Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today BNSF Railway Co. will lower rates for Montana’s wheat producers by $100 per shuttle car for shipments heading west.  Rehberg had been pushing BNSF, by far the largest freight carrier operating in Montana, to lower its rates that disproportionately harm Montana’s farmers and energy producers due to lack of competition among rail companies.

“This is great news for Montana’s wheat growers,” said Rehberg.  “Agriculture is one of the top industries in Montana and our farmers and ranchers shouldn’t be forced to pay exorbitant shipping rates just because one rail company dominates shipping in our state.  I’m going to continue working with Montana’s agriculture producers and BNSF to come up with a solution that is fair and practical in the wake of a lack of freight rail competition.”

According to published reports, Montana’s grain farmers pay $60 million to $80 million more a year in freight rates, especially to the ports in the Pacific Northwest, than do farmers residing in areas where competition exists.  Last year, Rehberg sponsored the “Railroad Competition Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005,” which will enhance competition among rail carriers to ensure reasonable rail rates for Montana’s agricultural producers and electric cooperatives.

“When providers to pay higher rates to get their goods to market, no one wins except the freight carrier,” added Rehberg.  “Today’s action by BNSF is definitely a step in the right direction, though more competition is still needed on Montana’s freight railways.  That will benefit our state’s farmers, ranchers and economy.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today Hamilton, Montana will host a congressional field hearing on immigration and northern border security on August 28.  Rehberg has been pressing House leaders, including Speaker Hastert, to choose Montana as a site for a field hearing given Montana’s expansive border with Canada.  Members of the House Resources Committee, of which Rehberg is a former member, are expected to attend.

The Hamilton hearing, scheduled for August 28th, is part of a 12-state tour in August by various House members to evaluate options for shoring up America’s borders.  Earlier this month, Rehberg wrote contacted Speaker Hastert requesting that Montana be granted a field hearing.

“This is an opportunity to show my colleagues that the southern border isn’t the only border we need to worry about,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Montanans deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard on what has become one of the most important issues facing our country.  I expect this hearing will highlight the need to secure the U.S./Canada border.  It’s no secret that illegal activity can take place along the northern border, too.”

Rehberg said given Montana’s abundance of public lands, the House Resources Committee is a logical choice to conduct the Montana hearing.  Currently, there are roughly 1,000 agents patrolling the U.S./Canada border compared with almost 10,000 along the U.S./Mexico border.  Montana’s border with Canada is about 30 percent of the size of the entire border with Mexico.

“The focus has been on the southern border to this point, but if Congress wants to enact a comprehensive border security plan, it needs to be just that: comprehensive,” added Rehberg.  “This hearing is another avenue for the House to gather input directly from the American people, which is important because the Senate is offering what I believe, is a diluted and less comprehensive plan to deal with illegal immigration.”

Letter:

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is leading a Montana trade mission to Korea and China, August 4 - 12 along with the Montana World Trade Center, and the U.S. Export Assistance Center of Montana.  Several Montana manufacturing, technology, and real estate interests will accompany Rehberg to promote their business, as well as the benefits of forging international partnerships with Montana companies.

“This is an opportunity to open more doors for Montana businesses,” said Rehberg.  “The products and services produced by the people of Montana more than pass the test of global competition, and it’s important to promote that quality.  I also believe that trade missions can demonstrate the business integrity and work ethic of the people of Montana, and that’s a very positive factor in helping to establish long-lasting international relationships that will benefit Montana’s economy well into the future,” he said.

This will be Rehberg’s second international Montana trade mission.  In July of last year, Rehberg led a trade expedition to Germany, Spain, and Ireland, resulting in $20 million dollars in on-going contracts and agreements, according to Arnie Sherman, Executive Director of the Montana World Trade Center, who also coordinated the mission last year.

Following the 2005 trade mission, Rehberg helped launch “EnterpriseMontana.”  Modeled after a similar program in Ireland, EnterpriseMontana is a private-public trade initiative that helps develop overseas markets for Montana businesses.  Rehberg secured a $500,000 federal appropriation in the FY 2006 budget to promote Montana businesses through EnterpriseMontana, and secured another $250,000 for the venture in the FY 2007 budget.  EnterpriseMontana is housed at the Montana World Trade Center.

2006 Trade Mission Participants:
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Bill Will Include Coal-to-Liquids Provisions for Montana

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined a bipartisan group of members in introducing the American-Made Energy Freedom Act, which includes provisions to spur development of coal-to-liquids technology in Montana.

“It’s time to buy American energy,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.  “A great place to start is right here in Montana where we’re already working to develop new innovations such as coal-to-liquids.”

Rehberg’s bill directs all lease and royalty revenues generated from energy produced from the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) into a trust fund.  This trust will fund a range of programs to promote alternative energy development including tax credit extensions for cellulosic ethanol, coal-to Liquid (CTL) fuels, solar and fuel cell investments, renewable fuels development and Clean and Advanced Energy Loan Guarantee Programs.

“It’s a threat to our economy and to our Nation’s security to be so reliant on foreign sources of energy,” said Rehberg. “But there’s no one solution to our energy crisis. This bill has many important aspects for Montana and will help us look at tomorrow’s technologies, including coal-to-liquids, ethanol and bio-mass.”

Coal-to-Liquid development is particularly important in Montana and several CTL projects are in initial stages across the state.  U.S. coal deposits contain more energy than the world’s oil reserves, containing what is comparable to one trillion barrels of oil.  Montana is estimated to have nearly 120 billion tons of coal.

“There are a lot of pieces to the energy puzzle,” said Rehberg. “And Montana has a lot of those pieces.  This legislation will allow us to use today’s energy needs to pay for tomorrow’s energy alternatives.”

Other sponsors to the bill are: Joe Barton (R-TX), Dan Boren (D-OK), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Robert E. (Bud) Cramer, Jr. (D-AL), Lincoln Davis (D-TN), Ralph Hall (R-TX), Ron Lewis (R-KY), Tim Murphy (R-PA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Charles W. (Chip) Pickering (R-MS), John Shimkus (R-IL), John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jim Costa (D-CA), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Phil English (R-PA), Jack Kingston (R-GA), Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Collin C. Peterson (D-MN), Richard W. Pombo (R-CA), Mike Ross (D-AR), and Ed Whitfield (R-KY).

The following is a summary of the bill:

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, welcomed today’s news that Japan will approve the resumption of U.S. beef imports tomorrow following a meeting of the Japanese Agriculture Ministry.  The resumption ends a ban that began in late January when a portion of a backbone was discovered in a U.S shipment, violating a previous agreement that restored U.S. beef shipments to Japan after a two year restriction over mad cow fears.

“America’s beef is safe, there’s no ifs, ands, or buts, about it,” said Rehberg, a Billings rancher and member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “I’m proud of the product our state’s producers send to the marketplace, and pleased our relentless efforts to re-open this vital export market have paid off.”

Rehberg has been working in Congress in a bipartisan manner to resume American beef exports since the Japanese government halted shipments in late 2003.   Last year, Rehberg introduced the Trade Accountability Act which would direct the Treasury Department to impose tariffs on Japan in an amount equal to the estimated $2.7 billion annual loss to the U.S. beef industry.  The initial trade resumption agreement was reached with Japan in December of last year.

Most recently, 20 members of Congress joined Rehberg in urging Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to find an expeditious solution to the latest problem with Japan.  Last month, Rehberg announced that audit teams from Japan would inspect U.S. meat processing plants in an effort to verify the agreement and lift the U.S. beef ban.  Those inspections have recently been completed, leading to the decision to resume trade. (Click on this link, or go to Rehberg’s Congressional web site {www.house.gov/rehberg} to find a complete run down of Rehberg’s work to open Japan’s market to U.S. beef.)

“Montana is beef country.  This action will bring more stability to the state’s economy, and to the over 21,000 workers that are a part of the Montana beef industry.  I’ll continue to stay vigilant to protect it,” Rehberg said.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has cleared the way for a $2,817,359 grant to fund housing projects for Montana’s Northern Cheyenne Tribe.  The Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation has over 5,000 enrolled members living in southeastern Montana.

“Home ownership is part of the American dream and I want to see that dream become a reality for more of Montana’s Native American communities,” said Rehberg a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Many Native American families are forced to deal with substandard housing and this grant will help improve the situation for Montana’s Northern Cheyenne.”

The grant is part of the Indian Housing Block Grant developed by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996.  The funds can be used for construction, improvements and upgrades, management of low-income housing, crime prevention and safety and other housing services. The Northern Cheyenne Reservation is located in southeastern Montana. This includes areas in Big Horn and Rosebud counties.

Earlier this year, Rehberg also announced a $2.3 million housing grant for the Chippewa-Cree Tribe.  He has also been actively working on the Appropriations Committee to fight for HUD funding for Native American Housing.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, sponsored legislation that would protect the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners in the wake of certain national emergencies.  The bipartisan Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of 2006, which passed the House today, was introduced after federal and state authorities confiscated firearms from responsible citizens, during the days after Hurricane Katrina, despite the fact they had committed no crimes.

“I was alarmed when I saw the news reports of law abiding citizens having their guns taken away in New Orleans,” said Rehberg.  “While criminals were looting and committing acts of violence, many responsible gun owners had no way of defending themselves because their guns had been taken away.  The lesson here is that lawful citizens need to be able to exercise their Second Amendment right during a national emergency, not have that right infringed upon.”

Thirty three states have “emergency powers” laws that give the government permission to suspend or limit gun sales, and to prohibit or restrict citizens from transporting or carrying firearms.  In some states, authorities can seize guns outright from citizens who have committed no crime.  In many instances in New Orleans, the means by which the confiscation of guns was carried out was unlawful and violated reasonable searches and seizures procedures.

“This really is a common-sense bill,” added Rehberg.  “The last thing law enforcement needs to be doing in the wake of a national disaster is making law abiding citizens vulnerable.  Unfortunately, that’s what happened in New Orleans.  Firearms weren’t taken from the looters and criminals. They were taken from decent folks.  That surely isn’t the intent of the Second Amendment.”

“This is a good step in the right direction, and we’re pleased Congress is concerned and considering this,” commented Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association. “It would certainly be counterproductive in Montana for federal officials to confiscate, or try to confiscate, privately-held firearms during a declared emergency.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, praised the Senate for passing his bill honoring veteran eastern Montana mail carrier Paul Kasten.  Rehberg’s measure (H.R. 2977), approved by the Senate today, renames the Brockway, Montana, Post Office as the “Paul Kasten Post Office Building.”

“Paul’s 57 years of dedication and service to the people of Eastern Montana is remarkable,” said Rehberg,” said Rehberg.  “Dedication is almost too small a word to praise a career that spanned nearly six decades.  This measure is our way of honoring that dedication and showing our appreciation for his years of service.”

Kasten retired last year at the age of 86. He began his postal career in 1947, delivering the mail by saddle horse to the rural residents of the farming community of Watkins, Montana.  In 1959, several postal routes were consolidated and Kasten began serving the rural routes out of the Brockway post office.  His route covered 93 miles, and he delivered mail three times a week to approximately 30 families.

Rehberg’s legislation “designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 306 2nd Avenue in Brockway, Montana, as the ‘Paul Kasten Post Office Building.’”  The bill now awaits the President’s signature.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is urging the House Ways & Means Committee to hold congressional hearings examining the financial impact of the Medicare prescription drug benefit on pharmacies and their customers.  Rehberg joined a bipartisan coalition of over 50 House members in requesting the hearing.

“Small-town pharmacies all over Montana play a vital role in giving seniors access to their prescriptions,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “For the most part, it appears the Medicare prescription drug benefit has been successful, but with any program of this magnitude, there will be kinks that need to be worked out along the way.  With so many seniors relying on their local pharmacy for prescription drugs, the time is now to address how pharmacies can save money and avoid passing higher costs onto to their customers.”

Rehberg and other members have expressed concern that during the recent Medicare hearings that the House Ways & Means Committee have held, only two of the 21 witnesses in attendance has been associated with pharmacies.  The new Part D drug plan has financially stressed many small pharmacies due to the reimbursement policies it has implemented.  Earlier this year, Rehberg sponsored two bills to help Montana’s small community pharmacies better administer the new Medicare prescription drug benefit and provide Montana seniors with greater access to local drug stores.

“Congress has a responsibility to evaluate ways to further improve implementation of the drug benefit,” added Rehberg.  “Ultimately, the goal should be removing barriers to access for seniors and reducing the financial impact for pharmacies so they can keep drug prices reasonable.”

Project expected to lead to over 1,000 jobs

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today that Missoula County has been awarded a $1.25 million Economic Development Administration grant from the U.S. Commerce Department.  The funding will be used for infrastructure improvements to Missoula’s Development Park, site of a new Direct TV call center expected to employ around 800 people in Missoula.

“This is an important investment in Missoula, and in the future of Montana’s economy,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Providing funds, and laying the groundwork for infrastructure development helps enable the private business sector to grow or expand, leading to the creation of new jobs.  A perfect example of this is the 800 jobs related to the new Direct TV call center being built in Missoula.”

The funding is part of an overall $3.55 million improvement project for the newly designated 38-acre technology district created within the 446-acre development park north of Missoula.  An additional 200 jobs are expected to be created by other business interests in the technology district, which, along with the new call center, will account for an estimated $21 million in private party investments in Missoula, according to the Commerce Department.

“The federal government is making a significant contribution to Missoula’s future,” said Dick King, President and CEO of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDC).  “Public investment in infrastructure is vital to recruiting private investment and bringing jobs to the region.  It’s a big advantage for business and communities if a potential business site is so-called ‘shovel ready,’” he said.

Construction is currently underway for the Direct TV customer service and tech support center in the development park.  The company plans to begin operations at the new 72,000 sq. ft. facility in August.