a mother of seven children and a \"Minivan Mom,\" Judge Barrett is an inspiration to professional women, working moms and school-aged girls across Montana, who can feel certain, there is no American Dream that women can't achieve...\r\n\"As U.S. Senator for Montana, supporting Judge Barrett's confirmation to the Supreme Court is an easy call...\r\n\"She is someone who Montanans will be proud of, and will look up to on the Court...\"\r\n\r\nDaines meets with Judge Barrett on October 1st.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=7825", "Tester Statement on Supreme Court Vote [press_release]", "2020-10-25", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Supreme Court Vote \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senator Jon Tester released the following statement on the procedural vote to begin debate on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett:\n Montanans are already voting in this election, and I believe it is deeply irresponsible to ram a partisan nomination through in the final days before polls closea precedent my Republican colleagues established four years ago and are breaking now. With health coverage for 120 million Americans with pre-existing conditions soon to be decided by the Court, I cannot support Judge Barrett's nomination because I do not believe we should be confirming a Supreme Court Justice, no matter who that is, before the American people have a chance to make their voices heard. \n  \nSenator Tester repeatedly requested a meeting with Judge Barrett before making his decision on her nomination. This meeting is customarily offered to all Senators. The White House did not make Barrett available for a phone call or meeting with Senator Tester.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-introduces-senate-resolution-condemning-court-packing", "Daines Introduces Senate Resolution Condemning Court Packing", "2020-10-24", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "10.24.20\n\t\t\t Daines Introduces Senate Resolution Condemning Court Packing \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a Senateresolution condemning thepromises made by Democratic leaders to increase the number of Supreme Court Justices on the bench,known as court packing. Following introduction of the resolution,Daines spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of passing his resolution highlighting howcourt packing is an attack on theMontana way of life and howit undermines the separation of powers.\r\n\r\nClick HERE for a clip of the statement below, click HERE for full speech.\r\n\"Packing the Supreme Court by moving from the current 9 justices to 11 or 13 would essentially eliminate the Supreme Court from being a check and balance on Congress and the executive branch, paving the way for a radical, far left agenda put forth by Chuck Schumer and the Democrats if they get the majority.Packing the Supreme Court is a direct attack on our Montana way of life.Packing the Supreme Court with activist, liberal judges will help the far left radicals strip away our Second Amendment rights, destroy good paying energy and natural resources jobs, and cripple the Montana and American economy by blocking forest management and energy projects,\" Daines said.\r\nSenate Democrats blocked passage of Daines' resolution to condemn court packing and keep the court at nine seats.\r\nTo read Senator Daines' resolution, click HERE.\r\nBackground:\r\nThere have been nine Supreme Court Justices on the bench for 151 years, since passage of the Judiciary Act of 1869.\r\nOn Wednesday, Daines spoke at a press conference condemning the Democrats plans to pack the Supreme Court.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1000, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "MT", "p1": "2020"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 544, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 456, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 888, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 112, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "MT", "label": "MT", "count": 1000, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "2020", "label": "2020", "count": 1000, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MT", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2020-10-24,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Edaines~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fdaines-introduces-senate-resolution-condemning-court-packing", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2020&_next=2020-10-24%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Edaines~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fpress-releases~2Fdaines-introduces-senate-resolution-condemning-court-packing&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 130.16438903287053, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}