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May 22, 2025
Nevada Democrats applauded Montana Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke for opposing a land sale in Nevada and Utah, initially part of a significant tax and border security package by President Donald Trump. U.S. Rep. Dina Titus thanked Zinke for removing the language that would have affected 450,000 acres from the bill. The proposed sale amendment belonged to U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nevada.
Titus unsuccessfully tried to exclude her district from the proposal, and U.S. Rep. Susie Lee attempted to remove Utah parcels. Zinke initiated a Public Lands Caucus, opposing the sale of land along a crucial water pipeline route. Public lands are a key issue in Montana politics. Critics have often accused Zinke of advocating for federal land sales.
During his tenure as Interior Secretary, Zinke oversaw the reduction of Bears Ears National Monument, which President Joe Biden later restored. The proposed land sale was contested by Zinke and other Republicans who felt it would negatively alter federal land management. In anticipation of the vote, Zinke made his stance clear by likening his fight to the historic San Juan Hill battle.
The proposed sale was removed from the bill after an amendment by the bill manager, helping alleviate Republican lawmakers’ concerns. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” intends to renew tax cuts from 2017, resulting in a projected $1.9 trillion deficit, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Extending these cuts could further deepen the deficit by $3.3 trillion without additional borrowing.
Opponents of the bill criticize Zinke and Rep. Troy Downing for supporting measures that would cut Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The CBO estimated that 8.6 million people could lose health coverage over the next decade due to proposed Medicaid cuts. The bill also reduces federal revenue from mineral royalties and phases out several renewable energy subsidies.
Nobody’s home
State Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, proposed transforming the unoccupied governor’s mansion into a shelter for the homeless. Built in 1959, the 12,000-square-foot house has been vacant for years and needs repairs. During the 2025 legislative session, it was reported that maintaining the empty building costs the state $100,000 annually.
Dunwell also suggested using the mansion as a child care center for government workers’ families or temporary housing for state employees. Her efforts to legislate these changes were unsuccessful during the session ending in April. The executive residence, which was in Dunwell’s district during her 2022 state Senate campaign, remains a topic of local concern.
The mansion became vacant in 2021 when Gov. Greg Gianforte moved out to facilitate repairs, with the Legislature allocating $2.4 million for renovations. However, the building remains in disrepair.
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