For Immediate Release

September 22, 2023 

Montanans Call on Congressman Rosendale: Don’t Play Politics with our National Parks

Rosendale continues to support a federal government shut down despite the dire impacts on Montana’s public lands

(BOZEMAN, Mont.) –Congressman Matt Rosendale is being showcased nationally as one of a handful of Republicans in the U.S. House who are supporting a federal government shutdown. Rosendale has repeatedly stated on the record that he would block spending bills which would pave the way for a federal government shutdown October 1, 2023. Despite his support for a shutdown, he has not stated how he plans to mitigate the impact on Montanans.

During the last shutdown, which lasted more than 30 days, in our national parks garbage and toilets overflowed and natural features at some of the nations’ most prized public lands were destroyed. In Montana, local small businesses had to foot the bill to keep Yellowstone National Park trails groomed and safe. 

Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park provide an approximate $1 billion in economic contributions to the Montana economy.  The timing of the looming shutdown is particularly troubling as fall is a traditional time for Montanans to visit our National Parks and other federal lands. Additionally, Yellowstone National Park is still recovering from devastating floods in 2021.

“Congressman Rosendale needs to explain why he would rather see garbage and toilets overflowing at our precious national parks than engaging in a constructive solution that would benefit Montanans,” said Whitney Tawney, Executive Director of Montana Conservation Voters “It’s a national game of chicken, and Rosendale seems willing to allow our public lands, the small businesses that rely on them and a huge portion of our state’s economy to be the bargaining chip. We call on Congressman Rosendale to do the right thing and publicly state his plan for keeping Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park from degradation due to dysfunction in Washington.”

Unless House Republicans, including Congressman Rosendale, pass a short-term funding bill by September 30, a federal government shutdown will begin on October 1, 2023.

###

Montana Conservation Voters is a statewide non-partisan membership organization dedicated to fighting for Montana’s air, water, open spaces, wildlife and public health. MCV provides voter participation services to tens of thousands of Montanans. Visit mtvoters.org for more details.

CONTACT

Anthony Licata

Communications Director
Montana Conservation Voters

406-426-2645