WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator's 2nd letter in 7 days urges the Treasury to take unilateral action to support Montana workers and businesses * * * Following the Treasury Department's announcement that it would extend the deadline for tax payments but not for filing paperwork in the wake of the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Tester sent his second letter in seven days to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchi  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on March 17: * * * - Senator doubles down, calls for oversight hearing: "Transparency in government shouldn't require pulling teeth" * * * Following the Indian Health Service (IHS) announcement that it will make available to Congress a redacted version of its report on the decades of abuse perpetrated by Dr. Stanley Patrick Weber and that it will release the report's redacted executive summary to the public  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) declared an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration for 30 Montana counties in response to the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which will provide much-needed economic support for Montana's main street businesses. The affected counties are: Flathead, Gallatin, Missoula, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Wheatland, Beaverhe  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on March 19: * * * - In live Q&A, Tester provides guidance, updates on work to address novel coronavirus * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester hosted a Facebook Live Q&A to answer Montanans' questions and direct them to resources during the COVID-19 outbreak. Tester discussed best practices to limit the spread of the disease, gave an update on legislation to address the crisis, and directed Montanans towards reso  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Package includes a number of Tester priorities, including free testing for Montanans, unemployment insurance, funds for VA & IHS * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester took to the Senate floor to urge the Senate to quickly pass the House's bipartisan coronavirus relief package, which will provide critically needed resources for Montana's efforts to combat the outbreak, and he excoriated Senate Majority Lead  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) announced the Trump administration will expand telehealth services to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. "Too often, Montanans in our rural and frontier communities face challenges accessing a doctor or specialist. During this public health crisis, consulting your doctor remotely is critical," Gianforte said. "I appreciate the Trump administration's efforts to break down r  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: A bipartisan group of 23 House lawmakers, including Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.), today urged Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to immediately facilitate the transfer of $120 million in COVID-19 relief funds to the Indian Health Service (IHS) for immediate dissemination to Tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian Organizations. H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Respons  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) this afternoon called on congressional leaders to include critical Montana priorities in legislation addressing the COVID-19 outbreak and its fallout. "I urge you to remember the health care and economic needs of rural and frontier communities as well as the long-term impact Montana communities face as a result of this pandemic. Please ensure rural health care receive  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following statement: U.S. Senator Jon Tester released the following statement after U.S. Department Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar finally released $80 million in critical health care funds to combat the COVID-19 crisis. "I'm relieved Secretary Azar finally released the critical funds for Indian Country to combat the COVID-19 outbreak that Congress appropriated weeks ago - but to say this delay was unacceptable  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced the Small Business Administration (SBA) declared that Flathead, Gallatin, Missoula, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Wheatland, Beaverhead, Broadwater, Daniels, Deer Lodge, Fergus, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Mineral, Park, Pondera, Powell, Ravalli, Roosevelt, Sanders, Sweet Grass, and Teton counties wil  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to enable thousands of federal civil servants, who have experience with rapid emergency response, to assist rural communities that are increasingly overwhelmed by the challenge of responding to the Coronavirus outbreak. "We  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bipartisan bill that directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to delay enforcement of REAL ID for at least one year in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Daines has been proactively working with the Trump administration on a delay of REAL ID for Montana. "Montanans need to put their health and safety priorities first. Delaying the REAL ID requirements for one yea  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation to require private health insurance plans to cover treatments or vaccines for the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, with no cost sharing. Once a vaccine is available for coronavirus, this critical legislation will ensure it is available to Montanans and Americans across the country as soon as possible. "This bipartisan bill mitigates the coronavirus outbreak b  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the bipartisan Tax Filing Relief for America Act to extend the tax filing deadline from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. Daines' bill would provide additional relief to Montanans during the Coronavirus outbreak. "Hardworking Montanans shouldn't have to worry about meeting a deadline for filing their taxes when we're in the middle of a public health and economic crisis.  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release on March 14: U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Azar and the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Gaynor to ensure Indian Health Service (IHS) has the resources needed to provide coronavirus testing for tribal communities. "I want to ensure IHS has the ability to provide the necessary healthcare to combat this virus as this remains a high priority   more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that the Montana Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions in 2014. "I am glad to have finally secured this long overdue recognition for the over 200 Montanans serving in the 189th Aviation Regiment of the Montana Army National Guard," Daines said. "The 189th Aviation Regiment was recommended for thi  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that the Montana Air National Guard base has made the short list to receive an upgrade to C-130J military aircrafts. "This is great news for our men and women serving in the Montana Air National Guard and Great Falls," Daines said. "Modernizing our aging fleet will strengthen our national security and ensure our men and women have the resources necessary to keep America   more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Daines unveiled three more major proposals that will help protect Montana's workers, families, first responders, healthcare professionals and small businesses during the Coronavirus Outbreak. Daines' plan includes: a tax relief payment of 7.65% for workers and small businesses, $1,000 payment for all first responders and healthcare professionals and to suspend SBA loan payments for three months  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines voted for a Coronavirus relief bill which requires free testing for the Coronavirus, ensures paid and sick family leave for Montana's families and workers and provides emergency nutritional assistance for seniors, women, children and low income families. This bill, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, is Phase Two of Congress' response to the Coronavirus outbreak. "My top   more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - This bill will protect GI Benefits for Veterans and Their Dependents * * * U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Senate passed his bipartisan bill that protects veterans and their dependents from losing GI Bill education benefits during the Coronavirus outbreak while they take part in online classes. "I am proud to fight to protect veteran's education benefits during the coronavirus  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines urged President Trump to ensure Montana tribal communities have access to federal assistance during coronavirus outbreak. Daines has been very engaged and working with the Trump administration and Congress to provide relief and protect Montanans during the Coronavirus outbreak. "As the Federal government goes about this important work, I respectfully urge additional steps to speci  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced the Trump administration will be expanding access to Medicare telehealth services during the coronavirus outbreak. Daines has been vocal in advocating for the expansion of telehealth services to serve Montana seniors and folks across the state, including those in rural communities. "This decisions is about ensuring Montana's most vulnerable, our senior citizens, are able  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator has been relentless advocate for new squadron * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that the Montana Air National Guard (MANG) is one of eight finalists to be considered to receive new C-130J aircraft to replace the aging C-130H fleet. Tester visited MANG on Friday. "This is great news for the men and women of the Montana Air National Guard-who rely each and every day on C-130 aircraft t  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester is joining a bipartisan group of colleagues calling on federal agencies-including the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management-to mobilize their employees to assist with COVID-19 response in rural counties and tribal communities. "Throughout rural America, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture employ thousands of federal civil servants who have the relev  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 18: * * * - Ranking Member secures $60 million for VA diagnostic testing; lays out efforts to ensure safety of veterans and VA staff * * * Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester is working to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the capacity and resources it needs to efficiently carry out   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release on March 18: * * * - Ranking Member secures $60 million for VA diagnostic testing - lays out efforts to ensure safety of veterans and VA staff * * * Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester is working to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the capacity and resources it needs to efficiently carry out their mission, and protect veterans and local communities from the C  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: After Montana ranchers recently saw the steepest price decline for cattle in forty years due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is demanding that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue take immediate action to stabilize beef markets. "Since January 1, 2020, live cattle futures lost nearly a quarter of their value. As the United States continues to  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Beef Markets Flounder Senator's legislation will provide much-needed relief to independent cattle ranchers as prices drop amid COVID-19 pandemic * * * Following a unprecedented drop in cattle prices as a result of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and continued market consolidation, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is introducing bipartisan legislation that would provide much-needed relief to M  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester is leading the push for expanded access to telehealth in Montana and across the country in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. To better protect patients and healthcare providers, Tester is calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to waive current rules that slow access, and significantly increase resources for the Rural Health Care Program. "Telehealth allows providers t  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced $4,567,500 in Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funding for Montana to help combat the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). "This funding is a critical first step toward helping Montana communities fight the outbreak of COVID-19," said Tester. "I was proud to vote for this funding two weeks ago, but now it's past time for Mitch McConnell to let the Senate do its  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Senator outlines needs of workers and businesses on the ground, shares proposed solutions directly from Montanans * * * U.S. Senator Jon Tester continued his aggressive push to make sure that Washington does not leave Montana behind in its response to the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by pressing Senate Leadership to include key priorities for Montana workers, schools, small bus  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * - Package includes Senator's legislation to guarantee testing is free, provide emergency unemployment benefits * * * After calls for swift action from U.S. Senator Jon Tester, the Senate passed the bipartisan, Tester-backed coronavirus relief package, which will provide critically needed resources to Montana communities amid the state's efforts to combat the outbreak. The legislation will now be sent  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release: The U.S. Senate tonight passed Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester's bipartisan bill, which would allow veterans on the GI Bill to continue receiving full benefits as universities move classes online to prevent the spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The GI Bill determines student veterans' benefits based on whether or not they attend a physical university in person versus an onl  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. John Tester, D-Montana, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 16: The U.S. Senate tonight passed Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Jon Tester's bipartisan bill, which would allow veterans on the GI Bill to continue receiving full benefits as universities move classes online to prevent the spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The GI Bill determines student veterans' benefits  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, issued the following news release On March 20: U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced that the Treasury Department heeded his call to move the tax filing deadline for individuals and businesses to July 15, after his sustained efforts to get the Internal Revenue Service to take this concrete step to provide relief to Montana families and businesses. "The absolute last thing Montana families and businesses should be worrying about during a public he  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin announced that many individuals and corporations can defer tax payments due to the COVID-19 outbreak, providing relief that Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) requested in a letter yesterday. "As we confront this serious public health crisis, it's critical for hardworking Montanans and job creators to have relief from IRS deadlines and mandates," Gianforte said  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: After Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) requested Americans receive an extension to file their federal income taxes, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin announced today that the deadline to file will be extended from April 15 to July 15 for all individuals and corporations. "We're facing unprecedented challenges and great uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak," Gianforte said. "I appr  more