National Security & Military
As a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Jon's top priority is keeping Montanans safe. That's why he works hard to ensure our country's military, law enforcement officers, and first responders have the resources they need to keep our families secure.
Jon has voted for pay raises for America's troops, protected the flying mission at the Montana Air National Guard, and passed legislation to better secure Montana's 540-mile northern border with Canada.
In response to a growing number of hacks and security breaches, Jon has also led the effort to close security loopholes and prevent future insider threats by reforming the security clearance and background check processes to ensure that America's most sensitive information doesn't end up in the wrong hands.
Jon also believes the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) fleet at Malmstrom Air Force Base is the most cost-effective deterrent to ensure the nation's safety. That's why Jon has worked so hard to help modernize Malmstrom's ICBM fleet, ensuring that the base remains safe and active for many years to come.
As Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Jon crafts the Homeland Security budget which includes U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Transportation Security Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This makes him acutely aware that while we must keep America safe, the cost of war is profound and will be felt by returning service members and American taxpayers for decades to come.
Related News
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September 9, 2020| View More
On Senate Floor, Tester Blasts Trump for Unconscionable Remarks on American War Heroes
U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, took to the Senate floor today to condemn President Donald Trump’s disparaging of Americans who lost their lives in war.
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July 23, 2020| View More
Senate Passes Tester-Backed Critical Defense Bill that Includes Key Tester Priorities for Malmstrom, Montana Air National Guard, Overdue Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure, Vets & Rural Mental Health
U.S. Senator Jon Tester secured a number of key defense priorities in the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-which passed the Senate today 86-14. The bill includes a number of important provisions championed by Tester that will strengthen military bases across the country, including Malmstrom Air Force Base …
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July 23, 2020| View More
Tester Introduces Bill to Provide Benefits to Veterans and Military Families Fighting COVID-19 Crisis
U.S. Senator Jon Tester introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation yesterday to remove barriers to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation and survivor benefits for certain active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and Reservists, exposed to COVID-19 on the front lines.
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July 21, 2020| View More
Tester, Rounds Bill to Streamline Education Benefits for Veterans Heads to President’s Desk
U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Rounds’ (R-S.D.) bipartisan G.I. Bill Work Study Improvement Act of 2019 is heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The Senators’ bill will provide timelier education benefits to student veterans participating in the VA Work-Study Allowance Program by cutting down …
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July 20, 2020| View More
Tester, Moran Bill to Expand Protections for Military Families Impacted by COVID-19 Heads to President’s Desk
The House passed bipartisan legislation today from Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and provide additional legal protections for members of the military impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The bill now heads to the …
