Jon Tester: “I rise today in support of protecting our Nation's outdoor traditions, including opening access to our public lands…”

“I rise today in support of protecting our Nation's outdoor traditions, including opening access to our public lands, preserving some of the greatest places to hunt and fish and recreate, and encouraging economic development and job creation in our great outdoors. Last fall I called upon Congress to pass my bipartisan Sportsmen's Act. As the chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I made it my goal to do something significant, something historic for this country's hunters and anglers. We came very close to passing my bill twice, but politics got in the way both times. A commonsense and widely supported measure failed to get across the finish line because some folks around here put self-interests before the interests of their constituents. I am optimistic that this time will be different and that we can work together to get this bill across the finish line. Senator Hagan is leading the charge on behalf of our sports men and women, and I know she is ready to work with all of our colleagues to find a path forward. My friend from North Carolina is the new chairman of the sportsmen's caucus. Hailing from a State with a rich hunting tradition, she knows the importance of protecting America's outdoor heritage. Representing a State that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains, she knows it is critical to preserve our wide range of treasured lands.…”