East Helena Memorial Day Parade.

TOP STORY – HONORING OUR FALLEN IN UNIFORM

As a nation, we set aside time in the month of May to honor military service and remember your sacrifices, culminating with the observance of Memorial Day—to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and way of life. Throughout the month, I was pleased to honor Montana’s veterans on the Senate floor and across the state.

SUPPORTING THE MILITARY, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES

 Breakfast with Legionnaires at Post #14.

Memorial Day has special significance in Big Sky Country, which has one of the highest rates of military service per capita in the nation. I was honored to share this special occasion with veterans across the state.

Over breakfast, I met with Legionnaires at Post #14 to hear concerns from veterans in Bozeman, and update them on efforts to improve our VA health care system and provide them with more options through the VA MISSION Act which recently took effect.

Later, Cindy and I had the pleasure to attend the East Helena Memorial Day Parade with a number of current service members and veterans of every generation.

On May 21st, Montana Representative Greg Gianforte and I went to the United State Naval Academy to celebrate the graduation of three fine Montana midshipman. Congratulations to Richmond Paschall, Andrew Obst, and Jeremy Van Dyke. We are very proud of you, and wish you fair winds and following seas as you embark on your journey.

Montana midshipmen Richmond Paschall, Andrew Obst, and Jeremy Van Dyke. 

RECENTLY INTRODUCED VETERANS’ LEGISLATION

On May 16th, I joined Senator Ben Cardin’s (MD) S. 532, Preserving Teacher Loan Forgiveness for Military Spouses Act of 2019. This bill helps military families by providing a one-year waiver for teachers from the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program’s consecutive year requirement if they have moved with their military spouse due to Permanent Change of Station orders.

On May 21st, I joined Senator Doug Jones’ (AL) S. 622, which repeals the offset of Defense Department retirement pensions (via the Survivor Benefit Program) when a veteran’s surviving spouse is also eligible for a VA disability pension. This bill corrects an archaic law that fails to distinguish between two unrelated benefits for those who dedicated a lifetime of service to a greater cause.

Best Wishes,

Steve Daines
United States Senate