In this unprecedented time for our state and local communities, the Montana Republican Party is proud to recognize the extraordinary leadership of Montana’s top Republican officeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Use this page as a One-Stop-Shop for the latest information on action that Montana’s Republican leaders are taking in their unique official capacities to promote the health, safety, and well-being of Montanans during this time.
What can you do?
Slow the Spread by following the directions of Montana’s state and local authorities and practicing safe social distancing measures.
While we’re apart, let’s also come together in this fight by supporting our fellow Montanans.
Consider ordering take-out or delivery from local restaurants, purchasing a gift card to use later at local businesses, donating blood at local blood drives, and supporting your local food bank.
U.S. SENATOR STEVE DAINES
4/10: Sen. Daines secured over $400,000 in funding for the Montana Health Research and Education Foundation to respond to the Coronavirus. [Read more]
4/9: After working closely with the White House and top level officials, Sen. Daines secured the arrival of 68,000 N-95 masks to Montana this week.
4/8: Sen. Daines successfully pushed for Montana ranchers and farmers to be eligible for small business relief. [Read more]
Sen. Daines secured expanded telehealth services for Indian country. [Read more]
4/7: Sen. Daines secured over $12 million for health centers and workforce expansion in Montana during the Coronavirus pandemic. [Read more]
4/6: Sen. Daines announced that Montanans are eligible to receive expanded unemployment for Coronavirus this week. [Read more]
Sen. Daines called on the State Department to investigate China’s role in the spread of the Coronavirus. [Read more]
4/3: Sen. Daines urged U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen to provide immediate relief to folks in the outdoor recreation industry amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. [Read more]
Sen. Daines urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan to consider the impact of the proposed temporary reduction of hours at a number of Montana Ports of Entry on Montana ag and rural communities. [Read more]
Sen. Daines announced that SNAP benefits will be increased for Montana families during the Coronavirus. [Read more]
4/2: Sen. Daines urged the Small Business Administration to ensure that agricultural businesses are eligible for Coronavirus relief programs. [Read more]
4/1: Sen. Daines urged President Trump to expand healthcare coverage for National Guard members responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more]
Sen. Daines urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Perdue to provide immediate assistance to cattle producers during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more]
3/31: Sen. Daines secured over $50 million for Montana schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more]
3/30: Sen. Daines urged the President to support and approve Montana’s major disaster declaration request.
3/25: Sen. Daines voted and advanced a Coronavirus relief package that will provide Montana workers, small businesses, hospitals, and state and local governments more than one billion dollars in emergency relief. [Read more]
Sen. Daines secured stronger provisions and critical funding for tribal communities in the Coronavirus relief package. [Read more]
Sen. Daines announced that the final Coronavirus relief package would include $23.5 billion in for agriculture assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak.
3/24: Sen. Daines took the floor of the U.S. Senate to demand the Senate vote to pass the Coronavirus economic recovery package after delays. [Watch the video]
3/23: Sen. Daines sponsored the Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act to address the impending crisis facing our health care system. [Read more]
3/22: Sen. Daines secured over $10 billion for COVID-19 drug development. [Read more]
3/21: Sen. Daines sent a letter to Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer urging inclusion of expanded federal unemployment insurance in the Coronavirus relief package. [Read more]
3/20: Sen. Daines urged the President to prioritize public health and Montana businesses in negotiations with Canada over travel restrictions in response to COVID-19. [Read more]
Sen. Daines cosponsored a bipartisan bill to provide relief to Montana ranchers during the Coronavirus pandemic. [Read more]
Pres. Trump extended the tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th after Sen. Daines introduced bipartisan legislation urging the Administration to do so. [Read more]
3/19: Sen. Daines sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Wilkie stressing the need to care for veterans in Montana who struggle with mental health and who may be found to have increased stress during the Coronavirus outbreak. [Read more]
3/18: Sen. Daines voted for Phase 2 of Congress’ Coronavirus relief package. [Read more]
3/17: Sen. Daines introduced legislation requiring private health insurance plans to cover treatments or vaccines for COVID-19. [Read more]
Sen. Daines called on federal agencies to enable federal civil servants with experience in rapid emergency response to assist rural communities during COVID-19. [Read more]
Sen. Daines introduced a bipartisan bill to delay the enforcement of REAL ID requirements for at least one year. [Read more]
Sen. Daines unveiled three more major proposals to help Montana’s workers, families, first responders, healthcare professionals, and small businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak. [Read more]
3/16: The Senate passed Sen. Daines’ bipartisan bill ensuring GI Benefits are protected for veterans and their families during the Coronavirus outbreak, which the President signed into law on 3/21. [Read more]
Sen. Daines urged Pres. Trump to ensure Montana tribal communities have access to federal assistance during coronavirus outbreak. [Read more]
3/14: Sen. Daines urged HHS Secretary Azar and the FEMA Administrator Gaynor to ensure Indian Health Services has the resources needed to provide Coronavirus testing for tribal communities. [Read more]
3/12: Sen. Daines introduced bipartisan legislation to provide disaster unemployment assistance to people unable to work during the Coronavirus outbreak. [Read more]
3/11: Sen. Daines secured action from the Trump Administration to remove barriers and lower costs of Coronavirus testing and treatment. [Read more]
3/9: Sen. Daines unveiled a slate of proposals to protect Montana families and improve economic stability during the Coronavirus outbreak. [Read more]
For more information on Senator Daines’ response, please visit https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases.
U.S. CONGRESSMAN GREG GIANFORTE
4/9: Con. Gianforte called on the Department of Health and Human Services to provide immediate assistance to rural hospitals and clinics. [Read more]
4/8: Con. Gianforte and the Montana Congressional Delegation announced additional funding to the Montana National Guard to help respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. [Read more]
Con. Gianforte announced funding to Montana health centers to combat COVID-19. [Read more]
4/6: Con. Gianforte held his second statewide town hall focused on the COVID-19 outbreak. [Read more]
4/3: Con. Gianforte urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection to restore cuts to service at Raymond Port of Entry to support Montana ag. [Read more]
4/1: Con. Gianforte urged President Trump to swiftly approve federal funding for the Montana National Guard to help combat the COVID-19 outbreak. [Read more]
Con. Gianforte urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Perdue to provide immediate assistance to cattle producers during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more]
3/31: Con. Gianforte urged President Trump to ensure Montana small businesses and taverns have access to federal emergency relief resources. [Read more]
Con. Gianforte introduced the bipartisan Keeping Critical Connections Act to help broadband providers ensure rural broadband connectivity for students and their families during COVID-19 outbreak. [Read more]
3/27: Con. Gianforte took the House floor in support of the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. [Watch the video]
3/26: Con. Gianforte held a statewide town hall focused on the COVID-19 outbreak. [Read more]
3/25: Con. Gianforte issued statement in support of the CARES Act to confront the COVID-19 outbreak. [Read more]
3/24: Con. Gianforte introduced bipartisan legislation to guarantee tribal health authorities access to the Strategic National Stockpile. [Read more]
3/23: Con. Gianforte secured the release of $80 million in COVID-19 aid to the Indian Health Service. [Read more]
3/20: Con. Gianforte demanded the immediate release of Congressionally approved COVID-19 aid to the Indian Health Service. [Read more]
President Trump extended the tax filing deadline from April 15th to July 15th after Con. Gianforte sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin urging the Administration to do so. [Read more]
3/19: Con. Gianforte called on congressional leaders to include critical Montana priorities in legislation addressing the COVID-19 outbreak and its fallout. [Read more]
3/17: Con. Gianforte announced the expansion of telehealth services to combat COVID-19. [Read more]
3/16: Con. Gianforte talked with over 50 health care providers in Montana with representatives from hospitals, nursing homes, health centers, and rehab facilities on COVID-19.
For more information on Congressman Gianforte’s response, please visit https://gianforte.house.gov/media-center/press-releases.
ATTORNEY GENERAL TIM FOX
4/10: AG Fox urged the White House and Small Business Administration to modify rules that exclude businesses with gambling revenue from relief under the Paycheck Protection Program. [Read more]
4/9: AG Fox co-hosted a statewide town hall with State Auditor Rosendale to provide information to Montanans on guarding against COVID-19 scams and frauds. [More information]
4/6: AG Fox held a statewide town hall focused on how the Montana Department of Justice is responding to the Coronavirus pandemic.
4/2: At the request of AG Fox, Montana expanded online drivers license renewal and moved deadlines for registering vehicles. [Read more]
AG Fox’s office investigating claims of price gouging and other pandemic-related complaints. [Read more]
3/27: AG Fox issued guidelines for conducting meetings during Montana’s state of emergency. [Read more]
3/26: AG Fox began coordinating efforts with law enforcement throughout Montana on how to implement the governor’s stay-at-home directive and address other pandemic-related public safety concerns. The coordination is ongoing.
3/25: AG Fox urged Amazon, Facebook, Google, Walmart, and Craigslist to prevent pandemic price gouging practices by online sellers using their services. [Read more]
3/24: AG Fox announced the extension of the REAL ID deadline after asking the federal government for an extension. [Read more]
3/20: AG Fox hosted a statewide news conference with the Montana Food Bank Network to raise awareness of challenges with distributing food and donations during the pandemic. [Watch the video]
3/17: AG Fox secured a 90-day extension for the renewal of drivers’ licenses expiring in March, April, and May in order to limit the need for visits to MVD stations during the COVID-19 outbreak. [Read more]
3/13: AG Fox warned of potential coronavirus scams and price gouging. [Read more]
For more information on Attorney General Fox’s response, please visit https://dojmt.gov/news/.
STATE AUDITOR MATT ROSENDALE
4/9: Auditor Rosendale co-hosted a statewide town hall with Attorney General Fox to provide information to Montanans on guarding against COVID-19 scams and frauds. [Read more]
4/7: Auditor Rosendale and the Financial Exploitation Task Force warns Montanans about scams, encourages reporting. [Read more]
3/26: Auditor Rosendale sent a letter to the insurance industry encouraging flexibility to help Montanans and businesses maintain insurance coverage and benefits during COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more]
3/19: After working closely with Auditor Rosendale, four major health insurance companies in Montana voluntarily expanded telehealth coverage to fight COVID-19. [Read more]
3/18: Auditor Rosendale reminded Montanans of year-round options for immediate health coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more]
3/10: Auditor Rosendale announced that four major health insurance companies were voluntarily waiving fees for Coronavirus testing. [Read more]
2/28: Auditor Rosendale reminded Montanans to be aware of con artists looking to profit from fear and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more]
For more information on Auditor Rosendale’s response, please visit https://csimt.gov/covid-19-info/.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT ELSIE ARNTZEN
4/10: Superintendent Arntzen, along with the Board of Public Education and the Montana Public Education Center issued guidance for graduation ceremonies and school year-end planning. [Read more]
4/9: Superintendent Arntzen submitted two requests to the Governor on CAREs Act funding and school year end flexibility requests. [Read more]
4/7: Superintendent Arntzen secured 11 school nutrition waivers from USDA and issued additional guidance to schools on delivering and preparing school meals and educational materials. [Read more]
4/2: Superintendent Arntzen released CARES Act funding estimates for Montana schools. [Read more]
3/27: Superintendent Arntzen announced the cancellation of federally mandated standardized tests in response to the Coronavirus.
3/19: Superintendent Arntzen secured the waiving of per-pupil-instruction hour requirements for school closures, after encouraging this measure to the Governor’s Office since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Superintendent Arntzen rescinded bus regulations to allow for the delivery of remote education and nutrition services during COVID-19 school closures. [Read more]
3/13: Superintendent Arntzen successfully secured increased flexibility in delivering school nutrition services in the wake of school closures. [Read more]
Superintendent Arntzen hosted a call with District Superintendents to provide Coronavirus updates. [Read more]
2/28: The Office of Public Instruction sent initial guidance, information, and resources to schools in response to the Coronavirus outbreak in the United States. [Read more]
For more information on Superintendent Arntzen’s response, please visit https://news.mt.gov/category/office-of-public-instruction.