Jon Tester in 2024 MT Senate race

On Education: Ban cell-cultivated meat from school breakfast & lunch

Currently, the USDA sets nutritional requirements for the meals that are able to be served to students through the NSLP and SBP, but has not issued any guidance on the use of cell-cultivated protein in those programs. Tester's bipartisan bill would fix the lack of standards by banning cell-cultivated meat from the programs.

"Montana ranchers grow the best meat in the world, that's a fact--and our students ought to be getting the best in their school breakfasts and lunches every day," said Tester. "This commonsense bill will make sure our schools can serve real meat from our ranchers, not a fake substitute that's grown in a lab."

On Drugs: Rated B+ by NORML: legalize marijuana, and tax it

NORML Politician Info: rated B+
• Candidate: Jon Tester (D - MT)
  Holds office U.S. Senate; Candidate in race for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
• Summary: LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE MEDICAL USE
• Biography: Senator Jon Tester supports well-researched cannabis regulation that promotes safe access to marijuana and policies that make banking resources available to legal cannabis businesses.
• Comments: "As a third-generation Montana farmer, I know how important it is for small businesses in rural America to have access to banking services. I've supported this effort since 2019, and I'm proud to support the bipartisan SAFER Banking Act because it's a commonsense fix that will allow legally-operated Montana small businesses to access the financial services they need to thrive, while also making our communities safer by cutting down on cash-motivated crimes." (September 27, 2023).

On Abortion: Woman and her doctor & family should decide

Jon Tester (D): Legal. "The woman and her family" should decide, consulting "with her minister and her doctor." Opposed an abortion ban at 20 weeks. Sponsored a bill to protect abortion rights nationally.

Tim Sheehy (R): Ban. "I am proudly pro-life." Democrats seem "to be bent on murdering our unborn children." Supports a ban from "when a baby can feel pain." "Any further limits must be left to each state." Supports IVF.

On Corporations: Supported a 15% minimum corporate tax

Jon Tester (D): Raise. Supported a 15% minimum corporate tax. Opposed the 2017 Trump tax bill that cut taxes for corporations and the wealthy. No "tax giveaway to the wealthy."

Tim Sheehy (R): Lower. Pledged not raise any income taxes. The "Trump tax cuts," that included the largest corporate cuts in US history and tax cuts for the wealthy, should "stay in place."

On Crime: Support rehabilitative programming and fix sentencing laws

Jon Tester (D): Supported funding to hire more officers. The police have "my strong support." The 2020 Republican reform bill did not "address the problems" such as chokeholds. Voted for a bipartisan bill to support rehabilitative programming and fix sentencing laws."

Tim Sheehy (R): "Cops are good, criminals are bad." Opposes "soft-on-crime policies, defund the police."

On Energy & Oil: $369 billion in climate and clean energy initiatives

Jon Tester (D): Yes. "As a third-generation farmer, I know firsthand how climate change affects Montana. From wildfires to droughts to floods, we must address this issue." Voted for $369 billion in climate and clean energy initiatives. Supports multiple energy sources including coal with carbon emission capture.

Tim Sheehy (R): No. Humans have no "appreciable impact" on global warming. "The climate has always been changing.... Stand strong against the radical climate cult agenda." Supports "responsibly" developing "all forms of American energy." In 2023 removed climate change references on the website of his aerial firefighting company.

On Immigration: Tighten asylum laws; hire more border guards

Jon Tester (D): Voted for 2023-2024 bipartisan Senate border security bill to tighten asylum laws and hire more border guards. Said Biden's border policies had "failed." Supports DACA; "breaking a promise to these children... is not the solution."

Tim Sheehy (R): Called the 2024 bipartisan border security bill "political theater." Would axe the Department of Homeland Security. "Secure our border, finish the wall, and... end... illegal immigration." No DACA position found.