WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester called on U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Administrator Kevin Shea to quickly investigate and produce findings on multiple instances of Montanans receiving unsolicited packages of unidentified seeds that appear to have originated in China. "I am reaching out today regarding recent reports that i  more

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release on July 29: The House Committee on Natural Resources this morning unanimously passed Congressman Greg Gianforte's bipartisan B-47 Ridge Designation Act. The next step for the bill is a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Today's vote is a promising step as we work to honor Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh, Capt. Bill Falconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, and Lt. David Sutton. Their tragic deaths have left a lasting impa  more

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved an amendment from Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) to provide $25 million for repairs to Bureau of Reclamation canals, including St. Mary. "The repairs of the St. Mary canal are critical for the communities and irrigators along the Hi-Line, and this funding is key to rebuilding and improving the canal," Gianforte said. "There's more to do to addre  more

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte and U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation on JBS USA Holdings' acquisition of a Mountain States Rosen ("MSR") lamb processing facility in Greeley, CO. This acquisition could have a major impact on sheep ranchers in Montana and their ability to get lamb to market, as well as result in an increase in lamb imports. "We ur  more

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressmen Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to hold convicted pedophile and former Indian Health Service (IHS) pediatrician Stanley Patrick Weber fully accountable for his actions. The lawmakers demanded HHS take quick action to revoke Mr. Weber's government pension after an investigation reported the felon, convicted of chil  more

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the "Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act" to provide a second round of COVID-19 relief direct checks to Montanans, doubling the amount Montanans with dependents, including children and individuals with disabilities, receive. Under Daines' proposal, a Montana family of four would receive an additional $600 more than under the "CARES Act." "This is about putti  more

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill to help thousands of working Montanans who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 to retain their healthcare coverage. Daines' bill would ensure Montanans are able to afford to keep their employee sponsored healthcare insurance by covering up to 85% of the cost of the plan. "Working Montanans and their families are facing serious hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemi  more

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that he secured $26 billion in the initial Phase Four COVID-19 relief package. This follows Daines' direct request to Senate leadership for more robust funding for the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs in any upcoming COVID-19 relief package in Congress. This is in addition to the $10 billion for vaccine manufacturing Daines secure  more

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will be directing $7 million to Powder River County to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to support economic growth in the face of natural disasters. "This funding will update the critical infrastructure needs of Powder River County and help sustain jobs in the local community," Daines said. "I'm glad to ha  more

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured Senate passage of his bipartisan bill that would require small hub airports maintain areas for nursing mothers. "It is important that Montana moms have a private, clean, and safe place to nurse their newborn babies when they are traveling," Daines said. "I'm glad to see this bipartisan effort clear the Senate today and I will continue working to support Montana mothers." B  more

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement after the Helena City Commission's voted not to cut $300,000 from the Helena Police Department's personnel budget and remove School Resource Officers (SROs) from all school campuses. This statement follows Daines' statement earlier urging the Helena City Commission to vote against cutting funding to the Helena Police Department. "I'm glad the Helena C  more

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement ahead of the Helena City Commission's vote to cut $300,000 from the Helena Police Department's personnel budget and remove School Resource Officers (SROs) from all school campuses. "Later today, the Helena City Commission will vote on whether to cut $300,000 from the Helena Police," Daines said. "This wouldn't just be short-sighted, it would be absolu  more

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his bill to help Montanans and Americans get back to work and prepare them for the post-COVID-19 economy, has been included in the Phase Four COVID-19 relief package. This follows Daines' introduction of the bill, announced the "Workforce Recovery and Training Services Act," last week. "Montana has been hit very hard economically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing  more

WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that his bill to help Montana families and provide assistance for Montana child care providers to offer critical, affordable services for working moms and dads during the pandemic has been included in the initial Phase Four COVID-19 relief package. "It is critical that Montana's working parents have access to child care services so they can work and put food on the table   more

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured passage of his bipartisan bill, the "Montana Water Rights Protection Act," out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, clearing the way for a Senate vote on the bill. "For decades, the CSKT water dispute has gone unresolved in Montana, leading to uncertainty for thousands of Montanans across our state. That's why I introduced the bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protectio  more

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation on JBS USA Holdings' acquisition of a Mountain States Rosen ("MSR") lamb processing facility in Greeley, CO. This acquisition could have a major impact on sheep ranchers in Montana and their ability to get lamb to market, as well as result in an increase in lamb imports. "We urge  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester joined local, state, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials today at the grand opening of the new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Great Falls. As Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester advocated for this new facility and pushed to increase funding for this and other new VA health c  more

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: As the coronavirus crisis continues disrupting daily life, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is sponsoring a bill to help ensure families across rural America who lack adequate internet access do not get left behind. Tester's Hotspots and Online Technology and Services Procurement for our Tribes and States (HOTSPOTS) Act will establish a program to help local libraries buy and distribute Wi-Fi-enabled hotspots to help   more

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: At a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, Ranking Member Jon Tester pressed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to strengthen telehealth services to veterans, especially in rural areas, during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Although many veterans in Montana--especially those in highly rural areas--are accustomed to virtual appointments,  more

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: At a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing, Ranking Member Jon Tester pressed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to strengthen telehealth services to veterans, especially in rural areas, during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Although many veterans in Montana--especially those in highly rural areas--are accustomed to virtual appointments, we need to remember that not all veterans have access to smart teleph  more

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on July 29: U.S. Senator Jon Tester's historic Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' (CSKT) Water Compact cleared a key hurdle as it passed the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The bipartisan Montana Water Rights Protection Act passed on a voice vote with bipartisan support and now awaits consideration before the entire Senate. "Today marked another big step forward for the CSKT Water Compact, and brings us  more

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that Montana is set to receive a shipment of 12 cases of the antiviral drug remdesivir to help treat Montanans hospitalized with cases of COVID-19. "During this public health crisis, we need every tool in the toolbox available to us to help combat the rising tide of infections," Tester said. "And while this is welcome news that will give folks hit hardest a fighting chance   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: The Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Marsha Blackburn's (R-Tenn.) bipartisan bill to improve the management and execution of information technology (IT) programs and projects at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill now heads to the House for consideration. The Senators' Department of Veterans Aff  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: The Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Marsha Blackburn's (R-Tenn.) bipartisan bill to improve the management and execution of information technology (IT) programs and projects at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill now heads to the House for consideration. The Senators' Department of Veterans Affairs IT Reform Act would bring more accountability and oversight to the  more

WASHINGTON, July 30 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on July 29: With the live music industry shuttered across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) are pushing to make sure small, independent music and entertainment venues can survive until crowds can gather safely again. The Senators today introduced the Entertainments New Credit Opportunity for Relief & Economic Sustainability (ENCORES) Act, a   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) slammed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for failing to get emergency support to school districts during the pandemic and urged her to follow congressional intent when allocating coronavirus relief funds to elementary and secondary schools. Tester, Casey and a group of their colleagues wrote in a formal comment on DeVos' proposed rule that while Congress   more