Press Releases

Although this law applies to Montana lands, it directly affects Idahoans. The original proposal closed the southern portion of Mt. Jefferson to snowmobiling. This area is accessed directly from Idaho and is enjoyed by Idahoans who snowmobile in that area. I have heard from many Idahoans protesting that closure.

Washington, D.C.—Senator Jim Risch has announced his nominations to the United States Military Academies for the 2014 school year. The nominees were selected from dozens of applicants and will now be considered by each of the four academies for final selection. “This year’s nominees have met the high standards required to attend our military academies […]

Washington, D.C. – The Thanksgiving meal provides a good reminder of the hard work by America’s farmers and ranchers to provide safe and affordable food.  Unfortunately, according to a bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators, the increasing amount of burdensome regulations from Washington are putting unneeded stress on these producers and processors.  Idaho Senators Mike Crapo […]

Washington, D.C. – Today a bill authored by Congressman Mike Simpson to permit existing water diversions in Idaho wilderness areas was passed by the Senate committee with jurisdiction on the issue.  The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, of which Senator Jim Risch is a member, passed H.R. 876, the Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection […]

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch has named WestOne Logistics as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for November in recognition of their tremendous efforts and years of success.  The company will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the United States Senate. “I am pleased to recognize WestOne Logistics as an outstanding […]

Our founding fathers engineered a government where it was not easy to move legislation forward. These difficulties were designed to ensure differences were recognized and compromises would be necessary. This design makes us stronger, not weaker. Unfortunately, Senator Reid and his colleagues believe the ends justify the means and are willing to sacrifice our constitutional traditions in pursuit of expediency.

President Obama promised the American people time and time again that if they liked their current health insurance plan they could keep it, said Risch. "That promise was false; the proposal greatly changes millions of middle class Americans’ plans. This legislation preserves small employers’ and individuals’ ability to make their own insurance choices, allowing them to keep their important stop loss coverage."

I am pleased the Senate spoke unanimously in calling for the release of Pastor Abedini and detailing the inhumane treatment he has received. The government of Iran continues to violate Pastor Abedini's human rights through his imprisonment and abuse. Pastor Abedini's only crime is to peacefully exercise his faith and work to help meet the needs of the poor and most vulnerable in Iran. It is past time for Iran to release Pastor Saeed Abedini.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch today applauded the State Department for finally designating Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Risch has urged the State Department to do so for over two years. The Nigerian Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram is officially known as “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s […]

Washington, D.C. – The Idaho Congressional Delegation, including Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, along with every lawmaker representing Oregon and Washington, urged the U.S. Energy Department (DOE) to maintain an independent Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) that puts Northwest power users first, in a bipartisan letter to Energy […]