Chairman's Press
Chairman Risch Statement on Africa Day
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in celebration of Africa Day: "Today, I join our friends across the continent of Africa in celebrating Africa Day. As we face unprecedented global circumstances, the United States reaffirms the importance of our steadfast relationships with our African partners. I look forward to continuing to work together to advance our shared goals of freedom, developmen… Continue Reading
May 22, 2020
Risch, Rubio Welcome Recent Nicaragua Sanctions Against Senior Officials of the Ortega Regime
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, pursuant to Executive Order 13851, designated two senior members of the Nicaraguan regime: "We welcome the designation of Julio César Avilés Castillo, the commander-in-chief of the Nicaraguan Army, and Iván Adolfo Acosta Montalv&aacu… Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
SFRC Approves Risch, Menendez Resolution Lauding State Department Professionals for Their Efforts to Bring Home Americans Stranded Abroad During Pandemic
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 led the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in approving a bipartisan resolution commending State Department professionals for their dedication repatriating United States citizens and legal permanent residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution now moves to the full Senate for consideration. The State Department's Repatriation Task Force… Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Risch, Rubio, Gardner: CCP Efforts to Erode Hong Kong’s Autonomy Are of Grave Concern to the U.S.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), today released the following statement regarding reports that the National People's Congress will introduce legislation this week to implement Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, and other concerns about recent steps by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy: "Reports that the CCP will introduce legislation implemen… Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Chairman Risch Statement on Administration’s Decision to Withdraw from Open Skies Treaty
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to the administration's decision to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty: "I support the president's decision to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty. The Russian Federation's documented and continuing lack of compliance with this treaty follows Russia's material breach of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, its violations of the Chemical … Continue Reading
May 21, 2020
Chairman Risch Applauds Committee Passage of USAGM Nominee, Additional Legislation, Resolutions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today held a committee business meeting during which members approved four bills, 11 resolutions, and one nominee. "I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to pass a number of significant pieces of legislation and one nomination this morning," said Risch. "I am glad the committee was able to finally approve Mr. Pack's nomination to be CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global … Continue Reading
May 19, 2020
Chairman Risch Calls for a Comprehensive, Bipartisan Approach to COVID-19, Future Viruses
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor about the need for a comprehensive, bipartisan approach to developing protocols for viruses such as COVID-19. The chairman's remarks were in response to Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who made an effort to call up a partisan resolution regarding vaccine research. Risch and Durbin came to an amicable agreement on the importance of pursuing a bipartisan solution in the … Continue Reading
May 15, 2020
Risch, Shaheen Comment on Progress of Georgia’s March 8 Agreement
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), today released the following statement after Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili announced the pardon and release of two opposition leaders: "We welcome today's pardon and release from prison of Mr. Okruashvili and Mr. Ugulava. This is an important step in the implementation of the March 8 agreement that will modify Georgia's electoral system and bring an end to … Continue Reading
May 15, 2020
Risch, Menendez Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Group of Members in Letter to Administration in Support of MFO in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula
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, today led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in support of maintaining strong U.S. support to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Risch and Menendez were joined by Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman and ranking member o… Continue Reading
May 15, 2020
Chairman Risch Statement on Burundi’s Upcoming General Elections
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement ahead of Burundi's May 20th general elections: "In January, reports that President Nkurunziza would not stand for a fourth term raised the possibility that Burundians could have an opportunity to reclaim their democracy in the upcoming May 20th general elections. Unfortunately, it becomes more apparent every day that the upcoming polls will not afford the p… Continue Reading
May 14, 2020
Risch, Rubio, Menendez Applaud Senate Passage of Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statements after the Senate unanimously approved an amended version of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 (S.3744). The bill is an important step in countering the totalitarian Chinese government's widespread and horrific human rights abuses in the Xinjia… Continue Reading
May 13, 2020
Risch Joins Colleagues in Letter to President Granger as Guyana Begins Official Recount
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), yesterday sent a letter to Guyanese President David Granger as the South American nation begins a critical recount following a disputed presidential election earlier this year. "As friends of Guyana, we are closely monitoring the recount and support tha… Continue Reading
May 12, 2020
Risch, Menendez, Engel, McCaul Call on Administration to Intensify Efforts to Restore Cross-Border Humanitarian Operations at Syrian Border
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 Representatives Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo calling on the administration to intensify diplomatic efforts at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to maintain current cross-border humanitaria… Continue Reading
May 09, 2020
Risch, Menendez, Engel, McCaul Encourage World Leaders to Support Taiwan’s Participation in WHO
BOISE, Idaho - Yesterday, 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 Engel (D-N.Y.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, encouraged the senior leaders of nearly 60 countries to affirmatively support Taiwan's participation in international organizations, and in light of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, ensure Taiwan can… Continue Reading
May 08, 2020
Chairman Risch Celebrates 75th Anniversary of VE Day, End of WWII in Europe
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in honor of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII) in Europe: "On the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), the transatlantic community celebrates the end of WWII in Europe and the defeat of Nazism," said Risch. "While today is a day to celebrate the victory over fascism and its hateful ideology, we also solemnly remember the s… Continue Reading
May 07, 2020
Risch Statement on Senate Confirmation of Brett Giroir to Be U.S. Representative on WHO Executive Board
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Admiral Brett Giroir to be representative of the United States on the executive board of the World Health Organization (WHO). "I'm pleased the Senate confirmed Admiral Brett Giroir to be the U.S. representative on the executive board of the WHO today," said Risch. "This action ensures that the United States will be aptly repres… Continue Reading
May 07, 2020
Risch, Menendez, Gallagher, Courtney Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter in Support of Australia
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 Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), co-chairs of the Friends of Australia Caucus, today led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to express unwavering support for Australia amidst recent comments made by Chinese Ambassador Cheng Jingye. The comments insinuated Australia may face economic retaliation after calling for… Continue Reading
May 06, 2020
Risch, Young, Perdue, Rubio, Romney Introduce Legislation to Review and Improve Multilateral Aid
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Todd Young (R-Ind.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah), today introduced the Multilateral Aid Review Act of 2020 (MAR Act) to review and improve the accountability and effectiveness of U.S. participation in international organizations. The MAR Act would establish an interagency task force with peer review to conduct an evaluation of how well multilateral institut… Continue Reading
May 01, 2020
Risch, Menendez Commend Saudi-led Coalition’s Decision to Extend Unilateral Ceasefire in Yemen, Encourage Continued De-Escalation Efforts
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, today released the following joint statement regarding the Saudi-led coalition's decision to extend the unilateral ceasefire in Yemen through Ramadan: "The Saudi-led coalition's decision to extend the unilateral ceasefire in Yemen through the holy month of Ramadan is a positive step - one we hope they will uphold and which we hope the Houthis will re… Continue Reading
April 28, 2020
Chairman Risch Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter to Pompeo on Beijing’s Efforts to Undermine Hong Kong’s Autonomy
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), along with Representatives James McGovern (D-Mass.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), co-sponsors of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, today sent a letter urging Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to fully implement the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and ensure that the… Continue Reading
