Jon Tester

How many Kalispells do you have out there?

At the VA hearing we had last week or 2 weeks ago, I asked the Secretary, and he said he was going to put some names forward.

Senator Tester and I have introduced a bill to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).

I will start with a thank you to Dr. Clancy for getting the VA Montana permanent director position filled.

To say that the VHA had a crisis on its hands in 2014 would be an understatement.

Congress acted swiftly and aggressively in response to that crisis with passage of the Veterans Choice Act.

I just want to point that out.

The issues that will come before this subcommittee are very important.

Are you actively recruiting those folks?

I don't need to tell you the trouble there. I mean, if we are talking about building partnerships, and they are not getting paid, it's tough to build a partnership, okay?

Okay, let me ask you this. When you are looking at hiring folks, are there policies that say that they aren't to be hired right out of college, that they need to have worked in the system, in mental health, in particular?

It would be great if you could get those legislative changes to us with some time to be able to visit about them.

I assure you that I will do all that I can to assist you in your job and your mission.

In recent years, Congress provided significant resources and additional tools to be able to address workplace shortages across-the-board.

I just want to thank you for the job that both of you have been doing in the Department of the Interior.

We have to redo our priorities in this country.

I think drilling is important. I think it helps power our economy, but if we are screwing up water in the process, long term, we are making a huge mistake.

I have to thank you personally for your work to protect pristine landscapes like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

I think it is money that will be paid back multiple times over.

I would also tell you from a ranching perspective, they have used these funds very, very effectively in keeping ranches in the family.

I think this is a real important issue for Indian country. Moving forward, hopefully we can come up with some solutions and get some problems solved.

These dollars would stay in that reservation or moved to different reservations?

Nobody knows trust responsibility better than you. I mean that with the highest regard.

The bill we are talking about, S. 438, will benefit Indian irrigation systems by creating a dedicated stream of funding for these projects from the Reclamation Fund.

If we pass this IRRIGATE Act, would you be able to add additional acres under your irrigation?