Daines Discusses NDAA During Media Conference
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., discussed state issues and the National Defense Authorization Act during a press conference call with Montana media members on Thursday, July 27.
Daines is pleased that NDAA will provide increased financial assistance to those serving in the military.
Members of the Montana National Guard and Reserves will start getting reimbursed for mileage when traveling to and from their base commitments.
He noted that in a big state like Montana, hundreds of miles could be traveled to their duty station.
“We got the win during the last week,” Daines said.
Another victory was a 5.2 percent pay raise for troops.
Daines said there are other positives in the NDAA including preventing China from purchasing farm land in the United States and addressing the fentanyl crisis.
“Food security is national security and folks across Montana are rightfully concerned that China and our adversaries are buying up American farmland near critical military operations,” Daines said in a press release. “In order to protect our national security interests, especially after the Chinese spy balloon floated over Montana’s ICBMs and used American technology against us, we must stop our adversaries in their tracks before they threaten our food security or commit more acts of espionage.”
The “FEND Off Fentanyl Act” is a sanctions and antimoney laundering bill to help combat the country’s fentanyl crisis by targeting opioid traffickers devastating America’s communities.
The bill will enhance current law so U.S. government agencies can more effectively disrupt illicit opioid supply chains and penalize those facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl.
In Montana, Daines noted that improvements need to be made considering that three train derailments have occurred in the state during the summer. The derailments included an Amtrak train near Havre last week.
Daines said his office has researched for federal assistance regarding the derailments. His office is monitoring the situation.
