Thursday - March 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Montana Newsletter for Sunday December 22, 2019 ( 33 items )  

Daines Announces Over $213,000 to Help End Veterans Homelessness in Missoula
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced $213,744 will go towards ending veterans homelessness in Missoula through the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. "The fact that we have veterans living on the streets with nowhere to turn is heartbreaking," Daines said. "This grant will help get our homeless veterans in Missoula off the streets and provide them with greater access  more

Daines Helps Secure Over $1 Million for Career Training Institute in Helena
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that the Career Training Institute in Helena will receive a $1,180,800 to support the YouthBuild program. "This important grant will help get young Montanans the training they need for the jobs of tomorrow, while in turn increasing the quality and quantity of housing for those in need," Daines said. "Investing in workforce development and training is critical to filling t  more

Daines Votes for Montana Defense Priorities, Little Shell Recognition in Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Bill Heads to President Trump's Desk to be Signed into Law * * * U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted for a major defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a 3.1% pay raise for the military, critical defense priorities for Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls and federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Daines fought to include provisions   more

Daines Votes to Support Malmstrom, Troops, Border Security
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted for a bipartisan bill that will help strengthen Montana's military units, secure the southern border and combat Montana's meth crisis. The bill also gives a 3.1% pay raise for troops. "Today I voted to give our troops a 3.1% pay raise, secure our southern border, combat Montana's meth crisis and support Malmstrom and our national defense. This is a good day for Montana," Dain  more

Daines' Bipartisan Bill to End Illegal Robocalls Headed to President Trump's Desk
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines celebrated Senate passage of his bipartisan bill, the TRACED Act, which will help protect Montanans from illegal robocalls. The bill now heads to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. "Montanans are tired of being bombarded night and day by illegal robocalls," Daines said. "My bipartisan bill will help stop these illegal calls and protect Montanans. I look forward to Presid  more

GAO Issues Report on VA Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Veterans' Affairs vocational rehabilitation and employment. The report (GAO-20-28) is titled "Additional Assessment Could Enhance Consistency among Counselors". The report was sent to Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Rep. Mark Takano, D-California, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee on Dec. 10, 2019. Here are excerpts of summaries associated   more

Key Tester Defense Priorities for Malmstrom, Veterans Headed to President's Desk
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator delivers critical support to Montana's Air Force, National Guard, and veterans * * * The U.S. Senate passed key defense priorities championed by U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) as a part of the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law, delivering critical support for Montana's military installations, servic  more

Rep. Gianforte Announces Winners of 2019 Congressional App Challenge
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: To close out Computer Science Education Week, Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) on Friday announced Montana's winners of the 2019 Congressional App Challenge, Zoe Wendt, Beatrix Poitra, and Anna Bergstedt from Kalispell Middle School. "Congratulations to Zoe, Beatrix, and Anna who used block code to create an interactive app that showcases Montana's birds. They developed a fantastic app to serve as a r  more

Rep. Gianforte Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Hold Middlemen Accountable, Reduce Drug Prices
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) recently introduced the bipartisan PBM Transparency and Prescription Drug Costs Act, H.R. 5304, with Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.). The bill will increase transparency, hold pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable, and help lower prescription drug prices. This bipartisan bill will mandate quarterly reports on the costs, fees, and rebate information associated  more

Rep. Gianforte Issues Statement on Impeachment Articles Against President Trump
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following statement after voting against the articles of impeachment against President Trump: "Today, this chamber is pushing through the most partisan, baseless articles of impeachment in our history," Gianforte said. "House Democrats' hyper-partisan impeachment has been a sham since day one, driven by those whose bitter rage against President Trump has blinded their better judgement. "The fact is they resolved to overturn the  more

Rep. Gianforte Marks 50th Spirit of Montana Award
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) recently presented the Spirit of Montana award to its 50th recipient, Buffy Smith of Helena. "The 50 recipients of the Spirit of Montana have made lasting, positive impacts in their communities," Gianforte said. "Many have demonstrated a selfless dedication to public service. Some have shown an entrepreneurial spirit that brings jobs and greater prosperity to their com  more

Rep. Gianforte Votes for USMCA, Thanks Nancy Pelosi for 'Finally Stepping Up'
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) voted for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the new trade deal that will replace NAFTA. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the measure 385-41. "USMCA is a win for Montana and America. The trade deal secures access to our top trading partners, creates 176,000 new American jobs, and increases ag exports by more than 2 billion dollars. USMCA will bu  more

Rep. Gianforte: President Trump Signs Delegation's Bill Naming Missoula Post Office After Jeannette Rankin
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: On December 13, 2019, President Trump signed into law the Montana delegation's bill, H.R. 1972, designating a Missoula post office in honor Jeannette Rankin. Rankin grew up on a family ranch just outside of Missoula and was the first woman elected to Congress. Congressman Greg Gianforte and U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester celebrated President Trump signing their bipartisan bill. "Jeannette Ran  more

Sen. Daines Issues Statement on House Impeachment Vote
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following statement after the House voted to impeach President Trump: "Democrats have been obsessed with impeaching President Trump and overturning the will of the American people since before he was even sworn into office. "This unprecedented impeachment sham has now been dumped on the lap of the United States Senate. It's time to put an end to this and get back to work for the American people." The articles of impeachment will   more

Sen. Daines Pays Tribute to Liedle-Caissey, Bauer
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following floor statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on Dec. 12, paying tribute to Alyssa Liedle-Caissey and Kai Bauer, the first set of graduates from Anaconda Junior/Senior High School's Copper Academy: This week I have the honor of recognizing the first set of graduates from Anaconda Junior/Senior High School's Copper Academy, Alyssa Liedle-Caissey and Kai Bauer. The Anaconda Junior/Senior High School's Co  more

Sen. Daines Pays Tribute to Maj. Caton
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following floor statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on Dec. 12, paying tribute to Maj. Brad Caton, will begin his transition to serve as a budgetary analyst in the Army's Budget Office: I rise to pay tribute to MAJ Brad Caton for his exemplary dedication to duty while serving as a Department of Defense congressional fellow and a congressional budget liaison for the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial M  more

Sen. Hoeven Issues Statement After Congress Approved Conference Report to National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 -- Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after Congress approved the conference report to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2020 with the inclusion of three Native American bills: * * * - Includes Indian Bills for Little Shell, Chumash, and Lytton Tribes * * * "Today, Congress passed legislation that authorizes important funding and support for our armed forces. "This bill also in  more

Sen. Tester Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veteran on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator reads powerful obituary of Bill Ebeltoft who "lived three lives: before, during and after Vietnam" * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, took to the Senate floor yesterday to pay tribute to the life of Chief Warrant Officer Second Class William C. Ebeltoft, a dec  more

Sen. Tester Secures Big Wins for Montana Veterans, Defense Installations, Military Research in Year-End Government Funding Deal
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senate passes federal funding package with provisions to support Montana veterans - Millions for Malmstrom, Montana National Guard, & Montana State University * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) secured major wins in a bipartisan government funding agreement that supports veterans and strengthens critical defense installations in Montana. After weeks of negotiating, the U.S. Senate passed the a  more

Sen. Tester Secures More Than $2.1 Million for Blackfeet and Fort Belknap Housing Authorities
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Funds will go towards development and maintenance of low income housing * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that the Blackfeet Housing Authority and the Fort Belknap Housing Authority will receive a combined $2,120,751 to further expand and maintain affordable housing in their communities. "Every family in Montana deserves affordable and safe housing, regardless of where they are from," Tester   more

Senate Sends Little Shell Recognition to President's Desk After Tester, Daines Efforts
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Tester has introduced recognition legislation every congressional session since 2007, Daines has co-sponsored in House & Senate * * * Following more than a century of efforts by Tribal members and dedicated efforts by U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines, federal recognition of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians passed the U.S. Senate 86-8 as a part of the National Defense Authorization  more

Sens. Tester, Blackburn, Klobuchar Toxic Exposure Bill Heads to President's Desk
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Senate passes bipartisan Occupational and Environmental Transparency Health Act as part of annual defense legislation * * * Bipartisan legislation from U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to deliver relief to veterans exposed to toxic substances passed the Senate 86-8 as a pa  more

Sens. Tester, Enzi Bipartisan Bill Would Bring Transparency to Cell-Culture 'Meat' Products
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wy.) introduced a bill to ensure transparency in a new line of food products created using animal cell-culture technology. Tester and Enzi's Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act works to ensure that a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agreement--designed to ensure that products are safe and accu  more

Sens. Tester, Thune, Brown, Perdue Introduce Bill to Recognize Unique Housing Needs of Veterans & Rural America
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan legislation to add VA and USDA representatives to the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council * * * U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and David Perdue (R-Ga.) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that the housing needs of vete  more

Tester Delivers Big Wins for Montana Law Enforcement, Education, Infrastructure, Public Lands in Government Funding Bills
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Provisions in bills to fund government include funding for affordable housing, substance misuse treatment, first responders, community health centers, among other priorities - Tester is only member of the Montana delegation to support the domestic funding * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester used his seat as a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee to deliver a number of big wins for Monta  more

Tester Introduces Historic Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Compact
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Bill will ratify Tribal water rights, fund critical irrigation projects, and invest in economy * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester introduced the historic Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) Water Compact in the United States Senate. The FBIC Water Compact will ratify the FBIC water rights settlement with the State of Montana, establish resources for critical water infrastructure development, provide fo  more

Tester Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veteran on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, took to the Senate floor yesterday to pay tribute to the life of Chief Warrant Officer Second Class William C. Ebeltoft, a decorated Vietnam veteran and Montana resident. Tester read a powerful family obituary written about Bill, which tells the compelling story of his life "before, during, and after service." "It's i  more

Tester Secures $1.5 Billion for Farmers, Fixes Disaster Assistance Program to Include Montanans Facing Losses This Season
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - WHIP+ now covers crop losses as a result of quality loss, drought, and excessive moisture * * * As a part of the year-end appropriations package that passed out of the Senate this week, U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured critical wins for Northeastern Montana farmers facing crop losses this season by expanding the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) to include quality loss, drought, a  more

Tester Secures Big Wins to Increase Safety, Bolster Education, Improve Health Care in Indian Country as Part of Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Provisions to help address MMIW crisis, fund critical water infrastructure projects among other priorities - Tester is only member of the Montana delegation to support the domestic funding legislation * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester, a member of both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, secured a number of wins for Indian Country as a part legislation to fund t  more

Tester's Bill to Silence Robocalls Clears Senate, Bound for President's Desk
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester's bill to curb harassing robocalls unanimously passed the Senate and heads to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. Tester's TRACED Act will cut down on unwanted calls by requiring phone companies to authenticate incoming calls, and requiring them to allow consumers to block illegitimate ones at no extra cost. It also directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make   more

Tester, Blackburn, Klobuchar Toxic Exposure Bill Heads to President's Desk
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senate passes bipartisan Occupational and Environmental Transparency Health Act as part of annual defense legislation * * * Bipartisan legislation from U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to deliver relief to veterans exposed to toxic substances passed the Senate 86-8 as a part of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Occup  more

Tester, Jones, Collins Bill Repealing Military Widow's Tax Heads to President's Desk
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Ending 18-year battle, Senate approves bipartisan bill to support Montana's military spouses as part of annual defense legislation * * * Ending an 18-year battle, a bipartisan bill from U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) to repeal the Military Widow's Tax passed the U.S. Senate yesterday as a part of the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorizatio  more

Tester, Thune, Brown, Perdue Introduce Bill to Recognize Unique Housing Needs of Veterans and Rural America
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan legislation to add VA and USDA representatives to the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council * * * U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and David Perdue (R-Ga.) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that the housing needs of veterans and folks in rural America are reflected when Federal agencies ar  more