Veterans
As Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Jon is widely known as one of the Senate's most effective advocates for veterans. As a leader of the VA Committee, Jon is committed to working with both Republican and Democrats to hold the VA accountable, get meaningful reforms passed, and make sure this country fulfills its promise 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 members of Congress must take their marching orders from veterans--not the other way around. That's why Jon routinely holds veterans listening sessions in Montana to hear from veterans face-to-face.
Tester teamed up with Republicans to craft and pass the Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act and the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. In a political climate when not much is getting done in Washington, Jon successfully worked with Republicans and President Trump to get these major reform bills signed into law.
Tester has also spearheaded bipartisan legislation that would speed up disability claims processing, improve educational benefits for folks returning from war, and provide veterans with transportation to and from VA medical facilities.
And as the number of women in the military increase, Jon has introduced a number of bills focused on improving VA services to empower and better serve women veterans.
Jon believes veterans deserve actionâ??-â??and they deserve elected officials who will stand up for them and 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 who served get the quality benefits and care they have earned.
Related News
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September 19, 2018| View More
Tester Succeeds in Pushing the VA to Establish a Regional Benefits Director in Montana
Tester has been pushing the VA for seven years to establish this position because of the high volume of claims processed in Montana. While the Fort Harrison Regional Benefits Office serves one of the largest and most rural states, the Director for Montana is currently based out of Salt Lake …
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September 18, 2018| View More
President Signs Tester Bill to Strengthen Veteran Treatment Courts in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls and Missoula
"I've seen firsthand the amazing difference that Veterans Treatment Courts make in the lives of Montana veterans," said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. "Additional specialists will help address the root causes of addiction and give our veterans a real chance at recovery."
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September 17, 2018| View More
Tester Calls on VA to Finalize an Exit Plan from Health Net
Tester is calling on VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to make sure that this transition happens smoothly for veterans, community providers, and VA employees.
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September 12, 2018| View More
Tester Challenges VA to Better Combat Veteran Suicide
During Suicide Prevention Month, Ranking Member Jon Tester is challenging the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to ramp up its efforts to connect every veteran in need with mental health care.
