Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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28 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "MT" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4245 | Tester votes no on $680 billion unpaid-for spending bill [press_release] | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after voting against an end-of-year tax and spending bill that he says would saddle future generations with $680 billion in new debt: "There are many things in this bill that I like, many things that I fought for, and even wrote myself. There are things that aren't in this bill that should have been, but instead they got sidelined. Then there is also some crap in here, garbage that should have been tossed out, but wasn't. But when I look at the whole package, my biggest concern is that fact that this bill saddles our kids and grandkids with over $680 billion in additional debt." Tester helped author the VA/Military Construction portion of the bill to increase support for veterans services and to address military construction priorities in Montana. He also successfully added provisions of his Visa Waiver legislation, additional funding for rural water projects, one more year of PILT funding, and Title X funding. However, calling this a "tough vote," Tester said that the bad outweighed the good in the legislation. The Senator pointed to the hundreds of billions of dollars in new debt in the package as the largest reason he could not support it, including special tax breaks for corporations, racehorse owners, NASCAR track owners, and Hollywood filmmakers. You can read the Senator's full remarks on the bill HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4246 | Tester secures important provisions for Montana veterans, national security in year-end spending bill [press_release] | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester secured multiple provisions for Montana veterans and national security priorities in a year-end spending bill that was passed by Congress today and is on its way to the President's desk. Tester used his seat as the Ranking Member of the Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee to ensure the bill makes a historic investment in the delivery of care to veterans, while helping the VA eliminate its disability claims backlog, expand access to care for more veterans, and construct new facilities, including Vet Centers and veterans homes in places like Montana. The bill will also allow for critical upgrades to the Montana Air National Guard's C-130 fleet and to modernize the ICBMs at Malmstrom. Tester supported the year-end spending bill until it was attached at the last minute to a tax package that will increase the national debt by more than $680 billion over the next decade, not including additional interest payments that will be required. "There are many critical provisions in this bill that will help Montana veterans and strengthen the mission at Malmstrom and MANG," Tester said. "I joined in on some of the early negotiations, but I haven't been in the smoke filled room where leadership and the President chose to hatch out a deal behind closed doors. I pushed hard to keep this massive debt proposal off of the appropriations bill because we should not saddle our kids and grandkids with over $680 billion in new debt." After the vote, Tester remained disappointed that Congress moved forward with the debt package, but pointed to several of his veteran provisions that were included in the final version of the bill. Tester's provisions in the bill will: Construct a $19.7 million Air Force Tactical Response Force Alert Facility at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Invest an additional $60 million to address the growing need for state-run veterans' homes across the country, including rural areas. Invests an additional $15 million in Vet Centers, which provide … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4242 | Tester statement on LWCFs temporary reauthorization [press_release] | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | Tester statement on LWCFs temporary reauthorization (U.S. Senate) - As Senator Jon Tester reviews the 2016 omnibus spending bill to see if it works for Montana, he released the following statement about the temporary reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): "LWCF remains one of the best ways to increase public access to public lands, and for months I've been hearing from Montanans about the importance of permanent reauthorization and full funding. While I'm relieved that LWCF may be revived, this temporary authorization and short-term funding misses the mark in what should have been an easy bullseye." If passed by the House and Senate, the omnibus will reauthorize LWCF for three years and increase fiscal year 2016 funding to $450 million. LWCF, which funds conservation projects in all 50 states using offshore oil and gas receipts, expired this year for the first time in its 50-year history. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4243 | Tester meets with head of U.S. Marine Corps to discuss ISIL, national security [press_release] | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | Tester meets with head of U.S. Marine Corps to discuss ISIL, national security Senator and General also discuss militarys budget priorities (U.S. Senate) - In the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Senator Jon Tester met with Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller to discuss efforts to combat ISIL and ensure America's national security. Tester and Neller discussed what's being done internationally to defeat the Islamic State. The Senator also asked for assurances that the U.S. military has a clear plan to avoid being engaged in a Middle Eastern conflict indefinitely. "America has the best fighting force in the world, and we have to make sure they have the tools they need to defeat ISIL and other threats around the world," Tester said. "Hearing directly from our military leaders ensures that Congress can do a better job strengthening our national security and supporting the men and women bravely serving in our military." Tester and Neller also discussed the Marine Corps' budget priorities for next year, as well as the Pentagon's recent decision to expand the role of women in combat roles. Tester is the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee tasked with funding milit… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4244 | Tester bill empowers small businesses to reimburse employees health care costs [press_release] | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester is looking to give small businesses the power to create Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) to help their employees pay for health care costs. Standalone HRAs are not currently permitted because they do not meet the Affordable Care Act's standards for employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Under current law, businesses would be penalized for trying to provide an HRA if they don't also offer health insurance, even if the business has fewer than 50 employees and is not required to provide insurance otherwise. More than 95 percent of Montana businesses have fewer than 50 employees. To fix this, Tester is sponsoring the bipartisan Small Business Healthcare Relief Act which will improve upon the Affordable Care Act by allowing small businesses to provide HRAs for their employees. "As we work to improve upon the Affordable Care Act, we must reduce the burden on small businesses that want to provide benefits to their employees," Tester said. "This bipartisan bill will help employers support their employees and compete for the best talent." The measure is supported by the National Association of Home Builders, and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Tester has long called on Congress to improve upon the ACA, instead of returning to the old system where many Montanans could not afford to get sick. Earlier this year, the Senator's PACE Act became law, giving states greater power to oversee small group health insurance markets. The Senator also recently introduced the Healthy MOM Act to create a special enrollment period for pregnant women so they can change or purchase health insurance on the Marketplace throughout the year. Tester's Small Business Healthcare Relief Act is available online HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4241 | Tester: Blind spot in immigration vetting process exposes U.S. to significant risk [press_release] | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate) - Following shocking news reports about the San Bernardino shooters' use of social media, Senator Jon Tester today demanded that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) begin reviewing social media data to better identify potential terrorists and prevent them from entering the country. News reports this week revealed that one of the two San Bernardino shooters, Tashfeen Malik, was granted a U.S. visa last year despite her expressed support for violent jihad against the West via social media. Those social media postings were never reviewed during any of Malik's three background check screenings. Tester, in a letter to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, called the current background check system "outdated and inadequate" and demanded the department update its immigration vetting policies to include a rigorous review of a visa applicant's social media accounts. "We continue to face threats in this country from those spouting violent extremist thoughts on social media," said Tester, a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. "The Department must ensure that terrorist speech and terrorist content on social media are reviewed by U.S. officials as they conduct background investigation screenings on potential immigrants to the United States." Tester last week outlined his national security agenda, which included enhancing the visa waiver program and closing a loophole to prevent suspected terrorists from buying guns. Tester's letter to Secretary Jeh Johnson is available online HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4239 | Tester sponsors bill to strengthen Montanans voting rights [press_release] | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | Tester sponsors bill to strengthen Montanans voting rights Voting Rights Advancement Act also expands voter protections in Indian Country (U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester is sponsoring legislation to strengthen Montanans' voting rights and expand voter protections in Indian Country. The Voting Rights Advancement Act will ensure ballots can be translated into Native languages while promoting equal opportunities to register and vote on and off Indian Reservations. The bill will also roll back the harmful changes the Supreme Court made to the Voting Rights Act in 2013 and require states that have committed voting violations to consult with the Justice Department before changing voting laws. "Keeping folks from exercising their constitutional right to vote is shameful and un-American," said Tester, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. "This bill protects those who have too often been marginalized and disenfranchised at the voting booth and guarantees that everyone can have a fair say in their government." In July, Tester introduced the Native American Voting Rights Act, which requires states to establish early voting sites on or near reservations and directs state election administrators to mail absentee ballots to the homes of all registered voters on reservations i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4240 | Tester nominates Montana students to military academies [press_release] | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today announced that he is nominating over two dozen Montana students who are applying to the nation's prestigious military academies. A nomination from a member of Congress is the first step in applying to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. "It is an honor to nominate some of Montana's most accomplished students to represent our state at the nation's military academies," Tester said. "Montana has a proud tradition of service and these young leaders are the latest generation of those willing to serve. These students make our state proud, and I wish them well on their journey to becoming outstanding leaders in our military." Tester nominated the following students based on their academic achievement, leadership, community service, and participation in extracurricular activities. Montana students interested in applying to a military academy is encouraged to do so HERE. Big Arm Nicholas Becker, Polson High School U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy Baker Theodore Austin, Carter County High School (Ekalaka) U.S. Naval Academy Big Timber Ryan Morgan, Sweet Grass County High School U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy Billings Maren Kirkland, Billings Senior High School U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Bozeman Lucas Figi, Charterhouse School (England) U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy Daniel Perdaems, Bozeman High School U.S. Air Force Academy Columbus Ryland Stampfel, Columbus High School U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Conrad Will Early, Montana State University U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy Divide Eric Malmquist, Beaverhead County High School (Dillon) U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy East Helena Jacob O'Malley, Helena High School U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy Ennis Char… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4237 | Senate unanimously passes Testers bipartisan tribal energy bill [press_release] | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester's bipartisan legislation that reduces red tape and provides more resources to tribes to further develop their natural resources has unanimously passed the Senate. The Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act clarifies and streamlines the Department of Interior process that tribes must go through to develop energy projects. The bill establishes deadlines and approval criteria that the Interior Secretary must follow. "Tribes should be in control of their energy resources," said Tester, Vice-Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. "This bipartisan bill increases self-determination and allows tribes to build a sustainable energy plan that will create good-paying jobs and a more stable economy." Tester's bill would also provide greater federal technical assistance to tribes for developing their energy resources. In October Tester expressed frustration over the federal government's failure to uphold its trust responsibility and assist tribes who are pushing to increase energy development on tribal lands at an Indian Affairs Committee hearing. The Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act is cosponsored by Senators Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Bennet (D-Colo.), Enzi (R-Wyo.), Fischer (R-Neb.), Gardner (R-Colo.), Hoeven (R-N.D.), McCain (R-Ariz.), Moran (R-Kan.), and Murkowski (R-Alaska). | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4236 | Tester: All women have right to seek healthcare without fear [press_release] | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)- Following the recent Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado, Senator Jon Tester is taking steps to affirm that all women have the right to seek healthcare without fear. Tester is cosponsoring a Senate Resolution that emphasizes the importance of the health care services millions of women receive from Planned Parenthood. The resolution also outlines the increase in threats, harassment, and violence taking place at these clinics. Tester is demanding the Senate take a vote on this resolution before the end of the year. "It is unacceptable that folks have to fear for their safety when they are trying to access basic health care," Tester said. "The inflated rhetoric in Washington is putting people's lives at risk and it is instigating a climate that is dangerous to health care providers and their patients. I demand that Congress vote on this resolution before the end of the year and show women across the country that we stand with them and their individual rights." Last week Congress voted to defund Planned Parenthood which will reduce access to basic healthcare services for those who need it most. Tester opposed this measure. The Facts: One in five women in the United States will access healthcare at Planned Parenthood in their lifetime. In 2013 Planned Parenthood administered over 4.5 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases and performed over 900,000 cervical cancers streaming and breast exams. Since 1977 there have been more than 190,000 acts of disruption and 7,000 violent acts that include bombings, arson, kidnapping, and assault at Planned Parenthood. Since 1993 there have been 11 murders and numerous attempted murders of health care providers and patients at Planned Parenthood. Last month a gunman murdered three people, including a police officer, and wounded nine others at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs, Colo. Tester's Senate Resolution has 33 cosponsors and is available HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4233 | Tester votes to replace No Child Left Behind and strengthen local control to classrooms [press_release] | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)-Montana's teacher-turned-Senator Jon Tester today helped pass legislation to replace No Child Left Behind and return control of the classroom back to state and local leaders. The Every Student Succeeds Act curbs the powers of the Department of Education and eliminates the punishments that were handed out to schools who failed to hit unreasonable national scoring benchmarks. The bill includes Tester's amendment that pushes the Education Secretary to receive input from local stakeholders, like school boards, before developing new rules. "This bill relieves students, parents, and teachers from the pressures caused by the failure of No Child Left Behind and puts decision making back in the hands of folks on the ground," Tester said. "These reforms are not perfect, but they are a step in the right direction to ensuring our kids and grandkids receive the quality education they deserve." The Every Student Succeeds Act allows states to create their own performance standards to identify underperforming schools. Test scores will no longer be the primary indicator of whether schools are underperforming, like they were under No Child Left Behind. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, states can also choose to consider other important indicators like graduation rates. Each state will be responsible for tracking the performance of their schools and identifying which schools need additional resources. Schools will be eligible for additional support and resources if they are performing in the bottom five percent of schools in their state, or their graduation rate is lower than 67 percent. Upon passage of the bill, Tester pledged to continue his fight to replace the federal annual testing requirement and replace it with fewer tests. Montana's education leaders applauded the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act and Tester's efforts to reduce the education burdens on Montana's schools. "We are grateful Senator Tester has been a leader in the now, finally, long-overdue, successful reauthorization of the Element… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4234 | Tester demands details on Visa Waiver Program from Homeland Security officials [press_release] | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today continued his push to strengthen national security by demanding additional details from high-ranking Department of Homeland Security and State Department officials on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). During a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing Tester questioned the Homeland Security Deputy Assistant Secretary on the timeline of the VWP's screening process and asked her to identify the specific constraints that keep nations from sharing critical data with one another regarding the prior travel of individuals visiting the U.S. under the VWP. "We must crack down on terrorists entering our country," Tester said after the hearing. "The safety and security of the American people is my top priority, and loopholes in the Visa Waiver Program are completely unacceptable. The Visa Waiver Program is only as strong as its weakest link." Last week Tester introduced bipartisan legislation that requires additional layers of security, like more rigorous background checks on foreign travelers from countries participating in the VWP who have visited Syria or Iraq before they are allowed to enter the United States. Currently, citizens from the 38 countries participating in the VWP can travel to the United States as a temporary visitor with less oversight, regardless of their recent travel history. In addition to cracking down on the VWP, Tester is currently pushing three other specific proposals to strengthen national security: Prevent suspected terrorists from buying guns by giving law enforcement the tools they need to deny the sale of guns to individuals on the terrorist watch list. Strengthen the northern and southern borders and increase interoperability between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to prevent individuals from entering the country illegally and fully fund Operation Stonegarden grants that support local and state law enforcement Prohibit untrustworthy individuals from accessing America's most sensitive national security information and locations … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4235 | Committee approves Tester provisions to improve veterans access to care [press_release] | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | Committee approves Tester provisions to improve veterans access to care Several provisions of DOCS for Vets Act receive vote of support (U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today saw seven of his provisions to improve care for veterans pass out of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. The provisions that passed the committee today: Ensure that the VA is more capable of addressing vacancies in its health care leadership, such as the Director position at Fort Harrison that was recently vacant for more than 240 days Extend the VA's authority to expand and fill medical residencies and create a pipeline of medical professionals into the VA Update the VA's pay system to help recruit and retain physician assistants and better compete with the private sector Expedite the process through which the VA provides survivor and burial benefits to recently widowed spouses of disabled veterans Reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program so the VA can partner with local organizations to provide critical job training and support to veterans, and expand program access to more Native American veterans Ensure the VA is providing safer and more effective pain management servic… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4231 | Tester statement following Oval Office address [press_release] | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | Tester statement following Oval Office address (U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester released the following statement after the President's Oval Office address to the nation tonight: "Keeping Americans safe and protecting the homeland are never-ending tasks and my highest priorities as Montana's senator. As we face real threats abroad and here at home, Congress must do more to ensure our national security. In the days ahead, I'll look for partners to pass legislation updating the visa waiver program, preventing suspected terrorists from buying guns, and strengthening our northern and southern borders to prevent folks who would do us harm from entering this country." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4232 | Tester outlines national security agenda [press_release] | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate) - After calling on Congress to pass legislation to protect Americans against terrorist threats overseas and at home, Senator Jon Tester today outlined his national security agenda. Tester, who called keeping Americans safe his "highest priority" as a U.S. Senator, is demanding that Congress do more to ensure America's national security. Tester is pushing Congress to: Enhance the Visa Waiver Program to exclude individuals who have visited Iraq or Syria within the past five years and to require certain higher risk travelers trying to enter the U.S. to undergo increased screening. Prevent suspected terrorists from buying guns by giving law enforcement the tools it needs to ban gun sales to individuals on the terrorist watch list. Strengthen the northern and southern borders and increase interoperability between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to prevent individuals from entering the country illegally and fully fund Operation Stonegarden grants to support local and state law enforcement Prohibit untrustworthy individuals from accessing America's most sensitive national security information and locations by intensifying security clearance background checks and barring federal contractors and employees who have compromised the integrity of a background investigation from performing security clearance investigations in the future. "Congress must do more to combat the growing threats at home and abroad, and we need to act quickly," said Tester, a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. "Cracking down on potential terrorists trying to enter the country, preventing them from buying weapons, and securing the border and stopping insider threats are common sense solutions to very serious threats. All of us have a responsibility to keep Americans safe, and I'm going to do everything I can to ensure we are protecting the homeland." Tester, after the Paris attacks three weeks ago, asked Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson specific questions to ensure the process used… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4229 | Tester fights to keep heat on for thousands of Montanans [press_release] | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate) - As lawmakers draft budget bills ahead of the December 11th deadline, Senator Jon Tester is urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide critical support for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the final appropriations bill of the year. LIHEAP provides grants to eligible low-income households who need help paying their heating bills. LIHEAP is a vital source of heat for children, disabled individuals, and seniors living on fixed incomes. The program helped 20,000 households across Montana keep the heat on last winter."It's December, and temperatures have begun to drop well below freezing," Tester said. "Now is the time to make sure that every Montana family can stay warm again this winter."According to the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, at its current funding level LIHEAP is only able to serve 20 percent of the eligible population. And even among the households that LIHEAP does serve, the average amount they're awarded has decreased by nearly $100 since 2010. Tester is requesting that the Appropriations Committee shore up the funding so more low income Montana families have access to LIHEAP. Tester was the only member of Montana's Congressional delegation who supported the bipartisan budget deal last month that lifted the budget caps allowing Congress to provide responsible investments in energy assistance.Tester's letter is signed by 35 other Senators and is available HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4230 | Tester to Canadian Minister: Montana farmers deserve a fair market [press_release] | 2015-12-04 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)- Montana Farmer and Senator Jon Tester today continued his fight to protect family farmers against unfair Canadian trade practices that deny Montana wheat growers a fair price.In a letter to newly appointed Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay, Tester urged Canada's new administration to make Canada's grain regulations more equitable for American grown wheat. Tester highlighted the fact that current policies unfairly allow Canadian grain buyers to pay Montana wheat growers significantly less than Canadian wheat growers for the same product. He also requested a meeting with the Minister to directly discuss this important trade issue. "I remain concerned about Canada's wheat grading system and its effect on agricultural trade between our nations," Tester wrote. "I know Montanans stand ready to work with Canada to strengthen our mutually beneficial exchange of agricultural goods, and I believe both sides stand to benefit from a direct discussion on grading and trading grain." Grain producers across Montana are hailing Tester's efforts. "Montana farmers and ranchers contribute billions each year to the national economy, and we export 20 percent of all agriculture products as foreign exports. Montana farmers depend on equitable grain pricing to put food on the table for people all over the world," said Alan Merill, President of the Montana Farmers Union. "We applaud Senator Tester's commitment to Montana agriculture." "Canadian law discriminates against US grain through their grain grading and variety registration systems," said Rob Davis, President of the Montana Grain Growers Association and a grain producer from Larslan, Montana. " In order for a true and open market to function, growers and consumers on each side of the border must operate in a regulatory environment that allows fair competition." Currently, Canadian law forces American wheat to be automatically downgraded to the lowest quality of designation known as "feed wheat" when exported to Canada without con… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4227 | Tester to Congress: Quit playing political games with the health of Montanans [press_release] | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester released the following statement after the Senate passed a bill that strips tens of thousands of Montanans access to health insurance by repealing major parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA):"We are less than two weeks away from another costly government shutdown and rather than investing in education, infrastructure, or our national security, there are folks in Congress whose top priority is eliminating access to health care for tens of thousands of Montanans. Instead of playing political games with the health of our families, I will continue to work to improve the ACA to reduce the cost of healthcare for all Montanans." If signed into law these provisions will: • Eliminate tax credits for health insurance, raising costs and jeopardizing health care for more than 48,000 Montanans • Repeal Medicaid expansion denying access to health care for up to 70,000 Montanans • Gut funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund which provides states with funds to develop public health strategies that work best for them. In Montana, this Fund has supported diabetes prevention in Indian Country. • Defund Planned ParenthoodSince becoming law, the ACA has lowered Montana's uninsured rate to 15 percent.Tester has introduced multiple bills to improve the ACA, including the PACE Act, which was signed into law in October. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4228 | Tester praises final passage of Highway Bill [press_release] | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | Tester praises final passage of Highway Bill (U.S. Senate) - Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after Congress passed a compromise five-year Highway Bill: "This long-term highway bill will help drive Montana's economy by making critical new investments and create good-paying jobs that can't be outsourced. It will provide certainty for construction workers, small businesses and local governments, and improve the safety for all Montanans who drive on our roads and bridges each day." The five-year Highway Bill: • Invests nearly $2.3 billion into Montana's transportation infrastructure • Increases Montana highway funding by 5.1 percent in the first year • Reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank which has been expired since June The Highway Bill now heads to the President's desk where he is expected to sign it into law. More details about the bill are attached. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4226 | On Senate floor Tester demands no GMO rider in omnibus [press_release] | 2015-12-02 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)-Jon Tester, the United States Senate's only working farmer, today took to the Senate floor to demand that a controversial genetically modified organism (GMO) bill not be included as a rider to the omnibus appropriations bill. The DARK Act removes the public's ability to know if the food they are buying is genetically modified. "I am a farmer and I know exactly where my food comes from, but not all Americans have that ability," Tester said. "This bill allows the federal government to undermine local stakeholders and denies consumers the right to know what is in the food they eat. This bill is not fair to consumers and it is not fair to the folks who produce food in this country." Currently there is no federal requirement for companies using genetically engineered ingredients to disclose that information on food labels. Sixty-four countries across the world require GMO labeling including Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia. In 2013 Tester led the charge to remove the controversial "Monsanto Protection Act" rider from a funding bill that directed the U.S. Agriculture Department to ignore any judicial ruling that blocked the planting of genetically-modified crops. Tester is cosponsoring the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, which requires labeling of genetically engineered food. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4223 | Tester introduces legislation to strengthen national security [press_release] | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate)-Senator Jon Tester today introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen national security and protect America from terrorism by addressing potential vulnerabilities in the Visa Waiver Program. Tester's bill requires additional layers of security, like more rigorous background checks on foreign travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program who have visited Syria or Iraq before they are allowed to enter the United States. Currently, those participating in the Visa Waiver Program can freely travel to the United States as a temporary visitor regardless of their previous travel history. "The most important job Congress has is to provide real solutions that will keep Americans safe," Tester said. "When it comes to national security, we don't have time for partisan games. This bipartisan bill beefs up national security, reduces the terror threat and will help keep Montana families safe." The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens from certain countries to enter the United States as a temporary visitor without first obtaining a visa from a United States consulate. Travelers from countries under the Visa Waiver Program must first obtain a visa from the State Department and are subject to more rigorous background checks before coming to the United States. Tester's bill requires: • All travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to acquire a visa if they have traveled to Iraq or Syria within the past five years. • The use of e-passports that are machine-readable by all countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. • Strengthened information sharing standards between the Department of Homeland Security and countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program to collect and share information about potentially dangerous individuals and stolen passports. • All travelers visiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program to submit biometric information that includes a photograph and fingerprints. Currently there are 38 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. Earlier t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4224 | Testers rural water bill passes Congress [press_release] | 2015-12-01 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (U.S. Senate) - After unanimously passing the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Senator Jon Tester's rural water bill is on its way to the President's desk and is set to become law.Tester's Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Act reauthorizes a $15 million per year grant for five years to provide technical assistance for rural public water infrastructure systems and training for their employees in an effort to ensure rural communities have clean drinking water. "There is nothing more important for the health of a town than having access to clean water," Tester said, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "My bill takes a step in making sure water systems have the resources they need to provide safe drinking water to the families and small businesses in their communities. I urge the President to sign it so we can support these important public health resources on the ground in rural Montana."Tester's bill reauthorizes a provision of the Safe Water Act Amendments of 1996 that expired in 2004, establishing grants for non-profit organizations that provide onsite technical, circuit-rider, and training assistance to rural and small community water systems to ensure they can comply with federal safe drinking water standards.Over 77 percent of all community water systems across the country serve populations with fewer than 3,300 people, and over 90 percent of community water systems serve populations of fewer than 10,000. This spring Tester introduced a bipartisan bill that establishes a guaranteed annual investment to construct congressionally authorized rural water systems.Last month Tester sent a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee urging them to better support rural water projects. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4220 | Tester releases Thanksgiving Day statement [press_release] | 2015-11-30 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | Tester releases Thanksgiving Day statement (Big Sandy, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement to honor the Thanksgiving holiday:"We give thanks to our families, friends, and neighbors who contribute daily to Montana's unmatched sense of community. As Montanans enjoy their time together today we are grateful for our freedoms and we recognize the sacrifices of those who came before us. Especially in our thoughts are those who serve in the armed forces and are spending this Thanksgiving away from their home and loved ones." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4221 | Tester sponsors Small Business Saturday Resolution [press_release] | 2015-11-30 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (Big Sandy, Mont.) - As the holiday shopping season kicks into full swing, Senator Jon Tester is encouraging Montanans to shop locally.Tester recently sponsored a resolution declaring, today, November 28, 2015 as "Small Business Saturday." This initiative seeks to strengthen the economies of local communities while also raising awareness about important role small businesses play in the American marketplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, small businesses are responsible for over 60 percent of job growth in the past 20 years and employ almost 50 percent of all the employees in the private sector."Small businesses drive Montana's economy," said Tester, a small business owner. "As we spend time with our families this weekend and gear up for the holiday season, I encourage folks to support the small businesses who are hiring our friends and family and strengthening our communities."Tester regularly hosts Small Business Opportunity Workshops to connect Montana businesses with the tools they need to start and grow their operations. A copy of Tester's "Small Business Saturday" resolution is available HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4222 | Tester, Bullock help lead cleanup efforts in Columbia Falls [press_release] | 2015-11-30 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (Montana) - After continued prodding from Senator Jon Tester and Governor Steve Bullock, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Glencore announced an agreement today to move forward with cleanup plans for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) site. Senator Tester and Governor Bullock have been urging Glencore to come to the table and work with local stakeholders to ensure the contaminated land would be cleaned up. In January, after Glencore walked away from negotiations, Senator Tester sent a letter to the EPA asking them to list CFAC as a superfund site. "I'm pleased Glencore has finally realized it has an obligation to the people of Columbia Falls," Tester said. "As this process moves forward, I will continue to hold the company and the EPA responsible for ensuring this site is cleaned up and revitalized so we can continue to strengthen the economy in the Flathead."In February, Governor Bullock also urged the EPA to list CFAC as a superfund site. "I welcome the news that Glencore has recognized its obligations to clean the site and make it ready to once again become a driver of the Flathead economy," Bullock said. "The plant was a critical part of the economy of Columbia Falls and the site has been idle for too long. It has tremendous potential for redevelopment and will be an important anchor in the future of the region." Local stakeholders from across the region thanked Senator Tester and Governor Bullock for their continued efforts in the Flathead Valley. "It's good news. We've come to a "trust but verify" comfort level. The CFAC people have been straightforward, but the more you know about the corporate culture of the parent company Glencore, you just have to be watchful. We could never have gotten to this place without public officials bringing pressure. From Senator Tester and Governor Bullock to our city officials, they really have served the public here with exemplary determination and focus," said Columbia Falls Resident and Broker of RE/MAX Mountain View Real Estate Bill Daikin."… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4217 | Tester, Daines call on Senate to fully fund critical payments to Montana counties [press_release] | 2015-11-23 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (Montana) - Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines are calling on Senate leaders to fully fund a critical tool for Montana counties. Tester and Daines urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to fully fund Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for the 2016 Fiscal Year. PILT payments are made by the Department of the Interior to 55 Montana counties with federal lands that are not taxable by local governments, but the lands' presence creates demands for local government services, such as law enforcement and infrastructure. "Without full funding for the PILT program before the end of the year, counties across the nation will be unable to provide essential services to residents and millions of federal lands visitors alike," the Senators wrote. "As the end of the year approaches, enacting full-funding for PILT in FY 2016 is essential in order to provide counties with the certainty they need to plan their own budgets and continue providing essential county services."Montana counties received approximately $29.2 million in PILT payments in 2015.Tester and Daines letter, which is cosigned by 35 senators who represent counties with federal lands, is available online HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4218 | Tester hails Badger-Two Medicine decision [press_release] | 2015-11-23 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | Tester hails Badger-Two Medicine decision Senators efforts help lead to preservation of historical area of Montana (Great Falls, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Interior filed its plan in federal court to cancel an oil and gas lease in the Badger-Two Medicine, a sacred area to the Blackfeet Tribe adjacent to Glacier National Park:"Today's decision is a step toward protecting the Badger-Two Medicine for future generations. This area is a unique region that has cultural, historical, spiritual, and recreational significance to the people of the Blackfeet Nation and Montana. For too long the oil and gas leases in Badger-Two Medicine have caused uncertainty in this pristine landscape. I applaud all of the folks in Browning and across Montana who have worked so hard on this issue." In March, Tester sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging them to cancel all of the existing oil and gas leases in the Badger-Two Medicine. Last year, Tester passed historic conservation legislation to permanently protect the Rocky Mountain Front and the North Fork of the Flathead River, ensuring no oil and gas leases will be permitted on those pristine lands.A map of the Badger-Two Medicine lease… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=4219 | Tester fights to protect trade in northeast Montana [press_release] | 2015-11-23 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Democrat | House | MT | Jon Tester | T000464 | www.tester.senate.gov | legacy | (Great Falls, Mont.) - Senator Jon Tester today is fighting to protect trade across Montana's northern border by urging the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) not to reduce hours at the Port of Raymond in northeast Montana.In a letter to CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske, Tester noted that the Port of Raymond is a 24 hour port, but CBP is expected to close the port from 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. beginning next month. "I strongly believe a reduction in hours at this facility harms the United States' potential to maximize economic growth through increased trade with Canada," Tester wrote. "This proposal fails to recognize the importance of 24-hour ports in rural areas."Tester highlighted that terminating the Port of Raymond's 24-hour status will force trucks to travel an additional 100 miles to North Dakota or more than 400 miles across Montana to access the nearest 24 hour port. Revoking the Port of Raymond's 24-hour status would leave a nearly 550 mile gap between 24-hour ports on the northern border. "To put this in perspective, 550 miles is a greater distance than Detroit to Washington, D.C.," Tester added. Tester, Montana's only member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, brought Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Montana-Canadian border in August to see the challenges rural Customs and Border Protection employees are facing. Canada is Montana's largest trade partner. In 2014 Montana exported $549 million worth of goods to Canada, which represents almost 36 percent of Montana's total exports.Tester's letter to CBP Commissioner Kerlikowske is available HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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