February 2023
Tuesday, February 28
7:30 a.m.
Big 8 meeting with Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin; Deputy Secretary of Defense Kath Hicks; Admiral Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs; Senators Jack Reed, Roger Wicker and Susan Collins; and Reps. Mike Rogers, Adam Smith, Ken Calvert and Betty McCollum
8:50 a.m.
Spoke at The American Legion’s 63rd Annual Washington Conference
9:15 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Boys & Girls Clubs: Tim Brurud, CEO, Club of the Hi-Line, Havre; PJ Morsette, Club Staff, Club of the Hi-Line, Havre; Elaine Stedman, CEO, Clubs of the MonDak, Sidney; Elisabeth Martell, CEO, Club of Lewistown; and Christina Smith, Office Manager, Club of Lewistown
9:30 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Student Veterans of America: Josh Jones, Student Veteran of the Year and Allexis Smith, Member, Chapter of the Year
10:00 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee hearing
10:30 a.m.
Chaired first Joint Senate/House Veterans’ Affairs Committee VSO hearing with Disabled Veterans of America
11:30 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:45 p.m.
Met with Katie Farmer, CEO, BNSF
1:00 p.m.
Attended Democratic Caucus meeting
2:00 p.m.
Met with Montana Disabled Veterans: Commander Weinheimer and Adjutant Natalie
2:15 p.m.
Received National Disabled Veterans of America Champion Award with Montanan Commander Joe Parestich
2:30 p.m.
Press Interview
2:45 p.m.
Senate floor session
3:00 p.m.
Attended Press Conference in support of the Major Richard Star Act
4:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Board of Directors: Luke Rauch, Sr VP and Merchandising Officer, Walgreen Co.; Andre Persaud, Executive VP & Chief Retail Officer, Rite Aid Co.; Mike Wysong, CEO, CARE Pharmacies Cooperative, Inc.; Bradley Cochran, Executive VP, Medicine Shoppe International Inc.; Omer Gajial, Chief Digital Officer & Executive VP Health, Albertsons Companies; Sean Jackson, Senior VP of Consumables, Sam’s Club; and Rick Keyes, President & CEO, Meijer, Inc.
4:30 p.m.
Met with General Michael Kurilla, Commander, USCENTCOM and Senator Collins
4:45 p.m.
Senate floor session
5:00 p.m.
Met with General Charles Flynn, Commander, U.S. Army Pacific Commander and Senator Susan Collins
5:15 p.m.
Attended Congressional TRIO Caucus Reception
5:30 p.m.
Met with General Thomas Bussiere, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
Monday, February 27
4:00 p.m.
Met with General Jacqueline Van Ovost, Commander, US Transportation Command and Senator Susan Collins
4:30 pm
Meet with General Paul LaCamera, Commander, US Forces Korea and Senator Susan Collins
5:30 p.m. Senate floor session
Thursday, February 23
9:15 a.m.
Toured Montana Premium Processing Cooperative
10:30 a.m.
Met with Montana State University Chancellor Greg Kegal
11:00 a.m.
Hosted Havre Farm Bill Listening
11:45 a.m.
Press interview
Wednesday, February 22
6:30 a.m.
Press interview
7:30 a.m.
Press interview
10:00 a.m.
Hosted TriCare Roundtable
10:30 a.m.
Press interview
8:00 p.m.
Press interview
Tuesday, February 21
6:30 a.m.
Press interview
7:15 a.m.
Visited Market on Front in Missoula
8:15 a.m.
Meet and Greet with Missoula region constituents
9:30 a.m.
Met with University of Montana American Political System class
11:00 a.m.
Attended Regional Tech Hub Roundtable
12:00 p.m.
Press interview
12:30 p.m.
Participated in Regional Tech Hub planning discussion
1:30 p.m.
Toured Missoula Rural Fire District Station
Monday, February 20
10:00 a.m.
Met with Montana Standard Editorial Board
11:00 a.m.
Held Butte-Silver Bow/Anaconda-Deer Lodge Local Assistance Program Press Event
11:30 a.m.
Press interview
1:00 p.m.
Addressed Members of the 68th Montana Legislature
Thursday, February 16
9:00 a.m.
Met with Admiral John Aquilino, Commander, US INDOPACOM and Senator Susan Collins
10:00 a.m.
Chaired Veterans’ Affairs Committee nominations hearing
10:00 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee hearing
11:30 a.m.
Attended Veterans’ Affairs business meeting
11:45 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:15 p.m.
Press interview
12:45 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Farm Bureau Federation: Nicole Rolf, TomDePuydt, Saco; Jillien Streit, Chester; and Wes Jensen, Circle
12:45 p.m.
Attended DPCC meeting
1:45 p.m.
Senate floor session
Wednesday, February 15
7:30 a.m.
Press interview
9:20 a.m.
Press interview
9:45 a.m.
Met with Michael Scholl, Chief Compliance Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations, Starkey
10:00 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee hearing
11:00 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee Democratic members meeting
11:30 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:45 p.m.
Attended Democratic Chairs meeting
1:50 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Fort Belknap Indian Community: President Stiffarm, Councilman Brian Wing, Recorder Jessica Stiffarm, Water Director Kristal Fox, Water Engineer Woldezion Mesghinna, Attorney Daniel Belcourt, Attorney Tom Rodgers, Attorney Joanne Curry, Attorney Rollie Wilson & Attorney Terryl Matt
2:30 p.m.
Attended Indian Affairs Committee business meeting
3:00 p.m.
Attended all Senators classified briefing
4:15 p.m.
Press interview
4:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
5:00 p.m.
Met with Mark Ranalli, President & CEO, Biosqueeze Inc. and Randy Hiebert, Vice President of Research and Development
5:30 p.m.
Attended Air Force Caucus reception
Tuesday, February 14
8:00 a.m.
Met with General Berger, Commandant of the Marines Corps, and Senator Susan Collins
9:15 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Special Olympics: Thad Powell, Athlete; Nancy Undercofler, Program Staff; and Mary Davis, CEO, Special Olympics
10:00 a.m.
Attended all Senators classified briefing
10:30 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee hearing
11:00 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee hearing
11:30 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from AFGE Local 3570: Katherine Foley, President; Tina Burk; and Jean Ketchel
12:30 p.m.
Press interview
12:45 p.m.
Attended Democratic Caucus meeting
2:15 pm
Senate floor session
2:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Big Sky Chamber: John Zirkle, Executive/Artistic Director; Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, Big Sky; Krys Holmes, Executive Director, Myrna Loy in Helena; and Paul Stahl, Montana Cultural Advocacy
3:00 p.m.
Met with David Krone, Global Head of Public Policy, Apollo Global Management
3:30 p.m.
Press interview
4:00 p.m.
Attended Veterans Affairs Committee Democratic members meeting with Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough
4:15 p.m.
Attended Montana Association of Counties State Congressional Delegation Reception
4:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Monday, February 13
8:30 a.m.
Met with Randy Moore, Chief, US Forest Service; Chris French, Deputy Chief of the National Forest System; and Jake Donnay, Director of Legislative Affairs
9:00 a.m.
Met with Veterans Affairs Inspector General Mike Missal
10:00 a.m.
Met with Missoula County Commissioners: Commissioner Dave Strohmaier, and Commissioner Juanita Vero
10:35 a.m.
Press interview
11:00 a.m.
Held Montana Airport Directors Virtual Roundtable
12:00 p.m.
Held Montana Airport Directors Virtual Roundtable
1:00 p.m.
Met with spring interns
3:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Investment Company Institute: Eric Pan, CEO, and Cynthia Pullom, Govt Affairs Officer
3:45 p.m.
Met with Senator Susan Collins
4:00 p.m.
Phone call with Dr. Clint Segar, Interim CEO, Billings Clinic
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Sunday, February 12
10:30 a.m.
Press Interview
Friday, February 10
8:00 a.m.
Met with Robin Vance, President & CEO of Bank of New York Mellon
9:00 a.m.
Met with Scott, Kelsey, Jadyn, and Levi David, Missoula
10:00 a.m.
FBI File Review of Josh Jacobs, Nominee, Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Benefits with John Elias, Special Assistant to the President and Associate Counsel
10:45 a.m.
Press interview
11:00 a.m.
Student interview
11:35 a.m.
Press interview
12:00 p.m.
Press interview
1:00 p.m.
Phone Call with Brian Bird, President and CEO, NorthWestern Energy
1:40 p.m.
Press interview
2:00 p.m.
Attended U.S. Naval Ship Thurgood Marshall and USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ship Naming Ceremony
3:00 p.m.
Press interview
3:45 p.m.
Met with General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Thursday, February 9
8:05 a.m.
Gave remarks at the 34th Annual Rural Health Policy Institute
9:00 a.m.
Met with the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and American Pulse Association: Paul Kanning, Matt McCabe, Chad Forest, Brian Aklestad, Montana, and Pat Smith, Idaho
9:35 a.m.
Press interview
9:40 a.m.
Met with Montana State University Miltech: Brant Bailey & Alan Deibert
9:45 a.m.
Met with Jane Weber, former Cascade County Commissioner, and Augie Carlino
10:00 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee Executive Session – Organizing Meeting
10:10 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee Executive Session – organizational business meeting for 118th Congress
10:15 a.m.
Chaired Defense Appropriations Subcommittee unclassified briefing
10:30 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee hearing
10:45 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee hearing
11:00 a.m.
Senate floor session
11:30 a.m.
Attended all Senators Classified Briefing
1:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from the American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Aaniih College, Blackfeet Community College, Chief Dull Knife College, Fort Peck Community College, Little Big Horn College, SKC-Salish Kootenai College, and Stone Child College
1:45 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:00 p.m.
Met with the representatives from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: Principal Chief Richard Sneed; Chairman Richard French; Vice Chairman Albert Rose; Councilman Boyd Owle; Councilman TW Saunooke; Councilman Andrew Oocumma; Councilman Mike Stamper; Ashleigh Stephens, Chief’s Chief of Staff; Tosh Welch, Council Public Relations Coordinator; Hayden Rogers; Brianna Lucas; Jennifer Baker; Andie Sweeden; Ryan Music, and Wilson Pipestem
2:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from UnitedHealth Group: Dirk McMahon, President and CEO
3:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from Blackfeet Tribe: Tim Davis, Marvin Weatherwax, Lauren Monroe, Shelly Hall, Lyle Rutherford, Dion Killsback, Michaela Red Cherries and Dawn Gray
3:45 p.m.
Press interview
5:00 p.m.
Met with Josh Jacobs, nominee, Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Benefits
5:40 p.m.
Press interview
6:00 p.m.
Attended American Indian Higher Education Consortium 50th Anniversary Reception
Wednesday, February 8
8:00 a.m.
Attended Democratic Retreat
12:00 p.m.
Phone Call with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
12:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Office of Rural Health: Natalie Claiborne, Bozeman; Jay Erickson, Whitefish; Daniel Gray, Missoula; Kristin Julia and Aubrey Kessel, Bozeman; Robert Lopp, Helena; Rjika Weis, Livingston; Greta Moser, Kelly Peterson, Marlow Schulz, Cindra Stahl and Kaylee Stein, Bozeman
12:45 p.m.
Met with representatives from Sage Therapeutics: Barry Greene, CEO and Julie Garner, Policy Director
1:00 p.m.
Met with John Cech, President, Carroll College, Helena
2:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from MT Rural Water Systems: John Camden, Executive Director, Great Falls; Allen Kelm, National Director, Miles City; John Demarais, Board President, Malta; Lytle “Bud” Gillin, Vice President, Polson; Kevin Durocher Director, Cascade; and David Olsen, Member, Lima
3:00 p.m.
Attended Democratic Retreat
Tuesday, February 7
3:45 p.m.
Press Interview
4:00 p.m.
Attended Virtual Democratic caucus meeting
4:25 p.m.
Met with representatives from Ducks Unlimited: Abby Rokosch, Manager of Conservation Programs-USDA Partnerships, Belgrade, and Ryan Taylor
4:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from the National Barley Growers Assocation: Mitch Konen, Fairfield, Charlie Bumgarner & Alison Vergeront
4:45 p.m.
Met with Jill, Tyler, and Brooke Streit, Chester; and Rachel Deskin, Plant Based Foods Association
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
5:45 p.m.
Attended International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Congressional Reception
6:30 p.m.
Attended Secretary of the Senate’s Supper
9:00 p.m.
Attended President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address
Friday, February 3
6:45 a.m.
Press interview
7:00 a.m.
Press interview
8:00 a.m.
Press interview
8:30 a.m.
Met with Bozeman region constituents
10:00 a.m.
Hosted Cutting Costs for Montanans press event at Bozeman Health
10:30 a.m.
Press interview
11:00 a.m.
Met with Dr. Kathryn Bertany, CEO Bozeman Health
6:10 p.m.
Press interview
7:10 p.m.
Press interview
Thursday, February 2
9:30 a.m.
Met with representatives from the National Association of Wheat Growers meeting: Nathan Keane, President; Boyd Heilig, Vice President; Klayton Lohr, Secretary; Steve Sheffels, Secretary; and Try Koch, Past President
10:30 a.m.
Met with Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health
11:40 a.m.
Press interview
12:45 p.m.
Attended Democratic Chairs meeting
1:45 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:00 p.m.
Met virtually with Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wednesday, February 1
9:10 a.m.
Press interview
9:30 a.m.
Met with Becky Franks , CEO, Cancer Support Community Montana
10:00 a.m.
Attended Bipartisan Appropriations Committee meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan
11:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America: Nicole Hackley, Corvallis; Reagan Mecham, Frenchtown; Sara Mahoney, Joliet; Tami Martin, Butte; Katie Gruss, Anaconda; Dawn Ries, Deer Lodge; Esther Lince, Cardwell; Sarah Harmon, Helena; Ellen Huttle, Helena; Kimberly Koch, Helena; and Jaylea Olson, Richey; Landri and Sarah Hartman, Lilla and Emily Guiberson, Braelynn Baldwin, Katherine Buckley Patton, Zack Maki, Andrea Schurg, McKenna Jones and Kim Martinell, Dillon
12:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from Friends of the Children: Bill Underriner, Board Member Eastern, MT Chapter; Nina Hernandez, Executive Director, Eastern MT Chapter; Ben Davis, Executive Director, Western MT Chapter; Erinn Kelly-Siel, Chief Officer of Expansion and Policy, Chris Laslovich and Terri Sorensen (CEO)
12:45 p.m.
Attended Democratic Caucus meeting
2:30 p.m.
Met with Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Donald Remy
3:30 p.m.
Met with Marty Gruenberg, Chairman, FDIC and Andy Jiminez, Director, Office of Legislative Affairs
3:45 p.m.
Senate floor session
4:30 p.m.
Press interview
5:00 p.m.
Met with Senator Michael Bennet
6:00 p.m.
Attended Friends of the Children Reception