WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, issued the following news release: Today U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and John Thune (R-South Dakota) issued this statement in response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) announcing the decision to apply for arrest warrants for democratic  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement in response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) ann  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: Today U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement in response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) announcing the decision to apply for arrest warrants for democ  more

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, issued the following news release on May 23, 2024: This week, Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID) joined Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and 119 of their colleagues on a letter to House Appropriations leaders requesting an H-2A visa guestworker wage freeze in the upcoming appropriations process. This simple policy fix would help lower input costs for the agricultural community and save family farms across the nation. The level of support for freez  more

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined colleagues in sending a letter to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) about the need to fix the broken permitting process for broadband infrastructure on federal lands. The letter specifically highlights how inaccurate and negligent record keeping has led to significant delays in the permitting process for applications on federal land. Accor  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing entitled "The Family First Prevention Services Act: Successes, Roadblocks, and Opportunities for Improvement." As prepared for delivery: "The child welfare system is a critical component of the social safety net, aimed at ensuring children are able to thrive in safe, stable environments. "After years of b  more

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing entitled "Front Lines of the Fentanyl Crisis: Supporting Communities and Combating Addiction through Prevention and Treatment." As prepared for delivery: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. "The fentanyl crisis has devastated communities across the country. Far too many families have experienced the pain of losing  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing entitled "Child Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Advantaged Accounts Benefiting American Children." As prepared for delivery: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. "Today's hearing provides an important opportunity to examine the ways working families can save their hard-earned income for their children's future. "Onl  more

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and 20 Senate colleagues introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing May 28, 2024, as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol. Text is below, and you can view the full resolution here. "Recognizing May 28, 2024, as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol and commending the service of the U.S. Border Patrol to the United States people. Whereas the Mounted G  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) introduced the No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act, which would prohibit sex criminals from collecting taxpayer-funded pensions. This follows reports of criminal misconduct at federal agencies like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Under current law, federal employees convicted of sex crimes, including against children, remain eligibl  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch (both R-Idaho), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) led 18 of their colleagues in calling on Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to withdraw the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) interim final rule severely restricting the issuance and limiting the lifespan of export licenses for firearms, ammunition and certain accessories to overseas markets. The lette  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies released the following testimony by Lee Juan Tyler, chairman of the Fort Hall Business Council of Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, from a hearing dated May 7, 2024, on funding for tribal programs and services: * * * My name is Lee Juan Tyler, and I serve as the Chairman of the Fort Hall Business Council, the governing body of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Tribes) located in southeast Idaho. The Tri  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Delaware, issued the following news release: In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) discussed Kenyan President William Ruto's visit to the United States this week and the need for Congress to advance a reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in an interview with Devex yesterday. A major area of interest for President Ruto is the trade relationship between the United States and Kenya, and his visit is exp  more

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: This week, the House Committee on Appropriations voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson-Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee-supported this advancement. This bill fully funds veterans' health care programs and benefits, supports military families, and strengthens  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today applauded the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee's passage of his Simplifying Subcontracting Act. The legislation would reduce complexity in federal government contracting in order to help small businesses and entrepreneurs pursue contracts. "Today's committee passage of my Simplifying Subcontracting Act puts Idaho small businesses one step closer to better compete f  more

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation that would restore border wall construction and use unobligated COVID-19 funds to cover the costs. The Build the Wall Act would establish the "Southern Border Wall Construction Fund" and require the Department of Homeland Security to use any unobligated Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to construct and maintai  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) led 18 of their colleagues in calling on Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to withdraw the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) interim final rule severely restricting the issuance and limiting the lifespan of export licenses for firearms, ammunition, and certain accessories to overseas markets. The lett  more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following column: * * * Thank You, Idaho Peace Officers, For Protecting Our Liberties By Maintaining Law And Order In 1987, during remarks at a White House Briefing for Members of the National Law Enforcement Council, our country's 40th President, Ronald Reagan, underscored the role of law enforcement officers in maintaining our constitutional rights: "For two centuries our Constitution has secured the blessings of liberty for people   more

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing entitled "The Family First Prevention Services Act: Successes, Roadblocks, and Opportunities for Improvement." As prepared for delivery: "The child welfare system is a critical component of the social safety net, aimed at ensuring children are able to th  more

WASHINGTON, May 25 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement from a hearing dated May 16, 2024, entitled "Rural Health Care: Supporting Lives and Improving Communities": * * * Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For more than 46 million Americans, including more than one in every four Idahoans, rural communities offer a vibrant, culturally rich way of life, bolstered by strong social bonds and a shared appreciation for the natural surro  more

WASHINGTON, May 23 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing entitled "Child Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Advantaged Accounts Benefiting American Children." As prepared for delivery: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. "Today's hearing provides an important opportunity to examine the ways working families can save their   more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on May 21, 2024: Today U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement in response to the International Criminal Court (ICC)  more

WASHINGTON, May 25 -- Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: In response to the foreign agents bill that recently passed out of the Georgia Parliament to restrict the ability of civil society and independent media to operate in the country, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on May 21, 2024: U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today gave the following opening remarks at a full committee hearing on American diplomacy and global leadership: review of the FY25 State department budget request. Witnesses included The Honorable Antony Blinken, secretary of State. Ranking Membe  more

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on May 23, 2024: * * * U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday met with Kenyan President William Ruto in the U.S. Capitol. "It was a pleasure to welcome President Ruto to the U.S. Capitol yesterday. Kenya is an important security and trade partner in Africa, and its commitment to democracy is   more

WASHINGTON, May 21 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on May 20, 2024: * * * U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to apply for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Chief Yoav Gallant: "Today's ICC decision is absurd. The   more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on May 21, 2024: U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday sent a letter to President Biden asking the administration to certify the United Kingdom and Australian export control systems as comparable to those of the United States and to follow through on implementing Pillar 2 of AUKUS. "Our two c  more

WASHINGTON, May 25 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release on May 24, 2024: 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, along with Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Lindse  more

WASHINGTON, May 22 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), along with U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), sent President Biden a letter urging the administration to implement the REPO Act ahead of the G7 finance ministers' meeting this week. The REPO Ac  more

BOISE, Idaho, May 25 -- Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on May 24, 2024: * * * U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to halt its self-defense campaign in Rafah: "The UN has chosen to support terrorists who use hostages as weapons rather than sup  more

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Delaware, issued the following news release: Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), James Risch (R-Idaho), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) sent a letter to World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urging him to allow for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the WHO and invite Taiwan to participate as an observer in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA). The Senators urge Tedros to oppose efforts to res  more