Max Baucus

Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act Passes Senate

November 4, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus today applauded the Senate for passing his bill to extend the $8,000 tax credit to more of Montana’s first time homebuyers.

The bill also includes tax help for Montana’s military families who must sell their homes because of a reassignment. Both measures were added to the unemployment extension bill that passed the U.S. Senate tonight.    » read more »

Senator's New Requirements Will Help Returning Soldiers, Prevent Needless Tragedies

October 28, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) - Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus joined President Obama today for the signing of his legislation to provide medical screenings to returning combat troops to help identify and treat post-combat related behavioral health issues. Baucus’ measure was included in the final version of the Department of Defense Authorization Bill that the President signed into law.    » read more »

October 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a comprehensive proposal to extend unemployment insurance by up to 14 additional weeks for jobless workers in all 50 states. Nearly two million out-of-work Americans face expiring benefits by the end of the year.

The legislation would also extend benefits for six additional weeks in states with unemployment levels over eight and a half percent. The proposal is fully paid for by extending the Federal Unemployment Tax through June 30, 2011.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- HELENA – Montana's two U.S. Senators and Attorney General have joined forces to combat the growing misuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester along with Attorney General Steve Bullock announced their support Tuesday for designating October as National Medical Abuse Awareness Month. Baucus and Tester have signed on as co-sponsors of a measure in the Senate that will raise awareness of the misuse of over-the-counter and prescription medications and urge communities to implement educational programs associated with medicinal abuse.    » read more »

Funding is for critical infrastructure investments and energy research

October 2, 2009 -- (GREAT FALLS, Mont.) – Montana will receive significant funding to invest in critical energy and water infrastructure thanks to a bill expected to be approved by the Senate in the coming days, Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus announced today.

Tester was chosen to negotiate a final version of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Negotiators from the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives agreed on the final version, which includes more than $65 million for Montana energy and water projects.

Both Tester and Baucus plan to vote for the final bill. The measure already passed the House.    » read more »

Senator's Plan Will Ensure Quality, Affordable Health Care For All Montanans

September 16, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) -After more than a year of preparation, and holding more than 40 health care events in the state, Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus today introduced the America's Healthy Future Act, his landmark health care reform legislation that will lower costs and provide quality, affordable health care coverage for all Montanans and all Americans.

Baucus, chairman of the powerful U.S. Senate Finance Committee, released his plan- known as a 'Chairman's Mark'- this morning during a nationally televised news conference.    » read more »

CEO Rand: Americans “will now have a new opportunity to lead a healthier life”

June 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—This morning, AARP CEO A. Barry Rand delivered the following remarks at the White House announcement of a new agreement to substantially fill the Medicare Part D coverage gap:

“Thank you Mr. President. AARP is proud to stand with you and Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd to announce that the gap in Medicare’s drug coverage, known as the ‘doughnut hole,’ will be substantially filled for millions of middle income Americans as part of health reform.

“I want to applaud Chairman Baucus and Senator Dodd, who continue to be champions for this issue and have always fought for people struggling to make ends meet. We are honored to stand with you today.    » read more »

Senators Call Announcement a "Monumental Victory"

June 17, 2009 -- (Washington D.C.) – After a nearly decade-long fight, Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester, joined by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, today announced a long-awaited Public Health Emergency for Libby.

The Public Health Emergency determination requires the federal government to provide screenings and health care for Libby residents with asbestos-related disease. The Department of Health and Human Services is making available a short-term grant to provide needed asbestos-related medical care to Libby and Troy residents.    » read more »

June 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today introduced legislation that would extend and expand the research tax credit, which would provide a boost to thousands of research-based companies in Utah. Hatch, a senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, was joined in the bill's introduction by Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.).    » read more »

Money will go to eight northern border counties

June 4, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today announced that eight Montana counties will receive a combined $1.8 million to improve security along Montana’s northern border.

Eight of Montana's northern border counties will receive money to help pay for fuel, personnel, and equipment. County law enforcement agencies partner with the U.S. Border Patrol to monitor the border for suspicious activities, respond to calls, and participate in training exercises.

* Phillips - $215,719
* Valley - $ 215,068
* Blaine - $ 215,393
* Hill - $217,997
* Glacier - $210,837
* Daniels - $ 69,560
* Toole - $215,719
* Flathead - $229,659    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- State Dining Room -- THE PRESIDENT: I want to -- thanks -- I want to say thank you to all of my former colleagues for taking the time to visit here today at the White House. I want to particularly thank Senators Baucus, Senator Dodd, all the senators who have been fighting tirelessly on behalf of health care reform -- for many years, in some cases.

I want to mention, by the way, that I spoke to Senator Kennedy earlier this morning. He is gung-ho, ready to go. He had a whole range of ideas in terms of about how he'd like to see this move, and he's grateful that Chris has been taking on a lot of the work in the health committee, but he is very enthusiastic about our progress.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- Text of letter:

June 2, 2009

The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy
The Honorable Max Baucus
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Kennedy and Senator Baucus:

The meeting that we held today was very productive and I want to commend you for your leadership -- and the hard work your Committees are doing on health care reform, one of the most urgent and important challenges confronting us as a Nation.    » read more »

05/08/2008 -- Washington, DC — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators Jeff Bingaman, Max Baucus, Charles Schumer, Byron Dorgan, Maria Cantwell and Bernie Sanders held a press conference today to unveil the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill that addresses the root causes of high gas prices.

Gas prices: Photo by Todd Lappin (CC)

Seven years of the Bush Administration’s disastrous energy policies have enriched Big Oil and market speculators at the expense of American consumers. Democrats are committed to providing relief to consumers and strengthening our economic, energy and national security.    » read more »

Montana's Senior Senator At Negotiating Table, Says New Bill Win For Producers

May 8, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – At a press conference on Capitol Hill today, Farm Bill negotiators announced a new Farm Bill deal has been reached. Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus, highlighted that there are many good provisions for Montana in the bill including a permanent disaster assistance fund.    » read more »

Montana's Senior U.S. Senator Stands Up For Consumers

May 7, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – At a press conference on Capitol Hill today Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced his plan to crack down on big oil by getting rid of current tax breaks for the country’s major oil companies.

Baucus, chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee – the panel with jurisdiction over taxes and revenue – proposed repealing the Section 199 manufacturing deduction for the major integrated oil companies, while tightening the rules that govern how much U.S. taxes are due on income earned overseas by oil and gas companies.    » read more »