Tester Takes Gavel as Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee for the 118th Congress

(U.S. Senate) - U.S. Senator Jon Tester again secured the gavel of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee for the 118^th Congress-continuing his critical work on behalf of the nation's veterans and their families in his second term as Chairman, where he will serve alongside Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

"It's an honor of my lifetime to serve as Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee," said Tester."I take great pride in representing veterans in Montana and across the country who have served our nation proudly. In this Congress, I'm hitting the ground running to defend the benefits and care veterans and their families have earned, and to deliver them even stronger support. Our bipartisan efforts will continue through the steady implementation of landmark laws such as the PACT Act, in addition to new reforms that'll strengthen VA infrastructure, increase hiring in rural areas, expand mental health support, and deliver all veterans the quality health care and benefits they've earned."

Tester's first action as Chairman this Congress is to unveil a series of bipartisan bills this week to deliver stronger resources and support to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This includes critical legislation to bolster recruitment and retention at VA and to modernize the delivery of VA infrastructure projects in Montana and across the country. He is also committed to protecting veterans' access to benefits and health care, including those newly eligible under the Senator's Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, against proposals to tie the hands of VA or impose harmful cuts to the critical funding needed to deliver for our nation's veterans.

This Congress, Tester is keeping up his push to expand critical health care and benefits to the nation's veterans, their families, and survivors. He will also keep holding VA accountable in implementing landmark laws including the PACT Act, and in providing the highest quality and timely care veterans have earned, regardless of where they live.

Tester has been a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee since 2007, and is the only member of the Montana delegation who sits on the Committee. <_o3a_p>