Daines Votes to Support Malmstrom, Troops & Border Security

Statement

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today 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," Daines said.

The bill will now be sent to President Trump to be signed into law.

Among many Montana wins, the bill does the following:

Strengthens Montana's and the Nation's Defense Forces:

-Gives the military pay raise of 3.1 percent
-Supports Air Force nuclear modernization by funding and supporting the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program ($557 million)
-Provides critical defense funding:
-$170 million for UH-1N "Huey" aircraft replacement program
-$1.4 billion for 74 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters
-$1.3 billion for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment
-$7 million to support wildfire training in the National Guard

Beefs up Border Security:

-Provides $1.375 billion to build the Southern Border Wall
-Helps safeguard Port of Raymond Entry Hours by directing the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to consult with state and local elected officials, community members, and industry stakeholders prior to making changes in hours of operation. Also states that CBP shall refrain from reducing hours of operation at any land port of entry unless CBP can demonstrate that such a reduction will not impede local or regional commerce or unduly impede local resident traffic.

Helps Combat Montana's Meth Crisis:

-Secures $13 million for the COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program to combat the meth epidemic.
-Provides $285 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program -- a $5 million increase from last year.

Addresses the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis:

-Secures improvements and funding towards data sharing, training, and technical assistance with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service to better address and prevent violent crime in Indian Country, and combat the MMIW crisis.

Prioritizes Rural Broadband:

-Prioritizes unserved areas for broadband access and reduces waste, fraud and abuse in the Universal Service Programs.

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