Chairman's Press
Risch Recognizes 30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, Celebrates Promotion of Democracy Across the World
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today recognized the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of both Germany and Europe, and the end of communism in Europe. "The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a significant victory for democracy across the world," said Risch. "The crumbling of the Iron Curtain was the catalyst that made independence possible for many Eastern European countries and led to the end… Continue Reading
November 01, 2019
Senator Risch Shares Views on International Development at International Advocacy Lunch
Boise, Idaho -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on Friday at a foreign affairs lunch at the Idaho History Museum in Boise, Idaho, about the United States' role as a global leader and the challenges associated with providing foreign assistance to developing nations. "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to speak with Idahoans who are passionate about responding to the needs of people both here at home, and across the globe," said Risch… Continue Reading
October 30, 2019
Risch Meets with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas of Estonia
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met today with Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas to discuss the strong partnership between the U.S. and Estonia, actions to strengthen NATO, and a mutual pledge to only use trustworthy technology suppliers in their respective communications networks. "I was glad to have Prime Minister Jüri Ratas join me in the U.S. Capitol today to discuss our bilateral efforts to counter Russian ma… Continue Reading
October 30, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Nomination Hearing for the Honorable John Sullivan to be U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a nomination hearing for the Honorable John Sullivan to be the U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation. Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery: "Today we will consider the nomination of the Honorable John Sullivan to be the United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation. We welcome you back to the committee, and thank you for your wi… Continue Reading
October 29, 2019
Risch, Rubio Meet with Venezuelan Delegation
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues, today met with Venezuelan Commissioner for Foreign Relations Julio Borges, Venezuelan Ambassador to the U.S. Carlos Vecchio, UN Ambassador Miguel Pizarro, and Ad hoc Director Alejandro Grisanti, to discuss con… Continue Reading
October 29, 2019
Risch Discusses the Fight Against ISIS with Fox News’ Sandra Smith
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke with Sandra Smith on Fox News about the impact of the U.S.-led military raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the successful termination of his second in command. "America's memory is long and our reach is even longer. [ISIS'] road is going to end with either death or capture, and it's most likely death," said Risch. "We're all committed to… keeping our foot on t… Continue Reading
October 27, 2019
Risch Statement on Announcement of Death of ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has released the following statement on the announcement of the successful U.S.-led military raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: "Reports of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death following a U.S. raid in Syria are welcome news and a triumph for all peace-loving people," Risch said. "I applaud the professionalism of our special operators and the steadfast devotion of our men and women in unifo… Continue Reading
October 25, 2019
Risch, Menendez, Johnson, Shaheen Introduce Resolution to Commemorate 30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, introduced a resolution celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of both Germany and Europe, and the spread of democracy around the world. "… Continue Reading
October 25, 2019
Bipartisan Group of Senators Sends Letter to President of Tajikistan Regarding Harassment of Tajik Journalists
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), on Friday sent a letter to President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan concerning reports that journalists affiliated with Radio Ozodi, the Tajik Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), are being harassed, threatened, and in some cases, denied accreditation to work in Tajikis… Continue Reading
October 24, 2019
Risch: Zimbabwean Leadership is the Cause of Crisis, Not Sanctions
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding efforts of the government of Zimbabwe to spread misinformation and deflect blame for the dire economic conditions faced by the country: "Responsibility for the current political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe falls solely on the ruling regime that has governed the country for decades. If Zimbabwe's leaders put as much time, financial resources,… Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Risch Applauds Senate Approval of North Macedonia Accession to NATO, Calls on European Partners to Do the Same
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate voted to approve the accession of North Macedonia to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): "Today's long-awaited, nearly unanimous vote to approve the accession of North Macedonia into NATO is a strong symbol of the U.S. Senate's support for the strongest and most successful political-military alliance in the history of the world… Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on Turkey's Offensive in Northeast Syria
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a full committee hearing on Turkey's offensive in northeast Syria, with witness testimony from the Honorable James F. Jeffrey, special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS at the Department of State, and Mr. Matthew A. Palmer, deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Afairs at the Department of State… Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Risch Statement and Floor Remarks on Turkish Aggression in Syria
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor about bipartisan legislation he introduced with Sen. Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in response to Turkey's military incursion into northern Syria and attack on America's partners in northeast Syria, including the Kurds. Additionally, Risch made the following remarks after the Trump administration's announcement of … Continue Reading
October 17, 2019
Foreign Relations Committee Leaders Announce New Comprehensive Syria-Turkey Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced they are partnering to introduce new comprehensive legislation in response to Turkey's military incursion into northern Syria and attack on America's partners in northeast Syria, including the Kurds. The bipartisan legislation, which will be introduced soon, will require the administration to produce a strategy to defend our hard-won gains a… Continue Reading
October 16, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on U.S.-Iran Policy
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a full committee hearing on U.S.-Iran policy, with witness testimony from the Honorable Brian Hook, special representative for Iran at the Department of State. Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery: "This morning we have a hearing on a matter that is really of pressing national security importance - the relationship of the United States w… Continue Reading
October 10, 2019
Risch Applauds Magnitsky Sanctions Against Gupta Family's Grand Corruption Network in South Africa
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement applauding Thusday's announcement of Global Magnitsky sanctions designations against several leading members of the grand corruption network in South Africa led by the notorious Gupta family. "I welcome today's announcement of sanctions against members of the Gupta family whose complex and wide-ranging corruption network siphoned off billions of dollars of publi… Continue Reading
October 10, 2019
Risch Welcomes Singapore Senior Minister of State for Defense to Idaho
Boise, Idaho - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today met with Singapore's Minister of Defense Heng Chee How in Boise. Minister Heng is visiting Idaho to observe Exercise Forging Sabre, a biennial exercise held by the U.S. Air Force and Royal Singapore Air Force. The exercise is taking place at Mountain Home Air Force Base this year for the first time. Mountain Home has hosted a Singaporean F-15G training squadron since 2009. Sen. Risch also rece… Continue Reading
October 09, 2019
Risch Statement on Turkey's Actions Against the Kurds
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today regarding Turkey's incursion into Syria against the Kurds: "Turkey's aggressive actions raise serious concerns. Such an action lacks international support and risks a precipitous decline in the U.S.-Turkey relationship, as President Trump has robustly described. Continued Turkish aggression will derail international efforts to maintain pressure against the… Continue Reading
September 26, 2019
Risch Statement on Syrian Government's Use of Chemical Weapons Against Civilians
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today as U.S. intelligence confirmed that the Syrian government again used chemical weapons against its own people, in violation of international law: "Today, Secretary Pompeo confirmed what we have long suspected, which is that the Assad regime once again used chemical weapons against Syrian civilians in Latakia province in May. This horrific attack is just one… Continue Reading
September 25, 2019
Successful SFRC Business Meeting Includes Passage of Hong Kong Bill
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 four bills, four resolutions, two nominations, and one FSO list. "Today's business meeting was incredibly productive and was made up of a number of pieces of bipartisan legislation. I am particularly proud that the committee voted unanimously to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. After more than two decades of broke… Continue Reading
