Jon Tester

We all know and we agree that accountability of VA is critically important, whether we are talking about delivering quality and timely care or whether we are talking about IT initiatives such as electronic health records and scheduling…

You will have access to x-rays, CAT scans?

We are obviously very interested in the direction VA is heading in terms of modernizing VistA, and whether we are talking about going to a commercial off-the-shelf system or developing a hybrid of the two.

I think that as this bill gets to this level, there are tons of people involved.

The Executive and Legislative branches of the State of Montana, and its federal Senator, Jon Tester, no longer acknowledge an oath to serve and protect the Montana residents

Slower is really not a direction that I am real crazy about heading.

I guess the real question is does the Administration support the goal of coming to a final resolution and getting to a final settlement of the CSKT water rights.

S. 3013 must be rejected outright.

My fears have been allayed.

I think the water rights process has worked reasonably well.

It would seem to me that this compact is a much better place to deal with this and get it taken care of than in the courts.

Settling tribal water rights provides certainty to all stakeholders in the watershed and saves everybody time and money by not forcing folks into the courtroom.

This bill would affirm the water rights compact between the Tribes and the State of Montana.

I believe we have a responsibility to ensure that the voices of Native Americans are heard.

I appreciate their support.

This bill would also settle the Tribe's claims against the United States for failure to protect the Tribe's water rights for over a century.

The State of Montana has been a model for the Country in settling water rights throughout the State, and we need to do the same.

I expect to work with my colleagues here in the Senate, and I hope the House does what they said they were going to do and get this bill passed.

Thank you very much, not only for us, but for all of the folks in Montana. You represent the entire State very well.

While the State of Montana has done a good job finalizing water compacts with the Tribes and the State, we in Washington need to do a better job.

Thank you again, Chairman Isakson and Ranking Member Blumenthal, for allowing NGAUS to submit testimony for this hearing.

We strongly urge you to champion language that will address the military's highest suicide rates.

NGAUS also strongly supports Senator Tester's bill, S. 832 to amend Title 10, United States Code, to authorize the provision of behavioral-health readiness services.

It is only right that those who serve in uniform and who are afflicted with 'a behavioral health condition or psychological trauma' ought to be able to avail themselves of the readjustment counseling available in the VA's Vet Centers.

VVA supports the passage of S. 3055 because, for many veterans, it may be the insurer of last resort.