Tester in the Flathead to Talk Historic, Bipartisan Infrastructure Package with Kalispell Community Leaders

Tester led negotiations on the once-in-a-century package that will invest in Montana bridges, roads, broadband, water projects, and create good-paying jobs

Rounding out his swing through northwest Montana this week, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today met with Kalispell small business and community leaders to provide an update on the historic bipartisan infrastructure package he negotiated with nine of his Senate colleagues and President Joe Biden.

Tester was joined by Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas, Columbia Falls City Councilman Mike Shepard, and Joje Bars Founder and CEO Jess Cerra to discuss how the bipartisan framework will provide essential infrastructure investments in Montana’s roads and bridges, broadband, airports, and water infrastructure, while boosting Montana’s economy and creating good-paying jobs.

“From crumbling rural roads to spotty broadband service, it’s clear to all Montanans that for decades we’ve been running a 21st century economy on 20th century infrastructure-and it’s time Congress did something about it,” Tester said. “I’m proud to have led negotiations on the framework for our once-in-a-century infrastructure package that has brought together Republicans and Democrats alike to invest in our workers, businesses, and communities. This bipartisan package will make significant, much-needed improvements to our state’s roads and bridges, airports and railways, broadband and water infrastructure, and more, while ensuring we can maintain America’s competitive edge over China for generations to come.”

After a meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of 10 Senators, Tester announced the group struck a deal on a once-in-a-century infrastructure package that will make critical investments in Montana’s aging infrastructure. Over the last few weeks, Tester led the negotiations between Republicans, Democrats, and the Biden Administration that resulted in the agreement.

Now that the landmark bipartisan framework has been agreed to, Senator Tester will continue leading his colleagues as they negotiate the details of the package and work with relevant Senate committees to assemble the legislation. Once a bill has been formally drafted, it will be put on the floor for a vote, and congressional leaders have expressed hope that a Senate floor vote will take place before the August recess. After Senate passage, the legislation must be passed by the House before being signed into law by the President.