{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"MT\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4909", "Tester, Daines, Zinke, Bullock, Fox Stand Against Anti-Semitism and White Nationalism [press_release]", "2016-12-27", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester, Daines, Zinke, Bullock, Fox Stand Against Anti-Semitism and White Nationalism \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n(Montana) \u2013 U.S. Senators Jon Tester, Steve Daines, U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, Governor Steve Bullock and Attorney General Tim Fox are standing together against anti-Semitism and white nationalism in Montana and across the nation.\n\u00a0\nIn an open letter to the nation, Montana\u2019s top elected leaders stood together to send a bipartisan message condemning attacks on the Jewish community.\n\u00a0\n\u201cWe stand firmly together to send a clear message that ignorance, hatred and threats of violence are unacceptable and have no place in the town of Whitefish, or in any other community in Montana or across this nation,\u201d\u00a0Montana\u2019s elected officials wrote.\u00a0\u201cWe say to those few who seek to publicize anti-Semitic views that they shall find no safe haven here.\u201d\n\u00a0\nYou can read the entire letter HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4908", "Tester Lands Major Security Upgrades for Helena, Great Falls Airports [press_release]", "2016-12-26", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.) \u2013 Senator Jon Tester today landed major security upgrades for the Helena Regional Airport and Great Falls International Airport to better ensure the safety of passengers flying out of Montana.\nTester, Montana\u2019s only member of the Homeland Security Committee, has received notification that after a year of pressuring the agency, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be delivering full body scanners to Helena and Great Falls.\u00a0 Currently, the airports only have metal detectors to screen passengers before boarding a plane.\nToday\u2019s announcement comes after several Homeland Security hearings where Senator Tester\u00a0grilled the TSA Administrator\u00a0and demanded the agency deliver full body scanners to Helena and Great Falls airports.\n\u201cWe know that the bad guys will go to the weakest link when they want to inflict harm on our nation,\u201d\u00a0said Tester.\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s critically important that we stay tough and ensure our airports are secure so Montana families are kept safe.\u00a0 I was pleased to work closely with folks in Helena and Great Falls on these important national security upgrades.\u201d\nCurrently, the TSA prioritizes installing full body scanners in urban airports, which had \u200eleft the airports\u00a0in Helena\u00a0and Great Falls\u00a0without the most up-to-date security equipment.\u00a0\nTester also\u00a0successfully added an amendment\u00a0to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that was signed into law in July to study the feasibility of installing full body scanners in every airport across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4907", "Tester Slams Wells Fargo for Dodging Questions, Demands Answers [press_release]", "2016-12-23", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Helena, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester is calling on the Wells Fargo Board of Directors to respond to questions about the bank's ongoing fraud investigation over deceptive sales practices.\nIn a letter to the bank and its board, Tester demanded answers, accountability and transparency.\"As you know, continued failure to answer questions - especially basic questions - about the causes and consequences of the fraud that Wells Fargo permitted for many years does nothing to restore the trust of Wells Fargo's customers and shareholders, many of whom are our constituents,\" Tester wrote.The letter goes on to demand that the Wells Fargo Board answer the Senate Banking Committee's questions, including who's leading the investigation, why the investigation wasn't launched earlier, and what the board is doing to ensure this kind of systematic fraud and abuse does not happen again. This letter is a follow-up to the one Tester and his colleagues sent back in September and includes many similar questions that the bank has so far failed or refused to answer.\nBack in September, Tester grilled former Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf during a Banking Committee hearing, which was called after it was discovered that the bank had opened over two million deposit and credit card accounts without customers' knowledge and 5,300 bank employees were terminated over the course of several years.\"Fifty-three hundred people is more people than live in most towns in Montana,\" Tester told Stumpf during the hearing. \"Two million is twice the population of the entire state. This is a major screw up that went on for far, far, far too long.\"Tester has also created a portal for constituents to submit their stories, questions and concerns regarding the scandal-particularly if they think they might have been affected.\nAnd earlier this month Tester introduced legislation to ensure Wells Fargo victims could seek justice through the courts.\nYou can read the letter HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4906", "Tester Announces Funding for Crow Oral History Project [press_release]", "2016-12-22", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.) - As part of his ongoing efforts to help preserve and support the culture, legacy, and history of Montana's Native American tribes, Senator Jon Tester announced today that Little Big Horn College will receive $99,990 to fund its Crow Oral History project.\n\"The legacies and histories of Montana's Native communities are fundamental to the legacy and history of Montana,\" said Tester, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. \"By funding this project, we can help ensure that the history of the Crow Tribe is passed on for generations to come.\"\nThe name of the project is \"Creating and Perpetuating Crow Oral History in the Classroom and Beyond\" and the grant comes from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through its Humanities Initiatives at Tribal Colleges and Universities. The grant is a highly competitive one, with less than a third of applicants accepted.\n\"The NEH grant will allow faculty and staff at Little Big Horn College to work with elders in the Crow community to create new oral histories based on their life experiences since the end of World War II,\" said Jon Ille, Program Director & Archivist for Little Big Horn College. \"With this grant, we will be able to generate local histories on a wide range of topics for future generations of Crow community members to appreciate.\"\nTester also sponsored the Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act and the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act this Congress.  Both bills provide grant opportunities for tribes to establish or expand Native language immersion programs, helping revitalize and preserve a fundamental part of tribal cultures while expanding educational opportunities for Native students. The Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act was ultimately incorporated into the Every Student Succeeds Act, which was enacted earlier this Congress. Eligible schools will be able to apply for the first round of grants under this program in 2017.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4905", "Tester Calls on Senate to Investigate Russian Cyberattacks [press_release]", "2016-12-21", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Calls on Senate to Investigate Russian Cyberattacks \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator Requests Bipartisan Committee Take Action to Prevent Tampering with Elections \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(Havre, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester today is requesting that the Senate begin a comprehensive investigation into American intelligence reports that Russia carried out coordinated cyberattacks on America during the most recent election.Tester is asking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to create a temporary Select Committee made up of Republicans and Democrats to investigate cyber intrusions, and to come up with recommendations to prevent future cyberattacks.\"The security of our nation and democracy come before any political affiliation. That's why we must work together and send a strong message to the world that we will not stand for tampering with our elections,\" wrote Tester. \"Americans expect us to do everything within our power to safeguard our nation's economy, security and democracy from foreign threats.\"\nTester noted that Congress has a responsibility to conduct nonpartisan oversight and only an independent committee to investigate cybersecurity will bring clarity to this issue.Tester joins Republicans and Democrats in calling for this bipartisan Committee.  You can read Tester's letter HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4904", "Tester, Daines Announce Appointment of Two Montanans to National Aviation Commission [press_release]", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines announced today that two Montanans\u2014Mike Tooley, Director of the Montana Department of Transportation and Brian Sprenger, Director of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport\u2014will be advising Congress on how to better enhance air transportation in small communities.\n\"In a state as sprawling as Montana, air travel connects folks, creates jobs, and helps smaller communities thrive,\" Tester said. \"That's why it is so important to me that Montana has a seat at the table when it comes time to advising Congress on the unique needs of small town air travel. I'm pleased Mike and Brian were chosen and I look forward to hearing their recommendations.\"\n\"Air travel makes it easier to do business, travel across our great state and connects our communities,\" Daines stated. \"Montanans have a unique perspective on the importance of air travel and I look forward to Mike and Brian bringing the Montana ingenuity to a national stage.\"\nBrian Sprenger, Airport Director, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport: \"Small communities throughout the nation require access to the air transportation system to thrive and prosper.  Bozeman Yellowstone Int'l Airport has seen success in developing air service over the last decade and we are hopeful that sharing innovative ideas can be helpful in in replicating success in other small communities.\"\nMontana Department of Transportation Director Mike Tooley: \"Air service is very important to Montana citizens, and to have representation from our great state is incredibly important to strengthening our travel economy. It's an honor to have a voice on this Commission, and I'm grateful we have a chance to help shape transportation policy.\"\nSprenger and Tooley will be two of the 25 members who make up the U.S. Department of Transportation's new Working Group on Improving Air Service to Small Communities.  The group will advise Congress on issues related to small town air service, including issues like the pilot shortage that has plagued Montana's essential air towns over the last few years.\nThe working group was created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization that both Tester and Daines supported.\nThe intent of the working group is to:\n \nto identify obstacles to attracting and maintaining air transportation service to and from small communities; and\nto develop recommendations for maintaining and improving air transportation service to and from small communities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4903", "Montana Health Care: Whats At Risk [press_release]", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Jon Wants to Know How the Affordable Care Act has Helped You \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tU.S. Senate and House leadership have made it clear that one of the first items on their \"To Do\" list this January is to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), despite having no plan to replace it.\u00a0\nThat's why I've launched this webpage, so Montanans can submit their personal stories about #WhatsAtRisk if Congress repeals the ACA without a plan to cover the thousands of Montanans who are benefitting from the law.\nI know our healthcare system isn't perfect, we still have a lot of work to do to make it more affordable for working families and to hold insurance and drug companies accountable.\u00a0But repealing all the progress we've made without a plan to cover Montana families is reckless and irresponsible.\nSince the ACA was signed into law...\n \nMore Montanans have access to healthcare than ever before.\nMontanans who have life threatening diseases, like cancer, can now finish their treatments without hitting an arbitrary cap on care.\u00a0\nMontana seniors have saved $56 million in prescription drug costs.\u00a0\n152,000 Montanans with pre-existing conditions now have access to health insurance.\n61,000 low income Montanans have health insurance through Medicaid expansion.\nMontanans under the age of 26 can get health coverage under their parents' plans.\nMontana's uninsured rate has dropped from 22 percent to 7 percent.\n \nAfter holding healthcare roundtables in Billings, Great Falls and Helena, I want to ensure all Montanans have a chance to tell Congress #WhatsAtRisk if they repeal the ACA.\u00a0\nFind out more about #WhatsAtRisk HERE.\nPlease email your personal health care story to healthcare@tester.senate.gov or fill out the questionnaire below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4900", "Tester Wants to Hear What Montanans Think About Trump's Nominees [press_release]", "2016-12-15", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Wants to Hear What Montanans Think About Trump's Nominees \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator Posts Portal on His Website to Take Questions, Comments on the President-elect's Cabinet \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSenator Jon Tester today is launching a portal on his website where Montanans can post questions and comments regarding President-elect Donald Trump's nominees.\nOver the next few weeks it is expected that Trump will nominate 15 people to head up executive departments, and dozens of others to lower spots in his administration.  Those nominees are then expected to come before the Senate in 2017 for a hearing and a vote.\n\"In the coming weeks and months, I will be thoroughly reviewing the resumes of dozens of nominees to ensure they understand the issues that matter to Montana,\" said Tester.  \"It's my hope that folks from across Big Sky Country will join me in asking these potential leaders tough questions to ensure they are fully prepared to lead our state and nation.\"\nTester will consider Montanans' questions and comments throughout the confirmation process.\nSubmit your feedback below:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4901", "Tester to Introduce Legislation to Protect Injured First Responders' Pensions [press_release]", "2016-12-15", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Helena, Mont.)-In the upcoming Congress, Senator Jon Tester will be introducing bipartisan legislation to protect the pensions of hard working first responders who have been injured on the job.Tester's bill, the Fair RETIRE Act, will help federal firefighters, law enforcement officers, Border Patrol officials, and other federal employees with physically demanding jobs receive their full retirement benefits if they are injured on the job.  Currently, federal employees who are injured in the line of service and return to work for the federal government are not eligible to access the benefits they had earned before their injury.\"Firefighters and law enforcement officers sacrifice every day to keep folks safe, and they shouldn't be financially punished if they are hurt on the job,\" Tester said.  \"This bill is about fairness, and it ensure that the folks who help keep our communities safe are able to access the full amount of their pensions that they have been paying into for years.\"  \"Law enforcement officers and other federal public safety employees who suffer a disabling injury in the line of duty should not be penalized by the very retirement system that ought to be honoring their sacrifice and service,\" wrote Nathan Catura in a letter to Tester, the National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.  \"Thank you again for your strong leadership on this important issue.  We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that the Fair RETIRE Act is enacted into law as quickly as possible.\"\"This is a very important piece of legislation to many of our members and those we represent who work in federal land management agencies, who fall under special retirement due to the nature of the work they perform,\" said William Dougan, President of the National Federation of Federal Employees.  \"This legislation will fix a long-standing problem these dedicated first responder civil servants have had which has caused them to be moved from their retirement system to the standard federal retirement system should they incur any injury in the performance of their duties resulting in their inability to continue on in their position.\"\n\"We are happy that Senator Tester has taken on this issue that is so important to the Federal workers who put their health and safety on the line protecting American lives and resources every day.  It's extremely important to our firefighter and law enforcement workers, that they not lose the benefits that they were promised when they hired on to do this work and have paid for during their career,\" added Melissa Baumann, President of NFFE's Forest Service Council.Federal employees with physically demanding jobs, known as \"6c\" occupations, have a mandatory retirement age, and they pay an additional portion of each paycheck towards their retirement.If 6c employees, such as firefighters and law enforcement officers, are injured on the job and unable to return to work before they fulfill their mandatory 20-25 years of service, they lose all of the benefits they have paid into the early retirement system-even if they return to work for the federal government in a non 6c designated occupation.Tester's bipartisan bill will help these injured employees by allowing them to continue to pay into their 6c retirement account even if they don't return to work in a 6c designated occupation.Additionally, Tester's bill will allow those public servants who were hurt while performing a 6c designated occupation to retire after 20-25 years of federal service and be eligible for a lump sum payment of the benefits owed to them from their 6c retirement funds.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4898", "Tester Urges VA to Cover Emergency Care for Montana Veterans [press_release]", "2016-12-11", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Jon Tester is demanding that the VA follow the law and cover the costs of emergency care for hundreds of thousands of veterans across the nation. In a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald, Tester is strongly urging the VA to comply with the Emergency Care Fairness Act (ECFA). The ECFA was enacted in 2010 and directs the VA to cover veterans with third-party health insurance when that insurance doesn't cover the full amount of non-VA emergency care. Yet since 2010, the VA has not complied with the law, denying hundreds of thousands of veterans' reimbursement claims for emergency care.    \"Most troubling is the fact that those who are most affected by the VA's non-compliance with the ECFA are our elderly veterans, many of whom are living on fixed incomes and have limited resources to pay medical bills,\" wrote Tester, incoming Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.  \"Often, these veterans find themselves dealing with collection agencies as a result of emergency care received in the community. This potentially increases stress for these veterans, causes them to lose faith in the VA and keeps them from seeking future medical attention out of fear of acquiring additional medical bills for which they would be financially responsible.\" In addition to urging the VA to comply with the law, Tester also requested that the agency reopen all previously-denied claims.   Tester supported ECFA when it passed Congress in 2010.Tester's letter is supported by The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4897", "Tester Delivers Big Blow to Invasive Species [press_release]", "2016-12-10", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Jon Tester today helped pass legislation to ensure new and established watercraft inspection stations in western Montana are eligible for resources to prevent the spread of damaging aquatic mussels.\"Montana is under attack from invasive mussels that can destroy irrigation systems, reduce opportunities to fish and float, and cause irreversible damage to our state's economy,\" Tester said.  \"This legislation ensures that there will be inspection stations in western Montana that will contain invasive species, one of the first steps to protecting our world-class rivers, lakes, and streams.\"The Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act allows the Army Corps of Engineers to support ongoing operations at existing watercraft inspection stations and establish new stations in western Montana, as well as Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to prevent the spread of invasive species.  Additionally, the Corps is specifically instructed to assist these western states in early detection and rapid response of zebra and quagga mussels, as well as other aquatic invasive species.Tester's legislation will help prevent the spread of the zebra and quagga mussels that were recently discovered in Tiber Reservoir and Canyon Ferry Lake, as well as other invasive species like the Eurasian Watermilfoil.The Columbia River Basin, which includes the Clark Fork, Flathead, and Kootenai Rivers, is the last major river basin in the country that hasn't been exposed to invasive zebra and quagga mussels.  Mussel infestation in that basin could cost hundreds of millions annually for hydroelectric facilities alone.This week, Tester also sent a letter to the Department of the Interior urging the agency to make invasive species prevention its top priority and take swift action to prevent the spread of mussels to the watersheds west of the Continental Divide.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4893", "Tester Secures Victory for Montana Producers: Port of Raymond to Remain Open 24-Hours [press_release]", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - After more than a year of advocacy, Senator Tester received confirmation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske that a proposed reduction in hours of service at Northeast Montana's Port of Raymond would be scrapped.\n\"They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease and I know we've been squeaking for a while on this, so I am pleased to see the folks of Northeastern Montana will continue to have a 24-hour port at Raymond.  This is a huge victory for our economy, Northeast Montana, and producers who will continue to be able to move their quality products to market,\" Tester said.  \"I applaud the Commissioner's decision and will work hard to ensure this is not reversed by the next Administration.\"\nTester repeatedly beat back proposals by CBP to cut the hours of operation for the Port of Raymond.\n\"We thank Jon for his efforts to protect farmers and ranchers in northeast Montana.  Protecting the 24-hour status at the Port of Raymond allows producers to continue receiving seed and other essential products without being forced to travel long distances,\" said Gordon Stoner, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers and a farmer from Outlook.\nA tireless advocate for the Port of Raymond, Tester sent Commissioner Kerlikowske a letter urging CBP to keep the Port of Raymond as a 24-hour port last year.\nIn March, Tester grilled Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on the importance of the Port of Raymond to Montana's economy.\nThe Port of Raymond is one of three 24-hour ports along Montana's northern border.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4894", "Tester Receives Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service [press_release]", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service from Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James for fighting for new helicopters at Malmstrom, critical C-130 and ICBM modernization funding, and on behalf of men and women in uniform every day. \"It is truly humbling to receive this honor from the Department of Defense and Secretary James,\" Tester said.  \"Our brave men and women put their lives on the line each and every day for our freedoms and by working together we have successfully fought to ensure Malmstrom and the Montana Air National Guard have the resources they need to keep our nation safe. \"The Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service is the highest award a private citizen, politician, non-career Federal employee, or foreign national can receive.  It is presented for exceptionally distinguished service of significance to the Department of Defense as a whole.\"Senator Tester has exhibited extraordinary leadership and vision that has ensured America's Air Force remained the pre-eminent air, space, and cyberspace force in the world,\" Secretary James wrote.  \"Senator Tester's outstanding, career-long, contributions have ensured an enduring heritage and unlimited horizons for the United States Air Force.\"Secretary James also awarded the Distinguished Public Service Medal to Tester's fellow Senate Air Force Caucus co-chairs, Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).\nThis week, Tester secured a pay raise for America's troops, improved the security of Malmstrom Air Force Base, and passed legislation to protect National Guardsmen and women from repaying bonuses.  As the Ranking Member of the Milcon/VA Subcommittee, Tester has secured funding for military construction projects across Montana.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4888", "Four Years Later, Tester Examines Impact of the Land Buy-Back Program [press_release]", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Four years after the launch of the historic Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations, Senator Jon Tester heard from tribal leaders who were impacted by the $1.9 billion initiative to restore fractionated land into tribal control.\nDuring a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing, Tester heard testimony and questioned the Interior Department's Deputy Secretary, as well as Montana Tribal Leaders Fort Peck Chairman Floyd Azure and Blackfeet Vice-Chairman Terry Tatsey on the impacts they have seen with the land buy-back program.\n\"Addressing the problems of land fractionation is an important step for Indian Country,\" Tester said in the hearing.  \"By returning these lands to tribes, the Land Buy-Back program has helped tribal governments in a number of ways from addressing jurisdictional issues and protecting cultural and natural resources to developing key infrastructure.\"\nThe Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations was the result of a settlement from a class-action lawsuit brought to federal court by Elouise Cobell, a Montanan, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, and recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.\nThe land buy-back program aims to purchase fractional interests in trust or restricted land from willing sellers at a fair market value, which has provided tribal governments greater control of their land.\nSince the land buy-back program began making offers to tribal members in 2013, nearly $900 million has been paid to land owners for roughly 1.7 million acres that has been restored to tribal governments.\nThis month, the Interior Department sent out over $270 million in offers to Blackfeet tribal members who own fractionated land interests on the Blackfeet Reservation.  Tribal members from the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Flathead, Fort Belknap, and Fort Peck Reservations have already received payouts from the land buy-back program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4889", "Senate Air Force Caucus Members Discuss Priorities with Senior Members of Air Force [press_release]", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Members of the Senate Air Force Caucus met with U.S. Air Force leaders at the caucus' biannual breakfast in Washington to discuss upcoming priorities and challenges of the Air Force.\nChief of Staff of the Air Force General David Goldfein, Vice Chief General Steven Wilson, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody were among the senior Air Force leaders at the breakfast. The session afforded Members the opportunity to talk about a wide range of topics, from modernization and manning issues to the future of cyber operations and budgetary challenges.\nU.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), John Boozman (R-AR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and John Hoeven (R-ND) are leaders of the Senate Air Force Caucus.\n\"Our Air Force plays a unique and unparalleled role in ensuring our national security,\" Senator Jon Tester said. \"The Airmen at Malmstrom and around the world ensure our freedoms are protected and our families are safe. I am proud to co-chair the Air Force Caucus, which helps ensure these brave men and women have the resources and support they need to keep this country and its citizens safe.\"\n\"National security must be a top priority. To ensure our Air Force personnel have the resources needed to accomplish their missions Congress and the Air Force must maintain an open dialogue. I'm proud to be a leader of the Senate Air Force Caucus and serve as a voice for the brave men and women who serve our country in uniform and protect us every day,\" Senator John Boozman said.\nThe bipartisan group includes 49 members and oversees issues impacting the U.S. Air Force. The caucus sponsors specialized briefings, base visits and outreach opportunities with Air Force stakeholders throughout the year\n\"Our men and women in uniform work hard to protect our country and keep American families safe, and I'm proud to work with the Senate Air Force Caucus to support them,\" Senator Heidi Heitkamp said. \"In the U.S. Senate, I've pushed for tough, smart national security strategies to strengthen Air Force bases in North Dakota and beyond. Airmen and women make valuable contributions to our communities each day in addition to their lasting contributions to our national security.\"\"Our Air Force has been engaged in combat operations for over 25 years, the average age of our aircraft is at an all-time high, readiness rates are at all-time lows, and costs to sustain legacy aircraft are increasing,\" Senator Jim Inhofe said. \"Our Air Force has suffered through eight years of budget, procurement, development and personnel cuts.  It is time to grow, rebuild and modernize our Air Force and I look forward to working with my fellow Senators on this caucus and the United States Air Force to achieve these goals.\"\"I thank Air Force leaders for taking time out of their day to discuss steps we can take to make sure our Air Force has every tool it needs to be successful,\" said Senator Mike Rounds. \"From critical missions being conducted at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to important aerospace research being done to assure U.S. air superiority, the Air Force plays an important role in our long-term defense strategy. As a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee and the Senate Air Force Caucus, I remain committed to fully supporting our Air Force.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4890", "Tester Helps Secure Highest Pay Raise for Troops in Six Years [press_release]", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today helped bolster national security, support Montana's service members, and increase military readiness by securing key provisions in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\nThe 2017 NDAA authorizes critical military equipment and resources while also providing a 2.1 percent pay raise for troops and their families. Congress has been working together to resolve differences between the House and Senate NDAA bills passed by each chamber in June. Several Tester provisions were included in the final bill.\n\"This bill authorizes the biggest pay raise for our troops in six years, and guarantees that Malmstrom's assets and infrastructure will be strong and secure for decades to come,\" said Tester, a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. \"Our troops and their families have sacrificed so much for our country, and this bill does right by them.\"\nTester secured the following provisions for Malmstrom in final the NDAA:  \n \nProvides for the replacement of Malmstrom's Vietnam-era Huey helicopters by 2019.\u00a0\nAuthorizes a new Missile Maintenance Dispatch facility that will house and maintain the Huey replacement aircraft. Tester secured funding for this project in his 2017 Military Construction and Appropriations Bill, which was signed into law in September.\u00a0\nProvides for the modernization of the ICBMs at Malmstrom.\n \nOther Key Tester Provisions Included in the NDAA:  \n \nLegislation to protect National Guard members from repaying improper bonuses.\nProvisions to ensure that service members who are unfairly discharged from the armed services after experiencing combat or sexual trauma resulting in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injuries are granted their proper due process.\nLegislation that strengthens whistleblower protections and enhances safeguards for survivors of military sexual assault. Tester's bill will better protect service members from retaliation after reporting instances of waste, fraud or abuse, and will protect military sexual assault survivors against retaliation for reporting they were sexually assaulted.\n \nTester voted in support of the 2017 NDAA, which passed the Senate 92-7.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4883", "Tester Blasts Pentagon for Hiding Information About How to Reduce Spending [press_release]", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Following a Washington Post investigation, Senator Jon Tester is blasting the Pentagon for its troubling decision to bury an internal study which exposed as much as $125 billion in potential savings for U.S. taxpayers.\n\"This is a complete slap in the face to the American taxpayer.  As teachers, border patrol agents, and firefighters tighten their belts, and as our deficits grow, the Pentagon is avoiding transparency and irresponsibly shoving billions of taxpayer dollars into dark corners of the Pentagon,\" said Tester, a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. \"I am demanding a full, public, audit of the Defense Department budget and calling on Congress to immediately fill the vacant Inspector General position at the agency so we can hold these folks accountable.\"\nThe Washington Post reports that this plan to save billions \"would not have required layoffs of civil servants or reductions in military personnel. Instead, it would have streamlined the bureaucracy through attrition and early retirements, curtailed high-priced contractors, and made better use of information technology.\"\nJust last week, Senator Tester called on Senate leadership to confirm the eight pending Inspectors General nominees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4884", "Tester Holds Wells Fargo Accountable, Fights for Fraud Victims to Get Their Day in Court [press_release]", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester has introduced legislation to hold Wells Fargo accountable after the company opened over two million fraudulent deposit and credit card accounts without customers' knowledge or consent.\nWells Fargo is attempting to use a forced arbitration clause, which was included in the contracts that customers signed when they opened their legitimate accounts, that blocks them from suing the bank over fraudulent accounts.  Tester in response has introduced legislation to eliminate the ability of any bank to force customers into arbitration on any issue associated with fraudulent accounts.\n\"It is unacceptable that Wells Fargo is hiding behind fine print and denying folks the ability to seek justice for the bank's fraudulent actions,\" said Tester, a member of the Senate Banking Committee.  \"Wells Fargo's irresponsible and reckless business model has put people's credit at risk, and in some cases may have caused irreversible damage.  Wells Fargo must clean up their act.\"\nTester's Justice for Victims of Fraud Act will retroactively apply a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule to Wells Fargo's victims that allows them to seek their day in court-even if they signed a contract that restricts them to forced arbitration.\nThe CFPB rule currently only applies to contracts signed after the rule was put in place earlier this year.\nIn September, Tester grilled former Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf during a Senate Banking Committee hearing for the bank's actions that jeopardized the finances of thousands of Americans.\nAfter Stumpf was unable to answer Tester's questions about Wells Fargo's fraudulent actions, Tester sent a letter to the former CEO with further questions about the potential impacts Wells Fargo's actions are having on families who have been forced to pay higher interest rates on loans as a result of negative information that was reported to credit bureaus.\nAdditionally, Tester's announced that his office is taking casework from Montanans who believe they have been impacted by Wells Fargo's actions.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4882", "Tester Reaches Across the Aisle to Outline VA Priorities [press_release]", "2016-12-05", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today met with Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) to outline his priorities for veterans in advance of taking over as the committee's Ranking Member in January.\n\"I look forward to continuing to work with the Republicans, Democrats, and Independents on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to hold the VA accountable, improve care, and ensure we are delivering on this nation's commitment to our veterans,\" Tester said.  \"I have a great relationship with Chairman Isakson, and I am excited to get to work on behalf of Montana's veterans and their families.\"\nTester's priorities for the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee include reforming the Veterans' Choice Program, streamlining duplicative care in the community programs, strengthening accountability, and addressing medical workforce shortages at the VA.\nTester also emphasized that he will work closely with Veteran Service Organizations-like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America-to increase timely access to care at the VA and increase opportunities for veterans after they leave the armed services.\nTester and Isakson worked together earlier this year to craft the Veterans First Act, a bipartisan bill to fix the VA's Choice Program, bring more accountability and transparency to the VA, and enhance benefits and care for more veterans and their families.  The Veterans First Act was unanimously passed by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, but was never brought up for a vote on the Senate floor.\nAs Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Tester will be responsible for holding the VA accountable to veterans across the country-including overseeing the confirmation process of the next VA Secretary and holding regular hearings on critical issues facing veterans.\nAfter his meeting with Chairman Isakson, Tester took to the Senate floor to reassure veterans that he will oppose any efforts to privatize or otherwise dismantle the VA.  Tester expressed concerns that President-elect Trump is being advised by a Koch Brothers-backed organization, Concerned Veterans for America, which supports privatization of the VA.  Tester told his colleagues that efforts to privatize and dismantle the VA will lead to longer wait times for veterans, and higher costs for taxpayers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4885", "Tester, Daines Introduce Legislation to Honor the 100th Anniversary of the First Woman Elected to Congress [press_release]", "2016-12-05", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S Senate) - U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today introduced legislation to honor the 100th anniversary of the first woman elected to Congress.\nThe 100 Years of Women in Congress Act would pay tribute to former Representative Jeannette Rankin - who was elected to the House in 1916 - by renaming in her honor a key science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program that provides grants to colleges and universities who encourage women and minorities to pursue degrees and careers in STEM fields.\n\"Jeannette Rankin was a wrecking ball to the status quo, and she still serves as inspiration to all Montanans who dare to venture where they were unwelcome,\" Tester said.  \"Her influence went far beyond the halls of Congress and it is more than fitting to rename this national STEM initiative after a champion of public education.\"\n\"Jeannette Rankin was a true trailblazer who encouraged other women to pursue their dreams,\" said Daines, the only chemical engineer in Congress. \"As a proud Montanan and the first woman to serve in Congress, she left a lasting mark on our nation's democratic process and this is a great way to honor by renaming a key STEM program in her honor.\"\nThe bill would rename the U.S. Department of Agriculture's \"Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program (WAMS)\" to the \"Jeannette Rankin Women and Minorities in STEM Fields Program.\" Rankin was a pioneer in STEM, having graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1902.\nU.S. Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT) introduced companion legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on April 18, 2016.\n\"Rep. Rankin was a true Montanan, embodying the pioneer spirit we know and love. Rankin led the way for women in both STEM and politics,\" Zinke stated. \"She was the first woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, and that was at a time in our nation when many women didn't even have the right to vote. This grant program is an important tool for young women of today to continue their education in STEM and possibly break new ground and blaze new trails for the young women of tomorrow. I was proud to get this bill passed in the House and am thrilled to partner with my Senate colleagues to get the job done.\"\nIf renamed, the program would remain a competitive grants program supporting research and extension projects that seek to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up 47 percent of the total U.S. workforce. Although gains have been made in the STEM fields, women still comprise only 39 percent of chemists and material scientists, 28 percent of environmental scientists and geoscientists, 16 percent of chemical engineers and 12 percent of civil engineers.\nBorn in 1880, Jeannette Rankin represented one of Montana's two at-large House seats. She was elected on November 7, 1916, almost four years prior to ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that gave women the right to vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4881", "Tester Calls for the Immediate Approval of Government Watchdogs [press_release]", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today pushed Senate leadership to fill the vacant positions that are responsible for holding federal government agencies accountable.Tester sent a letter pushing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to confirm the eight current Inspector General (IG) nominations pending before the Senate.  IGs are non-partisan, independent officers within federal government agencies whose goal is to increase efficiency and effectiveness in government programs.\"In order to keep our promise to the American people to hold government entities accountable and ensure taxpayer dollars are well spent, we must ensure these vacant IG positions are filled in a timely manner,\" Tester wrote.  \"As permanent leadership slots get filled throughout government agencies in the coming months, IGs oversight role is critical.\"The Senate has received nominations for eight of the current nine IG vacancies across the federal government, but the Senate has not brought these nominees up for a confirmation vote.  Agencies that do not have a permanent IG currently include the Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, and Department of Energy.In 2014, IGs across the federal government saved taxpayers $46.5 billion through audits, program improvements, and investigations.Earlier this year, Tester led the push to confirm Michael Missal as the IG of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA).  Prior to Missal's confirmation, the VA had operated for over two years without a permanent IG.Tester's letter to McConnell and Reid is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4877", "Tester Answers Tough Questions from #Montennials via Facebook Live [press_release]", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - As part of his newly launched initiative to engage with Montana millennials, Senator Jon Tester hosted his first-ever online town hall tonight via Facebook Live.  The Senator took questions from dozens of Facebook users-many responding in real time-on topics ranging from college affordability to healthcare to honoring our veterans.\n\"This town hall was a great opportunity to hear from the next generation of Montana leaders,\" Tester said. \"This type of event opens up a whole new universe of possibilities when it comes to connecting with folks on the ground-and all over the world-who share a common goal of mine, and that's helping Montana thrive.\"\nA total of 5,657 users logged on to watch and participate in the event over the course of 55 minutes.  Some of the most popular topics and responses included spurring job growth, the importance of a quality education, and the need to combat climate change. In addition to answering dozens of questions, the Senator took time to thank our troops for their service.  He also riffed about his time as an elementary school music teacher.\nFeedback from viewers was overwhelmingly positive.\nScott Proctor of Billings commented, \"This is pretty cool, I would like to see more of our elected representatives do a live Facebook stream!\"\n\"Thanks for this meeting, let's have more,\" said Kathleen Olear of Stevensville.\nAnd Heidi Davis from Missoula wrote, \"This was very cool, let's do it again!\"\nThe Senator launched his #Montennial tour back in October to hear directly from Montana millennials about the issues that are most important to them. In addition to visiting coffee shops and college campuses throughout the state, the Senator hopes tonight's event will encourage and promote Montanans to engage with him in a variety of ways, including online.\nThose who missed the live event can watch the town hall in its entirety HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4879", "As Federal Government Gains Spying Authority, Tester Blasts Congress for Inaction [press_release]", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Federal Government Gains Spying Authority, Tester Blasts Congress for Inaction \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today blasted Congress for refusing to take up his legislation that would have blocked the government's increasing ability to conduct electronic surveillance against Montanans.\nStarting today, the government will have increased authority to access Americans' personal information on their computers due to procedural changes for obtaining a search warrant in federal court.\n\"Like all Montanans, I'm deeply concerned about the federal government's increasing authority to spy on its citizens,\" said Tester.  \"We must do everything in our power to keep our nation safe while also protecting our right to privacy and other civil liberties.\"\nTester's bipartisan Stopping Mass Hacking Act would have prevented the changes from going into effect today that allow the government to get a single warrant to remotely search, copy, and seize information from computers without the consent or knowledge of their owners.  The new changes could allow one judge to issue a warrant allowing a search of hundreds, thousands, or millions of devices located across the country.\nTester called on Congress to immediately take up his legislation to protect Montanans' right to privacy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4875", "Tester Holds Border Patrol Chief Accountable and Fights to Beef Up Border Security [press_release]", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today continued his push to improve security and strengthen law enforcement along the northern border by directly questioning the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.Tester pushed Chief Mark Morgan during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing to provide specific updates on initiatives the agency has implemented to improve security along the northern border. Tester directly asked him if the Border Patrol has the sufficient staff to secure the northern border and keep towns across Montana's Hi-Line safe. \"The process the Border Patrol goes through to hire folks can be long and cumbersome, and do you have any recommendations to expedite that process?\" Tester asked.After Chief Morgan was unable to provide specifics, Tester called on him to produce a plan to improve the Border Patrol's ability to recruit and retain local law enforcement officers and pressed him to work more closely with public schools across the Hi-Line to recruit Montana natives to protect the northern border.\"A lot of people don't know about the career opportunities you have in the Customs and Border Protection,\" Tester added.  \"You need to get folks on board who not only live on the border, but want to live there.\"During his testimony, Tester also highlighted the importance of Stonegarden grants to local communities, which are used to enhance cooperation between the local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies that defend the country's borders. Tester helped secure over $870,000 in Stonegarden grants for Montana counties along the northern border this year.Tester closed the hearing by encouraging Chief Morgan to strengthen the relationship between the Border Patrol and local farmers and ranchers to help ensure the entire 545 miles along the Montana-Canadian border is secured.As Montana's only member of the Homeland Security Committee, Tester has worked closely with law enforcement officials to increase norther border security.In September, Tester pushed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to eliminate communication \"dead zones\" that exist along the norther border, which prevents Border Patrol agents from communicating internally and with local law enforcement.Tester has also outlined a series of steps DHS should take in response to a new travel policy that allows Mexican nationals to enter Canada more easily. Tester asked DHS to identify additional resources that will be needed to patrol remote areas of the northern border in Montana, pinpoint additional national security threats that will arise from an increase of travelers from Mexico, and track and enforce security plans for Mexican travelers who overstay the six-months they are permitted to visit Canada.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4870", "Tester Calls on President-elect Trump to Meet with Veterans Service Organizations Before Nominating Next VA Secretary [press_release]", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Calls on President-elect Trump to Meet with Veterans Service Organizations Before Nominating Next VA Secretary \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator Will Lead VA Secretary Confirmation Hearing as Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans\u00e2?? Affairs Committee \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today called on President-elect Trump to meet with Veterans Service Organization leaders before nominating the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.\n\"The next VA Secretary must fulfill our nation's commitment to those who served,\" Tester said.  \"It is absolutely critical that President-elect Trump gathers input directly from veterans and Veteran Service Organizations before choosing the next leader of the VA, and that he understands the urgent challenges that many veterans face across the country-especially in rural states like Montana.\"\nTester has served on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee for a decade and will become its Ranking Member in January.  He will help lead the confirmation hearing of the next VA Secretary.  Tester has a strong track record of working with VA Secretaries under both Republican and Democratic Presidents.\nTester has been working with Veterans Service Organizations as Montana's only member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee to better hold the VA accountable, get meaningful reforms passed, and increase access to care for rural veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4871", "Tester Introduces Legislation to Increase Transparency of Public Records [press_release]", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Introduces Legislation to Increase Transparency of Public Records \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator\u00e2??s Bill Will Hold Federal Government Accountable \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today introduced legislation to increase transparency of public records and hold the federal government accountable.Tester's Public Online Information Act will make all public records from the Executive Branch permanently available on the Internet in a searchable database at no cost to constituents. \"Unfortunately, the federal government can be a black hole of information and bureaucracy,\" said Tester.  \"It's time we shine some light on government and hold federal agencies accountable to the public.  This legislation is a strong step forward in transparency and ensuring government works for Montana.\"Tester's bill aligns with the Freedom of Information Act in exempting matters of national security, personnel records, and pending law enforcement investigations from the database.This legislation is endorsed by the Sunlight Foundation and can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4872", "Tester to Hold Online Townhall Wednesday [press_release]", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - As part of his recently launched #Montennial initiative, Senator Jon Tester will be hosting his first ever online townhall via Facebook Live, where he will take questions and comments from constituents through Facebook and Twitter. Tester will be responding, in real time, to comments and questions being posted during the event, as well as questions posted on the Facebook event beforehand.\n#Montennial Online TownhallWednesday, November 30, 20166-7 p.m. MSTFacebook Live\n\"I launched my #Montennial tour to have a conversation with the next generation of our state's leaders-Montana's millennials,\" Tester said. \"That's why I'm hosting my first ever online townhall, to hear directly from the folks who will be most impacted by today's policy decisions, and hear about the issues that matter most to them.\"\nWhile the focus will be on issues impacting millennials, Montanans of all ages are encouraged to participate in Tester's online townhall and can submit a question in advance on Twitter or Facebook, just remember to include #Montennial!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4867", "Tester Helps Secure Job Training Resources for Former Weyerhaeuser Employees [press_release]", "2016-11-28", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today announced that employees who were laid off by Weyerhaeuser earlier this year are now eligible to apply for critical job retraining resources known as Trade Adjustment Assistance.\n\"Every Montanan who was laid off by Weyerhaeuser deserves an opportunity to land a new good-paying job at home in the Flathead Valley,\" said Tester.  \"I'm pleased to have worked with folks on the ground to secure this important job training resource for workers who were unfairly laid off.  I'll continue working with folks in Columbia Falls and the surrounding communities to ensure they have a renewed shot at success.\"\nTester's Trade Adjustment Assistance Act was signed into law last year to help assist manufacturing, agriculture, timber, and service employees retrain for new jobs if their job is outsourced or if their employers go out of business due to trade.\nEarlier this year during a roundtable in Columbia Falls, Tester called on the Montana Department of Labor to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance on behalf of the over 100 employees who were terminated.\nTester's bill also provides funding which community colleges and other career training programs can use to retrain workers in skilled work fields and provides health care tax credits to help eligible unemployed workers afford health insurance.\nFormer Weyerhaeuser employees are now eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance through the Kalispell Job Service.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4865", "Tester, Daines Call for More Reliable Mail Service in Rural Montana [press_release]", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester, Daines Call for More Reliable Mail Service in Rural Montana \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senators Raise Concerns Over House Postal Bill \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate) - Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are calling on Congress to improve mail service in rural Montana so families can stay connected and businesses can get their products to market.In a letter to Senate leadership, Tester and Daines also raised concerns over the House's proposed postal reform bill which they say lacks key service improvements.\"The United States Postal Service is a critical lifeline throughout our country, connecting loved ones and families, delivering prescription drugs and other critical items, and allowing our businesses to ship products all over the world,\" Tester and Daines wrote. \"Continued poor mail service hurts rural America, businesses, and our economy.  Congress should take action to preserve and protect the vibrant institution that is our Postal Service so it, in turn, can help our communities and families truly thrive.\"Tester and Daines are pushing for key provisions to be included in any postal reform legislation that Congress considers:  \nMaking mail delivery more reliable - USPS needs a performance target system to make sure measurements of mail delivery are accurate across the country.\nImproving accountability and transparency - USPS must publish performance information online and make a plan to address inefficiencies when goals are not met.\nAddressing the fiscal state of the Postal Service - USPS must provide regular updates on a long-term solvency plan that would analyze the Postal Service's finances and make recommendations regarding affordable service options.\u00a0\n \nYou can read the Senators' letter HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4862", "Tester's Bill to Strengthen National Security Passes Senate [press_release]", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Missoula, Mont.) -Senator Jon Tester's bill to strengthen national security and reform the security clearance process has been passed by the U.S. Senate.\nTester's Security Clearance Accountability, Reform, and Enhancement (SCARE) Act prohibits federal contractors and employees who have compromised the integrity of a background investigation from performing future background investigations.\n\"As the Trump Administration begins to take shape and a new crop of folks start requesting security clearances, it's more important than ever to make sure this process is thorough,\" said Tester, a member of the Homeland Security Committee. \"We must protect our nation's most sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands and the SCARE Act will better ensure our nation is protected from insider threats.\"\nNoting that more than 4 million Americans have a security clearance, Tester's SCARE Act also forces the federal government to update policies determining which positions and contracts require a security clearance.\nTester introduced the SCARE Act after the high-profile cases of Edward Snowden and Aaron Alexis revealed serious lapses in the screening process.\nLast Congress, the President signed into law Tester's SCORE Act that brought greater transparency into the background investigation process for security clearances.\nYou can read about Senator Tester's work reforming the background security clearance process HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4864", "Tester Fights to Protect Montana Family Farmers and Ranchers from Harmful Government Regulation [press_release]", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester is fighting to protect Montana family farmers and ranchers from a proposed regulation that could limit their ability to pass-on their operations to the next generation.\nIn a letter to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, Tester pushed back on proposed changes to the tax code that could prevent family-owned farms and ranches from being able to pass their operations down from one generation to the next without being forced to pay a significant estate tax.\n\"While I support the Treasury Department's efforts to weed out loopholes which are often only used by the wealthiest among us, we must do this in a way that won't be detrimental to our family farms and ranches,\" Tester wrote.\n\"We appreciate Senator Tester's leadership in ensuring the tax code works for small businesses,\" said Tracy Brunner, National Cattlemen's Beef Association President.  \"Family farms and ranches in Montana, and across the country, are small businesses that rely on a stable tax code that allows us to make sound financial decisions for the future and remain in business from one generation to the next.\"\nThe Treasury Department's proposed regulation would make it more difficult to discount minority shares when passing down business interests to family members.\nSince 1990, owners of family farms and ranches have been able to pass minority stakes in their businesses to family members, which then allows them to pass their entire operation down to their family at a later date without having to pay the estate tax.\nWhen family members transfer minority stakes of ownership in their farms or ranches they often come with prohibitions that prevent those shares from being sold outside of the family.\nThese rules help keep farms and ranches within the family, and help prevent families from being forced into a situation where they have to liquidate parts of their operation to pay the estate tax.\nThe estate tax currently only applies to estates that are valued over $10.9 million in 2016 and $10.98 million in 2017 per couple.\nTester's letter to Secretary Lew is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4859", "Tester to Help Lead Veterans Affairs Committee [press_release]", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - After spending the last 10 years fighting for Montana's veterans as the state's only member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Jon Tester has doubled-down on his commitment to our service men and women by becoming Ranking Member of the Senate's Veterans Affairs Committee.\n\"Giving a voice to Montana's veterans is one of the most important jobs I have as a Senator,\" Tester said. \"This next Congress I will work with Republicans, Democrats and veterans advocates to hold the VA accountable and deliver for the brave men and women who risked life and limb to protect our most fundamental liberties.\"\nBy accepting one of the Committee's two top leadership positions, Tester has committed to working with both Republican and Democrats, as well as the Veterans Service Organizations, to hold the VA accountable, get meaningful reforms passed, and make sure our country fulfills its promise to the men and women who have served.\n\"The VFW wants to congratulate Senator Jon Tester on his selection as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs\" said Bob Wallace, the Adjutant General of the VFW. \"Senator Tester has been a strong advocate for America's veterans and we look forward to working with him in the 115th Congress.\"\n\"I couldn't be prouder of Jon's accomplishments while representing the veterans of Montana on Capitol Hill.  His accomplishments on veterans' issues are second to none. On behalf of all the veterans I work with and serve, we thank him and wish him the very best in all of his endeavors,\" said Joe Parsetich, former Head of Montana DAV and current Mentor Coordinator for the Veterans Treatment Court in Great Falls.\nTester is widely known as one of the Senate's most vocal advocates for veterans.  As Ranking Member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Tester just spearheaded the passage of major legislation that increases funding for veterans health care by $3.3 billion.\n\"Senator Tester has long been an advocate for troops, veterans and their families and his appointment as the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs is great news.  MOAA looks forward working with Senator Tester in his new role and with the Committee to do all we can to help improve the health and well-being of our Nation's veterans and their families,\" said Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret), President/CEO of the Military Officers Association of America.\n\"I am pleased to hear Senator Tester will help lead the Senate Veterans Affairs committee as the ranking Democrat.  Regardless of which side of the aisle a person sits, veterans need the voice of experience, moderation, and reason on Capitol Hill. Jon Tester is that man,\" said Ed Saunders LTC (ret) US Army and member of Billings DAV.\nTester also worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft and introduce the Veterans First Act, which will fix the VA's Choice Program, bring more accountability and transparency to the VA, and enhance benefits and care to more veterans and their families.  Despite the fact that this bill was introduced and unanimously passed out of Committee back in April, leadership still hasn't brought it to the floor for a vote.\n\"NAMI Montana is excited to have Senator Tester as the ranking member of the Senate Veterans Committee,\" said Matt Kuntz, Executive Director of NAMI Montana. \"We've worked with Senator Tester for years on both issues of national significance to veterans and those of individual Montana veterans in need of help. He's proven his willingness to go to bat over and over again for our nation's veterans.\"\nIn addition to being a strong voice for veterans in Washington, Tester is also a constant presence in the state, working directly with veterans on the ground to help them get the care and benefits they've earned.  Earlier this year Tester launched his Veterans' Choice Outreach Tour to hear directly from veterans across 28 rural Montana communities. Tester also recently held a Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Great Falls, specifically aimed and helping veterans and entrepreneurs connect. And after more than five years of effort, Tester recently announced that the VA will establish a brand new Vets Center in Helena.\nYou can read more about Tester's work on behalf of veterans HERE, HERE and HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4860", "Tester Announces $90 Million to Strengthen Business and Boost Economy [press_release]", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today announced the Montana Community Development Corporation has received $90 million in New Market Tax Credits to help create jobs and grow rural communities across the Treasure State.\n\"This job creating investment will help small businesses open their doors in the pockets of our state that need it the most,\" Tester said.  \"I have seen firsthand the important role New Market Tax Credits play in Montana's economy, and I will continue to ensure that the folks at the Montana Community Development Corporation are able to access this critical tool to help create jobs and increase economic activity.\"\nAs a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester was able to secure this historic investment that will help create jobs and increase economic activity in underdeveloped and low-income areas.\nThe Montana Community Development Corporation participated in a highly competitive nationwide application process to secure $90 million in New Market Tax Credits.\nIn recent years, New Market Tax Credits have been used to revitalize numerous commercial districts across Montana, including the new Cameron Family Center in Great Falls, historic Sears Building in Butte, and the Garlington Building in downtown Missoula.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4856", "Tester Praises Permanent Protection of Badger-Two Medicine [press_release]", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "*** VIDEO | AUDIO ***\n(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after he joined Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, Blackfeet Tribal leaders, and Devon Energy to celebrate the cancellation of 15 more oil and gas leases in the Badger-Two Medicine:\"There are special places in this world where we just shouldn't drill, and the Badger-Two Medicine is one of those places.  This region carries great cultural and historical significance to the Blackfeet Tribe and today's announcement will ensure that the Badger-Two Medicine will remain pristine for both the Tribe and the folks who love to hunt, hike, and fish near Glacier Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.\"Tester joins the Blackfeet tribe, sportsmen, conservationists, and local oil and gas developers in supporting the protection of the Badger Two Medicine.  Tester attended today's signing ceremony in Washington D.C. with Interior Secretary Sally Jewel, Blackfeet Tribal Chairman Harry Barnes, and Devon Energy CEO Dave Hager. After the Interior Department cancelled the controversial Solonex lease in March, only 17 of the original 47 oil and gas leases that were granted by the federal government in the Badger-Two Medicine remained active.  Prior to the cancellation of the Solonex lease, nearly two-thirds of the original leases were voluntarily relinquished.  In 1982, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service granted 47 oil and gas leases. Two years later, a drilling permit was approved on one of the leases, though drilling was stalled when a moratorium was placed on oil and gas drilling in the area.Tester is the only member of Montana's Congressional delegation to support cancelling the leases. He has long supported protecting the area, and last year he formally called on the Interior Department to cancel the remaining leases in the Badger Two Medicine, citing its importance to the Blackfeet Tribe and Montana's sportsmen and women.The Badger-Two Medicine area is located at the intersection of the Blackfeet Reservation, Glacier National Park, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4857", "Tester Sponsors Bill to Clean Up Washington [press_release]", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester is continuing his push to clean up Washington, D.C. and increase accountability in the federal government by leading an effort to permanently ban former members of Congress from becoming registered lobbyists.\nTester is sponsoring the Close the Revolving Door Act.  This bill will ban former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, while also increasing the period of time staffers are prohibited from registering as lobbyists after leaving Congress.\n\"Folks across Montana expect their government to be open and honest,\" Tester said.  \"This bill will help clean up Washington, increase transparency, and hold folks in Congress accountable to their real bosses-the American people.\"\nAdditionally, the bill would create a website, lobbyists.gov, to provide easily searchable information on lobbying activities. It also increases the maximum penalty for violating the Lobbying Disclosure Act from $200,000 to $500,000.\nTester has been a champion of government accountability and transparency throughout his tenure in the Senate, pushing countless pieces of reform legislation over the last 10 years.  These include the STOCK Act, which prohibits members of Congress or their staff from using knowledge gained through their Congressional work for personal financial gain.  Tester has also fought hard to require Senate candidates to post their quarterly campaign finance reports online - something he already does voluntarily.\nTester was the first member of Congress and is still the only member of Montana's Congressional Delegation to post his daily public schedule on his website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4858", "Tester Announces Elouise Cobell Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom [press_release]", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today announced that Elouise Cobell has been recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.\nTester recommended Cobell earlier this year to receive the nation's highest civilian honor for her leadership and fight for justice for Native American families.\n\"Elouise Cobell was a champion for change and a fierce advocate for Native American families,\" Tester said.  \"Elouise has now joined some of the most influential Americans in our nation's history by receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and her legacy is guaranteed to live on for generations to come.\"\nCobell's case against the federal government was settled in 2009, thirteen years after it was originally filed in U.S. District Court. Cobell passed away just two years later in 2011. Tester attended her funeral.\nThe first distribution of Cobell payments was made to Native American families in 2013. Additional payments through the Department of the Interior's Land Buy-Back Program are ongoing, and to date, over $900 million in payments through the Buy-Back Program have been made to tens of thousands of Native American landowners for selling their fractional interests in land to their respective tribe.\nAs Treasurer of the Blackfeet Nation, Cobell also founded the first tribally-owned national bank located on an Indian reservation. The Blackfeet National Bank is now the Native American Bank and provides access to capital and financial services to more than 20 tribes across the nation.\nThe Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award that can be presented by the United States. According to the White House, the award may be presented \"to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.\"\nIn 2008, Tester recommended Crow tribal historian and veteran Joe Medicine Crow for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was honored by President Obama in August of 2009.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4832", "Tester Helps Preserve and Promote Stories about Montana Veterans [press_release]", "2016-11-15", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today helped expand the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project to better preserve and promote the stories of Montana veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.Tester supported the bipartisan bill on the Senate floor, which will allow the family members of fallen service members to participate in the Veterans History Project to ensure the stories of their loved ones are collected and stored at the Library of Congress.\"The folks who served this nation have deployed around the globe to topple oppression and promote freedom,\" Tester said.  \"It is critical that future generations understand the bravery and selflessness of our veterans and their families.\" The Veterans History Project was created in 2000 to collect and catalog the stories of American war veterans.  In 2010, Tester launched an effort to help recruit Montana veterans to participate in the Veterans History Project and preserve their firsthand stories of their service for future generations.The project currently only includes firsthand narratives in its collection but the bill Tester helped pass today would allow the families of fallen service members to share the stories of those who died or went missing in action during their service.  The Veterans History Project has collected the records of nearly 100,000 veterans to date, including firsthand accounts of veterans serving in all U.S. military engagements since World War I.To submit a recording to the Veterans History Project, veterans or family members can download a field kit HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4828", "Tester Announces Over $700,000 in Grants to Expand Cascade County's Drug Treatment Court [press_release]", "2016-11-03", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Great Falls, Mont.) - As part of his ongoing effort to combat drug addiction and abuse throughout the state, Senator Jon Tester and District Judge Greg Pinski announced over $700,000 in funding to expand Cascade Count's Drug Treatment Court today.\n\"Drug abuse is not just a crime, it's a disease,\" Tester said. \"We can't just throw the book at addicts and expect their troubles to go away.  That's why these initiatives are so important and effective-they don't just address the symptoms of addiction, they treat the underlying cause.\"\nThe Montana Eighth Judicial District Drug Treatment Court, located in Great Falls, will receive $300,000 in funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance as well as a $403,254 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The funds will be used to expand access to substance abuse treatment, medication-assisted resources, housing, and other resources to lower recidivism rates.\n\"Drugs affect every Great Falls neighborhood, and taking steps to reduce the growing epidemic is critical,\" said Judge Greg Pinski, who presides over the drug treatment court. \"These grants will make a dramatic impact on reducing drug crimes, treating addiction, and providing jobs and housing to those in recovery.\"\nThe drug treatment court is a court program managed by a multidisciplinary team that responds to offenses and treatment needs of participants who have a drug addiction.  Drug treatment courts enable a participant's likelihood of successful rehabilitation through early, continuous, and intense judicially-supervised treatment; mandatory periodic drug testing; community supervision; appropriate sanctions and other services.\n\"Through Senator Tester's support of these invaluable initiatives, we're able to focus on the rehabilitation of non-violent drug offenders, reducing recidivism, and saving taxpayer dollars while providing individuals with a meaningful chance at a productive life,\" Pinski said.\nTester has been a strong advocate for these types of rehabilitation efforts, announcing $600,000 for similar drug treatment court programs in Havre and Billings this past September. Tester also announced an additional $300,000 for Great Falls' veterans treatment court back in 2014 and visited with Judge Pinski and the program's participants later that year.  Tester has also introduced the Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts Act,  which would establish and fund similar kinds of treatment programs in Indian Country. In July, Tester voted to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which provides funding and support to combat drug abuse and opioid addiction across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4825", "Tester Statement on Kathy Berger Being Named Permanent Director of VA Montana [press_release]", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Kathy Berger Being Named Permanent Director of VA Montana \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSenator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) named Kathy Berger permanent director of VA Montana:\"I have met with Kathy, and I believe she has the tools necessary to meet the responsibility of taking care of our veterans.  Kathy has a lot of work ahead of her, and I will continue to work with her and the staff at VA Montana to ensure the folks who served this nation are able to access the care they have earned.\"Leadership vacancies across the VA have served as a major barrier to care for veterans across the country.  These vacancies are often due to an increasing pay disparity between the VA and private sector pay scales.Tester is currently sponsoring the Veterans First Act, which includes two provisions he authored to specifically fill leadership vacancies at the VA. \nThe first provision will establish a defined appointment and compensation system for State VA Directors that will help recruit experienced medical directors like Berger to VA leadership positions.\nThe second provision will require an assessment of the VA's leadership succession plan to address management vacancies like VA Montana's, and increase the timely appointment of a permanent director.\n \nBerger has been serving as the interim director of VA Montana since June. Berger began her career with the VA as an RN and has held numerous leadership positions within the VA, including most recently as the director of the Sheridan VA Health Care System in Wyoming.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4831", "Tester's Third Farm Bill Event Hits on Conservation and Timber [press_release]", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester's Third Farm Bill Event Hits on Conservation and Timber \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator's Barnstormin' Tour Stops in Missoula \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(Missoula, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester today hosted his third Barnstormin' listening session in Missoula to get input from Montanans on how to craft the next Farm Bill so it will strengthen conservation efforts and put folks back to work in the woods. Tester heard from a diverse group of stakeholders who discussed the conservation and timber provisions in the 2014 Farm Bill and how they can be tweaked to work better in Montana. \"The next Farm Bill needs to work for Montana.  That's why I'm traveling across the state getting feedback from folks on the ground so we can craft a bill that strengthens our economy and creates jobs,\" said Tester. \"I will continue to work with Montanans to ensure this next Farm Bill builds on the successes of the last one and fixes what isn't working.\"   Over 70 people attended today's event including over a dozen panelists who discussed the role that farmers play in protecting water, land, and wildlife habitat.  Stakeholders from the timber industry provided feedback on how Congress can help the Forest Service expedite timber projects on public land. Tester has hosted two other Farm Bill listening sessions in Billings and Whitefish focused on grains, livestock, and pulses and specialty crops and value-added agriculture.  The Senator will announce more Farm Bill events in the coming weeks and months.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4830", "Tester Holds 17th Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Great Falls [press_release]", "2016-10-27", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Great Falls, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester today hosted his 17th Small Business Opportunity Workshop (SBOW) in Great Falls to help veterans and small businesses connect. Dozens of Montana entrepreneurs, small business owners, and U.S. service members joined Tester at the Great Falls Civic Center to learn from a number of distinguished panelists, keynotes, and local representatives about the benefits of helping veterans go into business. \"During their time in the service, America's veterans receive world-class training. They learn to be accurate, timely, responsible, and effective when carrying out their mission,\" Tester said. \"These are critical skills to have in the service. But they are also critical skills to have in business. And that is why today we focused on helping Montana veterans transition from being service members to entrepreneurs so they can launch their own businesses and help existing businesses maximize their potential.\"Facebook Operations Lead and former Air Force pilot Jeff Gilmore, and Executive Director of the COMMIT Foundation Anne Meree Craig keynoted today's workshop. Attendees also heard from a total of 12 different panelists divided into three different panels that discussed the resources available to veterans who want to start or grow a business, the unique benefits that come with employing veterans at your business, and the trials and tribulations experienced by veterans who own and operate their own businesses.\n\"Be ready to work hard, utilize your military leadership experience and dig into your local community resources,\" said Thad and Heidi Reiste, Owners of Electric City Coffee. \"Today's workshop used this opportunity to network with other veterans that have successfully crossed over into entrepreneurship.\"  Since taking office in 2007, Tester has hosted a total of 17 Small Business Opportunity Workshops across the state-all free and open to the public. Many of these workshops have focused on specific themes or business sectors, ranging from tourism and manufacturing to marketing and agriculture. To date, these workshops have helped connect over 3,000 Montanans with the advice, networks, and capital they need to successfully launch or expand their business.You can access a copy of today's program, which includes the agenda and bios of all the participants, HERE.  And you can get more information about all of Tester's SBOW's HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4824", "Tester and Daines Push Obama to Update ICBM Fleet [press_release]", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are pushing the Obama Administration to take steps forward and update the ICBM fleet at Malmstrom Air Force Base.\nIn a letter to President Obama, Montana's Senators reiterated their support for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, which is scheduled to replace the Minuteman III fleet and provide a next generation land component of the U.S. nuclear triad for decades to come.  Tester and Daines both agree that modernizing Malmstrom's ICBM fleet is the best way to ensure that we are able to maintain a safe, reliable, and cost-effective deterrent that contributes to our national security.\n\"We write to reiterate our strong support of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program, and to seek an assurance that the Administration will in no way delay that critical program from moving forward on schedule,\" Tester and Daines wrote.  \"Given the wide array of strategic challenges facing the United States, we believe that anything less could dramatically degrade the value of our nation's strategic deterrent, and could unnecessarily hinder our ability to protect this nation from the growing capabilities of our adversaries.\"\nIn their letter, Tester and Daines wrote that pursuing the upgrades and additional capabilities associated with the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program makes more sense from a national security and budget perspective that simply extending the life of the Minuteman III fleet.\nLast month, Tester and Daines called on both the House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership to include important ICBM modernization provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.\nIn July, Tester and Daines urged Defense Secretary Ash Carter to advance ICBM nuclear modernization as expeditiously as possible, including taking critical steps to develop and procure the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.\nTester and Daines' letter to President Obama is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4822", "Tester Pushes to Protect Health of Lake Koocanusa [press_release]", "2016-10-24", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.)-Following his visit to Libby last week, Senator Jon Tester is continuing his push to protect Lake Koocanusa, a major driver of northwest Montana's economy.In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, Tester urged the administration to take steps to protect the Kootenai River watershed in northwest Montana, which is currently being threatened by the expansion of coal mining in the Elk River Valley of British Columbia.  \"Montana and British Columbia share abundant natural resources and each of our respective economies depend on world-class opportunities for fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation,\" Tester wrote.  \"The long-term health of the Elk River and Kootenai River watersheds is critically important, and we must address the full scope of potential impacts to Montana's water quality.\"Tester sat down with local leaders in Libby last week to discuss the potential impact that the pollution of Lake Koocanusa would have on the region's economy.In 2014, Montana Department of Environmental Quality and U.S Geological Survey officials found increased levels of contamination in Lake Koocanusa-including selenium, nitrates, sedimentation, and other impairments associated with coal mining in Canada. Last year, Tester was approached by local organizations and Native American Tribes to express concern that increased coal mining in British Columbia would further put the fish and habitat of Lake Koocanusa at risk. Montana's outdoor recreation economy sustains over 64,000 jobs and generates $6 billion annually.Tester's letter to Secretary Kerry is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4820", "Tester Holds Second Farm Bill Listening Session in Flathead [press_release]", "2016-10-20", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Whitefish, Mont.)-Senator Jon Tester today held his second Barnstormin' Farm Bill event at Glacier Hops Ranch to hear from specialty crop producers and farmers who are adding value to their crops.  \"This tour is about getting feedback so we can draft a Farm Bill that strengthens family farm agriculture,\" said Tester.  \"I was encouraged to hear from some awesome producers who are working to add value to their products, create jobs and boost our state's number one industry.\"Specialty crop producers who joined Tester today raise hops, grapes, and fruits that traditionally have not been a part of Montana's production agriculture landscape.The current Farm Bill expires in 2018, but beginning next year Congress will begin holding hearings and constructing a new Farm Bill.\"We were pleased to host Senator Tester's Farm Bill listening tour and be part of the roundtable discussion.  We found that completely unrelated agriculture segments often times share the same problems and are looking for similar solutions,\" said Tom Britz, Owner of Glacier Hops Ranch. \"Because Jon is an active farmer and farms different crops he gets it, and he understands the intersection of agriculture, rural development and job creation.\" Tester's listening session today was open to the public and was the second in a series of events he will be hosting across the state in the coming weeks and months.  The additional listening sessions will focus on other aspects of the Farm Bill, which include conservation and forest management, conservation, and food safety initiatives. The third event will be held in Missoula on October 28 at 8:30 am at the University of Montana. Tester is the only active farmer in the U.S. Senate, and he and his wife still farm the land his grandparents homesteaded over a century ago.  In 2014, Tester helped pass a four-year Farm Bill that included robust investments in critical livestock disaster assistance, crop insurance, and the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4815", "Tester Launches #Montennial Tour to Engage Montana Millennials in Policy [press_release]", "2016-10-19", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Missoula, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester today announced that he is kicking off his statewide #Montennial Tour to hear from Montana millennials about the issues that are important to them.  Tester's tour will hit college campuses, coffee shops, and local businesses from Fort Peck to Fort Benton.     \"My haircut might scream 1950s, but I know that our country needs to make progress for the next generation and what better way to do that than to cultivate millennials who can lead the way,\" said Tester. \"It is time for folks in Congress to begin listening to the next generation of leaders. I will be traveling all across the state meeting with Montennials about college affordability, civil rights, access to health care, the economy, campaign finance reform, climate change.  Any issue that they want to talk about, we will have the discussion.\"\nTester announced that he will be hosting an online town hall on November 30th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm where he will take questions and comments from Montennials via Facebook and Twitter. Tester was joined at today's kickoff by ASUM President Sam Forstag, UM Law Student Lillian Marie Alvernaz, and OULA Fitness Owner Kali Lindner. You can register for #Montennial updates below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4818", "Tester Calls on Army Corps of Engineers to Protect the Yellowstone River [press_release]", "2016-10-19", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Missoula, Mont.)- Senator Jon Tester is calling on the Army Corps of Engineers to work with the State of Montana, local officials and organizations to ensure the health of the Yellowstone River. Tester's request comes on the heels of a large-scale fish kill in the Yellowstone River.  Noting that the Yellowstone supports fishing guides, rafting companies, hotels, and restaurants, Tester wants the Army Corps to take steps to guarantee the River remains a vibrant ecosystem.\"The Yellowstone River has been experiencing near record low flows and high temperatures, which stress fish populations and exacerbate the impacts of a parasite that causes proliferative kidney disease,\" Tester wrote.  \"As we see these very real impacts of climate change, I stand ready to work with the Corps on projects to increase the overall health and resiliency of the Yellowstone River.\"Tester, a long-term advocate for outdoor recreation, is calling on the Army Corps to use its existing authority to protect riparian areas, restore instream flows, and achieve other ecosystem restoration benefits that help ease the impacts of extreme weather events and strengthen the future health of this river.Tester's letter to the Army Corps of Engineers can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4819", "Tester Announces Keynotes for his 17th Small Business Opportunity Workshop [press_release]", "2016-10-19", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Missoula, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester announced today that Major Jeff Gilmore, an Air Force Veteran and Emerging Services Operations Lead at Facebook, along with Anne Meree Craig, the Executive Director of the COMMIT Foundation will keynote his 17th Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Great Falls next week.\nThe event, held leading into Veterans' Small Business Week, will focus specifically on connecting veterans and businesses and will feature veteran-owned businesses and businesses that employ veterans, while also connecting veterans with potential job opportunities.\n\"The work done by Anne Meree and Jeff both highlight how much our men and women in uniform can contribute to the private sector,\" said Tester, Montana's only member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. \"Their insight will encourage veterans to explore potential opportunities, engage in new ventures, and thrive in their chosen industries.\"As an Emerging Services Operations Lead at Facebook, Jeff and his team oversee the development of M, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence-powered Messenger assistant that can answer questions and complete tasks. Jeff is passionate about veteran causes and veteran employment. He leads the Veterans Employee Resource Group at Facebook. He is also a Major in the US Air Force Reserves as a C-17 pilot and liaison at DIUx.  While on active duty, he served 10 years as a C-21 and C-17 instructor pilot.   He deployed in support of OIF/OEF and Horn of Africa operations.\"As a former Air Force pilot, current Facebook Operations lead, and leader of the Veterans Employee Resource Group at Facebook, I am very passionate about veterans' causes,\" Gilmore said.  \"I am particularly interested and excited about helping veterans thrive in business, tech, entrepreneurship and beyond.\" Anne Meree Craig is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The COMMIT Foundation, which aims to create opportunities for veterans by fostering mentorship, extending and growing networks, promoting familiar camaraderie, and inspiring and accelerating veterans into leadership roles as they move from military service to the professional civilian world. Anne Meree is also the wife of a US Army Ranger veteran and served as a civil servant deploying around the world giving direct strategic and operational support to the Department of Defense and Intelligence Agencies. She has also served as the Chief Administrative Officer at McChrystal Group and as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Berico Technologies. The COMMIT Foundation has also spent this year on-site at Facebook headquarters, helping the company understand the massive value to recruiting veterans and helping it revamp its approach to hiring and managing employees who have served.  \"Montana has a tremendous opportunity in front of them as more and more high performing veteran talent moves to our State to start their next career post-military service,\" said Craig. \"It is essential that we think smartly about how we reinvest this talent into the fabric of Montana so that it benefits the service members, their families and the communities in which they chose to live.\" Tester also announced the panelists participating in next week's Small Business Opportunity Workshop:Panel 1: How the Country You Served Can Serve You   Sara Hudson - Director, Veterans Business Outreach Center  Michelle Leshe - Procurement Analyst and Small Business Technical Advisor, Government Services Administration (GSA)   Rod Alne - President and CEO, The Peak, Inc.  Lillian Sunwall - Program Manager, The Montana Procurement Technical Assistance CenterPanel 2: Hiring Our Nation's Heroes  Elaine Stewart - Director of Staffing, The BNSF Railway  Daniel Bernhardt  - Director, Veteran's Employment & Training Service at the U.S. Dept. of Labor  Joe Fletcher - Employment Coordinator, Employee Support of the Guard and ReservePanel 3: Starting Your Own Venture as a VeteranPaul Kanning - Owner, TomTilda Farm  Heidi Reiste - Owner, Electric City Coffee  Willie Blazer  - Owner, Willie's DistilleryThe official agenda will be announced in coming days. The event is free and open to the public. You can register for the Senator's 17th Small Business Opportunity Workshop HERE.  And once you've registered, don't forget to share the event on Facebook!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4816", "Tester, Juneau Give Montana a Voice in Education Policy [press_release]", "2016-10-18", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Missoula, Mont.)-Senator Jon Tester and Superintendent Denise Juneau today hosted a roundtable with the U.S. Department of Education to give a voice to local education officials as the Department rolls out the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).Tester and Juneau were joined by Senior Advisor to U.S. Education Secretary Ruthanne Buck, as well as teachers, administrators, and school board members from across Montana to discuss the rollout of new federal education guidelines that will return more control of the classroom from Washington, D.C. back to state and local leaders.\"The goal of the Every Student Succeeds Act is to give Montana teachers, administrators, parents, and school boards more control of the classroom,\" Tester said.  \"Today's discussion will help ensure that Washington is listening to folks ON the ground in Montana as they provide children with a quality public education here in Montana.\"Tester helped Congress pass\u200e ESSA last year, which replaces No Child Left Behind as the nation's primary federal education law and returns important decision making powers back to teachers, administrators, parents, and school boards. The roundtable follows Tester's amendment to ESSA that pushes the Education Secretary to receive input from local stakeholders, like school boards, before developing new rules.  Tester is also pushing the U.S. Department of Education to ensure less time is spent on standardized tests as ESSA is implemented.\"Montana's educators and parents know what's best for our students, which is why I'm so excited to see the federal government get out of the way and give local leaders a seat at the table in determining the future of our schools,\" Superintendent Denise Juneau said. \"More Montana students are graduating than ever before, and we will continue that trend under the Every Student Succeeds Act.\" The Office of Public Instruction is working with a group of educators, school board leaders and parents to develop Montana's new accountability system under ESSA. Juneau intends to have Montana's draft plan submitted to the U.S. Department of Education by mid-December.During the event, participants and attendees were able to provide public comment in advance of the new accountability system that will go into effect next school year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4814", "Tester Holds First Farm Bill Listening Session in Billings [press_release]", "2016-10-17", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Billings, Mont.)-Senator Jon Tester today kicked off his Barnstormin' Farm Bill Listening Tour today with an event in Billings.Farmers and ranchers from across Montana attended Tester's listening session that focused primarily on livestock, pulse, and grain production.  \"Agriculture is still the backbone of Montana's economy, and it is critical that Montana farmers and ranchers have a say in the next Farm Bill,\" Tester said.  \"We need to construct a Farm Bill that works for folks on the ground and strengthens family production agriculture.  I look forward to hosting more listening sessions across the state in the coming weeks.\" Production agriculture remains Montana's number one industry and is responsible for over $4 billion in economic development annually.  Representatives from Montana's largest agriculture advocacy organizations praised Tester's willingness to receive input from a wide variety of the state's producers.\n\"We thank Senator Tester for spearheading this event and bringing us all together to begin work on the Farm Bill,\" said Bill Bullard, CEO of R Calf USA.  \"We have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility as producers in crafting the next Farm bill and look forward to working together to ensure it works for Montanans.\"\n\"The Montana Grain Growers Association wants to thank Senator Tester for hosting these Farm Bill listening sessions,\" said Michelle Erickson-Jones, Treasurer of the Montana Grain Growers Association.  \"It is very important to our organization, and all of Montana's producers, to have their voice be heard and taken back to Washington to be included in the next Farm Bill.  Having that safety net is vitally important for farmers and Montana's rural economy.\"  Tester's listening session today was open to the public and was the first in a series of events he will be hosting across the state in the coming weeks and months.  The additional listening sessions will focus on other aspects of the Farm Bill, which include conservation and forest management, food safety initiatives, and specialty crops.Tester is the only active farmer in the U.S. Senate, and he and his wife still farm the land his grandparents homesteaded over a century ago.In 2014, Tester helped pass a four-year Farm Bill that included robust investments in critical livestock disaster assistance, crop insurance, and the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program.Beginning next year, Congress will begin holding hearings and constructing a new Farm Bill.A summary of Tester's efforts for livestock and grain producers is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4813", "Tester Stands with Montana Women, Fights to End Breast Cancer [press_release]", "2016-10-14", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.)- Senator Jon Tester is standing with Montana women to end breast cancer by sponsoring legislation to increase research into the devastating disease. Tester sponsored the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act, which would help identify strategies and solutions for preventing and treating breast cancer.\n\"Too many Montana families have been devastated by breast cancer,\" Tester said.  \"This legislation will attack the problem head on and empower leading scientists to come up with a strong plan to eradicate this heartbreaking disease.\"\nAccording to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, approximately 730 Montana women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.\n\"Many thanks to Senator Tester for sponsoring the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act,\" said Martha Thayer, a breast cancer survivor.  \"Because I found my cancer via self-exam shortly after having a mammogram that showed nothing abnormal, I am particularly interested in research that addresses ways to detect the 15-20 percent of cancers that are not detected by mammograms.\"\n\"Our family is grateful to Senator Tester for cosponsoring the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act.  We have family members affected by this disease and we believe this legislation, if passed and signed into law, could make a real and sustainable difference in terms of finding a way to prevent breast cancer in the first place, and prevent further deaths,\" Bryant Ralston, Whitefish resident.\nTester's bipartisan bill will establish a commission to identify strategies to prevent and treat breast cancer, with the goal of ending the disease by 2020.  Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women in the United States.\nTester, a longtime advocate in the fight against breast cancer, previously sponsored legislation to improve access to breast cancer screenings.  He also secured coverage for breast cancer screenings for military service members, retirees, and their families.  He supports the free screenings made available by the Affordable Care Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4811", "Tester Holds NSA Accountable Following Latest Security Clearance Background Check Failure [press_release]", "2016-10-13", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Polson, Mont.)-Senator Jon Tester today is pushing the National Security Agency (NSA) for more answers following the latest failure in the security clearance background check process.In a letter to NSA Director Admiral Michael Rogers, Tester expressed his frustration that once again U.S. national security was jeopardized due to significant gaps that exist in the security clearance process.  \"Just as Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden, and Navy Yard Shooter Aaron Alexis exposed the severe vulnerabilities in our security clearance system, it is important that we find out how to best shore up these gaps in order to preserve American security,\" Tester wrote.  \"I am concerned that the process of this vetting - or lack thereof - may have once again expose the vulnerabilities of our security clearance process to insider threats and, absent serious reforms, will continue to haunt U.S. intelligence agencies for years to come.\"Last week, Harold T. Martin III was arrested and charged with stealing top secret data from the NSA.  News reports indicated that Martin may have been removed from a position at the NSA and placed in a new job at the Defense Department without having his clearance re-examined.\nIn his letter to Admiral Rogers, Tester requested information on a series of concerns regarding Martin's actions-including which agency was responsible for conducting Martin's security clearance background check and why Martin had access to the files he is alleged to have stolen.\nTester has been a leading voice in the Senate regarding security clearance reforms, and he successfully included provisions in the 2016 NDAA that reformed how criminal history records are shared between law enforcement agencies and background investigators.\nTester is also sponsoring the Security Clearance Accountability, Reform, and Enhancement (SCARE) Act, which prohibits federal contractors and employees who have compromised the integrity of a background investigation from performing them in the future.\nIn 2014, Tester's Security Clearance Oversight Reform (SCORE) Act was signed into law and allows the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to use resources from the agency's $2 billion Revolving Fund to more thoroughly investigate cases where the integrity of the background check process may have been compromised.\nIn August, Tester and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) sent a letter to OPM Director Beth Cobert demanding answers about how the new National Background Investigations Bureau would better keep our nation's most sensitive information and places secure.Tester's letter to Admiral Rogers is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4812", "Tester: No Mining on the Doorstep of Yellowstone Park [press_release]", "2016-10-13", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Polson, Mont.)- Senator Jon Tester is joining local businesses and sportsmen to permanently end the threat that two proposed mines have on Yellowstone National Park and the region's economy.  In a letter to cabinet officials, Tester wrote that he is considering introducing legislation to prohibit the federal government from granting mining permits on two areas of federal land north of Yellowstone Park.  Tester urged the officials to take the necessary steps to prepare an administrative withdrawal of mining and mineral permitting and allow for public comment before the end of this year.\"Mining has long played an important role in Montana's history and our economy, but there are some places where it simply isn't appropriate,\" Tester wrote.  \"The doorstep of Yellowstone, which was established as our first national park 144 years ago, is one of those places.\"To prevent the establishment of mines outside of Yellowstone National Park, approximately 31,500 acres of federal land adjacent to the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness in the Custer Gallatin National Forest will need to be withdrawn from federal mining and mineral leasing laws.  Withdrawals do not otherwise impact management of the land, meaning these areas will still be public land, open for outdoor recreation. \"The local economy in the Paradise Valley and Gardiner Basin is diverse and thriving due to the quality of life, opportunities for world-class fishing and other outdoor recreation, and the millions of visitors that Yellowstone draws through these communities every year,\" Tester added.  \"The prospect of large-scale mining operations threatens the unique nature of this area and the livelihoods of the people who live there.\"  Over the past year, Tester has met with local residents, entrepreneurs, and outdoor enthusiasts who oppose the efforts by foreign mining companies to dig or drill outside of Yellowstone Park-including more than 250 local businesses.\"Our gateway communities are no place for boom and bust industrial gold mines.  Senator Tester gets that and stands with local businesses as we seek to protect a way of life and our economy in Park County,\" said Bryan Wells, Owner of Emigrant Creek Cabins.In 2013 and 2014, Yellowstone Park visitors spent an average of $196 million in Park County alone that helped create and sustain nearly 3,000 jobs.In 2016, more than 4 million people will visit Yellowstone Park for the second year in a row.Tester's letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, and Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4807", "Tester, Daines Urge FCC to Approve Application to Expand Broadband to Rural Montana [press_release]", "2016-10-07", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve T-Mobile's waiver application to allow them to expand broadband access in rural Montana.In a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, Tester and Daines underscored the importance of ensuring that underserved, rural areas have access to broadband and that T-Mobile has a proven track record building facilities to serve this part of the country. This transaction will provide wireless competition in the state and will enable T-Mobile to provide 4G LTE service to unserved areas covering over 1 million people in Montana and Wyoming\"In our home state, the unique geography, low-density population and extreme weather conditions make it significantly more challenging to provide residents there with the communications services most Americans take for granted,\" Tester and Daines wrote. \"Approving the transfer of licenses from Charter to T-Mobile will help achieve our goal of quick deployment of the spectrum and enhancing the service to these areas.\" Daines has been a vocal advocate to deploy unused spectrum in Montana.  Earlier this year, Daines called on nationwide wireless companies to improve their service in rural America over a year ago at a U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing. He also urged the FCC to update the Universal Service Fund's (USF) Mobility Fund, which is aimed at providing broadband service to rural and underserved areas.Tester recently brought FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to Montana to see the need for broadband deployment in rural areas.  Tester also recently launched his #ConnectMT initiative to ensure Montana families have access to broadband.Tester's and Daines' letter is available to download HERE and below.Dear Chairman Wheeler,\nWe write to urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve the transfer of Charter's three 700 MHz licenses to T-Mobile and the accompanying request to waive acceleration of the final buildout deadline for these licenses.  Unlike Charter, T-Mobile can quickly deploy this spectrum and bring better service and additional competition to rural areas in Montana.  The sale of this spectrum and the requested waiver are consistent with Commission precedent and will further our shared goal of increasing access to advanced communications services for rural Americans.In our home state, the unique geography, low-density population, and extreme weather conditions make it significantly more challenging to provide residents with the communications services most Americans take for granted.  Charter incidentally obtained these spectrum licenses when it purchased another cable company, Bresnan Communications. And while the unusual characteristics of our state make deployment especially challenging for a company like Charter that is not a major wireless carrier, T-Mobile is well positioned to deploy this spectrum quickly.  T-Mobile enjoys a proven track record building facilities to serve this part of the country and desires to buttress its coverage in these areas.Granting the requested waiver is warranted under Commission rules, and T-Mobile has made significant commitments regarding build-out that will ensure the licenses are quickly put to use.  T-Mobile has committed to cover 40 percent of the geographic area covered by the licenses by the later of June 13, 2017 or six months from the time the Commission's grant becomes final, to cover 70 percent of the licensed geographic area by the later of December 13, 2018, or two years from the time the Commission's grant becomes final, and to file an interim progress report.  Importantly, if the FCC moves expeditiously on the applications, T-Mobile's commitments will result in the final buildout milestone being completed a year ahead of schedule.      T-Mobile states in its filings to you that, without the requested waiver, it could not meet the accelerated buildout deadlines that would otherwise apply and is therefore unwilling to purchase the licenses from Charter.  Importantly, the filing also states that it is unlikely that Charter or, indeed, anyone, would be able to meet the deadline-likely postponing use of this spectrum for years. This would be an unfortunae outcome for the citizens of Montana.  We urge you to grant the license transfers and extension as quickly as possible and thereby allow T-Mobile to deploy the spectrum and provide advanced services to rural consumers who need them the most.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4808", "Tester Fights for the People of Butte, Holds EPA and Solvay Accountable [press_release]", "2016-10-07", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Fights for the People of Butte, Holds EPA and Solvay Accountable \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Senator Calls for Transparency and Action on Behalf of Butte America \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(Big Sandy, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester is calling on the EPA to ensure the people of Butte are heard and protected in any final cleanup plan for the Solvay phosphorus site west of town.  \"I want to ensure that any final decision protects Butte and the surrounding communities over the long term,\" Tester wrote.  \"As the families in Butte know firsthand, transparency in this process is critical and will ensure responsible decisions are made and appropriate parties are held accountable for the safety of the community.\"The EPA is taking public comment on a plan to address the 500,000 gallons of phosphorous-bearing sludge at the Solvay owned site.  This sludge has been a risk to the region for nearly 20 years.Tester, a longtime advocate for the people of Butte, called for increased efforts by the EPA to inform the public on its proposed plan, and to specifically outline a timeline for addressing the hazardous materials on the site.  He also called on the EPA to answer any and all questions the community might have in order to ensure a transparent and informative process.Tester's letter to the EPA can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4806", "Tester Statement on Arrest of Government Contractor Accused of Stealing Data [press_release]", "2016-10-05", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today issued the following statement after the FBI arrested Harold Thomas Martin III and charged him with stealing top secret data:\"This man's alleged actions put our national security at risk, and potentially exposed top-secret information to our enemies.  Until we can confidently guarantee that the folks receiving security clearances will keep our nation safe, I will continue to push for common-sense reforms to the background check process.   These are the folks who have access to our nation's most sensitive information, and it is critical that we hold them to the absolute highest security standards.\"Tester successfully included provisions in the 2016 NDAA that reformed how criminal history records are shared between law enforcement agencies and background investigators. Tester is also sponsoring the Security Clearance Accountability, Reform, and Enhancement (SCARE) Act, which prohibits federal contractors and employees who have compromised the integrity of a background investigation from performing future background investigations.In 2014, Tester's Security Clearance Oversight Reform (SCORE) Act was signed into law and allows the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to use resources from the agency's $2 billion Revolving Fund to more thoroughly investigate cases where the integrity of the background check process may have been compromised.In August, Tester and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) sent a letter to OPM Director Beth Cobert demanding answers about how the new National Background Investigations Bureau would better keep our nation's most sensitive information and places secure.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4804", "Tester Announces 17th Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Great Falls [press_release]", "2016-10-04", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester today announced he will be hosting his 17th Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Great Falls to connect veterans and businesses together. The event, held leading into Veterans' Small Business Week, will feature veteran-owned businesses and businesses that employ veterans.  Additionally, it will connect veterans with job opportunities. \"Montana's veterans have served our nation courageously.  When they return from war we must do all we can to connect them with job opportunities so they can transition from service member to civilian,\" said Tester, Montana's only member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. \"This workshop will encourage entrepreneurs to hire veterans and empower veterans to become entrepreneurs.\" \nJon Tester's 17th Small Business Opportunity WorkshopHelping Vets and Business ConnectThursday, October 27, 20168:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.City of Great Falls Civic Center  Missouri Room2 South Park Drive  Great Falls, Montana\nThe agenda, panelists, and keynote speakers will be announced in coming days.  You can register for the Senator's 17th Small Business Opportunity Workshop HERE. \u00a0And once you've registered, don't forget to share the event on\u00a0Facebook!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4800", "Tester Pushes to Protect Women's Access to Contraceptive Coverage [press_release]", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.)-Senator Jon Tester is pushing to protect women's access to contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).\nIn a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, Tester reaffirmed Congress' intent that the ACA provide contraceptive coverage to women and families, while also appropriately protecting religious freedom.  In May, the U.S. Supreme Court failed to resolve the case of Zubick v. Burwell, which aimed to deny women their legal right to copay-free contraceptive coverage.\n\"Every woman in Montana deserves access to quality health care,\" Tester said.  \"The ACA guarantees that families have access to the health care services that they need, without forcing folks to violate their religious beliefs.  No employer should be in the business of denying women access to health care.\"\nThe ACA requires all health insurance plans to cover the full range of FDA-approved birth control methods, without any out-of-pocket expense to consumers.\nChurches are exempt from the requirement, and the ACA also allows some employers with religious objections to \"opt-out\" of paying for the portion of health insurance plans that cover contraception.\nIn the case of Zubik v. Burwell, employers challenged the ACA's birth control policy in court, arguing that even this \"opt-out\" process violates their religious beliefs.\nIn May, the Supreme Court returned the case to the lower courts because it was unable to resolve the case.\nTester's letter was signed by 39 other members of the Senate and is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4801", "Tester's VA Funding Bill Signed into Law [press_release]", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.)- Senator Jon Tester's bill to increase VA funding and modernize military facilities has been signed into law, making it the first time since 2008 that Congress has funded the VA before the beginning of the fiscal year.\nTester is the Ranking Member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, which is responsible for drafting the VA's annual budget, as well as determining funding for the Defense Department's major construction projects.  Tester and Subcommittee chairman Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) wrote the 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill, which the president signed into law on Thursday.\nThe new law will increase funding for the VA by $3.3 billion.\n\"This bill provides additional resources that will increase veterans access to care at the VA and in their community,\" Tester said.  \"Over the past year, I have worked hard with Republicans and Democrats to craft a bill that does right by our veterans and supports our troops, and this bill accomplishes both.\"\nThe MilCon VA Appropriations Bill will provide funding for veterans' initiatives and military construction projects through September 30, 2017, and it is the first of 12 must-pass government funding bills to be signed into law this year.\nTester's MilCon VA Appropriations Bill will specifically provide:\n \nAn additional $248 million to expand and improve VA facilities.\n$45 million increase for medical research initiatives - including prosthetic research.\n$2.86 billion for VA claims processing, and 300 new claims personnel focused on appeals and the non-rating workload at the Regional Offices.\n$156 million for the Board of Veterans Appeals, $46 million over last year, for the Board to increase its workforce by 240 employees who will specifically address the appellate backlog and reduce the time veterans wait after appealing a VA disability compensation ruling.\n$7.2 billion for the Medical Community Care account, which will help ensure that rural veterans and veterans needing specialized care are able to access health care treatment outside of the VA system and closer to where they live.\n$5.7 billion to treat the nearly one million Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who are seeking care through the VA.\n$1.2 billion to increase access to telehealth services for veterans in rural areas.\n$284 million for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury.\n$8.6 billion for long-term care and support for Vietnam-era veterans and older veterans from other wars.\n$7.9 billion to modernize facilities throughout the Defense Department.\n \n\u00a0\nAlso included in Tester's bill is $14.6 million for a new missile maintenance facility at Malmstrom Air Force Base and language prohibiting the relocation of Malmstrom's Air Force Base's engineering unit known as RED HORSE.\nThe Milcon VA Appropriations Bill also includes a mandate that requires the VA to provide fertility services, including in vitro fertilization, to veterans and their spouses if their infertility was a direct result of a service-connected disability.\nAdditionally, Tester-authored provisions in the bill will provide mileage reimbursement to catastrophically disable veterans seeking disabilities rehabilitation at VA facilities and lay the groundwork for reforms included in the Veterans First Act to streamline the many VA community care programs into a single initiative.\nVeterans across Montana and the country are once again praising Tester's efforts:\n\"We want to thank Senator Tester for his leadership, and for crafting a bill that will strengthen the mission at Malmstrom. Constructing the Missile Maintenance Dispatch facility will ensure Malmstrom is prepared to receive a new fleet of helicopters and better protect this nation's ICBM fleet,\" said David Weissman, Chairman of the Montana Defense Alliance.\n\"MOAA is grateful this legislation would provide an increase of nearly $2 billion over the current year, with additional funding to address treatment of hepatitis C, long-term care for veterans, caregiver support, and reduction of the claims backlog,\" said Lt Gen Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret), President of the Military Officers Association of America.\n\"The Blinded Veterans Association thanks Senator Tester for his recognition of the value of rehabilitation services for catastrophically disabled veterans and his commitment to insuring that those who need such services the most have access to them. This legislation will make it possible for a greater number of the brave men and women who have served our country to have access to the rehabilitation and care they need to live full and independent lives again. It fills a vital need in a fiscally responsible manner by reducing the veterans' need for assisted living and nursing home care,\" said Al Avina, Executive Director of the Blinded Veterans Association.\nThe bill was passed by the Senate 72-26 and was signed into law by the President on Thursday night.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4802", "RSVP for \"A View From Montana\" [press_release]", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Jon Tester, Superintendent Denise Juneau, the U.S. Department of Education and local education officials will be sitting down together for \"A View from Montana: A Roundtable on Implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act.\"\nTester, Juneau, and Senior Advisor to U.S. Education Secretary Ruthanne Buck will join teachers, administrators, and school board members from across Montana to participate in a discussion on the rollout of ESSA.\n A View from MontanaA Roundtable on Implementing the Every Student Succeeds ActOctober 18, 20163:00 pmMissoula County Public Schools Business Building Boardroom915 South Avenue WestMissoula, MT\n\"A View from Montana\" follows Tester's amendment to the ESSA that pushes the Education Secretary to receive input from local stakeholders, like school boards, before developing new rules. The event is free and open to the public, and there will be an opportunity for attendees to provide public comment.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4795", "Share Your Wells Fargo Story [press_release]", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Share Your Wells Fargo Story \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tIf you're a Montanan who has been affected by the recent Wells Fargo controversy, we'd like to hear from you.\u00a0\nPlease share your story by printing out and\u00a0COMPLETING\u00a0THIS FORM.\u00a0\nWe will send your information to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau-the agency responsible for investigating this case-and help you navigate the restitution process. \nYou can then send a signed copy back to our office via:\n \nMAIL ADDRESSOffice of Senator Jon Tester130 W Front St. Missoula, MT 59802\n \nIf you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate\u00a0to contact our office via email\u00a0or by calling 202-224-2644.\u00a0\nThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4797", "Tester Demands More Answers from Wells Fargo [press_release]", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.)-One week after he grilled the Chairman and CEO of Wells Fargo for illegally opening over two million deposit and credit card accounts without customers' knowledge or consent, Senator Jon Tester is demanding more answers and encouraging Montanans impacted by the bank's actions to contact his office. \"Wells Fargo took advantage of their customers and it is critical that they address this situation with full transparency,\" Tester said.  \"Answering these questions for Montana consumers will provide some accountability and help ensure the right steps are being taken to make customers whole.\"Tester announced today that his office is taking casework from Montanans who believe they have been impacted by Wells Fargo's actions.Montanans who believe false accounts were opened by Wells Fargo without their consent, or believe the actions of Wells Fargo have damaged their credit rating can click HERE to fill out a form on Tester's website.  Montanans who contact Tester's office will then work with the Senator, his staff, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to seek reimbursement for fees and fines associated with false accounts.\"Folks who believe they have been impacted by the actions of Wells Fargo should immediately contact my office,\" Tester added.Tester today also sent a letter to Wells Fargo CEO and Chairman John Stumpf with further questions about the potential impacts Wells Fargo's actions are having on families who have been forced to pay higher interest rates on loans as a result of negative information that was reported to credit bureaus.Tester urged Stumpf to provide detailed and timely answers to the following questions:During the years from 2011-2015, exactly how many credit card accounts were opened on behalf of unknowing customers?  \n \nHow far back will Wells Fargo go to ensure this widespread issue doesn't predate 2011?\nHas Wells Fargo notified all of these customers yet? And how many of these customers were in Montana?\u00a0\nHow many of those accounts had negative information sent to the credit bureaus about them? How many of them were in Montana?\u00a0\nHas Wells Fargo confirmed that all negative information on these unauthorized accounts has been removed from consumers' credit bureau accounts?\u00a0\nWhat is Wells Fargo doing for consumers who potentially paid more on loans than they should have at not only Wells Fargo, but at other financial institutions?\nWas negative information reported to the credit bureaus on accounts other than credit card accounts?\u00a0\nHow is Wells Fargo responding to consumer complaints? Is a special division being set-up within the bank to deal with customers who have been harmed?\n \nLast week, Tester criticized the actions of Wells Fargo executives for jeopardizing the finances of thousands of Americans during a Senate Banking Committee hearing.Since 2011, Wells Fargo has fired nearly 5,300 employees who: \nIllegally opened over two million deposit and credit card accounts.\nTransferred funds from customers' authorized deposit accounts to 1.5 million unauthorized accounts.\nApplied for 565,000 credit card accounts that were not authorized by customers, but still incurred annual fees and interest charges.\nIssued and activated debit cards without consumers' knowledge that included PIN numbers.\nCreated fake email addresses to enroll consumers in online-banking services.\n \nEarlier this month the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Los Angeles City Attorney fined Wells Fargo $185 million for their illegal actions that took place between 2011 and 2015.\nTester's letter to Stumpf is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4798", "Tester's Legislation Passes Senate, Will Modernize Livestock Auctions Across Montana [press_release]", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.) -Senator Jon Tester's BARN CARD (Bringing Auctions & Ranchers New Credit And Reliable Debit) Act passed the Senate today and is headed to the President's desk for signature.  This bill updates the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to allow for electronic transaction at livestock auctions. Tester introduced the bipartisan legislation to beef up support for Montana producers. \"I've seen it firsthand, life on the farm and ranch is changing in the 21st century.   Technology is critically important for agriculture in the 21st century.  We have combines that drive themselves, and we see the role technology plays in the markets everyday-it's time that our livestock auction laws reflect the world we live in,\" Tester said.  \"I am pleased to see my common-sense bipartisan legislation pass to help bring livestock auctions into the 21st century.\"Tester's BARN CARD Act will explicitly allow folks to purchase livestock using debit and credit cards. Current law only permits two forms of payment: checks and wire transfers. Additionally, the bill clarifies that folks that use online and video livestock auctions are granted the same legal protections as folks that use physical auction locations. These changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act are supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Sheep Industry Association, Livestock Marketing Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Livestock Producers Association, and United States Cattlemen's Association.\"Cattle is big business here in Montana,\" said Joe Goggins of Billings.  \"While our industry has advanced over the years, the federal rules on livestock marketing have not kept up with the times. This legislation makes common-sense changes that helps bring the law into the 21st Century. We appreciate the support of the Senate in advancing the legislation and Sen. Tester's leadership as an original sponsor of the bill.\"Goggins is Vice President of Vermilion Ranch Co., Public Auction Yards, Billings Livestock Commission Co., Western Livestock Auction, and Northern Livestock Video Auction based in Billings, Montana.\nTester is an avid supporter of Montana's livestock industry, recently he called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase transparency and address safety concerns with the importation of Brazilian beef.   Also, Tester applauded China's recent decision to lift their ban on the import of U.S. beef following his continued efforts on the issue. The text of the BARN CARD Act is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4799", "Tester's Bill to Increase Safety for Children in Indian Country Clears Congress, Heads to President's Desk [press_release]", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.)-Senator Jon Tester, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, today released the following statement after the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act was passed by both chambers of Congress:\n\"There is nothing more valuable than our youth, and it is critical that we give them every opportunity to achieve success.  This bill will help us better identify solutions to increase the safety of all Native American children.\"\nThe Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act will create a commission to study the challenges Native American children face and will develop recommendations for improving services to tribes and communities in Indian Country.\nIn June, Tester's Native American Children's Safety Act was signed into law.  This new law protects Native American children by requiring background checks for all adults living in foster care homes where Native American youth are placed.\nTester is also sponsoring the Tribal Youth and Community Protection Act, which will allow the tribes to arrest and prosecute any offender for domestic violence against children, drug-related crimes, and crimes committed against tribal law enforcement officers.\nThe Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act was unanimously passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, and is now heading to President Obama's desk for his signature.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4793", "Tester Leads Congress to Pass VA Funding Bill for Montana Veterans [press_release]", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to avoid a government shutdown and passed legislation to provide badly-needed funding to the VA.\n\"It's plain and simple-Montanans don't want to see their government shut down,\" Tester said.  \"This is a good bill for our veterans, it is a good bill for our military, and it is good to see my colleagues come together in a bipartisan way to move this bill forward.\" Tester was able to include his Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations bill in the continuing resolution, which will provide full-year funding for veterans initiatives and military construction projects through September 30, 2017.  Assuming the bill is signed into law before Friday night, it will be the first time Congress has funded the VA on-time since 2008.\nWithin his MilCon-VA Appropriations bill, Tester was able to secure a funding increase of $3.3 billion over last year for veterans' health care.  The additional funds will increase access to care for more veterans, enhance the quality of care - particularly mental health care - and allow the VA to hire more medical professionals and invest in its medical facilities.\nAdditionally, the Milcon-VA Appropriations Bill includes $14.6 million for a new missile maintenance facility at Malmstrom Air Force Base.  The bill also continues the prohibition on relocating Malmstrom's Air Force engineering unit known as RED HORSE.\nAs well as keeping the government open, this legislation includes:  \n \nAn additional $248 million to expand and improve VA facilities.\n$45 million increase for medical research initiatives - including prosthetic research.\n$2.86 billion for VA claims processing, and 300 new claims personnel focused on appeals and the non-rating workload at the Regional Offices.\n$156 million for the Board of Veterans Appeals, $46 million over last year, for the Board to increase its workforce by 240 employees who will specifically address the appellate backlog and reduce the time veterans wait after appealing a VA disability compensation ruling.\n$7.2 billion for the Medical Community Care account, which will help ensure that rural veterans and veterans needing specialized care are able to access health care treatment outside of the VA system and closer to where they live.\n$5.7 billion to treat the nearly one million Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who are seeking care through the VA.\n$1.2 billion to increase access to telehealth services for veterans in rural areas.\n$284 million for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury.\n$8.6 billion for long-term care and support for Vietnam-era veterans and older veterans from other wars.\n$7.9 billion to modernize facilities throughout the Defense Department.\n \nThe Milcon VA Appropriations bill also includes a mandate that requires the VA to provide fertility services, including in vitro fertilization, to veterans and their spouses if their infertility was a direct result of a service connected disability.\nIt also includes Tester-authored legislation to provide mileage reimbursement to catastrophically disable veterans seeking disabilities rehabilitation at VA facilities.\nIt also lays the groundwork for many of Tester's provisions included in the Veterans First Act to streamline the many VA community care programs into a single initiative.\nVeterans across Montana and the country are once again praising Tester's efforts:\n\"We want to thank Senator Tester for his leadership, and for crafting a bill that will strengthen the mission at Malmstrom. Constructing the Missile Maintenance Dispatch facility will ensure Malmstrom is prepared to receive a new fleet of helicopters and better protect this nation's ICMB fleet,\" said David Weissman, Chairman of the Montana Defense Alliance.\n\"MOAA is grateful this legislation would provide an increase of nearly $2 billion over the current year, with additional funding to address treatment of hepatitis C, long-term care for veterans, caregiver support, and reduction of the claims backlog,\" said Lt Gen Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret), President of the Military Officers Association of America.\n\"The Blinded Veterans Association thanks Senator Tester for his recognition of the value of rehabilitation services for catastrophically disabled veterans and his commitment to insuring that those who need such services the most have access to them. This legislation will make it possible for a greater number of the brave men and women who have served our country to have access to the rehabilitation and care they need to live full and independent lives again. It fills a vital need in a fiscally responsible manner by reducing the veterans' need for assisted living and nursing home care,\" said Al Avina, Executive Director of the Blinded Veterans Association.\nThe bill to fund the VA and avoid a government shutdown passed, 72-26.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4794", "Tester Announces $2.7 Million to Combat Violence Against Native American Women [press_release]", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester announced today that Montana tribes will receive $2.7 million in funding to help prevent and prosecute violence against women.  \"Violence of any kind is a blight on Montana communities,\" Tester said. \"But domestic and sexual violence is unacceptable and needs to be outright eliminated.  These additional resources will provide the tools tribal law enforcement needs to crack down on violence against women and provide survivors of abuse with the justice and support they deserve.\" The funding comes from the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office on Violence against Women's (OVW) Tribal Grant Program.  The breakdown of awards is as follows:Chippewa Cree Tribe - $839,451   The Chippewa Cree Tribe plans to improve upon and expand the scope of its current support services by hiring two new advocates who will provide direct support to victims of domestic, dating, or sexual violence on the Rocky Boy's Reservation.\n\"I am very, very happy to receive this award to help our domestic violence and sexual assault victims, their children and families,\" said Rose Saddler, Interim Director for the Office of Victims Services for the Chippewa Cree Tribe. \"This funding will give the Tribe much needed assistance to combat domestic violence and provide the healing that's moving us toward a violence-free community.\"   Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - $450,000   This funding will go toward providing advocacy, counseling, and support services for victims of domestic and sexual violence throughout Lake County and the Flathead Reservation. It will also be used to provide transitional housing support to victims while funding healthcare, employment, and education programs. Northern Cheyenne Tribe - $485,000   The Northern Cheyenne Tribe plans to use this award to hire a full-time attorney who will assist 35 sexual and domestic assault survivors a year.  The funding will also be used by The Survivor's Legal Project to hold at least four outreach or community education events each year. \"This award will allow the Tribe to continue to be effective as we expand our services to victims of domestic violence through our Healing Hearts Program,\" said Meredith McConnell, Healing Hearts Program Director for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.A fourth award comes from OVW's Technical Assistance Initiative, which provides state, local and tribal entities with the technical equipment and expertise they need to implement OVW projects.  National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC) - $500,000   This award will allow the NIWRC to continue serving as the comprehensive technical assistance provider to Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition Grant Program (TDVSAC) grantees. This includes providing training and technical assistance to these organizations, while also offering training and networking opportunities so grantees can develop advocacy and communications skills to ultimately broaden their reach.Earlier this year, Tester helped pass the 2017 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act out of Committee, which invests $481.5 million in the OVW. Tester also supported the 2013 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act which ensured continued funding for the Tribal Grants Program, while providing greater resources for Indian Country to combat domestic violence.Earlier this month, Tester secured even more money to help support survivors of domestic and sexual violence throughout Indian Country, including a $336,976 grant to the Montana Native Women's Coalition and $265,632 in OVW funding for the Fort Belknap Indian Community.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4790", "Tester Announces Barnstormin' Farm Bill Listening Tour [press_release]", "2016-09-27", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Jon Tester will be hosting three Barnstormin' Farm Bill Listening Sessions on variety of topics in Whitefish, Billings, and Missoula this month.\nTester, who still farms the land his grandparents homesteaded, wants to hear from Montanans about what they want to see in the next long-term Farm Bill which Congress will begin writing early next year.\n\"It's critically important that Montana has a say in the next Farm Bill,\" said Tester, a member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. \"These listening sessions will allow me to hear from folks who are directly impacted by the legislation so I can take their thoughts with me back to Washington where we'll draft a bill that will strengthen our state's number one industry.\"\nThe public is encouraged to attend these events, there will be opportunity for public comment at the end of each listening session.\nMonday, October 1712:30 - 3:00 p.m.Billings Public Library510 N. BroadwayBillings, MontanaThis event will focus on grains, pulses, and livestock.\nThursday, October 209:00 - 10:00 a.m.Glacier Hops Ranch700 KM Ranch RoadWhitefish, MontanaThis event will focus on specialty crops and value added agriculture.\nFriday, October 288:30 - 10:30 a.m.University of MontanaGallagher Business Building Room 106Missoula, MontanaThis event will focus on conservation and timber.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4792", "Tester Pushes to Eliminate Communication Dead Zones Along Northern Border [press_release]", "2016-09-27", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester is pushing to eliminate the communication \"dead zones\" that exist along the northern border.\nIn a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing today, Tester urged Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to fix the communication gaps that limit the ability of Border Patrol agents to communicate among themselves and with local law enforcement while patrolling the northern border.\n\"I have been told by the folks who work on the ground that there are gaps in communication along the northern border.  Are you aware of those gaps in communication and do they exist?\" Tester asked.\n\"It is something that I have heard about, and I know you have an interest in this, and I would not be surprised if there were gaps in communications that should not exist,\" Secretary Johnson replied.\nFederal law enforcement and, state and local first responders have previously raised concerns with Tester that the existing communication gaps create vulnerabilities for both the law enforcement officers patrolling the northern border and regional first responders.\n\"If we have dead zones on the northern border, this is a concern that is very basic and we need to get answers,\" Tester added.\nAdditionally, during the hearing Tester followed up with Secretary Johnson on the concerns he raised earlier this month regarding a new policy that will allow Mexican nationals to more easily enter Canada.\nIn his letter, Tester outlined a series of steps DHS should take in response to this new policy including identifying additional resources that will be needed to patrol remote areas of the northern border in Montana, pinpointing additional national security threats that will arise from an increase of travelers from Mexico, and tracking and enforcing security plans for Mexican travelers who overstay the six-months they are permitted to visit Canada.\nLast year, Tester brought Secretary Johnson's top deputy to Montana to see the challenges facing northern Border Patrol agents firsthand.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4788", "Tester Announces Funding to Protect Families Throughout Indian Country [press_release]", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Just weeks after securing over $2.8 million in funding for domestic abuse and sexual assault survivors throughout Montana, Senator Jon Tester announced today that the Montana Native Women's Coalition (MNWC) will receive $336,976 to continue their work to end sexual and domestic violence in native communities.\n\"By connecting public officials and community leaders from tribes across our state, the Montana Native Women's Coalition is doing crucial work to combat violence against women and children across Indian Country,\" said Tester. \"This funding will empower women, protect children, and strengthen families across Montana.\"\nThe funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. Specifically, its Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Grant Program, which allocates funds to recognized coalitions to increase awareness, help support survivors, and enhance tribal, state, and federal responses to violence against Native women.\nThe Tribal Coalitions Program is made possible by the 2013 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), which Tester helped pass through the Senate, allowing it to ultimately become law.  VAWA also provided greater resources for Indian Country to combat domestic violence.\n\"This award will allow MNWC to continue our work to address sexual and domestic violence in Montana's Indian Country,\" said MNWC Executive Director Toni Plummer-Alvernaz. \"Specifically, this funding will go toward specialized trainings for tribal advocates, law enforcement, courts and prosecutors, as well as a public awareness and education campaign, while also improving resources, services and support for native survivors of sexual and domestic violence.\"\nThe MNWC aims to foster coordination and collaboration between community leaders, government officials, and local survivor support programs from cities and tribes across the state in order to raise awareness, improve access to resources, and ultimately end domestic and sexual violence among Montana's native communities.\nMNWC includes participants from the Fort Peck, Fort Belknap, Rocky Boy's, Little Shell Chippewa, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, as well as the Blackfeet, Crow and Northern Cheyenne Nations.  The Coalition's service area also includes Billings, Missoula, Helena, and Great Falls.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4789", "Tester Pushes for Increased Competition and Lower Drug Costs [press_release]", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Pushes for Increased Competition and Lower Drug Costs \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Tester Cosponsors Legislation to Require Quicker Action on Generic Drug Applications \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate) -Senator Jon Tester is cosponsoring the Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act, which will require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to act more quickly on applications for high-need generic drugs.\nThis bipartisan legislation would direct the FDA to prioritize the review of generic drugs that have a shortage or only one manufacturer and allow for new and innovative policies that incentivize companies to participate in the generic market.\n\"The price gouging we are seeing across the country is unacceptable,\" Tester said.  \"This bill will help the FDA cut through red tape and approve more generic drugs faster to increase competition in the marketplace.\"\nThe FDA currently has a backlog of 4,036 generic drug applications awaiting approval.  As it stands, the average time it takes the FDA to approve a generic drug is 47 months.\nAs part of his continued efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Montana consumers, Tester grilled FDA officials about their process for generic approval in a hearing last week.  Earlier this month, he introduced legislation holding pharmaceutical middlemen accountable and sent a letter chastising the company responsible for EpiPen price hikes.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4783", "Tester Statement on China's Decision to Lift Import Ban on U.S. Beef [press_release]", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on China's Decision to Lift Import Ban on U.S. Beef \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester issued the following statement on China's decision to lift their import ban on U.S. beef:\n\"I am pleased to see China will finally lift its ban on most U.S. beef imports.  This decision can open new markets for Montana's hardworking cattlemen and women, but it's critical that the Chinese back up this announcement with quick results.  We all know Montana ranchers raise the best beef in the world, and I'll keep pushing to make sure that folks in China will be able to toss a Montana T-Bone on the grill.\"\nSenator Tester has been calling on China to lift the ban since 2007, and in 2011 Tester urged Secretary Vilsack and the United States Trade Representative to work with China to lift the ban on American beef.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4784", "Tester, Daines Fight for Montana Counties on Capitol Hill [press_release]", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are calling on Congress to support Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) which are critical to helping Montana counties balance their budgets. If Congress doesn't act before the end of the year, PILT payments will run dry. PILT supported 55 Montana counties last year to the tune of $30 million.Additionally, SRS expired September 30, 2015 and counties have been waiting for nearly a year for Congress to reauthorize this critical initiative.  SRS provided $18 million to more than half of Montana's counties last year.   In letters to the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, Tester and Daines ask leadership to ensure PILT and SRS are reauthorized and funded before the end of the year. \"PILT and SRS aren't just acronyms. These initiatives support our local schools, roads, and law enforcement,\" said Tester. \"It's time that Congress step up and give counties the certainty they need to budget and plan for the future.\"\n\"Montana's rural counties are vital for the economic prospects of our state,\" Daines stated. \"These payments are essential for the health and safety of Montana's rural counties. Both PILT and SRS provide critical support for Montana's rural and forested counties, but long-term certainty and permanent solutions are still needed.\"The Senators' letter supporting PILT can be read HERE, and the Senators' letter supporting SRS can be read HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4786", "Tester Demands Justice Department Reject Monsanto-Bayer Merger [press_release]", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Big Sandy, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester is demanding the U.S. Justice Department reject the proposed $66 billion merger of agribusiness giants Monsanto and Bayer.\nIn a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Tester slammed the proposed merger that will further consolidate the input market for family farmers to purchase seeds and pesticides.  Tester said the merger will undermine competition, lead to higher prices for consumers at the grocery store, and reduce the research and innovation family farmers need to increase their yield.\n\"If corporate agribusiness is allowed to increase control over family farms by consolidating control of the inputs, consumers will also suffer,\" Tester said.  \"The significant pricing power that would result from this merger would drive up costs throughout the food production process, increase prices for consumers on the grocery shelf, reduce competition and undermine rural America.\"\nThe proposed merger was announced last week and is subject to approval from the Justice Department, Committee for Foreign Investment in the United States, and foreign antitrust agencies.\nAccording to ETC Group, if approved, the new corporation will control nearly 30 percent of the world's seeds and nearly 25 percent of its pesticides.\nThis is the third major agriculture business acquisition currently pending approval along with the proposed $130 billion merger of Dow and DuPont and the $43 billion purchase of Syngenta by a state-owned Chinese chemical company.\nIf all three mergers are approved, three corporations will control 62 percent of the world's seeds and pesticides.\nFrom 2010-2014 the overall population of rural America declined for the first time ever.  In his letter, Tester emphasized that a major reason for this trend is the rapid consolidation of the agriculture input industry.\nTester's letter to Attorney General Lynch is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4782", "Tester Announces Funding to Help Protect Survivors of Domestic Abuse [press_release]", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Just weeks after announcing more than $2.8 million in funding for domestic abuse and sexual assault survivors across the state, Senator Jon Tester announced today that the Miles City's Custer Network Against Domestic Abuse (CNADA) will receive $318,553 to support their transitional housing program.\n\"In the aftermath of traumatic events, survivors should not have to worry about where they will sleep at night,\" said Tester. \"This funding will help provide families with a safe place to heal and recover.\"\nThe funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women and is specifically allocated to help victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and their families find temporary, transitional, and eventually permanent housing.\nThe DOJ's Transitional Housing Grant Assistance Program is made possible by the 2012 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which Tester help get passed and ultimately signed into law. Tester also helped pass legislation that invests $481.5 million in the DOJ's Office on Violence Against Women earlier this year.\n\"I can't tell you how thrilled we are to receive this grant again,\" said Caroline Fleming, Executive Director of CNADA. \"One thing that's really difficult for these folks to come by is funding for housing, so this is an incredibly valuable help and a huge step towards self-sufficiency.\"\nCNADA is a nonprofit organization that serves the residents of Custer, Garfield, Powder River, Rosebud, and Treasure counties. They plan to partner with the Northern Cheyenne Healing Hearts Domestic Violence Program, the Office of Public Assistance, and the Homeless Task Force to provide 25 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault with transitional housing for both themselves and their families.\nAs part of the $2.8 million in funding last month-also awarded by the DOJ's Office on Violence Against Women-CNADA received $193,097 to help provide crisis response services, support groups, and professional trainings for law enforcement, health care providers and other groups who work with domestic and sexual assault survivors.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4787", "Bill to Name Peak After Alex Diekmann Receives Legislative Hearing [press_release]", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. CONGRESS - U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today hailed the first step in the legislative process to honor the life of renowned Montana conservationist, Alex Diekmann by naming an unnamed peak in his memory.The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today held a legislative hearing to name an unnamed 9,765-foot peak as \"Alex Diekmann Peak\". The legislation now awaits further action in the Committee.\n\"Today is one more step toward ensuring the life and legacy of Alex Diekmann is always remembered,\" Tester said. \"He was a true conservationist whose impact can be felt across the state, and I can't think of a more fitting way to honor his contribution to Montana than renaming this wild peak.\"\n\"In the West land projects are not easy tasks-it takes special people to really balance the needs of local landowners-ranchers and foresters-local cities and towns-county commissions, federal and state interests, as well as allowing all these stakeholders to come together to benefit each other, the community, and our iconic wildlife in Montana,\" Daines stated during today's hearing. \"Alex Diekmann had that talent-that's why this bill is supported from Montanans from all walks of life.\"\n\"I'm encouraged by the Senate's quick action to honor Alex's legacy,\" Rep. Zinke stated. \"My staff and I have met with Chairman Bishop and the Natural Resources Committee staff on a number of occasions to expedite this on the House side and we're hopeful for a hearing soon.\"In Bozeman, Diekmann worked as a senior project manager for the Trust for Public Land. He worked for 16 years to protect the Madison and Greater Yellowstone Area, which include the Taylor Fork in the Gallatin Canyon, Three Dollar Bridge, Chestnut Mountain and Frog Rock, and the restoration of O'Dell Creek in the Madison Valley.On September 8, 2016 the Montana Congressional Delegation formally requested the legislative hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the bill was introduced on July 13, 2016.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4779", "Tester and Daines Introduce Legislation to Increase Access to Care for Western Montana Veterans [press_release]", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines introduced legislation today to allow the VA to move forward with expanding its planned outpatient clinic in Missoula.\nThe Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act will authorize the VA to move forward with leasing space in Missoula to expand the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) by 24 percent.  That expansion will allow the VA to see more patients, provide more privacy to veterans seeking care, and better ensure doctors, nurses and medical personnel have the space they need to effectively do their jobs.\"When I visited the Missoula CBOC with Secretary McDonald, I showed him the crowded facility where patients aren't afforded the privacy they need, and doctors aren't able to see as many veterans as they could.  It remains totally unacceptable today,\" Tester said, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.  \"This bill will help increase access to quality and timely health care for more Montana veterans.\"\n\"It's outrageous that Missoula area veterans are not able to receive the care that they need and deserve right in their own backyard,\" Daines stated. \"Our veterans deserve the upmost care and respect and I will continue working to make sure all Montana veterans have access to quality healthcare services.\"\nThe Missoula outpatient facility has been waiting for over a year for Congressional approval of their lease. The approval of this lease will allow the VA to rent additional space and move forward with a larger clinic that can serve more veterans. The bipartisan Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act will authorize leases for 24 VA medical facilities in 15 states.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4780", "Testers Bill to Create Jobs and Launch Businesses Clears Senate Indian Affairs Committee With Bipartisan Support [press_release]", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-The Senate Indian Affairs Committee today passed Senator Jon Tester's bill that will help create jobs and launch businesses in Indian Country.\nTester's bill, the Native American Business Incubators Program Act, will create a competitive grant initiative to establish and fund business incubators in Indian Country to help start-up and cultivate Native American-owned small businesses.\n\"Native entrepreneurs shouldn't have to leave their communities so they can get the training they need to start a business,\" Tester said.  \"Tribal business incubators can provide aspiring Native American entrepreneurs with the specific resources they need to navigate the unique challenges in Indian Country.  I believe this bill will empower tribal entities to build the kind of business landscape in their community that will allow economic development to thrive.\"\nTribal business incubators will create a space for Native American businesses to receive assistance in developing a business plan, navigating federal, tribal, and state regulations, and attracting outside investment. The incubators will also provide entrepreneurs a connected workspace and professional networking opportunities.\nTester's bill would authorize $5 million annually to fund this economic development initiative.\nTribes, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and non-profit organizations are eligible to operate a business incubator.  Tester is additionally pushing legislation forward that will increase construction and expand the capabilities of Tribal Colleges and Universities.\nTo be considered for a grant, the applicant must:\n \nServe one or more tribal communities.\u00a0\nSubmit a three-year plan.\u00a0\nProvide a physical workspace.\nOffer business skills training and education.\n \n\u00a0\nThe Native American Business Incubators Program Act will also provide oversight to business incubators and ensure they are delivering on their commitment to Native American entrepreneurs.\nThe Native American Business Incubators Program Act passed on a bipartisan vote.  The bill is cosponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4781", "Tester Continues Fight to Lower Prescription Drug Costs [press_release]", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) -Senator Jon Tester today questioned Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials about the recent price gouging by pharmaceutical companies despite a robust generic market for commonly-used drugs like insulin.\nIn an Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Tester stated it was incredibly important for families to have access to generic drugs, which have saved the United States' health system over $1.5 trillion in the last ten years.  Additionally, Tester will be submitting questions to the FDA about the length of time it takes the FDA to approve generic drugs for sale on the marketplace.\n\"I am hearing it from friends, family, and folks across Montana: it is harder and harder for working folks to afford their medications. Patients are emptying their pockets for drugs that used to be affordable, and for many people life-saving cures are basically out of reach,\" Tester said following the hearing.  \"That's not what this country stands for.  No one should ever have to find themselves in a situation where their health is jeopardized because of their income.\"\nTester asked regulators about what Congress can do to crack down on pharmaceutical companies who manipulate the generic market to increase profits.\nAs a member of the Appropriations Committee, Tester will continue to look for ways to help the FDA tackle the generic drug application backlog.\nIn his continued efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, Tester introduced legislation holding pharmaceutical middlemen accountable and sent a letter chastising the company responsible for EpiPen price hikes.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4776", "Tester Delivers for Montana Veterans [press_release]", "2016-09-20", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - The Senate passed three of Senator Jon Tester's provisions today that will help Montana veterans access health care and housing.  \"Our veterans put their lives on the line and they deserve to be honored when they come home,\" Tester said.  \"These bills will provide valuable services to veterans and I was happy to see the Senate reauthorize them.  Now if only Senate leadership would get off their hands and allow a vote on the Veterans First Act we could really get to work on getting our veterans the care they earned.\"The Senate voted 89-0 to reauthorize the following Tester sponsored initiatives:Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program - Provides support to state and local groups that assist homeless veterans looking for employment.Rural Veterans Travel Program - Authorizes the VA to provide transportation to and from VA medical facilities for veterans. In addition to those two initiatives the Senate also reauthorized a grant program initially created by Tester in 2010 that would provide help to groups such as the Disabled American Veterans, who provide critical transportation services to veterans through volunteer drivers. These provisions are particularly important for veterans in rural states like Montana where the nearest facility could be hundreds of miles away.The legislation now heads to the President's desk for signature.Tester's bipartisan, comprehensive VA reform bill,\u00a0the Veterans First Act, has yet to receive a vote because Republicans are blocking a vote on the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4777", "Tester Grills Wells Fargo CEO, Slams Deceiving Banking Practices that Hurt Montana Families [press_release]", "2016-09-20", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)\u2014Senator Jon Tester today grilled the Chairman and CEO of Wells Fargo after the company illegally opened over two million deposit and credit card accounts without customers' knowledge or consent.\nDuring a Senate Banking Committee hearing, Tester called out Chairman and CEO John Stumpf for jeopardizing the finances of thousands of Americans.  Tester specifically asked Stumpf how Wells Fargo will ease the burden they have placed on families who have been forced to pay higher interest rates on loans as a result of negative information that was reported to credit bureaus due to these fraudulent actions.\n\"If information was sent into credit bureaus because of these falsely opened accounts, the impacts of this are far more than the fees or the fines that are associated with these actions,\" Tester said. \"The truth is there are real world implications on young and old families that are going to be put in a poverty situations because of these actions.\"\nStumpf was unable to provide Tester with a specific answer about how Wells Fargo would rectify the damaged credit reports.\nTester also probed Stumpf on the immediate impact on Wells Fargo customers who incurred annual fees, maintenance fees, interest charges, and overdraft charges as a result of his company's illegal actions.\nSince 2011, Wells Fargo has fired nearly 5,300 employees who profited from:\n \nIllegally opening over 2 million deposit and credit card accounts.\nTransferring funds from customers' authorized deposit accounts to 1.5 million unauthorized accounts.\nApplying for 565,000 credit card accounts that were not authorized by customers, but still incurred annual fees and interest charges.\nIssuing and activating debit cards without consumers' knowledge that included PIN numbers.\nCreating fake email addresses to enroll consumers in online-banking services.\n \n\"5,300 people are more people than live in most towns in Montana,\" Tester added.  \"Two million is twice the population of the entire state.  This is a major screw up that went on for far, far, far too long.\"\nWells Fargo has announced it will pay full restitution to all victims who had unauthorized accounts opened in their name.  But it remains unclear what will happen to customers who have been forced to pay higher interest rates on loans due to the negative information that was reported to credit bureaus as a result of the illegal actions of Wells Fargo.\nEarlier this month the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and Los Angeles City Attorney fined Wells Fargo $185 million for their illegal actions that took place between 2011 and 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4778", "Tester Statement on the Passing of Mike Fellows [press_release]", "2016-09-20", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on the Passing of Mike Fellows \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester issued the following statement regarding the tragic death of Mike Fellows:\"Sharla and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the entire Fellows family.  Mike was a good man, a determined public servant, and a strong advocate for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and our Second Amendment rights. Montana will miss his contributions to our democracy and our way of life.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4771", "Montana Congressional Delegation Announces $2 Million for Whitefish Lake Watershed Project [press_release]", "2016-09-19", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. CONGRESS - U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today announced $2 million in funding for the Whitefish Lake Watershed Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Project.  The funding is made available through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).\n\"I am thrilled that Montana's Congressional delegation was able to come together and secure these funds for the Whitefish Lake Watershed Project,\" Tester said. \"Folks come from around the world to see the beauty of Whitefish Lake and thanks to LWCF and the Whitefish Lake Watershed Project this land will be preserved for future generations of sportsmen and women.\"\n\"It's great news that we were able to secure additional funds to help protect Montana's natural resources and preserve it for future generations,\" Daines stated. \"The Whitefish Lake Watershed Project is another example of the critical role LWCF in conservation and recreation in our local communities.\"\"This grant is proof of what's possible when our delegation works together,\" said Zinke. \"Growing up in Whitefish, I developed a special appreciation for both our land and water and the timber industry and how the two can complement each other. I'm happy to see this project succeed and will continue to be a fighter for the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Congress.\"\n\"Thank you to Senator Tester, Senator Daines, and Congressman Zinke for their continued support of conservation efforts in Montana. This $2 million grant will help further the large scale, partnership-based conservation efforts being undertaken by the Montana Department of Natural Resources. The grant will help support Montana's incredible natural heritage for future generations and contribute to conservation of Canada lynx, bull trout, grizzly bears and other federally-listed species.\" said Noreen Walsh, Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  This conservation easement on this Weyerhauser property will greatly complement conservation efforts for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Habitat Conservation Plan and efforts by the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program supported by the delegation. It will help protect habitat of iconic wildlife species while ensuring the property remains in timber production and provides public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and other ways of outdoor recreation, all critical to the local economy.  On May 20, 2016 the delegation urged the FWS to prioritize the Whitefish Lake Watershed Project.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4772", "Tester Announces $3.68 Million For Suicide Prevention Program on Fort Peck Reservation [press_release]", "2016-09-19", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - As he fights to pass his new Mental Health Reform Act, Senator Jon Tester announced today that the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes will receive $3.68 million to fund their successful suicide prevention project targeted at helping young tribal members, ages 10-24, living on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. \"The Sister Nations Empowerment Project has a proven track record of saving lives on Fort Peck,\" Tester said. \"Providing quality mental health care is just as important as providing physical care and Sister Nations is essential to making sure the next generation can successfully navigate psychological obstacles and ultimately thrive.\" The Sister Nations Empowerment Project (SNEP) was originally established to generate a baseline understanding of suicidal behavior in response to a 2010 suicide cluster on the reservation.  From 2011-2014, the project-a collaboration between the University of Montana's National Native Children's Trauma Center (NNCTC) and the tribes-collected data and identified trends regarding suicidal behavior on the reservation and used this information to inform hospital scheduling and protocols, conduct community trainings, and help at-risk individuals.  \"We are eager to begin working in partnership with the Fort Peck Tribes to continue building from the successes of the previous grant,\" said Maegan Rides At the Door, the MA (Nakota/Dakota/Absentee Shawnee) Director of the National Native Children's Trauma Center Institute. \"This grant will provide the opportunity to expand partnerships within the community and focus cross collaboration efforts to address suicide. A key feature of this project is to obtain input from youth, elders, and other community members on an ongoing basis.\"\n\"We embrace our partnership with the University of Montana in bringing suicide into the light.  It is liberating to openly design our efforts to save lives for there is nothing more tragic then to lose a loved one to suicide and then have to grieve a lifetime in silence,\" said HHS Committee Chairman Dana Buckles and Fort Peck Tribal Councilwoman Roxanne Gourneau.\n\"I thought suicide was a personal choice and unpreventable.  I now realize that suicide can be prevented, by simply talking about it and making a safe plan. The SAMSHA/GLS grant allows us do this and more,\" said Dale Decoteau, Suicide Prevention Coordinator for Fort Peck Tribes.\nThe new funding-which comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Grant Program-will utilize this data to accomplish four primary goals:\n \nIncreasing the number of community members who are trained to identify and help support suicidal behavior and at-risk youth.\nExpand the mental health screening, treatment and follow-up services available through the reservation's health care system.\u00a0\nPromote cross-over collaboration between the Fort Peck community and project stakeholders to increase community input and participation.\nEnhance public awareness of suicidal risks and behaviors, particularly among the reservation's youth population.\u00a0\n \nAs Vice Chairman of the Senate's Indian Affairs Committee, Tester has fought to increase mental health services and support throughout Indian Country. In fact, his new Mental Health Reform Act would reauthorize funding for the Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Act Program, a program he also pushed to reauthorize in both 2012 and 2013.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4774", "Tester Statement on Weekend Terror Attacks [press_release]", "2016-09-19", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Weekend Terror Attacks \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, issued the following statement today following the terror attacks over the weekend:\n\"I stand with all Montanans in thanking the brave law enforcement officers and first responders who did an excellent job answering the call of duty.  These events are a reminder that there are people in this world who wish to do us harm, and we must stay vigilant and work together to fight back against them and bolster our national security.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4775", "Tester Helps Secure Over $850,000 for Community Health Centers Across Montana [press_release]", "2016-09-19", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester announced today that 17 local community health centers will receive $864,468 from the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Community Health Center (CHC) fund.\"The future of rural health depends on the quality of our community health centers,\" Tester said. \"These centers are the first and sometimes only source of care many rural families have access to, so supporting these centers is critical to keeping these communities healthy.\"\nThe funding for these grants comes through the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Health Center Cluster grant program, which is one of many programs that distributes ACA funding to community health centers across the country.\nThe specific allocation of awards is as follows:\n \nBillings: Riverstone Health - $70,807\nBillings: Montana Migrant Council, Inc. - $46,504\u00a0\nButte: Southwest Montana Community Health Center - $61,067\nChinook: Sweet Medical Center, Inc. - $42,246\nCut Bank: Glacier Community Health Center, Inc. - $44,146\nGreat Falls: Cascade City-County Health Department - $46,914\nHamilton: Sapphire Community Health, Inc. - $40,397\nHardin: Bighorn Valley Health Center - $43,114\nHavre: Bullhook Community Health Center, Inc. - $47,349\nHelena: County of Lewis & Clark - $50,680\nKalispell: Flathead City - County Health Department - $56,147\nLewistown: Central Montana Community Health Center, Inc. - $43,500\u00a0\nLibby: Northwest Community Health Center - $50,833\nLivingston: Community Health Partners, Inc. - $64,407\nMiles City: Custer County Community Health Center, Inc. - $42,030\nMissoula: Partnership Health Center - $67,509\nShelby: Marias Healthcare Services, Inc. - $46,818\n \nAfter holding his inaugural Rural Health Summit back in May, Tester has worked to improve rural health services and support community health centers across the state. In June, he announced over $1 million in funding for community health centers in Billings, Libby and Hardin.\nThese 17 community health centers also received more than $1 million from the ACA's Community Health Center Fund earlier this month.\nTester has fought hard to strengthen the ACA, condemning partisan attacks on the program and introducing bills to help ease the program's financial burden on small businesses. He also voted for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015, which reauthorized the HRSA's Health Center Cluster grant program, originally established by the ACA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4769", "Tester \"Mooooves\" Livestock Auctions into the 21st Century [press_release]", "2016-09-16", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) -Senator Jon Tester introduced bipartisan legislation to beef up support for Montana ranchers and steer antiquated livestock auction laws into the modern era.\nAfter branding the current law as outdated, Tester's BARN CARD (Bringing Auctions & Ranchers New Credit And Reliable Debit) Technology Act updates the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, which governs how producers buy and sell livestock, to reflect the use of modern technology.\n\"Plain and simple, the old laws on the books are all hat and no cattle.  Every year when I buy my steer and hog to feed my family, I think about the folks who are buying and selling 1,000 head.  These hardworking producers deserve a sensible process that keeps up with their changing industry,\" said Tester.  \"This is a common-sense bill that will strengthen Montana's livestock industry and ensure it continues trucking into the future.\"\nTester's BARN CARD Act will explicitly allow folks to purchase livestock using debit and credit cards. Current law only refers to two forms of payment: checks and wire transfers.\nAdditionally, the bill clarifies that folks that use online and video livestock auctions are granted the same legal protections as folks that use physical auction locations.\nTester is an avid supporter of Montana's livestock industry, recently he called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase transparency and address safety concerns with the importation of Brazilian beef.\nThese changes to the Packers and Stockyards Act are supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Sheep Industry Association, Livestock Marketing Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Livestock Producers Association, and United States Cattlemen's Association.\nTester's BARN CARD Act is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4765", "Tester Statement on Monsanto-Bayer Merger [press_release]", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on Monsanto-Bayer Merger \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester, the Senate's only working farmer, issued the following statement today after the announcement of Bayer's $66 billion acquisition of the seed and pesticide company Monsanto:\"Corporate consolidation in the agriculture market is the single greatest threat to family farmers and our rural way of life.  This latest proposed mega-merger stands as a high water mark for agribusiness in its quest to dominate the seed market, and family farms will pay the price.  As a Senator and a farmer, I'm calling on the Justice Department to reject this merger because it will reduce competition, suppress innovation, and threaten the very fabric of rural America.\"  Tester has a long history fighting against consolidation and corporate favoritism in agriculture.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4766", "Tester, Daines Push Senate to Authorize Historic Blackfeet Water Compact [press_release]", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today pushed the authorization of the Blackfeet Water Compact through the U.S. Senate.As members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Tester and Daines worked together to include authorization for the Blackfeet Water Compact in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the Senate 95-3.The Blackfeet Water Compact will resolve all claims to water rights on the Blackfeet Reservation and ensure access to reliable and clean water for the communities within the Reservation, as well as farms, ranches, and businesses in the surrounding area.\"Today marks a major milestone for the Blackfeet Tribe,\" Tester said.  \"I will continue to work with folks to find the funding that is needed to get this compact across the finish line and ensure that families, communities, and farms and ranches on the Blackfeet Reservation have reliable access to clean water.\"  \"This is a good day for Montana and the Blackfeet Nation. This long-overdue agreement will not only establish the tribe's water rights, but will also facilitate real, tangible benefits for the Blackfeet and surrounding communities,\" Daines stated. \"The bill will improve several federal water structures that are some the oldest and most-in-need of-repair in the country and help irrigate some of our most productive farmland in our state. It's great to see strong momentum for this important bill and I will continue to work to see it through to the finish line.\"Blackfeet Chairman Harry Barnes praised the passage of the compact.\"As Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribe, I am thrilled to see this water compact has moved another step in the process.  We are appreciative of Senators Tester and Daines for their effort on our behalf during this very long and arduous process,\" said Barnes.  \"The Blackfeet Tribe is excited about today's news, and while we still have some work to do, this is a very important step toward securing and protecting our water rights.\" In order for the Blackfeet Water Compact to be fully enacted, the House of Representatives must authorize it before the end of the year.  Tester and Daines will continue to work as members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure the funding needed to carry out the projects included in the compact.Negotiations between the Blackfeet Tribe, local communities, and the state and federal governments began over 30 years ago to establish water rights in and around the Blackfeet Reservation. A formal agreement was passed by the Montana Legislature in 2009 but needs Congressional approval.The Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act will:\n \nEstablish the Tribe's water rights in all six drainages within the reservation.\nRehabilitate the aging Four Horns Dam and Blackfeet Irrigation Project.\nGive the Blackfeet Tribe the ability to use, lease, contract, or exchange water on tribal land.\nProtect the rights of non-Indian water users and members of the Fort Belknap Indian Community.\nDevelop Reservation water resources and promote economic development.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4767", "Tester Fights to Hold Pharmaceutical Middlemen Accountable [press_release]", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent pharmaceutical \"middlemen\" from charging unjustified fees on small pharmacies that serve seniors.\nSenators Tester's legislation, the Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Drug Spending Act, would prohibit Medicare Part D pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) from retroactively charging pharmacies for their services.\n\"I hear it more and more during my travels across Montana, the market for prescription drugs is broken and we need to act to hold drug companies and middlemen accountable,\" Senator Tester said.  \"This bipartisan legislation will help ensure excessive profits aren't being extracted at the expense of the community and rural pharmacies that serve America's seniors.\"\nUnder the current system, a pharmacist who serves a senior on Medicare Part D works through a PBM to collect payment from the senior's insurance company.  The PBM then takes a certain percentage of the insurance payment for their service.  But recently, PBMs have been collecting their fee on the front end and then coming back weeks or months later and charging the pharmacy even more.\nThis legislation would help community pharmacies better serve seniors and combat the growing financial uncertainty in the health care market place.\nThe Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Drug Spending Act would prohibit the imposition of such fees for accurate claims. This would allow pharmacists to continue to serve Medicare beneficiaries and provide needed financial certainty for these often small businesses.\nThe bill is also sponsored by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4768", "Tester Helps Push Key Water Infrastructure Legislation Through the Senate [press_release]", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today helped push key water infrastructure legislation through the Senate.The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes critical water infrastructure initiatives that will update drinking and wastewater systems, as well as upgrade flood control infrastructure, and invest in stream and river restoration through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program. \"If you don't have access to clean water and modern infrastructure, you can't have a strong economy,\" Tester said.  \"Today we took an important step forward to help rural communities replace aging drinking water systems, reduce flood risks, and protect our world-class streams.  Upgrading our ports and waterways will also help get Montana's ag products to markets and put people to work.  Now it is time for the House to pass a robust bill that will ensure these important resources are delivered to folks across Montana.\"Included in WRDA is the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act, which authorizes the Blackfeet Water Compact and resolves all claims to water rights on the Blackfeet Reservation. WRDA includes a series of provisions that will address the water infrastructure needs of Montana communities.  The bill will:  \n \nIncrease resources available to rural communities to upgrade safe drinking water infrastructure.\nEstablish new grants for communities to reduce and remove lead in drinking water.\nRequire that any infrastructure projects funded by WRDA use iron and steel that is made in America.\nEstablish direct funding to fix the contaminated water in Flint, Michigan.\nAuthorize 29 infrastructure projects to address flood control, improve ports and waterways, and restore ecosystems across the country.\nEnsure watercraft inspection stations can be located outside of the Columbia River Basin to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species in Montana's lakes and streams.\nImprove snowpack and drought monitoring in the Upper Missouri River Basin-including Montana.\nEstablish a pilot program for innovative measures for preventing and mitigating flood damages associated with ice jams, with a priority on projects in Upper Missouri River basin states like Montana\u00a0\nAuthorize the Columbia River Basin Restoration program to support water quality, habitat and other restoration activities in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon\nAllow for partnerships in order to direct additional funds toward management of Corps of Engineers recreation sites\u00a0\n \nWRDA also includes a provision Tester co-authored to provide local governments with information on cost-saving water system options like community well systems.The Senate passed WRDA 95 to 3.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4762", "Tester Unveils Bipartisan Legislation to Consolidate and Streamline VA Disability Appeals Process [press_release]", "2016-09-14", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today stood with veterans, advocates, and Democratic and Republican colleagues to unveil legislation that will consolidate and streamline the VA's disability appeals process.\nTester's bill, the VA Appeals Modernization Act, will replace the VA's current chaotic disability appeals process with three specific and separate lanes for veterans to appeal their disability claim.  Each lane is organized to most efficiently answer the concerns of disabled veterans and also establishes deadline goals for how quickly the VA can issue a final decision on the disability rating of the appealing veteran.\n\"Veterans are waiting in limbo too long for the benefits that they earned,\" said Tester, Montana's only member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.  \"This bipartisan bill was built through collaboration and gives veterans different options to best fit their needs.  I am confident this reform will streamline the disability appeals process, protect veterans' due process, and save taxpayers money.\"\nAccording to the VA, over the past three years, the number of veterans appealing their VA disability rating has risen by more than 30 percent.\nCurrently, every veteran must go through the same appeal process and whenever new evidence is filed in support of a veteran's appeal, it effectively hits reset on that appeal and delays the process, often by years.\nTester's bill allows veterans to choose between three specific lanes when appealing their VA disability rating.  A veteran must choose a lane within one year of their initial claim decision.  Every veteran has the opportunity to enter any lane at any time, but to avoid duplication a claim can only be heard in one lane at a time. Below is a summary of each lane:\nLocal Higher Level Review Lane  This lane will provide veterans with the option to appeal their initial disability rating without submitting new evidence in support of their claim.  This lane is designed to issue quick decisions based on the difference of opinion from a new local adjudicator.  If the VA still denies the veteran's claim, the veteran will have one year to either produce new evidence or appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals.\nThe New Evidence Lane  This lane will allow veterans to resubmit their appeal with new evidence that was not included in the original claim.  The VA must issue a decision within 125 days of receiving the claim and if the VA still denies the veteran's claim, the veteran will have one year to either submit additional evidence again or appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals.\nThe Board Review Lane  This lane will allow veterans to appeal directly to the Board of Veterans Appeals and bypass the time-consuming layers that currently exists in the VA's disability claim appeals process.  In this lane the veteran can either choose to expedite their claim with no new evidence and no board hearing, or they can choose to request a board hearing and submit new evidence in support of their claim.  If the Board of Veterans Appeals denies this claim the veteran will have 120 days to appeal the decision in the Court of Veterans Claims.\nOver 450,000 veterans currently have appeals pending with the VA, and 80,000 of those appeals are more than five years old.\nTester's bill is supported by the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.\n\"In the five years since I filed my original claim and the four years since I appealed the VA's decision, I have spent hundreds of dollars out of my own pocket jumping through the VA hoops in the appeal process,\" said Miles City Veteran Larry Dann.  \"We need Senator Tester's bill to pass so no more veterans have to wait as long as I have been waiting.\"\n\"Modernizing VA's archaic appeals process is of the utmost priority. Over the past year, The American Legion has engaged in discussions with VA leadership, VSO's, and private attorneys to improve the claims and appeals process,\" said The American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt. \"We expect both parties to work together responsibly to pass legislation which includes a simple and fair appeals process that provides veterans and their families their earned benefits in a timely manner.\"\nThe Congressional Budget Office has reported that the VA Appeals Modernization Act is budget neutral and will not cost taxpayers any additional money.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4763", "Tester Calls on Congress to Do Their Job [press_release]", "2016-09-14", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester took to the Senate floor today to call out his colleagues for their partisan politics and refusal to do their job.\nWith the Senate set to recess next week for the election without addressing many of the problems facing the country, Tester laid out potential solutions.  Tester called on his colleagues to address the Zika crisis, pass his bipartisan Veterans First Act, and hold a hearing on a Supreme Court nominee.\nTester called on his colleagues to do their jobs.\n\"In my lifetime, we've never worked less days in the United States Senate than we have this year.   It's unbelievable,\" Tester said.  \"We're leaving Americans hung out to dry.  We're leaving without doing our job.  We're leaving because of the next election, and this is criminal.\"\nHe laid out a laundry list of problems and legislative solutions that sit before the Senate including passing long term appropriations legislation, campaign finance reform, and bills to strengthen schools, health care, and our national security.\n\"Does a hardworking nurse wait until after election day to insert the IV?  No, they go to work,\" Tester said.  \"I know firsthand, a farmer would not wait for the polls to close to harvest their crop.  The American people have to do their job day in and day out, no matter what.  They expect the same from the people they elect to this body.\"\nTester expressed his frustration on the floor and called on his colleagues to do better.\nThe Senate has been in session for the least amount of time in 60 years.  A calendar of the Senate session can be found HERE.\nYou can view Tester's entire speech HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4764", "Tester Announces Over $600,000 for Drug Treatment Programs in Havre and Billings [press_release]", "2016-09-14", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today announced over $600,000 in federal funding for two local drug courts in Havre and Billings.\n\"Our criminal justice system shouldn't just punish crime, it should help prevent it,\" Tester said. \"A big way to do that is by rehabilitating offenders, giving them the resources and support they need to become contributing members of society, and that's what these drug courts do.\"\nAs a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester supports these grants that come from the U.S. Department of Justice's Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program, which provides financial and logistical support to local, state, and tribal entities in order to establish or enhance drug court services in their respective jurisdictions. These drug courts are intended to be rehabilitative alternatives to ordinary legal proceedings.\nThe breakdown of grants is as follows:   \n \nHill County - $300,000\nCity of Billings - $349,253\n \nThese two communities will use their awards to, among other things, expand drug court services to unreached populations, enhance existing programs and processes, and provide benefits like mental healthcare, job training programs, child care, and housing placement assistance to program participants.    \"We could not afford to run this really beneficial program using just county revenue,\" said Michael Wendland, Chairman and County Commissioner of Hill County. \"So this funding allows us to keep providing this service to our residents.\"\n\"We're excited for this new funding opportunity from the Department of Justice,\" said Judge Sheila Kolar of the Billings Municipal Court. \"This grant will implement a co-occurring treatment court, which will focus on individuals with both mental health and addiction issues.  This is the first co-occurring treatment court in the Billings area.\"\nTester has been a consistent supporter of drug court and rehabilitation programs during his tenure in the Senate, having visited a number of these programs-like the Veterans Treatment Court in Cascade County. \nHe has introduced the Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts Act, which would establish and fund similar kinds of treatment programs in Indian Country. In July, Tester voted to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which provides funding and support to combat drug abuse and opioid addiction across the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4761", "Days After Latest North Korean Nuclear Test, Tester and Daines Fight to Include ICBM Modernization in Annual Defense Legislation [press_release]", "2016-09-13", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)- Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today pushed to strengthen Malmstrom's ICBM fleet and ensure our nuclear weapons remain a critical deterrent and component of our national security. Just days after North Korea successfully launched another nuclear test, Tester and Daines are calling upon both House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership to include important ICBM modernization provisions in the final conference committee agreement on the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.\"We must make it clear that the United States will not tolerate any threats from North Korea or any of our other adversaries,\" Tester said.  \"As these adversaries seek greater nuclear capabilities, it is critical that we continue moving forward on our efforts to modernize our nuclear arsenal and ensure it is an effective deterrent that can keep us safe for decades to come.  Doing so will give our service members the resources and technology they need to effectively carry out their mission, and provide Americans with a renewed sense of security.\"\"The Airmen at Malmstrom bear the great weight of standing ready with the world's most powerful weapons, employing them every day as a vital component of our nation's nuclear deterrent force,\" Daines stated. \"Ensuring the modernization of our nuclear weapons is critical to our domestic safety and geopolitical strength. We must stand ready for all 21st century threats.\"In their letter to Armed Services Committee leadership, Tester and Daines emphasized that modernizing our nuclear triad is needed in order to ensure the U.S. remains ahead of the nuclear capabilities of our adversaries like North Korea.In July, Tester and Daines urged Defense Secretary Ash Carter to advance ICBM nuclear modernization as expeditiously as possible, including taking critical steps to develop and procure the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.Earlier this year, Tester and Daines voted to increase sanctions on North Korea after they tested a nuclear weapon.  Tester and Daines' letter to Armed Services Committee leadership is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4759", "Tester Pushing Major Mental Health Care Legislation [press_release]", "2016-09-12", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to address the growing mental health care epidemic in Montana and across the nation.\nThe Mental Health Reform Act will establish new mental health care initiatives, strengthen existing mental health services, and increase Montanans access to mental health care treatment.  Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental health disorders each year, which costs families $193 billion in lost earnings annually.\n\"I believe the lack of mental health services is one of the biggest threats that folks face across the nation,\" Tester said.  \"This bipartisan bill will better connect folks with the mental health care treatment that they need, and bring more awareness to the challenges folks face while dealing with mental illness.\"\n\"We are deeply thankful for Senator Tester's co-sponsorship of this critical legislation to improve the nation's mental illness treatment system,\" said Matt Kuntz, Executive Director of NAMI Montana.  \"The Mental Health Reform Act will improve the country's ability to address mental health issues that are critical to Montana, such as suicide prevention, effective early intervention programs and crisis services.\"\nTester's Mental Health Reform Act will:\n \nDirect the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a strategic plan to address mental health issues and coordinate services across all federal agencies.\nMake permanent the position of Chief Medical Officer at SAMHSA.\nRequire SAMHSA to publish information on evidence-based programs and practices that have proven effective in treating mental health issues and substance abuse.\nCut red tape for states to submit applications for mental health and substance abuse block grants.\nEstablish a 5 percent set-aside fund for early intervention services for individuals with severe mental illness.\nCreate a new grant to help states and communities respond to drug epidemics like the opioid crisis.\nRequire the National Suicide Prevention Hotline to be available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.\nCreate a new grant to train communities how to respond when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.\n \n\u00a0\nThe Mental Health Reform Act also includes Tester's Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act that will expand screening and referral services for new mothers and his Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act that will reauthorize suicide prevention strategies and provide mental health awareness training grants to first responders and school personnel.\nLast month, Tester sent a letter to Defense Secretary Ash Carter to address the growing rate of suicide by National Guardsmen and Reservists.\nTester is additionally sponsoring the Veterans First Act that will bolster the VA's efforts to recruit more licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists and he is pushing the Senior Mental Health Access Improvement Act to allow Medicare to cover mental health care services provided by marriage and family therapists and licensed professional counselors.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4760", "Tester Announces $2 Million to Upgrade Rural Water Systems [press_release]", "2016-09-12", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester announced today that five Montana towns will receive nearly $2 million in federal funding to improve their water and waste disposal infrastructure.\n\"Clean water is our most precious resource and every community needs a reliable water system in place that can support families and businesses,\" Tester said. \"Investing in our state's water infrastructure is critically important for the health of rural economies. This money will go a long way in upgrading local water infrastructure that is badly needed across Montana.\"\nTester helped secure funding for the USDA Rural Development's (RUS) Water and Waste Disposal Loan Grant Program, which specifically helps communities with fewer than 10,000 residents modernize their water treatment and waste systems.\nTester serves on the subcommittee tasked with writing the Agriculture Department's annual budget.\nHe says this funding will allow rural communities to expand the capacity, reliability, and cleanliness of their water systems which benefits residents, the environment, and economic development alike. The breakdown of awards by city and project is as follows:\nGallatin Gateway - $310,000 (loan) + $125,000 (grant)  Gallatin Gateway is a rural community that was first established in the 1880's. This funding will go toward installing the town's first centralized sewer system to address inefficiencies and public health concerns from the existing septic tanks, drainage fields and wells.\n \n\"Wastewater systems form the most basic elements of community infrastructure,\" said Matt Donnelly, General Manager of the Gallatin Gateway County Water & Sewer District. \"And we are so grateful to USDA's Rural Development program, to Senator Tester's office, and to the various State of Montana agencies for helping to make our project a reality. The outcomes of this project will be cleaner water for our residents and for the Gallatin River.\"\n \nHarlem - $110,000 (grant)  As a result of a court order that found that the discharge from Harlem's wastewater management system into the nearby Milk River violated environmental standards, the city managed to raise enough money to overhaul their current system.  Part of this was a $4.9 million grant from RUS, but when construction bid amounts exceeded the original estimates for the project, the USDA went back and added an additional $110,000 in funding to complete the new system.\n \n\"This funding will supplement the original grant we received from the USDA, as well as the money we raise through state and local agencies, to revamp our water and waste systems here in Harlem\" said Mayor Bill Taylor. \"This funding will really help limit any additional charges for water usage, so we can keep the state's waterways clean without passing on huge price increases to our residents.\"\n \nGeraldine - $140,000 (grant)  This funding will go toward repairing the town's primary water storage tank that was installed about a decade ago, but has since developed a leak.  Fixing this storage tank will ensure the city of Geraldine has enough water to serve its residents, fight nearby fires, and supply the farmers and ranchers that live and work along the Hawarden and Geraldine water lines.\n \n\"We're just really glad to benefit from this, and we really appreciate all the help from Rural Development on this project,\" said Perry Joyce, Mayor of Geraldine.\n \nLodge Grass - $442,366 (grant)  This grant will help purchase and install a 250,000 gallon elevated tank to replace the current storage tank, a back-up generator for the water treatment plant, and radio read water meters.\nHysham - $134,000 (loan) + $700,000 (grant)  This funding will be used to purchase and install a 250,000 gallon elevated water storage tank to replace the current storage tank, a back-up generator for the water treatment plant, and replacement of all cast iron mains in the distribution system.\n \n\"This is the second grant we've received toward our $3 million water project,\" said Hysham Mayor Larry Fink. \"And the citizens of the town of Hysham are very thankful for all of Senator Jon Tester's support in making sure the funding for USDA Rural Development loans and grants remain intact.\"\n \nAs a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester has worked hard to boost funding for RUS's Water and Waste Disposal grant and loan program-particularly through his work on the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Back in June, Tester announced another $1.5 million in funding through the same Water and Waste Disposal Grant Loan Program for the cities of Cut Bank, Thompson Falls, and the town of Plains.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4758", "Tester Statement on 15th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks [press_release]", "2016-09-11", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tester Statement on 15th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t(Big Sandy, Mont.)-Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement to recognize the 15th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks:\"I will never forget the horrors of that long, dreadful day.  But what I remember the most is the hours, days, and weeks that followed and how folks from across our great nation came together.  Despite our differences, we remembered that there is much more that unites us than divides us, and it is important that we reflect that sentiment again today. We must always remember that we have a common bond as Americans - and it is a bond that can't be broken.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4755", "Tester Announces $450,000 to Help Local Fire Departments in Park and Missoula Counties [press_release]", "2016-09-09", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Great Falls, Mont.)-Just a week after securing $300,000 in funding for four Montana fire departments, Senator Jon Tester announced today that the Paradise Valley Fire Service and the Missoula Rural Fire District will receive more than $450,000 in federal funding to help them recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and EMTs.\n\"Rural fire departments are sustained in large part by their communities,\" Tester said. \"And while that can do a lot, this kind of outside support really helps bolster their recruitment and training efforts so they can continue to protect our families and communities.\"\nThe funding comes from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants Program, which is administered by FEMA. These grants provide professional and volunteer fire departments across the country with funding to help them increase the number of trained first responders in their communities.\nThe Paradise Valley Fire Service will receive $358,592 to mount a volunteer recruitment campaign in the Park County area.\n\"One of our greatest needs is for more volunteers,\" said Greg Coleman, the Fire Warden of Park County. \"But our fire department currently doesn't have the time or resources to mount an extensive recruiting effort, so this money will be used to create a dedicated program to recruit and retain volunteers.\"\nThe Missoula Rural Fire District (MRFD) will receive $97,000 in funding, which they plan to put towards their Resident Firefighter Program.  The MRFD employs a combination of career and volunteer firefighters, and their Resident Firefighter Program allows 12 local college students to live and work in one the District's four fire houses for free.\n\"We really appreciate all their time and hard work,\" said Fire District Chief Bill Colwell. \"So we like to be able to help them fund their education through a small yearly stipend, and this grant will allow us to triple that stipend while also expanding the program from two to potentially four years.\"\nAs a member of the Appropriations Committee, Tester has been a strong supporter of the SAFER Grant Program, securing $670 million in funding for the SAFER and Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Programs last year and successfully fighting for a $10 million increase in funding this year.\nUltimately, Tester believes these programs are critical to keeping rural communities safe and self-reliant-a sentiment echoed by Park County Commissioner Marty Malone.\n\"We are a rural community, but we have just as great a need for first response and emergency services,\" said Malone. \"This grant will allow us to be self-dependent in that regard, so we don't have to rely on resources from the surrounding areas to keep our folks safe.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4756", "Tester Announces Over $300,000 to Support Local Law Enforcement [press_release]", "2016-09-09", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Great Falls, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester has helped secure $328,973 in federal funding for local law enforcement throughout Montana.\n\"Local law enforcement officers are the reason we can sleep soundly at night,\" Tester said. \"These heroes deserve the same peace of mind.  That's why I'm proud to help increase the safety and preparedness of our local law enforcement agencies.\"\nThe awards all come from the U.S. Department of Justice's Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which awards funding to state, local, and tribal entities to support law enforcement initiatives based on specific regional needs.  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Tester has advocated for investing in the JAG Program.\nThe breakdown by city, amount, and purpose is as follows:\nCity of Helena - $38,503  The city of Helena will use this funding to hire a liaison to help relay information and coordinate efforts between the Helena Police Department, the Lewis and Clark County Attorney's Office, and the City Prosecutor's Office.\nCity of Billings - $86,925  The city of Billings will use this grant money to purchase new law enforcement equipment including body cameras, a thermal imaging camera, and medic trauma gunshot wound kits.\nCity of Great Falls - $29,879  The city of Great Falls plans to use this award to increase the mobile connectivity of their police officers' in-car computer systems to ensure officers, dispatch services, and state agencies can stay updated and connected.\nCity of Bozeman - $15,155  With this funding the city of Bozeman plans to outfit their police department's current patrol vehicles with extra safety and trauma equipment to help officers respond safely and effectively to high-threat situations.\nCity of Havre - $10,535  The city of Havre plans to use this award money to purchase traffic safety and communications equipment to ensure the city's police officers are safe and connected.\nFlathead County - $31,665  Flathead County will use this funding to purchase radar units, thermal imagers, and body cameras for their department's patrol division to ensure both the police and the public are protected.\nGallatin County - $10,658  Gallatin County will increase the safety and efficacy their police officers by acquiring new law enforcement equipment with this funding.\nCity of Missoula - $60,373  The city of Missoula plans to use this money to purchase body cameras, video microphones, and other relevant technology to increase officer safety and accountability, while also helping prosecute offenders.\nCity and County of Butte-Silver Bow - $18,420  With this funding, Butte-Silver Bow plans to assist, improve, and enhance the capabilities of law enforcement officers by purchasing new computers for their police department.\nCity of Kalispell - $10,904  The city of Kalispell plans to enhance the investigative capabilities of its law enforcement officers by using this grant money to fund forensic analysis of electronic equipment and provide upgrades to the police department's portable radio system.\nLake County - $15,956  Lake County will use this funding to outfit the county's new police patrol vehicles with video systems to aid in crime fighting and oversight efforts.\nTester recently announced $2.85 million to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4757", "Tester Announces $680,000 for New Job Training Program on Flathead Reservation [press_release]", "2016-09-09", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Great Falls, Mont.) - Less than a week after his tribal business startup bill received a hearing in the Indian Affairs Committee, Vice Chairman Jon Tester announced today that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) will receive a $680,000 grant to fund a job training program on the reservation.\nThis funding will go towards establishing a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training program on the reservation, helping tribal members obtain the necessary qualifications to drive buses, vans, and other large, commercial vehicles.\n\"Indian Country thrives when we empower folks on the ground to create jobs and strengthen their local economies,\" Tester said. \"That's why these resources are critical to achieving self-reliance and stronger communities.\"\nThe grant comes from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) 2016 Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Program, which was established to expand employment, transportation and mobility options throughout the country. The tribe had originally received a grant to start this training program a few years ago, but the funding was due to run out this year.\n\"We're very thankful to have this funding, it came just in time so we can prepare for next year,\" said CSKT's Transit Program Manager Corky Sias. \"Most of the time getting a CDL requires you to own a truck or already be employed. But through our program, tribal members can sign up and go through a six-week training where we provided the equipment and endorsements, so it's really gives them a leg up on getting a job.\"\nSo far, the program has enrolled 89 students-all of whom now have Commercial Drivers Licenses.  Sias notes that many of these graduates now work for the tribe, but these licenses are crucial to getting a job outside the reservation as well.\nThe FTA's Bus Program is made possible by the long-term Highway Bill that Tester helped draft and get signed into law last year.\nTester fought to change the formula through which the Bus Program's funding is allocated so that the grants would be more evenly distributed between urban and rural areas - helping direct the funding to projects in Montana.\n\"Rural transit systems play a critical role in our economy by enhancing options for rural citizens to access health care, employment and education,\" Tester wrote. \"I strongly believe making investments in our nation's infrastructure is essential to building a 21st century economy for our children.\"\nTester also led efforts to prioritize funding for transportation infrastructure and safety throughout Indian Country as the Senate drafted and debated the Highway Bill. As a result, the bill includes a 12 percent increase over the next five years in the Tribal Transportation Program.\nThe Highway Bill also reauthorized the Federal Highway Administration's Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration (AID) Program, which provides funding for projects that utilize locally sourced materials and local labor to promote innovative transportation methods.\nThe CSKT recently received $115,000 in funding through this program to increase safety and bolster infrastructure by replacing the reservation's North Valley Creek Bridge.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4749", "Tester Announces Additional Funding for New Airport Terminal in Butte [press_release]", "2016-09-08", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "MT", "Jon Tester", "T000464", "www.tester.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(U.S. Senate) - Just weeks after he helped break ground on Bert Mooney Airport's new state-of-the-art terminal, Senator Jon Tester announced today that the Butte airport will receive an additional $747,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help complete the project.\n\"In a state as sprawling as Montana, air travel is an essential mode of transportation for many folks-both near and far,\" Tester said. \"That's why this new terminal is not only exciting, but essential. In addition to improving the reliability and utility of Bert Mooney airport, this additional funding will support the local economy and businesses that call Butte home.\"\nThe award comes from the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which has invested more than $25 million in Montana's airports this year. This new funding will supplement the $9.2 million Butte has already received for the project through the federal government.\nBert Mooney sustains over 100 employees and boards about 30,000 passengers each year. The airport's current terminal is more than 60 years old and no longer meets the basic security, functionality, and accessibility requirements of a modern airport.\n\"We are thrilled to receive additional assistance from the FAA,\" said Matt Vincent, Butte-Silver Bow's Chief Executive. \"An updated terminal will be a huge boon to Butte's accessibility and economy, so we really appreciate all the support we've received throughout this project.\"\nThe project will be pivotal to Butte's ongoing revitalization efforts, creating jobs, expanding economic opportunities, and allowing for more commercial and recreational travel both in and out of the city. The new terminal is slated to be 39,000 square feet and feature a lobby, a ticketing area, conference space, TSA screening areas, food, retail, and a new baggage claim carousel.\nTester has worked hard to improve air travel infrastructure, both in the city of Butte and throughout the state of Montana. He fought to pass the FAA Reauthorization Bill, which extended funding for the agency days before it was set to expire back in July.  This guaranteed future funding for state airports through the AIP and ensured the continued survival of the Essential Air Service Program, which has helped keep the cost of air travel low throughout Montana.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 235, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "MT", "p2": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MT&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 235, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MT&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MT&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 235, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MT&year=2016&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MT&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "MT", "label": "MT", "count": 235, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MT&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 235, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MT", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2016-09-08,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Etester~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~3Fp~3Dpress_release~26id~3D4749", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MT&year=2016&_next=2016-09-08%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Etester~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~3Fp~3Dpress_release~26id~3D4749&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 104.6661832369864, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}