Glacier Country News

Congressman Ryan Zinke has spoken out in a statement regarding the State of the Union under President Joe Biden, expressing deep concerns about the current state of affairs. Zinke criticized the Biden administration, stating, “The state of the union is in peril. Under President Biden, cartels are targeting Indian country, the world is at war all around us, criminal illegal aliens fill our jails from Kalispell to Billings, inflation remains through the roof, and the American Dream is just a dream to many young people hoping to own a home and build a life."

Highlighting the lack of action from the Senate and White House, Zinke emphasized the need to put an end to the cycle of inaction, arrogance, and incompetence. He pointed out the disconnect between the administration's decisions and the impact on the everyday lives of Americans, stating, “the fact they believe they know better than you how you should live your life or run your business.”

Zinke also welcomed Marvin Weatherwax, a prominent figure from the Blackfeet Nation, as his guest for the State of the Union address. Weatherwax, a former Chairman of the Blackfeet Nation Tribal Business Council and current chairman of the Coalition of Large Tribes, echoed Zinke's concerns about the border and the fentanyl crisis affecting tribal communities. Weatherwax commended Zinke for his efforts in Congress to address these pressing issues, noting, "Zinke has been a fighter in Congress for the Blackfeet Nation during our struggle against the Fentanyl coming through Biden’s open borders."

In response to the challenges faced by tribal communities, Zinke was able to secure $20 million in funding for a new Tribal Youth Center for the Blackfeet in the recent Consolidated Appropriations Act. As Secretary of the Interior, Zinke established initiatives such as the Joint Task Force on Opioids in Indian Country and the federal task force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. However, these efforts were discontinued by the Biden Administration, with Zinke highlighting the administration's failure to allocate over $20 million in funding dedicated to MMIW cold cases.

Zinke's statement and actions underscore the ongoing concerns surrounding the current administration's policies and their impact on various communities, urging for a change in direction to address the critical issues at hand.