Zinke has more than earned our trust

Editor,

Recently, a letter was published in the Havre Daily titled “Zinke has failed our trust.” I was astonished to read the negativity about Zinke mentioned throughout the letter. So in this letter, rather than list the reasons why Juneau is not fit to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, I’d like to talk Zinke’s accomplishments and why he is absolutely the right choice for Montana. Ryan Zinke has accomplished a lot for our country and our state in his two years of serving in the House.

Several of the bills he supported are now law today. The Every Student Succeeds Act ensures students have equal opportunities in their schools — no matter their race, background, or income. It dismantles Common Core and gives control back to local schools. Zinke recognizes that our tax code is broken and supported efforts to permanently reform our tax system-- reforms that are now law today. He supported legislation to combat opioid abuse, one of the leading causes of death in our nation. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the first major federal addiction legislation in 40 years, is now law. There are also several bills that passed in the House thanks to Mr. Zinke, but died in the Senate. Zinke fought for forestry reform, 21st Century Cures and fought the EPA overreach. These issues specifically are near and dear to Montanans and Zinke did his job to see them cross the finish line in the House. They could have passed the Senate if not for the Democrats blocking these initiatives, but that’s for another letter, another time.

Lastly, Congressman Zinke has been a stalwart advocate of Montana’s public lands. Check the record, as he’s stated multiple times, He’s voted to protect and preserve our outdoors at least 17 times. He is a co-sponsor of the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, voted for the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, and has cosponsored two bills to permanently reauthorize the Land & Water Conservation Fund. In fact, he was the only member of the Montana delegation to vote for the bill that reauthorized and funded all of this year’s LWCF projects. This is why I have to speak up when I see people claiming that Zinke has accomplished nothing for the people of Montana.

Zinke works hard every day to be a voice for Montanans in the halls of Congress, and we are a better state — a better nation — because of it. For that, I salute you, Congressman Ryan Zinke.

Brad Lotton

Havre