America’s veterans have sacrificed greatly for our nation, and when they come home, it’s our turn to work for them. It’s our responsibility to make sure all veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned.
I look forward to working with Ranking Member Moran, the Republicans, Democrats, and Independents on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Veteran Service Organizations, to ensure we are delivering on this nation's commitment to the men and women who have been in uniform. I believe that Congress must hold the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable in delivering timely, quality, and robust care and benefits to all veterans. We must continue improve veterans’ and servicemembers’ access to mental health care, reform VA Community care, strengthen accountability, and address workforce shortages at VA.
Thank you for visiting the official website for the United States Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Should you need additional information or assistance, please contact (202) 224-9126.
About Chairman Tester
Jon Tester is a third-generation Montana farmer, grandfather, and former school teacher who has deep roots in hard work, responsibility, and accountability. As a teenager, Tester played Taps at many funeral services for World War II veterans. These ceremonies left a deep impression on him – an impression that drives his work today as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Tester and his wife Sharla are proud farmers of the same land that was homesteaded by his grandparents in 1912 near the town of Big Sandy, Montana. In addition to farming and teaching, Tester and Sharla ran a custom butcher shop. Tester still butchers his own meat and regularly hauls it to Washington with him in a carry-on suitcase. Tester’s parents believed public education andagriculture are the cornerstones of democracy—and those values had a tremendous role in shaping Tester’s leadership.
Tester ran for and was elected to the Montana Senate in 1998. In 2005, Tester’s colleagues chose him to serve as Montana Senate President. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, and reelected in 2012 and 2018.
His first legislative victory in the U.S. Senate successfully raised the veterans’ mileage reimbursement rate for the first time in decades. Since then, Tester’s successful work for Montana’s and America’s veterans includes increasing veterans’ access to health care, reducing red tape in the benefits process, and creating more job opportunities for veterans.
In addition to his leadership position on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Tester serves on the Indian Affairs, Banking, Commerce and Appropriations Committees.
