Tester statement on unanimous passage of his bipartisan Wall Street reform amendment

Senator’s amendment on rural banks among first included in Wall Street reform bill

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after the Senate cleared his first amendment to the Wall Street reform bill:

“This amendment will make sure rural community banks pay only their fair share when it comes to federal bank insurance.  It’s good news for the small banks that make rural America run. And for the people, small businesses, and farmers and ranchers that depend on those banks.

“Our economy almost collapsed two years ago because of the irresponsible actions of greedy Wall Street banks, while rural community banks lived within their means and played by the rules.  My role during this debate will be to make sure Montana’s rural community banks aren’t left holding the bag for Wall Street.”

Tester’s amendment was cosponsored by 15 Senators from both sides of the aisle, including Senators Scott Brown, R-Mass., and Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.

The measure—one of the first included in the Wall Street reform bill—passed on a vote of 98-0, and is available on Tester’s website HERE.