Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week successfully fought for passage of his critical border security legislation in a comprehensive appropriations bill. The Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act, introduced by Rehberg earlier this year, was included in a funding bill recently approved by the House and Senate.
“Border security is the first step toward real immigration reform,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “That’s why I worked tirelessly, as the only member of the Montana delegation on the Appropriations Committee, to get my border security legislation included in the House’s final funding package. This is a huge step in strengthening our national security.”

The legislation, introduced by Rehberg and Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) in June, directs the Department of Homeland Security to prepare annually, and submit to Congress, a National Land Border Security Plan that includes a vulnerability assessment of each land port of entry located on the U.S. northern and southern borders and authorize $100M per year for the implementation of this security plan for all 154 land port of entries. It also would help fix America’s longstanding border infrastructure improvement backlog and provide funds for additional border technology upgrades. Finally, the legislation provides an additional 300 personnel per year to border security agencies until 2012.

The 14 Montana Land Ports Include: Port of Chief Mountain, Port of Del Bonita, Port of Morgan, Port of Opheim, Port of Piegan, Port of Raymond, Port of Roosville, Port of Scobey, Port of Sweetgrass, Port of Turner, Port of Willow Creek, Port of Wild Horse, Port of Whitetail, and Port of Whitlash.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week joined House colleagues in passage of a Rehberg-sponsored measure that would require automobile safety features designed to prevent non-traffic accidents to children.
“Each year, hundreds of young lives are lost due to preventable injuries involving automobiles,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The simple safety measures put forth in this bill can prevent many of these tragedies from happening. It’s time Congress acted to bring about these reforms.”

The Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007 would require safety features in new cars to prevent accidental strangulation by power windows, prevent injuries to children caught behind a backing vehicle, and prevent children from inadvertently shifting a car into gear. The measure also establishes a child safety information program to collect and distribute information to parents on preventing these types of injuries. Since 2000, more than 1,000 children have died in non-traffic, non-crash related accidents.

The bill is named after a 2-year old whose father accidentally backed over him in the driveway. In Montana, a similar tragedy struck the family of Madison Faith Chatten, who was 14-months old when she was struck and killed in Glasgow, in May, 2005. Madison’s father, Aaron Chatten, established a foundation in his daughter’s name, and has lobbied Congress to enact stricter safety standards for automobile makers.

“As the father of three children, I can sympathize with the families who have suffered through these types of accidents,” said Rehberg. “Today’s technology can dramatically reduce these incidents, and it’s time the automakers responded to this need.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week joined House colleagues in approving legislation which would boost critical funding for Montana’s Essential Air Service (EAS) and Amtrak.
“As the only member of the Montana delegation with a seat at the table on federal funding issues, I’ve worked hard all year to ensure our state’s priorities get the recognition they deserve,” said Rehberg, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “This legislation provides critical funding for Montana’s Empire Builder and includes a provision I sponsored earlier this year to bolster funding for EAS. It’s a major piece of the puzzle in bringing many essential funds back to Montana’s rural areas.”

In 2006, Congress passed the Deficit Reduction Act which included language authorizing an additional $15 million for EAS in 2007 and 2008. Unfortunately, language included in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act also contained a trigger that required Congress to fund EAS at no less than $110 million in those years in order for the $15 million to be made available. The comprehensive appropriations bill, passed by the House this week, included a provision sponsored by Rehberg that would increase the EAS funding level to $110 million which would then trigger the additional $15 million in funding.

Additionally, the legislation also provided $1.3 billion in funding for Amtrak and maintains Amtrak’s commitment to long distance train service, like the Empire Builder.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement in response to passage of a Comprehensive Appropriations bill:

“Today was a big win for Montana’s priorities. Throughout the year, as the only member of the Montana delegation on the Appropriations Committee, I fought hard to ensure that our state had a seat at the table on funding issues. While we often had to twist some arms to get things done, at the end of the day I was able to keep Montana specific funds in tact. And I thank Max and Jon for keeping a watchful eye on these projects in the Senate. We had to give a little to get a lot, so the final product isn’t perfect. However, we managed to pass legislation that helps Montana’s schools, hospitals, and our rural economy and I urge the President to sign the bill as soon as possible.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today introduced a House resolution congratulating the Carroll College Fighting Saints football team for winning the 2007 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship.

“The Carroll College football team defines the word champion,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Not only have they won the title five out of the last six years but they’ve done it in a way that all Montanans can be proud of, with class and dignity. I would like to congratulate Coach Mike Van Diest, his team, the school and the fans on another remarkable season.”

On December 15th, Carroll College defeated the Sioux Falls Cougars by a score of 17 to 9 to win the Championship and complete an undefeated season. The Fighting Saints currently hold the longest win streak in college football at fifteen games.

Rehberg also submitted a personal statement to be included in the House record.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week joined House colleagues in approving a House resolution intended to boost food donations to non-profit organizations from federal agencies with food service capacities.
“Hunger is a growing concern for too many households in Montana,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “One of the best ways to fix the problem is to better utilize our food resources. This resolution encourages the federal agencies to be a more productive part of the solution.”

The Federal Food Donation Act of 2007, (H.R. 4220), affects federal agencies of the executive branch which provide, serve, or sell food on their premises. The measure encourages the agencies to donate their excess food to non-profit agencies.

“This can be a valuable tool in the campaign to battle hunger,” said Peggy Grimes, Executive Director of the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN). “With the growth of the secondary food buying market, food manufacturers are selling more of their surplus food and donating less to hunger organizations. We’ll be able to use this policy to try and find additional resources to help meet the needs of hunger relief agencies across the state.”

According to Grimes, overall food donations to MFBN were down 24% from 2006 to 2007. The Montana Food Bank Network served over 80,000 Montanans in 2006, a third of which were under the age of 18. MFBN secures and distributes nearly 3.5 million pounds of donated and low cost food and grocery products annually to 189 hunger relief agencies throughout Montana.

“Step by step, we’ll continue our efforts to tackle this problem,” added Rehberg, who helped secure a $495,000 federal appropriation for a vital 17,000 square-foot MFBN warehouse expansion. The groundbreaking took place in Missoula on October 27th, 2007.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined House colleagues in approving critical legislation which would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to continue to provide veterans with any bonuses accrued during their service.
“America’s troops have paid a huge price to fight for our country,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “As a result, many have been provided bonuses and other special pay for their time. However, these bonuses shouldn’t end the moment they retire. Today’s bill will ensure the bonuses these soldiers deserve continue to be provided.”

The Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act of 2007 requires the Secretary of Defense to continue to pay to a member of the Armed Forces, who is retired or separated from the Armed Forces due to a combat-related injury, certain bonuses that the member was entitled to before the retirement or separation and would continue to be entitled to if the member was not retired or separated.

“Whether they’ve learned a special skill or a new language, many of our servicemen and women go above and beyond the call of duty in doing their job,” said Rehberg. “It’s essential we find any means possible to show them our gratitude.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today applauded an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) decision which determined payments under the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Compensated Work Therapy (CTW) program are no longer taxable and that disabled veterans who paid tax these benefits in the past three years can now claim refunds.
“Many veterans have suffered permanent disabilities fighting for our country,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees and funds the IRS. “That’s why I’ll continue to do everything I can to provide them with the healthcare they deserve. By taxing these services, the federal government was wrongly trying to skim a little something off the top by taking money out of the pocket of Montana’s vets. I’m glad the IRS has decided to overturn this policy.”

The CWT program provides assistance to veterans unable to work and support themselves. Under the new program, disabled veterans who paid tax on these benefits in tax-years 2004, 2005 or 2006 can claim a refund by filing an amended return. According to the VA, more than 19,000 veterans received CWT in 2006.

Earlier this year, U.S. Tax Court also issued a ruling that CWT payments are tax-free veterans’ benefits.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, honored former Montana Lt. Governor Karl Ohs in comments he made to the U.S. House of Representatives on the House floor today. Ohs passed away last month due to complications from brain cancer. You can view the statement in the Multi-Media section of Rehberg’s website, or by clicking here. The text of Rehberg’s speech is below:

I rise today to honor one of Montana’s most dedicated public servants, former Lieutenant Governor Karl Ohs. Last month, Karl passed away in his Helena home due to complications caused by brain cancer.

Born in Malta, Montana in 1946, Karl was the portrait of a Montana farmer and rancher. Whether it was studying agricultural economics at Montana State University, meeting with fellow ag producers to discuss new economic opportunities in the state, or working the ranch, Karl was a vital supporter of Montana’s leading industry.

His work on behalf of Montana’s rural priorities didn’t stop there. During his three terms in the Montana House of Representatives and four years as Lieutenant Governor, Karl was a proven leader. As a member of the Governor’s Drought Advisory Committee and chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association, Karl represented Montana’s needs not only on the state but the national level. Additionally, his prominent role as mediator between the anti-government Freeman and the FBI during a 1996 standoff, for which he was awarded the FBI’s highest civil service award, solidified Karl’s status as a hard-working, straight shooting cowboy.

Finally, in 2006, as chairman of the Montana Republican Party, Karl helped Republicans regain control of the state House, the only state in the nation to see a legislative body change from Democrat to Republican control.

Most importantly, Karl was a dedicated father, a loving husband, and a good friend who left a permanent impression on those who knew him. God rest his soul.

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representatives Barbara Cubin (R-WY) and Denny Rehberg (R-MT) introduced legislation today to require that the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) pay Wyoming and Montana their Abandoned Mine Land (AML) funds by direct payment and not in the form of grants.

Cubin and Rehberg introduced H.R. 4353, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 Technical Corrections Act today to ensure their home states receive their AML funds in the manner intended by Congress. Specifically, the legislation would amend the Surface Mining Control Act of 1977 to mandate that AML payments to certified states and tribes be made as a “direct transfer” of funds - not in grant form.

Last week, the OSM publicized its intentions to repay certified states and tribes AML funds through a “simplified grant process.” Cubin and Rehberg’s bill comes in response to the OSM’s announcement – which goes against congressional intent. The bill will direct the OSM to make those payments to states in direct payment form, with the full authority over the funds given to individual state legislatures.

“For thirty years, the federal government has failed to honor its commitment to coal producing states like Wyoming by holding AML dollars hostage, and they now think they have found another way to sidestep their responsibilities,” said Cubin. “If we have to write it down in crayon, I promise we’ll find terms they can understand. Wyoming is going to be paid its due.”

“It’s critical we do everything possible to ensure a healthy, clean environment around Montana’s abandoned mines,” said Rehberg. “Unfortunately, many of the funds dedicated to restoring these mines have been held up by bureaucrats at the Interior Department. Montana’s natural resources are too precious to be ignored and this bill will help make sure we shake loose the needed funding.”

When the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was passed in 1977, a tax was levied against every ton of coal produced to help clean up deserted coal mines that were abandoned before reclamation laws existed. Half of the total fees collected were to go to the federal government to be used for the clean-up of abandoned mines nationwide and the other half were to be returned to the states from which the coal was produced to clean up abandoned mines within their borders. Unfortunately, the federal government never lived up to its financial responsibility and leading coal producing states were only paid a small portion of what they were owed.

To remedy this problem, Cubin authored original legislation for AML reform along with Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall in bipartisan negotiations that stretched across four sessions of Congress. The final product included language that required the federal government to repay certified states and tribes in full what they were owed under the AML program. Under current law, a state becomes “certified,” like Wyoming and Montana, once they have completed reclamation of all high priority clean-up sites. Last December, Congress passed and the President signed into law comprehensive legislation which included Cubin’s AML provisions.