Press Releases

Fire management is extremely important in Idaho where two-thirds of the state is owned and managed by the federal government. Our natural resources are very important to the economy of Idaho and issues such as sage grouse habitat puts additional pressure on protecting those resources, said Risch. "Not everyone understands the serious impacts that fires have in the western United States, especially my colleagues from the east. We need to make them better understand that resources are needed to deal with fires, just as resources are needed to deal with hurricanes and other disasters."

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with 1st District Congressman Raul Labrador, have sent a letter to the Seattle office of the U.S. Coast Guard, asking for a timely review of a planned jet boat race near St. Maries called “Race the Joe.”  Race events are scheduled May 17 – […]

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have joined a bipartisan letter led by Senators Jon Tester (D-Montana.), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) warning the President against reducing timber sales on Forest Service lands.  The Senators are joined by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Max Baucus (D-Montana), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Mike Enzi […]

Hydropower is an important component of Idaho's energy mix and I am pleased this bill has moved through the committee by unanimous consent. By removing outdated federal regulations and processes that made these small hydropower projects too expensive, canals and pipelines can now be looked at for delivering power as well as water. This will be a major benefit to Idaho and I look forward to getting this bill through the Senate and into law.

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have joined a bipartisan letter led by Senators Jon Tester (D-Montana.), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) warning the President against reducing timber sales on Forest Service lands. The Senators are joined by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Max Baucus (D-Montana), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Mike Enzi […]

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch today questioned Jeff Wright, director of the Office of Energy Projects at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, about putting deadlines in place for federal agencies to respond to hydropower permitting requests.  Wright, who provided testimony and answered questions during a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources […]

There are a number of alternatives for the FAA to pursue if they want to keep these towers open. For whatever reason, they have chosen to play politics with this issue. This bipartisan legislation makes it abundantly clear that these towers are not to be closed.

Small businesses all over the country are trying to find a way to get out from under this, just as all big businesses and medium-sized businesses are doing. The difference is, of course, big and medium-sized businesses have a gaggle of lawyers and accountants who can help them get out from under this. The small businesses have fewer options.

The bottom line of his proposal is this: it increases our debt from $16.7 trillion today to $25.4 trillion in 2023. The president claims it doesn't add one dime" to the deficit. He is wrong."

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch today released his hold on the nomination of Sally Jewel to become the Secretary of Interior.  Risch’s hold prevented Jewel’s nomination from moving forward for consideration by the full Senate. “This hold was about getting a commitment from the Department of Interior to follow the best science available […]