:Jim Risch

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Jim Risch

| image = Bob Menendez, Jim Risch with Tsihanouskaya at Senate Foreign (cropped).jpg

| caption = Risch in 2021

| office = Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

| term_start = January 3, 2025

| term_end =

| predecessor = Ben Cardin

| successor =

| term_start1 = January 3, 2019

| term_end1 = February 3, 2021

| predecessor1 = Bob Corker

| successor1 = Bob Menendez

| office2 = Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

| term_start2 = February 3, 2021

| term_end2 = January 3, 2025

| predecessor2 = Bob Menendez

| successor2 = Jeanne Shaheen

| office3 = Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee

| term_start3 = January 3, 2017

| term_end3 = January 3, 2019

| predecessor3 = David Vitter

| successor3 = Marco Rubio

| jr/sr4 = United States Senator

| state4 = Idaho

| alongside4 = Mike Crapo

| term_start4 = January 3, 2009

| term_end4 =

| predecessor4 = Larry Craig

| successor4 =

| office5 = 39th and 41st Lieutenant Governor of Idaho

| governor5 = Butch Otter

| term_start5 = January 1, 2007

| term_end5 = January 3, 2009

| predecessor5 = Mark Ricks

| successor5 = Brad Little

| governor6 = Dirk Kempthorne

| term_start6 = January 3, 2003

| term_end6 = May 26, 2006

| predecessor6 = Jack Riggs

| successor6 = Mark Ricks

| order7 = 31st Governor of Idaho

| lieutenant7 = Mark Ricks

| term_start7 = May 26, 2006

| term_end7 = January 1, 2007

| predecessor7 = Dirk Kempthorne

| successor7 = Butch Otter

| office8 = Majority Leader of the Idaho Senate

| term_start8 = December 1, 1996

| term_end8 = November 30, 2002

| predecessor8 = Bruce Newcomb

| successor8 = Bart Davis

| office9 = 36th President pro tempore of the Idaho Senate

| term_start9 = December 1, 1982

| term_end9 = November 30, 1988

| predecessor9 = Reed Budge

| successor9 = Mike Crapo

| state_senate10 = Idaho

| district10 = 18th

| term_start10 = January 28, 1995

| term_end10 = December 1, 2002

| predecessor10 = Roger Madsen

| successor10 = Sheila Sorensen

| state_senate11 = Idaho

| district11 = 21st

| term_start11 = December 1, 1974

| term_end11 = December 1, 1988

| successor11 = Mike Burkett

| birth_name = James Elroy Risch

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1943|5|3}}

| birth_place = Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Republican

| spouse = {{marriage|Vicki Risch|1968}}

| children = 3

| education = University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
University of Idaho (BS, JD)

| website = {{url|risch.senate.gov|Senate website}}

| signature = Jim Risch Signature.svg

|module = {{Listen

|pos = center

|embed = yes

|filename = Jim Risch outlines responsibilities of Deputy Secretary of State.ogg

|title = Risch's voice

|type = speech

|description = Risch on the responsibilities of Deputy Secretary of State
Recorded February 16, 2023}}

}}

James Elroy Risch ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɪ|ʃ}} {{Respell|RISH}}; born May 3, 1943) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the junior United States senator from Idaho since 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/ELECT/results/ENR/statewide_total.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220191630/http://www.sos.idaho.gov/ELECT/results/ENR/statewide_total.html|url-status=dead|title=2008 statewide totals|archivedate=February 20, 2015}} A member of the Republican Party, he served as lieutenant governor of Idaho under governors Dirk Kempthorne and Butch Otter. He also served from May 2006 to January 2007 as the 31st governor of Idaho.

Raised in Milwaukee, Risch moved to Idaho in the early 1960s. After graduating from the University of Idaho, he received a B.S. degree in forestry in 1965 and earned a J.D. in 1968. Afterward, he taught criminal law at Boise State University, and in 1970 was elected as Ada County prosecuting attorney. In 1974, he was elected to the Idaho Senate, where he represented the 21st legislative district from 1974 to 1988. In 1995, Governor Phil Batt appointed Risch to represent the 18th legislative district in the state Senate; he held the position until 2002.

Risch ran for lieutenant governor of Idaho in 2002, defeating incumbent Jack Riggs in the primary. He served under Governor Dirk Kempthorne from 2003 to 2006. After Kempthorne resigned to become the United States Secretary of the Interior in May 2006, Risch was sworn in as governor. He chose not to run for a full term as governor in the 2006 gubernatorial election and instead ran for reelection as lieutenant governor. After winning the nomination, he served under Governor Butch Otter from 2007 to 2009.

Risch ran for the U.S. Senate seat held by the retiring Larry Craig in the 2008 election. He won the election, defeating Democratic nominee Larry LaRocco. Risch was reelected in 2014 and 2020.

Early life and education

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Risch is the son of Helen B. (née Levi) and Elroy A. Risch, a lineman for Wisconsin Bell. Risch attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee from 1961 to 1963 and then transferred to the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1965/362 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Phi Delta Theta |year=1965 |page=359}} He obtained a B.S. degree in forestry in 1965,{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1965/66 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=College of Forestry, '65 graduates |year=1965 |page=63}} and continued his education at the university's College of Law. He served on the Law Review and the College of Law Advisory Committee{{cite web|title=Jim Risch Biography|url=https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography|website=Jim Risch Senate|access-date=November 18, 2014}} before receiving a J.D. degree in 1968.{{cite web |url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1968/40 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=College of Law |year=1968 |page=36}}

Risch entered politics in 1970 in Boise at age 27, winning election as Ada County Prosecuting Attorney. While serving in this capacity, he taught undergraduate classes in criminal justice at Boise State College and served as the president of the state's prosecuting attorneys' association. Concurrent with his service in the Idaho Senate, Risch became a millionaire as one of Idaho's most successful trial lawyers.{{cite web |last1=Russell |first1=Betsy Z. |title=Risch among the richest |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/sep/17/risch-among-the-richest/ |website=The Spokesman-Review |date=September 17, 2009|access-date=August 11, 2019}}

State politics

=Idaho Senate=

Risch was first elected to the Idaho Senate from Ada County in 1974. He entered the state senate leadership in 1976, serving as majority leader and later as president pro tempore.

In a dramatic upset, Risch was defeated for reelection in 1988 by Democratic political newcomer and Boise attorney Mike Burkett.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_3lfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uy8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5628%2C2802949 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Risch quits politics |date=November 10, 1988 |page=10C}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_5MrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rdAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5005%2C1426499 |work=Idahonian |location=(Moscow) |agency=Associated Press |title=Risch says 'mistakes' led to loss of senate seat |date=November 10, 1988 |page=12A}}

In the second political defeat of his career, Risch lost the 1994 primary election for a state Senate seat to Roger Madsen. Later that year Risch chaired Governor-elect Phil Batt's transition team, and after Batt took office he appointed Risch to the seat vacated by Madsen, who had been named as the director of the Department of Labor, then known as the Department of Employment.[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-deq-official-quits-over-j/137058011/ DEQ official quits over job protection loss]. The Times-News. March 28, 1995.Trillhaase, Marty (January 31, 1995). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-gov-batt-appoints-t/137058139/ Gov. Batt appoints two new legislators]. The Idaho Statesman. In 1996, Risch was elected Senate Majority Leader after defeating fellow Boise Republican Sheila Sorensen.[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-legislators-gear-up-for-n/137042562/ Legislators gear up for next session]. The Times-News. November 10, 1996.[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-bill-could-pounce-hard-on/137042824/ Bill could pounce hard on future initiatives against cougar hunting]. The Times-News. January 26, 1997.

=39th lieutenant governor (2003–2006)=

In January 2001, Risch had his eye on the lieutenant governor's seat vacated by Butch Otter, who resigned after being elected to Congress, but Governor Dirk Kempthorne appointed state Senator Jack Riggs of Coeur d'Alene to the post instead. The next year, Risch defeated Riggs in the Republican primary and won the general election, spending $360,000 of his own money on the campaign.

=31st governor of Idaho (2006–2007)=

On May 26, 2006, Risch became governor of Idaho when Kempthorne resigned to become U.S. secretary of the interior. Risch appointed Mark Ricks to serve as his lieutenant governor.{{cite web|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/jun/16/governor-names-ricks-to-lieutenant-post/|title=Governor names Ricks to lieutenant post|author=Miller, John|date=June 16, 2006|work=The Spokesman-Review}}

Upon taking office, Risch eliminated Idaho's bureau office in Washington D.C. and replaced it with offices in Idaho Falls and Coeur d'Alene.Russell, Betsy (June 15, 2006). [https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2006/jun/15/risch-closes-dc-office-adds-cda-idaho-falls-ones-instead/ Risch closes D.C. office, adds CdA, Idaho Falls ones instead]. The Spokesman Review. In August 2006, he called a special session of the Idaho Legislature to consider his proposed property tax reform bill, the Property Tax Relief Act of 2006. In December, he issued an executive order that mandated state agencies to verify whether new employees are legal citizens.Curless, Erica (December 14, 2006). [https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/dec/14/risch-orders-agencies-to-screen-for-illegals/ Risch orders agencies to screen for illegals]. The Spokesman Review.

Risch was initially expected to enter the 2006 Republican gubernatorial primary to succeed Kempthorne, who was completing his second term at this time of his federal appointment. But U.S. Representative Butch Otter had already announced his candidacy to replace Kempthorne and gained a significant head start in campaigning and fundraising. In November 2005, Risch announced his intention to seek election again as lieutenant governor. He served out the remaining seven months of Kempthorne's term, which ended in January 2007.

=41st lieutenant governor (2007–2009)=

Risch was unopposed for the 2006 Republican nomination for lieutenant governor and defeated former Democratic U.S. representative Larry LaRocco in the general election. Risch's term as governor ended in January 2007 and he returned to the role of lieutenant governor. He resigned as lieutenant governor to take his seat in the Senate on January 3, 2009. Otter named state Senator Brad Little of Emmett as Risch's successor.

U.S. Senate

File:Jim Risch official portrait.jpg

=Elections=

;2008

On August 31, 2007, the Associated Press reported that Governor Otter might appoint Risch to the United States Senate to succeed the embattled Larry Craig. On September 1, the Idaho Statesman reported that Otter's spokesman denied Risch had been selected and that Otter had "made no decision and he is not leaning toward anybody."{{cite news|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/larrycraig/story/147741.html|title=Risch rumors about replacing Sen. Craig are 'dead wrong'|last=Hahn|first=Gregory|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=September 1, 2007|access-date=September 1, 2007}} On October 9, Risch announced that he would run for the Senate seat.{{cite news|url=http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2007/10/10/news/news03.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204231055/https://www.cdapress.com/articles/2007/10/10/news/news03.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |title=Jim Risch announces Senate bid |last=Greene |first=Tom |publisher=Coeur d'Alene Press |date=October 9, 2007 |access-date=October 10, 2009 }} In May 2008, Risch was nominated as the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.{{Cite web|url=http://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2008/Primary/tot_stwd.htm|title=2008 Primary Results statewide|website=sos.idaho.gov|access-date=April 12, 2017}} In the general election he defeated former Democratic Congressman Larry LaRocco with 58% of the vote.{{Cite web|url=http://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2008/general/tot_stwd.htm|title=2008 General Results statewide|website=sos.idaho.gov|access-date=April 12, 2017}}

;2014

Risch won the Republican primary with 79.9% of the vote{{Cite web|url=http://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2014/Primary/statewide_totals.html|title=Statewide Totals|website=sos.idaho.gov|access-date=April 12, 2017}} and defeated attorney Nels Mitchell in the general election with 65.3% of the vote.{{Cite web|url=http://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2014/General/statewide_totals.html|title=Statewide Totals|website=sos.idaho.gov|access-date=April 12, 2017}}

;2020

Risch was unopposed in the 2020 Republican primary.{{Cite web|title=United States Senate election in Idaho, 2020|url=https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_election_in_Idaho,_2020|access-date=2020-12-11|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}} He defeated Democratic nominee Paulette Jordan in the general election with 62% of the vote.{{Cite news|date=2020-11-03|title=Idaho U.S. Senate Election Results|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-idaho-senate.html|access-date=2020-12-11|issn=0362-4331}}

=Tenure=

File:DW2eapcV4AUNn q.jpg, Lauren Gibbs and Shauna Rohbock at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea]]

==2000s==

Risch was one of four freshmen Republican senators in the 111th Congress of 2009, with Mike Johanns of Nebraska, George LeMieux of Florida and Scott Brown of Massachusetts. Republican Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho called Risch "results-oriented".{{cite news|last1=Catalini|first1=Michael|title=Idaho Sen. Jim Risch: High energy, low visibility|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/02/10/3019325_jim-risch-high-energy-low-visibility.html?rh=1|access-date=November 7, 2014|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=February 10, 2014}}

==2010s==

In 2017, Risch was one of 22 senators to sign a letter{{cite web|last1=Inhofe|first1=James|title=Senator|url=https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/download/?id=E1E34574-5655-42AA-92E8-0D23DC8C33BA&download=1|access-date=June 7, 2017|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606005302/https://www.inhofe.senate.gov/download/?id=E1E34574-5655-42AA-92E8-0D23DC8C33BA&download=1|url-status=dead}} to President Donald Trump urging him to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.

On August 11, 2017, in an interview on PBS Newshour, Risch endorsed Trump's threatening North Korea with military destruction in the event that country launched missiles at Guam.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/watch-north-korea-will-regret-fast-acts-u-s-allies-trump-says |title=WATCH: North Korea 'will regret it fast' if it acts against U.S. allies, Trump says |website=PBS |date=August 11, 2017}}

On March 22, 2018, the day before a potential federal government shutdown, Risch threatened to block a government spending bill because it included changing the name of the White Clouds Wilderness protected area to honor a deceased political rival, former Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/22/politics/james-risch-spending-bill-vote/index.html|title=Idaho senator holds up bill over political rivalry with deceased governor|first=Phil|last=Mattingly|work=CNN|date=March 23, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/03/23/sen-jim-rischs-decades-old-grudge-briefly-derailed-the-big-spending-bill/|title=Sen. James Risch's decades-old grudge briefly derailed the big spending bill|first=Mike|last=DeBonis|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 23, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2020}} Risch ultimately acquiesced.

In January 2019, Risch joined Marco Rubio, Cory Gardner, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in introducing legislation that would impose sanctions on the government of President of Syria Bashar al-Assad and bolster American cooperation with Israel and Jordan.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/defense/423898-senate-poised-to-rebut-trump-on-syria/|title=Senate poised to rebut Trump on Syria|first=Jordain|last=Carney|newspaper=The Hill|date=April 1, 2019|access-date=September 18, 2020}}

==2020s==

On January 21, 2020, during the first day of opening arguments in Trump's Senate impeachment trial, Risch was the first senator to fall asleep. Courtroom sketch artist Art Lien memorialized his nap.{{cite web |last1=Mazza |first1=Ed |title=Caught Snoozing? Impeachment Sketch Artist Shows Sen. Jim Risch Zonked Out During Trial |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jim-risch-impeachment-sleep_n_5e27e8bdc5b6d6767fcb76f5?ri18n=true |website=HuffPost |access-date=January 22, 2020 |date=January 22, 2020}}

In 2020, while Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Risch decided not to press Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to testify at the annual budget hearing. Pompeo had just successfully sought to have State Department inspector general Steve Linick fired; at the time, Linick had been conducting a watchdog investigation into the Trump administration's decision to sell arms to Saudi Arabia without congressional approval.{{Cite web|title=Top aide: Senate chairman drops effort to secure Pompeo testimony|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/07/senate-risch-drops-effort-pompeo-testimony-306377|first1=Betsy|last1=Woodruff Swan|first2=Andrew|last2=Desiderio|date=June 7, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=Politico|language=en}} For his tenure as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during the 116th Congress, the nonpartisan Lugar Center's Congressional Oversight Hearing Index gave Risch an "F" grade.{{cite web |title=Congressional Oversight Hearing Index |url=https://oversight-index.thelugarcenter.org/ |website=Welcome to the Congressional Oversight Hearing Index |publisher=The Lugar Center |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208160632/https://oversight-index.thelugarcenter.org/ |url-status=dead }}

Risch was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol. He called the attack "unpatriotic and un-American in the extreme" and suggested it was spurred by "deep distrust in the integrity and veracity of our elections."{{cite news |last1=Kauffman |first1=Gretel |title='Unpatriotic and un-American': Idaho officials react to storming of U.S. Capitol |url=https://www.mtexpress.com/news/state_regional/unpatriotic-and-un-american-idaho-officials-react-to-storming-of-u-s-capitol/article_6412db62-5149-11eb-a533-6f5ba40e134e.html |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=Idaho Mountain Express Newspaper |date=8 January 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Idaho and Wyoming politicians respond to Capitol riots |url=https://localnews8.com/news/local-news/2021/01/07/idaho-politicians-respond-to-capitol-riots/ |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=Local News 8 |date=7 January 2021}}

In 2021, Risch blocked the confirmation of Holocaust historian Deborah Lipstadt to the position of special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism.{{Cite web|first=Marc|last=Rod|date=2021-11-03|title=GOP delays Lipstadt confirmation hearing over old tweets|url=https://jewishinsider.com/2021/11/gop-delays-lipstadt-confirmation-hearing-over-old-tweets/|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Jewish Insider|language=en-US}}

==Committee assignments==

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Energy
Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
Subcommittee on Water and Power
Committee on Foreign Relations (Ranking Member)
As Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Risch is entitled to sit as an ex officio member on all subcommittees.
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Select Committee on Ethics
Select Committee on Intelligence

==Caucuses==

Congressional Coalition on Adoption{{Cite web|title=Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute|url=https://www.ccainstitute.org|language=en}}
Rare Disease Caucus{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=21 March 2025}}
Senate Republican Conference

Foreign policy positions

= Saudi Arabia =

In 2019, Risch sought to quell dissent among Republican senators over what they perceived as the Trump administration's weak response to the killing of Saudi journalist and U.S. permanent resident Jamal Khashoggi, and its refusal to send Congress a report on the administration's determination of who killed Khashoggi. He told his fellow Republican senators and Politico that the Trump administration was in compliance with the Magnitsky Act, but the administration had said that it refused to comply with the Act.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2IsYdD3|title=Jim Risch tries to calm Republicans furious with Trump|first=Andrew|last=Desiderio|website=Politico|language=en|date=February 22, 2019|access-date=February 22, 2019}}

= Israel Anti-Boycott Act =

In March 2018, Risch co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (s. 720), which would bar federal contractors from encouraging or participating in boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors - S.720 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|date=March 23, 2017|website=www.congress.gov}}{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|title=43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements|last=Levitz|first=Eric|date=July 19, 2017|website=Intelligencer|language=en}}

=Turkey sanctions=

Risch was a co-sponsor of the Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act of 2019 (S.2641–116th),{{cite web|access-date=2022-07-17|publisher=Library of Congress|website=Congress.gov|date=2019-10-17|title=S.2641 — 116th Congress (2019-2020): Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act of 2019|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2641}} which was intended to punish Turkey and protect allies like the Kurds, who had suffered from recent Turkish military operations in Syria, including by resettling them in the U.S. The measure had broad support in Congress, which was concerned about the purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system Turkey was testing.{{cite web|author=Mattingly, Phil|date=December 5, 2019|title=Powerful Senate chairman moves toward sanctions crackdown on Turkey as talks over weapons purchase falter|url=https://www.wral.com/powerful-senate-chairman-moves-toward-sanctions-crackdown-on-turkey-as-talks-over-weapons-purchase-falter/18814294/|work=WRAL.com|access-date=September 18, 2020}}

=Ethiopia=

On October 18, 2022, Risch criticized the Biden administration for hesitating to impose sanctions on the government of Ethiopia, where many atrocities and war crimes were committed in the Tigray War. He tweeted that Biden "must stop avoiding the use of sanctions in fear of offending and prioritize #humanrights".{{cite news |title=Team Biden Balks on Africa Sanctions |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/20/us-africa-sanctions-human-rights-biden-ethiopia-sudan/ |work=Foreign Policy |date=October 20, 2022}}

= NATO =

In July 2024, Risch sponsored a report that advocated strengthening NATO and enhancing its planning for potential interference from the People's Republic of China.{{Cite web |last=Lau |first=Stuart |date=2024-07-09 |title=China's army shows up on NATO's border |url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/china-watcher/chinas-army-shows-up-on-natos-border/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Politico |language=en-GB}}

Political positions

File:HK activists at the U.S. Senate Foreign Committee.jpg]]Risch is considered politically conservative. The American Conservative Union's Center for Legislative Accountability gives him a lifetime conservative score of 91.54.{{Cite web|title=Sen. James E. Risch|url=http://ratings.conservative.org/people/R000584|access-date=May 5, 2021|website=American Conservative Union Foundation}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The liberal Americans for Democratic Action gave him an ideology score of zero in 2019.{{Cite web|title=ADA Voting Records {{!}} Americans for Democratic Action|url=https://adaction.org/ada-voting-records/|access-date=2021-05-05|language=en-US}}

=Abortion=

Risch is anti-abortion.{{cite news|title=Aspiring Pol Changes Name To Pro-Life|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/aspiring-pol-changes-name-to-pro-life/|website=CBS News|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en}} He believes that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided.{{cite web |last1=Risch |first1=Jim |title="The most basic right we as humans have is the right to life. My full statement on the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade below:" |url=https://twitter.com/SenatorRisch/status/1540342870724468737 |website=Twitter |access-date=24 June 2022 |language=en}} In 2013, he co-sponsored the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which would have made it illegal for a minor to cross state lines for an abortion.{{cite news|last1=Cox|first1=Ramsey|title=GOP bill would tighten rules on parental consent for abortion|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/142377-gop-bill-would-tighten-rules-on-parental-consent-for-abortion/|newspaper=The Hill|access-date=October 4, 2017|date=February 15, 2013}} Risch supported the June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade and applauded the Supreme Court for recognizing "that states have an interest in protecting life at all stages of development by giving Americans the power to decide this matter at the state-level through their elected representatives."

=Guns=

The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) endorsed Risch and gave him an A+ grade for his voting record on gun issues.{{cite web|title=NRA Endorses Jim Risch for U.S. Senate in Idaho|url=https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20140912/nra-endorses-jim-risch-for-us-senate-in-idaho|website=NRA-PVF|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916183438/https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20140912/nra-endorses-jim-risch-for-us-senate-in-idaho|archive-date=September 16, 2014|url-status=live}}

In 2013, along with 12 other Republican senators, Risch threatened to filibuster any bills Democrats introduced that Republicans perceived as a threat to gun rights, including expanded background checks. In an interview with National Public Radio, he said that Americans' right to keep and bear arms includes "a right to purchase one [a gun], to sell one, to trade in one, and you really have to have a robust market if indeed you're going to have a constitutional right." He also said that additional background checks would mean that gun dealers would "have to deal with the federal bureaucracy, which is very, very difficult to deal with."{{cite web|last1=Cornish|first1=Audie|title=Republican Senators Pledge To Filibuster Gun Control Bill|url=https://www.npr.org/2013/04/09/176713150/republican-senators-pledge-to-filibuster-gun-control-bill|website=National Public Radio|date=April 9, 2013|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en}}

In response to the Orlando nightclub shooting, Risch and Crapo said the shooting was not a reason to call for gun control legislation.{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Cowan|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-florida-shooting-guns-idUSKCN0Z61BS|title=Senate rejects gun-control measures after Orlando shooting|work=Reuters|date=June 20, 2016|access-date=November 7, 2020}}

In 2016, Risch voted against the Feinstein Amendment, which would have blocked the sale of guns to people on the terrorist watch list, and Democrat Chris Murphy's proposal to expand background checks for sales at gun shows and online. Risch voted for both Republican-backed bills, John Cornyn's proposal to create a 72-hour delay for anyone on the terrorist watchlist buying a gun and Charles Grassley and Ted Cruz's proposal to alert authorities if a someone on the list tries to buy a firearm.{{cite news|title=Risch, Crapo favored two of four gun bills that failed Monday|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/election/article84988342.html|newspaper=Idaho Statesman|date=June 21, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en}}

=Criminal justice=

Risch opposed the FIRST STEP Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill. The bill passed 87–12 on December 18, 2018.{{cite web |last1=Levin |first1=Marianne |title=Senate approves Trump-backed criminal justice overhaul |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/18/criminal-justice-reform-bill-vote-1068268 |website=Politico |date=December 18, 2018|access-date=December 18, 2018}}

=Health care=

Risch supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.{{cite web|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/jul/24/washington-and-idaho-senators-split-along-party-li/|title=Washington and Idaho senators split along party lines ahead of health care vote|last1=Gerber|first1=Drew|newspaper=The Spokesman Review|language=en|date=July 24, 2017|access-date=October 4, 2017}} He voted against the ACA in 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2017/jul/24/senate-vote-looming-crapo-risch-say-they-want-repeal-replace-obamacare/|title=With Senate vote looming, Crapo, Risch say they want to repeal, replace Obamacare|first=Betsy Z.|last=Russell|work=The Spokesman-Review|date=July 24, 2017|access-date=February 22, 2019}}

On May 21, 2020, Risch introduced S. 3829, the Global Health Security and Diplomacy Act, but it did not receive a vote. In opening the confirmation hearings for Secretary Antony Blinken, Risch emphasized it as a legislative and foreign policy priority, given the "catastrophic failure at every level" of global health security infrastructure. The bill's supporters claim it would "improve coordination among the relevant Federal departments and agencies implementing United States foreign assistance for global health security, and more effectively enable partner countries to strengthen and sustain resilient health systems and supply chains with the resources, capacity, and personnel required to prevent, detect, mitigate, and respond to infectious disease threats before they become pandemics, and for other purposes."{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s3829|title=Global Health Security and Diplomacy Act of 2020 (2020 - S. 3829)|website=GovTrack.us}}

=Marijuana=

Risch has an "F" rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.https://vote.norml.org/politicians/2919

=2021 storming of the United States Capitol=

On May 28, 2021, Risch abstained from voting on the creation of an independent commission to investigate the 2021 United States Capitol attack.{{cite news |newspaper=Washington Post |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Which senators supported a Jan. 6 Capitol riot commission |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/january6-commission-senators-vote/}}

=Veteran Affairs=

On August 2, 2022, Risch was one of only 11 senators to vote against the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, a bill to expand VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00280.htm|title=Roll Call Vote 117th Congress - 2nd Session|website=senate.gov}} Risch’s positions on cannabis also put him in direct opposition to the efforts of VSO’s such as the DAV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qgdigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=795007&p=7&view=issueViewer&pp=1|title=DAV Magazine July/August 2023 Page 5|website=www.qgdigitalpublishing.com}}

=Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023=

Risch was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4031302-here-are-the-senators-who-voted-against-the-bill-to-raise-the-debt-ceiling/|title=Here are the senators who voted against the bill to raise the debt ceiling|first=Aris|last=Folley|date=June 1, 2023|access-date=June 17, 2023|work=The Hill}}

Personal life

Risch is Roman Catholic.{{cite web |title=Religious affiliation of members of 115th Congress |url=https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/01/19161723/Member-affiliations-for-web.pdf |website=Pew Research Center |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325144213/https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2017/01/19161723/Member-affiliations-for-web.pdf |archive-date=2023-03-25 |url-status=live}}

Electoral history

= Idaho State Senate =

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = Idaho State Senate District 18 election, 1996{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/1996/Primary/primindx.htm|title=Official Results Idaho Primary Election May 28, 1996|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/1996/general/rsltgn96.htm|title=Idaho General Election Results November 5, 1996|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 2,299

| percentage = 76.43

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Emil Loya, Jr.

| votes = 709

| percentage = 23.57

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 3,008

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 9,543

| percentage = 67.53

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Sharon Ullman

| votes = 4,589

| percentage = 32.47

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 14,132

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = Idaho State Senate District 18 election, 1998{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/1998/Primary/98prrslt.htm|title=Idaho Primary Election Results May 26, 1998|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/1998/general/98gnrslt.htm|title=Idaho General Election Results November 3, 1998|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 2,656

| percentage = 67.43

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Sharon Ullman

| votes = 1,283

| percentage = 32.57

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 3,939

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 8,742

| percentage = 76.02

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Daniel Adams

| votes = 2,758

| percentage = 23.98

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 11,500

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = Idaho State Senate District 18 election, 2000{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2000/Primary/tot_leg.htm|title=May 23, 2000 Primary Election Results|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2000/General/tot_leg.htm|title=November 7, 2000 General Election Results|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 3,222

| percentage = 50.40

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jack Noble

| votes = 3,171

| percentage = 49.60

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,393

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 12,917

| percentage = 80.32

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Daniel Adams

| votes = 3,165

| percentage = 19.68

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 16,082

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

= Idaho Lieutenant Governor =

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = Idaho Lieutenant Governor election, 2002{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2002/Primary/tot_stwd.htm|title=May 28, 2002 Primary Election Results Statewide Totals|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2002/General/tot_stwd.htm|title=November 5, 2002 General Election Results Statewide Totals|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch

| votes = 49,607

| percentage = 34.62

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jack Riggs

| votes = 39,689

| percentage = 27.69

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Celia Gould

| votes = 22,134

| percentage = 15.44

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Larry Eastland

| votes = 22,079

| percentage = 15.41

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Pratt

| votes = 5,638

| percentage = 3.93

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Darrell Babbitt

| votes = 4,161

| percentage = 2.90

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 143,308

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch

| votes = 226,017

| percentage = 56.22

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Bruce M. Perry

| votes = 160,438

| percentage = 39.91

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Michael J. Kempf

| votes = 15,562

| percentage = 3.87

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 402,017

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = Idaho Lieutenant Governor election, 2006{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2006/Primary/tot_stwd.htm|title=May 23, 2006 Primary Election Results Statewide Totals|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2006/General/tot_stwd.htm|title=November 7, 2006 General Election Results Statewide Totals|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 119,401

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 119,401

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 259,648

| percentage = 58.29

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Larry LaRocco

| votes = 175,312

| percentage = 39.36

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Constitution Party (United States)

| candidate = William Charles Wellisch

| votes = 10,460

| percentage = 2.35

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 445,420

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

= U.S. Senator =

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = U.S. Senate election in Idaho, 2008

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch

| votes = 80,743

| percentage = 65.34

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Scott Syme

| votes = 16,660

| percentage = 13.48

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Richard Phenneger

| votes = 6,532

| percentage = 5.29

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Neal Thompson

| votes = 5,375

| percentage = 4.35

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Fred Adams

| votes = 4,987

| percentage = 4.04

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Hunter

| votes = 4,280

| percentage = 3.46

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Brian Hefner

| votes = 2,915

| percentage = 2.36

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Hal James Styles, Jr.

| votes = 2,082

| percentage = 1.68

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 123,574

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch

| votes = 371,744

| percentage = 57.65

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Larry LaRocco

| votes = 219,903

| percentage = 34.11

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Independent politician

| candidate = Rex Rammell

| votes = 34,510

| percentage = 5.35

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Kent Marmon

| votes = 9,958

| percentage = 1.54

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Independent politician

| candidate = Pro-Life

| votes = 8,662

| percentage = 1.34

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 644,777

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = U.S. Senate election in Idaho, 2014

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 119,209

| percentage = 79.93

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jeremy "T" Anderson

| votes = 29,939

| percentage = 20.07

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 149,148

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 285,596

| percentage = 65.33

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Nels Mitchell

| votes = 151,574

| percentage = 34.67

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 437,170

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = U.S. Senate election in Idaho, 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.livevoterturnout.com/Idaho/LiveResults/1/en/Index_112.html|title=2020 State Primary Election|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://sos.idaho.gov/elections-division/2020-results-statewide/|title=2020 General Election Results – Statewide|website=Idaho Secretary of State|accessdate=18 March 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 200,184

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 200,184

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Jim Risch (incumbent)

| votes = 538,446

| percentage = 62.62

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Paulette Jordan

| votes = 285,864

| percentage = 33.25

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Independent politician

| candidate = Natalie M. Fleming

| votes = 25,329

| percentage = 2.95

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Constitution Party (United States)

| candidate = Ray J. Writz

| votes = 10,188

| percentage = 1.18

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 859,827

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

References

External links

[https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/ Senator Jim Risch] official U.S. Senate website
[https://web.archive.org/web/20170305005003/http://www.jamesrisch.com/ Jim Risch for Senate]
{{C-SPAN|61620}}
{{CongLinks | congbio=R000584 | votesmart=2919 | fec=S8ID00092 | congress=james-risch/R000584 }}

Elections

[https://web.archive.org/web/20150601092942/http://www.nbaa.org/advocacy/election2014/election-guide/?profile=XNS:3071 National Business Aviation Association: Election 2014, Sen. Jim Risch]
[http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060318/NEWS010702/603180334/1024/NEWS01 Risch revels in upcoming term as king] The Idaho Statesman March 18, 2006
[http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060526/NEWS01/60526007 Risch becomes Idaho's 31st governor] The Idaho Statesman May 26, 2006

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Idaho
(Class 2)|years=2008, 2014, 2020}}

{{s-ttl|title=U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Idaho|years=2009–present|alongside=Mike Crapo}}

{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee|years=2013–2015}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee|years=2017–2019}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee|years=2019–2021}}

{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee|years=2021–2025}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee|years=2025–present}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States
{{small|as United States Senator}}|years=}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=111th–present United States Congresses |state=Idaho}}

Category:1943 births

Category:20th-century members of the Idaho Legislature

Category:21st-century members of the Idaho Legislature

Category:21st-century United States senators

Category:American people of German descent

Category:American people of English descent

Category:American people of Scottish descent

Category:American people of Irish descent

Category:American prosecutors

Category:Cannabis prohibition

Category:Catholic politicians from Idaho

Category:Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Category:Idaho Republicans

Category:Lawyers from Boise, Idaho

Category:Lieutenant governors of Idaho

Category:Living people

Category:Phi Delta Theta members

Category:Politicians from Boise, Idaho

Category:Politicians from Milwaukee

Category:Republican Party governors of Idaho

Category:Republican Party Idaho state senators

Category:Republican Party United States senators from Idaho

Category:University of Idaho College of Law alumni

Category:University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee alumni