Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today questioned Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Commissioner Robert Johnson on the Bureau’s failure to include funding in the President’s budget for the Rocky Boy’s/Northcentral Rural Water Project and Fort Peck/Dry Prairie Rural Water Project.

“I don’t get it,” said Rehberg, a member of the Subcommittee, in the hearing. “BOR claims the President’s budget focuses on water projects that maintain existing structures, restore current systems, and promote new water development.  They also say that tribal involvement is a top priority.  Yet, Montana’s water projects meet all of these qualifications and the Administration continues to ignore them.  It appears it’s going to take some different approaches to actually get results.”

During the hearing, Rehberg insisted BOR provide a list of ongoing water projects, when they were authorized, and how close they are to completion in order to determine where Montana’s projects fall on BOR’s priority list.

“What is the rationale? Why don’t they qualify? Why was Fort Peck/Dry Prairie included in 2007 budget and not the next year,” asked Rehberg.

The Fort Peck/Dry Prairie Rural Water System was authorized by Congress in 2000 and when completed, it will serve over 30,000 residents in northeastern Montana and on the Fort Peck Reservation.  The funds will be used to further construction of the water treatment plant and allow for continued placement of water delivery lines.

The Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System will provide 7.3 percent of Montana’s land base with a cost-effective, high-quality water source. Once completed, the water system will serve more than 30,000 people on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation and in north-central Montana.

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WASHINGTON, DC - Today, during a House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee hearing with Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Commissioner Robert Johnson, Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, insisted that cooperation between BOR and the Army Corps of Engineers would be key to getting the St. Mary Diversion and Conveyance Works project completed.

“I don’t get it,” said Rehberg, a member of the Subcommittee, in the hearing. “BOR claims the President’s budget focuses on water projects that maintain existing structures, restore current systems, and promote new water development.  However, though the St. Mary project qualifies for all three, the Administration is once again ignoring the issue.  It appears it’s going to take some different approaches to actually get results.”

Last year, Rehberg helped authorize $153 million in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) for the Army Corps of Engineers to rehabilitate and construct the St. Mary project though the project had formerly been directed by BOR.  Today, Commissioner Johnson confirmed that the BOR and Army Corps of Engineers have the authority and would be willing to work together to get the project finished.

“BOR was dragging its feet on St. Mary,” added Rehberg.  “In response, Congress took the initiative and authorized funds in WRDA and effectively asked the Corps of Engineers to pick up BOR’s slack.  Now, BOR and the Corps need to put their heads together and come up with some solutions to move this project forward and I’m glad to see Commissioner Johnson appears willing to do so.”

The St. Mary Diversion and Conveyance Works provides water for 17,000 residents and 140,000 irrigated acres in Montana and is used by the municipal water supplies of several cities including Havre, Chinook, and Harlem.

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WASHINGTON, DC -Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today contacted United States Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Mary Peters criticizing a lapse in Montana’s Essential Air Service (EAS) from March to July of this year.

“There’s a reason they call it essential air service,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “These communities depend on it. Temporarily shutting down these flights will effectively shut down local airports, prove burdensome and costly for residents traveling on business or for medical care, and affect the overall economy of eastern Montana.  The Department of Transportation and Great Lakes Aviation need to live up to their commitments and find a way to keep this disruption from happening.”

In December 2007, Big Sky Airlines indicated that they would be ceasing operation to Montana’s EAS communities.  In response, DOT awarded a no-bid contract to Great Lakes Aviation to take over all Montana EAS routes based on assurances of a “seamless transition”. However, Great Lakes Aviation recently announced that, though Big Sky Airlines would be ending service in March, they would not be operational until the beginning of July.

In his letter, Rehberg criticized Great Lakes failure to provide immediate service and expressed disappointment over DOT’s ability to properly determine whether Big Sky Airlines was financially fit for operation and if Great Lakes would have the necessary infrastructure in place to begin service immediately.

“The recent announcement that there would now be a four month complete interruption in service shows a complete failure to live up to these commitments,” said Rehberg in the letter.  “This situation is unacceptable and the people of Montana should not be made to pay for the lack of foresight and coordination by the Department of Transportation and officials at Great Lakes Aviation.”

Letter:

Mary Peters
Secretary
United States Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary Peters:

It has come to my attention that 7 EAS Communities in Montana will be without air service from the months of March to July of this year.  Tragically, the provider who was initially selected to operate these routes, Big Sky Airlines, indicated in December of 2007 that they would be ceasing service to Montana’s EAS communities within a 90 day period.  In response to the situation, the DOT issued an order on December 21st that allowed Big Sky Airlines to cease operations and for another interested party, Great Lakes Aviation, to take over all necessary EAS routes in Montana in a no-bid situation based on their assurance of a “seamless transition”.  Unfortunately, recent reports have told a different story.

It is distressing that the Department of Transportation certified Big Sky Airlines as the Montana EAS carrier on November 26th of 2007, implying a certification of their status as financially fit to receive federal funding for this vital service.  This was clearly not the case, as just 3 weeks later the company indicated their complete inability to honor the contract.  Please provide any information or certification requirements that are employed by the Department to ensure the financial fitness of an applicant.

Additionally, during initial discussions, it seemed as though Great Lakes Aviation, with the support of DOT, was dedicated to doing everything possible to “minimize” distress to the EAS communities and their clients during the transition period.  In fact, Great Lakes assurances of uninterrupted service led the Department of Transportation to conclude that a carrier-replacement proceeding would not be needed, and instead they chose to provide Great Lakes with a no bid award.  However, the recent announcement that there would now be a four month complete interruption in service shows a complete failure to live up to these commitments.

EAS is a vital link to many of Montana’s rural areas. Please do what you can to ensure a “smooth transition” for EAS service to Montana’s communities as was promised in the order issued on December 21st of 2007.  This situation is unacceptable and the people of Montana should not be made to pay for the lack of foresight and coordination by the Department of Transportation and officials at Great Lakes Aviation.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg
Member of Congress

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today blasted Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spelling over funding levels in the President’s budget for rural education programs during a House Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee hearing.

“No Child Left Behind was supposed to assess which kids are falling through the cracks in America’s education system,” said Rehberg, a member of the Subcommittee.  “Unfortunately, this Administration has negated any successes by underfunding the programs proving to be the most effective.  I fail to see why the Administration continues to speak out of both sides of their mouths on this issue.”

During the hearing, Rehberg questioned Secretary Spelling about the cumulative impact of the President’s budget on the education of Montana’s rural and tribal students.  In particular, he criticized the funding levels of Impact Aid, rural education, and the TRIO program.  Impact Aid is a program designed to ensure military children, children residing on Indian lands, and children residing on federally-owned low rent housing facilities receive a quality education by helping school districts, which have lost tax revenue as a result of the federal presence in their district. TRIO provides additional resources to assist low-income, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline.

Rehberg also emphasized that NCLB was supposed to be about the individual students and that these programs were a great example of funds going directly to a single student.

“You guys just don’t get it,” said Rehberg in the hearing.  “How can you defend NCLB while you undercut it at the same time?”

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is encouraging Montana high school juniors interested in living and working in Washington D.C. to apply for the Congressional Page summer program.

“The Congressional Page program provides young Montanans with a unique opportunity to interact with members of Congress and to experience democracy at work in the very heart of the Capitol,” said Rehberg.  “It’s a wonderful opportunity and I strongly encourage those interested in the process of government to apply.”

The Congressional Page Program has been in existence for more than two hundred years.  Pages serve in both the House and Senate by delivering correspondence within the congressional complex, answering phones in the Members’ Cloakroom, preparing the House and Senate floors for session, and conducting other legislative duties.  Pages live in the Page Residence Hall, two blocks from the Capitol.  Congressional Pages are paid a gross monthly salary of $1,939, with deductions made for federal and state taxes, social security, and the Residence Hall fee.  A Page serving the summer term must have completed the 10th grade and not yet entered the 12th grade.

Students interested in the Congressional Page Program are encouraged to visit Denny’s Congressional web site and view the “Congressional Page Program” section, (http://www.house.gov/rehberg/page_program.shtml.)  Rehberg will nominate qualified Page applicants to the House Minority and Majority Leaders.  Applications should be delivered to Rehberg’s Billings District Office, 1201 Grand Avenue, Suite #1, Billings, MT  59102, no later than March 28.

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week met with the Helena Public Works Department to discuss funding priorities for 2009.

“Clean water is the backbone of a healthy community,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.  “It’s critical we do everything possible to improve the water quality for the people of Helena. I’m glad I’ll have a seat at the table in getting their priorities funded.”

During the meeting, the Helena Public Works Department asked Rehberg for additional funding for construction and rehabilitation of the Missouri River Water Treatment Plant.  Last year, Rehberg included $295,320 for the facility in the final funding bill.  They also discussed requests for funding for State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) to Helena and other rural Montana programs.

“Congressman Rehberg is a tremendous asset to our city and our state,” said Helena Mayor Jim Smith.  “We’re hopeful we can continue to work with him to bring good, clean drinking water to the Helena community.”

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week met with Frank Gilmore, Chancellor of Montana Tech, to discuss funding priorities for 2009.

“It’s critical we provide the next generation with the best education possible,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee.  “Montana Tech plays a vital role in developing the technology behind Montana’s mining and energy industries as well as helping to strengthen America’s military infrastructure.  I’m glad I’ll have a seat at the table in getting their priorities funded.”

During the meeting, Chancellor Gilmore informed Rehberg of several current Montana Tech projects in need of funding, such as exploring ways to make the U.S. power grid more reliable and efficient and developing lighter and more durable combat materials for our nation’s military.

“We’re very appreciative of Congressman Rehberg taking the time to meet with us,” said Chancellor Gilmore.  “It’s clear he has a good grasp of the importance of the research we’re doing at Montana Tech.”

“Having an educated workforce means more jobs in Montana,” said Rehberg.  “That’s why increased funding for our local schools is such a good investment.”

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today criticized House Democratic Leadership’s failure to pass the Protect America Act which provides intelligence officials with the tools needed to keep America safe.

“I’m disappointed that Democratic leadership is willing to compromise the security of American families for the sake of politics,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “The Senate, the President, House Republicans, and even some House Democrats were willing to come to the table and negotiate a bill to keep our country secure.  In response, Nancy Pelosi decided to head home and allow this vital provision to expire.”

The Protect America Act brings the outdated Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978 into line with current technology capabilities while adding appropriate liability protections for patriotic third parties who have helped defend our country.

“Our nation’s top security officials now won’t be allowed to hear the conversations of those who want to do us harm,” said Rehberg.  “The President should force Congress to stay in Washington until we get the job done because it’s obvious House Democrat Leaders aren’t serious about our safety.

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Rehberg Urges Committee Hearing on Little Shell Recognition

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today renewed his request to Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Ranking Member Don Young (R-AK) of the House Natural Resources Committee to hold a hearing on federal recognition for the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe.  Rehberg introduced a bill last year to recognize the Tribe.

“The Little Shell deserve federal recognition,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “I know it. The state of Montana knows it. It seems the only ones that don’t know it are the bureaucrats at the Interior Department. It’s time we take a different route and move my bill through the legislative process. I’m hopeful the Chairman and Ranking Member will agree the foot dragging has gone on too long.”

The Little Shell Tribe is made up of approximately 4,300 members, mostly in the Great Falls area.  In 2000, the same year the tribe was recognized by the state of Montana, the Department of Interior issued a positive finding for the tribe making them eligible for recognition.  Since then, little progress has been made due to bureaucratic obstacles.  Rehberg’s bill expedites recognition through the legislative process.

“This year marks the 30th consecutive year the Little Shell Tribe has pursued federal recognition through the Department of Interior’s Office of Federal Acknowledgement (OFA) process,” said Rehberg in the letter.  “I strongly urge you to schedule a hearing on H.R. 1301 before another generation of the Little Shell Tribe members goes unrecognized.”

Letter:

February 13, 2008

Dear Chairman Rahall and Ranking Member Young,

As the second session of the 110th Congress begins, I would like to renew my request for a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on my bill, H.R. 1301, to federally recognize the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.

This year marks the 30th consecutive year the Little Shell Tribe has pursued federal recognition through the Department of Interior’s Office of Federal Acknowledgement (OFA) process.  While the House Natural Resources Committee held several hearings in 2007 on federal recognition bills and the broken OFA process, the Little Shell Tribe was unable to share with the Committee its unique history and struggle with the recognition process.

Last year, I was pleased to support legislation federally recognizing the Lumbee Tribe, the Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe – Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe, the Monacan Indian Tribe, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe.  The Little Shell Tribe is just as deserving of recognition and it remains essential for the establishment of a tribal land base, preservation of sovereignty and culture, as well as access to vital services and benefits for tribal members.

I strongly urge you to schedule a hearing on H.R. 1301 before another generation of the Little Shell Tribe members goes unrecognized.

Please contact myself or Heather Stefanik of my staff at 225-3211 for further details.  Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg
Member of Congress

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WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week supported legislation which would have required Congress to fully fund the Pell Grant and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs.

“Congress is responsible for putting in place programs to help our kids get a better education and then ensuring those programs have the funding they need to be effective,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee.  “Though the bill which passed the House this week was a huge boost for higher education, it’s ironic House Democrat leaders were unwilling to take additional steps to make funding these key programs a priority.  Unfortunately, it appears partisan politics prevented them from putting the needs of Montana’s schools over their own personal projects.”

Yesterday, House Republicans introduced an amendment to the College Opportunity and Affordability Act that would require Pell Grants and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to be fully funded before any earmarks or new programs in the bill could be funded.

IDEA provides funding for special education and related services to children with disabilities and serves nearly 18,557 Montana students.  The Federal Pell Grant program is the single largest source of grant aid for postsecondary education attendance funded by the federal government.   More than16,564 students in the Montana University system receive Pell Grants.

Rehberg is also a sponsor of the Reservation Accelerated Development for Education Act which mandates full-funding for federally connected IDEA kids at the federal government’s promised 40% match share.

“Since IDEA was signed into law, we’ve witnessed the elections of six presidents, spent trillions of tax-payer dollars on tens of thousands of government programs and yet for some reason we have failed to meet this fundamental guarantee,” said Rehberg.  “It’s time for Congress to step up and do what’s right for Montana’s kids.”

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