Chairman's Press
Chairman Risch Statement in Support of Hong Kong Protests
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 concerns about a law that would expose them to a legal system controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, in which rule of law and due process are nonexistent. They are r… Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on NATO Expansion: Examining the Accession of North Macedonia
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 and Ms. Kathryn Wheelbarger, acting assistant secretary, international security affairs at the Department of Defense. Chairman Risch gave the following opening s… Continue Reading
June 11, 2019
Risch, Shaheen, and Capito Host Women, Peace, and Security Strategy Roundtable with Ivanka Trump
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 authored by Sens. Shaheen and Capito and signed into law by President Trump in October 2017. "It is common knowledge that during conflict, women disproport… Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Risch Welcomes Inaugural Group of Idaho International Interns to D.C.
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 advocating for and serving my constituents in Idaho, and that continues to be true as I serve as chairman of the historic Senate Foreign Relations Committee," said Ris… Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Risch on AU Suspension of Sudan Amid Ongoing Violence
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 from all AU activities until a civilian authority is established sends a strong message to the Sudanese ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) tha… Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on 30th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre
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, and Christopher Walker, vice president for studies and analysis at the National Endowment for Democracy. Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement, as prepared for… Continue Reading
June 04, 2019
Gardner, Markey, Risch, Menendez, Toomey, Rubio Resolution on 30th Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Massacre
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), have introduced legislation recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in China, and condemning increasing repression and human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party, as well as the use of surveillance by Chinese authorities. "It's an honor to lead this bipartisan resolution recognizing the 30th a… Continue Reading
June 03, 2019
Risch Statement on the Violent Eradication of Khartoum Protest Camp By Sudanese Security Forces
Washington, D.C. - U.S Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement after reports today that security forces violently attacked a peaceful protest camp in front of the Sudan's military headquarters in Khartoum: "The violent eradication of the peaceful sit-in site in Khartoum by Sudanese security forces demonstrates the ruling military council's lack of commitment to a peaceful transfer of authority to a civilian-led government, a… Continue Reading
May 24, 2019
Risch and Menendez Welcome President of Marshall Islands to U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez, (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met this week with President Hilda Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. "It was an honor to meet with President Heine and discuss the long history of close cooperation between the United States and the Marshall Islands," said Sen. Risch. "It is in the interest of the United States to further strengthen our ties with Pacific Island nation… Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Risch Commends Passage of Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, Among Others, in Productive Business Meeting
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 10 pieces of legislation and five nominations. "The committee had a productive business meeting today during which we moved forward a number of important pieces of legislation and State Department nominees," said Risch. "I am particularly glad that members of the committee supported the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Ac… Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
Risch Expresses Concern for Escalated Violence and Worsening Humanitarian Situation in Idlib
Washington, D.C. - U.S Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement regarding reports of escalated violence in Northwestern Syria: "I am deeply concerned by the escalation of violence that has occurred in northwestern Syria in recent weeks. Indiscriminate shelling by the Russian Air Force and troops loyal to the Assad regime, particularly in the provinces of Idlib and Hama, have left hundreds dead and displaced thousands mor… Continue Reading
May 17, 2019
Risch Meets with Hong Kong Civil Society Leaders, Expresses Support for Autonomy of Hong Kong
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met earlier this week with a delegation of civil society leaders from Hong Kong led by Martin Lee, former member of Hong Kong's Legislative Council and a long-time advocate for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong. He made the following statement in response to issues discussed: "I greatly enjoyed meeting with Martin Lee and his colleagues, and admire their efforts to promote freedom, democracy,… Continue Reading
May 16, 2019
Risch Applauds Bulatao Confirmation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded the Senate's confirmation of Brian Bulatao to be Under Secretary of State for Management. Bulatao was confirmed by a vote of 92-5. "Since day one of my chairmanship, I have been working to move nominations that have been stalled in committee, and Brian Bulatao's nomination is just one example of a nomination that has sat for far too long," said Risch. "I am pleased to see Mr. B… Continue Reading
May 15, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on Future of Arms Control Post-INF Treaty
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing on "The Future of Arms Control Post-Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty," with testimony from Andrea L. Thompson, under secretary for arms control and international security at the Department of State, and David J. Trachtenberg, deputy under secretary for policy at the Department of State. Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement, as prepared for delive… Continue Reading
May 14, 2019
Risch Statement on Violent Attacks by Security Forces in Khartoum
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement about attacks carried out by elements of Sudan's security forces: "I condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence, specifically the firing of live ammunition, against unarmed Sudanese protesters on Monday, as they were peacefully demonstrating to establish a civilian-led authority in their country," said Sen. Risch. "Once again, I call on Sudan's military coun… Continue Reading
May 14, 2019
Bipartisan Foreign Relations Committee Senators’ Statement on Election Results in South Africa
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators and Foreign Relations Committee members Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) released the following statement after this week's elections in South Africa. "As members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we commend South Africa's citizens, political parties, and Electoral Commission for together ensuring a successful national election," the… Continue Reading
May 10, 2019
Risch, Menendez, Rubio, Shaheen, Express Concern for Democratic Erosion in Hungary, Ask Trump To Raise Issues with Orban
Washington, D.C. - Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), senior members of the committee, today sent a letter to President Trump to express their concern over Hungary's downward democratic trajectory and the implications for U.S. interests in Central Europe. President Trump is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Viktor … Continue Reading
May 10, 2019
Bipartisan Group of Senators Send Letter Warning Against Chinese Interference in Religious Freedom
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined with committee members Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), this week to send a letter to the Honorable Sam Brownback, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Fr… Continue Reading
May 08, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing to Review the FY 2020 USAID Budget Request
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a hearing to review the FY 2020 USAID Budget Request, with testimony from USAID Administrator Mark Green. Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery: "This hearing will come to order. Today we will review the Administration's Fiscal Year 2020 budget request for the U.S. Agency for International Development, the lead development agency charged … Continue Reading
May 08, 2019
Risch Statement on Iran's Pullback from Nuclear Deal
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement in response to the Iran regime's announcement today that they will halt compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Deal: "Iran's announcement today is a sign of desperation and a clear signal that maximum pressure is achieving our desired effects," said Risch. "However, as with any international agreement, the regime's comments on p… Continue Reading
