Indian Affairs

Jon grew up just down the road from Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation in North Central Montana, and he believes that the U.S. Government must uphold its treaty and trust responsibilities to Indian Country.

As a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Jon has worked closely with Tribal nations to expand resources at the Indian Health Service, increase investments in Tribal schools, and secure resources and expand jurisdiction for Tribal Law Enforcement agencies.

Jon has led the charge in the fight against the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis by working hand in hand with Tribal advocates to pass his two bipartisan bills—Savanna’s Act and Not Invisible Act—into law. These laws will bolster data collection and information sharing between Tribes and law enforcement agencies and strengthening violent crime prevention efforts in Indian Country, and Jon continues to aggressively hold agencies like the Department of Interior and the Department of Justice accountable on public safety issues in Tribal communities.

Jon has a long history of advocating for strengthening Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, and he is making sure that Tribal leaders have the tools they need to increase opportunity and boost local economies.

Jon regularly visits each Montana Indian Reservation, sits down with Tribal leaders and families, and brings their concerns straight back to the Senate.

Working hand-in-hand with Tribes across Montana, Jon secured record investments to improve aging infrastructure on Tribal lands—including upgrades to reservation’s high-speed internet, water systems, health facilities, and public transportation. Jon’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also completed all authorized Indian water rights settlements.

Whether the debate is about health care, education, or infrastructure, Jon is always pushing to empower Native voices and make sure they have a seat at the table.

Tester Presses Attorney General Garland to Tackle Growing Influence of Mexican Drug Cartels in Indian Country Ah...
Senator urges head of Department of Justice to use full force of agency to tackle crime, improve public safety on reservations in Montana As a part of his tireless effort to tackle drug trafficking and improve public safety in Indian...
Tester, Daines Introduce Resolution Designating National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week
Highlighting importance of higher education in Indian Country Today, U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines led a bipartisan group of colleagues in designating the week beginning February 5th as “National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week” to highlight the importance of...
Tester Urges Officials to “get serious” and Address Flow of Fentanyl from Southern Border to Native Communities
Senator calls on Administration to address BIA recruitment During a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing this week, U.S. Senator Jon Tester pressed Biden Administration officials on the federal response to the fentanyl crisis on Tribes in Montana, calling for...