Thursday - November 21, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Montana Newsletter for Sunday September 29, 2024 ( 27 items )  

Chairman Rosendale Fights for More Efficient Veteran Care Appointment Scheduling
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Today, Chairman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Technology Modernization led a hearing titled: "Ensuring Timely Access: Challenges in VA Scheduling." Chairman Rosendale focused on how the current leaders of the Department of Veterans Affairs are seemingly intentionally hindering the implementation of scheduling software that makes it easier for veterans to   more

Daines Calls for Permanent Tax Break for Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines today was joined by The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) President Brad Close for a press conference on the importance of stopping the massive tax hike on small businesses. They, along with small business owners called for passage of Daines' "Main Street Tax Certainty Act," which makes the 20 percent tax deduction for small businesses permanent. Download Daine  more

Daines Touts Widespread Support of "Crow Revenue Act"
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Bill Provides Critical Funding to Crow Tribe and Prevents Bull Mountains Mine from Closing U.S. SENATE U.S. Senator Steve Daines delivered remarks at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing, where he thanked Montana's local communities and officials for their support of his "Crow Revenue Act" and emphasized the need for its passage. Daines also introduced Crow Chairman White Clay as a witness at the h  more

House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee Issues Testimony From Mont. Administration Dept. Director Giles
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology released the following written testimony by Misty Ann Giles, director of the Department of Administration and chief operating officer for Montana, from a Sept. 10, 2024, hearing entitled "From Introduction to Implementation: A BEAD Program Progress Report." BEAD stands for Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment. * * * Chair Latta, Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Matsui, Ranking Member Pallone, an  more

House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee Sets Sept. 26 Hearing on Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementation of Entry Level Driver Training Rule
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittees on Highways and Transit issued the following information for a hearing entitled "A Negotiated Rulemaking at Work: Stakeholder Perspectives on Implementation of the Entry Level Driver Training Rule" at 10 a.m. on Sept. 26, 2024, at 2167 Rayburn House Office Building: Witness List: * Colonel Russ Christoferson, Motor Carrier Services Enforcement Bureau Chief, Montana Department of Transportation; on behalf of the C  more

House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Chairman Rosendale Leads Hearing on VA's Appointment Scheduling Systems, Including Community Care
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, issued the following news release on Sept. 26, 2024: Today, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the start of the subcommittee's oversight hearing entitled, "Ensuring Timely Access: Challenges in VA Scheduling."  more

In Kalispell, Sen. Tester Talks Lowering Housing Costs for Montanans
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester joined local business leaders and residents in Kalispell today to discuss his work to lower housing costs. Tester spoke about his recent First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation which would put homeownership within reach for more Montana families by providing a tax credit for Montanans buying their first home. Tester's bill would establish a refundable tax credit worth up to 10  more

Rep. Rosendale Introduces Legislation Empowering States to Implement Medicaid Work Requirements
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) introduced the Path to Independence Act. His new legislation will allow states to impose work requirements on able-bodied adults enrolled in Medicaid to help lift millions off government reliance and into self-sufficiency. Under current law and unlike most other welfare programs, the Medicaid program has no mandated work requirement. Thirteen states received app  more

Rep. Rosendale Rejects D.C. Cartel Extension of Biden-Harris Spending
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) voted against H.R. 9747 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. He released the following statement after rejecting the most recent continuation of Biden's runaway spending: "Instead of following the law and passing the appropriations bills and funding the government properly and transparently, Congress spent the last 100 days negotiating a Continu  more

Rep. Rosendale's Forest Information Reform Act Passes House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) released the following statement after his Forest Information Reform (FIR) Act successfully passed the U.S. House of Representatives. This critical piece of legislation is part of Chairman Bruce Westerman's (AR-04) comprehensive Fix Our Forests Act. The FIR Act addresses the regulatory challenges stemming from the United States Forest Service v. Cottonwood Environ  more

Sen. Tester Bipartisan Bill to Deliver Cost-of-Living Increase for Montana Veterans Heads to President Desk
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: The Senate unanimously passed Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester's Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act--bipartisan legislation to ensure the rate of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and military survivors under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) keeps pace with the cost of living. This bill now heads to the President's desk to be s  more

Sen. Tester Bipartisan Bill to Provide Emergency Funding for Veterans Benefits Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Following sustained efforts from Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, President Joe Biden today signed into law bipartisan, bicameral legislation to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) emergency funding for veterans' disability compensation, pension, and readjustment benefits. Tester introduced this legislation alongside a bipartisan group of his Senate and House colleagues to   more

Sen. Tester Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Critical Veterans Services & Programs Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: The U.S. Senate passed bipartisan language negotiated by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester to extend critical Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) services and programs relied upon by the nation's veterans and their families. "We have a responsibility to ensure veterans have certainty when it comes to accessing the support they earned in service to our nation," said Tester. "I'm proud t  more

Sen. Tester Presses VA to Improve Emergency Service for Veterans in Crisis
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Continuing his push to ensure veterans have reliable access to critical emergency mental health services, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to immediately resolve issues with the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL)--a life-saving tool for veterans experiencing mental health crises. Tester's push follows reports of several VCL disruptions over a  more

Sen. Tester Secures $4.4M to Hire Firefighters in Bozeman
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Continuing his efforts to support local fire departments and increase staffing, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured $4,468,644 for the city of Bozeman to hire more firefighters. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester secured this funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program through the 2023 governm  more

Sen. Tester Secures $4.6M for Critical Infrastructure Updates to Boost Economy, Create Jobs in Yellowstone County
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: As part of his continued effort to support Montana's economy and create good-paying jobs, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured $4,600,000 in funding to support business development in Yellowstone County. The funding will provide critical water and sewer infrastructure to the Lockwood Targeted Economic Development District, which is 1200 acre industrial space adjacent to the BNSF railroad and highway system. The ex  more

Sen. Tester Secures More Than $2.7M in Funding to Expand Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Following his sustained efforts to ensure Montana veterans are properly memorialized close to home, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured more than $2.7 million in funding for the state of Montana to expand the Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harrison, Montana. "Making sure Montana veterans have a final resting place that honors their service and sacrifice is critical to preserving their legacies," said Te  more

Sen. Tester Secures More Than $4.4M To Support Domestic Violence Shelters, Crime Victim Services in Montana
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: As part of his continued effort to support survivors in Montana, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured $4,435,437 in funding to maintain and enhance crime victim services in Montana. Funding comes from the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking program, State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions program, and the Improve   more

Sen. Tester Secures Nearly $1.4M to Expand Meat Processing in Montana
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: As part of his continued effort support Montana small businesses and agricultural producers, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured $1,399,985 for Old Salt Meat Company to finance meat processing in the state. Old Salt Meat Company is a cooperatively owned livestock processor focused on driving value and return to producers while helping consumers access to locally raised beef. The funding will be used to establish   more

Senate Unanimously Passes Sen. Tester Bill to Honor the 'Hello Girls'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: The Senate unanimously passed Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester's bipartisan legislation to honor the landmark service of the brave women who connected American and French military forces on the front lines of World War I. This legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Tester's Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act would award the women of the U.S.   more

Senate Unanimously Passes Tester Bill to Honor 'Hello Girls'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: The Senate unanimously passed Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester's bipartisan legislation to honor the landmark service of the brave women who connected American and French military forces on the front lines of World War I. This legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Tester's Hello Girls Congressional Gold   more

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Tester Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Critical Veterans Services and Programs Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: The U.S. Senate passed bipartisan language negotiated by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester to extend critical Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) services and programs relied upon by the nation's veterans and their families. "We have a responsibility to ensure veterans have certainty when it comes to accessing the support they earned in servic  more

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Tester Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Service Dogs Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: The U.S. Senate passed Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester's bipartisan resolution marking September 20th as National Service Dog Day in honor of service dogs in Montana and across the nation. The resolution received unanimous bipartisan support. "For thousands of veterans and servicemembers across the country, service dogs play an incredible rol  more

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Tester Presses VA to Improve Emergency Service for Veterans in Crisis
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: Continuing his push to ensure veterans have reliable access to critical emergency mental health services, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to immediately resolve issues with the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL)--a life-saving tool for veterans experiencing mental health crises. Tester's push follo  more

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Tester Resolution to Honor Deployed Servicemembers, Their Families Passes Senate With Unanimous Support
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: The U.S. Senate passed U.S. Senator Jon Tester's bipartisan resolution marking October 26th as National Day of the Deployed in honor of the deployed members of the U.S. armed forces and their families. The resolution received unanimous bipartisan support. "Montanans have a long and proud history of serving our country, and our nation is eternally grateful for the s  more

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Tester Secures More Than $2.7M in Funding to Expand Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: Following his sustained efforts to ensure Montana veterans are properly memorialized close to home, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured more than $2.7 million in funding for the state of Montana to expand the Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harrison, Montana. "Making sure Montana veterans have a final resting place that honors their service and sacrifice is cri  more

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Leaders Tester, Moran Bipartisan Bill to Deliver Cost-of-Living Increase for Veterans Heads to President Desk
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news: The Senate unanimously passed Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)'s Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act-- bipartisan legislation to ensure the rate of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and military survivors under the Department of Veterans Affair  more