Jon Tester: “I have come to realize that we are never going to get politics completely out of the legislative process. In the system…”

“I have come to realize that we are never going to get politics completely out of the legislative process. In the system we have today, there is always another election and there is always another campaign. This political posturing must be addressed. It is hurting our democracy, and it is a prime reason Congress's approval rating is in the single digits. Today politics is hurting the men and women who bravely served our Nation. It is hurting our veterans. When the news about the problems at the VA became public, lawmakers ran to the press and slammed the VA. They called for reform and accountability. They even dragged good men through the mud to score political points. Members from both sides of the aisle said politics needed to be set aside because if there is just one thing that should cause our politicians to look past political games, it is our veterans. It is our commitment to our veterans, our commitment to making sure they get the care they have earned. But today some lawmakers decided to forgo the hard work of compromise. Instead of putting veterans first, they have made improving veterans care political. We have been working for 6 weeks to find a compromise bill that improves veterans' access to care, that holds the VA more accountable, and that hires more medical professionals so veterans can get the care they need when they need it.…”