Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said on Sunday that his fellow Democratic lawmakers need to be open to compromise as the Build Back Better Act heads to the Senate following months of negotiations.
While appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Tester was asked by host Chuck Todd whether this would be a situation where lawmakers will try to “pass anything that can get 50 votes.”
“I think there’s — we have a great opportunity here to do some great things in childcare, in affordable housing, in employment, in lowering prescription drug costs and healthcare costs overall. And I think we can do it. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I think people need to be open to compromise,” said Tester.
“We don’t all see the world the same way, so let’s negotiate and let’s come up with a bill that lowers costs for families and cuts taxes and, and gets things done to help move this economy forward so we can stay the premier power in the world,” the moderate Democrat added. “China wants to supplant us. If we don’t tend to business here, they well could do that.”
Todd noted that it seemed Tester would support the bill regardless of what is included, an assessment that the senator was quick to shoot down.
“There’s going to be some changes. I’m going to compare it to what Montana needs and and that’s going to be where I focus on. But look, we’re dealing with reasonable people here. I think we can come up with a bill that is a very, very good bill that works for states like Montana and other states in the area,” he said.