Zinke needs more than his career as SEAL

I have followed the congressional career of Ryan “I’m a SEAL” Zinke with interest. As a combat veteran with 30 years of Regular Army service, I appreciate the fact that Mr. Zinke served his country in the Navy SEALs for roughly 22 years. He deserves recognition for that service, as he constantly reminds people. That does not make him an expert on military or foreign policy or veterans’ affairs.

Mr. Zinke claims to care for our veterans and the programs that serve them. However, he talks the talk, but has not walked the walk. For example, he voted against House Bill 2029 in May 2015 that would have given badly needed funds to the VA for health services. He also voted to block the House from considering a resolution to give veterans training in manufacturing jobs (HR 78, Feb. 2015). Finally, he voted twice against legislation that would have protected military personnel from predatory lending practices (HR 1210, Nov. 2015).

Mr. Zinke’s military service is admirable, but his record of helping Montana veterans is not. He needs to be more than a “former SEAL” to deserve another term. —Scott Wheeler, Kalispell