Thursday - March 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Montana Newsletter for Sunday April 12, 2020 ( 29 items )  

As Rural Hospitals Face Up to 80 Percent Revenue Drop, Sen. Tester Warns 'Tens of Thousands of Rural Patients Will Lose
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator calls on Department of Health and Human Services to set aside funding for rural hospitals that are struggling to stay open amid COVID-19 crisis * * * With rural hospitals facing a significant hit-on average, 50 to 80 percent-to their revenue streams since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senator Jon Tester led a bipartisan group of colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to   more

In Another Facebook Live Q&A, Sen. Tester Answers Questions From Montanans on COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Covers topics ranging from support for small businesses, farmers and ranchers to telehealth and spotting scams * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester hosted another Facebook Live Q&A to respond to Montanans' questions and provide updates on his efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis. Tester thanked the men and women working on the front lines to keep Montanans healthy, and responded to questions about effort  more

More Than 25 Montana Colleges and Universities to Receive Pandemic Funding, Sen. Tester Announces
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on April 10: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced the allocation of more than $32 million in critical relief funding for more than 25 Montana colleges and universities to mitigate shortfalls and provide financial aid to students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tester announced this funding, made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act earlier this month. "I've heard from ed  more

Rep. Gianforte Announces Funding to Montana Health Centers to Combat COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award more than $1.3 billion to nearly 1,400 health centers nationwide, including more than $9.1 million to support 14 health centers in Montana. "Montana doctors, nurses, and medical staff are heroes who are on the front lines treating patients and protecting our communities amid the COVID-19 outbre  more

Rep. Gianforte to HHS: Help Rural Health Providers
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) recently joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to provide immediate assistance to rural hospitals and clinics. They asked Azar to use resources included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to sustain rural health providers. "Montana's rural hospitals and health  more

Rep. Gianforte: 'Outrageous'
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) this morning reacted to Senate Democrats blocking an effort to expand the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program, a loan program designed to keep small businesses afloat and workers on payroll. "Outrageous. Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Senate Democrats are delaying the expansion of a bipartisan program to help small businesses and workers - a program they all vote  more

Rep. Gianforte: Congressional Delegation Announces Montana National Guard Funding to Respond to COVID-19 Outbreak
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Following a request last week from Congressman Greg Gianforte and U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester, President Trump late yesterday directed his administration to provide funding to the Montana National Guard to help respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. "With President Trump's swift action, the men and women of the Montana National Guard can respond to the threat of COVID-19 in our communities with f  more

Sen. Daines Calls on State Department to Investigate China's Role in Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to work with our allies around the world and fully investigate China's response to the emergence of the virus causing COVID-19. "As you are well aware, China's initial response to reports of an atypical pneumonia being detected by medical personnel in Hubei province in late 2019 were ham-fisted with government official  more

Sen. Daines Secures Expanded Telehealth Services for Indian Country During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that the Indian Health Service (IHS) will be expanding telehealth services across IHS federal facilities for tribal members. This follows Daines' request to President Trump to include funding for IHS, including for telehealth, so that Montana tribes have the same treatment as their non-tribal entities during the Coronavirus pandemic. "Expanding tele-health services in Ind  more

Sen. Daines Secures Over $100 Million in Funding for Montana Hospitals and Providers From HHS During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release on April 10: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be providing $111,503,248 for Montana hospitals and providers during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, a portion of this funding will go towards covering costs of uninsured patients for coronavirus related care. "This is about ensuring we have the critical resources needed to provide our  more

Sen. Daines Secures Over $12 Million for Health Centers and Workforce Expansion in Montana During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that $12,181,409 will be directed to various health centers and workforce expansion across Montana to help the state respond to the Coronavirus pandemic, including $616,070 to Marias Healthcare Services in Shelby, one of the hardest hit Coronavirus spots in Montana. "This is about getting our health care professionals on the front lines the resources they need to combat t  more

Sen. Daines Successfully Pushes for MT Ag Producers to Be Eligible for Coronavirus Small Business Loans
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that Montana's farmers and ranchers will be eligible for the Paycheck Protections Program (PPP), which provides $350 billion in loans and grants to small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic if they maintain or rehire their employees. This announcement follows Daines' push to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure ag businesses are eligible for Corona  more

Sen. Daines: Montanans are Eligible to Receive Expanded Unemployment for Coronavirus This Week
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that Montanans will be eligible, as soon as this week to receive expanded unemployment benefits made possible through the Coronavirus Economic Recovery package. Daines led the fight in the U.S. Senate to expand federal unemployment insurance for Montana workers who lost their job due to COVID-19. "This is about getting Montana workers who lost their job because of the Cor  more

Sen. Tester Announces $111.5 Million for Montana Hospitals to Combat Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: As a part of his ongoing fight to make sure Montana health care providers have the resources they need to keep Montanans safe during the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced $111.5 million for Montana's Provider Relief Fund, which will be distributed among 1,469 providers and systems across the state. "I have said from day one that we need to give Montana's brave providers and health care   more

Sen. Tester Announces $411,135 to Help Montana Hospitals Combat COVID-19
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced a $411,135 grant to help Montana's hospitals prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 crisis. "Montana's frontline health care workers need all the support they can get, and this funding will help them continue to stay safe and effective during this outbreak," Tester said. "I'm keeping up the fight to make sure Montana's hospitals, community health care centers, and first res  more

Sen. Tester Doubles Down on Effort to Ensure Veterans Swiftly Get Stimulus Checks From CARES Act
WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester is doubling down on his effort to ensure veterans and other beneficiaries through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program receive immediate stimulus payments from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In a letter to Administration officials,   more

Sen. Tester Doubles Down on Effort to Ensure Veterans Swiftly Get Stimulus Checks From CARES Act
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on April 6: U.S. Senator Jon Tester is doubling down on his effort to ensure veterans and other beneficiaries through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program receive immediate stimulus payments from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In a letter to Administration officials, Tester and his colleagues are urging the Treasury Departmen  more

Sen. Tester Secures More Than $9.1 Million for Montana Health Centers for COVID-19 Response
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator secures additional $3 million for Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council Public Health Workforce Expansion in Indian Country - Senator fought to secure $1.3 billion for health centers in the CARES Act * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured more than $9.1 million in relief for Montana Community Health Centers (CHCs) as they combat the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic, as well as an additional   more

Sen. Tester Statement on Removal of Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following statement on the removal of Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery Glenn Fine: "This move is a thumb in the eye to any Montana taxpayer who stands to receive critically-needed financial relief from the $2.2 trillion coronavirus recovery package. The job of the special watchdog is to ensure that money is spent responsibly and transparently--landing in the pockets of the small businesses, workers, and families that n  more

Sen. Tester Statement on USDA Extension of Loan Repayments for Food Producers
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following statement on April 10 after the Agriculture Department complied with his request to give Montana farmers and ranchers more flexibility when repaying Marketing Assistance Loans during the COVID-19 pandemic: "As most Montanans hunker down in their homes to prevent the spread of coronavirus, our farmers and ranchers are still working every day to keep food on our tables. With producers relying on government loans to keep doin  more

Sen. Tester to Pence: 79,000 Masks FEMA Promised Montana are Far Short of What We Need, Most Haven't Been Delivered
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on April 9: * * * - Senator urges Vice President to implore Trump to use Defense Production Act: 'The discrepancy here is staggering' * * * After Montana health officials notified the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that the state needs approximately 460,000 N95 masks, FEMA promised 79,486 masks to the state, and then delivered only 10,870-a staggering shortfall U.S. Senator Jon Tester is implori  more

Sen. Tester Urges Senate Leadership to Pass Bill With More Funding, Flexibility in Paycheck Protection Program for Montana Businesses
WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on April 8: * * * - With news Senate may consider new funding for program, Senator pushes for more flexibility for small businesses shut out of program on technicalities & for inclusion of outdoor industry, Tribal businesses & taverns * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester urged Senate leadership to pass a bill with more funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, as well as an expansion of the program to Montana bu  more

Sen. Tester Urges USDA to Ensure Continuity of Food Supply by Supporting Farmers During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator calls on Secretary Perdue to make temporary flexibilities on Farm Service Agency loans permanent for duration of pandemic * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue urging the Trump Administration to grant farmers more flexibility in their Farm Service Agency loans in order to ensure the continuity of the country's food supply and support rural areas  more

Sen. Tester Vows Accountability 'Until Every Last Mask is in Hands of Folks That Need It'
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on April 9: After pressure from U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the federal government committed to a shipment of 68,000 N95 masks to Montana to arrive in three installments over the next two days. This action comes after Montana health officials notified the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that the state needs approximately 460,000 total masks. In March, the Administration committed to send 79,486 masks   more

Sen. Tester, Colleagues Urge VA to Expand Telemental Health Services to Veterans During COVID-19 Outbreak
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Ranking Member calls on Secretary Wilkie to bolster mental health efforts for veterans at increased risk of suicide * * * Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester and his colleagues are urging Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to use the authority granted in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to expand critical telemental heal  more

Sen. Tester, Grassley, Romney, Others Lead Call to Protect Independence of Inspectors General After Trump's Abrupt Removal of Top Intelligence Watchdog
WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan effort comes on the heels of President's decision to also remove Chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester joined a bipartisan group of Senators in calling on President Trump to explain his decision to abruptly remove the top watchdog for the intelligence community. Republican Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Colli  more

Sen. Tester: Montanans Out of Work 'Don't Have Time to Wait for a Check'
WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester called on the U.S. Department of Labor to provide critically needed assistance to Montana and other states to aid in administering the expanded Unemployment Insurance program and benefits to the more than 6.6 million Americans who are now out of work due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. "In this time of national crisis, it is critical that the Department of Labor does everything  more

Sen. Tester: VA Must Implement CARES Act Authorities Quickly, Efficiently to Protect Veterans
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: After voting to deliver nearly $20 billion to strengthen the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) response to COVID-19, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is calling on the nation's largest health care system to implement key provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to ensure that veterans and the staff who pro  more

Sen. Tester: VA Must Implement CARES Act Authorities Quickly, Efficiently to Protect Veterans
WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on April 10: After voting to deliver nearly $20 billion to strengthen the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) response to COVID-19, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is calling on the nation's largest health care system to implement key provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to ensure that veterans and the staff who provide their care have access to the supplies and care they   more