Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced S. 2023, the FAST Fix Act of 2019, legislation to level the playing field for rural states to better compete for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen […]

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced S. 1975, the Small Business Investment Improvement Act of 2019, legislation to create oversight of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program and facilitate more early stage capital to Idaho’s small businesses. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), […]

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last night spoke with Judy Woodruff on PBS Newshour about his meeting with President Trump to discuss the options available to respond to the Iranian government shooting down a U.S. drone earlier this week. Risch said, in part: “I was […]

Washington, D.C. – The United States Senate today confirmed Dr. Rita Baranwal’s nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy (DOE). Baranwal, who most recently led the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) Initiative at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), will oversee long-term innovation in nuclear power in […]

Washington, D.C. – At the request of U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved the establishment of the Idaho Women’s Business Center (WBC), a business development organization that will provide resources, education, and services to entrepreneurs and female small business owners across the state of Idaho. Sen. Risch has been […]

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) has selected four interns to serve in his Washington, D.C. senate office and one intern to serve in his Idaho Falls office for the summer of 2019. While in their roles, the interns will have the opportunity to learn about policymaking at the federal level while playing […]

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) has hired Bryson Wong as his new legislative assistant in his Washington, D.C. office. Wong, who has an extensive background handling energy and natural resources policy, will primarily focus on energy issues and matters involving the Idaho National Lab. Wong comes to Sen. Risch’s office from the […]

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, has named Partner Steel Co. of Pocatello as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for June 2019. Partner Steel will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate. “Hard work, innovation, […]

Washington, D.C. – On the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke with the Today Show about the Chinese Communist Party’s vicious crackdown on peaceful protesters in 1989, and the ongoing and intensifying oppression and human rights violations still being perpetrated today.  […]

Boise, ID – On Thursday, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) led a bipartisan rally alongside school, county, state, and industry leaders to announce the reintroduction of the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act. The legislation will create a long-term solution for rural forest counties that rely on Secure Rural Schools […]