STILL SERVING AMERICA

Senate Appropriations Committee expands Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

Tester pushes 'incredibly successful' initiative for Montana's veterans

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The influential Senate Appropriations Committee has agreed to expand the Montana National Guard's Beyond the Yellow Ribbon to all 50 states – an effort Senator Jon Tester has pushed for the past two years. The Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program prepares soldiers and their families for deployment and for coming home.

Tester is one of only three U.S. senators who serve on both the Appropriations and Veterans' Affairs Committees. He has long supported expanding the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program because of its success in Montana.

On May 14, the Appropriations Committee unanimously approved legislation to pay for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The measure also includes funding to expand the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program.

The "vote means that all National Guard families will get better counseling services before, during and after a loved one leaves to serve in our military – just like they do in Montana," Tester said. "This will also benefit Montana Guardsmen and women by providing counseling and financial planning to help families at home when their loved ones put their lives on hold to serve our country."

Earlier this year, Tester invited Montana National Guard General Brad Livingston to testify before the Veterans' Affairs Committee about Montana's version of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program.

The measure is expected to be considered by the full Senate next week.

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