(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured pay raises for Montana troops while boosting the military readiness of Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana National Guard.

Tester voted in support of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which provides resources and equipment for the military and includes a 2.6 percent pay increase for troops and their families. Tester also strengthened resources for Malmstrom Air Force Base to maintain its fleet of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and expedite replacement of its aging UH-1N Huey helicopter fleet. 

“This bill will make our military stronger and ensure they have what they need to keep Montana and America safe,” said Tester. “By working together, we delivered critical resources for Malmstrom and the Montana National Guard that will support our men and women in uniform.”

Tester secured provisions to:

• Strengthen protections and guidelines for prescribing opioids to members of the Armed Services.
• Hold government contractors like Tricare, which provide health care to servicemembers and their families, accountable for the quality of care.
• Restore water sources that may have been contaminated from chemicals used to fight fires on military bases.

The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act passed the Senate 85-10. Members of the House of Representatives and Senate must now meet to negotiate a final compromise bill before it can be signed into law.