Tester Breaks Through Washington Gridlock Again, Passes Another Bipartisan Bill Through Senate

Senator is One Step Away from Sending Tenth Bill to President’s Desk

(U.S. Senate)-U.S. Senator Jon Tester today again broke through the Washington gridlock and passed another bipartisan bill through the Senate.

The Senate unanimously passed the Tester’s Honoring Hometown Heroes Act, which amends the U.S. flag code to allow the Governor of a state to order the American flag to be lowered to half-staff in the event that a local first responder dies while serving in the line of duty. The Honoring Hometown Heroes Act is the tenth bill Tester has authored this year that will be sent to President Trump’s desk for signature, once the House of Representatives finalizes a procedural vote.

“When folks fall into harm’s way, police officers and firefighters risk their lives to keep our communities safe,” Tester said. “This bipartisan bill will give our first responders who die in the line of duty to receive the recognition they deserve. I am proud that Republicans and Democrats put politics aside to pass this important bipartisan bill.”

Currently, Governors only have the ability to order the American flag to fly at half-staff after the death of a government official or the death of a member of the Armed Forces during combat.

Tester introduced the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act earlier this year and entered the names of 128 Montana law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty into the Congressional Record.

Tester’s bipartisan bill has been endorsed by police departments across Montana in addition to the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, Fraternal Order of Police, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Honor Guard Commanders Association, National Honor Guard Academy, and National Fire Academy Alumni Association.

The other nine Tester-authored bills that have been signed into law or are sitting on President Trump’s desk are:

• Government Accountability Office Access and Oversight Act
• VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act
• Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act
• Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act
• Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act
• VA Expiring Authorities Act
• Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act
• Gary Deloney and John Olsen Toxic Exposure Declassification Act