A bill aimed at resolving delayed or dropped phone calls in rural America is heading to President Donald Trump's desk for signature, marking the 13th piece of legislation Sen. Jon Tester has sent to the president's desk this Congress.

The latest bill will establish quality standards for intermediaries who transmit phone calls. Despite improved phone and Internet service in urban America, Tester said, nearly 20 percent of calls made in rural American are delayed, disrupted or dropped.

“Many folks in rural Montana still can’t always rely on something as basic as a landline to complete their calls,” Tester said. “This bill will hold out-of-state phone service providers accountable and improve service for families and small businesses across rural Montana.”

The Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act follows a dozen other Tester bills that Trump has signed into law during this session of Congress, including several aimed at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Legislation intended to declassify toxic exposure and add oversight to the Government Accountability Office were also signed into law by Trump. Tester's Fire Grants Reauthorization Act also became law in January.

The bills include:

  • GAO Access and Oversight Act
  • Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act
  • VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act
  • VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017
  • Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act
  • Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act
  • VA Expiring Authorities Act
  • Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act
  • John Olsen Toxic Exposure Declassification Act
  • Fire Grants Reauthorization Act
  • Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act
  • Honoring Our Hometown Heroes Act

More From Missoula Current