Steve Daines
09/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2024 11:06
Daines Touts Widespread Support of “Crow Revenue Act”
- September 26, 2024
Bill Provides Critical Funding to Crow Tribe and Prevents Bull Mountains Mine from Closing
U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines delivered remarks at a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing, where he thanked Montana's local communities and officials for their support of his "Crow Revenue Act" and emphasized the need for its passage. Daines also introduced Crow Chairman White Clay as a witness at the hearing where he later reiterated his support of Daines' legislation.
Watch Daines' remarks and questions HERE.
"The bill is a win for the Crow Tribe. It's a win for our local communities, and most importantly, for the Crow Tribe. It's also a win for the state. The Crow Revenue Act is going to swap private inholdings on the Crow Reservation for federal minerals near Roundup Montana. In exchange the Crow Tribe would receive a share of the revenues from these minerals developed near Roundup. Montana cannot afford to lose the jobs at the Bull Mountains Mine. Let me be clear, without the passage of the Crow Revenue Act, the Bull Mountains Mine near Roundup will begin to close down at the beginning of 2025. Let that sink in for a moment, hundreds of jobs are on the line if this committee and this Congress does not pass this bill. And after the recent announcement of 700 mining jobs being lost at the Stillwater Mine… Unfortunately, we are in this position because the Biden-Harris Administration has refused to complete the Bull Mountains Mine permit, pure and simple. Had the administration done their job and completed the needed permits in July, like they were supposed to, we wouldn't be here talking about needing to do this bill. But they have purposefully dragged their feet so this mine will close. We're not going to let that happen. And I urge my colleagues to join me in ensuring that these jobs and the revenue for the communities can continue on," said Daines.
Watch Daines' introduction of Chairman White Clay HERE.
Background:
Daines introduced the "Crow Revenue Act" in May 2024. The bill fixes long-standing inholdings on the Crow Reservation, provides revenue to the Crow Tribe, and helps ensure the Bull Mountains Mine continues to operate and provide jobs and revenue to the local community.
Click HERE for bill text and HERE for a one pager on the bill.
Letters of Support:
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte
Local Montana Senators and Representatives
Montana State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen
Montana Association of Oil, Gas, & Coal Counties
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Rachel Dumke