Zinke made disparaging remarks about Indian Country.


Zinke also supported the government shutdown that hurt Montana’s tribes. The shutdown had a catastrophic impact on Montana’s tribes, halting tribal programs including home health care programs for the elderly and disabled, bus services for rural areas and furloughing hundreds of workers.
 
Zinke supported repeal of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The Indian Health Care Improvement Act was reauthorized as part of the Affordable Health Care Act. Zinke has repeatedly voiced support for repealing this legislation that improves the Indian Health Service.
 
Zinke opposed funding for Violence Against Women programs for Indian women. In 2014, Zinke opposed $344 million in funding aimed at addressing the high victimization rates of American Indian women for the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking on tribal lands.