Sadly, in this election year, it is no surprise to see politicians flip-flop. But Congressman Ryan Zinke may have set a new record. Within the span of just 24 hours, Montana’s only member to the U.S. House did an about face that hurts public lands.
First, he voted against transferring ownership of 2 million acres of American land to the states (H.R. 3650). Then, he voted in favor of transferring the management of 4 million acres of land to the states (H.R 2316).
Zinke might argue the these are two different votes on two different issues, but come on! Actions speak louder than words. For Montana citizens, this is a clearly defined issue. Montana says no to transfer of public lands ownership, no to transfer of public lands management, and most of all, no to transfer of our outdoor heritage to anyone else, period.
Political hypocrisy is a regular event in Washington, DC, but I am sorry to see our only Montana congressman packing so much of it into a single day’s work.
Roxanna McLaughlin
Bozeman