Montana congressional delegation urges bipartisan action on wildfires, energy and infrastructure

U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy and U.S. Representative Troy Downing told a joint session of the Montana Legislature that while they differ on particulars, Montanans should work together to address wildfire response, energy production, infrastructure and economic stability.

The delegation framed their priorities as practical steps to protect communities and local jobs. "We burn more 2 by fours than we ever harvested last year," U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke said, describing forest health and wildfire risks and urging collaborative solutions across agencies. U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy said, "I work for you, plain and simple," and urged the Legislature to pursue policies that bring down prices for families and strengthen public safety. U.S. Representative Troy Downing emphasized local problem‑solving: "Government closest to the people has the most effect on the daily lives of the people."

Why it matters: All three federal officials linked national policy to Montana outcomes — from wildfire suppression and forest management to energy permitting, water projects and farm succession — arguing federal and state cooperation is needed to move projects forward and protect livelihoods.

Most of the remarks focused on three concrete policy areas. First, wildfire and forest health: Zinke and Sheehy described dead canopies and increased fires statewide and supported steps to streamline federal responses and forest management. Sheehy highlighted support for a national approach to wildland firefighting that he said would consolidate authorities to reduce interagency finger‑pointing. Second, energy and infrastructure: the delegation advocated for streamlined permitting for energy and timber projects, stronger transmission and local infrastructure funding including sewer and bridges. Downing and Zinke said local infrastructure gaps — such as sewer systems in Seeley Lake and Evergreen and century‑old bridges — make housing and public services harder to deliver. Third, agriculture and rural economies: Sheehy and Downing stressed policies to preserve family farms and ranches, including proposals to repeal the estate tax and seek water infrastructure funding for the Milk River watershed.

Each speaker also listed bills or measures they have introduced or supported in Congress: Sheehy referenced the Lake and Riley Act; Sheehy and Downing described bills on wildfire response and veteran home‑loan awareness; Downing listed co‑sponsorship of measures on water infrastructure and critical minerals. The speakers framed those initiatives as part of a broader push to reduce regulation they said hinders local projects and to protect jobs in Montana's resource sectors.

The delegation repeatedly framed cooperation as necessary. "We may have differences of opinion," Zinke said, "but we should not forget that we're Montanans." Speakers urged the Legislature to coordinate with federal offices on grant applications and projects and to present local priorities that congressional offices can amplify in Washington.

The addresses were ceremonial and advisory: no formal legislative actions on the floor resulted directly from the speeches. Members of the delegation encouraged legislators to contact their offices on specific projects and offered constituent services assistance.

Looking ahead, the federal officials asked state lawmakers to prioritize projects that would be competitive for federal grants and to coordinate on permitting and intergovernmental consultations for water, energy and forest management projects.