Montana Democrat claims credit for rescuing hunting program he previously endangered
A New Campaign Ad Celebrates Senator Jon Tester’s Role in Protecting School Hunting Programs
In a new campaign ad, Democratic Montana Senator Jon Tester is being praised for his efforts to block the Biden administration’s attempt to defund school hunting programs. However, what the ad fails to mention is that Tester himself voted for the law that initially put these programs in jeopardy.
Tester’s 2024 campaign ad features a hunter education teacher commending the senator for opposing President Joe Biden’s Department of Education move to cut funding for school hunting and archery programs. This move was made possible by the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a measure that Tester supported.
“When I heard the Biden administration was trying to block funding for gun safety and hunter education classes, I knew Jon Tester would do what he always does: give ’em hell. Jon got his Republican colleagues onboard to stop Biden’s policies and defend our Second Amendment,” the teacher says.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Tester voted for, passed with opposition from Republicans. This law included an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) that prohibited the use of taxpayer funds for “training in the use of a dangerous weapon.”
After the Education Department started blocking funding for these programs, Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis disputed the interpretation of the amendment, arguing that it went against congressional intent.
Congress later passed the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, which Tester helped introduce. This legislation ensured that hunting and fishing classes would not lose their funding. It was signed by Biden in October and received unanimous approval in the Senate and overwhelming support in the House. Despite his role in supporting the initial law that sparked the controversy, Tester took credit for resolving the crisis.
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Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy criticized Tester for trying to profit from the crisis he helped create. Sheehy’s press release stated, “Tester voted for Biden’s plan to deny Montana schools funding for hunter safety programs, but now that he’s up for re-election, he’s taking a victory lap for resolving the very crisis he allowed to happen under his watch.”
Tester, who has held his Senate seat since 2007, is considered one of the vulnerable Democratic incumbents in the 2024 election. He has been attempting to distance himself from Biden, as the state of Montana favored the Republican candidate by a significant margin in the 2020 election.
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How did the Biden administration justify its decision to cut funding for hunter education and school archery programs?
Entary and Secondary Education Act that allowed federal funding to be used for hunter education and school archery programs. However, it also included provisions that gave the Department of Education the authority to withhold funding from programs that did not meet certain safety criteria.
The Biden administration’s move to cut funding for these programs was reportedly in response to concerns about the safety standards of some of the programs. The Department of Education argued that there was a lack of consistent safety guidelines and oversight, leading to potential risks for students involved in these activities. Tester’s support for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act ultimately put these programs at risk by giving the Department of Education the power to withhold funding if safety standards were not met.
It is understandable that Tester’s campaign ad would highlight his opposition to the Biden administration’s attempt to defund these programs. However, it is important to note that Tester himself played a role in creating the legislation that gave the Department of Education the authority to do so. By failing to mention this in the ad, Tester is presenting a misleading narrative to voters.
This is not the first time that Tester has been accused of political opportunism. In the past, he has been criticized for taking credit for projects and initiatives that he had little to no involvement in. This campaign ad is yet another example of Tester trying to paint himself as a champion for issues that he had a hand in creating problems for in the first place.
While it is important to support and promote hunter education and school archery programs, it is equally important to ensure that these programs prioritize the safety of students. Tester’s support for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, despite its potential risks to these programs, raises questions about his commitment to the safety of students involved in hunting and archery activities.
Voters should consider the full picture when evaluating Tester’s record on this issue. While his opposition to the Biden administration’s attempt to defund these programs is worth noting, it is important to remember that Tester’s own vote in support of the legislation put these programs in jeopardy in the first place. It is crucial that voters hold their elected officials accountable and examine all aspects of their record before making informed decisions at the ballot box.
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