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U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Montana Newsletter for Sunday April 19, 2020 ( 38 items )  

$640,624 for Hamilton Community Health Center, Tester Announces
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Continuing his push to make sure Montana's Community Health Centers have the funding they need during the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced $640,624 in Department of Health and Human Services funding for Sapphire Community Health in Hamilton. "Montana's community health centers are moving heaven and earth to protect our communities during this pandemic," said Tester. "They are on the fr  more

$663,477 for Shelby Community Health Center, Tester Announces
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Continuing his push to make sure Montana's Community Health Centers have the funding they need, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced $663,477 in Department of Health and Human Services funding for Marias Healthcare Services in Shelby. Toole County has seen one of the largest coronavirus outbreaks in Montana. "Montana's community health centers are moving heaven and earth to protect our communities during this p  more

Eligibility Expanded for Montana Main Street Taverns for Coronavirus Small Business Relief After Pressure From Sen. Tester
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: After pressure from U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that Montana's main street taverns will be eligible for coronavirus relief programs. The decision follows Tester's demand that SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza include main street taverns in relief programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, after several tavern owners were deemed ineligible because of the amoun  more

Following Top Watchdog's Removal, Tester Urges Federal Agencies to Use Coronavirus Relief Funds Effectively
WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Following President Trump's removal of the Chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee--charged with overseeing the distribution of $2.2 trillion in taxpayer dollars--U.S. Senator Jon Tester is taking steps to ensure every federal agency is properly overseeing its own recovery funds. Tester urged the heads of every federal agency tasked with pandemic recovery assistance to establish protocols   more

HHS Awards $110 Plus Million to Montana Health Providers Following Rep. Gianforte's Request
WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Following a request from Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced it will award $30 billion to nearly 320,000 health care providers nationwide, including more than $110 million to nearly 1,500 providers in Montana. "As our nation and state confront the COVID-19 outbreak, Montana health care providers, including our hospitals and health c  more

Montana Schools Receive More Than $8.7 Million in Emergency Funding, Tester Announces
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Continuing his push to provide relief to Montana's students and schools amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced $8,764,495 in Department of Education funding for the Montana Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund. "I have spoken with educators, administrators and students across Montana and what is clear is that, from our elementary schools to our colleges and universities, every  more

Montana to Receive $3 Million for Affordable Housing, Sen. Tester Announces
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced Montana will receive $3 million to increase access to affordable housing across the state. The grant will be distributed by the State of Montana, and is available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Trust Fund (HTF), which Tester helped establish through his work on the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and his role on the Senate Ba  more

On Fourth Facebook Live in Month, Tester Gives Tips on Avoiding Scams, Answers Questions About Coronavirus Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester answered questions from Montanans and provided updates on the COVID-19 response on his fourth Facebook Live Q & A in less than a month. Tester gave tips on how to avoid scammers looking to take advantage of the coronavirus crisis, answered questions about the new July 15th tax filing deadline, and steps he is taking to make sure the United States Postal Service remains operational, am  more

Reports of Domestic, Sexual Violence Increase During COVID-19 Crisis, Tester Urges Congress to Provide Additional Support for Victims
WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: As local law enforcement and service providers raise the alarm about increased domestic violence and sexual assault reports during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Senator Jon Tester led a bipartisan group of colleagues in urging Congressional leadership to provide additional funding to programs that support victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, including those authorized by the Violence A  more

SBA Provides Relief to Montana Taverns Following Request From Rep. Gianforte, Daines
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will ensure more Montana taverns have access to federal emergency relief resources amid the COVID-19 outbreak. "Like small businesses throughout Montana, bars and taverns have been shut down by government order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. We need to help the  more

Sen. Daines Announces $73.8 Million for Montana Airports to Help Handle COVID-19 Outbreak
BOZEMAN, Montana, April 15 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced $73.8 million will be directed to 71 Montana airports to handle the impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak. Montana airports have seen a dramatic drop in travel and sales due to the Coronavirus. "The Coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted our Montana airports which are vital to our economy and communities," Daines said. "This funding is critical for Montana a  more

Sen. Daines Brings Local Lunch to Montana National Guard Troops, Shares Two Big Announcements
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release on April 14: U.S. Senator Steve Daines brought lunch from Bozeman's Chalet Market to Montana National Guard troops serving at the Bozeman airport to thank them for protecting Montana communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and to share two big National Guard announcements. "It's an honor to be here today to deliver some free lunches to our Montana National Guard members who are here in the front lines, the  more

Sen. Daines Fights to Protect Outfitter Jobs During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release on April 15: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced a proposal to direct funding for new trail maintenance projects to be carried out by guides and outfitters to provide economic relief amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Outfitters and guides face great uncertainty going into what is typically their peak season and some estimate as many as 70% will be forced to close down. "This is about protecting the jobs of Mon  more

Sen. Daines Pushes for Funding For Senior Living Facilities Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar urging the department to direct funding from the Coronavirus economic relief package to support nursing homes, skilled nursing centers, and senior living communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We must not overlook those individuals who work within the senior living community, such as those working in independ  more

Sen. Daines Secures $19 Billion for Ag, Including Livestock, Specialty Crop Producers During Coronavirus Outbreak
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that USDA will be providing $19 billion in assistance for farmers and ranchers hurting from challenging market conditions due to the Coronavirus pandemic through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Part of the funding will go to help Montana's cattle producers who have seen a drastic decline in cattle markets during the pandemic. This follows Daines' request e  more

Sen. Daines Secures Over $10 Million for Montana Child Care Providers During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release on April 14: U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be directing $10,113,887 to support Montana child care providers during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. "It is critical we have the funding necessary to support Montana working families who rely on child care services during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic," Daines said. "This critical fundin  more

Sen. Daines Selected by President Trump to Sit on Bipartisan White House Task Force to Safely Reopen America
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced he was chosen by President Trump to join a bipartisan White House Task Force to provide counsel to President Trump to safely reopen America in the wake of COVID-19. "I am honored to be selected by President Trump to serve on this historic task force to safely reopen America," Daines said. We can prioritize our public health and our workers, families and small businesses.  more

Sen. Daines Statement on Senate Democrats Continuing to Block New, Critical Funding for the Paycheck Protection Program
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following statement after Senate Democrats refused to come to the table and continued to block new funding to the Paycheck Protection Program which would keep Montana small business open and workers employed during the coronavirus pandemic: "The Paycheck Protection Program which is critical to keep Montana small businesses open and workers employed has officially run out of money,". "Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are holding wo  more

Sen. Daines Successfully Secures Two Year Extension for Montana Timber Contracts During Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be providing all timber sale contract holders with a two-year extension. This follows Daines' direct request to USDA Secretary Perdue for relief for the wood products industry, including the two-year extension for those with timber sale contracts to provide stability during the pandemic. "It's critical we protect Mo  more

Sen. Daines to POTUS: Break China Dependence, Bring Back Drug Manufacturing, Jobs to America
WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release on April 13: U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to President Trump urging him to end the U.S. government's reliance on medical supplies and equipment from China and bring back drug manufacturing jobs to America in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear how relying upon China for medicine or essential medical equipment and components is detrimental to our national secur  more

Sen. Daines Urges Administration to Get Veterans Direct Checks During Coronavirus Pandemic ASAP
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined a group of bipartisan senators and sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs urging the agencies work together to get the nation's veterans their direct checks in response to the Coronavirus as soon as possible. "We write to you regarding the financial well-being of our country's heroes, their caregivers, and survivors, and  more

Sen. Daines Urges Approval and Production of Antibody Tests in Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to Vice President Pence urging the White House Coronavirus Task Force to continue prioritizing the deployment of widespread diagnostic tests and accelerating the approval and production of antibody tests, which can help play a critical role in the fight against COVID-19. "I would encourage the FDA to continue utilizing all available resources and expertise to be able  more

Sen. Daines Urges Support for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release on April 13: U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined a group of bipartisan senators and sent a letter to Senate Leadership requesting that any future legislation to address COVID-19 includes support for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. "We appreciate that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $45 million for domestic violence services funded through   more

Sen. Daines: Montana National Guard Members Should Get Hazardous Pay for Responding to Coronavirus Pandemic
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release on April 14: U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to grant Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay to the Montana National Guard who have been activated to support the nation's response to COVID-19. "As of today, 127 members of the Montana National Guard are on duty screening people who could potentially carry COVID-19," Daines wrote. "These citizen-soldiers are jeopardizing   more

Sen. Daines: Montana Veterans Will Now Receive Direct Checks Automatically
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that Montana veterans and their beneficiaries who receive VA benefits will be receiving their direct checks automatically without having to do anything extra from the Department of Treasury. This follows Daines urging both Treasury and Veterans Affairs Departments to work together to get the direct checks to Montana veterans the fastest and most effective way possible. "  more

Sen. Tester Announces $10 Million for Child Care Providers in Montana
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced he secured $10 million in funding to support Montana child care providers keeping their doors open to serve the families of essential workers-funding that was originally left out of Senator Mitch McConnell's COVID-19 response package. "Child care providers are key to confronting this crisis," Tester said. "The care they provide allows critical health care workers, first resp  more

Sen. Tester Announces $2 Million for Montana Behavioral Health Services During COVID-19 Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (MT DPHHS) will receive $2 million in funding to bolster the state's capacity to provide behavioral health services to individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Mitch McConnell's original Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act package did not include mental health funding for states. "W  more

Sen. Tester Doubles Down on Fight to Keep Lights on in Rural America by Supporting Rural Co-Ops
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester is doubling down on his fight to make sure Montana's rural electric co-ops can keep the lights on in rural communities during the COVID-19 crisis. Tester joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues in a letter reiterating Tester's call to the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of Treasury to ensure that rural electric co-ops are eligible for the critical coronavirus  more

Sen. Tester Relays Local Concerns to Small Business Administration: Montana Small Businesses, Lenders Need Immediate Relief
WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: Following conversations with Montana small businesses and lenders across the state, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is calling on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to immediately act to include more Montana businesses in the Paycheck Protection Program and to address concerns and frustrations from Montana's business community about the slow rollout of programs designed to provide relief in the face of the coron  more

Sen. Tester Secures More Than $2.6 Million for Helena Head Start
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on April 16: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that the Rocky Mountain Development Council, Inc. Head Start in Helena will receive $2,610,309 in grant funding to ensure that Helena-area kids can access quality educations. "In today's uncertain times, it's more critical than ever that we are providing Montana kids with every opportunity to reach their highest potential the moment they get back in a classroom,"  more

Sen. Tester Secures Nearly $74 Million for More Than 70 Montana Airports
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: With Montana airports struggling to keep up with costs after the COVID-19 pandemic brought air travel to a standstill, U.S. Senator Jon Tester successfully secured nearly $74 million to help 71 airports across the Treasure State cover operational expenses, staffing, and certain development projects during the crisis. "Montanans rely on our small regional airports to connect our state to the rest of the count  more

Sen. Tester to FEMA: Firefighters Need Funding for Protective Gear Now
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester led a bipartisan group of colleagues in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to quickly provide fire departments and emergency medical service (EMS) providers with $100 million in grant funding allocated by the Coronavirus Relief, Aid, and Economic Security (CARES) Act last month. Tester successfully secured the $100 million to help fire departments and EMS providers   more

Sen. Tester Urges VA to Reconsider Limitations on Veteran Representation in Disability Claims
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on April 15: Ranking Member Jon Tester is leading his colleagues on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee in demanding that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reconsider recent efforts to restrict a veteran's ability to review and dispute their disability claims before they are finalized. "We write to you today about our concern that   more

Sen. Tester, Colleagues to Homeland Security Chief: Why is Border Wall Construction Continuing During Global Pandemic?
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester, joined by a number of his colleagues on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, asked Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to justify the Trump Administration's continued construction of the taxpayer-funded border wall with Mexico during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Nearly 4,500 Department of Homeland Security employees are already quarantined or infected with COV  more

Sen. Tester, Colleagues to Treasury: Give Veterans Swift Financial Relief
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, is continuing his weekslong push to ensure Montana's veterans receiving benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can swiftly get their recovery rebate checks from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In a bipartisan letter to Administration officials today, Tester and his colleagu  more

Sen. Tester, Colleagues to Treasury: Give Veterans Swift Financial Relief
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, is continuing his weekslong push to ensure Montana's veterans receiving benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can swiftly get their recovery rebate checks from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In a bipart  more

Sen. Tester: Trump Signs Tester-Backed VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Bill Into Law
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill backed by U.S. Senator Jon Tester into law, allowing veterans to appear in cases before the Board of Veterans' Appeals remotely. "During this unprecedented time, it's critically important that we provide our nation's veterans with the flexibility to dispute their disability claims from the safety and comfort of their homes," said Tester. "This new law is welcom  more

Trump Signs Tester-Backed VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Bill Into Law
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill backed by U.S. Senator Jon Tester into law, allowing veterans to appear in cases before the Board of Veterans' Appeals remotely. "During this unprecedented time, it's critically important that we provide our nation's veterans with the flexibility to dispute their disability claims from the sa  more