Press Releases

Emphasizes Idaho’s critical role in energy system research WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ranking Member of the Water and Power Subcommittee, yesterday discussed hydropower and energy security and resiliency. The Senator welcomed Idaho National Lab (INL) Director John Wagner and Ginger Wright, INL’s Cyber-Informed Engineering Program Manager, who served as a witness. “INL is also […]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) today announced the launch of the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus. The Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus will amplify the critical role nuclear energy plays in the United States, explore emerging nuclear technologies, and promote the goals and priorities of the U.S. nuclear industry. “America must maintain its leadership in nuclear energy development. From lighting the first nuclear powered lightbulb to groundbreaking advanced reactor research, Idaho […]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and 40 Republican Senators called on Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to fulfill its constitutional duty by holding a trial to consider the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “Our brave men and women at Customs and Border Protection have […]

Domestic potato growers face significant obstacles in gaining access to Japanese markets WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sent a letter to President Biden requesting he capitalize on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio […]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch, Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) introduced legislation to ensure that states can collect fees during the boat registration and certificate of numbering process. These fees help fund programs to address aquatic invasive species, boating safety, search and rescue and others. The State Boating Act would reinstate the state’s authority to […]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today voted for a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rule. Their rule would overstep state authority by requiring states to measure tailpipe emissions and set declining targets to reduce emissions from roadway travel. Risch, Crapo, and 48 Senate colleagues cosponsored […]

Local economies, communities suffer due to failures to return hours? WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today again pushed U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) to return Porthill Port of Entry hours in northern Idaho to pre-pandemic operating hours. The current, reduced hours are slowing the flow of people and goods, and it is negatively […]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) joined 36 of their Senate Republican colleagues in calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a fair and unbiased review of recently announced oil and gas mergers after Senate Democrats requested the FTC investigate these major energy acquisitions by citing misleading and false allegations. Previously, Senate […]

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and several Republican colleagues wrote U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressing concern over the $110 billion in target tax increases on the production of oil, gas, and coal in the Biden administration’s General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Revenue Proposals (Green Book). The administration’s proposed $5 […]

Call on Biden Admin To Maintain Potatoes’ Classification as Vegetables ?WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) an several colleagues wrote U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra opposing any reclassification of […]