Zinke Secures Over $8 Million for Water Infrastructure and Law Enforcement Projects Across 8 Western Montana Counties in FY2026 Appropriations Package
Congressman Ryan Zinke announced the House passage of H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026., a comprehensive funding package that delivers real results for Montana. The package strengthens public safety, advances energy and water infrastructure, supports rural and Tribal communities, and restores commonsense management of public lands.
As a senior member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Zinke successfully championed Montana priorities across all three bills, including funding for rural law enforcement, clean water projects, Tribal public safety, forest management, and responsible energy development.
"These bills reflect Montana values: strong communities, safe streets, reliable infrastructure, and access to our public lands," said Zinke. "I fought to ensure Montana wasn't an afterthought. From sheriff's departments and clean water systems to forest management and Tribal public safety, these investments put resources directly into our communities."
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Topline:
- $38.6 billion in total discretionary funding, a slight decrease from FY25 with cost savings from renewable energy projects and EPA reductions
- Protects public land access by preventing delays on grazing and new ammunition or fishing tackle regulations
- $3.27 billion for the National Park Service
- $2.49 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs
- $1.37 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education
- $33.8 million increase for Indian Health Programs
- $14.5 million increase for Tribal Public Safety and Justice programs
- $7.4 million increase for onshore oil and gas development at BLM
- $1.52 billion for Wildland Fire Management, including $370 million for fire suppression cap adjustment
Montana Wins:
- Zinke’s requested Montana Community Projects
- $1.75 million for the Philipsburg Water Transmission Line Upgrade
- $1.75 million for Missoula County Water Well Upgrades
- $1 million for Alberton Water Storage Project
- Full funding of the PILT program supporting county services in federal land areas
- Zinke’s request for $2.2 million to reinstate the Native American Ironworker Training Program, opening high-paying skilled trades to Tribal members
- Zinke’s request for $2 million for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women programs
- Report language on delisting 3 Grizzly Bear populations, the Wolverine, and the Canadian Lynx
- Report language on prohibiting the introduction of bison on the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge
“As someone who went through the Native American Ironworker Training Program, I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have on individuals and tribal communities,” said Tom Tanner, a graduate of the program with 32 years of experience in the ironworking trade. “Now that this program has been officially reinstated, it’s a smart investment in America’s future and will once again support the skilled workforce needed to rebuild roads, bridges, and energy infrastructure. It provides tribal members with training for careers that offer good pay, union benefits, and long-term stability. Its return reflects a real commitment to skilled trades and job creation, and I appreciate Congressman Zinke’s efforts to make this happen.”
Commerce, Justice, and Science
Topline:
- $78.01 billion total discretionary funding, largely level from FY25 with targeted increases
- $63 million increase for DEA to combat fentanyl and cartels
- $30 million for NOAA's Mesonet Weather Forecasting Program
Montana Wins:
- Zinke’s requested Montana Community Projects
- $2.89 million for the Five County Law Enforcement Resiliency Project supporting sheriffs in Mineral, Lake, Beaverhead, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties for bulk vehicle and equipment purchases
- $907,000 for Gallatin County Sheriff's Office to expand Rapid DNA testing and add patrol SUVs
- Maintained strong funding for COPS grants, supporting local and Tribal law enforcement
- Preserved Second Amendment protections by prohibiting funding for firearm import/export restrictions
Energy and Water Development
Topline:
- $58.04 billion total discretionary funding, moderate increase overall from FY25
- $2.13 billion for U.S. Navy nuclear fleet infrastructure and technology
- Prohibits Strategic Petroleum Reserve crude oil sales to China and restricts nuclear facility access to Chinese and Russian citizens
- Eliminates Biden-era Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and zero funds for DOE's Office of Energy Justice and Equity
Montana Wins:
- Support for the Milk River Project, vital for irrigation and water reliability in north-central Montana
- $13.5 million for Applied Grid Transformation Solutions to modernize transmission infrastructure
- Robust funding for advanced nuclear and grid security programs
- Continued support for rural water projects and drought resilience through the Bureau of Reclamation
H.R. 6938 now advances to the Senate with strong bipartisan support and reflects a clear commitment to Montana’s communities, workers, Tribes, and way of life.
Read the full text of the bill here.
Read the full press release here. |