Tester tapped as new Vice Chair of Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus

Bipartisan group of lawmakers will stick up for ‘outdoor heritage’

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester has been chosen to serve as vice chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus for the next two years.

“In Montana, we take pride in our outdoor heritage, and we take pride in making sure everyone has access to our world class hunting and fishing areas,” Tester said. “I look forward to continuing to work with this bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives to look out for God's infrastructure—our wildlife, mountains, forests, prairies, rivers and lakes.”

Senators Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, have been chosen to serve as co-chairs and lead the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus for the next two years.

“I grew up hunting and fishing and as an elected official, I have a tremendous opportunity to advocate these traditions in the halls of Congress,” Nelson said.  “As co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, I look forward to working with my fellow sportsmen on Capitol Hill to advance the interests of hunters, anglers and conservationists who continue to enjoy the time honored American tradition of enjoying the outdoors.”

Members of the caucus say hunters, anglers, and conservationists across the country will have strong bipartisan legislative support in the U.S. Senate on issues important to America's outdoor and sporting heritage during the 111th Congress.

Senator John Thune, R-S.D., will serve as caucus vice chair with Tester.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrate their 20th anniversary this year with pride in their past legislative accomplishments and with an eye on the future of hunting, angling, and conservation issues.

“We thank Senators Nelson, Crapo, Thune and Tester for stepping up and agreeing to lead the Sportsmen’s Caucus in the U.S. Senate,” said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “For the past 20 years, the Sportsmen’s Caucus has time and time again passed legislation that protects and promotes hunters, anglers, and habitat and I’m confident the new leadership will lead the way once again.”

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus is a longtime member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.