Zinke: Grotesquely Enriching Himself, Refuses to Support the Restore Trust Act

MONTANA — Wednesday, January 28, 2026 — Russ Cleveland, the leading Western Montana Congressional Candidate challenging embattled incumbent Ryan Zinke in the 2026 Montana House District 1 election, is calling upon Congressman Zinke to support the Restore Trust Act, H.R. 5106, by signing a recently filed discharge petition that will force a debate and vote on the measure.

“Elected Members of the U.S. Congress shouldn’t use their elected office to grotesquely enrich themselves and their families,” said Russell Cleveland. “Sadly, Congressman Ryan Zinke is an embarrassing example of how leveraging what is supposed to be a seat in public service for personal profit works. Since he has been filing required Financial Disclosure forms in 2010 with the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Ryan Zinke has grifted his way from a net worth of $1.647 million to $38.580 million, gaining exceptional wealth with a more than 2,240% increase.”

This week, members of Congress in support of the Restore Trust Act filed a discharge petition to force House Speaker Michael Johnson and the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives to bring the bill forth for a debate and a vote. For the discharge petition to be successful, 218 or more members of the House are required to sign it, meaning that it will require members of both the Democrat and Republican parties to support it.

“The Restore Trust Act is one of many measures that I support that are necessary to restore trust, integrity and a true public service mission to serving in the U.S. Congress,” said Cleveland. “Sponsoring, signing the discharge petition and voting for the Restore Trust Act is an important step for Congressman Zinke and all members of Congress. I’ve been traveling Montana as a candidate for Congress for 10 months now, and nearly 40,000 miles on my truck. I can tell you. The people of Montana across the partisan spectrum have lost total trust that our elected representatives in Washington D.C. are doing anything but looking out for themselves. Congressman Zinke’s failure to truly represent the interests of all Montanans, rather than lining his pockets and bending the knee to the corporate lobbyists promoting him has weakened our Democracy and is holding all of us back from pursuing the American Dream.”

Some Republicans are opting not to sign the Restore Trust Act discharge petition, claiming to support a much weaker bill. The weaker bill allows Members of Congress, their spouses and dependents to continue to own stocks that they currently hold but requires them not to trade or purchase new stocks.

“Don’t cop out Congressman Zinke,” said Cleveland. “Well before the voters of Montana reject you and elect me in the 2026 election, you can do the right thing. Support the Restore Trust Act today and every day until it becomes law.”