Senator Jon Tester Receives ‘Guardian of Small Business Award’ for Championing Montana Small Businesses

(Big Sandy, Mont.) — U.S. Senator Jon Tester is the recipient of the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business Award for his work to champion small businesses in Montana and across the country during the 117^th Congress. He was one of only two Democrats in the U.S. Senate to receive this year’s award, along with Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV).

“Small businesses are the backbone of Montana’s economy, and I’ll always stand up for them and ensure they have the tools and certainty they need to thrive,” Tester said. “This award doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to the thousands of Montana businesses that work every day through challenges big and small to create jobs and power this country.”

Winners of the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award are consistent supporters of small businesses. Tester’s work to support the Paycheck Protection Program and his defense of stepped-up basis were two key votes for small businesses highlighted by the organization, among others.

Tester has been the leading champion for small businesses in Montana. Last July, Tester secured $61,327,969 for Montana’s State Small Business Credit Initiative through the American Rescue Plan Act, which will be used for credit and investment programs for small businesses and startups to help them grow and succeed. Tester also stood up and defeated a proposal from President Biden and Democratic Senators to change stepped-up basis tax provisions that would have negatively impacted a families’ ability to keep running a farm, ranch, or small business.