Congress

Congressman Ryan Zinke today announced he has requested federal funding for 15 projects in Western Montana to improve infrastructure, economic development, and law enforcement capabilities. The projects are located in Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Flathead (2), Glacier (3), Lake, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Powell, Ravalli and Lewis and Clark Counties. The projects are posted on Congressman Zinke’s website for public inspection here and the list is below.

Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke called on the National Park Service to open an investigation into the details of the Booz Allen contract managing recreation.gov and calling on the National Park Service (NPS) to abandon the vehicle reservation system planned to soon go into effect at Glacier National Park. Zinke issued a letter to NPS and other agencies’ leadership following the April 6th bombshell report by the Wall Street Journal detailing a $140 million contract with a defense contractor to run recreation.gov. Earlier today Zinke hosted separate meetings with the Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer and a group of Glacier-area elected officials and business stakeholders

Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke voted in support of H.R. 1 – the Lower Energy Costs Act. This legislation was the top priority for House Republicans in the 118th Congress. The Lowering Energy Costs Act focuses on spurring responsible development of domestic energy and mineral resources, eliminating burdensome permitting requirements, creating jobs, and securing our supply chains and energy infrastructure. This is an integral piece of legislation to Rep. Zinke’s work on energy and climate solutions that reverse the damage done by President Biden’s agenda from day one to shut down our energy production and make us reliant on China.

Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke released the following statement on President Biden’s Alaskan Willow Project approval decision. President Biden continued his war on American energy by only approving 3/5 pads for drilling. Disapproving two pads comes as no surprise after the President campaigned on killing domestic production causing Americans to rely on adversaries for energy.

Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke voted to nullify the rule titled Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States," which was submitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023. The rule specifies which bodies of water fall under the scope of the Clean Water Act and are thereby under federal jurisdiction. The 2023 rule replaced a 2020 rule that included a narrower definition of waters of the United States.

Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced his co-sponsorship of H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act. The legislation provides legal protections for parents to know what their kids are being taught and clear guidelines for school systems to follow so our children’s education is accurate, relevant and transparent. “Parents have rights and it’s necessary that any school that receives federal funding recognizes and respects those rights,” Zinke said. “Schools are becoming focused on indoctrination rather than core curriculum. I promised Montana parents I would be a strong advocate for them and introduce a Parents’ Bill of Rights. Today, I am proud to announce another promise kept and cosponsor the Parents' Bill of Rights to put parents back in the driver’s seat of their children’s education.”

Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke served as interim Chairman of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing for American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Day. During that session, the Committee heard testimony from representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), the Blackfeet Nation, Fort Belknap Indian Community, and the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation.