Press Releases

It is time to do what we have done for over two hundred years and what the President acknowledged tonight. He said, 'Our recovery will be driven not by Washington, but by our businesses and workers.' I agree. We need to turn the private sector loose, remove the stranglehold of regulations, lower taxes and get the government out of the way so the private sector can create jobs.

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Jim Risch will host a telephone town hall on Monday, September 12th at 7:00 pm Mountain, 6:00 pm Pacific. Risch will give a brief update on issues being discussed in Congress and take questions from Idahoans for the bulk of the hour. He will also ask participants to respond to […]

On each and every vote I carefully consider what Idahoans want done on the issue. These votes are a reflection of Idahoans’ desire to reduce federal spending, stop job-stifling regulations and to not raise taxes. My main focus is to vote how Idahoans want me to vote, and if the scorecards show that is voting conservative, so be it.

The federal case against Mr. Hill for shooting a grizzly that was on his property, where he believed he was protecting his family, is another example for the need to reform the Endangered Species Act. Protection of your family and property has been sacrosanct since this country was formed. What Mr. Hill did was not a criminal act in the court of common sense. My hope is that common sense prevails in this case.

This is a step in the right direction. We are making actual cuts to government spending, putting spending controls in place and providing for a vote on a balanced budget amendment without raising taxes. While it is a step in the right direction, it is only a first step in slowing the federal spending that is harming our economy. I am committed to continuing this effort to balance our budget and make government live within its means.

It is disappointing that the only real plan to confront our spending and debt crisis offered in either house of Congress fell short by four votes and on a party line vote with all Republicans supporting a balanced budget amendment to our constitution and all Democrats opposing.

Time and again the federal government has demonstrated it is not capable of living within its financial means. This legislation would force Congress to balance the budget, work at creating jobs and will help save America from the debt crisis we are facing.

The stuff that goes on here does not surprise me at all, except the cavalier attitude that this city and Congress have for the value of money. It just astounds me that in this institution they do not stop spending money when they hit the end of the budget or think to stop spending when they hit the end of their resources. They stop spending money when they run out of time. That seems to be the only sideboard on how much money is spent.

In matters involving natural resources there must be a balance between conservation and use. This legislation correctly restores that balance and maintains state management authority that has been successfully used for decades, said Risch.

We want Idahoans and the nation to remember that Sgt. Bergdahl continues to be held by Islamic extremists. His safe return to the United States and his family in Hailey continues to be a top priority for the U.S. Military and Intelligence community. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Bowe and his family during this difficult time.