Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced the House passage of H.R. 6938, a funding package for fiscal year 2026 that includes more than $8 million for water infrastructure and law enforcement projects across eight counties in western Montana. The legislation, known as the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, aims to support public safety, improve energy and water systems, benefit rural and Tribal communities, and address management of public lands.
As a senior member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Zinke advocated for funding directed at priorities such as rural law enforcement, clean water initiatives, Tribal public safety programs, forest management efforts, 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.”
The appropriations include $38.6 billion in discretionary funding for the Interior bill—a slight decrease from the previous year—along with targeted increases for Indian Health Programs ($33.8 million), Tribal Public Safety ($14.5 million), onshore oil and gas development ($7.4 million), and wildland fire management ($1.52 billion). The package also funds specific Montana projects requested by Zinke: $1.75 million each for upgrades to the Philipsburg Water Transmission Line and Missoula County Water Wells; $1 million for the Alberton Water Storage Project; $2.2 million to reinstate the Native American Ironworker Training Program; and $2 million for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women programs.
Tom Tanner, a graduate of the Native American Ironworker Training Program with over three decades in ironworking trades, commented on its reinstatement: “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. 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.”
The Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Act allocates $78 billion overall with increased funding for combating fentanyl trafficking through a $63 million boost for DEA operations as well as support for NOAA weather forecasting programs. For Montana specifically: $2.89 million is designated for law enforcement resiliency in five counties (Mineral, Lake, Beaverhead, Lincoln, Sanders); Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office will receive $907 thousand to expand DNA testing capabilities; COPS grants are maintained; Second Amendment protections are preserved.
The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act totals $58 billion—with funds set aside for nuclear weapons modernization ($20 billion), Navy nuclear fleet improvements ($2 billion), nonproliferation efforts ($2 billion), plus prohibitions on Strategic Petroleum Reserve sales to China or nuclear facility access by Chinese/Russian citizens. For Montana’s benefit: there is ongoing support for rural water projects like the Milk River Project essential to irrigation in north-central parts of the state; grid modernization initiatives receive $13.5 million; advanced nuclear/grid security programs are funded.
Zinke has represented Montana’s 1st District in Congress since 2023 after previously serving in the state senate between 2009–2013 (https://www.congress.gov/member/ryan-zinke/Z000018). He was born in Bozeman in 1961 (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/Z000018) and resides in Whitefish.
H.R. 6938 now advances to consideration by the Senate.
