This week, the U.S. Forest Service announced it will distribute $248 million in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments for Fiscal Year 2025, including more than $10 million for Montana’s First Congressional District. The payments support critical infrastructure, rural schools and fund essential local services in communities surrounded by federally managed lands.

“Secure Rural Schools is a commitment to communities like ours that live with the reality of federal land ownership every day,” said Zinke. “When Washington controls the land, it has a responsibility to help keep our roads maintained, our schools open, and our first responders supported. Timber communities have been hit especially hard with radical environmental organizations and activist judges stalling timber sales and cutting off reliable sources of revenue. After the lapse in 2023, counties were left in limbo. This funding provides needed relief and restores a measure of certainty.”

The announcement follows passage of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, which Congressman Zinke sponsored to ensure continued payments through FY2026 and restore lapsed funding. Zinke has consistently pushed for long-term certainty for timber-dependent and forested communities, arguing that counties with large amounts of federal land should not be left at a disadvantage.

Montana county funding breakdown (MT-01)

• Beaverhead County — $923,911.02
• Deer Lodge County — $178,409.30
• Flathead County — $973,971.32
• Gallatin County — $188,457.00
• Glacier County — $34,690.56
• Granite County — $594,901.75
• Lake County — $57,833.79
• Lincoln County — $3,609,891.82
• Madison County — $314,327.84
• Mineral County — $857,047.13
• Missoula County — $523,289.83
• Pondera County — $72,007.32
• Powell County — $630,469.84
• Ravalli County — $611,524.64
• Sanders County — $1,436,653.22
• Silver Bow County — $124,603.93

Total (MT-01): $10,131,989.25

Background

The Secure Rural Schools program was originally enacted in 2000 to offset declining revenues from timber harvests and other federal land uses. These funds are primarily directed toward schools, infrastructure, and public safety services in counties with significant federal land holdings.

After lapsing in 2023, the program was reauthorized through bipartisan legislation signed into law in December 2025. The reauthorization ensured retroactive payments and restored stability for rural communities that rely on these funds.

Congressman Zinke has been a consistent voice in advocating for responsible forest management, increased timber production, and long-term certainty for programs like SRS that directly support Montana communities.

By Theodore Baker

April 15, 2026

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., told Newsmax on Wednesday he supports Vice President JD Vance's approach to Iran while warning that letting Tehran obtain nuclear weapons would threaten global stability and drive economic consequences worldwide.

On "Bianca Across the Nation," Zinke referred to Vance's recent comments outlining the Trump administration's strategy to push Iran away from nuclear development while offering economic incentives.

"Well, first of all, I agree with Vice President Vance's assessment," Zinke said, adding that "at the heart of the argument is this: You cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, nuclear material in an arsenal of evil."

Zinke emphasized the strategic danger posed by Iran's control over that narrow waterway, a critical route for global oil supply.

"You look what's happening now with their threat on the Strait of Hormuz," Zinke said. "But what if they did have a nuclear weapon? Remember, this is 30 miles, and they could hold the entire world hostage."

He added that energy markets are already reacting to instability tied to Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"And when you have elevated oil prices, as we do, because Iran won't give up their nuclear weapons, you know, prices are around 100 [dollars a barrel], and that affects every economy," Zinke said.

Vance, speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Georgia, described Trump's approach as offering Iran a path to economic reintegration if it abandons nuclear weapons and support for terrorism.

"He really wants a deal where Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapon, Iran is not state-sponsoring terrorism, but also the people of Iran can thrive and prosper," Vance said. "He's saying if you guys commit to not having a nuclear weapon, we are going to make Iran thrive."

Zinke echoed that sentiment, expressing optimism about the Iranian people while criticizing the country's leaders.

"But what I really am hopeful for is the people of Iran," he said. "Look, the Persians are incredible people. They're very, very smart."

He added that a post-regime Iran could transform the Middle East and reduce the need for a sustained U.S. military presence.

"Can you imagine the Middle East without a radical regime that is death to America, that is a threat to our civilization with their nuclear arsenal potential?" Zinke said.

Read the full article here.

• Over $10 million in Secure Rural Schools funding headed to Montana counties
• Zinke Nominates 19 Western Montana Projects for Federal Funding Totaling Over 100 Million Dollars
• Congressman Zinke Delivers Over $11.1 Million in Federal Funding for Water Infrastructure and Law Enforcement in Gallatin, Beaverhead, and Missoula Counties
• Congressman Zinke Delivers Over $2.3 Million in Federal Funding for Public Safety and Water Infrastructure in Powell and Granite Counties

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