Press Releases
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler requesting a Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) be established in Idaho to provide entrepreneurial support to veterans, service members, and military spouses. “Idaho is home to more than 120,000 veterans and 12,000 veteran-owned businesses. [. . .] These […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch, senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced today the selection of seven businesses from across the state as Idaho Small Businesses of the Month for June 2026. The recognition is part of Senator Risch’s seventh annual Support Local Gems initiative. “Idaho is full of […]
Invites Idahoans to Support Local Small Businesses on Friday, June 12, 2026 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and the Idaho Department of Commerce launched the seventh annual Support Local Gemsinitiative, encouraging Idahoans to show their appreciation for small businesses in their community. On Friday, June 12, 2026, Idahoans are invited to Support Local Gems by shopping at […]
First Nuclear Reactor Achieves Criticality at the Idaho National Laboratory in Nearly 50 Years WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today celebrated the first new nuclear reactor to achieve criticality, or demonstrate a fission chain reaction, at the Idaho National Laboratory in nearly 50 years. The Antares R1 Mark-0 Reactor Project is the first of […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) signed a bipartisan, bicameral letter in support of efforts by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to initiate a Section 301 investigation into unfair and discriminatory trade practices by foreign sugar-producing countries. The letter calls on USTR to take appropriate action to protect American […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today introduced the System Integrity through Licensed Vault Expansion and Resilience (SILVER) Act to increase geographic diversity of precious metal depositories. The vast majority of U.S. storage facilities for precious metals exchanges are currently in the New York City region. The SILVER Act would require two depositories be […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) today announced their support for the America the Beautiful Act to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and strengthen Idaho’s public lands. “Public lands are central to who we are as Idahoans and our way of life,” said Risch. “Reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund is a commonsense investment to […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch, senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced the selection of Broken Bowl Catering in New Plymouth as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for April 2026. Broken Bowl Catering will be recognized for its contribution to Idaho in the Congressional Record […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and six Republican colleagues introduced the Heat Workforce Standards Act to protect workers from dangerous Biden-era heat standards that threaten jobs and create new safety risks. “One-size-fits-all federal heating standards prevent small businesses and farmers from appropriately protecting the people they employ,” said Risch. “The Heat Workforce Standards Act will stop the implementation of […]
BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) issued the following statement upon the passing of former Idaho Governor and Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne: “Vicki and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Dirk Kempthorne, a faithful public servant who made a lasting mark on Idaho and our nation. From […]