Press Releases

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 […]

Idahoans are strongly against any further erosion of their Second Amendment rights. Legislation that restricts the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans is not the answer to the issues facing our nation, Risch said. "I will continue to oppose any legislation that will infringe upon a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms."

If the federal government is truly concerned about the recovery of a species that inhabit a patchwork of private, state and federal land, it must work together with all stakeholders if they want to be successful, said Risch. "Both Senator Crapo and I have had success with collaboration, and this effort is no different."

Interning in the United States Senate is an excellent way to learn about the legislative branch of government and to see where much of our nation’s early history took place, said Risch. "This group of interns is well qualified and will serve Idaho very well."

When governors of either party are faced with a fiscal shortfall in their state, they work to mitigate the budget cuts from impacting the most essential services, said Risch. "They do not look for ways to make it harder on their citizens. This amendment will take away the excuse by agencies that they do not have the flexibility to deal with the modest slowdown in spending required by sequestration."