Ranking Member's Press
Chairman Risch Announces Foreign Relations Committee Membership Changes
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced committee membership changes for the second session of the 116th Congress. "I am glad to welcome Senator Perdue back to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the second session of the 116th Congress," said Risch. "I am also glad to announce that Senator Barrasso will assume the role of chairman of the Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operati… Continue Reading
February 24, 2020
Risch: Swearing in of New Transitional Leadership is an Opportunity to Deliver Lasting Peace to South Sudan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on Saturday's swearing in of South Sudan's transitional government leadership including Riek Machar as first vice president: "The swearing-in of South Sudan's new transitional leadership marks a crucial milestone in a much-delayed peace process. Since the country's independence in 2011, South Sudan's leaders have been marked by grand corruption, violence, and… Continue Reading
February 23, 2020
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Power Player of the Week Bertie Bowman airs on Fox News Sunday
BOISE, Idaho - Bertie Bowman, the longest-serving staff member on Capitol Hill, was recognized today on Fox News Sunday as the Power Player of the Week. Bowman started his career on Capitol Hill in 1944 at the age of 13 sweeping the Capitol steps. He now serves as the hearing coordinator for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Click here to watch Bowman's story. Click here to download Bowman's story. ###… Continue Reading
February 20, 2020
SFRC Staff Director Meets with Georgian Youth Groups
TBILISI, Georgia - Today, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Director Chris Socha met with the leaders of Shame, Dare, and Change, three Georgian youth movements. He discussed the current political climate in Georgia and the important role that groups like these can play to deepen Georgia's democratic traditions. He noted that their voices and support are vital to the long-term success of Georgia's democracy. ###… Continue Reading
February 19, 2020
SFRC Staff Director Meets with Georgian Officials in Tbilisi
TBILISI, Georgia - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff Director Chris Socha arrived in Tbilisi for discussions concerning the current political environment in Georgia with Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and other government officials, political party leaders, the chairman of the parliament and other parliamentarians, and civil society and international non-governmental organization representatives. In all of his meetings, Mr. Socha reiterated the United States' commitment to Georgia's … Continue Reading
February 18, 2020
Risch: Designating Media Organizations Under CCP Control is a Good Decision
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Department of State's decision to designate five Chinese media entities as foreign missions under the Foreign Missions Act: "I applaud the decision to designate five Chinese media organizations as foreign missions. In the United States, we believe in a free press and we know these types of organizations are not free. They are under the direct … Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Chairman Risch Welcomes Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno to the U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today welcomed Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno to the historic Foreign Relations Committee room in the U.S. Capitol. "I was glad to welcome President Moreno to the U.S. Capitol today," said Risch. "President Moreno's government has taken measures to improve the economic and security conditions in Ecuador, and we welcome the opportunity to cooperate with those efforts. Ecuadorians are expe… Continue Reading
February 13, 2020
Risch, Menendez Call for Peaceful Dialogue in El Salvador
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 released the following statement in response to a dispute between the president and the national assembly in El Salvador: "The United States and El Salvador enjoy a historic partnership, and we strongly support continued economic and security cooperation between our two countries. However, we remain deeply concerned about President Bukele's deplo… Continue Reading
February 12, 2020
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Hearing on U.S.-Libya Policy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a full committee hearing on U.S.-Libya policy, with witness testimony from the Honorable David Schenker, assistant secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and Mr. Christopher Robinson, deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery: "I thank our witnesses for appeari… Continue Reading
February 12, 2020
Risch: OHCHR’s Release of Database of Companies Operating in Palestinian Territories is Unacceptable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report including a database of businesses operating in the Palestinian territories: "It is unacceptable that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has released this incredibly biased report which is in direct support of the Boycott, Dives… Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Risch: Assad’s Attacks Against Syrians in Idlib are Deplorable
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement regarding an increase in attacks against civilians in Idlib, Syria: "The increase in attacks and violence against the Syrian people in Idlib is deplorable. Assad, Russia, Iran, and the Iranian proxy force Hezbollah have increased assaults on civilians in northwest Syria, targeting hospitals and residential areas. Innocent civilians who have survived almost ni… Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Risch Meets with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined Vice President Mike Pence and Senate colleagues in a meeting with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó. (Photo courtesy of the embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) "I had a productive meeting with Venezuelan Interim President Guaidó, Vice President Pence, and Senators Rubio and Scott earlier today," said Risch. "We had a candid discussion and reaffirm… Continue Reading
February 05, 2020
Risch Meets with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today hosted a working coffee with Director General Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to discuss the IAEA's critical role in nuclear nonproliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. "I was glad to have Director General Rafael Grossi join the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a working coffee this morning," said Risch. "This is a critical time for the fut… Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Risch, Shaheen Meet with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, today met with Mr. David Zalkaliani, foreign minister of Georgia. "Senator Shaheen and I had a productive conversation with Foreign Minister Zalkaliani today," said Risch. "After our recent letter to Prime Minister Gakharia, we reiterated our concerns about a weakening of Georgian democr… Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Risch, Menendez, Gardner Meet with Taiwanese Vice President-elect William Lai
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, today met with Vice President-elect William Lai of Taiwan. "It was great to welcome Vice President-elect Lai to the U.S. Capitol today," said Risch. "During our meeting, I expressed support for Tai… Continue Reading
January 31, 2020
Chairman Risch Statement on Appointment of a Special Envoy to South Sudan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement after the Department of State announced the appointment of W. Stuart Symington IV as special envoy for South Sudan: "Today's announcement of a special envoy for South Sudan is a necessary and welcome step in U.S. efforts to assist the South Sudanese people in their pursuit of a peaceful transition to a more inclusive and democratic state," said Risch. "I rema… Continue Reading
January 31, 2020
Risch, Inhofe Comment on U.S.-Philippine Alliance
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statements regarding the U.S.-Philippine alliance: "Yesterday, I had a constructive discussion with Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. about the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance," said Risch. "This alliance requires the sustained commitment of both our nations. The United States' c… Continue Reading
January 29, 2020
Risch, Shaheen Express Concern for Potential Backsliding of Georgian Democracy and Governance
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, today sent a letter to Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia of Georgia expressing concern over recent events that indicate a backsliding from Georgia's commitment to build the institutions of their democracy. "We are increasingly concerned by recent events that indicate a weakening of Georgian d… Continue Reading
January 29, 2020
Risch, Coons Request an Update to List of Sanctioned Persons in Zimbabwe
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, sent a letter yesterday to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo requesting that the U.S. Department of the Treasury update the list of sanctioned persons in Zimbabwe. "While the United States has been the top provider of humanitarian and development aid to meet the needs of Zi… Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Chairman Risch Statement on Administration’s Israeli-Palestinian Peace Plan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following statement after being briefed at the White House on the details of the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians has been elusive," said Risch. "I applaud the president and his team for injecting new thinking and momentum into a process that has stalled over many years. This plan s… Continue Reading
