Tester top Democrat on Senate VA Committee

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator has taken the second-rank position on the Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee.

The office of Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. announced Thursday that the Big Sandy farmer had taken the position of ranking member on the committee, the top position for a Democrat in a committee during a Republican-majority Senate.

“Giving a voice to Montana’s veterans is one of the most important jobs I have as a Senator,” Tester said in a press release.

“This next Congress I will work with Republicans, Democrats and veterans advocates to hold the VA accountable and deliver for the brave men and women who risked life and limb to protect our most fundamental liberties.”

Tester has served on the committee for 10 years.

The press release said Tester has committed to working with both Republican and Democrats, as well as the Veterans Service Organizations, to hold the VA accountable, get meaningful reforms passed and make sure our country fulfills its promise to the men and women who have served.  

Representatives of several organizations praised Tester’s assuming the position of ranking member, including Bob Wallace,  adjutant general of the VFW.

“The VFW wants to congratulate Senator Jon Tester on his selection as the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs,” Wallace said in the release. “Sen. Tester has been a strong advocate for America’s veterans and we look forward to working with him in the 115th Congress.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of Jon’s accomplishments while representing the veterans of Montana on Capitol Hill,” Joe Parsetich, former head of Montana DAV and mentor coordinator for the Veterans Treatment Court in Great Falls,” said.  “His accomplishments on veterans’ issues are second to none. On behalf of all the veterans I work with and serve, we thank him and wish him the very best in all of his endeavors.

Tester is widely known as one of the Senate’s most vocal advocates for veterans, the release said.  As ranking member of the Senate Military Construction and Veterans’ Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Tester just spearheaded the passage of major legislation that increases funding for veterans health care by $3.3 billion.

Tester also worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft and introduce the Veterans First Act, intended to fix the VA’s Choice Program, bring more accountability and transparency to the VA, and enhance benefits and care to more veterans and their families.  Despite the fact that this bill was introduced and unanimously passed out of Committee back in April, leadership still hasn’t brought it to the floor for a vote.

Tester also works directly with veterans on the ground to help them get the care and benefits they’ve earned, the release said.  Earlier this year, Tester launched his Veterans’ Choice Outreach Tour to hear directly from veterans across 28 rural Montana communities. Tester also recently held a Small Business Opportunity Workshop in Great Falls, specifically aimed and helping veterans and entrepreneurs connect. And after more than five years of effort, Tester recently announced that the VA will establish a brand new Vets Center in Helena.