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Jon Tester's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. Senate (MT) - Jr

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Action Fund (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "On the 47th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, the law of the land remains clear: the government has no place between a woman and her doctor." (x.com)
  • "Today, I will vote to codify the protections in Roe v. Wade. For nearly 50 years, women have been able to make their own private healthcare decisions without government interference—it should stay that way. #WHPA" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3755: "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "88 years ago, Social Security was signed into law – and it’s just as critical today. I’ll always fight to ensure that every Montana senior receives the resources and benefits they’ve earned, and together we’ll ensure that Social Security stays strong for generations to come." (x.com)
  • "Seniors have paid into Social Security over a lifetime of hard work, and now Republican politicians want to put it on the chopping block. It's plain wrong, and I'll fight like hell against any plan to cut or privatize Montana seniors' hard-earned retirement income." (x.com)
  • Rated 90% by Alliance for Retired Americans (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 6% by National Tax Limitation Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "As the Senate debates the tax reform bill, we must consider its impact on the debt. We can’t continue to saddle future generations with more crushing debt." (x.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act will reduce our national deficit and bring down health care and energy costs—all without raising taxes on working families. It's a fully paid-for inflation fighter that'll keep more money in your pockets. I'm working hard to get it done." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1: "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 6% by National Tax Limitation Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "This bipartisan bill will make critical investments in Montana's roads in bridges. In our broadband and water infrastructure. In our airports and railways. In our workforce, and in our future. And it will do all of that without raising taxes." (x.com)
  • "What I told the IRS was simple: crack down on multinational corporations and millionaire tax cheats, not Montana’s working families. I’m glad they got the message." (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1: "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 87% by Common Cause (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Corporations are not people. Citizens United was a disastrous decision that's allowed dark money to corrode our politics to this day. It's time to pass my constitutional amendment to #EndCitizensUnited and finally bring transparency to our elections." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 2093: "For the People Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • "The Senate is back in session, so I’m on my way to reintroduce two bills that’ll kick dark money out of our elections. My "Corporations Are Not People" Amendment to overturn Citizens United And my SUN Act, to shine a light on big money donors and bring more transparency." (x.com)
  • "Keeping Montanans safe is my top priority. That's why I held a roundtable in Bozeman today with southwest Montana law enforcement to hear from them directly about how we can better support their needs and protect our communities. I'll always stand with Montana's police forces." (x.com)
  • "In Montana, we rely on officers from local police departments to federal law enforcement agencies to keep us safe. So whether it's the county sheriff's office, Tribal police, Border Patrol, or the FBI, I'll always make sure Montana's bravest have what they need to do their jobs." (x.com)
  • "It’s clear that our brave officers need more resources, not less—so I'll keep working to get our rural police forces the resources and manpower they need." (x.com)
  • "I’m angry at George Floyd’s death and believe those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice. I’m calling on @TheJusticeDept to step in to investigate the MPD. We all have a role to play in making sure justice is served equally in this country." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7776: "James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • "I'm proud to be taking the gavel as the new Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Whether our servicemembers are on the ground, in the air, or at sea, I'll be fighting to ensure they've got the resources they need to keep us safe." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 815: "National Security Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4346: "Supreme Court Security Funding Act of 2022 (CHIPS and Science Act of 2022)" (votesmart.org)
  • "All roads lead to the capital, and they could use an upgrade. Glad to be with local leaders in Helena today to highlight how the historic investments from my bipartisan bill will create jobs and grow our economy—without raising taxes or adding to the debt." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319: "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376: "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Housing affordability and availability is often the first thing I hear about when I talk to MT families and businesses. If we're going to help our rural economy grow, we have to get my bipartisan Rural Housing Service Reform Act passed to strengthen housing access in our state." (x.com)
  • "As Montana’s housing costs continue to rise, the Biden Administration needs to ensure that its housing programs are serving the folks in Montana that they’re meant for. I’m continuing to press officials to step up and protect families’ access to housing in rural America" (x.com)
  • "Everywhere I go in Montana, I hear about a lack of affordable housing. It's killing rural America and driving folks out of the places they've lived their whole lives. I pressed housing experts this week on growing our rural housing supply, and I'll keep working to get it done." (x.com)
  • "There's not a place I go in Montana where I don't hear concerns about housing availability and affordability. At our Senate Banking Committee hearing today, I pressed experts on how we can fix the supply problem so that we can better keep up with this need for accessible housing" (x.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act will reduce our national deficit and bring down health care and energy costs—all without raising taxes on working families. It's a fully paid-for inflation fighter that'll keep more money in your pockets. I'm working hard to get it done." (x.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act puts American-made oil, gas, and renewable energy in the pipeline. It's good for Montana's energy jobs, good for Montana's future, and good for Montanans' power bills." (x.com)
  • "Good news: We passed a bill to pay down the debt, lower costs for Montana families, and unleash American energy—without raising taxes on working Montanans. I heard from Montanans across the state about the need to tackle inflation. Our Inflation Reduction Act will do just that." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376: "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Too many Montanans who have spent years giving back to rural America are denied student loan forgiveness through #PSLF, and @usedgov can't seem to tell me why. Secretary DeVos refuses to be transparent, so I'm asking again—this time, not as nicely." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by National Education Association (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "we need to urgently address the underlying challenges of college affordability, like reining in universities that jack up prices on students. Every Montana student who needs financial aid should be able to access it, and Montanans who choose not to go to college need a path to a good job that allows them to stay, work, and raise a family in Montana. Senator Tester will continue to push his colleagues in Congress to address this serious issue in a bipartisan way." (www.newsweek.com)
  • "We need to be doing more to help folks struggling with student loan debt, not less. That's why I'm holding Mick Mulvaney accountable for his decision to decimate the @CFPB's student loan watchdog." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 2747: "Freedom to Vote Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Access to the ballot box is critical to a functioning democracy, but that fundamental right is under attack. With the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, I'm fighting to make sure every eligible Montanan has a fair and equal opportunity to make their voice heard." (x.com)
  • "My Freedom to Vote Act would've protected same-day registration and set sensible standards for voter ID—like letting students use school IDs. Access to the ballot box is fundamental. We should be making it easier, not harder, for eligible Montanans to make their voices heard." (x.com)
  • "There's nothing more fundamental to our democracy than the right to vote. With my Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, I'm fighting to make sure all eligible voters have fair and equal access to the ballot box." (x.com)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act puts American-made oil, gas, and renewable energy in the pipeline. It's good for Montana's energy jobs, good for Montana's future, and good for Montanans' power bills." (x.com)
  • "If we've got to ramp up energy production in light of this crisis, we should be doing it domestically and on all fronts—meaning oil, gas, and renewable energy. Let's strengthen America and create jobs here at home." (x.com)
  • "More than $1.3M is coming to Montana to fund 35 renewable energy infrastructure projects. Improving access to affordable energy in our rural communities is a no brainer—and I'm proud to have secured these resources for our farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses." (x.com)
  • Rated 75% by League of Conservation Voters (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Inflation Reduction Act puts American-made oil, gas, and renewable energy in the pipeline. It's good for Montana's energy jobs, good for Montana's future, and good for Montanans' power bills." (x.com)
  • "I appreciate President Biden working with our bipartisan coalition to ban imports of Russian oil and gas. This will weaken Putin's regime. Now we've got to increase domestic production and strengthen our energy independence so we can get working families some relief at the pump." (x.com)
  • "If we've got to ramp up energy production in light of this crisis, we should be doing it domestically and on all fronts—meaning oil, gas, and renewable energy. Let's strengthen America and create jobs here at home." (x.com)
  • Rated 15% by American Energy Alliance (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Gun Owners of America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "I've been meeting with folks affected by gun violence in their own communities—like Ryann from Helena and @McConaughey from Uvalde. From mental health care to background checks, there are bipartisan solutions that'll keep people safe while respecting our constitutional rights." (x.com)
  • "Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should call the Senate back to session to address bipartisan background check legislation that would help keep guns out of the hands of court adjudicated mentally ill, criminals and terrorists." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 2938: "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today arguments began in a lawsuit attempting to repeal legal protections for the 152k+ Montanans with preexisting conditions. So, I asked Montana healthcare experts to explain #WhatsAtRisk if these protections disappear. #mtpol" (x.com)
  • "Right in the midst of a global pandemic, the Trump Administration is doubling down on their efforts to strip health care away from millions of Americans. I'm leading my colleagues in the Senate in demanding @TheJusticeDept halt its reckless attacks on the ACA." (x.com)
  • "The ACA was signed into law 11 years ago today. Because of it, more than 150,000 Montanans with a pre-existing condition can't be denied coverage, 7,000 young adults can stay on their parent's coverage, and the number of uninsured veterans has dropped by 40%. That's a big deal." (x.com)
  • "The Affordable Care Act impacts healthcare for ALL Montanans and plays an integral role in keeping our rural hospitals open. Glad the Supreme Court made the right decision today and upheld the ACA, ensuring continued coverage for millions of Americans." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201: "Families First Coronavirus Response Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Slashing prescription drug prices is all about helping Montana families make ends meet. As long as I'm representing our great state, I'll take on anyone—Big Pharma or otherwise—to lower costs and improve quality of life for Montanans." (x.com)
  • "For years, there's been talk across Washington about getting a grip on skyrocketing prescription drug costs. Our Inflation Reduction Act gets it done." (x.com)
  • "I came to Washington to work for rural America. Our Inflation Reduction Act is going to cut prescription drug costs, create American jobs, and it’s going to do it by taxing big corporations, not working families. Let’s get it to the President’s desk." (x.com)
  • "I'll tell you flat out—prescription drug costs are out of control. But there are steps we can take to lower these outrageous costs, and it's time for Congress to get serious and take action." (x.com)
  • Rated 17% by Federation for American Immigration Reform (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Technology to scan vehicles and cargo for fentanyl and other contraband is critical to securing our border and combatting the fentanyl crisis—but only if it's actually installed. As Congress finalizes border security funding, it needs to act to get this equipment in the field" (x.com)
  • "This is outrageous. The head of Customs and Border Protection says we have the tech to stop fentanyl, but it can’t be installed because Mitch McConnell blocked the funding needed to install it. Congress needs to stop the games and pass the bipartisan border security bill now." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of S Amdt 1955: "Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment)" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S Amdt 1948: "Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (Toomey Amendment)" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 17% by Federation for American Immigration Reform (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S Amdt 1955: "Uniting and Securing America Act (Coons-McCain Amendment)" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6126: "Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "I continue to stand with the Ukrainian patriots fighting for their democracy, and I'm working as Defense Chairman to bolster our allies’ security and get Ukraine more resources to respond." (x.com)
  • "Our sanctions against Russia are working, and we should close any potential loopholes to make sure they keep working. Proud to join @SenWarren, @MarkWarner, and @SenJackReed on a bill to ensure Putin and his followers can't use digital tools to evade our economic sanctions." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833: "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7691: "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (votesmart.org)
  • "As Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will get more funds and equipment to the Ukrainian patriots defending their country against Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion. I stand with our allies in condemning the illegal Russian invasion of a sovereign nation." (x.com)
  • "I continue to stand with the Ukrainian patriots fighting for their democracy, and I'm working as Defense Chairman to bolster our allies’ security and get Ukraine more resources to respond." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833: "Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023" (votesmart.org)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.

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