Ryan Zinke — Republican Candidate for U.S. House in Montana, 2026

Ryan Zinke supports measures to prevent non-citizens and illegal immigrants from voting in federal elections. He backed the SAVE America Act, which requires new voters to produce proof of citizenship and states to cross-check voter rolls with a Department of Homeland Security system. Zinke emphasized that "Only Americans should be voting in American elections," citing the need to protect the integrity of elections.

““Seventy percent of Americans support voter ID,” Zinke said. “The SAVE America Act is straightforward common sense. Only Americans should be voting in American elections, and each vote should only count once. Protecting the integrity of our elections is not controversial, it is essential to maintain trust in our elections.” (Ryan Zinke, Montana Free Press, February 12, 2026)”

Ryan Zinke supported the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which secured a $233 million federal investment for Montana's Rural Health Transformation Program in Fiscal Year 2026. He emphasized that access to quality healthcare in rural areas is essential for families and workers in small towns. Additionally, Zinke voted to terminate subsidies for the Affordable Care Act.

“This historic funding is a game changer for Montana’s rural communities. Access to quality health care close to home is essential and has historically been hard to come by for our families and workers in small towns. - Ryan Zinke, via iqconnect.house.gov”

Ryan Zinke voted against numerous environmental protections, including measures related to limiting environmental review, defunding renewable energy programs, and reversing public lands protections to promote drilling and coal development. As Interior Secretary, he advanced policies to increase oil and gas extraction from government lands, aiming to rein in regulations on natural resources like coal, oil, and natural gas. However, he also recognized climate change as a national security threat and supported forest management for wildfire resilience.

“State and local governments are seeing the benefit of clean energy jobs legislation, but we also face steep costs due to the risks associated with climate change. The costs and instabilities involve massive flooding and major hurricane damage, sustained droughts and widespread agricultural pests and diseases, and major biological disruptions affecting our water and food supply, health care, and public safety. These catastrophic costs affect insurance payouts and higher premiums for private- and public-sector policyholders. They also involve unprecedented economic losses to industry and to federal, state and local governments.”

Ryan Zinke has voted to restrict abortion access and has supported multiple anti-abortion measures. He voted for a one-year funding ban for Planned Parenthood and for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which bans abortion after 20 weeks. He also voted against adding a health exception to this 20-week abortion ban. Furthermore, Zinke voted for legislation to punish doctors for providing abortion care and to block a bill codifying Roe v. Wade.

Ryan Zinke emphasizes the restoration of American strength abroad and a robust military, aligning with the "Trump America First Agenda." He advocates for secure borders and believes the U.S. should project power, ensuring that allies share the burden in the fight for freedom. He stated that the economy is moving forward under this approach.

““Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead with the Trump America First Agenda. ... The Trump doctrine is in full effect, our enemies once again fear us, and our allies understand we all must bear the burden in the fight for freedom.” — Congressman Ryan Zinke, Statement Following the State of the Union Address, February 24, 2026.”

Ryan Zinke supports a parents bill of rights, indicating a position on enhancing parental involvement and rights in educational matters. He also encourages student participation in the Congressional Art Competition. Additionally, his office's website has featured concerns about the University of Montana's program that receives funding from groups linked to the Chinese Communist Party, highlighting a critical view of foreign influence in academic institutions.

Ryan Zinke is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and the firearm industry, earning an A+ on the 2024 NSSF Congressional Report Card for his advocacy. During his tenure as Secretary of the Interior, he expanded hunting and fishing access on public lands, repealed the ban on lead shot and tackle, and eliminated policies barring BLM lands from being managed as shooting ranges, demonstrating his commitment to hunting and shooting sports.