Remembering 9/11. 

TOP STORY – NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SCAMS TARGETING VETERANS

• Recently, the Government Accountability Office released a report on protecting veterans from financial exploitation. GAO discussed several scams targeting veterans, including pension poaching and charging veterans unreasonable fees. The report makes four recommendations for additional action that the VA should take to protect veterans.

The nonpartisan GAO report reaffirms the need for my bill, the FREE Veteran Act. Consistent with the report’s finding, my bill calls for the reinstatement of a penalty and the collection of data about bad actors who exploit veterans. The GAO report only furthered my resolve to pass my bill to protect veterans from financial scams.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

• On September 11th, I took to the Senate floor to remember and honor the thousands of lives lost on that horrible day 18 years ago. We will never forget.

SUPPORTING THE MILITARY, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES

• On September 10th, I met with Tom Johnson, Montana VFW (East Helena) to discuss legislative priorities of the VFW.

Presenting a Congressional Record statement to Crystal Gaddo.

• On September 12th, I met Lieutenant General Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard to discuss the Tuition Assistance program and the Air Medical Evacuation Squadron Basing.

• During a visit to the Bozeman VA CBOC on September 13th, I presented a Congressional Record (CR) statement to Crystal Gaddo, a brave nurse that saved a fellow passenger during an airplane flight.

• On September 17th, Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and I discussed National Guard equities in Montana and the Army’s plan of Readiness, Modernization, and Reform.

• Also on the 17th, I met Major General Quinn, Adjutant General, Montana National Guard to discuss provisions in the annual defense bill that could impact the National Guard.

Col. Reeves and CCMSgt McElroy providing an update on MILCON projects.

• Colonel Jennifer Reeves and Command Chief Master Sergeant Eryn McElroy of the 341st Missile Wing, U.S. Air Force stopped by my office on September 18th to discuss ICBMs and the status of military construction projects.

• On September 19th, I met with the nominee for the Secretary of the Air Force and former Ambassador to Finland, Barbara Barrett to discuss Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) and the importance of Montana’s role in supporting the mission of the Air Force.

RECENTLY INTRODUCED VETERANS’ LEGISLATION

• To honor Private Genevieve Williams of Missoula that served with 6888th Central Postal Directory during WWII, I cosponsored Senator Jerry Moran’s (KS) “Six Triple Eight” Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019.

 

Best Wishes,

Steve Daines
United States Senate