Tester Selected As Chair Of Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
After years of serving Montana’s veterans and fighting to deliver quality care and benefits to the nation’s men and women in uniform, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., will take over the gavel as chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the new Congress. Tester led his first hearing on Thursday, Jan. 28, as chairman on the pending nomination of Denis R. McDonough to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and continue his partnership with Republican Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) who will serve as ranking member.
“Serving as chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee is an honor of a lifetime, and I’m grateful for the chance to lead the committee on behalf of Montana’s veterans and all who’ve served our nation proudly,” Tester said. “I’m looking forward to continuing the bipartisan partnership Senator Moran and I have built, and am ready to roll up my sleeves along with our committee members and veterans advocates to hold the VA accountable, cut red tape, and provide quality care and benefits to those who’ve sacrificed on behalf of our freedoms. Taking care of our veterans is a continuing cost of war, and I’m prepared to get to work in this new role to ensure Congress follows through on this sacred duty.”
Tester has been a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee since he joined the Senate in 2007. For years, Tester has been a champion for veterans in the Senate, working with various veterans service organizations to push critical initiatives such as the expansion of benefits and care for those exposed to Agent Orange, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, the Deborah Sampson Act, and the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans, Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act.
Montana and national veterans’ groups praised Tester’s new role: “It’s a great day for Montana’s veterans, and speaking in particular for the members of the Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars, it will be not only be a honor, but very much a pleasure to work with Sen. Jon Tester, who has not only earned the respect of his Congressional peers, but also with us Montana folk, to be placed in such an esteemed position,” said Montana national VFW representative Tom Johnson.
“Sen. Tester assuming the chairmanship will be a great benefit to the veterans of Montana and our nation,” said Department Adjutant of the American Legion Department of Montana Gary White.
“The American Legion has worked closely with Senator Tester and his office for many years. During the time we have worked with him, he has proven himself to be deeply committed to improving VA care and all of the services that VA provides to veterans and their families,” said American Legion national commander James W. “Bill” Oxford.
“Sen. Tester has been an unyielding champion for our nation’s veterans, helping to advance legislation to reform VA health care, improve programs for caregivers and women veterans, and ensure veterans exposed to toxic substances receive the benefits they deserve, among many other critical issues,” said Disabled American Veterans national commander Stephen “Butch” Whitehead.
