Chairman's Press
Risch, Shaheen, Rubio, Coons Introduce Bill to Address Bilateral Relationship with Saudi Arabia
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 Coons (D-Del.). The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have a history of shared strategic interests, but the kingdom's recent conduct has put the bilateral relationship un… Continue Reading
July 10, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on Defense Cooperation: Use of Emergency Authorities under the Arms Export Control Act
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 of State. Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery: "Thank you all for being here today. Today we are going to discus… Continue Reading
June 29, 2019
Risch Statement Ahead of Protests in Sudan
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 Islamist-backed coup that brought Omar al-Bashir to power 30 years ago: "It has been nearly one month since the violent eradication of a peaceful protest camp outside of Suda… Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
Risch Supports President's Authority to Defend U.S. Interests
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 Iranian regime -- with reports the regime will breach its uranium stockpile limit any day now -- the president needs the support of Congress, not irresponsibl… Continue Reading
June 26, 2019
Four Tax Treaties Approved in Foreign Relations Committee 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 eight pieces of legislation, four treaties, and one nomination. "I am pleased that the committee favorably reported four important tax treaties to the full Senate today. These protocols between the U.S. and Spain, Switzerland, Japan, and Luxembourg, respectively, are important for citizens of all nations. These treati… Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Risch Statement Following Attacks on Ethiopia’s Regional Officials and Military Leadership
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 country's military leadership serves as a reminder of both the complexity and fragility underlying Ethiopia's ongoing political and economic transition. A cruc… Continue Reading
June 19, 2019
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Nomination Hearing for The Honorable Kelly Craft to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
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 nomination of the Honorable Kelly Craft to be the Representative of the United States to the United Nations and to be the Representative of the United States to the U… Continue Reading
June 12, 2019
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
