April 2024
Tuesday, April 30
9:15 a.m.
Phone call with representatives from Zero to Three Strolling Thunder: Casey and Stacey Smith (Big Timber) and Jennifer Jennings-Shaffer
5:15 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Independent Community Bankers Association: Loren Brown (President/CEO/Chairman, Ascent Bank, Helena); Shawn Dutton (EVP/Chief Executive Officer, First Security Bank of Roundup); Ryan Fritz (Montana Market President, Citizens Alliance Bank, Great Falls); Kenny Martin (Market President, First Montana Bank, Inc., Helena); Scott Mizner (President, American Bank, Bozeman); Chantelle Nash (Chief Risk/Administrative Officer, Opportunity Bank of Montana, Helena); and Tim Schreiber (SVP/Chief Credit Officer, Farmers State Bank, Florence)
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Tuesday, April 23
1:26 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:00 p.m.
Met with students from Bigfork Middle School
2:45 p.m.
Met with representatives from Montana Electric Cooperatives Association: Mark Lambrecht, Helena, Director of Government Relations; Gretchen Boardman, Malta, Big Flat Electric Cooperative/NorVal Electric Cooperative; Brad Arntzen, Winifred, Fergus Electric Cooperative; Carson Sweeney, Lewistown, Fergus Electric Cooperative; Gary Boe, Kalispell, Flathead Electric Cooperative; Duane Braaten, Kalispell, Flathead Electric Cooperative; Gary Carmichael, Whitefish, Flathead Electric Cooperative; Terry Crooks, Kalispell, Flathead Electric Cooperative; Alan Ruby, Kalispell, Flathead Electric Cooperative; Steve Streich, Somers, Flathead Electric Cooperative; Sandi Mason, Eureka, Lincoln Electric Cooperative; Tina Taurman, Eureka, Lincoln Electric Cooperative; Dan Rogers, Missoula, Missoula Electric Cooperative; Ryan Hall, Great Falls, Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association; DeeDee Isaacs, Ashland, Tongue River Electric Cooperatives’ Association; Brad Bauman, Fairfield, Sun River Electric Cooperative; Russ Bloom, Simms, Sun River Electric Cooperative; Chris Music, Fairfield, Sun River Electric Cooperative; Bob Bailey, Victor, Ravalli Electric Cooperative; Mark Grotbo, Victor, Ravalli Electric Cooperative; Dave Kelsey, Molt, Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative; and Chris White, Huntley, Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative
4:00 p.m.
Phone call with CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure
8:19 p.m.
Senate floor session
Friday, April 19
8:07 p.m.
Senate floor session
Thursday, April 18
7:15 a.m.
Met with Veterans’ Affairs Committee Democratic Members and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough
8:45 a.m.
Met with students from Gardiner High School, winners of the Montana Academic WorldQuest Competitition
9:00 a.m.
Met with students from Livingston’s Educatio Learning Studio
9:35 a.m.
Press interview
9:45 a.m.
Met with representatives from the American Osteopathic Association: Sukhmani Kaur (OMS I student, Great Falls); Kalli Kremer (student, Billings); Sydnee Martinez (Billings); Emma Moore (student, Billings); David Park (FAAFP FACOFP Member, Billings); Nestor Peralta (student, Billings); and Kathleen Creason (CEO, American Osteopathic Assoc.)
10:10 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee hearing
12:15 p.m.
Monthly Rural Press Call
12:45 p.m.
Met with representatives from Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc.: Mark Sherman (President & CEO, North Great Falls) and Mitch Tropila (Public Policy Officer, North Great Falls)
1:00 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:50 p.m.
Senate floor session
3:30 p.m.
Phone call with Josh Jacobs, Under Secretary for Benefits, Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Wednesday, April 17
8:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from Montana Land Reliance: Marcus Strange (Executive Director, MT Association of Land Trusts); Gabin Ricklefs (Bitter Root Land Trust); Whitney Schwab (Executive Director, Five Valley Land Trust) and Ben Horan (Associate Director, Five Valleys Land Trust); and Chet Work (Executive Director, Gallatin Valley Land Trust)
8:15 a.m.
Montana Constituent Coffee
9:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Military Officers Association of America Western Montana Chapter: COL (Ret.) Vanessa Berry (President, Missoula) & Rachel Sanks
9:05 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Stockgrowers Association: John Grande (President); Lesley Robinson (1st VP); Turk Stovall (2nd VP); Raylee Honeycutt (Executive VP); Ellie Brighton (Staff); and Cheyenne Leach
9:20 a.m.
Press interview
9:45 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Northwest Public Power Association: Dave Kelsey (Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative); Rex Griffin (Ravalli Electric Cooperative); Doug Schmier (Fall River REC, Inc.); Keriann Baker (Homer Electric Association); Rachel Morse (Chugach Electric Association); Jonathan Dahl (Wells Rural Electric Company); and Justin LeBlanc
10:00 a.m.
Met with a Close Up Foundation Student Group from Lodge Grass High School, Arlee High School, and Ennis High School
10:15 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee hearing
10:30 a.m.
Met with representatives from Crow Tribe: Chairman Frank White Clay; Vice Chairman Lawrence DeCrane; Secretary Levi Black Eagle; Vice Secretary Channis Whiteman; Christina Marie Catalano; Caleb David Groen; Amanda Sowden (Attorney); F. Michael Willis (Attorney); and Vincent P. Redhouse (Attorney)
12:00 p.m.
Met with students from CR Anderson Middle School
1:00 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:43 p.m.
Senate floor session
6:30 p.m.
Delivered remarks and accepted Trust for Public Land Trailblazer Award at the Trust for Public Land Congressional Reception
Tuesday, April 16
9:00 a.m.
Met with Dr. Lauren Wilson (American Academy of Pediatrics, Missoula)
9:15 a.m.
Met with Joni Sherman and Heather Robertson (Dry Prairie); Ashleigh Weeks (Environmental Scientist, Fort Peck); Eddie Ayoob; and Mary Pavel and Majel Russell
9:30 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Hospital Association: Craig Aasved (CEO, Shodair Children’s Hospital); Dr. Heidi Duncan (Physician Director of Health Policy, Billings Clinic); Jim Duncan (President, Billings Clinic Foundation); Bob Olsen (President & CEO, MHA); Duane Preshinger (Senior VP, MHA); Heather O’Hara (MSN, RN, Vice President, MHA); and Katy Mack (VP of Communications & Member Engagement, MHA)
9:45 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association: Debra Pitassy (Executive Director, Helena); Shyam Dorn (Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Gusto Distributing, Great Falls and Helena); and Mike Markovich (Vice President of Community Relations, Summit Beverage, Butte, Kalispell and Missoula)
10:00 a.m.
Chaired Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing
10:30 a.m.
Attended Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development hearing
10:45 a.m.
Attended Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing
11:30 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from the American Optometrists Association: Dr. Ron Benner (Laurel) and Dr. Joe Vincent (Great Falls); Dr. Rob Simons and Amy Lanzendorf
12:30 p.m.
Addressed investment advisors gathering hosted by Charles Myers from Signum Global Advisors regarding domestic infrastructure, the Farm Bill, and foreign affairs
12:45 p.m.
Attended Democratic Caucus
2:10 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe: Vice Chairman John Daniels, Jr; Councilmember Anita Mitchell; Sean Daniels (Public & Business Relations Specialist); Josh Clause; and Lucia Daniels
2:15 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:45 p.m.
Met virtually with students from Sidney High School
3:30 p.m.
Press interview
5:15 p.m.
Met with representatives from VISN 19: Sunaina Kumar-Giebel (Network Director); Arnold Tovar (Health Systems Specialist and Congressional Liaison); Tom Fales (Congressional Relations Officer for VA Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs)
Monday, April 15
5:00 p.m.
Met with the Department of the Navy: Secretary Carlos Del Toro, Admiral Lisa Franchetti (Chief of Naval Operations), and General Eric Smith (Commandant of the Marine Corps)
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Thursday, April 11
9:00 a.m.
Attended Air Force Caucus Roundtable with Secretary Frank Kendall, Chief of Staff General David Allvin, and Chief Master Sergeant David Flosi
9:30 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Human Rights Campaign: Megan and Paul Kongaika (Billings); Luis Vasquez; and Rachel Murphy
10:45 a.m.
Press interview
11:45 a.m.
Press interview
12:40 p.m.
Senate floor session
1:45 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Independent Insurance Agents of Montana: Kendall Massie (Montana First Insurance, Kalispell); and Tom Chamberlin (Mandeville Insurance Agency, Red Lodge)
Wednesday, April 10
8:00 a.m.
Met with Kaia Peterson, Executive Director, NW Montana, NeighborWorks Montana
8:05 a.m.
Met with Bill Hodge (State Director, The Wilderness Society, Kalispell); and Bill and Russ Ehnes
8:15 a.m.
Montana Constituent Coffee
9:15 a.m.
Press interview
9:30 a.m.
Met with Close Up Foundation Student Group from Absarokee High School and Baker High School
10:00 a.m.
Delivered remarks at the National Fallen Firefighters & Congressional Fire Services Institute Congressional Flag Ceremony
10:15 a.m.
Attended Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing
10:30 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee Nominations hearing
12:00 p.m.
Senate floor session
1:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Fort Belknap Indian Community: President Stiffarm; Criminal Investigator Gary Lamere; Water Department Director Kristal Fox; Attorney Dan Belcourt; Attorney Tom Rodgers; Attorney Rollie Wilson; and Advisor Dan Gans
2:00 p.m.
Met virtually with representatives from the Financial Services Institute: Harriet Chase (Belgrade); John Hoogenboom (Bozeman); Jean Luckey (Kalispell); Melonie Beeler (Glendive); Steven M (Butte); Brant Wienhardt (Bozeman); Paul Jones (Manhattan); Corry Prestidge (Great Falls); Peter Dan (Helena); Blake Stenzel (Great Falls); Rachel Sitzman (Billings); Judith Seaman (Fortine); and Mark Kennedy (Billings)
2:30 p.m.
Attended Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee hearing
3:04 p.m.
Senate floor session
3:30 p.m.
Chaired Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing
5:25 p.m.
Senate floor session
Tuesday, April 9
9:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Dental Association: Webb Scott Brown (Executive Director); Dr. Miltko; Dr. Jane Gillette; Dr. April Foster; Dr. Doug Hadnot; Sue Hadnot; and Katelynn Larson
9:15 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Timber Products Manufacturing Association: Adam Molenda; Rob Freres (Freres Lumber); Emily Baker and Josh Anderson (Vaagen Lumber); Brett Bennett and Tom Biltonen (Bennett Lumber)
9:30 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement: Susan Gobbs (Helena); Molina Gonzales (Bozeman); Kelsey Pratt (Alzheimer’s Association Chapter Staff, Billings); and Melanie Williams (Alzheimer’s Association Chapter Staff, Clancy)
10:00 a.m.
Chaired Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing
10:30 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee hearing
11:30 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from J Street: Ambassador Alan Solomont (Chair Emeritus); Nancy Reichman (Vice Chair); Nancy Buck; Mark Zivin; Jon Greenwald; Ginny Gordon; Ken Bob; Phyllis Synder; Keri Hausner; Steve Masters; and Tali DeGroot
12:45 p.m.
Attended Democratic Caucus
2:15 p.m.
Phone call with Forest Service Chief Randy Moore
3:15 p.m.
Met with Matt Vincent, Executive Director of the Montana Mining Association
3:20 p.m.
Senate floor session
6:30 p.m.
Attended “Food, Inc. 2” event
Monday, April 8
5:00 p.m.
Performed Taps at WWI Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony hosted by The Doughboy Foundation, The Hello Girls, and the World War One Centennial
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Friday, April 5
6:30 p.m.
Delivered remarks at the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce 12th Annual Ag Banquet