Tester Advances Bill to Address Montana Flooding

Senator Approves Legislation to Provide Water Resources for Rural Communities

(U.S. Senate)–Senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Jon Tester today voted to pass legislation to address flooding across Montana and to provide vital funding for rural water projects.

Tester joined a bipartisan group of 85 senators to pass the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act through the Senate. The bill makes much-needed investments in Montana’s aging water systems to deliver clean water to communities across rural America.

“As flood waters rise across Montana, this bill provides critical resources that help reduce the damage,” said Tester. “I will keep holding Washington accountable to ensure that communities that are recovering from record floods receive the assistance they need to rebuild roads and structures that were damaged.”

Tester fought to include the following Montana provisions in the Senate’s Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act:

• $150 million for flood and storm damage reduction
• $150 million for flood control
• $86.5 million for rural water projects
• $10 million for the Blackfeet Water Compact.
• $12 million for the Crow Water Compact.
• $4.7 million for the Fort Peck and Dry Prairie Rural Water Project.
• $3.9 million for the Rocky Boy’s and Northcentral Montana Rural Water Project.
• $6 million for watercraft inspection stations in the Columbia River Basin.
• $10 million for the Missouri River Recovery Program.
• $1.9 million for the Milk River Project, including St. Mary’s Diversion Dam.
• $2.6 million for the Libby Dam. 

“Water is life for Montana farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and families,” said Tester. “This bipartisan bill invests in the health and economy of our rural communities.”

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester is responsible for writing the 12 bills that fund the federal government.

Tester also voted on the Senate floor today to pass the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act and the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.