WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and a group of colleagues have sent a letter to President Biden, urging the administration not to renew oil sanctions relief for Venezuela's dictatorship led by Nicolas Maduro. The senators emphasized the importance of taking a strong stance against the regime.In the letter, the senators stated, "We write to urge you to not renew General License 44 'Authorizing Transactions Related to Oil or Gas Sector Operations in Venezuela' when it comes up for renewal on April 18th." They highlighted the regime's failure to uphold promises...
U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) has applauded the Committee's passage of legislation aimed at countering Iran. In a statement, Senator Risch highlighted the importance of the End Iranian Terrorism (End IT) Act and Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, stating, "It’s past time to act, and Congress has a clear role to play in countering the Iranian regime."Senator Risch expressed his satisfaction with the Committee's support for the End IT Act and SHIP Act, emphasizing the need to target Chinese purchases of Iranian oil. He stated, "These bills encourage the Biden...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) emphasized the enduring importance of the Monroe Doctrine in the face of growing influence from foreign powers such as China, Russia, and Iran in the Western Hemisphere. Speaking at an event hosted by the National Security Institute, Risch highlighted the necessity of reasserting the principles of the Monroe Doctrine to safeguard the sovereignty and national security of the United States and neighboring countries.Risch underscored the contemporary challenges posed by China, Russia, and Iran, stating, "Today, the threats from...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently stood alongside U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), among others, in a collective effort aimed at urging the Biden Administration to reignite investigations into the root cause of anomalous health incidents (AHIs), commonly referred to as “Havana Syndrome.”The group of senators, including Risch, Shaheen, and Collins, penned a letter to President Biden, calling for a renewed focus on unraveling the mysteries surrounding these...
BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of the war in Sudan on April 15.Risch expressed concern over the prolonged conflict, stating, “The war in Sudan has lasted one year too long, devastating the country and its people." He called for immediate action, saying, “The United States and the international community should impose immediate sanctions on General Hemeti and the Rapid Support Forces for the mass atrocities committed, including ethnic cleansing...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his enthusiasm in welcoming four new interns for the spring term. Senator Risch stated, "I’m glad to welcome four exceptional interns for the spring term," acknowledging the significance of the interns' roles in understanding and addressing complex global issues faced by the Senate, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and threats posed by countries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.The interns joining the Senate Foreign Relations...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) have presented the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024, designed to extend and enhance a crucial trade program with sub-Saharan African countries. AGOA, initially enacted in 2000, is set to expire next year."AGOA plays a significant role in U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa trade and investment, as well as in U.S. foreign policy," stated Senator Risch. He highlighted the bipartisan nature of the bill, aiming to refine AGOA's eligibility criteria, enhance transparency,...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued a statement following Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's address to a joint session of the United States Congress."It was an honor to have Prime Minister Kishida address a joint session of Congress today. Japan is a strong and steadfast ally of the United States, and our cooperation in defense and economic security is paramount," Senator Risch remarked. He also highlighted the significance of the trilateral partnership involving the United States,...
U.S. Senators Jim Risch, Ben Cardin, Pete Ricketts, and Jeanne Shaheen have introduced a resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of NATO. Senator Risch emphasized the importance of NATO's role in maintaining security and stability, stating, "NATO is the most successful political-military alliance in the history of the world." He also highlighted the need for the alliance to adapt to new security challenges posed by countries like China and Russia.Chairman Cardin echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the unity and importance of NATO in the face of current threats,...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his concerns during a full committee hearing on the FY2025 budget request for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).Ranking Member Risch opened the hearing by acknowledging the challenges faced by Administrator Power and emphasizing the importance of their work. He highlighted the delayed budget processes and the ongoing crises around the world that USAID is dealing with, including conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan,...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his concern over the Biden Administration's decision regarding the expansion of the AUKUS alliance without fulfilling certain obligations.In a statement released today, Senator Risch criticized the administration for announcing the inclusion of Japan in AUKUS before fully implementing the legislation passed in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. Risch highlighted his support for AUKUS but emphasized the need for the administration to prioritize...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has commended the Liberian senate's decision to establish a war and economic crimes court. Senator Risch stated, “Liberian President Boakai and the legislature's recent move to establish a war and economic crimes court marks a significant step towards healing the wounds from Liberia’s civil wars. I urge President Boakai to quickly implement this historic resolution. The United States and international partners should also provide support for this critical process,...
U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Chris Coons have released a statement on the eighth anniversary of the arbitrary detention of Ekpar Asat, a Uyghur entrepreneur who remains imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).In their statement, Senators Risch and Coons expressed their concern for Ekpar Asat's wellbeing and condemned his arbitrary detention. They called for his immediate and unconditional release, highlighting the severe impacts on his health after spending multiple years in solitary confinement in a prison camp in China's Xinjiang Autonomous Uyghur Region....
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, have strongly criticized the Palestinian Authority's (PA) request for full membership at the United Nations (UN).Risch expressed his concerns stating, “The PA’s request for full membership at the UN endangers international security. The PA has not made substantive reforms, continues to implement pay-for-slay, and there is no negotiated solution between the PA and Israel....
Washington - A bipartisan resolution recognizing the strength and significance of the U.S.-Japan alliance has been introduced by U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Ben Cardin, among others, in anticipation of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's official state visit to Washington this week.Ranking Member Risch emphasized Japan's leadership and support for Ukraine, stating, “Japan is a leader in the world and a strong and steadfast ally of the United States. Japan’s support for Ukraine under Prime Minister Kishida shows its willingness to step up as we face a difficult geopolitical...
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chair of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, expressed strong condemnation after Georgia's ruling party reintroduced a Russian-style foreign agent law."It is incredibly disheartening to see the Georgian government bring back the foreign agents law. All this does is further divide the country. It is similar to laws Russia uses to restrict civil society and suppress political opposition. A democratic government in...