Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) criticized President Obama in the GOP weekly address Saturday for threatening to veto legislation that gives troops a pay raise because of environmental provisions in the bill.
Zinke, the first Navy SEAL to serve in the House, said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) “thought it was a waste of time.”
{mosads}Zinke said the legislation would help to provide resources for “critical medical supplies and gives troops a pay raise.”
“Taking care of our troops should be our top priority, but it isn’t even on the Democrats’ to-do list right now,” he said. “They’ve lost sight of American values in favor of Washington politics.”
Democrats have criticized Republicans for playing politics by including the popular military provisions as part of legislation that would roll back environmental standards.
Zinke said it would be tough for Democrats to defend themselves this summer.
“How can they explain that at a Fourth of July parade or military ceremony?” Zinke said. “I’ve been to war and I know the consequences and sacrifice it takes. If we must fight, we fight to win.”