Tester sponsors public information bill

Tester has been making his name as a reform-minded lawmaker. Earlier this week, the Montana Democrat signed onto a bill, sponsored by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), that would bar senators and House members from lobbying for life once they leave Congress.

On the call with reporters, the senator said he was the first member of Congress to post his daily schedule online. He also won’t allow himself to be lobbied by his former aides, nor will he rehire them once they migrate to K Street.

“When it comes to transparency, I try to lead by example,” Tester said.

The senator said that he would look for “any opportunity to get this bill through,” such as attaching it to must-pass legislation. He said he also expects the costs in putting public information up online would be minimal and within federal agencies’ budgets. Tester said the Obama administration is seemingly in favor of the bill.

“I don’t want to put words in their mouth because I don’t have it in writing but we have gotten favorable input,” Tester said.