Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, said he intends to press his Congressional colleagues to increase funding for Amtrak after an Appropriations subcommittee voted to allocate $900 million in 2007 funding for the passenger rail carrier.  The Transportation Subcommittee agreed to fund Amtrak at the same level requested by President Bush.

“This is a better starting point than we had last year when the President’s request was zero,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Every year, it’s the same song and dance with Amtrak.  Cross-country rail service is the responsibility of the federal government.  There simply needs to be more funding for a transportation option that is vital to Montanans, especially those living along the Hi-Line.”

Amtrak’s Empire Builder service in Montana has as many as 500,000 people traveling on it annually.  Last year, Rehberg formed a bipartisan coalition to help persuade other members of Congress to support Amtrak funding.  Amtrak accounts for over $3.2 million in wages for the Montana economy, while direct spending by Amtrak travelers in Montana is estimated at over $5.3 million annually.

“Last year, we were facing basically a zero-funding scenario for Amtrak, and my colleagues and I were able to convince Congress of the absolute necessity for this service in rural areas like Montana,” said Rehberg.  “We won back the funding for Amtrak last year, and it looks like that hard work is continuing to pay dividends, as the 2007 budget proposal gives us a much better starting point.

“What a lot of people outside of Montana don’t realize is that rail service is critical.  We have areas that have great air and bus services, but those areas aren’t near Amtrak service.  Anytime you have a large geographic area with a small population, rail service is absolutely vital.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced the Treasury Department, effective July 31, 2006, will cease collecting the antiquated long-distance telephone tax that was enacted 108 years ago to generate funds for the Spanish-American War.  Montana taxpayers will get back the last three years of long-distance taxes paid when they file their taxes next year, Rehberg said.

“This is great news for taxpayers and action that was long overdue,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Over a century ago, the telephone tax was enacted when phone service was a luxury, affordable only to the most wealthy.  Now, after enduring this burden through 18 presidents and 54 Congresses, taxpayers no longer have to worry about being taxed just to make a long-distance phone call.”

No immediate action is required by taxpayers to receive a refund and interest will be paid on refunds.  Five federal appeals courts throughout the U.S. have ruled this tax is no longer collectible and not collecting it won’t contribute to increased federal deficits.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lewis and Clark Commemorative Coin Act, a bill sponsored by Rehberg that will result in an extra $1.2 million being directed to Montana for maintenance and upkeep of the Lewis and Clark Trail.  The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation’s national headquarters is located in Great Falls.

“Commemorative coins, such as the Lewis and Clark silver dollar, are a historical reminder of Montana’s rich Western culture and tradition,” said Rehberg.  “The Lewis and Clark silver dollar has been among the most successful government-issued commemorative coins, generating almost $5 million in net proceeds.”

Congress authorized the sale of modern commemorative coins in 1982 and since that time over $430 million has been generated for recipient organizations.  The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation focuses on stewardship of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, scholarship and the education of young people.  Montana has about 2,000 miles of the Lewis and Clark Trail, more than any other state.

“These funds are important to ensure stewardship of the trail in the future,” said Carol Bronson of the Lewis and Clark Heritage Foundation in Great Falls.  “Montana has some of the most pristine areas of the trail and having access to additional funds offers another way to maintain the trail.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Flathead Municipal Airport Authority a $1.14 million grant for the acquisition of snow removal equipment, land for approach protection, and for continuing to update the Airport Master Plan.

“Glacier International Airport is a vital cog in Montana’s recreation economy, and a significant asset to all of northwestern Montana,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “This grant helps the community keep up with the growing demand for air transportation, while also paving the way for further economic development.”

The DOT will distribute the grant through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  The funds may be directed to a number of services, including the purchase of land for runway approach protection, and to update the Airport Master Plan in order to identify future airport needs for general aviation.

“Our facility continues to see substantial growth in all phases, with an increased emphasis on general aviation,” said Monte Eliason, interim Airport Director.  “It’s very important to look down the road five to ten years and protect the investment this community is making in air transportation, and this grant helps us do that.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today introduced legislation that would exclude illegal immigrants from being counted for the purpose of determining the amount of seats in the U.S. House each state receives.  Rehberg introduced the Fair and Accurate Representation Act of 2006 with Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI).

“Counting illegal immigrants as part of the population skews Congressional representation and that’s a fact that can’t be argued,” said Rehberg.  “An added House seat for Montana means another opportunity for Western values and ideals to be voiced in Congress.  The more representation Montana has, the better.”

The practice of counting illegal immigrants for congressional apportionment benefits states with large illegal immigrant populations such as California and Texas, which, combined, account for almost 20 percent of the seats in the House.  Felons and children, who can’t vote, are also counted.  States with growing populations, such as Montana and Michigan, are passed over for additional representation as a result.  Michigan’s population has consistently risen in the past three decades, yet the state hasn’t gained a House seat. Montana lost a congressional seat in 1990 as a result of this practice.

“The issue is fairness and it’s not right that those breaking the law to enter this country have such a profound impact on our electoral system,” Rehberg said.  “This probably isn’t a problem George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the other founding fathers envisioned our country would have to contend with, but that doesn’t mean we can just ignore it.”

Rehberg’s bill is the House companion to similar legislation introduced in the Senate earlier this month by Sen. Conrad Burns.  Currently, Montana is the largest congressional district in the U.S. population-wise, approaching 940,000 and the second-largest geographic district behind only Alaska.  According to the Center for Immigration Studies, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi and Montana all would’ve gained seats after the 2000 census if illegal immigrants weren’t counted.

“I’m glad we’ve got a Senate partner on this bill in Conrad,” added Rehberg.  “We’re fighting to make sure Montana’s voice in Washington isn’t drowned out by congressional districts with large illegal immigrant populations.”

“This is common-sense legislation,” said Burns.  “Law-abiding citizens in Montana are losing out on representation because millions of illegal immigrants have flooded states like California.  Montana deserves fair and accurate representation in Congress.  This bill, which I have now offered as an amendment to the immigration bill, will ensure fair and accurate representation for Montana.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning will stay open for at least another year as the U.S. House of Representatives included language in the 2007 Interior Appropriations Bill urging the Interior Department to stop pursuing closures or sales of three Indian museums.  The Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning attracts over 15,000 tourists annually and houses a collection of over 1,500 local Blackfeet artifacts.

“This is an ongoing fight that has been pretty successful this year,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “First, we convinced the President to abandon a plan to curtail funding for the museums and actually managed an INCREASE in funding.  Now, the House has explicitly said closing these museums isn’t a good idea. “

The Interior bill increases funding for the museums to $1.16 million for 2007 from $1.14 million last year.  Montana, Oklahoma and South Dakota each have one of the museums the Interior Department wants to close.  Under the Administration’s plan, artifacts from the museums would be shipped to Washington, D.C. upon closure.

Rehberg formed a bipartisan coalition, which includes Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), Representative Tom Cole (R-OK), Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK), and Representative Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), to fight to keep the museums open.  Earlier this year, Rehberg met with Interior Department officials to discuss funding for the museums.

“The Plains Indian Museum in Browning represents an important part of Montana’s history and culture,” said Rehberg.  “The artifacts housed there are cultural treasures that Montanans should have access to.  They don’t belong in Washington, D.C., 2,000 miles away from their rightful home.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced the U.S. House of Representatives blocked the sale of public lands, including up to 14,000 acres in Montana, by not including, in the 2007 Interior Appropriations bill, a Bush Administration plan that called for land sales. The House overwhelmingly voted against selling public lands as part of the $25.9 billion 2007 Interior Appropriations bill passed last night.

“This represents a real victory for Montana’s many sportsmen and women that enjoy our public lands,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations.  “We’re one step closer to having a bill signed into law that doesn’t allow for the sale of public lands.  I’ve said all along that the sale of these lands to fund other government operations isn’t a sensible plan and I’m glad to see many of my colleagues agree with me.”

Earlier this year, a Bush Administration budget plan called for the sale of public lands in the Western U.S., with the intent of generating funds for the Treasury and to pay for government programs.  Rehberg successfully fought to have the land sales language removed from the 2007 Interior spending bill.

The Bush Administration proposed the sale of 300,000 acres of national forests, including 14,000 acres in Montana, to provide funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act.  Rehberg, a sponsor of the Act, has repeatedly called for a separate funding option that would fully fund rural schools.

“It’s apparent more and more members of Congress realized that the one-time sale of a permanent asset didn’t make sense and it endangered hunting and fishing opportunities in the West,” added Rehberg.  “We’re going to find another way to fund the Secure Rural Schools Act and I think we’ll see more practical proposals brought forward to help us accomplish that goal.”

The 14,000 acres in Montana that are part of the proposal include over 1,000 acres in the Lolo and Bitterroot national forests, almost 3,000 acres in the Flathead National Forest and almost 3,900 acres in the Kootenai National Forest.

Rehberg’s 2006 accomplishments on preventing land sales in Montana:

*Began crafting legislation designed to protect hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women on federal public lands.

*Urged the House Budget Committee to fully fund the Secure Rural Schools Act without using one-time profits from land sales.

*Fought for and succeeded in an extension of the comment period on land sales.

*Sponsored the Right-to-Ride Act, protecting sportsmen’s access to public lands. (This legislation was passed by the House this week.)

*Removed language calling for the sale of public lands from 2007 Interior Appropriations bill.  (This legislation was passed by the House this week.)

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) and U.S. Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-MT) said today they oppose an attempt to allow the almost 12 million illegal immigrants currently residing in the U.S. to collect Social Security benefits even if a job was obtained using forged or stolen documents.  A Senate amendment that would’ve restricted access to Social Security for illegal immigrants was blocked by a vote of 50-49.  Burns was the only Montana Senator that voted to restrict illegal immigrant access to Social Security.

“Social Security’s financial solvency is already in jeopardy,” said Rehberg.  “Congress should be fighting to protect the retirement security of the millions and millions of hardworking Americans that reside here legally, not rewarding people that make their first act on American soil an illegal one. I’m glad Conrad voted against this act of amnesty.”

“Some of my colleagues in the Senate need to realize that this behavior must not be rewarded,” Senator Burns said.  “Illegal aliens are not only stealing the Social Security numbers of American citizens to falsify work documents, they’re placing an additional burden on our social services.”

Burns and Rehberg added that the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration are highly susceptible to fraud and abuse, noting reports that Social Security numbers have been used by undocumented workers hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of times.  The defeated amendment sought to reduce document fraud and identity theft while preserving the integrity of the Social Security system.

“This amendment is a slap in the face to hardworking Americans and Montanans and the many legal immigrants residing in the U.S.,” said Rehberg.  “I’ve said that if a flimsy, watered-down immigration package returns to the House, I’ll be voting against it.  I certainly won’t be supporting this amendment in the House.  I’ll keep working with Conrad to ensure Congress comes up with immigration reform that makes sense for Montana and this country. ”

The Senate also narrowly defeated a provision that would grant illegal immigrants that have committed felonies on U.S. soil the opportunity to become American citizens.  The provision was defeated 50-48 where, again, Burns was the only Montana senator voting against it.

Several amendments dealing with amnesty, including one revoking the full legislation’s amnesty provisions, were considered.  Burns was the sole Montana senator that voted against granting amnesty to illegal immigrants and allowing guest workers to apply for permanent status.

Counties Include: Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Powder River, Prairie and Wibaux

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, urged Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to issue disaster determinations for seven Montana counties in the wake of livestock losses suffered by farmers and ranchers during an April blizzard.  Rehberg is seeking determinations for Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Powder River, Prairie and Wibaux Counties.

“The blizzard that swept through southeastern Montana last month had catastrophic effects on some of the area’s ranchers,” said Rehberg.  “Many have suffered financially as a result.  A disaster determination will give them the opportunity to apply for assistance to help them get back on their feet.”

The storm, which hit during peek calving and lambing season, lasted for four days, with winds surpassing 60 miles per hour and snow accumulation of three feet in some areas.  Some producers endured losses of up to 300 head.  In total, approximately 1,600 animals died and early estimates indicate financial losses will be more than $1 million.

“The livestock industry is critical to Montana and I’m going to do whatever I can to help the producers in southeastern Montana get the assistance they need so they can do what they do best: put food on the tables of families across the country and state,” added Rehberg.

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced his U.S. House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee has approved $21.2 million in energy and water projects for Montana, including $6 million for the Fort Peck/Dry Prairie Rural Water System in Northeastern Montana and $4.5 million for Zero Emissions Research Technology (ZERT) at Montana State University in Bozeman.

“I’m pleased the Committee recognized the high value of projects in Montana,” said Rehberg.  “These are practical projects that will benefit not only the communities they’re taking place in, but the entire state.  These projects are great investments in long-term energy security and put us on the path to further investment in American made energy.”

Rehberg also secured $4 million for turbochargers being developed by Honeywell in Heron, Montana and $750,000 for the research and development of solid oxide fuels at Montana State.  MSU-Bozeman received $5.25 million in total funding from the 2007 Energy & Water Appropriations bill.

“This bill is a win, especially when considering the budget constraints in Congress right now,” added Rehberg.  “Montanans in communities all over the state, are going to benefit from these projects. “

Montana Specific Projects in 2007 Energy & Water Bill Include:

Ø $6 million for the Fort Peck/Dry Prairie Rural Water System.
Ø $5.5 million for the North Central Rocky Boy’s Water System.
Ø $4.5 million for ZERT research at MSU-Bozeman.
Ø $4 million for turbochargers development in Heron near Kalispell and Missoula.
Ø $750,000 for solid oxide fuels research at MSU-Bozeman.
Ø $250,000 for a flood study on the Lower Yellowstone River around Bozeman and Billings.
Ø $157,000 for flood preparedness on the Yellowstone River in Livingston.