Statement on 2014 Appropriations Bill

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Steve Daines today released the following statement regarding his vote in opposition to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014:

"I am pleased that the House and Senate Appropriations leaders heeded my call to support Montana's important nuclear mission by prohibiting funding for an environmental impact analysis on our ICBM capability. However, while we succeeded in protecting Montana's critical military missions, the overall appropriations package puts Washington, D.C. priorities first, failing Montana, our veterans and our taxpayers.

"I opposed the Ryan-Murray budget because it represented a step back in efforts to address our nation's worsening debt crisis and paid for spending increases on the backs of our veterans. Not only is this spending bill based on the same failed principles, it goes further in hurting Montana's rural communities. This bill zeroes out critical funding for Montana's rural and forest counties, jeopardizing rural schools and critical emergency services that Montanans rely on, and fails to fully resolve damaging cuts to retirement pay that is critically important for many Montana veterans. Montanans need real solutions to get our nation back on track, and paying for increased Washington spending on the backs of hard-working Montanans is not the answer."

In December, Daines spearheaded a letter to leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee calling for the preclusion of funding for an environmental assessment related to the nation's ICBM arsenal, a third of which is located in central Montana and overseen by Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. Language reflecting Daines' request, as well as the inclusion of $22 million for Montana Air National Guard military construction, is included in the 2014 appropriations package.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 fails to fund the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) program, which provides Montana counties with $26 million in critical funding each year. In counties and communities with large amounts of federal land, PILT helps offset the loss of important revenues and fulfill the federal government's obligation assist local communities in providing emergency services, fire suppression, and support for rural schools. This month, Daines joined more than 30 other members of Congress in calling on the Appropriations Committee to provide consistent funding for the PILT program.

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