Latest news with #Daines
E&E News
4 days ago
- Business
- E&E News
‘Narrow in scope': Daines clarifies land sale talks
Montana Sen. Steve Daines on Thursday insisted his public lands talks with Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mike Lee of Utah are to minimize any potential broad sales in the GOP's megabill — not greenlight them. Daines' comments came one day after he told reporters he was working on language with Lee, who is trying to reinsert land sales into the Senate's version of the bill to advance President Donald Trump's domestic agenda. Roughly 500,000 acres of proposed land sales in Nevada and Utah were stripped from the House's version. Daines said on Thursday that his talks with Lee do not mean he is supporting public lands sales. Even so, he did not explicitly rule out that some select lands provisions could end up in the Senate bill. Advertisement 'I oppose the sale of public lands,' Daines said. 'Senator Lee has a provision that he wants to put in the bill, I'm trying to work with him [to get] something in there that's … narrow in scope.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senator's bill would open federal cemeteries to visits on holidays: 'Honor that they deserve'
FIRST ON FOX: A Senate Republican is hoping to ensure that families of fallen loved ones can mourn at their gravesides on federal holidays, days they are usually closed to visitation. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., is introducing legislation Thursday that would require the more than 170 cemeteries overseen by the federal government to stay open during legally recognized holidays, including Memorial Day, Christmas, Independence Day and others. Cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and National Parks Service are typically closed during major holidays, save for Arlington National Cemetery, which is open on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but closed for all other holidays. Democrats Predict Passing Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Will Cost Many Republicans Their Seats Daines said in a statement to Fox News Digital that holidays like Memorial Day give Americans "the opportunity to remember all those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms." "Our national cemeteries should be open on these special days, so that family and friends can pay their respects to their loved ones," he said. "I'm proud to introduce this bill to ensure that our fallen service members can receive the tributes and honor that they deserve." Read On The Fox News App Trump Suprises 104-Year-old Wwii Veteran With Birthday Message After Viral Tiktok Invite The federal government began operating national cemeteries during the Civil War in the early 1860s to offer final resting places for fallen Union soldiers, according to the National Park Service. The practice has since grown into over 170 different national cemeteries operated by three government agencies, the Department of Defense, the VA and the National Park Service. Not every state, however, has a national cemetery. Montana, which Daines represents in the Senate, is home to two national cemeteries: the Fort Missoula Post Cemetery and Yellowstone National article source: Senator's bill would open federal cemeteries to visits on holidays: 'Honor that they deserve'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Daines proposes expanding federal funds for some public land projects
May 7—Montana's senators are backing efforts to extend a $2 billion pot of funding for maintenance projects on public lands. The America the Beautiful Act aims to reduce some of the $40 billion worth of deferred maintenance costs federal land agencies currently face by reauthorizing and expanding the Legacy Restoration Fund established through the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020. The fund directs revenues the federal government receives for energy development projects towards road and infrastructure repairs on public lands. "The America the Beautiful Act will fund crucial projects and address maintenance backlogs, so that people can get outside and enjoy the natural beauty we're lucky to have here in the U.S.," said Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines at a May 1 press conference. Daines introduced the America the Beautiful Act alongside Sen. Angus King, I-ME. Half a dozen other lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including Montana's junior Republican senator, Tim Sheehy, have signed on as bill sponsors. Under the America the Beautiful Act, annual allocations through the Legacy Restoration Fund would increase from $1.9 billion to $2 billion a year through 2033. Of those funds, 70% go to the National Park Service, the agency with the largest amount of deferred maintenance costs. The U.S. Forest Service receives 15% of the annual funds, and the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Education each receive 5%. The American the Beautiful Act introduces slight modifications to this selection criteria by adding prioritization for projects that provide at least a 15% match in funds. The bill also allows for funds to be used on any U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands. Currently, the agency can only apply funds to projects on national wildlife refuges. Many of the country's largest conservation organizations have rallied behind the bill. The Kalispell Chamber, Glacier Park Land Owners, Glacier National Park Conservancy and the Flathead County Board of Commissioners also provided statements of support referencing the $52.7 million the fund has contributed towards maintenance projects in Glacier National Park. The three projects the park financed with Legacy Restoration Funds include ongoing repairs to the 9.3-mile section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road that runs alongside McDonald Lake and updates to wastewater and water distribution systems in the Swiftcurrent area and at park headquarters. Another $20 million has been designated from the fund for lands in Montana administered by the Bureau of Land Management. President Donald Trump described the Great American Outdoors Act as "truly landmark legislation" during his first presidency and lauded the bipartisan partnership that brought the bill to his desk, but the America the Beautiful Act comes at a time of large-scale federal funding cuts. Among the line items in the Trump Administration's proposed budget plan is a $73 million reduction in the National Park Service's annual construction budget. While the document suggests the president may continue to support the use of Restoration Legacy Funds for construction projects in national parks, it also points toward potential changes in how these funds are allocated. "The Biden administration wasted federal funding on construction projects at sites that are more appropriately managed at the local level ... The president's deregulatory agenda will ensure that the Great American Outdoors Act funding for construction would go further than ever," the budget states. The America the Beautiful Act was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. A hearing has yet to be scheduled. Reporter Hailey Smalley may be reached at 758-4433 or hsmalley@
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Daines honors Cruzado in Congressional Record
Sen. Steve Daines, left, with Waded Cruzado, President of Montana State University, and Daines' wife, Cindy. (Photo courtesy of Steve Daines' office.) Montana's senior U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a 'fellow Bobcat,' presented outgoing Montana State University President Waded Cruzado on Saturday with the Congressional Record of remarks he made regarding her tenure at the Bozeman flagship. 'She has been a tireless leader, pushing MSU to new heights, both academically and in athletics,' Daines said on the floor. 'Her passion for the success of her students has transformed not only the MSU campus, but our great state of Montana as well.' In August 2024, Cruzado announced her retirement in June 2025 after 15 years at the helm of MSU. The Montana Board of Regents tapped the president of Northern Michigan University and former Montana University System deputy commissioner Brock Tessman as the next MSU president. In July, Tessman will take the reins of MSU, now the largest campus in Montana. On April 7, Daines, a Republican from Bozeman, delivered prepared remarks on the Senate floor about the achievements of Cruzado before placing a Bobcats ballcap on his head. 'Go, Cats,' he said. Daines also shared his personal connections to MSU. 'Dr. Cruzado has served as the beloved President of Montana State University, my alma mater, since 2010,' Daines said in prepared remarks. 'In fact, three out of our four children graduated from MSU during her tenure as president.' He named record-breaking accomplishments, including a 26% enrollment increase to more than 17,000 students, retention growth to 75%, 'the highest it's been in 30 years,' and graduation rates hitting the highest in more than 20 years. Daines said Cruzado pushed research expenditures up by 162%, 'making MSU the leading research institution in the state.' 'The school was recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Education and the American Council on Education as one of the most productive research institutions in the U.S.,' Daines said. In February 2025, MSU announced it was among 187 institutions in the nation to receive an 'R1' designation, denoting 'very high research output and doctoral education.' It also was recognized as having 'very high undergraduate' enrollment, or a high percentage of undergraduate students. MSU said it was 'among only four universities in the country to receive both distinctions.'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Almighty explosion was home shooting into the air'
Neighbours have rallied together after a home exploded with an "almighty bang" near Bristol following a suspected gas leak. The building on Lancaster Road, in Yate, was completely demolished in the incident. Three people were taken to hospital, and more than 40 residents were evacuated from their homes after flames spread to neighbouring properties. Neighbour Charlie Daines, whose home backs onto the house, said she was stood in the garden when it happened. "There was an almighty explosion - it was the house shooting up into the air," she said. "The house was just gone in seconds. Our main concern was, 'is everybody okay, do we need to help?'," adding: "We just ran straight around there." Three taken to hospital after house explosion 'Huge bang' as house destroyed in explosion Ms Daines said she saw one resident from a neighbouring home struggling to get out. "They eventually came down the stairs with their keys, but they were still in such a panic they kept on dropping them. "I was still shaking when we were evacuated it was horrendous. It went right through your body," she added. Rich Cainey, who lives next door to the house, said he initially "thought it was an earthquake". "I got shook out of bed - literally," he said. "I saw the chimney breast coming crashing down onto our roof so I got up and went to the landing. "The whole house next door was demolished. There was nothing there, just the remnants of a house." Mr Cainey said he immediately went with his dad to help their neighbours. "I don't think it's sunk in yet. I'm waiting for the shock to kick in, but I'm not there yet. "My mum is in pieces at the moment," he added. Since the incident, nearby Adam View Care home has offered its premises to help anyone struggling without access to their home. "We want to offer a place to make coffees, to make arrangements and just have some shelter, " said Daniel Glover Winfield, from the care home. "We just want to support anyone in any way that we can. "We'll be opening our doors for as long as it takes. If there's anything we can do we will." The Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze has since been "safely extinguished". A cordon that was in place on the street has also been lifted. Two of the people being treated in hospital are believed to have lived at the house, the BBC understands. Avon and Somerset Police said their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. Steve Edwards, who lives nearby, said he was still in shock. "I thought something had happened in the house," he said. "There was a god almighty bang and I went out the front door. "I'm just in shock really, you wake up thinking it's going to be a lovely sunny day and next you're being told to leave your house. "I'm just very sad for the people whose house it was." Alan Monaghan, Liberal Democrat councillor on Yate Town Council, says he was watching TV when he thought he heard a "door slam" upstairs in his house. "It's unbelievable. I could see a house which had been engulfed and we could see the fire service doing their best to save the house, but struggling." Mr Monaghan says he was "impressed" by how fast the emergency services arrived. He said he had seen people in dressing gowns being escorted out of their homes. "A lot of residents were out in utter shock. They couldn't believe it's happening. "Some people were quite distressed." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Three taken to hospital after house explosion 'Huge bang' as house destroyed in explosion
