Daily News Roundup
March 21, 2024
Senate Passes Tester's and Rounds’ CRA Resolution to Override Biden Administration on Paraguayan Beef Imports
By Denise Rivette The U.S. Senate today passed a bipartisan Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution authored by U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) that would overturn the Biden Administration’s decision to lift a long-standing ban on beef imports from Paraguay. In a speech delivered on the Senate floor prior to passage of the resolution, Tester emphasized the importance of standing up for Montana ranchers and consumers.
Distribution of County Road Funds Awaits Veto Override Vote and Supreme Court Decision
By Denise Rivette Senate Bill 442, the bill that, if enacted, would change how proceeds from marijuana taxes and fees would be allocated, remains in limbo. The poll to override the veto was sent out by the secretary of state to Montana state legislators on Tuesday as required by the Montana Supreme Court order issued last Friday. Governor Greg Gianforte and Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen continue to assert through their Supreme Court appeal that they are not required to allow the legislature an opportunity to override the governor’s veto.
U.S. House panel debates boost for WIC in Agriculture funding bill
By Ariana Figueroa for States Newsroom WASHINGTON — A U.S. House appropriations panel reviewed the Biden administration’s request to increase the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget for fiscal 2025 Thursday, with Republicans asking pointed questions about a proposal to boost a popular low-income nutrition program.
Governor Gianforte Out-Raises Democratic Challenger Busse
By Nicole Girten for the Daily Montanan Incumbent Republican Governor Greg Gianforte out-raised Democratic challenger Ryan Busse by about $350,000 in Montana’s gubernatorial race so far, filings show. Gianforte raised a total of more than $1.2 million to Busse’s $897,000 total to date, according to the latest campaign finance reports submitted to the Commissioner of Political Practices on Wednesday.
Montana District Court Judge Deborah Christopher Tenders Resignation
By Keila Szpaller for the Daily Montanan A district court judge who has been under scrutiny for the way she handled a child custody case and for repeatedly missing work is resigning from the job, according to a letter to the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court.
Massive $1.2 Trillion Spending Package That Would Avert a Shutdown Released by Congress
By Jennifer Shutt, Ariana Figueroa, Jacob Fischler and Ashley Murray for States Newsroom WASHINGTON — Congress released the final six government funding bills early Thursday, starting off a sprint toward the Friday midnight deadline to wrap up work that was supposed to be finished nearly six months ago.
Biden Said Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Cut the Deficit by $160B. That’s Years Away.
By Amy Sherman, PolitiFact “We cut the federal deficit by $160 billion because Medicare will no longer have to pay those exorbitant prices to Big Pharma.” President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address, March 7, 2024 President Joe Biden has been making his case for reelection to voters by telling them he is good for their pocketbooks, including at the pharmacy counter.