Boots on the Ground

Zinke, Daines, Smith, Larsen Introduce Bill to Combat Drug Trafficking in Montana’s Tribal Communities

Representative Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Representative Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), today announced the bipartisan “Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act” to combat drug trafficking in tribal communities. The “PROTECT Act” would expand Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) to allow tribal nations to prosecute non-Native offenders for drug trafficking. It would also allow tribal courts to execute warrants for electronic material to better combat drug traffickers and other criminals.

“I’ve sat down with tribal leaders across Western Montana, and the devastation of the opioid crisis is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. The PROTECT Act gives Tribal Nations the tools and authority they need to take on the opioid crisis. It’s time we empower tribal courts and law enforcement to protect their communities and save lives,” said Zinke.

Read the press release HERE.

By Tim Dougherty & Doug Ferrell

An even more ominous threat appeared recently, when a measure in a proposed big Republican budget bill called for selling some 500,000 acres of public land in Nevada to the highest bidder. This measure represented not only the loss of public access to these lands, but also a dangerous precedent that could lead to more public land sales in the future.

We are proud that our entire Montana Congressional delegation opposed this measure. Ryan Zinke deserves special credit for organizing a bipartisan Public Lands Caucus in the House, together with Democratic Congressman Vasquez from New Mexico.

Zinke was under great pressure from Republican leadership to support the House bill including the land sale measure, but he insisted he would not vote for the bill until the land sale provision was removed. It took a lot of courage for Zinke to take this stand, and the bill eventually passed without the mandate to sell off the public land.

Read the article HERE.

Commander Zinke in the News

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

"Violent foreign criminals are rioting in LA, waving flags of foreign nations, and attacking police officers and residents who try to protect themselves."

NonStop Local

"It took a lot of courage for Zinke to take this stand, and the bill eventually passed without the mandate to sell off the public land."

Western News

"These investments will support our law enforcement, expand access to clean water, repair failing infrastructure and spur economic growth across Western Montana."

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