Press releases
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1,000 rows where state = "MT" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending
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| 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 | legacy | 12.30.20 Slate of Energy Job Bills Championed by Daines Signed into Law U.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. These 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. Supporting 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. Background: EFFECT 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. American 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. Public 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 e… | 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 | legacy | 12.29.20 Daines Bill Providing Permanent Tax Relief for Montana Breweries, Distilleries Signed Into Law Daines' bill will help create jobs in Montana, support Montana farmers 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. In 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. Daines' 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. Background: In December, Daines sent a letter urging Senate leadership to pass this legislation. Dainessupporteda similar provision in the 2017Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. In February of 2018, Dainescompleteda four-day tour across Montana to see the benefits firsthand of these tax credits on Montana's breweries. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | 12.29.20 What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Praise Montana Water Rights Protection Act Being Signed into Law U.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. After 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 Today 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 This 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 Statements of Support: I cannot ex… | 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 | legacy | 12.27.20 Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Signed Into Law U.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. After 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. Today 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. This 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. For more background on the Montana Water Rights Protection Act,clickHERE and HERE. Back 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 th… | 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 | legacy | Tester Statement on Signing of Coronavirus Economic Stimulus and Government Funding Package U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed the coronavirus economic stimulus and the 2021 government appropriations package: 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 | legacy | Tester Statement on Presidential Veto of Annual Defense Bill U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the President vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act: 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 | legacy | 12.22.20 Daines Delivers Big Wins for National Defense, Troops, Veterans U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines yesterday voted to support and fund several critical defense and veterans priorities. This 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. Strengthens Montana's and the Nation's Defense Forces: $180 million for Air Force C-130 propeller upgrades (4-blade to 8-blade) $368 million for Army's CH-47 Chinook helicopters $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 Supports Montana Veterans: $10.3 billion for Montana veterans mental health care $312 million for suicide prevention outreach Supports the request for medical care accounts, including amounts supporting VA MISSION Act programs. $300 million for VA Office of Rural Health and the Rural Health Initiative to overcome barriers to access in large rural states. $5 million for pilot program in agritherapy to train veterans in agricultural vocations in no less than three locations $661 million for women's health care Provides $2.6 billion for Electronic Health Record Modernization Provides $1.9 billion for Montana veteran homeless assistance programs Supports Military Research at Montana Universities and Small Businesses: $20 Million for Lightweight Composite Barrel research (Proof Research in Columbia Falls) $15 Million for Language Training Centers with report language at University of Montana (UM) $5 Million for Warfighter Physiology Research with report language at UM $5 Million for Hearing restoration research with report language at UM $4 Million for TechLink at Montana State University (MSU) $3 Million for MilTech at MSU $10 Million for Extreme Battery research at MSU … | 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 | legacy | 12.22.20 Daines, Leahy Bipartisan Bill Promoting Affordable Health Insurance Passes Senate, Heads to President's Desk Bill prevents health insurance companies from price fixing, collusion 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. Our 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. While 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. The 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 t… | 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 | 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: "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." Since 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: $20 billion for vaccine procurement and distribution $22 billion in grants to states to support contact tracing, COVID-19 testing, and mitigation efforts to control the virus An additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits through March 14, 2021 Extends unemployment benefits to self-employed individuals, gig workers and those who have exhausted their state benefits Extends deadline for use of the Coronavirus Relief Fund for states, cities, and Tribes from the CARES Act one year, until December 31, 2021 $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)(… | 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 | 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 $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 $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 Maintains $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 Up to $18 million for MS… | 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 | 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. Tester 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. "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." The 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. According 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. "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 … | 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 | legacy | Tester Secures Key Veteran and Montana Defense Priorities in Government Funding Bill Ranking Member delivers resources for medical care and benefits for troops and veterans; Montana's military research and defense priorities Following 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: $104.4 billion for VA, including $12.5 billion in emergency funding to address the rapidly increasing cost of health care for veterans. $90 billion for VA med… | 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 | legacy | 12.21.20 Daines Delivers Targeted COVID-19 Relief for Montana Critical aid for Montana small businesses, workers, families, healthcare heroes, hospitals and vaccine distribution 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. To download the full statement, click HERE. "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. For a topline list of provisions the Senator fought to have included, click HERE. Supports Montana Small Businesses and Jobs: Provides 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. Expands 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. Provides $20 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance grants. Includes Daines' EIDL Forgiveness Act, which eliminates the requirement that PPP borrowers deduct the amount of their EIDL advance from their PPP forgiveness amount… | 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 | legacy | 12.21.20 Daines, Tester Bipartisan Bill Settling Century Long Montana Water Dispute Passes Senate, Heads to President's Desk U.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. After 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. This 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. I 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. I 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 Ad… | 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 | legacy | 12.18.20 Second COVID-19 Vaccine Given Green Light, Major Credit Given to Daines U.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. When 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. Stphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna gave credit to Daines for their vaccine being developed, manufactured and approved. I 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. Senator 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. Senator Daines took his background in manufacturing and business and was instrumental in advocating for a more aggressive way to use our … | 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 | legacy | 12.16.20 Daines, Stabenow, Grassley, Wyden Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to End Abuse of Conservation Easements Bill protects program that promotes conservation, stops scam artists from ripping off American taxpayers 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. Our 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. Our 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. The 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. Abuse of syndicated conservation easements by some bad actors i… | 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 | 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. Tester 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. "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." Montana students who are interested in applying to a military academy in the future can request a nomination from Tester HERE. Senator Jon Tester's 2021 Military Academy nominees: Belgrade Gideon Survoy - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Bigfork Brandon Wenzel - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Billings Natalie Beck - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Kathryn Brower - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Bozeman Erica Brackett - U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy Cameron Kyle LaClair - U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Columbia Falls Cameron Kahle - U.S. Naval Academy Corvallis Logan VanDenburg - U.S. Naval Academy Harlem Alaynee Hawley - U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Helena Ethan Hayes - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Hot Springs EmmaRae Rasmussen - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Lavina Jacob Smith - U.S. Naval Academy Missoula Bremer Deaton - U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Ethan Schroeder - U.… | 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 | legacy | Montana Health Care Providers to Receive Nearly $12 Million in Pandemic Relief, Tester Announces 162 providers in Montana will receive a combined $ 11,916,997 U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that Montana health care providers will receive nearly $12 million in pandemic relief funds. 162 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. Montana'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. The funding is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and distribution began today. Tester 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 | 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: "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." This 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. Earlier 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: Increasing interstate commerce and diversifying meat production in Montana and neighboring states; Legislation to ensure fair prices at the farm gate from large packers; And the first bipartisan Senate push for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling since Congress repealed it in 2015. Tester 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 cat… | 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 | legacy | Tester Statement on Administration of First COVID-19 Vaccine Doses in Montana U.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: 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. Senator 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 a… | 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 | 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. Tester 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. I 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. Noting 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. Tester 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. I'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. Tester'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 | legacy | Montana VA Slated to Receive First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine for Veterans, Tester Announces U.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: 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. In 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. Last 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 mis… | 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 | legacy | 12.14.20 Daines Statement on First COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery to Montana U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statementfollowing the first delivery of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to Montana: Today, 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. Montana 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. Daines 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. On 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. Just 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. Daines 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. Background: A 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.… | 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 | legacy | Tester Statement on Arrival of First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments in Montana As 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: 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. Senator 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 ens… | 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 | legacy | 12.11.20 Daines Helps Secure $5.1 Million Grant for Plains Infrastructure Project U.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. This 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. Back in January, Daines wrote a letter in support of the Plains communities' grant request. Mayor Dan Rowan thanked Daines for his help to secure the grant. This 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 The 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. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | 12.11.20 Daines Secures Montana Defense Priorities in Final Defense Bill, Passes out of Senate U.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. For a statement from Daines, click HERE. For TV Elements, click HERE. Thisbipartisandefense 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. The 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. Daines 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. Montana Defense Wins in the NDAA: Addresses 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. Gives a 3% pay increase for members of the military. Provides reserve retirement relief for service members affected by the COVID-19 stop movement order. This follows Daines' direct request. Establishes 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 microelectronic… | 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 | legacy | 12.11.20 First COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Emergency Use, Distribution to Begin U.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. For a video statement from Daines, click HERE. To 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. Daines does not believe in mandating the vaccine, however, he encouragesindividualsto take it onceavailablein consultationwith their doctor. Montana is expected to receive 9,750 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this month. A 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. Daines 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. Earlier 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. Daines and his wife areparticipatingin Pfizer's COVID-19 vacc… | 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 | 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. This 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. A 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. Atkins 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. Earlier 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 | 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. With 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. Tester 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. The 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 vetera… | 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 | 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. Rising 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. I'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. According 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. The Seeding Rural Resilience Act creates three initiatives aimed at curbing the growing rate of suicides in rural A… | 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 | 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. This 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. Tester 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. Malmstrom Air Force Base Montana'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: $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. $194 million to fully support the replacement of the Air Force's UH-1N Huey with the MH-139 Grey Wolf. $47 million for procurement of Minuteman III modernization to ensure the viability of our nation's current strategi… | 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 | 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. The 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. Clean 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. In 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. Tester'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 | legacy | Tester Statement on President-Elect Biden's VA Secretary Selection Ranking 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: 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 | legacy | Tester Statement Following Release of Damning Watchdog Report on VA Secretary Wilkie Ranking 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: 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 | 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. During 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. How 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? Smith replied: As our old tagline used to say: Absolutely, positively overnight. Wheeler replied: We're planning on next day 10:30 a.m. arrival anywhere that we're assigned. The 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. Distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the U.S. will be coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control a… | 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 | legacy | 12.09.20 Daines: Retirement Security is Critical for Montanans Urges passage of his bipartisan retirement security bill at Senate hearing 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. To download the Senator's opening remarks click, HERE. For b-roll of the Senator on the hearing, click, HERE. Montanans 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. As 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. Daines 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. Background: On July 2nd, 2020, Daines introduced… | 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 | 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. As 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. I'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? Dr. 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). Tester continued, Can you handle the [vaccine] distribution? And is it an adequate amount for the largest health care system in the nation? It 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. Last month, Tester urged the Department to lay out its plan to allocate a coronavirus vaccine, reach veterans in rural and hotspot areas, combat vaccine … | 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 | 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. As 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). This 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. VA 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. This 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 pas… | 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 | legacy | 12.08.20 Daines Attends White House COVID-19 Vaccine Summit Daines invited following months of work prioritizing COVID-19 vaccine development, manufacturing, distribution 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. To download Daines' statement, clickHERE. Just 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. Daines 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. To download Daines' selfie video before the event, clickHERE. ClickHEREfor his Twitter post. During the Summit, President Trump signed an Executive Order to prioritize Americans getting the vaccine. HEREis a photo the Senator took during the event. At 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. A COVID-19 vaccine may receiveapproval asearly as this weekend. Print Email Tweet … | 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 | legacy | 12.08.20 Daines Leads Bipartisan Call for Congress to Address Looming Medicare Cuts Cuts will strain health care system, cripple Montana health care providers amid pandemic 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. Health 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. To read the full letter, clickHERE. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | 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. Over 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. I'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. Tester'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… | 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 | legacy | 12.07.20 Daines: Becerra is a Disaster for Religious Freedom, Pro-Life Issues WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Steve Daines, founder and chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, released the following statement on Xavier Becerra: Xavier 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. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | 12.07.20 Daines Cybersecurity Bill Signed Into Law U.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. After 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. Specifically, theInternetofThings(IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Actwould: Require the National InstituteofStandards and Technology (NIST) to issue recommendations addressing, at a minimum, secure development, identity management, patching, and configuration management forIoTdevices. Direct 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. Require anyIoTdevicespurchased by the federal government to comply with those recommendations. Direct NIST to work with cybersecurity researchers, industry experts, and the DepartmentofHomeland Security (DHS) to publishguidelines onvulnerability disclosure and remediation for federal information systems. Require 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. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | 12.07.20 Daines, Feinstein, LaMalfa, Panetta Urge Passage of Bipartisan Forest Management Bill U.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. We 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. To read the full letter, clickHERE. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Congressmen Greg Gianforte, Jim Costa, Josh Harder and John Garamendi also signed the letter. The bipartisan legislation has the support of over 100 organizations, including governors, mayors, counties, conservation organizations, and fire departments. Background: OnSeptember 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. OnSeptember 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. OnAugust 20th, 2020, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Dianne Feinstein sent a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Com… | 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 | legacy | 12.07.20 Daines, Gianforte Urge Passage of Bipartisan Forest Management Bill U.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. We 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. To read the full letter, clickHERE. The 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). The legislation also has the support of over 100 organizations, including governors, mayors, counties, conservation organizations, and fire departments. Background: OnSeptember 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. OnSeptember 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. OnAugust 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 legis… | 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 | 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. In 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. THCs 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. The 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. Tester's bipartisan Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act brings much-needed stability to the THCGME program by: Reauthorizing the THCGME program for five years; Increasing the per-resident funding amount to cover increased residency costs; Adding residents to the existing program; and Providing opportunities for program growth to address physician shortages in areas of need. Without reauthorization, funding for the THCGME program will expire December 11th, 2020. Full text of Tester's… | 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 | 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. The 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. Fast, 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. The 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. The six providers participating in Montana are: Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative, Inc. - $12,703,077.60 in 2,687 locations CenturyLink, Inc. - $28,379,920.90 in 9,658 locations Commnet Wireless, LLC - $5,964,913.70 in 2,078 locations Frontier Communications Northwest, LLC - $5,818,165.30 in 1,874 locations Rural American Broadband Consortium - $226,116.00 in 209 locations Space Exploration Technologies Corp. $72,723,246.20 in 29,478 locations As 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 d… | 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 | 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. Tester 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. Health 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. The 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. Throughout 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 Se… | 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 | legacy | 12.06.20 Daines' Bipartisan Bill Promoting Veteran Outdoor Recovery Programs Signed into Law Bill will utilize the outdoors to help veterans with medical treatment and therapy 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. The 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. Daines' 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. Daines' bipartisan bill has significantsupport from stakeholders. At 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 TheCOMPACT Act (formerly Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act) is an important step towardconnecting moreveteranswith outdoor recreation on public lands and honoring our commitment t… | 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 | legacy | 12.05.20 Daines Announces Service Academy Nominees U.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. It'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. A 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. Students 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. The following is a list of Daines' principal academy nominations: Alaynee Hawley, Harlem, principalNominee to U.S. Air Force Academy Riley Horton, Missoula, principalNominee to U.S. Air Force Academy Calahan Barker, Red Lodge, principalNominee to U.S. Naval Academy Brandon Wenzel, Big Fork, principalNominee to West Point Military Academy Gideon Survoy, Bozeman, principalNominee to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | 12.04.20 Daines Pushes to Expand Permanent Telehealth Coverage U.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. Telehealth 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. To read the full letter, clickHERE. In 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. The 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. Print Email Tweet … | 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 | 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. Tester 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. This 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. As 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 an… | 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 | 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. We 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. In 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. They 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 tax… | 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 | legacy | 12.02.20 Daines' Bipartisan Bill Supporting Montanans Diagnosed with ALS Passes U.S. Senate U.S. SENATE -Today, the U.S. Senate passedSenatorDaines' bipartisan billthat helps support Montanans battling the devastating diseasecalledamyotrophic lateral sclerosis orALS. For a video statement from the Senator, click HERE. ALS 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. Currently, 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. ALS is a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | 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). Homeless 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. The 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. "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 ca… | 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 | 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. I 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. Tester 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. From 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. Tester'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 | 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. Savanna'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. In 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. Indigenous 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. Tester'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. Savanna'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: Law enforcement training on how to record victim Tribal enrollment information … | 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 | legacy | 11.30.20 Daines Statement on New Agreement Between MLB, Montana Minor League Teams U.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. Professional 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. Daines 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. Beginning 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. Background: OnSeptember 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. OnJune 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. OnMay 7th, 2020, Daines sent a letter t… | 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 | 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. Big 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. Under 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. As 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. Tester 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 comm… | 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 | legacy | 11.24.20 Daines Urges CDC to Ensure all Montana Communities Get Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Once Approved Request follows Daines' participation in Pfizer's vaccine trial to build trust, confidence for Montanans 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. As 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. To read Daines' letter to CDC Director Redfield, clickHERE. Daines 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. Justlast week, Senator Daines announced his participation in Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine trial and his positive test for COVID-19 antibodies. Background: Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country.To read about Daines' COVID-19 related … | 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 | 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. The 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). The 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. 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. 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 … | 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 | 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. Tester'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. We'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. The 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. Tester 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 | 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. In 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. For 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? Tester 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. The 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… | 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 | 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. We 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. C&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. The 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 concern… | 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 | 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. We'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. In 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. The 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. Tester 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 | legacy | 11.19.20 Daines to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Montana Jobs, Small Businesses, Community Banks Impacted by Pandemic Bill will forgive small dollar loans created by the EIDL Advance program 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. Montana 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. Daines' 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. Daines plans to introduce his legislation with Senator Angus King of Maine. As 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. Background: OnOctober 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. Daines 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. Print Email … | 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 | 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. The 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. This 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. In 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. Tester 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 … | 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 | legacy | 11.18.20 Daines Announces Participation in Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine Trial, Positive Test For Antibodies 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. 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. Back 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. My 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. Since 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 $1… | 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 | 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. After 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. Rail 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. The Right Track Act contains three main components: It 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. It 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. And 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 imp… | 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 | 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). Native 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. Native 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. Our 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 g… | 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 | legacy | 11.17.20 Daines: Malmstrom to Receive Helicopter Upgrade This Summer Following Direct Request Announcement follows years of work by Daines to secure UH-1N Huey helicopter replacements for Malmstrom U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Malmstrom Air Force Base will receive the MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter upgrade replacing the Vietnam era UH-1N Huey's in the summer of 2021. Malmstrom will be the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) base in the country to receive this critical upgrade. This news follows Daines' direct request and extensive work to secure the upgraded helicopters for Montana. Today's announcement that Malmstrom will be receiving these critical helicopter upgrades is great news for Montana and our country's national security,Daines said.I'm proud to have fought to secure this critical upgrade for Malmstrom and I look forward to seeing the upgraded helicopters in action in the future. General 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. Background: OnJuly 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. OnMarch 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. OnSeptember 28th, 2018, President Trump signed a bill into law that prioritizes Montana's military units, installations, research partners, universities, small businesses and manuf… | 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 | legacy | Tester Statement on the Nomination of Judy Shelton for Federal Reserve Board U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after voting against Judy Shelton's nomination to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors: 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. Shelton 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 | 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. Tester'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. By 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. In 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. Native 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. Full 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 | 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. After 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. For 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. Tester 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 | 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. While 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. In 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. The Senators continued, We urge you to explore the possibility of a cooperative agreement betwee… | 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 | 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. One 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. The 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. A 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 | legacy | 11.13.20 Daines Fights to Protect Montana Air National Guard's C-130s U.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). Our Air National Guard C-130 flying wings provide nearly half of the Air Force's tactical airlift capability. For more than 50 years, we have brought Americans into combat, provided humanitarian relief around the globe, 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. To read Daines' letter to Senate and House ArmedServices CommitteeLeadership, clickHERE. Ensuring 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). Print Email Tweet Next 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 | 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. Tester 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. Investments 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. This 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. In that role, Tester plays a significant role in writing the 12 bills that fund the federal government each year. Montana priorit… | 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 | 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. I 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. Tester 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. Secretary 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. The 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. Last week, Tester took Secretary Bernhardt and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to task after they mi… | 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 | legacy | 11.12.20 Daines' Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Montana Wildland Firefighters, First Responders Passes U.S. Senate U.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. Montana'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. To download TV elements clickHERE. To read the bipartisan resolution, clickHERE. This 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. Background: OnOctober 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. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next 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 | legacy | The Presidential Inauguration will take place Wednesday, January 20, 2021 on the West Steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Inauguration 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. Due 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. The deadline to request tickets is January 6, 2020. Please 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. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (From the JCCIC) What happens during a traditional Inaugural Ceremony? PROCESSION 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 Swe… | 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 | legacy | Tester on Veterans Day: We have a shared responsibility to serve those who've worn the uniform' U.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: 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. In 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 | legacy | Tester Statement on Importance of Affordable Care Act Following Supreme Court Arguments U.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): 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. Following 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 … | 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 | 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. Tester 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. Our 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. This 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. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester is responsible for writing the 12 bills that fund the federal government each y… | 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 | 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. I 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. The 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: Care for those in crisis by providing acute crisis care for emergent suicide symptoms. Help 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. Track outcomes of VA's outreach to transitioning servicemembers by conducting an annual report on the Solid Start program of the Department. Tailor education for family members by creating an education program for family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders. Create an outdoor Recreation Task Force by establishing an Interagency Task Force on Outdoor Recre… | 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 | legacy | Tester Statement on Biden, Harris Victory in 2020 Presidential Election U.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: 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 | 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). I 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. Under 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. Tester'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. Mandatory 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 202… | 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 | 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. Ag 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." This 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. The 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 | legacy | 10.31.20 President Trump Signs Daines, Gianforte Bill to Save Sidney Kinsey Irrigation Districts into Law Bill ensures Montana farms and ranches have continued access to reliable power, protects Montana jobs 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. This 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. Ag 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." The 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. Print Email Tweet … | 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 | 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. Under 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. When 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. 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 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 ca… | 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 | legacy | 10.28.20 Daines Announces Montana Veterans, Gold Star Families to Get Free Entrance to National Parks U.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. Montana 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. Earlier this year, Daines introduced bipartisan legislation to provide Gold Star Families free admission into national parks and other federal public lands. Gold 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. Print Email Tweet Next 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 | legacy | 10.27.20 Daines Calls on Senate Leadership to Prevent Cuts to Medicare Payments, Protect Montana Patients U.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. I 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. To read Daines' letter to Senate leadership, click HERE. In 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. As 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. Background: Daines 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. Print Email Tweet … | 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 | legacy | The Montana Farm Bureau (MFBF) on Friday presented Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) with its Friend of Farm Bureau Award. It'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. John 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. Nicole 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. The 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. Gianforte also received the award in 2018. Click 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 | legacy | 10.26.20 Daines Statement on Amy Coney Barrett's Confirmation to the United States Supreme Court U.S. SENATEU.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement after voting to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court: For video of Daines' statement, click HERE. Today, 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. For photos and TV elements of Daines' Oct. 1st meeting with Justice Barrett, click HERE. Statements in support of Daines' vote to confirm Justice Barrett to follow. Background: On 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. On 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. On 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. On October 1st, 2020, Daines met with President Trump's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, JudgeAmy Coney Barrett. On 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. On September 18th, 2020, Daines issued his statement on the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Print Email Twee… | 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 | legacy | 10.26.20 Daines Urges Deadline Flexibility for Tribal COVID Relief Fund U.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. while 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. To read the letter, which Daines sent with Senator Martha McSally of Arizona, click HERE. Starting 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. Background: Daines 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. Print Email Tweet Next 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 | legacy | 10.26.20 What They Are Saying: Montana Leaders Thank Daines for Voting in Support of Justice Amy Coney Barrett's Confirmation U.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. Today, 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 Statements of Support: I 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 Judge 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 Amy 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 … | 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 | 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. In 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. Tester 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. Senator 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. USMCA 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… | 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 | legacy | 10.25.20 Daines: Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Qualifications, Character are Indisputable Daines casts procedural vote to advance Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination, gives floor speech in support of confirmation 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. For a clip of Daines' remarks click HERE. For full remarks click, HERE. All 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. Excerpts from Daines' remarks: "Judge Barrett's qualifications and character are indisputable... "Judge Barrett believes judges shouldn't legislate from the bench... "She won't misuse her power as a judge to impose her policy preferences... "And she won't twist the originaland truemeaning of the Constitution to advance a political agenda - of any kind... "Judge Barrett will uphold our cherished constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment... "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... "She will defend the Constitution and protect our Montana way of life, including our Montana jobs... "Judge Barrett will not bend to the radical, fringe groups looking to kill Montana timber and coal jobs... "She will be a fair-minded justice Montanans can be proud of... "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... "As U.S. S… | 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 | legacy | Tester Statement on Supreme Court Vote U.S. Senator Jon Tester released the following statement on the procedural vote to begin debate on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett: 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. Senator 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 | legacy | 10.24.20 Daines Introduces Senate Resolution Condemning Court Packing U.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. Click HERE for a clip of the statement below, click HERE for full speech. "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. Senate Democrats blocked passage of Daines' resolution to condemn court packing and keep the court at nine seats. To read Senator Daines' resolution, click HERE. Background: There have been nine Supreme Court Justices on the bench for 151 years, since passage of the Judiciary Act of 1869. On Wednesday, Daines spoke at a press conference condemning the Democrats plans to pack the Supreme Court. Print Email Tweet Next Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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