Strengthening America’s Armed Forces and Honoring Its Veterans
Max has always understood the importance of keeping America's military the best in the world, and keeping Montana at the heart of military operations. As the state's senior U.S. Senator and a former member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, Max has continually fought to protect our country and to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces. In addition to designating money to nation-wide security endeavors, Max has continually sought to strengthen Malmstrom and Montana's other military facilities, and increasing the state's important role in defending the nation, but at home and abroad . Moreover, with so many of brave sons and daughters serving in Iraq, Max has repeatedly expressed his appreciation and support for the troops and been adamant about the Iraqi government standing on its own two feet so America can begin to bring the troops home. Max is eager to continue his tireless efforts to support Montana, America and the brave soldiers who have donned the uniform of the Red, White, and Blue.
Improving Benefits For Members Of America’s Armed Forces And America’s Veterans
Max introduced his Help Our Patriots Employment (HOPE) Act, passed into law in 2007, to provide incentive for employers to hire service-connected disabled veterans and to improve adjustment assistance and job-training transition for injured and disabled veterans
Max fought for the the 3.5 percent pay raise for the troops, included in the 2008 Defense Bill.
Max introduced the Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act. The bill helps members of the military when they recieve combat pay, save for retirement, or purchase their own homes.
Max helped secure a change, recently announced by the Montana National Guard, that will allow the Guard to start a nationl pilot program to perform additional mental health screenings on military veterans returning from service.
Max fought to include 250,000 disabled veterans in the economic stimilus package recently signed into law
Max voted for the Soldier’s Bill of Rights, which enhanced military pay and retirement benefits. Max also supported a veteran’s health care amendment- which became part of the larger bill of rights, which worked to ensure that veterans received Medicare benefits.
Max supported legislation to correct a law that prevented career military personnel who are retired with a service-connected disability from receiving full benefits.
Max voted to allow veterans who are eligible for Medicare to receive their health care at a Veterans Affairs (VA) facility.
Max supported the Veterans Millennium Benefits and Health Care Act of 1999, which required the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide home health care, respite care and hospice care to all veterans who use the VA health care system.
The 1999 veteran’s act Max backed also waived co-payments for military retirees who use the VA for their health care and authorized the Montgomery GI Bill to pay for preparatory courses for admission examinations to college and graduate schools.
Making VA Benefits More Accessible To Montana’s Veterans
Max worked with Senator Tester to help increase the mileage reimbursement paid to veterans from 11 cents to 28.5 cents.
Max worked with the United States VA Secretary to open a Department of Veterans Affairs site in Billings. This facility housed an expanded health care clinic which provides combined primary care and mental health care, x-ray and ultrasound capabilities, dental services, physical therapy services and substance abuse counseling.
Max voted for the largest budget in U.S. history for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Protecting Americans In The War Against Terrorism
Max co-sponsored the Justice for Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act which expands the rights of victims of state-sponsored terrorism by denying foreign states that support terrorism immunity from the jurisdiction of U.S. Courts.
Max fought to make sure that rural airports are as safe as urban ones and placed a provision in the Port Security Act requiring the Transportation Security Administration to provide a security plan, including a variety of increased security measures, for all Essential Air Service airports which includes airports in Lewistown, Havre, Wolf Point, Miles City, Glasgow, and Sidney.
Max has fought against the Real ID Act and co-sponsored legislation that would help improve state’s drivers licenses without imposing a large unfunded mandate or invade individuals’ privacy.
Max included a provision in the National Intelligence Reform Act directing the federal government to devote more resources to tracking down and identifying international sources of terrorist financing.
Following the September 11 attacks, Max helped the Senate pass broad anti-terrorism legislation that enhanced the abilities of federal law enforcement officials to combat terrorism. Max ensured that this bill included the promise to tighten security at the nation’s northern border, which includes customs stations in Montana.
Max voted in favor of the Senate’s Aviation Security Bill, which aims to increase safety in Montana and America’s airports, give airports funding flexibility, and strengthens the economy by encouraging people to resume air travel.
Max co-sponsored a bill which condemned the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and supported Federal prosecutors’ efforts to seek the maximum penalty allowed by law, including the death penalty, for those responsible for the crime.
Max strongly supported legislation to strengthen security in American nuclear laboratories to prevent espionage and terrorist attacks.
Striving To Keep Malmstrom One Of The Nation’s Top Military Facilities
Max has repeatedly been a leader in bringing a new mission to Malmstrom – most recently meeting with top Air Force officials about bringing an energy mission that would create good-paying jobs, boost domestic energy, and lessen America's dependence on foreign oil
Max fought to secure $7 million to build a new a community activity center at Malmstrom.
Max helped secure $140 million for housing units at Malmstrom that were needed to accommodate the growing needs of military families and personnel.
Max’s hard work and persistence saved as many as 800 National Guard jobs in Montana.
Max’s advocacy on behalf of the Malmstrom Air National Guard has helped land Great Falls on the Air Force’s road map of future sites for F-22s and F-35s.
Max has repeatedly been an outspoken opponent of the deactivation of missiles at Malmstrom.
It was Max’s leadership and his development of the strategy and testimony for the Congressional Delegation’s Base Realignment and Closure which saved Montana’s Air National Guard mission.
Max worked hard to bring a new mission of 15 F-15s to Montana.
Max supported Malmstrom in their award-winning efforts to restore environmentally contaminated sites on the base, and to include the Great Falls community in this effort.
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Max has always understood the importance of keeping America's military the best in the world, and keeping Montana at the heart of military operations. As the state's senior U.S. Senator and a former member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee, Max has continually fought to protect our country and to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces. In addition to designating money to nation-wide security endeavors, Max has continually sought to strengthen Malmstrom and Montana's other military facilities, and increasing the state's important role in defending the nation, but at home and abroad . Moreover, with so many of brave sons and daughters serving in Iraq, Max has repeatedly expressed his appreciation and support for the troops and been adamant about the Iraqi government standing on its own two feet so America can begin to bring the troops home. Max is eager to continue his tireless efforts to support Montana, America and the brave soldiers who have donned the uniform of the Red, White, and Blue.
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