(U.S. Senate) – Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Jon Tester this week hand-delivered a letter to President Donald Trump asking for his support of the bipartisan Caring for Our Veterans Act.

Following a bipartisan meeting at the White House to discuss immigration and border security, Tester left the President with a clear message.

“The bipartisan Caring for Our Veterans Act builds on your efforts to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs,” wrote Tester. “You campaigned on fixing the systemic problems at the VA and your signature on legislation to reform VA health care would headline any veterans’ legislative successes of your Presidency.  I hope we can count on your leadership to bring this bipartisan bill across the finish line.”

Tester wrote the Caring for Our Veterans Act with Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and it has earned the support of 26 veterans and military service organizations. 

The bill replaces the Choice Program with one, easy-to-navigate, community health care system that puts the decision of where to seek care in the hands of veterans and their doctors.  It also allows the VA to invest in its medical staff and infrastructure to better serve veterans in rural areas like Montana.

In November, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved Tester’s Caring for Our Veterans Act with overwhelming support, but it has yet to be debated on the Senate floor.

Tester’s letter to President Trump is online HERE.