(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today oversaw a Joint Hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs to discuss the legislative priorities of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for this Congress.

Before the hearing, Tester met with Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander for Montana Jack Hawley and leadership team Tim Peters, Art Widhalm, Virginia Arnold, and Bob Schwegel who attended to represent Montana veterans.

“The VFW is making a difference for veterans in Montana and across the nation,” said Tester. “I look forward to working with the VFW and every member of Congress to make sure the VA’s budget reflects the current needs of veterans and that veterans have access to the care and benefits they have earned.”

VFW Commander-in-Chief Brian Duffy outlined the VFW’s legislative priorities; he was accompanied by VFW national leadership and members from across the country.

Duffy called on Congress to give the VA the resources to address workforce shortages.

Tester discussed the importance of improving the delivery of health care in the community, and the VFW’s efforts to advance a responsible budget that improves veterans’ access to care.

Tester also asked the VFW to hold Congress accountable for making meaningful reforms on behalf of veterans.

Today’s hearing is the third of five legislative presentations from major Veterans Service Organizations. The Disabled American Veterans presented before Congress on Tuesday, and the American Legion presented earlier on Wednesday.