Chairman's Press
Chairman Risch Welcomes Foreign Relations Committee Spring Interns
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, welcomed four new committee interns for the spring semester this week. "I am glad to welcome this group of exceptional students to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the semester," said Risch. "Committee internships provide students and recent graduates the opportunity to have a front-row seat as we handle major global issues, and I am confident they will have a productive semester on Ca… Continue Reading
January 15, 2020
Risch, Menendez, Gardner, Markey Recognize Vietnam for Assuming Chairmanship of ASEAN
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, today congratulated Vietnam on assuming the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN is an important multilateral organization for advancin… Continue Reading
January 15, 2020
Risch Applauds Committee Passage of USMCA, Four Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today held a committee business meeting to markup H.R.5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA), and four ambassadorial nominees. "After months of discussions between members of Congress and the administration, I am glad our committee has done its part to advance this important, bipartisan legislation," said Risch. "The USMCA strengthens North American trade relati… Continue Reading
January 14, 2020
Risch, Menendez Lead Colleagues in Bipartisan Letter to Administration in Support of Burma’s Elections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, were joined by Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ron Wyden (D-Wash.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dan Sullivan (… Continue Reading
January 13, 2020
Risch, Menendez Encourage Administration to Seek Meaningful Electoral Reform in Nicaragua
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin expressing concern about the Ortega regime's blatant disregard for human rights and systematic dismantling of democratic institutions in Nicaragua, and to ask that specific actions be taken immediately to reverse this dangerous course. "We applaud the steps t… Continue Reading
January 10, 2020
Risch, Menendez, Rubio, Cardin Applaud Senate Passage of Resolution Concerning Irregularities in Bolivia’s General Elections
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, And Global Women's Issues, applauded this week's Senate passage of their resolution, S.Res.447, expressing concern about widespread irregularities in Bo… Continue Reading
January 10, 2020
Risch, Menendez, Engel, McCaul Seek Answers About World Bank Hiring Practices Concerning Employees from Taiwan
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Representatives Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.) and Michael T. McCaul (R-Texas), chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, this week requested an explanation about the World Bank Group (WBG) telling employees with Taiwan passports that their employment was contingent upon obtaining People's Republic of China (PRC) passport… Continue Reading
January 08, 2020
Risch Applauds U.S. Efforts to Hold South Sudan's Leaders Accountable for Serious Human Rights Abuses, Obstruction of Peace Process
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Treasury's Department's decision to sanction South Sudan's first vice president, Taban Deng Gai, for his role in serious human rights abuses: "The United States has a long history as a friend of South Sudan, and wants nothing more than the world's youngest country to achieve lasting peace, democracy, and prosperity. The people of South… Continue Reading
January 08, 2020
Risch Meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the Hellenic Republic on Wednesday to discuss the status of U.S.-Greek relations. "The US-Greek partnership is as strong as ever, and I was glad to welcome Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the committee today," said Risch. "Our two nations have expanded our bilateral and regional military cooperation, and have signed a revised defense cooperation… Continue Reading
January 08, 2020
Chairman Risch Statement on U.S. Response to Iranian Missile Strikes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement regarding last night's Iranian missile strikes aimed at U.S.-Iraqi bases in Iraq: "I hope the Iranian regime has learned a lesson. Today, the president laid out in clear terms the policies the United States has been pursuing and will continue to pursue against Iran's unacceptable conduct on all fronts, from its attempts to acquire a nuclear weapon to its state sponsors… Continue Reading
January 07, 2020
Risch, Rubio, Cardin, Cruz, Kaine Welcome Swearing-In of Juan Guaidó as President of the National Assembly
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), today issued the following joint statement in support of Juan Guaidó's reelection as president of the Venezuelan National Assembly and as interim president of Venezuela: "This week, the international community once again witnessed the criminality of dictator Nicolás Maduro's regime and the lengths… Continue Reading
January 02, 2020
Chairman Risch Statement on Death of Qassem Suleimani
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement regarding the death of Qassem Suleimani: "Congratulations to President Trump on his decisive action and the successful outcome. Qassem Suleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and his death presents an opportunity for Iraq to determine its own future free from Iranian control. As I have previously warned the Iranian government, they should not mistake … Continue Reading
December 30, 2019
Chairman Risch Highlights Foreign Relations Committee Accomplishments for 2019
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today highlighted significant accomplishments of the committee from his first year as chairman. "I am proud that in my first year as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee we have been able to accomplish so much," said Risch. "In addition to reporting out 67 nominees who were confirmed by the full Senate to positions at the U.S. Department of State, USAID, and other agencies, the com… Continue Reading
December 18, 2019
Risch Holds Committee Business Meeting on Russia Sanctions Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today held a committee business meeting to markup S.482, the Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act of 2019 (DASKAA). "I commend my colleagues' good faith efforts to hold Russia accountable and I agree with them that we must continue to find ways to do this, but this piece of legislation, as drafted, is rife with unintended consequences," said Risch. "The list of Putin's offenses … Continue Reading
December 17, 2019
Chairman Risch Touts Victories in Passage of NDAA Including Nord Stream 2 Sanctions, Caesar Bill
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded the inclusion of several committee-related provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA), which passed by a vote of 86-8. "I applaud the overwhelmingly bipartisan passage of the NDAA for fiscal year 2020 today," said Risch. "In addition to fulfilling our obligations to the U.S. military, this year's NDAA also includes a number of important provisi… Continue Reading
December 16, 2019
Chairman Risch Recognizes SFRC Fall Interns
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today recognized the committee's six fall interns as they conclude their time in the Senate. "Committee internships provide students and recent graduates the opportunity to have a front-row seat as we handle major global issues," said Risch. "From the threat of communist China, to growing instability in Turkey and Syria, this semester's interns have been able to participate in U.S. foreign policy … Continue Reading
December 11, 2019
Risch Praises Committee Passage of Turkey Sanctions Bill, Additional Legislation, Nominees
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a business meeting during which members approved nine bills, 10 Senate resolutions, one joint resolution, one concurrent resolution, and two nominees. "I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together for a robust and productive business meeting this morning," said Risch. "We passed a number of significant pieces of legislation through our committee, all of … Continue Reading
December 11, 2019
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves Comprehensive Syria-Turkey Legislation
WASHINGTON - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today voted to approve the Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act (S.2641). The comprehensive legislation, authored by Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), is a direct congressional response to Turkey's military incursion into northeast Syria and attack on the Kurds, as well as their purchase of the Russian S-400 defense system. "I am glad our committee members came toge… Continue Reading
December 10, 2019
Risch, Menendez, Gardner, Coons Mark Anniversary of the Chinese Government’s Unlawful Detention of Canadian Citizens, Call for Their Immediate Release
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, and Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today recognized the anniversary of the Chinese government's detention of Canadian citizens Michal Kovrig and Michael Spavor in retaliation for Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd. Chief Fina… Continue Reading
December 05, 2019
U.S. Senators Introduce Legislation Expressing Concern over Irregularities in Bolivia’s Elections, Call for Democratic Elections
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Chris Coons (D-Dela.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have introduced a resolution expressing grave concern over irregularities following Bolivia's general elections held on October 20, 2019, and encouraging the State Department… Continue Reading
