Zinke criticizes Democrats in GOP address

HELENA (AP) — U.S. Rep Ryan Zinke is criticizing Democratic lawmakers for blocking funding for a defense policy bill that passed the Senate this week.

Zinke gave the Republicans' weekly address Saturday on the blocked legislation to fund a $612 billion policy bill that President Barack Obama has threatened to veto.

Democrats oppose the way the legislation avoids congressional spending caps by padding a cap-exempt emergency account. They say if Republicans want to skirt the caps for defense spending, they should do the same for domestic spending.

Zinke accuses opponents of using the legislation as a bargaining chip to bolster other agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and Environmental Protection Agency.

He says Congress needs to make sure U.S. military troops have the proper equipment and training and clear rules of engagement in battle.