Critics argue Montana senator’s new 'transparency' bill contradicts his ethics record: report

United States Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana) faces criticism as he runs for a fourth term while pushing a new bill "that would ban members of Congress from ever becoming lobbyists," NBC News reports.

The Associated Press (AP) reported earlier this year, "After Tester became chair of the Senate Defense Appropriations subcommittee in 2021, he received campaign contributions totaling over $160,000 from employees and committees representing the defense industry. At one point last year, 49 Lockheed Martin executives and lobbyists — none of whom had given to the senator in the past — gave Tester's campaign a combined total of nearly $50,000."

The fact the Democratic lawmaker's "record over 16 years in office hasn't always aligned with the narrative he has cultivated, nor has it always met the high standards he has set for himself and proposed for others," according to NBC, makes the road to reelection more challenging for him.

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AP reports:

In recent campaign cycles, Democrats have faced calls to reject checks from corporate political action committees. But Tester is also under reelection pressure as he faces a potentially challenging race back home in Montana, where his small-town farming roots and populist reputation have helped him survive the state’s increasingly conservative tilt.

However, Democratic groups End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller told the news outlet, "From day one, Sen. Tester has pushed to ban lawmakers from becoming lobbyists, require greater transparency, and end dark money in our elections — which has made him the top target for out-of-state special interests. While multimillionaire Tim Sheehy faces questions about ethics and conflict of interest, Sen. Tester has stayed true to his roots and always fought for working Montanans."

Additionally, the report notes, "In a video announcing the new bill, Tester said he has 'been fighting for more transparency and accountability in government since Montana first sent me here.'"

In the video he said, "It is past time that we shut the revolving door that has allowed too many folks in Washington to use their elected office as a stepping stone toward high-paying lobbying jobs for special interests."

Campaign Legal Center Vice President and Senior Director of Ethics Kedric Payne emphasized, "It shows how much the legislation is needed if the person who really wants it can’t even avoid these donations. It puts the members in a position that they find difficult to deal with when former colleagues want to support their campaign and meet with them. They just seem to be unable to say no. And without any legislation to stop it, you’re probably going to get the same conduct."

READ MORE: Montana senator’s priorities 'called into question' after taking money from defense contractors

National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Maggie Abboud said, "Jon Tester told Montanans he'd be different, but he's broken just about every ethics promise he made to get elected. Tester should apologize to Montanans for lying to them."

Tester's spokesperson Sarah Feldman told NBC, "Sen. Tester holds himself to a higher standard than any of his colleagues in Congress by refusing to be lobbied by former colleagues and pushing legislation that would ban them from becoming lobbyists. Every decision Sen. Tester makes is based on one thing: what's in the best interests of Montana and our national security."

NBC's full report is available at this link.