Tester Seeks Bipartisan Border Deal

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester announced this week that he’s getting more involved in bipartisan negotiations over border security. The Montana Democratic lawmaker reportedly met Tuesday with Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen and senators from both parties to develop an agreement before the February 8th deadline for another possible federal government shutdown.

Tester had voted against the bipartisan deal reached on January 22nd that reopened the government for three weeks to allow lawmakers and the White House to reach a settlement on border security and immigration. Tester says he prefers a long-term agreement, and wants border security in the deal, with provisions including up to 500 additional Border Patrol officers hired annually until the Border Patrol shortage is addressed; an investment in new technologies, equipment and facilities; as well as fiber optic detection technology. Read the whole story at; KTVQ.com.