Tester, locked in a tough reelection battle with Rep. Denny Rehberg (R), is considered to have one of the most difficult races of the 2012 cycle. If he loses, it won’t be for lack of assistance from his colleagues – much of which has emanated from his home-state colleague, Baucus.

The Finance Committee chairman has raised more than $500,000 for Tester in an aggressive fundraising effort that is ongoing. A Baucus aide also confirms that Montana’s senior senator has taken a special interest in helping Finance Committee Democrats who are up for re-election, including Cantwell, Stabenow and Sens. Benjamin Cardin (Md.), Tom Carper (Del.), Bob Menendez (N.J.) and Bill Nelson (Fla.).

Baucus’ assistance has involved dispatching his considerable network of former staffers to organize fundraising events and raise money for Democratic Finance Committee members. Baucus also continues to headline fundraisers in Washington and nationally on their behalf. “His colleagues on the committee are very important to him, and he plans to use all of his resources” to help, the Baucus aide said.

The Keystone XL pipeline project has been under review for more than three years now and will create thousands of jobs around the country, including 1,200 jobs in Montana. It’s time to let America get to work.

Baucus has told business leaders in Montana that winning authorization for the transnational pipeline is one of his highest priorities for 2012.

Republicans say Baucus, as co-chairman of the payroll tax conference, has the power to include Keystone language in must-pass legislation and will pressure him to act.

I encourage you to unleash every appropriate resource to maximize the opportunity to improve both the economics and security of America by responding to the urgent needs associated with the oil and gas boom in the region which includes Eastern Montana.

“We all hope that the Forest Service will do the right thing and listen to the overwhelming public support for keeping the memorial right where it is,” Rehberg said in a release. “This memorial to World War II veterans has brought people together across north west Montana, and across America. And I’m going to fight hard to protect it because of what it means to the local community and to those who served our country. If the Forest Service doesn’t make the right decision, this hearing means my legislative solution will be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

“Families in Montana and across the country are watching to see if we can deliver. They are watching to see if Congress can work. I believe we can. But this isn’t about a Washington debate. It’s about the consequences to our economy if we don’t deliver. Those consequences are real and they affect each and every family we represent."

“Those families – like the Beckett family in Butte, Montana – are the reason we’re here. If we don’t extend the payroll tax cut, Jeff Beckett, an electrician, will pay 800 dollars more in taxes this year. That’s 800 dollars the Becketts can’t spend on groceries at the local Albertsons. And that’s money Jeff can’t use to take his daughters Piper and Paige to the Silver Bow Pizza Parlor on Friday nights. That’s 800 dollars not pumping into the local Butte economy. And that’s just for one worker alone.

It’s our job to work together here to make sure this tax cut doesn’t expire for families like the Becketts. We need to show we can rise above politics for the good of the country.”

“There is absolutely no reason we cannot start putting Montanans to work on the Keystone XL pipeline right away. We’ve done three-years of analysis and worked hard on strict environmental considerations – now it’s time to move forward on the jobs and energy security our nation deserves, and I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail until that happens.”

“I am disappointed in the President’s decision. Just as I have supported Montana’s renewable energy jobs, I have long supported responsibly building this pipeline with the highest safety standards and with respect for private property rights. Oil, coal, natural gas, wind, geothermal and biofuels all provide good jobs in Montana. I will continue to champion Montana’s role in securing America’s energy future.”

“Today’s shameful decision by President Obama to put his re-election ahead of thousands of jobs for American families shows just how much this Administration and its allies have bought into the radical anti-job agenda of environmental extremists like the League of Conservation Voters. President Obama had an opportunity to put politics aside, and embrace bipartisanship to create jobs. He could have allowed the private sector to create thousands of jobs, funded by private investment. Instead, President Obama found an excuse to erect yet another government road block to economic recovery. But this fight isn’t close to being finished. I'm going to keep pushing this project until the Obama Administration gets out of the way and Montanans are working these jobs.”

Groups have decried the bill’s language that would allow indefinite detention for suspected terrorists without a trial – including Americans arrested in the United States. Supporters of the detainee provisions argue that the bill merely codifies existing law as it applies to Americans and legal resident aliens, as they retain the right to challenge their detention in court.

I do believe that it is appropriate to have in our nation the capacity to detain people who are threats to this country, who are members of al Qaeda.

“The United States Constitution ensures that citizens cannot be detained without due process, and as the highest law in the land, that right cannot and will not be tossed aside by any legislation passed by Congress. The Supreme Court has already ruled that habeas corpus cannot be denied for citizens. Current policy does not challenge this and the National Defense Authorization Act explicitly states that it does not change current policy. So while I’m confident that our Constitutional rights are quite safe, I’ve cosponsored this legislation to make Congressional intent even more clear than it already is.”

"I will also advance the pro-life, anti-illegal immigration and nullification causes," Turiano said, referring to the legal theory that states can nullify federal laws that they believe are unconstitutional.