News
Sex ed ‘opt-in’ bill returning this session
A longtime Republican lawmaker has revived a legislative effort to require that parents provide written consent for their kids to receive any kind of instruction on human sexuality — a reversal from the current “opt-out” policies that districts in the state generally employ now. The bill would require parental consent for any class material or […]
Bill penalizing doctors for providing medical care transgender youth moves out of committee
The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-8 to pass a heavily amended bill Friday that would penalize doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to transgender youth. House Bill 113 was originally scheduled to be voted on Thursday but was held up by the then pending amendment. The amendment expanded details on the kind of care doctors […]
Biden orders tougher mask rules as part of COVID-19 strategy
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s first policy focus after being sworn in? Overhauling the disjointed federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed another 4,400 American lives on his first day in office alone. “The brutal truth is, it’s going to take months before we can get the majority of Americans vaccinated,” Biden said Thursday. […]
Seven Senators call for investigation of Hawley for role in insurrection
WASHINGTON—Seven U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday urged the chamber’s ethics panel to look into Sen. Josh Hawley’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in connection with the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month. The Democrats also want a similar probe of Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz’s actions and the Jan. 6 mob attack. […]
Buttigieg puts greenhouse gas reduction at center of Biden transportation policy
Former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg offered an unapologetic defense of President Joe Biden’s vision for improved transportation and greenhouse gas reductions during a Senate hearing to consider Buttigieg’s nomination for U.S. transportation secretary on Thursday. “We need to build our economy back, better than ever, and the Department of Transportation can play a central […]
Montana Dems roll out 3 bills to cut taxes
Montana Democrats and Republicans agree on one thing – Montanans need tax cuts. Beyond that, there are a number of proposals and plans, including Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s, on how to achieve lowering taxes and still end up with a constitutionally-mandated balanced budget. Previously, Gianforte presented his budget to the lawmakers, and it held the […]
Bills restricting trans athletes, abortion, advance
The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday passed a series of bills restricting abortion and limiting transgender Montanans who wish to participate in interscholastic or college sports in a marathon session that began at 7 a.m. Four of the bills, HB 140, HB 136, HB 171 and HB 167, would require doctors to offer an ultrasound […]
Biden nixes Keystone XL Pipeline
In one of his first official acts after taking office, President Joe Biden revoked the federal permit for the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline that would have traversed eastern Montana on its way from the Alberta oilfields to the Gulf of Mexico. The Wednesday move at least temporarily halts the construction on the highly contentious […]
The inauguration speech of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew and America has risen to […]
Biden administration proposes path to citizenship for 11 million
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden is poised to send a sweeping immigration reform bill to Congress Thursday that would lay out a path for nearly 11 million undocumented people to obtain citizenship within eight years. Immigration has been one of the toughest issues for Congress to tackle, and the legislation’s fate is unclear in a House in […]
Montana lawmaker: Bill could cost MSU, UM $4.5M each
A bill that would allow guns on campus could cost Montana State University and the University of Montana at least $4.5 million each – every year – said Sen. Diane Sands, a Missoula Democrat. “These are expensive costs when we have a university system that also struggles to be adequately supported in our state budget,” […]
Abortion bills get committee vote Thursday
Lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee will vote Thursday on a series of proposals to limit abortions in Montana, part of a broader push by legislative Republicans to pass conservative social policies that stalled at the desk of a Democratic governor in past sessions. The bills would create restrictions around the margins of abortion law […]