Tester working behind scenes on trimmed-down Jobs Bill

Senator says America needs jobs, not politics as usual

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester is spending the weekend behind the scenes in the U.S. Senate, working with Republicans and Democrats to negotiate a final version of the Jobs Bill.

All week Tester has been part of a group of U.S. Senators working together to come up with a trimmed-down version of the Jobs Bill that creates jobs by funding priority projects like roads, water systems, health care facilities and schools.

“After years of failed policies, our economy is in trouble,” Tester said.  “Now we need jobs, not politics as usual.  That’s why I’ve been working together colleagues from both political parties.  We’re cutting costs by putting the focus on priority projects that create jobs.”

Tester is a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees government spending.  He is working closely with Senator Max Baucus, who is chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee.

The Senate is expected to pass its version of the jobs bill, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this week.  The Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives will then vote on a final version of the legislation before sending it to President Obama to be signed into law.