September 2019
 |
| Remembering 9/11. |
TOP STORY - NEW
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SCAMS TARGETING VETERANS
• Recently, the Government Accountability Office released a report on protecting veterans from financial
exploitation. GAO discussed several scams targeting veterans, including pension
poaching and charging veterans unreasonable fees. The report makes
four recommendations for additional action that the VA should take to
protect veterans.
The nonpartisan GAO report reaffirms the need
for my bill, the FREE Veteran Act. Consistent
with the report’s finding, my bill calls for the reinstatement of
a penalty and the collection of data about bad actors who exploit
veterans. The GAO report only furthered my resolve to pass my bill to
protect veterans from financial scams.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET
• On September 11th,
I took to the Senate floor to remember and
honor the thousands of lives lost on that horrible day 18 years ago. We
will never forget.
SUPPORTING THE MILITARY, VETERANS, AND THEIR
FAMILIES
• On September 10th, I met with Tom
Johnson, Montana VFW (East Helena) to discuss
legislative priorities of the VFW.
 |
| Presenting a
Congressional Record statement to Crystal Gaddo. |
• On September 12th, I met
Lieutenant General Scott Rice, Director of the Air National
Guard to discuss the Tuition Assistance program and the Air Medical
Evacuation Squadron Basing.
• During a visit to the
Bozeman VA CBOC on September 13th, I presented a Congressional
Record (CR) statement to Crystal Gaddo, a brave nurse
that saved a fellow passenger during an airplane flight.
• On September 17th, Secretary of
the Army Ryan McCarthy and I discussed National Guard
equities in Montana and the Army’s plan of Readiness,
Modernization, and Reform.
• Also on the 17th, I
met Major General Quinn, Adjutant General, Montana National
Guard to discuss provisions in the annual defense bill that
could impact the National Guard.
 |
| Col.
Reeves and CCMSgt McElroy providing an update on MILCON
projects. |
• Colonel Jennifer
Reeves and Command Chief Master Sergeant
Eryn McElroy of the 341st Missile
Wing, U.S. Air Force stopped by my office on September
18th to discuss ICBMs and the status of military construction
projects.
• On September 19th, I met with the nominee
for the Secretary of the Air Force and
former Ambassador to Finland, Barbara Barrett to discuss
Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) and the importance of
Montana’s role in supporting the mission of the Air Force.
RECENTLY INTRODUCED VETERANS'
LEGISLATION
• To honor Private Genevieve Williams of
Missoula that served with 6888th Central Postal Directory
during WWII, I cosponsored Senator Jerry Moran’s (KS) "Six
Triple Eight" Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019.
Best Wishes,
Steve Daines
United States Senate
