Tester discusses budget concerns, security interests with Defense secretary

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) held a hearing this week with Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary James Mattis regarding the President’s recently-proposed budget priorities and the nation’s economic strength.

Tester brought attention to the budget’s proposed cuts to agencies that help prevent conflict and how those cuts might affect the federal government’s increasing debt. Tester also wanted assurances that military service members would have the proper equipment and training to do their duties safely.

Included in the proposed budget are cuts to the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and Education. The State Department’s budget would be cut by approximately 30 percent.

“In my opinion, our nation’s strength isn’t only reflected by the size and capabilities of our military, it is reflected in the strength of our schools, our health care system, and our nation’s infrastructure,” Tester said. “Our strength is reflected in our economic security and national security.”

Tester also wanted to ensure that the DOD meets the Obama Administration’s schedule for the replacement of the Vietnam-era Huey helicopters at Maelstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana by 2019.

Mattis said that Russia posed the most-significant strategic challenge to the United States and that it was critical that all NATO members meet their commitments to their collective security concerns.