Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, contacted Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to voice opposition to a proposed USDA rule allowing cattle born after March 1, 1999 to enter the United States for breeding and herd replacement purposes.
“Given the discovery of Canada’s eleventh case of BSE, it is becoming increasingly clear that Canada has not taken the necessary steps to protect its herd from the spread of BSE,” Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a letter to Johanns. “Increasing U.S. imports of Canadian cattle and beef at this critical time would have significant negative impact on the economic well-being of American cattle producers, and could seriously disrupt our efforts to expand U.S. beef exports overseas.”

Symptoms of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a detrimental disease found in cattle, may take years to show up, increasing the risk of this disease spreading to other cattle. Current rules only allow animals 30-months of age and younger going directly to slaughter to enter the U.S.

“I’ll oppose any rule that puts Montana’s ranching community at risk,” said Rehberg. “Montana beef is safe and it’s essential we work to keep it that way.”

Rehberg and twelve other House members sent a similar letter, opposing the rule, in March.

LETTER:

The Honorable Mike Johanns

Secretary of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture

14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington,DC 20250

Dear Secretary Johanns,

In light of the recent report of another Canadian cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), we are writing today to express deep concern with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposal to expand live cattle and beef trade with Canada (OTM Rule). USDA’s proposed rule would permit the importation of live Canadian cattle born after March 1, 1999. We, and the cattle ranchers we represent, believe expanding imports of Canadian livestock and beef will have serious repercussions for the American cattle industry and we urge you to withdraw the proposal.

Given the discovery of Canada’s eleventh case of BSE, it is becoming increasingly clear that Canada has not taken the necessary steps to protect its herd from the spread of BSE. Increasing U.S. imports of Canadian cattle and beef at this critical time would have significant negative impact on the economic well-being of American cattle producers, and could seriously disrupt our efforts to expand U.S. beef exports overseas.

Expanding Canadian cattle imports increases the possibility that a future case of BSE in a Canadian animal may be found in the United States. Five of Canada’s BSE cases occurred in cattle born after the March 1, 1999 date proposed in the rule as an appropriate age for importation. There is a very real possibility that USDA’s proposal would lead to the importation of additional BSE-infected animals from Canada, which would destroy years of hard work by the American cattle industry, the Administration, and Congress to restore the confidence of our trading partners in the safety of American beef.

Furthermore, we were deeply disappointed to read the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) resolution, which links the U.S. herd to Canada’s by classifying both as “controlled” risk countries, despite the obvious disparity in the two countries’ BSE management efforts and infection rate. Even more troubling than the OIE classification itself, however, was the USDA’s abandonment of the American cattle producer in the face of the OIE’s May 22 resolution. Rather than praise the classification – which creates the mistaken impression that no differences exist between the Canadian and American herds – the USDA ought to have challenged the OIE’s assumptions on behalf of America’s cattlemen.

The USDA could go a long way in restoring the confidence of cattlemen all across this country, not to mention our cattle and beef trading partners around the world, by withdrawing the OTM rule. Thank you for your timely attention to this important matter, and we look forward to your response.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded the Montana Department of Labor and Industry a $300,000 national emergency grant to provide assistance to Montanans affected by the layoffs at Stimson Lumber Company in Bonner, Montana.
“The news of the recent layoffs at Stimson Lumber was a real blow to the community,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Many families are now trying to figure out how to make ends meet. These funds will help provide some relief for these families.”

The Workforce Investment Act grant will be used to provide approximately 100 former Stimson Lumber employees with services not covered under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program such as assessment, counseling and case management, follow-up, and supportive services such as child care assistance.

“I’ll continue to do everything I can to help these families,” said Rehberg.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced the Sheaver’s Creek Water District has been awarded more than $1.36 million in funding for the second phase of a water project to enhance drinking water and fire protection for residents of the Wood’s Bay area.
“The residents of the Sheaver’s Creek Water District have had drought-related problems with their public water,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “These funds are critical in helping to finance a major infrastructure project that will mean better water and fire protection.”

The project involves drilling a new well, placing water lines, and constructing a 140,000-gallon water storage facility. The funding is from various grant programs under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program. A $500,000 grant has been awarded for the project from the USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Program. A second grant of $585,400 and a low-interest loan of $276,000 have been awarded under the USDA Water and Waste Disposal Program.

The project will improve public water quality and availability for homes in the Wood’s Bay area of Flathead Lake. It will also allow the installation of fire hydrants. Current fire protection has been provided by tanker units from the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department.

Due to prolonged drought affects, the Sheaver’s Creek Water District was forced to drill a new well in 2004 to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, the fresh water supply to that well is being depleted, and the new well and storage tank will help remedy the problem.

“This is good news. We’re happy to be able to continue our improvements,” said Ed Mitchke, President of the Sheaver’s Creek Water District. “It’s been a long haul since drought started causing havoc with our water system. This project will mean better water, and meet our everyday needs, along with helping the Bigfork fire department.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined House colleagues in supporting critical legislation that provides funding for Montana’s small businesses, drug-fighting programs, and financial education services.
“This bill impacts every community in Montana,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee. “We must provide more opportunities for Montanans to open savings accounts, invest in the community, and create jobs. Additionally, we need to provide the tools necessary to get drugs out of our local schools and neighborhoods. This legislation provides vital funds for projects across Montana.”

The 2008 Financial Services Appropriations bill provides funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA), Community Development Financial Institutions Funds (CDFI), and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), among other things. The legislation also includes more than $750,000 for Montana specific projects.

“As I travel all 56 counties, I visit with Montanans who are working hard to create a better life for their families,” said Rehberg. “The funds in this bill will help them do that. As the sole member of the Montana delegation on the Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue to work to ensure we get these essential funds to the President’s desk.”

Highlights of the 2008 Financial Services Appropriations Bill:

· The legislation includes $400,000 for the Montana World Trade Center in Missoula.

· The legislation includes $150,000 for the Montana State University-Tech Ranch Program in Bozeman.

· The legislation includes $200,000 in Funding for Montana Manufacturing Extension Center Bio-Product Business Development in Bozeman.

· The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund received a $45.5 million increase. These funds help support economic development and financial services in disadvantaged and rural communities, in particular Native American communities.

· The Office of Financial Education received $900,000 to help Americans make wiser choices in all areas of personal finance management.

· The legislation includes an increase of $40.8 million for efforts to help taxpayers prepare their tax returns at IRS walk-in sites around the country. There are currently six IRS walk-in sites in Montana.

· The legislation includes an increase of $406 million for catching tax cheats through audits, criminal investigations, and delinquent collection efforts.

· Funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was increased by $1.3 million. These funds are used to coordinate drug control efforts among local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies, providing agencies with equipment, technology, and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of the United States.

· The legislation includes a $10 million increase for Drug-free Communities Grants.

· The legislation increases funding for the Small Business Administration to $582 million. This includes $100 million for Small Business Development Center Grants, the highest funding ever, and $17 million for the Micro-loan program which provides small loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small business concerns.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, praised the efforts of the Montana Meth Project during a speech yesterday evening on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The speech was given during consideration of the FY 2008 Financial Services Appropriations Bill, which includes millions of dollars for youth anti-drug media activities.
“Results from the Montana Meth Use & Attitudes Survey conducted earlier this year show the dramatic and successful impact that the Montana Meth Project’s public education campaign has had on its intended audience,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Congressional Meth Caucus. “Clearly, the efforts of the Montana Meth Project are working.”

“We are making incredible strides in preventing first-time methamphetamine use in Montana,” said Mike Gulledge, chairmen of the Montana Meth Project. “We truly appreciate the strong support of Congressman Rehberg. His efforts go a long way towards helping us continue the fight against methamphetamine in Montana.”

The Montana Attorney General’s Office issued a report in January of this year titled “Methamphetamine in Montana: A Preliminary Report on Trends and Impact.” The report found that meth use among teens had dropped 38%, while workplace testing saw a 70% decrease in use of the drug - a greater decline than in any other state. Additionally, meth-related crime dropped a dramatic 53% between 2005 and 2006.

Congressman Rehberg also sits on the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF REP. DENNY REHBERG’S COMMENTS BELOW:

Mr. Chairman, in light of the distressing statistics regarding the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s National Youth Media Campaign, and its subsequent reduction within our committee, I rise today to let my colleagues know that it is possible to design, implement and evaluate youth anti-drug marketing.

Methamphetamine is a real problem across this great Nation, and no State is immune to its horrible effects. Montana ranks among the top 10 States nationally in per capita treatment admissions for methamphetamine use.

The statistics in Montana are truly staggering.

· Fifty-two percent of the children who are placed in out-of-home care are there because of meth.

· Fifty percent of adults incarcerated at State prisons are there due to meth.

· Twenty percent of Montanans in addiction treatment are there because of meth.

While many people would simply nod their heads and agree this is a terrible problem, some good people in Montana have taken it upon themselves to do something about it.

Tom Siebel, who lives in Wolf Creek, is an outstanding Montanan who did something that many of us could not do. He decided to use his own money to fund a prevention campaign to help raise awareness about the dangers of first time methamphetamine use. Tom Siebel founded the Montana Meth Project in 2005, which has been conducting research and running a statewide multi-media public awareness campaign aimed at significantly reducing first-time methamphetamine use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach.

Results from the Montana Meth Use & Attitudes Survey conducted earlier this year show the dramatic and successful impact that the Montana Meth Project’s public education campaign has had on its intended audience.

Over the past 2 years, there has also been a dramatic shift in the perception of methamphetamine use, more frequent parent-child communications about the dangers of methamphetamine, and greater societal disapproval. For the first time, meth use and associated crime in Montana has declined.

The States of Arizona and Idaho are using Montana’s hard-hitting ads and successful approach, launching similar youth media campaigns. Clearly, the efforts of the Montana Meth Project are working

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined House colleagues in supporting critical legislation that provides funding for Montana’s natural resources and Indian reservations.
“Montana’s a special place due to its diverse landscapes and cultures,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “As Montana’s Congressman, my job is to provide the tools necessary to for us to manage our forests and our farmlands. Additionally, each of Montana’s seven Indian reservations has unique needs. This legislation provides vital funds for projects across Montana.”

The 2008 Interior Appropriations bill provides funding for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), among other things. The legislation also includes more than $9 million for Montana specific projects.

“Meth prevention on Montana’s reservations, wildfire suppression, and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) are concerns that I continuously hear as I travel all 56 counties,” said Rehberg. “As the sole member of the Montana delegation on the Appropriations Committee, I’ll continue to work to ensure we get these essential funds to the President’s desk.”

Highlights of the 2008 Interior Appropriations Bill:

· The National Park Service received a $199 million increase in their park operations budget. This will result in an additional $3 million for Yellowstone National Park and an additional $2 million for Glacier National Park.

· The National Wildlife Refuge System received an increase of nearly $56 million.

· The Environmental Protection Agency received $1.1 billion to help communities with drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

· The legislation provides $2.8 billion for fighting wildfires, an increase of approximately $200 million.

· The legislation included an amendment to add an additional $20 million for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT). Montana has over 27 million acres of federally-owned public lands and received $17.3 million in PILT payments in 2006.

· The legislation included $500,000 for the City of Conrad Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements. The project, which will replace and update the existing facility, will result in a new aerated lagoon treatment facility with ultraviolet disinfection, located within the current aerated lagoon cell. Accumulated sludge will be removed, dried and managed in-house.

· The legislation included $1 million for the Blackfoot Community Project. This project is a joint effort between the Blackfoot Challenge and The Nature Conservancy of Montana to acquire 88,000 acres of Plum Creek Timber Company land and sell it to a mix of private and public agencies according to a plan developed with input from the local community. Specifically, these funds will be used to allow the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to acquire acreage that the Blackfoot Challenge and the Nature Conservancy have already purchased.

· The legislation included $2 million for the Swan River Forest Initiative. This project is an effort to acquire approximately 960 acres of private timberland in the Swan Valley for inclusion in the Swan River State Forest. These funds will be matched by $1.35 million in non-federal funds. The project is a cooperative venture among private landowners, public land management agencies, public resource management agencies, local governments, the community, and non-governmental organizations.

· The legislation included $338,000 for upgrades to the West Fork/Sula Ranger Station Wastewater System in the Bitterroot National Forest.

· The legislation included $759,000 for the Lincoln Sewer Connection in the Helena National Forest.

· The legislation included $4.5 million for the purchase of conservation easements on the Sun Ranch. The Sun Ranch project, located in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, consists of two pending conservation easement purchases which will permanently protect one of the most famous ranches in Montana. The easements cover nearly 11,900 acres which The Trust for Public Land plans to purchase and resell to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in the spring of 2008. These funds will allow USFS to complete that purchase

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, applauded the decision by the U.S. Department of Education to appoint Stevensville, Montana native Amanda Cloud to assist in developing agricultural education policy within the Education Department and the National FFA Organization.

“Having a Montanan help develop agricultural educational policy is like having Charlie Russell show you how to paint,” said Rehberg, who co-founded the Rural Education Caucus in Congress. “It’s a good choice by the Department of Education, and Amanda will be an invaluable asset in developing ag education policy.”

Cloud is a Montana State University student majoring in Agriculture Education. She previously served as Montana FFA state president in 2003-2004, as a National FFA Alumni Council representative, and as an agriculture student council representative to the Collegiate Young Farmers and Ranchers. Cloud has also served as vice president and secretary of the Collegiate FFA.

Cloud will fill a paid position within the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, which oversees agricultural education policy and the congressionally chartered FFA. Her duties will include increasing public understanding of agricultural programs, suggesting changes and helping to develop strategies to recruit and retain ag education teachers, and to assist in developing partnerships with other federal agencies, student organizations, and business and industry.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced he has introduced legislation, in conjunction with members of the House Rural Health Care Coalition (RHCC), which will address the unique healthcare needs of rural communities. Today, Rehberg and other members of the RHCC held a press conference in Washington to discuss the bill.
“This is a common-sense bill that brings much needed help to our nation’s rural healthcare providers,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “There are needs that are specific to rural healthcare and the H-CARE Act helps clinics and pharmacies provide their patients and customers with the best possible care.”

The Health Care Access and Rural Equity (H-CARE) Act of 2007 requires prompt payment to rural pharmacies by Medicare prescription drug plans and extends several expiring Medicare adjustment payments to rural practitioners including physicians practicing in areas lacking doctors, rural ambulance providers, rural home health agencies and rural hospitals.

The Rural Outreach and Network grants would also be reauthorized in the legislation. These grants help fund local programs to increase access such as emergency medical services (EMS) and telemedicine networks. Rural Outreach and Network grants were originally a Montana pilot program that was expanded to the whole country.

“Montanans deserve the same access to healthcare as those living in urban areas,” said Rehberg during the press conference. “We have great opportunities to provide that access in Montana. Now we just need to provide the tools.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced he has secured increased funding for the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB), which funds the Museum of the Plains Indian, in critical funding legislation that was passed by the House. The Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning attracts over 15,000 tourists annually and houses a collection of more than 1,500 local Blackfeet artifacts.
“Last year, we had to fight tooth and nail to stop the Administration from closing the Plains Indian Museum,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “That effort worked and as a result, this year’s legislation increased funding and ensured the doors will stay open for another year.”

The Indian Arts and Craft Act, first passed in 1935, instructed the U.S. Department of Interior’s Indian Arts and Craft Board to promote the Indian arts and crafts movement. In response, the board opened and operates three museums including the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning; the Sioux Indian Museum in Rapid City, South Dakota; and the Southern Plains Indian Museum in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

However, in recent years, the Bush Administration has tried to phase out funding for three Indian museums and have the museum’s artifacts shipped to Washington, DC. In response, Rehberg and a bipartisan coalition of members from the affected states fought to restore funding for the museums and included language in the 2007 Interior Appropriations Bill urging DOI to stop pursuing closure or sale of the three museums.

Today, the House passed the 2008 Interior Appropriations bill which increased funding for the IACB to $1.19 million. The three member coalition also received assurances during debate on the House floor that the intent of those funds would be for operation of the museums.

“The artifacts housed at the museum are cultural treasures that Montanans should have access to,” said Rehberg. “They don’t belong in Washington, D.C., 2,000 miles away from their rightful home.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced he is sponsoring legislation to protect Montana’s independent pharmacies from slow claims processing and reimbursement rates that have put many small pharmacies out of business.
“Independent pharmacies provide access to critical medications for many of Montana’s rural communities,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “However, due to a backlog in claims processing, many of these pharmacies aren’t being reimbursed on time which really can be devastating for them. This legislation would require these claims be processed quickly so independent pharmacies aren’t being hurt.”

The Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Claims Act of 2007 will ensure pharmacists are paid for their services in a timely manner by requiring Medicare Prescription Drug Plans to offer an electronic direct deposit for reimbursements to participating pharmacies. It also requires claims submitted electronically be paid within 14 days and all other claims be paid within 30 days. There are more than 98 independent pharmacies in Montana.

“It’s unacceptable that it’s taking weeks to reimburse these pharmacies,” said Rehberg. “This legislation will streamline the process of getting the money back to these pharmacies so they can continue serving Montana.”