Tester Statement on American Rescue Plan Funding for Montana Schools

Senator: “I will continue working to make sure Montana students and schools have the support they need to thrive.”

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released a statement following Gov. Greg Gianforte’s announcement that the state has allocated more than $35 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help fully reopen schools in Montana and support students and staff:

“Montana students and families were hit hard by this pandemic, and we need to be do everything we can to help catch them back up. I was proud to be the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to vote for this critical funding that will help schools fully reopen safely, and get students back on the right track and stay safe throughout the school year. I’m glad the state of Montana is joining my push to provide relief to Montanans by putting these federal funds to use, and I will continue working to make sure Montana students and schools have the support they need to thrive.”

Over the course of the pandemic, Tester has held hundreds of meetings with Montana’s teachers, administrators, parents, and local officials to solicit input about what Montana schools need to make it through the crisis, and fought to ensure the American Rescue Plan would provide the support schools need to fully reopen safely and make sure no students fall through the cracks.

Tester was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to vote in favor of the American Rescue Plan Act.