Susan Collins: “Jon Tester once said he didn't know how his Senate colleagues saw him, but he hoped it was, first and foremost, as a…”

“Jon Tester once said he didn't know how his Senate colleagues saw him, but he hoped it was, first and foremost, as a farmer. Beyond his ability to drive a tractor or lug a container of beef raised on his Montana ranch to Washington, we have seen in Jon the best qualities of that noble occupation: hard work, resilience, and common sense. With his wife Sharla, Jon still farms the land near Big Sandy, MT, that has been in his family for more than a century. He was brought up to believe that public education, strong families, and civic engagement form the foundation of our democracy, and he has demonstrated that conviction as a teacher, school board member, and leader of the Montana State Senate. In the U.S. Senate, Jon has been an advocate of rural America and its farmers and ranchers, small business owners, sportsmen and women, and Tribal Nations. He has championed responsible energy development, improving schools, and expanding high-quality healthcare to underserved communities. It has been a pleasure to work with Jon on many issues. Maine and Montana share the distinction of having two of the highest percentages of veterans in the Nation, and we have joined together to honor America's patriots by both strengthening the benefits veterans have earned through their service and ensuring that our Armed Forces today have the resources they need to defend our Nation.…”