Tester assigned to five powerful Appropriations Subcommittees

Senator says assignments will give Montana ‘front row seat’

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today was assigned to five subcommittees of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is one of the most powerful committees in Congress.  Its twelve subcommittees decide where the government spends taxpayer money, and how much it spends.

Tester learned today that he will serve on the Appropriations Committee’s:

• Energy and Water Development Subcommittee: Determines funding for agencies such as the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Department of Energy. The subcommittee also funds critical water infrastructure projects such as the St. Mary’s Diversion, Ft. Peck/Dry Prairie Rural Water System and the Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System.
• Interior & Environment Subcommittee: Determines funding for agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.
• Homeland Security Subcommittee: Funds the entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS), from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to the Transportation Security Administration. This assignment will allow Tester to continue efforts to ensure that DHS secures the Northern Border efficiently and effectively.
• Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee: Has jurisdiction over a wide range of federal agencies, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Small Business Administration Tester said he will be better positioned to promote Montana businesses on this subcommittee, because most companies in Montana in Montana are small businesses.
• Legislative Branch Subcommittee: Determines how to fund Congress and the Government Accountability Office, which is the non-partisan audits and investigative arm of Congress.

“These assignments mean Montana has a front row seat when it comes to investing in priority infrastructure projects and creating jobs,” Tester said.  “Now we’ll move forward with responsibility, accountability and transparency to make sure Montana taxpayers get their fair share, and that we invest their money effectively.” 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid appointed Tester to the Appropriations Committee earlier this year, only two years after Tester took office.

In addition to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester now serves on the Senate’s Veterans’ Affairs, Banking, Homeland Security and Indian Affairs Committees.