Press Releases
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced a resolution designating April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day. The resolution promotes productive forests and encourages the planting of trees across the U.S. “Idaho is the poster child for how effective, active forest management improves forest health, supports conservation, and reduces the risk of […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, and Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth announced that Idaho counties will receive $24 million in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments for Fiscal Year 2025. SRS payments go to counties with large amounts of federal lands to support schools and maintain roads, bridges, […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) thanked interns for serving in his Washington, D.C. Office during the Spring 2026 semester. While in their roles, interns learned about federal policymaking and assisted in daily operations of the office. “Senate internships are a great way to introduce the next generation of Idaho leaders to the legislative process […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch, senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced the selection of The Gathering Place in Rupert as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for March 2026. The Gathering Place will be recognized for its contribution to Idaho in the Congressional Record of […]
WASHINGTON – In a recent interview, U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) sat down with The Ranch Podcast to discuss nuclear energy, public lands, the SAVE America Act, and key issues of importance to Idahoans. Click here to listen to Senator Risch’s interview on The Ranch Podcast Excerpts from the podcast below, lightly edited for clarity: On […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would allow active and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase retired service weapons and firearms. “Destroying a perfectly good firearm when a federal agency no longer needs it […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Angus King (I-Maine) today introduced the Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act, a legislative fix to correct a disparity in funeral and burial benefits for veterans who die from service-connected disabilities. “Our nation’s veterans answered the call to serve and made incredible sacrifices for our freedoms,” said Risch. […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) introduced the Gun-Owner Registration Information Protection (GRIP) Act to prohibit states from using federal funding or background check data to maintain gun registries. “Idaho’s law-abiding gun owners should not be subject to illegal firearms registries,” said Risch. “The GRIP Act closes the loophole exploited by state and local governments to ensure federal […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) issues the following statement condemning a ruling by a U.S. District Court on Wednesday impacting hydropower operations on the Columbia River system. “Once again, an activist judge is trying to dismantle the infrastructure Idahoans rely on by legislating from the bench,” said Risch. “Congress authorized these dams, and only Congress has […]
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch, senior member and former chairman of the Senate Comittee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced the selection of Noble-T Arbor in Lewiston as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for February 2026. Noble-T Arbor will be recognized for its contribution to Idaho in the Congressional Record of the U.S. […]