Ranking Member's Press
Risch Discusses Keystone XL Pipeline, Canadian Citizens Detained in China with Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after a phone conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau yesterday: "I was glad to speak with Foreign Minister Garneau yesterday regarding a number of issues important to both the United States and Canada. We discussed the Biden Administration's recent efforts to block the Keystone XL pipeline, and I reaffirmed my commitment to defending this jo… Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Risch, McCaul Statement on Biden Plans to Rescind Houthi Terrorist Designation
WASHINGTON - Tonight, the Biden Administration announced they are beginning the process of rescinding the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation for the Houthis in Yemen. Last month, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul expressed their wish the designation be paired with sufficient steps to mitigate negative impacts on Yemeni civilians, as Yemen imports 90 percent of its food. Upon hearing the… Continue Reading
February 05, 2021
Senators Risch, Markey, Menendez, Rubio Outline Key Steps for Biden Administration to Help Preserve Burma’s Transition to Democracy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the East Asia Subcommittee, Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) today urged the Biden Administration to take several key steps in its effort to help preserve Burma's fragile democratic transition after last week's military coup against the democratically-elected, civilian-led governmen… Continue Reading
February 04, 2021
Risch, Rubio, Young, Cruz, Paul Introduce Bill to Expand Prohibitions on Use of Foreign Assistance Funding for Abortions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), today introduced the American Values Act, legislation to permanently enact and expand existing prohibitions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to pay for the performance or promotion of abortion services overseas. "For decades, Congress has worked to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance would not be used… Continue Reading
February 03, 2021
Chairman Risch on Biden Administration’s Extension of New START Treaty
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the Biden Administration's extension of the New START Treaty for five years: "As the new administration extends New START for five years, I note its pledge to pursue future talks to address all of Russia's nuclear weapons and China's growing arsenal. This will be a tall order, considering Russia's history of cheating, and China's refusal to talk. "We must… Continue Reading
February 03, 2021
ICYMI: Chairman Risch Discusses U.S. Strategy on China at FIU State of the World 2021 Conference
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave virtual opening remarks for a panel on China, Hong Kong, and Democracy during Florida International University's State of the World 2021 conference. Highlights: On the importance of the competition with China: "It is clear, China has become a strategic global competitor of the United States, and a challenge to other democracies that value individual rights and freedoms, market-based… Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Chairman Risch on Sentencing of Alexei Navalny in Russia
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on Russia's sentencing of Alexei Navalny to two years and eight months in prison: "The decision of the Moscow court today to re-impose a jail term on Alexei Navalny for a politically-motivated conviction once again exposes the corruption of the country's judicial system. Today's hearing was a mockery of justice in a country that purports to be a world leader.… Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Chairman Risch Statement on Biden Administration’s Coup Determination in Myanmar
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the Biden Administration's determination that the military takeover of power in Myanmar constitutes a coup: "The administration made the right decision in determining a coup has taken place in Myanmar. This determination will ensure U.S. taxpayer dollars will not benefit the military junta that has wrongly seized power from the civilian-led government. "T… Continue Reading
February 01, 2021
Chairman Risch Statement on Military Coup in Myanmar
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the Myanmar military's seizure of power from its civilian-run government in a coup: "I am deeply alarmed by the military coup in Myanmar, and condemn the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders in the strongest terms. I am also deeply concerned about reports that the military has blocked internet access across the country. This is a giant … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Risch, Menendez, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Resolution Reaffirming U.S.-Ecuador Partnership
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, were joined by Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, as well as Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today in reintroducing a Senate resolution reaffirming the partnership between the United States and the Republic of Ecuador. The… Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Risch Joins Rubio, Merkley, Colleagues in Reintroducing Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This bipartisan bill will ensure that goods made with Uyghur forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region do not enter the United States. Earlier this year, the State Department issued a determination that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) i… Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Nomination Hearing for Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be U.S. Ambassador to the UN
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a full committee nomination hearing for the Honorable Linda Thomas-Greenfield, nominee to be the representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, and the representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations and the representative of the United States … Continue Reading
January 26, 2021
Chairman Risch on Senate Confirmation of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on Antony J. Blinken's confirmation as secretary of State: "The secretary of State is one of, if not the most important nominations that a president makes. He represents our interests abroad, and is also looked to for defining America's role and posture in the world. There are many pressing national security issues facing us today, and the only way they can a… Continue Reading
January 22, 2021
Chairman Risch: Administration’s Decision to Extend New START for Five Years is Ill-Advised
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the Biden Administration's decision to extend the New START Treaty for five years: "I disagree with the Biden Administration's decision to extend the New START Treaty for five years. By failing to seize the opportunity for a shorter extension, they have forfeited the opportunity for follow-on arms control negotiations. Having secured the longer extension h… Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Chairman Risch Opening Statement at Nomination Hearing for Antony Blinken to be Secretary of State
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today convened a full committee nomination hearing for Antony J. Blinken to be secretary of State. Chairman Risch gave the following opening statement: "The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee will come to order. "We have an important hearing this afternoon, obviously, as we talk about the president-elect's nomination of Anthony J. Blinken to be secretary of State, and we'll get to … Continue Reading
January 13, 2021
Risch, McCaul: Museveni, Ugandan Military Must Respect Polls
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), lead Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today released the following statement ahead of tomorrow's general election in Uganda. In recent months, the government of Uganda has violently dispersed opposition events, repeatedly jailed human rights defenders and opposition leaders, closed bank accounts of civil society organizations, shut… Continue Reading
January 13, 2021
ICYMI: Chairman Risch: Helping Our Neighbors: U.S. Leadership Promotes Partnerships, Saves Lives in Global Fight against Hunger
As seen on the CSIS website: By: U.S. Senator Jim Risch - January 13, 2021 The United States has long been the most generous donor of global food assistance, both financial and with in-kind contributions. This role has allowed us the opportunity to share our knowledge and bounty, save millions of lives, build mutually beneficial economic and trade partnerships, and promote the growth of healthier, more stable societies. Americans are proud of this legacy, as we should be. Yet today, despite un… Continue Reading
January 11, 2021
Risch, McCaul: Terrorism Designation in Yemen Must Include Mitigation of Humanitarian Impacts
WASHINGTON - The State Department has announced its intent to designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization beginning on January 19th. The Houthis have committed horrifying acts of violence, including rampant human rights violations, kidnappings, missile and drone strikes, and threats to international freedom of navigation. However, this designation must be paired with sufficient steps to mitigate negative impacts on Yemeni civilians. Below is a statement from Senate Foreign Relation… Continue Reading
January 05, 2021
Risch, Cardin, Colleagues Applaud Senate Passage of Their Resolution Condemning Violence in Anglophone Cameroon
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues, along with Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas),… Continue Reading
January 02, 2021
Chairman Risch: China is the Greatest Challenge of this Century
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today highlighted significant achievements and steps taken during his first term as chairman to counter the challenges the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) pose to the United States and its allies and partners. "China is a strategic and global competitor of the United States, and is the greatest foreign policy challenge we face this century," said Risch. "Ov… Continue Reading
