minority
Press

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a business meeting during which members approved one piece of legislation, S. 1441, Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019.  “This bipartisan bill would sanction companies operating vessels that lay pipes...

Washington, D.C. – Chairman Risch made the following statement regarding ongoing protests in Hong Kong, and in response to the Chinese government’s July 29 press conference: “I am deeply concerned by the Chinese government’s statements yesterday that further demonstrate a complete unwillingness to listen to the Hong...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a business meeting during which members approved one piece of legislation, one treaty, 13 nominees, and nine Foreign Service Officer lists.    “I am glad that members of my committee came together...

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a full committee hearing on "Reviewing Authorities for the Use of Military Force", with witness testimonies from The Honorable David Hale, under secretary for political affairs at the Department of State, and Mr. Marik String,...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement regarding Senate consent to ratify four bilateral tax protocols:   “I could not be more pleased that the Senate came together today with such an overwhelming majority to approve the four tax...

Washington, DC – In response to news that Turkey began receiving the first shipment of the Russian S-400 surface-to-air-missile system, U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has introduced legislation to address a growing gap between the United States and Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Review Act of 2019 (SADRA), along with original cosponsors Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Chris...

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing on "Defense Cooperation: Use of Emergency Authorities under the Arms Export Control Act", with witness testimony from The Honorable R. Clarke Cooper, assistant secretary, political-military affairs at the Department...

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement ahead of planned protests in Sudan on June 30, 2019, which are being held to pressure the military junta to transition power to a civilian government, and also to mark the anniversary of the...

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today made the following statement after the Senate defeated an amendment to the NDAA that would limit the president's authority to use military force against Iran:   "At a time when there are heightened tensions between the U.S. and the...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a committee business meeting during which members approved eight pieces of legislation, four treaties, and one nomination.   “I am pleased that the committee favorably  reported four important tax treaties to...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a committee business meeting during which members approved eight pieces of legislation, four treaties, and one nomination.   “I am pleased that the committee favorably  reported four important tax treaties to...

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement regarding the reports of a failed coup in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region and violence in the capital, Addis Ababa, on Saturday, June 22, 2019: "This weekend's attacks on regional officials in Amhara and the...

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing on the nomination of the Honorable Kelly Craft to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.  Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery: "Today we will consider the...

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement in support of protestors in Hong Kong who oppose legislation that would allow the extradition of individuals from Hong Kong to Mainland China:  “The people of Hong Kong are fully justified in their...

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing on "NATO Expansion: Examining the Accession of North Macedonia", with witness testimony from Mr. Philip T. Reeker, acting assistant secretary, bureau of European and Eurasian affairs at the Department of State...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Sens. Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), today hosted a roundtable discussion with Ivanka Trump, advisor to the president, on the U.S. strategy for implementation of The Women, Peace, and Security Act, which was...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, this week welcomed three collegiate scholars from Idaho to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the inaugural group of interns for the Idaho International Internship program. “My priority in Washington always has and will be...

Washington, D.C. - U.S Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement regarding the African Union's suspension of Sudan amid reports that the ruling military in the country continue to perpetrate extreme violence against peaceful protestors: "The African Union's (AU) suspension of Sudan...

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing on "Rule by Fear: 30 Years After Tiananmen", with witness testimony from Xiao Qiang, founder and editor-in-chief of the China Digital Times, Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch,...