At the Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday on the Missoula County Courthouse lawn, Montana senior Senator Jon Tester announced an appropriation of nearly $2 billion dollars for veterans health care. The vote was unanimous.

"Yesterday, I and other folks at the U.S, Senate took to the Senate floor and passed an amendment that invests an extra $1.9 billion for VA medical services," Tester said. "And, we voted unanimously, something that simply doesn't happen in the U.S. Senate these days. This amendment will help those of you who have to travel to Fort Harrison or Spokane to get reimbursed more quickly."

Tester said he plans to keep a close eye on how that money will be spent.

"This additional $1.9 billion is what the VA needs to take better care of our veterans," he said. "You have my word that I will be scrutinizing how every dollar is spent, because we can't afford to make these investments without knowing that they're producing results for our courageous service members."

Tester was one of several speakers at Wednesday's event, along with Mayor John Engen, County Commissioner Jean Curtiss and representatives from Senator Steve Daines and Governor Steve Bullock.

Forgotten Warriors Post 101 has hosted the ceremony on the courthouse lawn for the past 34 years.

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