Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Senate Small Business Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch today presided over the Hearing on the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act: Understanding Small Business Concerns. At the invitation of Risch, Kevin Settles, CEO of Bardenay Restaurants in Boise, Eagle and Coeur d’Alene, testified on the second panel of this hearing. This panel […]

Those who choose to attend college should have reasonable access to financial aid, whether it is through grants, scholarships or loans, said Risch. "I am pleased that after several weeks of negotiations, the Senate was able to come together on behalf of our nation’s students."

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Jim Risch joined U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Richard Burr (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Enzi (R-WY), James Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Mike Lee (R-UT),  Rob Portman (R-OH), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Thune (R-SD) and David Vitter (R-LA) […]

The Obama administration's decision last week to delay key portions of Obamacare is both concerning and revealing, said Risch. "By delaying the employer mandate until 2015, the administration has admitted what we already know: Obamacare doesn’t work. Rather than partially delaying the law for some, I would prefer to see Obamacare permanently delayed for all before it inflicts even greater pain on Idahoans and the rest of the nation."

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch has selected eight college students from around the state of Idaho to serve as summer interns in four of his Senate offices. The interns have the opportunity to engage in the national level of government while assisting with constituent services and legislative research. “This group of interns is […]

When the budgeted amount is insufficient, the agency continues to suppress fires by reallocating funds from other non-fire programs, they continued. "This approach to paying for firefighting is nonsensical and further increases wildland fire costs."

In an effort to reduce the federal government’s energy consumption and save taxpayer dollars, Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act. The bipartisan legislation would force the federal government to reduce energy consumption at federal data centers. “Energy efficiency is a critical component of the United States […]

Our country needs immigration reform. There are several items that the majority of Americans agree can be fixed. However, this legislation on immigration reform is just a political Band-Aid that does nothing to solve the long-term problem of illegal immigration and it commits U.S. taxpayers to turn over their hard-earned money to someone who is not a citizen. This bill clearly overreaches and I cannot support it.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch issued the following statement about the passing of Velma V. Morrison “Idaho has lost a gracious and iconic lady with the passing of Velma Morrison.  She was the driving force behind many signature projects that supported the arts.  Velma leaves behind a great legacy of philanthropic support and […]

Washington, D.C. – In recognition of National Small Business Week, U.S. Senator Jim Risch has named Nightforce Optics as the Idaho Small Business of the Day.  The company will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the United States Senate. “I am pleased to recognize Nightforce Optics as an outstanding small business.  This company started […]