Veterans
As Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Jon is one of Congress’ most effective advocates for veterans. He is committed to working with both Republicans and Democrats to hold VA accountable, pass meaningful legislative reforms, and follow through on this country’s steadfast commitment to the men and women who have served.
Jon knows we must work to improve access to health care, benefits, jobs, education, transportation, and housing for veterans. And he believes that Congress must take their marching orders from veterans— not the other way around. That's why Jon routinely holds veteran hearings and meetings in Montana to hear from veterans face-to-face.
Tester is spearheading legislation to ensure that all veterans are getting the benefits and care they’ve earned. He teamed up with Republicans to pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act into law, to ensure that more veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange can access essential care and benefits. In a political climate when not much is getting done in Washington, Jon successfully worked with Republicans and President Trump to push this bill over the finish line.
He is also continuing to hold VA accountable by making sure that they implement the VA MISSION Act as intended by Congress. Jon is also pushing legislation protecting veterans’ disability payments and calling on VA to implement strategies to relieve financial burdens on veterans in Montana and across the country. And he’s pushing to change the VA’s approach to veterans’ mental health care and suicide prevention through his bipartisan Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019.
As the number of women in the military increase, Jon is also spearheading a number of bills including the Deborah Sampson Act, focused on improving VA services to empower and better serve women veterans.
Jon believes veterans deserve action. And they also deserve elected officials who will stand up for them, not stand in their way. He is deeply grateful for the many sacrifices veterans have made for this nation, and he won't stop until the men and women in uniform receive the quality benefits and care they have earned.
Related News
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April 2, 2020| View More
Tester, Moran Call on VA to Ensure All Veterans Receive CARES Act Relief Money
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today urged VA Under Secretary for Benefits, Dr. Paul Lawrence, to develop a plan between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure veterans and other VA beneficiaries, who are …
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April 2, 2020| View More
Tester, Moran Urge Secretary Esper to Mobilize the National Guard Under Federal Orders
Senate Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member (D-Mont.) and Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) are urging U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to work with states to mobilize all National Guard members responding to COVID-19 under the appropriate federal Title 32 duty status to make certain members of the Guard receive the benefits …
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April 2, 2020| View More
$200 Million in Critical Telehealth Programs Need Quick Approval, Tester Urges FCC
Continuing his aggressive push to expand telehealth resources for Montanans in response to the coronavirus outbreak, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to quickly approve $200 million for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program as appropriated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and …
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March 31, 2020| View More
As Effects of COVID-19 Grow, Tester & Moran Press VA to Waive Deadlines for Veterans Applying for Benefits
To ensure veterans aren't forced to choose between their health and their benefits, Senate Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) are leading the push to waive claim deadlines during the COVID-19 crisis. To protect veterans- one of the most vulnerable populations to the virus-the …
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March 31, 2020| View More
Tester to Trump: Approve Montana’s Major Disaster Declaration Request
U.S. Senator Jon Tester is urging President Trump to approve Montana's major disaster declaration request submitted by Governor Steve Bullock late last week. Approval of the request would help the state slow and mitigate the effects of the virus by opening up access to new resources for medical supplies, personal …
