Tester receives award for fiscal responsibility

(U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester was honored as a “Fiscal Hero” last week for his efforts to pass a balanced budget, promote fiscal responsibility, and cut down on wasteful government spending.

Tester was one of 21 Senators from both sides of the aisle, and the only member of the Montana delegation, to be honored by Fix the Debt.

“Making sound fiscal decisions is important for this generation and for the next,” Tester said. “In Montana we have to have a balanced budget, it’s high time Washington followed suit. It just plain makes sense. We can’t spend more money than we make.”

The Campaign to Fix the Debt is a nonpartisan movement which advocates for fiscal responsibility and addressing the nation’s debt. Maya MacGuineas, who leads the group, praised Tester’s efforts.

“Senator Tester has worked through a variety of channels to draw attention and find solutions to the nation’s fiscal challenges,” MacGuineas said. “While many lawmakers have chosen to bury their heads when it comes to these issues, Senator Tester has shown courage and leadership and has been willing to stand up for what is right for the country – even when it’s not easy to do so.”

Other Senators honored include Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).

Tester has been calling on Congress to exercise fiscal responsibility since he was elected in 2006. Last year, he voted against a bill that would have added $680 billion to the national debt, and he has introduced a bill to amend the Constitution to stop Congress from spending more money than it takes in.