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 Statement on VA Lowering Interest Rates for Native American Veterans
VA lowering interest rates for the Native American Direct Loan from 6% to 2.5% Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester today released the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it lowered interest rates for VA...
Tester, Hoeven Introduce Bill to Recruit, Retain Tribal Law Enforcement
Senators’ Strengthening Tribal Law Enforcement Act to establish higher rates of pay for Bureau of Indian Affairs Officers Facing a public safety crisis in Indian Country, U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont) and John Hoeven (R-N.D) today introduced legislation to recruit and retain...
Tester, Daines Introduce Resolution Designating National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week
Montana is home to seven Tribal Colleges and Universities, the most of any state 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...