{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"ID\" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-honors-us-marine-captain-anneliese-satz", "Crapo Honors U.S. Marine Captain Anneliese Satz", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 30, 2019\n\t\t\t CRAPO HONORS U.S. MARINE CAPTAIN ANNELIESE SATZ \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Presented Congressional Record Statement at Boise ceremony \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBOISE -- U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) honored U.S. Marine Captain Anneliese Satz, a Boise native, with a Congressional Record Statement to mark her accomplishments, which include being the first female F-35B pilot. The statement was awarded to Satz during her holiday visit to Idaho. Full text of the Congressional Record Statement, which was submitted on September 9, 2019 is below:\r\nI congratulate U.S. Marine Captain Anneliese Satz, of Boise, Idaho, on her many achievements, including being the first woman to fly the F-35 fighter jet for the U.S. Marine Corps. Above all, I thank Captain Satz for her service to our nation.\r\nIn June, Captain Satz became the first female Marine to complete the F-35B Basic Course. Before she joined the Marines, she earned her commercial pilots license flying helicopters. I understand Captain Satz has been assigned to her first operational unit: the Green Knights of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 in Iwakuni, Japan. \r\nMy home state of Idaho is full of trailblazers. Among them are the women who are leaders, innovators and architects of a new reality where the first woman to . . . is rightfully becoming a descriptor of the past. Captain Satz is a courageous Marine fighter jet pilot. She is also a groundbreaker who worked hard to complete her training and prepare for her service ahead.\r\nThank you, Anneliese, for your service to our country and for your hard work and great leadership. Your preparation and diligence are commendable. You are showing young Americans, and adults alike, through your example of dedication and proficiency that high goals are achievable.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/risch-delivers-successes-for-idaho-in-2019", "Risch Delivers Successes for Idaho in 2019", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) highlighted the accomplishments and victories he helped secure for Idahoans during 2019.\r\nI'm proud of the hard work and successes we've been able to achieve for Idahoans thanks to strong united Republican leadership in the Senate,said Senator Risch.2019 has been full of significant legislative victories, and in 2020 I'll continue advancing conservative legislation that reduces the federal deficit, upholds the Constitution, and builds on the great economic success we have achieved under the Trump administration.\r\n1.Risch Brings a Women's Business Center to Idaho\r\nAfter several years work, Senator Risch partnered successfully with the Trump administration to establish a Women's Business Center (WBC) in Idaho. The WBC will provide resources, education, and services to Idaho's women entrepreneurs and small business owners. Hosted by the University of Idaho and the Idaho Hispanic Foundation, the Idaho WBC has locations in Nampa and Twin Falls, and offers services tailored to serve our rural communities too. To learn more,click here.\r\n2.Trump Signs Risch Bill to Defend Critical Infrastructure Into Law\r\nAt the end of 2019, the President signed Senator Risch's bill, the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act, into law as a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act. The Act has been a 4-year-long effort by Senators Risch and King to establish a pilot program with our national labs, including the Idaho National Lab, and ensure that U.S. critical infrastructure is safe from catastrophic cyberattacks. Its signature into law represents a significant milestone in the effort to defend our critical infrastructure and stay a step ahead of U.S. foreign adversaries. To learn more,click here.\r\n3.Risch Bill to Update Pittman-Robertson Fund Becomes Law\r\nIn December, President Trump signed Senator Risch's bill to modernize the Pittman-Robertson Fund into law. Under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, tax revenue from the sale of shooting and archery equipment generates funding for hunter education and wildlife conservation. Senator Risch's bill will update the law to ensure the continued successful funding of wildlife conservation through the purchase of hunting and recreational shooting equipment. To learn more,click here.\r\n4.Risch Urges Congress to Protect the SRS and PILT Programs\r\nThe Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs provide rural counties with much-needed financial certainty in the event they are unable to collect revenue on tax-exempt federal lands. Senator Risch has long been a supporter of SRS and PILT and the obligation we owe to our rural communities while continuing to push for an increase in active forest management.Senator Risch's work in support of SRS and PILT included co-sponsoring legislation, working with Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee members, and sending letters to the administration and congressional leadership in support of funding and reauthorization. These activities helped ensure the inclusion of SRS and PILT in the year-end appropriations bill that President Trump signed into law.To learn more,click here.\r\n5.Risch Stands Up for Idaho's Dairy Farmers\r\nTo combat the sharp increase of mislabeled imitation dairy products on sale in grocery stores and supermarkets, Senator Risch and Senator Baldwin introduced the bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act. As one of the largest milk and cheese producing states, imitation dairy products made with nuts, seeds and plants hurt Idaho dairy farmers as well as consumers. Senator Risch will continue to encourage the FDA to uphold existing labeling regulations and counter mislabeling that hurts Idaho farmers and America's heartland. To learn more,click here.\r\n6.Risch Leads Effort to Protect Idaho's Interest in a New Columbia River Treaty\r\nThe U.S. and Canada are currently renegotiating the decades-old Columbia River Treaty. This treaty has focused on flood control and power generation for the Pacific Northwest. However, some are trying to include new issues into the treaty that could be detrimental to Idaho water users. As chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Risch is working closely with the Trump administration and Columbia River Treaty Negotiator Jill Smail to ensure Idaho's interests are properly protected in any new treaty.\r\n7.Idaho Senators Lead Effort to Lower Prescription Drug Prices\r\nA recent study found that in 2017, 37 percent of Idaho residents stopped taking medication as prescribed due to cost. To address this issue and improve health care affordability, Senators Crapo and Risch introduced the Lower Costs, More Cures Act to lower prescription drug prices, bring increased transparency to the prescription drug industry and encourage innovation in the development of new treatments and cures. To learn more,click here.\r\n8.Risch Approves Vital Funding for U.S. Military, Border Wall\r\nOne of Congress' chief duties outlined in the U.S. Constitution is to provide for the common defense. In December, Senator Risch voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act which will strengthen our military readiness and provide vital resources for Mountain Home Air Force Base, Bayview's Acoustic Research Detachment and the Idaho National Guard. Senator Risch also approved funding for the border wall with Mexico and other measures important to U.S. homeland security. To learn more,click here.\r\n9.Risch Advances Conservative Judges\r\nSince President Trump came to office, Senator Risch and his Republican colleagues in the Senate have confirmed 2 Supreme Court justices, 2 judges to the U.S. Court of International Trade, 50 circuit court judges, and well over 100 judges to district courts all across the U.S. This monumental effort will strengthen the judicial branch of the government and furnish courts with well-respected conservative judges that will honor and uphold the Constitution.\r\n10.Risch Creates Greater Opportunity for Idaho Small Businesses\r\nSmall businesses in rural states like Idaho often are not afforded the same opportunities as those in more populous states. To address this inequality, Senator Risch introduced the bipartisan FAST Fix Act to encourage federal economic development grants be awarded to small businesses and universities in states that have historically lacked awards, and the bipartisan, bicameral Small Business Investment Improvement Act to encourage more access to early stage capital to Idaho's small businesses. To learn more about these bills, clickhereandhere.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/risch-king-bill-protecting-energy-grid-from-cyberattacks-becomes-law", "Risch, King Bill Protecting Energy Grid from Cyberattacks Becomes Law", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONToday, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Angus King (I-Maine), both members of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, celebrated the enactment of their bipartisan Securing Energy Infrastructure Act into law. The legislation passed as part of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and willdevelop defenses for the U.S. energy grid through partnerships between the National Laboratories and industry. The partnerships will utilize engineering concepts to remove vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to access the grid and the nation's critical infrastructure.\r\nThe vulnerabilities afflicting our critical infrastructure are deeply troubling and there is strong bipartisan agreement that this issue requires our immediate attention,said Risch.The Securing Energy Infrastructure Act has been many years in the making, and am confident our national laboratories, particularly the INL in my home state of Idaho, will lead this important research aimed at strengthening our grid security and preventing catastrophic cyberattacks.\r\nThe energy grid is central to nearly all facets of 21stcentury life, but remains vulnerable to hackers,said King, co-chair of theCyberspace Solarium Commission.If this critical infrastructure is compromised, our financial transactions, communications networks, healthcare services, and much more will be at risk. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation will help defend our energy grid from attacks launched from thousands of miles away  I'm heartened to see this much-needed provision signed into law, and deeply grateful for the partnership of Senator Risch in this effort.\r\nTheSecuring Energy Infrastructure Actaims to remove vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to access the energy grid through holes in digital software systems. Specifically the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act will direct the Department of Energy to examine ways to replace networked systems with less complex connections limiting paths to attack the systems.\r\nThe Act was part of theDamon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020, which was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. This legislation was inspired in part by Ukraine's experience in 2015, when a sophisticated cyber-attack on that country's power grid led to more than 225,000 people being left in the dark. The attack could have been worse if not for the fact that Ukraine relies on older, less networked technology to operate its grid. The senators' bill would build on this concept by studying ways to simplify and isolate the grid's most important control systems.\r\nMore specifically, the legislation will:\r\n \r\nEstablisha two-year pilot program within the National Laboratories to study covered entities and identify new classes of security vulnerabilities, and research and test technology that could be used to isolate the most critical systems of covered entities from cyber-attacks.\r\n \r\n \r\nRequirethe establishment of a working group to evaluate the technology solutions proposed by the National Laboratories and to develop a national cyber-informed strategy to isolate the energy grid from attacks. Members of the working group would include federal government agencies, the energy industry, a state or regional energy agency, the National Laboratories, and other groups with relevant experience.\r\n \r\n \r\nRequirethe Secretary of Energy to submit a report to Congress describing the results of the program, assessing the feasibility of the techniques considered, and outlining the results of the working groups' evaluation.\r\n \r\n \r\nDefinecovered entities under the bill as segments of the energy sector that have already been designated as entities where a cyber-security incident could result in catastrophic regional or national effects on public health or safety, economic security, or national security.\r\n \r\nIn addition to Senators Risch and King, the legislation was cosponsored by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Susan M. Collins (R-Maine), and Martin Heinrich (D-NJ). A companion bill was introduced by Representatives Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) and John Carter (R-Tex.) in the House of Representatives.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/senators-introduce-lower-costs-more-cures-act-to-tackle-prescription-drug-prices", "Senators Introduce 'Lower Costs, More Cures Act' to Tackle Prescription Drug Prices", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Measure would lower prescription drug prices while encouraging new cures and treatments for patients \r\nWASHINGTONA recentstudysuggested that in 2017, 37 percent of Idaho residents stopped taking medication as prescribed due to cost. Senate health care leaders Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), and John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) last week introduced the Lower Costs, More Cures Act to lower prescription drug prices, bring greater transparency to the prescription drug industry and encourage American ingenuity in the development of new treatments and cures.\r\nAmerica is the leader in biopharmaceutical innovation, bringing life-saving therapies to patients and discovering cures for the future,Senator Crapo said.However, these drugs are only effective if patients can afford them. President Trump made a commitment to prioritize lowering drug costs, and this legislation will accomplish that. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act builds on the market-based principles of Medicare Part D to leverage competition, flexibility and transparency to bring affordable drugs to patients. For the first time, Part D patients will have a maximum out-of-pocket cap to protect them from high costs. Providers will have access to information to recommend lower-cost alternatives, and Medicare Part B will appropriately pay providers for prescribing the best drug for their patient. This bill contains provisions that already have broad, bipartisan support. Congress should act now to pass the Lower Costs, More Cures Act into law.\r\nAccess to affordable prescription drugs is without a doubt one of the leading challenges facing Americans,Senator Risch said.The status quo is doing damage to the lives of patients and families, and we need bipartisan action. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act cultivates innovation in the pharmaceutical field, demands consumer pricing transparency, and ensures life-saving treatments and cures are accessible to patients who need it.\r\nLowering drug prices is critical to help ensuring patients can afford the care they need,Senator Enzi said. There are many proposals in Congress focused on lowering the costs of prescription drugs, but our legislation focuses on the solutions with the strongest bipartisan support. I have long believed that the best way to get good legislation passed is to focus on the 80 percent we agree on and leave out the 20 percent we can't. That's the guiding principle of this legislation and I hope Congress takes it up soon so we can help bring relief from high drug costs to more Americans.\r\nWith incredible new advances in medicine on the horizon over the next few decades, we have to make sure our payment models are keeping pace and putting people and families first,Senator Burr said.This legislation brings together vetted ideas that both parties support to create a better solution for patients and taxpayers. It lowers costs for seniors, ensures transparency around price increases and rebates, and allows families to use their health savings accounts for over-the-counter medicines. It also provides peace of mind for those with diabetes, lowering out-of-pocket costs for insulin in Medicare Part D and high-deductible plans. I'm proud to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation and look forward to seeing it taken up in the Senate.\"\r\nI've been fighting to make sure that North Carolinians have affordable health care with the choices they want and the protections they deserve, which includes having access to prescription drugs they can afford,Senator Tillis said.The Lower Costs, More Cures Act is a commonsense solution that will bring down prescription drug costs for North Carolinians while also ensuring that America continues to be the global leader in innovation and producing life-saving treatments and cures.\r\nAs a doctor, I am passionate about all patients getting the medications they need. Too many folks in Wyoming must make hard choices at the grocery store between purchasing food or prescription drugs,Senator Barrasso said.This legislation is a comprehensive approach that will lower costs for patients and maintain America's leadership in medical innovation. \r\nThe Lower Costs, More Cures Act, among other things, would:\r\n Modernize payments for drugs delivered in the doctor's office under Medicare Part B;\r\n Incentivize lower-cost alternatives, or biosimilars;\r\n Establish an annual out-of-pocket cap of $3,100 for Medicare Part D enrollees and allow certain patients to pay in monthly installments;\r\n Place an out-of-pocket cap of $50 on insulin and insulin medical supplies;\r\n Decrease beneficiary cost sharing from 25 percent to 15 percent of costs before out-of-pocket cap is reached;\r\n Allow prescription drug plan sponsors to offer, at minimum, up to four Part D plans per region, spurring competition and innovation;\r\n Prevent the upcoming spike in payment for Medicare Part D beneficiaries that reach their annual maximum payment amount;\r\n Provide greater flexibility for individuals to use Health Savings Accounts to purchase over-the-counter drugs;\r\n Makes permanent the 7.5 percent adjusted gross income for the purposes of the medical expense deduction in the tax filing season;\r\n Create a trade negotiator solely dedicated to putting American patients first in government trade negotiations related to medicines in order to prevent foreign free-loading off America's investment; and\r\n Require drug manufacturers to provide pricing information on all direct-to-consumer advertising.\r\nRepresentative Greg Walden (R-Oregon) introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives on December 9, 2019. That bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), received bipartisan support when considered by the House of Representatives, and the Administration has called it a far better approach to lowering drug prices and discovering life-saving cures than H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Health Care Costs Act.\r\nFull text of the Senate bill can be foundHERE, a section-by-sectionHERE, and a two-page summaryHERE.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398832", "Simpson Supports USMCA", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SIMPSON SUPPORTS USMCA\r\n\r\n\r\nWashington, D.C.  Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson lauded passage of H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. The agreement passed the U.S. House of Representatives today with a final bipartisan vote of 385-41.\r\nPresident Trump negotiated this agreement over a year ago and Speaker Pelosi refused to bring this legislation to the floor until now, said Simpson. Under USMCA, U.S. agricultural exports alone are expected to increase by more than $2 billion annually, further helping our economy. Idaho farmers and ranchers need fair, free trade to compete and this deal provides a level playing field.\r\nIn addition to securing existing market opportunities, USMCA will provide enhanced market access for dairy, wheat, cattle, potatoes, sugar, poultry, and other agricultures products; establish modern, science-based sanitary and phytosanitary standards that are the gold standard for future trade agreements; and simplify customs procedures. \r\nVoices of the agriculture industry across America have applauded the agreement. \r\nThis holiday season will be a bit brighter for America's dairy farmers as today's vote brings us one step closer to finalizing USMCA and securing a more certain future for the dairy industry, said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. Idaho's dairy industry appreciates the work that Congressman Simpson has invested to ensure USMCA will provide expanded market opportunities and a more level playing field for dairy exports. Now we are counting on the Senate to act quickly and finalize USMCA in order to deliver its improvements to North American trade.\r\nTrade is a vital part of the success of the cattle industry in the northwest, said Idaho Cattle Association Executive Vice President Cameron Mulrony. We welcome the passage of USMCA and the ability to trade cattle across our borders.\r\nThe American Sugar Alliance commends the White House and Congress for finalizing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and prioritizing free and fair trade for America's farmers and ranchers. The successful ratification and implementation of USMCA will mark another stride in meeting this laudable goal, which is particularly important in today's difficult farm economy, Randall Grant President, Idaho Sugar Beet Growers Association. Our trade negotiators worked tirelessly and communicated diligently with our industry throughout the process of negotiating a modernized trade agreement. America's domestic sugar producers appreciate their efforts to limit any adverse effect on our industry and we support passage of USMCA.\r\nThe successful implementation of the USMCA will send a strong signal to the rest of the world that valuable new trade agreements with the U.S. are possible, said Kam Quaries, CEO of National Potato Council\r\nIdaho's wheat and barley growers need access to international markets. Over half of Idaho's wheat crop is exported - and Mexico is a significant market for Idaho's high quality malt barley. Canada is Idaho's top international designation for agricultural products, Jamie Kress, wheat grower and President of the Idaho Grain Producers Association, from Rockland, ID. Our relationships with international trading partners have taken decades to build and by passing the USMCA today in the House,we are showing our commitment to our trading partners.\r\nIDA members have made investment in building export markets a top priority and it all starts with free and fair access to customers in other countries. We thank Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson for their support of the new USMCA, said Rick Naerebout, Executive Director for Idaho Dairy Association. This agreement adds certainty back to market access in two of our largest trading partner countries and IDA looks forward to working with our allies in the state to make the most out of this opportunity.\r\nThe Idaho Farm Bureau is pleased to see the House pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). This agreement will secure our valuable trade partnership with our nearest neighbors and set the stage for new deals that will level the playing field for Idaho farmers, said Bryan Searle, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation President. This new trade deal secures the market opportunities previously developed in NAFTA; however, the USMCA builds on those trade relationships in several key areas.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-colleagues-introduce-lower-costs-more-cures-act-to-tackle-prescription-drug-prices", "Crapo, Colleagues Introduce 'Lower Costs, More Cures Act' to Tackle Prescription Drug Prices", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Colleagues Introduce 'Lower Costs, More Cures Act' to Tackle Prescription Drug Prices \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Measure would lower prescription drug prices while encouraging new cures and treatments for patients \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- A recent study suggested that in 2017, 37 percent of Idaho residents stopped taking medication as prescribed due to cost. Senate health care leaders Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today introduced the Lower Costs, More Cures Act to lower prescription drug prices, bring greater transparency to the prescription drug industry and encourage American ingenuity in the development of new treatments and cures.\r\nAmerica is the leader in biopharmaceutical innovation, bringing life-saving therapies to patients and discovering cures for the future, Senator Crapo said. However, these drugs are only effective if patients can afford them. President Trump made a commitment to prioritize lowering drug costs, and this legislation will accomplish that. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act builds on the market-based principles of Medicare Part D to leverage competition, flexibility and transparency to bring affordable drugs to patients. For the first time, Part D patients will have a maximum out-of-pocket cap to protect them from high costs. Providers will have access to information to recommend lower-cost alternatives, and Medicare Part B will appropriately pay providers for prescribing the best drug for their patient. This bill contains provisions that already have broad, bipartisan support. Congress should act now to pass the Lower Costs, More Cures Act into law.\r\nLowering drug prices is critical to help ensuring patients can afford the care they need, Senator Enzi said. There are many proposals in Congress focused on lowering the costs of prescription drugs, but our legislation focuses on the solutions with the strongest bipartisan support. I have long believed that the best way to get good legislation passed is to focus on the 80 percent we agree on and leave out the 20 percent we can't. That's the guiding principle of this legislation and I hope Congress takes it up soon so we can help bring relief from high drug costs to more Americans.\r\nWith incredible new advances in medicine on the horizon over the next few decades, we have to make sure our payment models are keeping pace and putting people and families first, Senator Burr said. This legislation brings together vetted ideas that both parties support to create a better solution for patients and taxpayers. It lowers costs for seniors, ensures transparency around price increases and rebates, and allows families to use their health savings accounts for over-the-counter medicines. It also provides peace of mind for those with diabetes, lowering out-of-pocket costs for insulin in Medicare Part D and high-deductible plans. I'm proud to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation and look forward to seeing it taken up in the Senate.\r\nI've been fighting to make sure that North Carolinians have affordable health care with the choices they want and the protections they deserve, which includes having access to prescription drugs they can afford, Senator Tillis said. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act is a commonsense solution that will bring down prescription drug costs for North Carolinians while also ensuring that America continues to be the global leader in innovation and producing life-saving treatments and cures.\r\nAs a doctor, I am passionate about all patients getting the medications they need. Too many folks in Wyoming must make hard choices at the grocery store between purchasing food or prescription drugs, Senator Barrasso said. This legislation is a comprehensive approach that will lower costs for patients and maintain America's leadership in medical innovation. \r\nAccess to affordable prescription drugs is without a doubt one of the leading challenges facing Americans, Senator Risch said. The status quo is doing damage to the lives of patients and families, and we need bipartisan action. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act cultivates innovation in the pharmaceutical field, demands consumer pricing transparency, and ensures life-saving treatments and cures are accessible to patients who need it.\r\nThe Lower Costs, More Cures Act, among other things, would:\r\n \r\nModernize payments for drugs delivered in the doctor's office under Medicare Part B;\r\nIncentivize lower-cost alternatives, or biosimilars;\r\nEstablish an annual out-of-pocket cap of $3,100 for Medicare Part D enrollees and allow certain patients to pay in monthly installments;\r\nPlace an out-of-pocket cap of $50 on insulin and insulin medical supplies;\r\nDecrease beneficiary cost sharing from 25 percent to 15 percent of costs before out-of-pocket cap is reached;\r\nAllow prescription drug plan sponsors to offer, at minimum, up to four Part D plans per region, spurring competition and innovation;\r\nPrevent the upcoming spike in payment for Medicare Part D beneficiaries that reach their annual maximum payment amount;\r\nProvide greater flexibility for individuals to use Health Savings Accounts to purchase over-the-counter drugs;\r\nMakes permanent the 7.5 percent adjusted gross income for the purposes of the medical expense deduction in the tax filing season;\r\nCreate a trade negotiator solely dedicated to putting American patients first in government trade negotiations related to medicines in order to prevent foreign free-loading off America's investment; and\r\nRequire drug manufacturers to provide pricing information on all direct-to-consumer advertising.\r\n \r\nSenator Crapo remains committed to advancing legislation that provides greater access to affordable medications for patients, while adhering to market-driven principles. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Crapo voted in favor of four bills to prevent patent gaming by pharmaceutical companies, which would enable more affordable generic drugs to come to market sooner.\r\nRepresentative Greg Walden (R-Oregon) introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives on December 9, 2019. That bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), received bipartisan support when considered by the House of Representatives, and the Administration has called it a far better approach to lowering drug prices and discovering life-saving cures than H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act.\r\nFull text of the Senate bill can be found HERE, a section-by-section HERE, and a two-page summary HERE.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-secures-wins-for-idahoans-in-legislation-heading-for-presidents-signature", "Crapo Secures Wins for Idahoans in Legislation Heading for President's Signature", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo Secures Wins for Idahoans in Legislation Heading for President's Signature \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t End-of-year legislation benefits rural communities, extend short line rail credit, support veterans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. Senate advanced two significant measures to the President's desk to be signed into law. U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) voted in favor of both bills, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158, which will fully fund the government through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.\r\nPartisan gridlock in Washington has prevented Congress from advancing singular, regular appropriations bills, but passing a long-term funding measure instead of another short-term stopgap is a step in the right direction, Crapo said. The measures we passed in the Senate today will fund the government through the end of the fiscal year and contain a number of provisions that will benefit Idahoans. Our economy is booming, and Congress must continue working diligently with the Administration to support vital domestic and national security priorities.\r\nThe appropriations packages contained several measures championed and shepherded through Congress by Crapo, including:\r\n \r\nSecure Rural Schools (SRS): A two-year extension of SRS funding. Senator Crapo has worked since 2000 to give SRS a more permanent role in assisting rural counties fund critical services like schools, road improvements and law enforcement.\r\nShort Line Rail Investment: An extension of the Section 45G tax credit for short line railroad track maintenance expenditures through 2022. The credit encourages and supports investments in short line railroads, which contribute to more jobs and economic growth.\r\nNuclear Energy: Contains funding for advanced nuclear reactor projects (a priority in Crapo-backed S. 903, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act), the Nuclear Reactor Innovation Center created under Crapo's Nuclear Energy and Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA) and the Versatile Advanced Test Reactor, also authorized under NEICA.\r\nSupport for Nation's Veterans: Supports implementation of the VA MISSION Act and the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act--both of which Crapo has been a long-time co-sponsor and supporter.\r\n \r\nAs Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Crapo secured the following provisions in the appropriations bills:\r\n \r\nTerrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization: The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act was passed in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It created the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, which stabilizes the market for terrorism risk insurance. Chairman Crapo previously advanced a seven-year reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program out of Committee, which was included in today's spending bill. This legislation makes coverage for terrorism risk insurance more available and affordable to the businesses that need it, and also preserves important taxpayer reforms.\r\nExport-Import Bank Reauthorization: The Export-Import Bank provides export financing so that United States companies can compete and succeed in international markets, particularly against foreign governments like China. The Bank has supported nearly $100 million worth of Idaho exports over the last five years. Senator Crapo helped to secure a seven-year reauthorization of the Bank that includes a new program on China and Transformational Exports, with a goal of directly neutralizing export subsidies for competing goods and services financed by China's export credit agencies. The bill will also increase support for and participation by U.S. small businesses.\r\nNational Flood Insurance Program: The National Flood Insurance Program was designed to expand homeowners' access to flood insurance in exchange for local communities reducing their exposure to flood risk. Senator Crapo secured a provision to extend the National Flood Insurance Program through September 30, 2020.\r\n \r\nAdditional measures and year-end Senate action pushed by the Administration and supported by Crapo include:\r\n \r\nBorder Wall/Security: Provides FY2020 funding for increased border security without limits on the President's authority to transfer funds for a border wall.\r\nElection Security: Authorizes $425 million for election security grants for states to bolster local stakeholders' and experts' on-the-ground work to protect our electoral system.\r\nSupport for Troops: Supports a 3.1 percent pay raise for our troops.\r\nConfirmation of a Record Number of Constitutional Judges: Last week, the Senate confirmed President Trump's 50th circuit judge. In the last three years, the Senate has confirmed 2 Supreme Court Justices, 50 circuit judges and 133 district judges.\r\n \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398830", "Simpson: Why I Voted Against Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The resolution considered on the floor of the House of Representatives today, H.Res. 755, has two articles: 1) abuse of power, and 2) obstruction of Congress. After careful consideration of the evidence, I voted No on H.Res. 755.\r\n \r\n    Abuse of power: Democrats have yet to present any evidence that President Trump abused his power. In fact, everything we have seen thus far paints the opposite picture. Ukraine President Zelensky has stated multiple times publicly that he never felt pressure from President Trump to complete any task for the United States. Further, at the time of the July 25th call between the two leaders, Ukrainian officials did not even know that security assistance was paused. Finally, no Ukrainian investigation was ever initiated. Aid was delivered and no investigation took place. I fail to see the connection the Democrats are trying to make here that would rise to an impeachable offense.\r\n    Obstruction of Congress: There are perfectly legitimate avenues to resolve differences between branches of government. When Administration officials did not make themselves available for a partisan, predetermined investigation, House Democrats chose to pursue the most drastic of options, instead of the appropriate and Constitutional option that is available when two co-equal branches of government disagree: letting the judiciary branch decide. This move again showed me that Democrats were looking for any reason to impeach this President rather than trying to conduct a serious and honest investigation.\r\n \r\nWhen I first came to Congress, I had an idea of what my service might look like. I envisioned preserving our Western way of life, fighting for what makes this country great, and advancing common causes that move us forward together. I have been honored to represent Idaho's 2nd Congressional district, and with each vote I take, I consider how my actions will further the interests of my constituents. I have been fortunate to be a part of many historic votes that went on to make a real difference for Americans. Among my proudest moments in Congress are the protection of the Cecil D. Andrus Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness area, supporting historic mission growth at the Idaho National Laboratory, ending the practice of fire-borrowing so that wildfires are now treated like other natural disasters, and reigning in harmful EPA regulations. When Congress does its job, the American people benefit.\r\nToday, the House takes another historic vote. Unfortunately, this vote does more damage than good and further divides our country. A group of Democrats, Members of the House and my colleagues, have taken their displeasure with the results of the 2016 presidential election and plunged our nation into a vicious debate, one that started before the President was even sworn into office. Facts are sacrificed for political grandstanding, the personal character of opponents is impugned, and the media tells whichever side of the story it prefers. Speaker Nancy Pelosi set a requirement that for impeachment to proceed, there needed to be bipartisan support. Today, we don't have bipartisan support for impeachment, in fact, the only bipartisan vote today is AGAINST impeachment. I am gravely disappointed. Introducing articles of impeachment is one of the most solemn powers of Congress, ranking in importance alongside the power to declare war.\r\nI do not take this process lightly. In the absence of evidence proving President Trump abused his power or obstructed Congress, Democrats have pushed forward looking for a political victory. Speaker Pelosi and her caucus disagree with President Trump's policies and they clearly don't like his stylethey've made that clear since he was duly elected by the American people. But a difference in opinion is not proof of a crime. I reiterate, a difference in opinion is NOT proof of a crime. Our elections are what make America great, and though politics can be ugly, we do not engage in personality-based coups. To see the proud legislative tradition of the House of Representatives reduced to a one-sided smear campaign is frightening; to see it used to undermine an election is beyond disturbing.\r\nIt bears noting, that while Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler have led us all into this political circus, President Trump has stayed the course. Despite being the target of impeachment talk since the very beginning of his term, he has seated two accomplished U.S. Supreme Court Justices, secured a bipartisan budget deal, enacted historic tax cuts and reforms, negotiated a better deal for the United States with the USMCA, reduced illegal border crossings, and rebuilt our military, not to mention the benefits of a consistently strong and growing economysomething ALL Americans currently enjoy. One can't help but imagine what more could be accomplished if House Democrats weren't distracted by a crisis of their own making.\r\nSo, as the House of Representatives takes a vote today to impeach a president, I am compelled to reflect on the reasons we are all sent here. Our job is to legislate, and this impeachment sham is not worthy of our time. Now that the House has wasted 85 days on this process, it is imperative that we get back to work addressing the real issues this country faces, like immigration, healthcare and our crumbling infrastructure. The future of our nation, and the integrity of our Constitution, depend on it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/short-line-rail-investment-effort-to-be-renewed", "Short Line Rail Investment Effort to be Renewed", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2019\n\t\t\t Short Line Rail Investment Effort to be Renewed \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Crapo's job-creating legislation included in year-end spending bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON -- Ongoing efforts by U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to encourage investment in short line railroad operations will be included in a year-end spending bill slated for approval by the Senate this week. Crapo, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, has long-championed tax incentives that encourage and support investment in short line railroads, a key for hauling goods to market in Idaho. The provision included in the appropriations bill will extend the Section 45G credit for short line railroad track maintenance expenditures through 2022.\r\nWatco Companies, whichoperatesthe Boise ValleyRailroad, Eastern IdahoRailroadand Great Northwestern Railroad, credits these investment credits with job creation and facility improvements across Idaho. Eastern Idaho Railroad used the 45G tax incentives toincreaseshippingoptionsand create new jobs in the Burley area.\r\nCrapo has been the longtime lead on legislation to make the short line credit permanent. His bill currently has the bipartisan support of 63 members of the U.S. Senate. Companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives currently has the bipartisan support of 297 members. The House passed the appropriations legislation on Tuesday.\r\nShort line rail is like economic bread and butter, working with Idaho farmers and industry,Crapo said. It has been great to see the economic expansion efforts in Burley and across Idaho and witness first-hand the job creation this critical industry brings to Idaho and the nation. We need to prioritize this energy-efficient way to moving goods to market into the future.\r\nWe are truly grateful for Senator Crapo's outstanding leadership and unwavering support of Idaho's short line railroads. He understands deeply how important these lines are to Idaho and keeping the rural communities and customers we serve connected to the national freight rail network. Since 2017, the 45G short line tax credit helped generate over $22 million in additional projects improving critical short line infrastructure on our three Idaho railroads - the Eastern Idaho Railroad, Great Northwest Railroad and the Boise Valley Railroad,said Laura McNichol, Senior Vice President, Watco Companies.\r\nWatco Companies has worked with other industries in the Burley, Idaho area to create multi-million dollar investments in cold storage and expanded shipping facilities that have created hundreds of jobs. This is great news, not only for our local community, but for the State of Idaho and Magic Valley, as well, saidDoug Manning, Director of Economic Development for the City of Burley. This extension will continue to provide a marketing lifeline' for our processed goods to be efficiently and expeditiously transported to their various markets. It is an essential part of our development efforts. We appreciate those who have worked so hard to make this happen.\r\nCommunities served in Idaho by short line rail include: Idaho Falls, Burley, Twin Falls, Boise, Cottonwood, St. Maries, Bovill, Spalding, Harvard, Moscow and Lewiston.According to a PriceWaterhouseCoopers analysis, short line railroads and their suppliers support more than 61,000 jobs in the U.S., mainly in rural America, and add $6.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Short line freight services save taxpayers more than $1.5 billion annually in wear and tear on roadways, by keeping 31.8 million heavy truckloads off local roads.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398831", "Simpson Secures Idaho Provisions in Year-End Legislation", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today applauded the House passage of H.R. 1158 and H.R. 1865, which will fund the federal government for fiscal year 2020 and include numerous critical benefits for Idaho and Western States.\r\nI'm very pleased to see this package come to fruition today, said Simpson. This is Congress doing its job and fulfilling its Constitutional duty to keep the government funded. Besides avoiding an unacceptable and irresponsible continuing resolution or government shutdown, these bills contain huge wins for Idaho and the nation. Those wins include two additional years of funding for Secure Rural Schools; record funding for the Idaho National Laboratory and a major initiative to demonstrate advanced nuclear reactors; maintaining enacted pro-life and 2nd Amendment protections; and the repeal of some of Obamacare's most onerous tax provisions.\r\nAs Ranking Member of the House Energy and Water Development Subcommittee and a member of the House Interior and Environment Subcommittee, Simpson had a key role in deciding funding levels for Department of Energy and Department of Interior programs, including the following highlights:\r\n\r\nEnergy and Water Development\r\nThe Energy and Water portion of H.R.1865 contains significant funding for Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the Office of Nuclear Energy, said Simpson. Combined with other portions of this package, these bills will reestablish the U.S. leadership role in nuclear energy. It also recognizes that clean nuclear energy MUST be part of our energy future. After years of significant investment in research, development and facilities, this bill charts a course to begin building advanced reactor technologies, and I look forward to seeing some of these new nuclear reactors being built at our own INL.\r\nIdaho-specific wins in the Energy and Water portion of H.R. 1865 include: \r\n \r\n    $1.49 billion for the Office of Nuclear Energy, an increase of $167 million over last year. \r\n    Over $400 million to maintain and upgrade INL facilities, including $25.45 million for the Sample Preparation Laboratory to be built at INL. \r\n    Initiation of a $230 million program to demonstrate advanced nuclear reactors. As the nation's lead lab for nuclear energy research and development, INL is the likely home for these advanced reactor demonstrations.\r\n    $100 million for Advanced Small Modular Reactor research and development. \r\n    $65 million for the Versatile Test Reactor. \r\n    $20 million for the National Reactor Innovation Center recently established at INL. \r\n    $20 million for micro reactor research and development. \r\n    $15.6 million to upgrade facilities for the security forces at the INL Materials and Fuel Complex.\r\n    $11 million and addition funds in the Fuel Cell Technology Office account to use nuclear power plants to produce hydrogen for transportation and industrial uses. \r\n    $10 million for INL's new Sawtooth supercomputer.\r\n    Funds to expand INL's leadership role to protect the electric grid and other critical infrastructure from cyber-attack.\r\n    $433.5 million for cleanup activities associated with the Idaho Cleanup Project.\r\n \r\n\r\nInterior and Environment\r\nIdaho's public lands are why we live here, which is why the Interior and Environment section of this bill is critical to how we enjoy the outdoors, said Simpson. I am thrilled that the wildfire cap adjustment I fought for years to enact, will be implemented in fiscal year 2020 and provide land managers the resources they need to both fight and prevent future fires in the west. I am also pleased to see PILT and SRS funded which rural counties depend on for infrastructure and schools.\r\n \r\n    Provides full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which compensates counties for the losses in property tax as a result of a high percentage of federal land. Idaho counties receives more than $30 million.\r\n    The bill includes a two-year extension of Secure Rural Schools (SRS) which, similar to PILT, provides an alternative source of education funding for counties with a high percentage of national forests. This program also fulfills the federal government's responsibility to counties with tax-exempt federal lands. Congressman Simpson has been advocating for both PILT and SRS legislation and cosponsored important legislation on both programs in September. \r\n    Provides $5.6 billion for the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to fight wildfires. Fiscal year 2020 is also the first year of wildfire cap adjustment which Congressman Simpson fought for to treat wildfires like other natural disasters. \r\n    Prioritizes funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan fund, which states and local governments use for water infrastructure projects.\r\n    Continues a provision to relieve livestock operations of EPA permitting requirements similar to bipartisan legislation Congressman Simpson cosponsored.\r\n    Provides $1 million to compensate ranchers for livestock killed by wolves.\r\n    Language which prevents listing of sage grouse as an endangered species and provides $64 million in funding for the Bureau of Land Management towards sage grouse conservation.\r\n    Continues a provision which directs EPA, U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), and DOE to establish clear policies regarding the carbon neutrality of biomass which is an important energy source and part of an all of the above energy strategy.\r\n    Includes funding for Native American communities to help improve infrastructure and health care needs.\r\n    Language that directs the Bureau of Land Management to work with the State of Idaho regarding aquifer recharge.\r\n \r\n\r\nAgriculture\r\nAgriculture is the backbone of our economy in Idaho and if we intend to feed the world we must invest in our farmers and ranchers, said Simpson. The language included in the bill that acknowledges the support for the Sheep Station and the collaborative work among diverse stakeholders, gives positive momentum to ensuring the future of Dubois and mutual research goals that ranchers and sportsmen agree on. Of course, the continued research for potatoes, grain, and other commodities is vital as we seek to expand the trade reach of Idaho products around the globe.\r\n \r\n    Includes language that supports the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois and acknowledges the work of the diverse stakeholders Congressman Simpson convened to support current research to collaborate on future research objectives. \r\n    Provides funding for the USDA Rural Utilities Service Circuit Rider program which helps fund rural communities to provide safe and affordable drinking water.\r\n    Includes language directing the FDA to develop a standard identity for dairy based on existing standards, which is similar to Senator Risch and Congressman Simpson's bipartisan DAIRY Pride Act. \r\n    Includes language that reverses an Obama era regulation that created barriers for potatoes to be included in the school breakfast program. The rider was inserted by Congressman Simpson during a 2018 House Appropriations Committee markup seen here.\r\n    Provides funding for the USDA Rural Utilities Service Circuit Rider program, which helps fund rural communities to provide safe and affordable drinking water.\r\n    Provides funding for National Institutes of Food and Agriculture for potato and wheat research.\r\n    Continues funding for the Molecular Marker Potato Breeding Program located at the ARS research facility in Aberdeen.\r\n \r\n\r\nDefense\r\nAfter last week's passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, I am pleased that the Congress has also passed a strong defense appropriations bill, said Simpson. For the past three years, we have made meaningful strides in rebuilding our military and bolstering readiness, fulfilling our obligation to provide for the common defense. Most importantly, this bill supports our troops and their families by providing a pay raise and addressing quality of life issues.\r\n \r\n    Provides a 3.1 percent pay raise for troops, the largest in a decade;\r\n    $34 billion for Defense Health programs for servicemembers and research;\r\n    Fully funds the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding;\r\n    Rejects Democrat proposals to restrict the President's ability to use funds to secure borders;\r\n    Includes funding to modernize the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the aircraft maintained and deployed by the Idaho Air National Guard's 124th Fighter Wing, based at Gowen Field in Boise.\r\n \r\n\r\nLabor, Health and Human Services, and Education:\r\nOne of my top annual priorities is the Impact Aid program, which supports schools and gives tax relief to local communities that are impacted by the presence of federal activities, said Simpson. These funds make all the difference for federally-impacted Idaho schools, and I commend my colleagues for acknowledging our responsibility to these students. I am also pleased by the strong showing of support this bill gives for the life-saving research funded by the National Institutes of Health. Idaho research institutions such as Boise State, Idaho State, and University of Idaho use these funds to make advancements in biomedical research each and every day, and this bill will continue to support their efforts.\r\n \r\n    $1.4 billion for the Department of Education Impact Aid program;\r\n    $41.6 billion for the National Institutes of Health, an increase of $2.6 billion over fiscal year 2019;\r\n    Funding for the CDC Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program.\r\n    Maintains currently enacted pro-life protections.\r\n \r\nThe House passed H.R. 1158 by a vote of 280-138 and H.R. 1865 by a vote of 297-120, and they will be considered by the U.S. Senate in the coming days. Links to the bill text and reports can be found here:\r\nH.R. 1158\r\nH.R. 1865", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-cardin-bill-to-protect-fish-habitat-advances-in-the-senate", "Crapo, Cardin Bill to Protect Fish Habitat Advances in the Senate", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Cardin Bill to Protect Fish Habitat Advances in the Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act clears Environment and Public Works Committee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- A bipartisan bill that seeks to empower local and regional stakeholders in fish habitat restoration and conservation passed out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) today. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) introduced S. 754, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (NFHCA) in March.\r\nThe relationships between local and regional habitat conservation stakeholders with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is critical to maintaining and improving fish habitats, Senator Crapo said. The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act will leverage public-private partnerships to empower locally-based groups to restore and protect sustainably healthy fish populations. I thank EPW Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) for moving this legislation today, and look forward to supporting it on the Senate floor soon.\r\nWhen our wildlife thrives, so do our ecosystems and our local economies, Senator Cardin said. Aquatic habitats are a lifeline for our environment, outdoor recreation, and local fishing industries. This bill creates an opportunity to work within our communities to protect and restore the health of waterways like the Chesapeake Bay and its iconic fish and shellfish species. I will continue to work to secure funding for collaborative conservation efforts and I urge the Senate to pass this important legislation.\r\nThe National Fish Habitat Conservation Act would improve the availability of financial and technical resources to support local fish habitat conservation efforts by creating a National Fish Habitat Board to facilitate regional partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The NFHCA would also better coordinate local efforts that will result in the greatest improvements to fish habitat across regional watersheds.\r\nThe bill would authorize funds over Fiscal Years 2020-2023 for the U.S. Department of the Interior to fund projects to conserve fish habitats, cover certain planning and administrative expenses, and provide technical and scientific assistance to the National Fish Habitat Board (established through the legislation), Fish Habitat Partnerships and conservation project participants. It would not impose costs on state, local or tribal governments.\r\nThe NFHCA is supported by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Trout Unlimited, the American Sportfishing Association, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Nature Conservancy. The bill text can be foundHERE.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-support-defense-authorization-bill", "Crapo, Risch Support Defense Authorization Bill", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Support Defense Authorization Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Defense bill includes support for military sexual assault survivors, pay raise for troops and specific funds for Idaho DOD facilities \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today supported the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. This year's NDAA charts a consensus national defense policy that continues the restoration of military readiness; implements a National Defense Strategy to confront Russia, China and other adversaries; and cares for U.S. troops and their families. As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Idaho's Senators secured significant wins critical to our nation's security and national defense. The President is expected to sign the bill into law.\r\nOne of Congress's most serious responsibilities is to provide for the common defense of the United States, Crapo said. The Fiscal Year 2020 NDAA supplies the resources our women and men in uniform need to conduct their missions forcefully and efficiently both at home and abroad. We owe our gratitude to the women and men at Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Idaho National Guard, and final passage of the NDAA sends a clear message that Congress has their back. The NDAA contains several wins for Idaho Department of Defense facilities and projects, and will preserve American eminence in worldwide national security.\r\nI applaud the overwhelmingly bipartisan passage of the NDAA for fiscal year 2020 today, Risch said. This year's NDAA gives our troops the largest pay raise in a decade and provides big wins for Idaho, including vital resources for Mountain Home Air Force Base, Bayview's Acoustic Research Detachment and the Idaho National Guard. In addition to fulfilling our obligations to the U.S. military, the NDAA also includes a number of important provisions related to my work as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. This historic bill is good for Idaho, good for U.S. national security, and I look forward to seeing President Trump sign it into law.\r\nSenators Crapo and Risch secured a number of provisions in the final package, including:\r\n \r\nA provision to direct the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, in coordination with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and other interagency partners, to submit to Congress a plan for strengthening supply chain intelligence function;\r\nA provision to modify the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which provides assistance to servicemembers returning to civilian life, to include TAP in command climate assessments;\r\nA provision to expand TAP counseling to include servicemembers participating in the SkillBridge program, which connects servicemembers with industry partners in real-world job experiences during the their last 180 days of service;\r\nA provision to establish a two-year pilot program with the Idaho National Lab and other national laboratories to analyze security vulnerabilities in our cybersecurity systems and research and test technology to protect our country from cyberattacks; and\r\nRepeal of the military widow's tax, which unfairly reduced survivor benefit plan annuities.\r\n \r\nAs Chairman of the Banking Committee, Senator Crapo secured a number of other provisions in final passage within the Committee's jurisdiction, including:\r\n \r\nA provision to allow the federal government to rapidly adopt measures to safeguard the production and delivery of vital national security assets and ensure servicemembers have equipment that is not compromised by adversaries like China, Iran and Russia;\r\nA provision to strengthen and expand U.S. sanctions on North Korea and its financial facilitators and supporters;\r\nA provision to prevent federal funds from being used by transit agencies to purchase rail cars or buses manufactured by Chinese state-owned, controlled or subsidized companies; and\r\nA provision to authorize new streams of funding and give the Administration more tools to combat the trafficking of opioids into the United States from China, Mexico and elsewhere.\r\n \r\nAs Chairman of theForeign Relations Committee, Senator Risch secured a number of other provisions in final passage within the Committee's jurisdiction, including:\r\n \r\nA provision to sanction companies laying the Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Russia and Europe if they do not cease their operations in order to counter Russia's malign influence while helping protect the integrity of Europe's energy sector;\r\nA provision to sanction the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian backers for committing countless atrocities against the Syrian people; and\r\nA provision to ensure no Department of Defense funds may be used to transfer any F-35 aircraft or related parts to Turkey while S-400s are in the country under Turkish control. Senator Risch met with Turkish President Erdogan at the White House in November to reaffirm the Senate's firm position that Turkey cannot retain both programs at the same time, and voiced that there would be consequences should they do so.\r\n \r\nThe FY 2020 NDAA includes specific authorized funds for various Idaho projects, including:\r\n \r\nSite-wide security, cleanup and waste disposal at the Idaho National Laboratory;\r\nEnhancements to the Idaho Army National Guard's Orchard Combat Training Area; and\r\nThe Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization Project at the Naval Reactor Facility.\r\n \r\nAdditional highlights include:\r\n \r\nAdvances an international order to counter competition efforts from adversaries like Russia and China;\r\nProvisions to decrease threats from rogue regimes like Iran and North Korea;\r\nThe most substantial overhaul of the Privatized Military Housing Initiative since its creation in 1996;\r\nSupport for an all-volunteer force, including policies to address sexual misconduct and retaliation against victims, 3.1 percent pay increase for servicemembers, and increased employment opportunities for military spouses;\r\nNo restrictions on border security funding;\r\nEstablishment of the U.S. Space Force; and\r\n12 weeks of paid parental leave for all federal employees.\r\n \r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/risch-crapo-support-defense-authorization-bill", "Risch, Crapo Support Defense Authorization Bill", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Defense bill includes support for military sexual assault survivors, pay raise for troops and specific funds for Idaho DOD facilities \r\nWASHINGTONU.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today supported the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report. This year's NDAA charts a consensus national defense policy that continues the restoration of military readiness; implements a National Defense Strategy to confront Russia, China and other adversaries; and cares for U.S. troops and their families. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Idaho's Senators secured significant wins critical to our nation's security and national defense. The President is expected to sign the bill into law.\r\nI applaud the overwhelmingly bipartisan passage of the NDAA for fiscal year 2020 today,said Risch.This year's NDAA gives our troops the largest pay raise in a decade and provides big wins for Idaho, including vital resources for Mountain Home Air Force Base, Bayview's Acoustic Research Detachment and the Idaho National Guard. In addition to fulfilling our obligations to the U.S. military, the NDAA also includes a number of important provisions related to my work as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. This historic bill is good for Idaho, good for U.S. national security, and I look forward to seeing President Trump sign it into law.\r\nOne of Congress's most serious responsibilities is to provide for the common defense of the United States,Crapo said.The Fiscal Year 2020 NDAA supplies the resources our women and men in uniform need to conduct their missions forcefully and efficiently both at home and abroad. We owe our gratitude to the women and men at Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Idaho National Guard, and final passage of the NDAA sends a clear message that Congress has their back. The NDAA contains several wins for Idaho Department of Defense facilities and projects, and will preserve American eminence in worldwide national security.\r\nSenator Risch and Crapo secured a number of other provisions in final passage, including:\r\n \r\nA provision to establish a two-year pilot program with the Idaho National Lab and other national laboratories to analyze security vulnerabilities in our cybersecurity systems and research and test technology to protect our country from cyberattacks;\r\nA provision to direct the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, in coordination with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and other interagency partners, to submit to Congress a plan for strengthening supply chain intelligence function;\r\nA provision to modify the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which provides assistance to servicemembers returning to civilian life, to include TAP in command climate assessments;\r\nA provision to expand TAP counseling to include servicemembers participating in the SkillBridge program, which connects servicemembers with industry partners in real-world job experiences during the their last 180 days of service; and\r\nRepeal of the military widow's tax, which unfairly reduced survivor benefit plan annuities.\r\n \r\nAs chairman of theForeign Relations Committee, Senator Risch secured a number of other provisions in final passage within the committee's jurisdiction, including:  \r\n \r\nA provision to sanction companies laying the Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Russia and Europe if they do not cease their operations in order to counter Russia's malign influence while helping protect the integrity of Europe's energy sector;\r\nA provision to sanction the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian backers for committing countless atrocities against the Syrian people; and\r\nA provision to ensure no Department of Defense funds may be used to transfer any F-35 aircraft or related parts to Turkey while S-400s are in the country under Turkish control. Senator Risch met with Turkish President Erdogan at the White House in November to reaffirm the Senate's firm position that Turkey cannot retain both programs at the same time, and voiced that there would be consequences should they do so.\r\n \r\nAs chairman of the Banking Committee, Senator Crapo also secured a number of other provisions in final passage within the committee's jurisdiction, including:\r\n \r\nA provision to allow the federal government to rapidly adopt measures to safeguard the production and delivery of vital national security assets and ensure servicemembers have equipment that is not compromised by adversaries like China, Iran and Russia;\r\nA provision to strengthen and expand U.S. sanctions on North Korea and its financial facilitators and supporters;\r\nA provision to prevent federal funds from being used by transit agencies to purchase rail cars or buses manufactured by Chinese state-owned, controlled or subsidized companies; and\r\nA provision to authorize new streams of funding and give the Administration more tools to combat the trafficking of opioids into the United States from China, Mexico and elsewhere.\r\n \r\nThe FY 2020 NDAA includes specific authorized funds for various Idaho projects, including:\r\n \r\nSite-wide security, cleanup and waste disposal at the Idaho National Laboratory;\r\nEnhancements to the Idaho Army National Guard's Orchard Combat Training Area; and\r\nThe Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization Project at the Naval Reactor Facility.\r\n \r\nAdditional highlights include:\r\n \r\nAdvances an international order to counter competition efforts from adversaries like Russia and China;\r\nProvisions to decrease threats from rogue regimes like Iran and North Korea;\r\nThe most substantial overhaul of the Privatized Military Housing Initiative since its creation in 1996;\r\nSupport for an all-volunteer force, including policies to address sexual misconduct and retaliation against victims, 3.1 percent pay increase for servicemembers, and increased employment opportunities for military spouses;\r\nNo restrictions on border security funding; and\r\nEstablishment of the U.S. Space Force.\r\n \r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-wyden-merkley-announce-two-year-authorization-for-secure-rural-schools-program-in-end-of-year-funding-package-", "Crapo, Risch, Wyden, Merkley Announce Two-Year Authorization for Secure Rural Schools Program in End-of-Year Funding Package", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch, Wyden, Merkley Announce Two-Year Authorization for Secure Rural Schools Program in End-of-Year Funding Package  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) today announced that a two-year authorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program is included in the end-of-year funding package that will be considered by Congress this week.\r\nThis significant win for rural communities in the Northwest and nationwide follows calls from the senators to reauthorize the lapsed program and provide financial certainty for counties containing federally-owned lands.\r\nNearly two-thirds of Idaho is federally owned, which severely limits the tax base for roads, law enforcement and schools because federal lands contribute no property taxes. The Secure Rural Schools program provides critical funding streams for rural Idahoans, Crapo said.A two-year extension of SRS funding is one step closer to a more predictable source of funding for rural communities and school districts encompassed by federal land.\r\nEvery year, the fight for SRS funding seems to get a little tougher, and every year, our rural communities need that security and certainty just a little bit more. I consistently hear from Idaho counties that without increased timber production they depend on SRS to get by, which is why Senators Crapo, Wyden, Merkley and I work so hard on SRS reauthorization each Congress, said Risch. This reauthorization will create greater stability for rural counties, and I'm proud we were able to secure this critical program for communities in Idaho and throughout the West.\r\nCongress took one big step closer to making sure people living and working in rural communities have the resources they need for their schools, roads and other essential services, Wyden said. A two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program means counties can breathe a little easier now as Congress works toward a long-overdue permanent solution that gets rural counties off the roller coaster of uncertainty.\r\nSecure Rural Schools payments provide a much-needed lifeline for critical services ranging from schools to roads to public safety, said Merkley.Our rural communities shouldn't be left in the dark about whether the federal government will meet its obligation to help pay for those vital services. I am grateful to my colleagues for joining us in our mission to make these payments reliable, and am pleased that together we were able to secure this program extension.\r\nEarlier this year, the senators led 27 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requesting at least a two-year reauthorization of the SRS program as Congress works to establish a permanent county payments solution. They introduced their proposed solutionthe Forest Management for Rural Stability Actlegislation that makes the program permanent by creating an endowment fund to provide stable, increasing and reliable funding for county services.\r\nThe Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act was enacted in 2000 to financially assist counties with public, tax-exempt forestlands. Since then, Crapo, Risch Wyden and Merkley have worked worked to give SRS a more permanent role in assisting rural counties with large tracts of federal lands.\r\nCritical services at the county level have historically been funded in part with a 25 percent share of timber receipts from federal U.S. Forest Service lands and a 50 percent share of timber receipts from federal Oregon and California Grant Lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. As those revenues have fallen or fluctuated due to reduced timber harvest and market forces, SRS payments helped bridge the gap to keep rural schools open, provide road maintenance, support search and rescue efforts and other essential county services. Since enacted in 2000, SRS has provided a total of $7 billion in payments to more than 700 counties and 4,400 school districts in more than 40 states to fund schools and essential services like roads and public safety. In recent years, however, Congress has allowed SRS funding to lapse and decrease, creating massive uncertainty for counties as they budget for basic county services.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/risch-crapo-wyden-merkley-announce-two-year-authorization-for-secure-rural-schools-program-in-end-of-year-funding-package", "Risch, Crapo, Wyden, Merkley Announce Two-Year Authorization for Secure Rural Schools Program in End-of-Year Funding Package", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), today announced that a two-year authorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program is included in the end-of-year funding package that will be considered by Congress this week.\r\nThis significant win for rural communities in the Northwest and nationwide followscallsfrom the senators to reauthorize the lapsed program and provide financial certainty for counties containing federally-owned lands.\r\nEvery year, the fight for SRS funding seems to get a little tougher, and every year, our rural communities need that security and certainty just a little bit more. I consistently hear from Idaho counties that without increased timber production they depend on SRS to get by, which is why Senators Crapo, Wyden, Merkley and I work so hard on SRS reauthorization each Congress,said Risch.This reauthorization will create greater stability for rural counties, and I'm proud we were able to secure this critical program for communities in Idaho and throughout the West.\r\nNearly two-thirds of Idaho is federally owned, which severely limits the tax base for roads, law enforcement and schools because federal lands contribute no property taxes. The Secure Rural Schools program provides critical funding streams for rural Idahoans,Crapo said.A two-year extension of SRS funding is one step closer to a more predictable source of funding for rural communities and school districts encompassed by federal land.\r\nCongress took one big step closer to making sure people living and working in rural communities have the resources they need for their schools, roads and other essential services,Wyden said.A two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools program means counties can breathe a little easier now as Congress works toward a long-overdue permanent solution that gets rural counties off the roller coaster of uncertainty.\r\nSecure Rural Schools payments provide a much-needed lifeline for critical services ranging from schools to roads to public safety,said Merkley.Our rural communities shouldn't be left in the dark about whether the federal government will meet its obligation to help pay for those vital services. I am grateful to my colleagues for joining us in our mission to make these payments reliable, and am pleased that together we were able to secure this program extension.\r\nEarlier this year, the senatorsled 27 of their colleaguesin sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requesting at least a two-year reauthorization of the SRS program as Congress works to establish a permanent county payments solution. They introduced their proposed solutionthe Forest Management for Rural Stability Actlegislation that makes the program permanent by creating an endowment fund to provide stable, increasing and reliable funding for county services.\r\nThe Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Actoriginally co-authored by Wydenwas enacted in 2000 to financially assist counties with public, tax-exempt forestlands. Since then, Risch, Crapo, Wyden and Merkley have worked to give SRS a more permanent role in assisting rural counties with large tracts of federal lands.\r\nCritical services at the county level have historically been funded in part with a 25 percent share of timber receipts from federal U.S. Forest Service lands and a 50 percent share of timber receipts from federal Oregon and California Grant Lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. As those revenues have fallen or fluctuated due to reduced timber harvest and market forces, SRS payments helped bridge the gap to keep rural schools open, provide road maintenance, support search and rescue efforts and other essential county services. Since enacted in 2000, SRS has provided a total of $7 billion in payments to more than 700 counties and 4,400 school districts in more than 40 states to fund schools and essential services like roads and public safety. In recent years, however, Congress has allowed SRS funding to lapse and decrease, creating massive uncertainty for counties as they budget for basic county services.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-toomey-introduce-measure-to-lower-drug-costs-for-seniors", "Crapo, Toomey Introduce Measure to Lower Drug Costs for Seniors", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 13, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Toomey Introduce Measure to Lower Drug Costs for Seniors \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania) are working to lower the price some seniors pay for prescription drugs when they go to the pharmacy.\r\nMedicare Part D is a successful program, operating on the free-market principles of choice and competition, said Senator Crapo. Our legislation would build on that proven foundation by expanding the number of plan options and incentivizing innovative benefit designs. When we empower patients to make decisions, they can select the health care plan that best fits their needs. I will continue to work with my colleagues to advance policies that would lower drug prices, expand patient access to lifesaving medicines and encourage biopharmaceutical innovation.\r\nMedicare's prescription drug program limits insurers from providing seniors with plans that best fit their needs, said Senator Toomey. My bill with Senator Crapo aims to address this by encouraging insurers to develop and offer a greater variety of prescription drug plans to seniors.\r\nThe Encouraging Innovative Benefit Design to Lower Costs for Seniors Act, introduced this week by Senators Toomey and Crapo, would meaningfully reduce costs at the pharmacy for seniors who need it most, without increasing costs for those who don't, by:\r\n \r\nRequiring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to increase the maximum number of plan options from three to at least four plans in each region; and\r\nAllowing Medicare Part D sponsors to offer two additional plans provided that at least one of them passes on rebates to the consumer.\r\n \r\nA one-pager on the legislation can be found here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/county-payments-bills-pass-out-of-committee", "County Payments Bills Pass Out of Committee", "2019-12-12", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2019\n\t\t\t County Payments Bills Pass Out of Committee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Crapo, Risch, Wyden Efforts would extend Secure Rural Schools Program \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON -- Legislation to extend and improve federal county payments programs today passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee on bipartisan votes. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and James Risch (R-Idaho) wrote and backed bills to continue the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program by extending payments for two more years.\r\nSince enacted in 2000, SRS has provided a total of $7 billion in payments to more than 700 counties and 4,400 school districts in more than 40 states to fund schools and essential services like roads and public safety. According to county and education leaders, nine million studentsnearly 19 percent of all K-12 students in the nationattend rural schools. But federal lands in rural counties do not pay property taxes, limiting school budgets, as well as county road and search and rescue budgets.\r\nLegislation to extend SRS county payments, and to improve the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program (PILT) were approved by the ENR Committee today under Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). She and Ranking Member Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) held an informational hearing on the bills November 21.\r\nIdaho is almost two-thirds federally-owned, severely limiting our tax base for roads and schools because federal lands contribute no property taxes, Crapo said. These county payments programs are critical for Idahoans.\r\nIdaho's rural counties deserve stability and relief, Risch said. They shouldn't be subjected to the annual guessing game of whether they'll be able to provide critical county services like road maintenance and education. Insufficient or delinquent SRS and PILT payments aren't simply an inconvenience for these communities. It threatens their entire way of life. Congress must support our rural communities and reauthorize SRS and PILT.\r\nCrapo's S. 430 reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools payments for two years. The Committee also approved S. 2108, the Small County PILT Parity Act, sponsored by Senator Steve Daines, (R-Montana). This legislation would modify the current PILT formula to increase the amount of funding counties with fewer than 5,000 people can receive. Crapo and Risch are co-sponsors of the bill.\r\nWith the Committee votes, these county payment bills advance to the full Senate for consideration. SRS payments expired last year.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/risch-champions-srs-and-pilt-priorities-in-committee-business-meeting", "Risch Champions SRS and PILT Priorities in Committee Business Meeting", "2019-12-12", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONDuring a Committee on Energy and Natural Resources business meeting, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) championed Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) legislation and secured additional important revisions aimed at making these critical programs more timely and reliable.\r\nThe committee reported outS. 430, a bill to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, sponsored by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and cosponsored by Risch, andS. 2108, the Small County PILT Parity Act, sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and cosponsored by Risch and Crapo.\r\nThe reliability of SRS and PILT payments has long been an issue that Risch has advocated on. Additionally, Risch worked with committee members to incorporate language into SRS to create a pilot program for Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) appointments to improve the timeliness of disbursement of funds as well as to discontinue the annual decrease in SRS payments.\r\nIdaho's rural counties deserve stability and relief. They shouldn't be subjected to the annual guessing game of whether they'll be able to provide critical county services like road maintenance and education. Insufficient or delinquent SRS and PILT payments aren't simply an inconvenience for these communities. It threatens their entire way of life,said Risch.Congress must support our rural communities and reauthorize SRS and PILT.\r\nIdaho is almost two-thirds federally-owned, severely limiting our tax base for roads and schools because federal lands contribute no property taxes,Crapo said.These county payments programs are critical for Idahoans.\r\nBackground:The SRS and PILT programs were created to provide long-term financial security for rural counties that are unable to collect taxes on federal land within their county boundaries. These two programs are of great importance to Idaho's rural communities as more than 60 percent of Idaho's land is federally managed. Over the years, SRS and PILT funding has become unreliable, creating acute financial hardship and uncertainty for Idaho's rural counties and communities.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398828", "Simpson Delivers for Idaho AG - Legal Workforce and Free Trade", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Simpson Delivers for Idaho AG - Legal Workforce and Free Trade\r\nIdaho Congressman Passes Ag Immigration Bill and Strongly Supports USMCA\r\n  \r\nWashington, D.C.  With the nonstop, everchanging news on impeachment and Democrat primaries, it is easy to think that Congress isn't doing anything else. That is simply not true. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has been working relentlessly on a solution for our broken immigration system that meets the needs of Idaho agriculture while joining over 150 Republican Congressmen demanding a vote on USMCA before the end of the year. \r\nToday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act with a final bipartisan vote of 260-165. This bill addresses the desperate need for a legal workforce in the ag industry and is the first step in addressing illegal immigration through strong enforcement measures such as E-verify. \r\nIdaho farmers and ranchers feed the world and their greatest needs are a legal workforce and free trade, and this week we made tremendous progress on both issues, said Simpson. Passage of H.R. 5038 is a giant step in the right direction for our ag industry and their need for a legal workforce through addressing unpredictable wages, while expanding the H-2A Visa program to allow for the year-round workers Idaho dairies need. It will also eliminate onerous red tape from the federal government by streamlining the H2A process.\r\nTo watch Congressman Simpson's floor speech, click here.\r\n\r\nThe Farm Workforce Modernization Act would enact reforms to the immigration system that will stabilize wages, enact national security checks and criminal grounds of inadmissibility, alleviate labor shortages for producers facing year-round needs, and streamlines the H-2A temporary visa program. \r\nThe Farm Workforce Modernization Act does not enact amnesty. This legislation provides significant discretion to Homeland Security to deny status to any applicant if there is reason to believe the applicant is dangerous or otherwise undeserving. This bill also prohibits Certified Agriculture Workers (CAW) from receiving social safety net programs and if a CAW worker would like to seek further legal status they must pay a fine of $1,000 to start the process. These reforms, coupled with the implementation of E-Verify, will ensure agriculture has a legal source of workers and discourages future illegal immigration. President Trump called for merit- and employment-based immigration since his election, this bill does exactly that. \r\nThe bill also has wide support from the agriculture and business community. In November, over 300 agriculture groups sent a letter to House Leadership urging support and passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Over 40 of those groups are from Idaho. The bill also has support from U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Americans for Prosperity, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and the CATO Institute estimates H.R. 5038 would have reduced labor expenses for farmers by $324 million in 2019 if it were law.\r\nOn Monday, Simpson joined a majority of the Republican caucus, encouraging, urging and demanding that Speaker Pelosi bring the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to the House floor for a vote. Nearly every agriculture group in America has called on Congress to pass USMCA, which significantly improves trade relations with our two largest trading partners that together purchase about one-third of all U.S. agricultural exports.\r\nOur farmers and ranchers can't wait any longer for this trade deal to be signed. President Trump struck this deal over a year ago, and our farmers and ranchers in Idaho need truly free and fair trade to compete in a global marketplace and this deal does just that, said Simpson. \r\nUnder USMCA, U.S. agricultural exports alone are expected to increase by more than $2 billion annually, helping to build on the 325,000 American jobs that are already reliant on our nation's exports to Mexico and Canada.\r\nIdaho Farmers must have two things to continue to lead the nation in agriculture, a legal workforce and free trade. This week we made huge strides on both, and I'm proud to be part of substantial solutions to these issues and to represent Idaho agriculture, said Simpson. \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398829", "Simpson Supports Pay Raise for Military", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Simpson Supports Pay Raise for Military\r\nWashington, D.C. - After months of negotiations with the Senate, the House of Representatives today passed the Conference Report to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This annual legislation authorizes programs at the Department of Defense (DoD) and certain elements within the Department of Energy.\r\nAt a time of partisanship and distractions in Congress, I am pleased that members continue to recognize the importance of defense programs authorized by the NDAA, said Simpson. Our troops work tirelessly each and every day to promote global security and protect the American way of life, and I am proud to support a bill that supports them.\r\nThe FY 2020 NDAA is comprehensive legislation that includes wins for our troops and bolsters DoD capabilities. Highlights include:\r\n \r\n    Authorization for $738 billion in DoD programs to increase readiness and rebuild our military;\r\n    A 3.1% pay-raise for members of the military;\r\n    An additional $5.3 billion in emergency funding for military installations damaged by natural disasters;\r\n    A three-year phased repeal of the Widow's Tax, and;\r\n    Rejects restrictions on the president's authorities to secure our borders.\r\n \r\nThe conference report passed with a bipartisan vote of 347-48 and will now head to the President's desk for signature.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-fisa-probe-unacceptably-biased", "Crapo: FISA Probe Unacceptably Biased", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 11, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo: FISA Probe Unacceptably Biased \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Americans rightfully concerned by surveillance based on 'thinnest of suspicions' \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) had the opportunity today to question Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) Michael Horowitz about his investigation into DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) conduct during the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant process as it related to the 2016 presidential election. Video footage and an outline of Senator Crapo's line of questioning can be found below.\r\nSenator Crapo issued the following statement after the hearing:\r\nInspector General Horowitz's report found the basis of the FISA warrants were rumor, not fact. Americans are rightfully concerned by the possibility of the government's use of Big-Brother style surveillance into their private lives based on the thinnest of suspicions.\r\nThe evidence in Mr. Horowitz's report shows the FBI's willingness to go to any lengths necessary to get an inside look at then-candidate Trump by repeatedly omitting exculpatory information from its filings. The IG's report identified 17 significant errors or omissions in the Carter Page FISA applications. It is mind-numbing to think this could just be accidental. This is egregious misconduct by government officials charged with the task of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution. This behavior is disappointing and unacceptably biased.\r\nThe FBI--the premier law enforcement agency in the world--failed to conduct some of its most fundamental and basic processes. The FBI must return to complete and lawful work without error. I will work to do everything I can to ensure this kind of misconduct toward duly elected U.S. Presidents and their staff does not occur ever again.\r\nSome questions of Inspector General Horowitz by Senator Crapo are outlined below. They have been shortened for clarity.\r\nYou indicated that there was bias among decision-making individuals. Is it true that you were not able to find evidence to disprove the claim that bias did not affect work performance at the FBI?\r\n \r\nIG Horowitz's Answer: There was evidence that some individuals had bias, but not those making decisions.\r\n \r\nBut the decision [to get a FISA warrant] was made in consultation with those who had bias, correct? \r\n \r\nIG Horowitz's Answer: Yes.\r\n \r\nYou did not find documentary or testimonial evidence that political bias or improper motivation influenced the decision to open these four investigations. Did you ask Mr. Priestap if he had bias?\r\n \r\nIG Horowitz's Answer: We asked all witnesses as to whether bias or other improper considerations had any impact, but we also looked for emails, text messages, or documents. Which is, frankly, how we found bias among Strzok and Page.\r\n \r\nIn the FISA investigation, it seems to me if we go beyond the bias question to intentional versus grossly negligent, the kind of misconduct that has been presented by you and reviewed by everyone here today is that it is mind-numbing to consider it could just be accidental. Can you reach a conclusion like that?\r\n \r\nIG Horowitz's Answer: I'd be skeptical, but I understand why others might be skeptical of that. There is such a range of conduct here that is inexplicable and the answers we got were not satisfactory. We're still trying to understand how all these errors could happen over 9 months and 3 handpicked teams, and the highest profile case in the FBI, while involving a presidential campaign.\r\n \r\nI think it is explicable. Is criminal prosecution possible in some of the cases you referred?\r\n \r\nIG Horowitz's Answer: I'd leave it to the Department to answer that.\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nClick the image above or HERE to view Senator Crapo's full line of questioning.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-klobuchar-robocall-bill-clears-key-senate-committee", "Crapo, Klobuchar Robocall Bill Clears Key Senate Committee", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 11, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Klobuchar Robocall Bill Clears Key Senate Committee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senate Commerce Committee sends DART Act to full Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota)'s legislation to help stop unwanted robocalls has gained the support of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Crapo and Klobuchar introduced S. 2204, the Data Analytics Robocall Technology (DART) Act, to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report to Congress on the effectiveness of call blocking programs. This legislation gives Congress a voice in protecting constituents from illegal, annoying robocalls.\r\nAmericans know these scams are out of control, Crapo said. Last year, robocalls increased by 47 percent, resulting in more than 26 billion robocalls. The DART Act gives us the opportunity to review call blocking programs and provides us opportunities to keep up and stop this fraudulent menace.\r\nMost robocalls aren't just unwanted and disruptive  they are illegal, Klobuchar said. Our legislation to expand the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) efforts to combat illegal robocalls passed the Commerce Committee today. The DART Act would ensure that public safety calls are not blocked and direct the FCC to report to Congress on the effectiveness of call-blocking technologies. I look forward to this bill passing the full Senate and becoming law to protect consumers.\r\nThe DART Act would give Congress oversight on the implementation of call blocking technology and ensure that critical safety and emergency calls are handled properly. The bill would prevent the following types of numbers from being blocked:\r\n \r\nNumbers used for outgoing calls by public safety answering points or other facilities that route emergency calls;\r\nNumbers used for calls by government entities;\r\nNumbers used by schools to provide school-related notifications, including weather-related closings or emergencies; and\r\nNumbers used for similar or emergency purposes, as determined by the FCC.\r\n \r\nToday, the Senate Commerce Committee passed the legislation out of the Committee as a substitute amendment. Text of the legislation, as passed today, can be found HERE.\r\nSenator Crapo has supported additional efforts in Congress to combat robocalls. Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, of which Crapo is a co-sponsor. It awaits further action on the Senate floor. The TRACED Act mandates the adoption of caller identification authentication technology and increases civil penalties for violating anti-robocall statutes in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398815", "Simpson, House Republicans Demand a Vote on USMCA", "2019-12-10", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  While most of the world was watching the theatrical impeachment hearing in the House, Republicans were at work. On Monday, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined 159 Republicans sending Speaker Nancy Pelosi a letter urging her to immediately consider and pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The letter expands on the importance of the trade deal to the agriculture industry which notably supports Idaho industries like dairy, potatoes, grain, and cattle. \r\nIt is long past time to pass USMCA. President Trump struck this deal 375 days ago and our farmers and ranchers in Idaho need truly free and fair trade, said Simpson. That is what this deal delivers and I look forward to supporting it if Speaker Pelosi will allow a vote on this important trade agreement that will help Idaho.  \r\n\r\nThe text of the letter follows:\r\n\r\nDear Speaker Pelosi:\r\nThe undersigned Republican Members strongly urge you to ensure that the House of Representatives takes up and passes the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement this year.\r\nWith just two weeks remaining, the House has so far squandered the first session of the 116th Congress.\r\nRather than working together to pass bipartisan measures that could be signed into law, House Democrats have instead obsessed over a partisan impeachment process of which the sole purpose is to overturn the decision of voters in the 2016 election. The little remaining time has largely been consumed by passing partisan messaging bills that have no chance of enactment, even in the case where common ground could easily have been found.\r\nThankfully, it is not too late for House Democrats to do the right thing. For starters, the House should finally stop dithering on USMCA and pass this critically important trade agreement.\r\nNearly every agriculture group in America has called on Congress to pass USMCA, which significantly improves trade relations with our two largest trading partners that together purchase about one-third of all U.S. agricultural exports. Under USMCA, U.S. agricultural exports alone are expected to increase by more than $2 billion annually, helping to build on the 325,000 American jobs that are already reliant on our nation's exports to Mexico and Canada.\r\nSignificant new market access for U.S. dairy, chicken, eggs, and turkey producers is expected under the agreement while strides are also made in favor of our wheat farmers. These and other improvements will greatly benefit U.S. farmers and ranchers who are struggling under the weight of a recession that began in late 2014.\r\nExpanding U.S. agriculture exports through truly free and fair trade agreements will help put American agriculture back on its feet.\r\nMexico is already our corn growers' number one customer, while Canada and Mexico buy close to half of our pork products. And beef sales to our immediate neighbors are estimated to add about $70 per head to the bottom line of U.S. cattlemen. Under USMCA, the United States has a real opportunity to expand on these successes at a time when U.S. farmers and ranchers and rural America need help the most.\r\nUSMCA already contains the strongest labor provisions of any trade agreement considered by the U.S. to date, and the Trump Administration has worked diligently and in good faith to address these issues because the President is absolutely focused on ensuring a level playing field for all U.S. workers.\r\nPassing USMCA is a chance for the House to chalk up one critically important victory for the American people, and we urge you to seize this opportunity.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398820", "Simpson Responds to Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-10", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Simpson Responds to Articles of Impeachment \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      December 10, 2019\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Simpson Responds to Articles of Impeachment\r\n\r\nWashington, D.C.  Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement in response to House Democrats moving forward on Articles of Impeachment:\r\nI have always advocated for the institution of Congress, for our Constitution and what it stands for. When Republicans held the majority, I advocated for the rights of the minority to be heard. I've pushed for open rules during consideration of legislation and I've always demanded fairness. Today is a dark day for our country. Impeachment is to be used to remove a President for committing a crime, not for political gain, and certainly not to protest election results. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle know this full well, and yet, in an insult to the American people, they persist in their charade. Speaker Pelosi and her caucus have sought the impeachment of President Trump since before he was sworn into office; to them, impeachment is a forgone conclusion. Thankfully, President Trump's efforts have safeguarded the economy despite Democrats' relentless tactics, but one can't help but imagine where we would be if Congress could work on the real issues our country faces: immigration, trade, and funding the government to name a few. We have real work to do and this madness should come to an end.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-usmca-announcement-is-welcome-news", "Crapo: USMCA Announcement is Welcome News", "2019-12-10", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo: USMCA Announcement is Welcome News \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement after the announcement of a deal on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):\r\nToday's announcement on the USMCA is welcome news. There was no question NAFTA needed to be renegotiated to give goods and services made in the United States fairer treatment among trading allies. President Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer's forceful negotiations on behalf of America's farmers and workers fulfills one of President Trump's core campaign promises and many Americans will see the benefits of this updated trade agreement. With our economy already at historic levels thanks to President Trump, the USMCA will provide additional tools for success to further improve the work of Idahoans and the overall American economy. Access to fair trade treatments in the international marketplace remains a critical component of my focus in considering trade policies, and I look forward to reviewing the final details of the proposal.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/risch-king-lead-letter-to-ferc-warning-of-huawei-threat-to-national-security", "Risch, King Lead Letter to FERC Warning of Huawei Threat to National Security", "2019-12-06", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Angus King (I-Maine) today sent aletterto Neil Chatterjee, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), stressing the serious threats to U.S. national security posed by Chinese technology equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.\r\nHuawei, which U.S. intelligence agencies have warned has links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has long had its sights set on entering U.S. markets. The senators urged FERC to work with the Trump administration to guard against Huawei-led interference in our national critical infrastructure:\r\nAs you know, the Intelligence Community has issued repeated warnings to regulators and political leaders about the dangers associated with using Huawei equipment on the nation's telecommunications network,the senators wrote.Congress and the Trump Administration have taken steps to eliminate Huawei products from national security sensitive applications, citing concerns with the company's links to the Chinese Communist party, including its intelligence services. Given FERC's responsibility for overseeing the reliability of the electric grid, it is critical that your agency take steps to ensure that United States critical infrastructure and the electric grid remain protected from foreign intrusion.\nAdditional signers of the letter include Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), and Joe Manchin (W.Va.).\r\nClickherefor the signed letter.\r\nFull text of the letter can be found below:\r\nDecember 6, 2019\r\nThe Honorable Neil Chatterjee  Chairman  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission  888 First Street, NE  Washington, DC 20426\r\nDear Chairman Chatterjee,\r\nWe write today to get assurances from you that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) fully appreciates the threat posed to the nation's energy infrastructure by the use of equipment manufactured by Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd (Huawei). Creating a new cybersecurity division within your agency is a good start. We are hopeful that one of the new division's first objectives will be to defend this infrastructure against the threats posed by the use of equipment manufactured by Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd (Huawei).\r\nAs you know, the Intelligence Community has issued repeated warnings to regulators and political leaders about the dangers associated with using Huawei equipment in the nation's telecommunications networks. Congress and the Trump Administration have taken steps to eliminate Huawei products from national security sensitive applications, citing concerns with the company's links to the Chinese Communist party, including its intelligence services. Given FERC's responsibility for overseeing the reliability of the electric grid, it is critical that your agency take steps to ensure that United States critical infrastructure and the electric grid remain protected from foreign intrusion.\r\nWhile Huawei announced earlier this year that it intended to exit the U.S. solar market, there are no guarantees. Huawei's line of solar products relies on inverters  devices that manage and convert energy produced by solar panels  for use in homes and businesses. Huawei-produced inverters connected to the U.S. energy grid could leave it vulnerable to foreign surveillance and interference, and could potentially give Beijing access to meddle with portions of America's electricity supply.\r\nThe Administration will ultimately need to address the full scope of the threat posed by Huawei, including consideration of a ban on the company's entry into the U.S. inverter market. In the meantime, we urge FERC and its new cybersecurity division to work closely with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Energy and its National Laboratories, industry, utilities, and other federal, state and local regulators to curb threats and protect critical infrastructure.\r\nWe offer our assistance, as it is imperative that Congress, the Administration and others in the private and public sector work closely together to protect our most vital assets from domestic and foreign threats.\r\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-cortez-masto-introduce-new-bill-to-improve-water-conservation-at-the-department-of-energy", "Crapo, Cortez Masto Introduce New Bill to Improve Water Conservation at the Department of Energy", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 05, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Cortez Masto Introduce New Bill to Improve Water Conservation at the Department of Energy \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) introduced the Energy and Water Research Integration Act. This bill would require the Department of Energy (DOE) to consider water conservation during energy research projects and focus federal research and development on creating technologies to decrease water consumption in energy production.\r\nThis legislation would encourage research into energy technologies that would improve and maximize the use of water and energy production, said Senator Crapo. Positive steps need to be taken toward using our limited resources in the most efficient and effective way possible. Bringing all interests to the table and developing solutions is the best way to make true conservation progress that brings lasting benefits to all.\r\nIt takes a lot of water to produce energy, and it takes a lot of energy to produce clean water. Residents of drought-prone states like Nevada understand that we need to be doing more to ensure that water security and energy production can coexist, said Senator Cortez Masto. By directing the Department of Energy to consider water use when researching new energy projects, this legislation would help bolster the development of innovative new technologies to decrease water consumption in energy production, improve efficiency and conserve our natural resources.\r\nIn the House of Representatives, companion legislation was introduced by Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas-30) and Frank Lucas (R-Okla.-03). This bill was passed by the House on July 23, 2019.\r\nBACKGROUND:\r\nAccording to a 2015 U.S. Geological Survey report, about 45 percent of all water withdrawn from ground or surface sources in the U.S. is used for energy production. The Energy and Water Research Integration Act would ensure the intensity of energy and water is considered in the Department of Energy's energy research, development, and demonstration programs to help guarantee efficient, reliable, and sustainable delivery of energy and clean water resources.\r\nThe full text of the bill is here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/icymi-crapo-discusses-nuclear-energy-with-bret-kugelmass-on-the-titans-of-nuclear-podcast", "ICYMI: Crapo Discusses Nuclear Energy With Bret Kugelmass on the Titans of Nuclear Podcast", "2019-12-03", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 03, 2019\n\t\t\t ICYMI: Crapo Discusses Nuclear Energy With Bret Kugelmass on the Titans of Nuclear Podcast \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Recent legislation co-sponsored by Crapo will direct a whole-of-government approach to advancing nuclear power as key part of national security \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- In November, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Bret Kugelmass of the Titans of Nuclear Podcast to discuss the benefits of nuclear energy. Titans of Nuclear released the podcast on Monday, December 2, 2019. The full interview is below.\r\nKugelmass opened the interview inquiring about Senator Crapo sharing a hometown with the Idaho National Lab (INL) and asked if growing up around a nuclear energy hub had impacted his career in politics. As Crapo put it, he has been connected to nuclear energy since the beginning, highlighting that the world's first nuclear energy powered light bulb was lit the same year he was born, just an hour west of his hometown.\r\nKugelmass and Crapo discussed the benefits of nuclear energy on the environment and the U.S. economy, and closed in discussing various pieces of nuclear energy innovation bills, including the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Capabilities Act (NEICA) and the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA) which have both been recently signed into law. Pending legislation to further boost nuclear energy innovation and reestablish U.S. leadership in nuclear energy, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), would direct a whole-of-government approach to accepting nuclear power as a key part of our national energy, our national security and our economic policy, Crapo said.\r\n\r\nTo listen or view the full interview, click HERE or the image above. The interview is also available on other podcast streaming services.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/12/risch-selects-r-h-machine-as-the-december-small-business-of-the-month", "Risch Selects R & H Machine as the December Small Business of the Month", "2019-12-02", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, has selected R & H Machine, Inc. of Caldwell as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for December 2019. R & H Machine will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.\r\nR & H Machine was founded in the 1950s in Washington State. Wheat farmers Ray and Arline Stueckle began welding and selling replacement farm equipment in an effort to supplement their income, and ended up building a business that serves farmers across the Pacific Northwest. Today, the company is owned and operated in Caldwell by Ray and Arline's daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Dave Organ. Together, the Organs have made R & H Machine an exemplary family owned business that prides itself on upholding the founder's commitment to providing farmers with the best deals on superior products.\r\nCongratulations to Dave and Kathy Organ and all of the employees at R & H Machine, Inc. for being selected as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for December 2019,said Risch.You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.\r\nBackground:Each month, Senator Risch selects an Idaho small business that exemplifies the Idaho values of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and exceptional commitment to community.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398809", "Bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act Passes House Judiciary Committee", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill spearheaded by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Mike Simpson (R-ID-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25) passed the House Judiciary Committee with a 18-12 vote, and is ripe for consideration by the full House. \r\nThe bipartisan effort was negotiated over eight months with input from agricultural stakeholders and labor organizations and was introduced with the support of 26 Democrats and 23 Republicans.\r\nThe men and women who work America's farms feed the nation. But, farmworkers across the country are living and working with uncertainty and fear, contributing to the destabilization of farms across the nation, said Rep. Lofgren. Our bill offers stability for American farms by providing a path to legal status for farmworkers. In addition, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act addresses the nation's future labor needs by modernizing an outdated system for temporary workers, while ensuring fair wages and workplace conditions. This momentous vote today in the Judiciary Committee moves our proposal forward so all Members can soon vote on the first-of-its-kind bipartisan immigration compromise in decades that improves America's agricultural labor programs and laws.\r\nThis is an excellent step forward for a bipartisan bill that will be a building block to improve and modernize America's agriculture industry, said Rep. Newhouse. As the Farm Workforce Modernization Act continues to move through the legislative process, I am grateful for my colleagues, the farmers and farmworkers, and the organizations and stakeholders who worked to make this legislation a reality. I am hopeful the legislation will now move quickly to the House floor, and I look forward to the continued opportunity to perfect the bill in the Senate. Click here for a one-pager, click here for bill text and click here to read a letter of support from more than 300 agricultural groups.\r\nI am thrilled to see the Farm Workforce Modernization Act pass the House Judiciary Committee and thank Chairwoman Lofgren for her leadership advancing the legislation, said Rep. Simpson. Farmers in Idaho need a stable and legal workforce and moving this bill farther along in the process is a positive step towards a solution. The forward momentum today helps move this bill one step closer to the House floor and creates another opportunity for more bipartisan input and support.\r\nThe Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a critical, bipartisan step forward for both our farmers and farmworkers that will help ensure the continued success or our agriculture and America, Rep. Panetta said. I am proud to have worked on this bill with Chairwoman Lofgren and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I urge House leadership to protect our existing farmworkers and promote an enduring workforce for agriculture by scheduling our bipartisan bill for a floor vote. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a great example of members of Congress from both parties coming together to produce a piece of legislation that is greatly needed. It will provide some long-overdue stability for our agriculture industry in a manner that is fair to farmers and will provide for fully documented farmworkers that are willing to follow our laws in order to work in this country. Farmers have been calling for a legally documented workforce for years. The bill protects the workers with legal status and facilitates humane travel across our borders. I'm very pleased to see this important legislation move through committee today, and I look forward to voting for it on the House floor soon, said Rep. LaMalfa.\r\nWe are one step closer to finally solving the labor crisis facing our nation's agriculture, said Rep. Diaz-Balart. This bill has not only received bipartisan support, but over 300 agriculture organizations have advocated for the passing of this legislation, which adheres to the rule of law, modernizes our antiquated H2A visa system, and bolsters the economy. I encourage the Speaker to bring this important legislation to the floor for a vote so that we can achieve a good-faith, bipartisan solution for our nation's farmers.\r\nBackground: \r\nFarmers and ranchers across the United States are in desperate need of a high-quality, reliable workforce, and the current H-2A guestworker program is in need of meaningful, bipartisan reform. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act creates a workforce solution for America's agriculture industry by providing stability, predictability, and fairness to one of the most critical sectors of our nation's economy.\r\nThe bill will:\r\n \r\n    Establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy. \r\n    Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. The bill focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs. \r\n    Establish mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers who are incorrectly rejected by the system. \r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/energy-committee-holds-hearing-on-crapo-wyden-risch-secure-rural-schools-legislation", "Energy Committee Holds Hearing on Crapo, Wyden, Risch Secure Rural Schools Legislation", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 21, 2019\n\t\t\t Energy Committee Holds Hearing on Crapo, Wyden, Risch Secure Rural Schools Legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Crapo submits statement for the record in support financial support for rural counties \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing today to examine federal payments to local governments provided through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs. The Committee considered several pieces of legislation related to rural county payments, including U.S. Senator Mike Crapo's (R-Idaho) legislation, S. 430. The Committee also considered U.S. Senator Ron Wyden's (D-Oregon) legislation, S. 1643, of which Crapo has been a longtime supporter and co-sponsor. Senator Crapo provided written testimony in support of both pieces of legislation and commended the Committee for advancing consideration of these measures.\r\nS. 430, introduced on February 11, 2019, would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, which expired September 30, 2018. The Forest Management for Rural Stability Act (S. 1643), introduced by Senators Wyden, Crapo, Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) in May 2019, would establish a growing endowment to provide funding needed for schools, road maintenance, law enforcement and other essential services. It would end the need for short-term or retroactive reauthorizations of the SRS program.\r\nFull text of Senator Crapo's written testimony is below:\r\nChairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Manchin, thank you for holding today's hearing. The legislation you are considering is critical for the promotion of financial certainty for rural counties throughout Idaho.\r\nEarlier this year, I was joined by many of our colleagues representing western and other states home to federal lands, including the leadership of this Committee, in introducing S. 430, which would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) program. SRS expired on September 30, 2018. Congress has routinely failed to reauthorize the SRS program before its expiration, leaving Idaho counties in limbo and unable to plan for the future. Without reauthorizing the SRS program, forested counties in Idaho are subject to payments based on an obsolete receipt formula that falls short of today's needs. Because Idaho's land is approximately 63 percent federally managed, SRS resources are a lifeline for Idaho's rural counties. I have been a vocal and outspoken supporter of SRS programs in order to deliver critical services such as schools, roads, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations. Given Idaho's expansive federal estate, SRS makes it possible to maintain these services in lieu of the ability to economically develop and tax federal land. Enactment of S. 430 would help provide local communities with some fiscal stability while a long-term bipartisan solution for SRS funding can be developed.\r\nI am also a strong supporter and advocate of S. 1643, the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act, which would establish an endowment fund to provide funding needed for schools, road maintenance, law enforcement and other essential services. Senator Wyden and I introduced this legislation in order to finally establish a permanent, long lasting and predictable source of funding for rural communities and school districts encompassed by federal land. I commend the Committee's willingness to consider this legislation today and will continue to work to advance S. 1643 in order to provide proper resources to our rural constituents.\r\nI am honored to be joined by a diverse bipartisan group of senators working to promote the SRS program, and I look forward to working with you and every member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to help our local rural communities.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/risch-congress-must-reauthorize-srs-and-pilt", "Risch: Congress Must Reauthorize SRS and PILT", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, advocated for Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), two programs that are of great importance to Idaho's rural communities. In recent years, SRS and PILT funding has become unreliable, creating severe financial uncertainty for affected counties.\nThe committee held a hearing to examine three bills, including theS. 1643, the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act, led by U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) andS. 430, a bill to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, led by Crapo and cosponsored by Risch.\nThis is a real problem for communities in Idaho. Counties can't plan for the future or feel secure that they'll have enough funds in the short-term to support critical services like emergency services and education,said Risch.The federal government has an obligation to these communities. We owe it to them to find a lasting solution and reauthorize SRS and PILT.\r\n\n\r\n\r\nBackground:The SRS and PILT programs provide long-term financial security for rural counties that are unable to collect taxes on federal land within their county boundaries. More than 60 percent of Idaho's land is federally managed, which poses significant financial hardship for rural counties and communities.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/energy-committee-to-consider-crapo-wyden-risch-secure-rural-schools-legislation", "Energy Committee to Consider Crapo, Wyden, Risch Secure Rural Schools Legislation", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 20, 2019\n\t\t\t Energy Committee to Consider Crapo, Wyden, Risch Secure Rural Schools Legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Crapo supports renewed, ongoing payments for rural counties containing federally-managed lands \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing Thursday, November 21, 2019, to discuss legislation that provides federal payments to local governments through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs. The Committee will consider several pieces of legislation related to rural county payments, including U.S. Senator Mike Crapo's (R-Idaho) legislation, S. 430, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden's (D-Oregon) legislation, S. 1643, of which Crapo has been a longtime supporter and co-sponsor. Crapo will provide written testimony in support of both pieces of legislation at Thursday's hearing.\r\nS. 430, introduced on February 11, 2019, would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, which expired September 30, 2018. The Forest Management for Rural Stability Act (S. 1643), introduced by Senators Wyden, Crapo, Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) in May 2019, would establish a growing endowment to provide funding needed for schools, road maintenance, law enforcement and other essential services. It would end the need for short-term or retroactive reauthorizations of the SRS program.\r\nIdaho has a high percentage of federally-managed lands, which amounts to 63 percent, Crapo noted. These lands provide no property taxes. Counties face the prospect of underfunded schools, roads going into disrepair and the loss of a large portion of their annual budgets if nothing happens. We need certainty. We need to renew these programs and consider a long-term endowment to provide security for Idahoans and rural America. With strong bipartisan support already for these bills, I hope the Committee will offer its approval.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/bipartisan-crapo-duckworth-bill-to-help-national-labs-find-qualified-employees-passes-senate-committee", "Bipartisan Crapo, Duckworth Bill to Help National Labs Find Qualified Employees Passes Senate Committee", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Bipartisan Crapo, Duckworth Bill to Help National Labs Find Qualified Employees Passes Senate Committee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Legislation would address looming workforce shortages by improving workforce training \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee unanimously today and will now be considered by the full Senate. With many employees of our National Laboratories and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) retiring age, the DOE National Labs Jobs ACCESS Act (Apprenticeships for Complete and Committed Employment for Specialized Skills) would establish apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs between the national laboratories and NNSA and universities, community colleges, local high schools and intermediaries. Representative Ben Ray Lujan (D-New Mexico) sponsors companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\nThe need for a qualified, educated workforce of skilled technicians in the field of nuclear energy continues to climb,said Senator Crapo.The passage of the DOE National Labs Jobs ACCESS Act out of Committee is a positive step toward helping fill these high-demand positions at the Idaho National Laboratory and other national labs. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Duckworth to get this legislation across the finish line.\r\n\r\nThe skilled technicians working at our National Laboratories provide immense value and help make all of the Laboratories' groundbreaking scientific discoveries possible,saidSenator Duckworth. I commend the committee for passing our bipartisan legislation and look forward to working with Senator Crapo to achieve Senate passage of our bill that would prepare the next generation of students to work at our National Laboratories and help ensure America remains at the forefront of technological innovation for generations to come.\r\n\r\nAround 40-50 percent of the nuclear workforce is eligible to retire in next the five years in both the private and public sector, creating increased demand for skilled workers both with advanced degrees and with technical training. S. 1739 would establish a 5-year grant program run by the DOE, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to facilitate the creation of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs to help fill critical nuclear energy jobs. Grantee organizations would be required to cover at least 25 percent of the cost of the programs, and each grant would not exceed $500,000. Programs that serve veterans, young people and individuals with barriers to employment would receive priority consideration in grant awarding.\r\nSenator Crapo has long supportedeffortsandpoliciesat the federal level to ensure the research conducted at the Idaho National Lab continues to contribute to a diverse domestic energy portfolio and keeps the U.S. at the forefront of nuclear innovation. Empowering a long-term, qualified workforce at INL remains critical to its ongoing success.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-urge-successful-reauthorization-of-the-higher-education-act", "Crapo, Risch Urge Successful Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 19, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Urge Successful Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) sent a letter to Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee) and Patty Murray (D-Washington), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, to urge the committee to include workforce development programs in any reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA).\r\nEach week, we hear from Idaho's employers about their need for more qualified, skilled workers to meet the demands of our state's growing economy, the senators wrote. Any reauthorization of the HEA must include provisions that expand access to career and technical education and make federal higher education programs more flexible for the next generation of students; therefore, we support efforts to expand Pell eligibility to students in short-term programs.\r\nBackground: The Higher Education Act is the federal law that governs the administration of federal higher education programs. Since its enactment in 1965, the law has failed to keep up with the evolving needs of students. There is broad, bipartisan support in Congress for a reauthorization of the HEA that supports student access and completion and strengthens workforce development.\r\nTo read the letter, click here.\r\n# # #\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/risch-and-crapo-urge-successful-reauthorization-of-the-higher-education-act", "Risch and Crapo Urge Successful Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) sent aletterto Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, to urge the committee to include workforce development programs in any reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA).\r\nEach week, we hear from Idaho's employers about their need for more qualified, skilled workers to meet the demands of our state's growing economy,the senators wrote. Any reauthorization of the HEA must include provisions that expand access to career and technical education and make federal higher education programs more flexible for the next generation of students; therefore, we support efforts to expand Pell eligibility to students in short-term programs.\r\nBackground:The Higher Education Act is the federal law that governs the administration of federal higher education programs. Since its enactment in 1965, the law has failed to keep up with the evolving needs of students. There is broad, bipartisan support in Congress for a reauthorization of the HEA that supports student access and completion and strengthens workforce development.\r\nTo read the letter,click here.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/risch-energy-bills-advance-to-the-full-senate", "Risch Energy Bills Advance to the Full Senate", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a business meeting during which two priority bills for U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) were advanced out of committee. The bills, S. 2702, the Integrated Energy Systems Act, and S. 2556, the PROTECT Act, will next be considered by the full Senate.\r\nStrengthening our cybersecurity technologies and nuclear energy hybrid systems are important components to ensuring U.S. energy leadership at home and abroad,said Senator Risch.I thank Chairman Murkowski for bringing these important bills before the committee and I look forward to seeing them advance to the full Senate for a vote.\r\nRisch introduced the Integrated Energy Systems Act with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and is a leading cosponsor of the PROTECT Act with Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Manchin. Additionally, provisions of Risch's bicameralgeothermal legislationwere included in a larger bill that also advanced out of committee.\r\nMore about the bills:\r\nS. 2702, the Integrated Energy Systems Act: Would establish an integrated energy systems program at DOE to accelerate the research and development of nuclear hybrid energy systems to produce hydrogen and for other purposes.\r\nS. 2556, the PROTECT Act: Would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to incentivize investments in advanced cybersecurity technologies by electric utilities.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398808", "Over 300 Agriculture Groups Send Letter of Support for Farm Workforce Modernization Act", "2019-11-18", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Over 300 Agriculture Groups Send Letter of Support for Farm Workforce Modernization Act\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, over 300 agriculture groups sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in support of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill spearheaded by Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Mike Simpson (R-ID-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25). The bipartisan effort was negotiated over several months with input from agricultural stakeholders and labor organizations and was introduced with the support of 26 Democrats and 23 Republicans.\r\nClick here to read the letter.\r\nAs foreign producers take advantage of our labor shortage and gain market share, America will export not only our food production but also thousands of these farm-dependent jobs. Securing a reliable and skilled workforce is essential, not only for the agriculture industry but for the U.S. economy as a whole, reads the letter.\r\nThe letter continues, The House must pass legislation that preserves agriculture's experienced workforce by allowing current farm workers to earn legal status. For future needs, legislation must include an agricultural worker visa program that provides access to a legal and reliable workforce moving forward.\r\nThe Farm Workforce Modernization Act is scheduled to be marked up by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, November 20, at 10:00 AM EST. \r\nClick here for a one-pager & click here for bill text. \r\nThe Farm Workforce Modernization Act was negotiated over eight months by a bipartisan group of Members with stakeholders on all sides of the issue, including farming associations and the United Farm Workers union, said Rep. Lofgren. We're in the process of providing stability for the people who get food to our table because of the agricultural employers, associations and the UFW who came to the table ready to compromise. As the Judiciary Committee gets ready to consider our bipartisan bill, this letter showcases how essential it is for Congress to work together to address our nation's future farm labor needs. \r\nThe support and guidance of agricultural stakeholders and industry groups was absolutely vital as we negotiated and introduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, said Rep. Newhouse. Now, as the bill continues to move through Congress, I am grateful these groups are stepping up to let House leadership know how important this bipartisan effort is for farmers across the United States who are facing a critical labor shortage. \r\nThe agriculture community is the backbone of Idaho's economy, said Rep. Simpson. Having their input throughout this process has been key to ensuring this legislation meets their needs for a legal workforce. I am pleased that hundreds of groups across the country are lending their voices to pass this critical bill and I look forward to continuing to work with them through the legislative process to provide our farmers and ranchers with a solution to their workforce needs.\r\nAgriculture stakeholders' support and guidance was crucial for us to craft and introduce the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. I look forward to their continued advocacy as we work to get this over the finish line. This bipartisan bill will offer much-needed stability and fairness for farms and farmworkers across America, said Rep. Panetta.\r\nThe bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act would not be possible without the backing of our agriculture industry. I'm happy that we've crafted a piece of legislation that is overwhelmingly supported by hundreds of industry groups and stakeholders from around the country, including California. Additionally, this bill will benefit the farmers and farm workers themselves by ensuring all workers have documentation. Our Ag sector needs a stable and reliable workforce in order to continue feeding and clothing the nation, and with this legislation, we hope to finally provide that, said Rep. LaMalfa. \r\nFor far too long, our nation's farmers have suffered from a broken H-2A visa system that has made it difficult to hire the necessary personnel to provide to the American people, said Rep. Diaz-Balart. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is the only viable, bipartisan solution that can move in the House and address this issue, which is not only of economic importance, but of national security importance as well. I encourage my colleagues to pass this important legislation  let's strengthen our economy and national security by continuing to grow and produce our own food, while legally providing permanence to our agricultural workers. \r\nBackground: \r\nFarmers and ranchers across the United States are in desperate need of a high-quality, reliable workforce, and the current H-2A guestworker program is in need of meaningful, bipartisan reform. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act creates a workforce solution for America's agriculture industry by providing stability, predictability, and fairness to one of the most critical sectors of our nation's economy.\r\nThe bill will:\r\n \r\n    Establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy. \r\n    Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. The bill focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs. \r\n    Establish mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers who are incorrectly rejected by the system. \r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/risch-announces-senior-outreach-schedule-in-treasure-valley", "Risch Announces Senior Outreach Schedule in Treasure Valley", "2019-11-18", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BOISE, Idaho  Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch announced that representatives from his Boise regional office will hold outreach hours at senior centers throughout the Treasure Valley in November and December to answer questions and provide resources. Representatives from the other Idaho congressional offices, the Idaho Commission on Aging, and local Area Agencies on Aging have also been invited to attend.\r\nWednesday, November 20th at 11:45am  Star  Star Senior Center  102 S Main Street  Star, ID 83669\r\nThursday, November 21st at 11:30am  Caldwell  Caldwell Senior Center  1009 Everett Street  Caldwell, ID 83605\r\nMonday, December 9th at 11:30am  Eagle  Eagle Senior Center  312 E State Street  Eagle, ID 83616\r\nWednesday, December 11th at 11:00am  Kuna  Kuna Senior Center  299 Avenue B  Kuna, ID 83634\r\nThursday, December 12th at 11:30am  Homedale  Homedale Senior Center  224 W Idaho Avenue  Homedale, ID 83628\r\nMonday, December 16th at 11:15am  Nampa  Nampa Senior Center  207 Constitution Way  Nampa, ID 83686\r\nTuesday, December 17th at 11:30am  Boise  Dick Eardley Boise Senior Center  690 Robbins Road  Boise, ID 83702", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/icymi-crapo-launches-militarymonday", "ICYMI: Crapo Launches #MilitaryMonday", "2019-11-14", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 14, 2019\n\t\t\t ICYMI: Crapo Launches #MilitaryMonday \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Highlights Idaho servicemember's or veteran's service to our country \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  Idaho is home to many veterans and currently-serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have demonstrated exemplary military service during their careers. On Veterans Day 2019, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) launched a new monthly social media feature to highlight an Idaho servicemember's or veteran's service to our country. The new feature, #MilitaryMonday, will take place on the second Monday of each month.\r\nIdaho's servicemembers and veterans have made a lasting impact through their service to America, said Crapo. These men and women help make our nation strong and safe, and recognizing and honoring them is one small way to express to them how much they are valued. I am honored to share more of the stories of the heroes among us in Idaho.\r\nNovember 2019's #MilitaryMonday feature honored Lloyd Gneiting, a World War II veteran, from eastern Idaho. Gneiting, now 100-years-old, served as a member of the 133rd Engineer Combat Battalion, led by General George S. Patton, which cleared mines from the roads to make room for tanks and to build bridges. Mr. Gneiting wears five Bronze Stars on his veterans hat every day. He has been married to his wife, Ellen, for 72 years.\r\nTo be recognized, the individual must be a living veteran, active duty or guardsman; must be in active good standing with or departed on good terms from the U.S. military; and must be from Idaho. Individuals honored by Senator Crapo have provided permission for their photos to be shared by Senator Crapo and his office. The next #MilitaryMonday recognition will take place on Monday, December 9, 2019. Check Senator Crapo's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the next recipient.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLloyd Gneiting is the first honoree of Senator Crapo's #MilitaryMonday recognition.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/icymi-honoring-idaho-s-veterans", "ICYMI: Honoring Idaho's Veterans", "2019-11-13", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Nov. 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation a year after World War I to commemorate the end of fighting and formally recognize Armistice Day. Upon signing the proclamation, President Wilson said, The reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory \r\nIt's been 100 years since the Armistice Day proclamation. In the decades since, the world has changed dramatically. We have seen countless conflicts play out in every corner of the world, some of them coming right to our doorstep. Through it all, millions of Americans have answered the call of duty and made a solemn oath to protect our nation. Many made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives to defend our freedoms far away from home. Theirs is a debt we can never repay. This Veterans Day, we remember the sacrifices our servicemen and women have made to keep America safe.\r\nAs Idaho's senator, it is my privilege to advocate on behalf of veterans in the Gem State and ensure that we honor our commitments to them and their families. I have been proud to promote and protect programs and resources designed to help service members transition back to civilian life once their tour of service has ended. I have also fought to ensure surviving spouses and families of deceased veterans have access to the full benefits promised by the federal government. Recently, I partnered with my Senate colleagues to guarantee benefits to Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expand American Legion membership to veterans who served in active duty for non-declared wars since World War II.\r\nLast Congress, President Trump signed into law the Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018, a new law that overhauled the antiquated veterans health care system. The new law provides veterans with better access to health care, expands benefits for caregivers, and improves quality of service at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. As the law is implemented, Congress must provide strong oversight to ensure all veterans receive high-quality care when they are sick, especially if their illness is a result of their time serving our country.\r\nWords cannot capture the incredible courage and selflessness of our men and women in uniform. We owe them a deep debt of gratitude. Sometimes it may seem that Washington is more divided than united, but this Veterans Day, I urge Republicans and Democrats to come together to honor the generations of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coast guardsmen who answered the call to serve and protect our nation.\r\nOn this centennial Veterans Day, I am once again filled with solemn pride in the heroism of our veterans. It is an honor to work for Idaho's more than 120,000 veterans, and I will continue to advocate on their behalf in Washington, D.C. To Idaho's veterans, may God bless you and your families, and thank you for your service.\r\nTo read on the Coeur d'Alene Press website,click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-simpson-announce-late-november-early-december-senior-outreach-schedule-in-the-magic-valley", "Crapo, Risch, Simpson Announce Late November, Early December Senior Outreach Schedule in the Magic Valley", "2019-11-12", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 12, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch, Simpson Announce Late November, Early December Senior Outreach Schedule in the Magic Valley \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tTWIN FALLS, ID  Today, U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Rep. Mike Simpson announced that representatives from their Twin Falls regional offices will be holding outreach hours at senior centers throughout the Magic Valley in late November and early December.\r\nStaff members will be available from 11:00am  1:30pm at each visit to discuss federal issues and concerns. Representatives from the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) and CSI Office on Aging will also be available to provide resources and answer questions.\r\nLate November and Early December Senior Center Outreach Schedule:\r\nFriday, November 15, 2019  Kimberly    Ageless Senior Citizens, Inc.\r\n310 Main St. North\r\nKimberly, ID 83341\r\nMonday, November 18, 2019  Gooding\r\nGooding Senior Center\r\n308 Senior Avenue\r\nGooding, ID 83330\r\nTuesday, November 19, 2019  Fairfield\r\nCamas County Senior Center\r\n129 West Willow Avenue\r\nFairfield, ID 83327\r\nWednesday, November 20, 2019  Albion\r\nLorna Reeder Senior Center\r\n400 West Market Street\r\nAlbion, ID 83311\r\nMonday, November 25, 2019  Wendell\r\nWendell Senior Center\r\n380 1st Avenue East\r\nWendell, ID 83355\r\nTuesday, November 26, 2019  Shoshone\r\nGolden Years Senior Center\r\n218 North Rail West\r\nShoshone, ID 83352\r\nTuesday, December 3, 2019  Hailey\r\nThe Connection\r\n721 Third Avenue South\r\nHailey, ID 83333\r\nThursday, December 5, 2019  Filer\r\nFiler Senior Haven\r\n222 Main Street\r\nFiler, ID 83328\r\nFriday, December 6, 2019  Hagerman\r\nHagerman Valley Senior Center\r\n140 E Lake Street\r\nHagerman, ID 83332\r\nThursday, December 12, 2019  Buhl\r\nWest End Senior Citizens Center\r\n1010 Main Street\r\nBuhl, ID 83316\r\n# # #\r\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/risch-crapo-simpson-announce-late-november-early-december-senior-outreach-schedule-in-the-magic-valley", "Risch, Crapo, Simpson Announce Late November, Early December Senior Outreach Schedule in the Magic Valley", "2019-11-12", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Staff members will be available from11:00am  1:30pmat each visit to discuss federal issues and concerns. Representatives from the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) and CSI Office on Aging will also be available to provide resources and answer questions. Friday, November 15, 2019  Kimberly  Ageless Senior Citizens, Inc.  310 Main St. North  Kimberly, ID 83341\r\nMonday, November 18, 2019  Gooding\r\nGooding Senior Center\r\n308 Senior Avenue\r\nGooding, ID 83330\r\n\r\nTuesday, November 19, 2019  Fairfield\r\nCamas County Senior Center\r\n129 West Willow Avenue\r\nFairfield, ID 83327\r\n\r\nWednesday, November 20, 2019  Albion\r\nLorna Reeder Senior Center\r\n400 West Market Street\r\nAlbion, ID 83311\r\n\r\nMonday, November 25, 2019  Wendell\r\nWendell Senior Center\r\n380 1st Avenue East\r\nWendell, ID 83355\r\n\r\nTuesday, November 26, 2019  Shoshone\r\nGolden Years Senior Center\r\n218 North Rail West\r\nShoshone, ID 83352\r\n\r\nTuesday, December 3, 2019  Hailey\r\nThe Connection\r\n721 Third Avenue South\r\nHailey, ID 83333\r\n\r\nThursday, December 5, 2019  Filer\r\nFiler Senior Haven\r\n222 Main Street\r\nFiler, ID 83328\r\n\r\nFriday, December 6, 2019  Hagerman\r\nHagerman Valley Senior Center\r\n140 E Lake Street\r\nHagerman, ID 83332\r\n\r\nThursday, December 12, 2019  Buhl\r\nWest End Senior Citizens Center\r\n1010 Main Street\r\nBuhl, ID 83316\r\n***For additional information, please contact Senator Risch's Twin Falls regional office at 208-734-6780.***", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398798", "Why Idaho Farmers Need Immigration Reform", "2019-11-08", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  My childhood was spent working on the farms and ranches of Southeastern Idaho. When a challenge arose, we fixed it. Hay needed hauled, pipe needed moved, heifers needed calved, and potatoes needed picked. Many years have passed, and while my days of hauling hay are long behind me, I still believe when you see a problem you must try and solve it. Those who feed this world need our help.\r\nToday, farmers struggle to find the workforce they need to survive. When I meet with dairymen and potato farmers, maintaining a legal workforce is always their number one issue. The H-2A program, which allows temporary foreign workers, has doubled since 2012. Ask a farmer and they will tell you this program is flawed, cumbersome, and bureaucratic. But, for Idaho's family farmers, it is their only option. Even worse for dairy farmers, there is currently no option because there is not a year-round program available.\r\nThe lack of a stable workforce to meet the growing demand for Idaho's products, and a flawed process to grow our workforce, has created a labor crisis for Idaho's agriculture community. Thatis why I recently joined a Congressional bipartisan coalition to assist Idaho's agriculture community  a community that accounts for 20 percent of our state's economy. For months I have been meeting with farmers and farmworkers in Idaho and across the country. Finding a solution has not been an easy process in the Democrat controlled House, but the American people are sick of seeing inaction from D.C. on this issue. If we want to fix this problem, it must be bipartisan to have a lasting impact. Fortunately for our farmers, and their families, Idaho had a seat at the table to help create this solution. \r\nPresident Trump called for merit-based immigration reform while avoiding amnesty. This bill accomplishes both. For guest workers to obtain permanent legal status, and the ability to work, they must pay a thousand-dollar penalty and commit to future work in agriculture labor. And there is no special treatment or pathway. \r\nThe Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) accomplishes this by using pieces of President Trump's rule on modernizing H-2A, implements strong conservative measures such as e-verify, while allowing for a process to ensure farmers have the workforce they need to keep putting food on the table. Fundamentally, FWMA incorporates Idaho solutions to solve a national problem. \r\nThere are aspects of this bill that I would have avoided had the House Majority been in different hands. However, this bill goes a long way to solve the problem. In short, this bill stabilizes the current workforce, provides for future labor needs, and addresses both rising labor costs and a year-round worker program that our dairymen desperately need.\r\nIf we want to fix our broken immigration system and get rid of bad actors in this country, we need sound policies in place for the majority of immigrants who respect the system, want to work legally and see Idaho as their home. Absent that, we will continue to operate under a patchwork of laws that spread thin our valuable law enforcementresources, and away from the real issues that threaten our public safety. To put it another way, I want our patriotic police officers and sheriff deputies to keep us safe from threats to our physical safety. Not spending their time dealing with issues created by our nation's broken immigration system. \r\nCompromise is hard. So is farm labor. But hard work and compromise are exactly what we need to solve this problem and support our agriculture industry so Idaho farmers and families can continue to feed the world. I'm pleased that over 40 agriculture and business groups in Idaho support the bill. \r\nTo learn more about Congressman Simpson's bill, please visit his website. \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/icymi-risch-hosts-tele-town-hall-takes-caller-s-question-to-the-white-house", "ICYMI: Risch Hosts Tele-Town Hall, Takes Callers Question to the White House", "2019-11-08", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BOISE, Idaho - On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) hosted a live telephone-town hall to hear from Idahoans about the issues that are most important to them.\r\nOver the course of the call, Senator Risch answered questions about the national debt, immigration, the Columbia River Treaty, and much more while more than 6,000 Idahoans participated statewide. One question came from Tracy Walton of Emmett who expressed his concerns about farmers and trade's impact on the agriculture industry. Following the tele-town hall, Senator Risch spoke directly with President Trump about how U.S. trade policy impacts farmers like Mr. Walton.\r\n\"During the call, Tracy made a great point about the effects of trade on the agricultural industry. I promised I would carry his message to the president,\"said Risch.\"Yesterday, I did just that during a lunch with the president at the White House. That prompted a lengthy and productive discussion about how we can help the ag industry. The president is fully engaged on the issue and he is on our side. My number one priority is representing Idahoans in D.C., and this is a great example of how your input can make a difference.\"\r\nAny constituent can join a future telephone town hall and have the opportunity to speak with the senator one-on-one and ask him questions about his policy positions and current events in Washington, D.C.If you would like to add your contact information to the list,click here.\r\nTo listen to a full recording of Wednesday's tele-town hall event,click here.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398797", "Cong. Simpson Praises Gov. Little, AG Wasden and US DOEs Resolution that Complies with Settlement Agreement and Allows Spent Fuel Research", "2019-11-07", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson congratulates Governor Brad Little and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden for reaching an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy that allows research quantities of commercial spent nuclear fuel to be brought to the Idaho National Laboratory. \r\nI'm thrilled by today's news and want to congratulate Governor Little, Attorney General Wasden, and the Department of Energy for successfully negotiating an update to the 1995 Idaho Settlement Agreement, said Congressman Simpson.This is a modernized agreement that reflects the successes of the cleanup mission and the growing and thriving work at the Idaho National Laboratory. \r\nI also want to congratulate the world class employees of both the Idaho Cleanup Project and the Idaho National Lab, said Simpson.This agreement is only possible because of the hard work, dedication, and many milestones that have already been achieved in cleaning up the legacy of the past. We all know more work needs to be done, and I am grateful for the DOE's continued commitment to finishing that work once and for all. This agreement paves the way for many more years of successful collaboration between the State of Idaho and the Department of Energy promoting our national security and America's energy future.\r\n\r\nLink to 2019 Supplemental Agreement: https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/11/doe-inl-2019-supplemental-agreement-signed.pdf \r\nLink to 1995 Settlement Agreement: https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/11/doe-inl-1995-settlement-agreement.pdf \r\nLink to 2011 MOA: https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/11/doe-inl-2011-moa.pdf \r\nLink to relevant letters: https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/11/doe-inl-letters.pdf \r\n\r\nSimpson is former Chairman of U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water and is currently Ranking Member. This subcommittee oversees funding for the Department of Energy. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-praise-doe-idaho-spent-fuel-waste-cleanup-agreement", "Crapo, Risch Praise DOE-Idaho Spent Fuel, Waste Cleanup Agreement", "2019-11-07", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 07, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Praise DOE-Idaho Spent Fuel, Waste Cleanup Agreement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Supplemental Agreement addresses breach, path forward for nuclear waste cleanup and handling at Idaho National Lab \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- Idaho Governor Brad Little and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden today reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that will allow research quantities of commercial spent nuclear fuel to be brought to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). U.S. Senators for Idaho Mike Crapo and Jim Risch issued the following statements, praising the agreement.\r\nThis agreement is a good step forward for Idaho and the Department of Energy to ensure successful treatment and shipment of remaining nuclear waste out of Idaho, said Crapo. Governor Brad Little, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and Energy Secretary Rick Perry have worked diligently to come together to resolve previous uncertainties for the good of Idahoans and maintaining the lead Nuclear Lab status of the Idaho National Laboratory.\r\nToday's announcement from the Governor's office has been many years in the making, said Risch. Thanks to this historic agreement by Governor Little, AG Wasden, and the Department of Energy, the Idaho National Lab will be able to conduct continued nuclear research critical to their mission while strengthening its position as a world leader on nuclear energy. This framework will benefit Idaho, the INL, and the nation for years to come, and I offer my sincere congratulations to Governor Little, AG Wasden, and the Department of Energy for coming together to make this agreement possible.\r\nLink to 2019 Supplemental Agreement:\r\nhttps://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/11/doe-inl-2019-supplemental-agreement-signed.pdf\r\nLink to 1995 Settlement Agreement:\r\nhttps://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/11/doe-inl-1995-settlement-agreement.pdf\r\nLink to 2011 MOA:\r\nhttps://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/11/doe-inl-2011-moa.pdf\r\nLink to relevant letters:\r\nhttps://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/74/2019/11/doe-inl-letters.pdf\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/risch-crapo-praise-idaho-doe-spent-fuel-waste-cleanup-agreement", "Risch, Crapo Praise Idaho-DOE Spent Fuel, Waste Cleanup Agreement", "2019-11-07", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON -Today, Idaho Governor Brad Little and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to allow research quantities of commercial spent nuclear fuel to be brought to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statements praising the agreement:\r\nToday's announcement from the Governor's office has been many years in the making, said Risch. Thanks to this historic agreement by Governor Little, Attorney General Wasden, and the Department of Energy, the Idaho National Lab will be able to conduct continued nuclear research critical to their mission while strengthening its position as a world leader on nuclear energy. This framework will benefit Idaho, the INL, and the nation for years to come, and I offer my sincere congratulations to Governor Little, Attorney General Wasden, and the Department of Energy for coming together to make this agreement possible.\r\nThis agreement is a good step forward for Idaho and the Department of Energy to ensure successful treatment and shipment of remaining nuclear waste out of Idaho, said Crapo. Governor Brad Little, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and Energy Secretary Rick Perry have worked diligently to come together to resolve previous uncertainties for the good of Idahoans and maintaining the lead Nuclear Lab status of the Idaho National Laboratory.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-honors-28-idaho-veterans-and-volunteers-with-spirit-of-freedom-award", "Crapo Honors 28 Idaho Veterans & Volunteers With Spirit of Freedom Award", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 06, 2019\n\t\t\t CRAPO HONORS 28 IDAHO VETERANS & VOLUNTEERS WITH SPIRIT OF FREEDOM AWARD \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Nominated by veterans' organizations, award honors those who continue to serve Idaho's greater veterans community \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R- Idaho) today announced 28 Idahoans will be recognized with the2019 Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veterans Service Award. Individuals are nominated by veterans' organizations across Idaho for this annual award for serving our nation and veterans.\r\nThe award, established by Crapo in 2002, is a small way to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of Idaho's veterans and volunteers who support Idaho veterans. As of 2019, 313 Spirit of Freedom Awards will have been presented since the award's creation in 2002. Each Spirit of Freedom Award recipient will receive a certificate for their service as well as a United States flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol building. The nominations for the Spirit of Freedom Award are made by a number of veterans' organizations, including the American Legion; Disabled American Veterans; Idaho State Veterans Assistance League; Idaho State Veterans Cemetery; Idaho State Veterans Homes; Lewis Clark Valley Veterans Council; Military Order of the Purple Heart; Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida; Veteran Students Services, Idaho State University; Veterans of Foreign Wars posts; and Vietnam Veterans of America.\r\nThe Spirit of Freedom Awards recognize veterans and volunteers who set an example of leadership and service in our communities and across our state,said Crapo. Time and time again, I meet veterans who not only gave tremendously in service to our nation, but also continue to give their time, talents and treasure to supporting their fellow veterans and others. I welcome the opportunity to express gratitude for this exemplary service by honoring these patriots who have served and continue to serve our country, Idaho and their local communities.\r\nSubmissions for the 2020Spirit of Freedom Service Awardcan be made by contacting Courtney Lehosit in Crapo's Boise office.\r\nMembers of Senator Crapo's staff will present the Spirit of Freedom Awards during these events across Idaho.\r\nBoise area  10 SOF awardees will be honored at this location\r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nIdaho State Veterans Home\r\n320 Collins Road\r\n11:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nMeridian area  1 SOF awardee will be honored at this location\r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nJulius M. Kleiner Park\r\n1900 North Records Avenue\r\n11:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nBonners Ferry area  1 SOF awardee will be honored at this location\r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nVeterans Memorial Plaza\r\n6370 Kootenai Street\r\n11:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nFirth area - 1 SOF awardee will be honored at this location\r\nThursday, November 7, 2019\r\nFirth High School\r\n10:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nHayden area \r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nHayden City Hall\r\n8930 North Government Way\r\n11:00 AM Pacific Time\r\n\r\nLewiston area - 4 SOF awardees will be honored at this location\r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nIdaho State Veterans Home\r\n821 21st Avenue\r\n2:00 PM Pacific Time\r\n\r\nPocatello area  7 SOF awardees will be honored at this location\r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nIdaho State Veterans Home\r\n1957 Alvin Ricken Dr.\r\n2:30 PM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nPocatello area\r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nBannock County Veterans Memorial Building\r\n300 North Johnson\r\n10:30 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nRexburg area \r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nMadison High School\r\n2300 University Blvd\r\n10:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nTwin Falls area\r\nMonday, November 11, 2019\r\nTwin Falls City Park\r\n400 & 500 block of Shoshone Street East\r\n11:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nThe following biographies for each of the recipients highlight their significant contributions to our country and its veterans.\r\nVeterans:\r\n \r\nPhillip Catorena, Pocatello: The Idaho State Veterans HomePocatello nominated Phillip Catorena for his service to our nation. Phillip moved to Idaho as a young adult to live with his sister in Wilder. He joined the U.S. Army in 1962, and his service included serving in the Dominican Republic and Germany with the 82nd Airborne Division, and then as Airborne Infantry in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. Phillip received many honors for his service including Expert Rifle (M16), Marksman (M14, M1), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Dominical Republic) and more. Following his service, he returned to Aberdeen to be near family, including his Mother. Phillip enjoys spending time with his three sons, Michael, Patrick and Matthew. Carrie Leavitt, with the Idaho State Veterans HomePocatello, wrote, His determination and strong will to overcome stumbling blocks are inspiring. She shared that, he has a positive outlook on life, a great sense of humor, and a smile that is infectious.\r\n \r\n \r\nJohn R. Crotinger, Grangeville: The Crea-D'Haven Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3520 of Grangeville nominated John R. Crotinger. John received many honors for his service in the U.S. Army, which included serving in South Korea and Vietnam in the 1960s, and he continues to support his fellow veterans. John's civilian career included working in the engineering field, specializing in highway and road construction and private engineering. John serves extensively in the leadership of local veterans organizations. VFW Post 3520 Commander Clinton Miller commended John's selfless support of veterans and wrote, He is a cornerstone for successful operations at the local level having served as Post Commander in the past and managing all Post administration for the past 12 years as Post Quartermaster/Adjutant.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nGary Forsey, Sr., Lewiston: The Idaho State Veterans HomeLewiston nominated Gary Forsey, who served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army for a total of 21 years. Gary enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 19 and served nine years. Then, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army, and achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. While stationed in Germany, Gary met and married his wife, Marie, who also served in the Army. Gary earned two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and several other commendations for his honorable service. Gary's civilian career was in teaching, in Secondary and Adult Education, following his military retirement in 1974. Gary is the father of four sons: Gary, Jr.; Philip; Robert; and William, who passed in 2006.\r\n \r\n \r\nGerald Haines, Fruitland: The Veterans Advocates of Ore-Ida nominated veteran Gerald (Jerry) Haines, who serves on the board of directors and as chaplain for the organization. Jerry served nearly 25 years in the Army National Guard and retired as a Major. His civilian career included leadership in building a Christian School where he taught, and his 14 years of work for the U.S. Postal Service. He and his wife of 59 years, Trudy, have three children, 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Jerry has volunteered extensively with his church, local senior centers, the local community and veteran advocacy groups. Examples of his service include honoring fellow veterans at the Heart n Home Hospice, assisting blind and elderly individuals, and providing counseling and various assistance to prison inmates and their families.\r\n \r\n \r\nPhillip Hartman, Pocatello: The Veteran Student Services Center at Idaho State University nominated Phillip Hartman, who served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps during the 1980s and 1990s. Phillip was born in Sugar City, Idaho. He served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield, and he earned numerous recognitions for his honorable service. These include the National Defense Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation MedalSaudi Arabia. Phillip has been married to another 2019 Spirit of Freedom awardee, Melissa Hartman, for 20 years. Together, they have a blended family with seven grown children and seven grandchildren with the eighth to arrive in May. Phillip's civilian career has involved his work as a diesel mechanic. Phillip organizes the local Toys for Tots program and serves in the Marine Corps League. He also volunteers for Veterans Treatment Court and the Field of Heroes.\r\n \r\n \r\nDr. Grace C. Jacobson, Pocatello: The Disabled American Veterans Department of Idaho nominated Dr. Grace Jacobson, who joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps for the first time during college in the 1950s, and has contributed remarkably to the health care field and to serving fellow veterans. Dr. Jacobson's 16 years in military service includes serving in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Her husband, Jon Jacobson, served in the U.S. Army for 29 years, including three tours in Vietnam. Grace and Jon, who passed away in 2008, have two sons, Erik and Karl, and one daughter, Jona. Dr. Jacobson has earned numerous military and civilian honors for her service to our nation and her contributions to nursing. These include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Awards, and the Idaho Nurses Association awarded her for 58 years of dedication to nursing. Grace works with several veterans groups, including her service as Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter #3.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nRalph G. Kramer, Boise: The Idaho State Veterans HomeBoise nominated Ralph G. Kramer, who served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 20 years. His military and later civilian careers were in communications. Ralph's active duty took him from Turkey to Iceland, and from Iowa to Idaho. Following his military retirement, he thankfully made Idaho home. He has raised 10 children and has 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. When making the nomination, JoAnn Daron wrote, Ralph's time, dedication, and commitment to the families and the fallen is unparalleled, and his heart never strays from the mission at hand. Ralph's active role serving fellow veterans includes his more than six years of service as Boise Valley POW*MIA Executive Director.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nHarvey Cordell McCoy, Buhl: The 2019 Spirit of Freedom Award was bestowed posthumously to Harvey Cordell McCoy, a Vietnam Veteran from Buhl. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3604 nominated Harvey, whose obituary reads, Harvey touched many people's hearts. He was a great friend, and a proud Veteran, always lending his support and assistance to his fellow Veterans. My staff and I saw Harvey's commitment to the veteran community firsthand particularly with those struggling with the claims process through the VA, his exhaustive efforts in support of his comrades who had fallen ill and his work to ensure veterans were properly honored for their service. Harvey served in the U.S. Army in the military police in Vietnam. He then went on to study hotel management and gaming and worked in many hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, eventually employed as shift boss. After more than 30 years in the gaming industry, Harvey's appreciation for small town life and a passion for the outdoors brought him to Buhl. Harvey had two daughters, Claudette and Angelina, and two granddaughters, Jinese and Alexandria.\r\n \r\n \r\nRonald McIlnay, Bonners Ferry: The Vietnam Veterans of America, Idaho State Council nominated Ron McIlnay noting his years of helping his fellow veterans. Ron, who served in the U.S. Air Force and Reserves during the Vietnam War, is considered a go to person for assisting veterans and veterans' families in his area. The Council cited many examples of Ron providing assistance, sometimes at his own expense and sometimes in coordination with veterans' organizations and businesses. Ron also serves in leadership and other roles in area veterans' organizations. Ron's post-military career included work as an engineer in the aircraft industry, in the medical device industry and as an independent electronics/manufacturing consultant. Robert C. Seal, of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Idaho State Council, wrote, Idaho is a better place because of Ron's service to his community and to those in need.\r\n \r\n \r\nDaniel Muguira, Meridian: The Department of Idaho Military Order of the Purple Heart and Chief Joseph Chapter 509 nominated Daniel Muguira, a Boise native who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years and continues to serve his fellow veterans and their families. For example, Daniel partnered with another awardee, Daniel Nelson, to host events, including the inaugural Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run, to benefit the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. After graduating from Centennial High School in 2001, Daniel Muguira enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was trained in diesel mechanics, and later became a machine gunner and served a deployment in Iraq. Daniel is also the receipent of a Purple Heart. Following his military service, Dan earned a degree in General Business Management at Boise State University and currently works for the Boise Police Department.\r\n \r\n \r\nDan Oliver Nelson and Kacey Nelson, Eagle: The Department of Idaho Military Order of the Purple Heart and Chief Joseph Chapter 509 nominated the extraordinary husband-wife team of U.S. Army Major medically retired, Dan Oliver Nelson and his wife, Kacey Nelson. Dan Nelson is a former U.S. Army Special Forces Officer (Green Beret) who deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, Southeast Asia, The Levant and North Africa. He received a Purple Heart for injuries received in Afghanistan. Dan is the recipient of multiple recognitions for his exceptional service that include the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. The narrative that accompanied Dan's Silver Star Award is a moving account of Dan's sacrifice of his personal safety and well-being for his American teammates and partner forces. Dan and Kacey have two sons.\r\n \r\n\r\nIn addition to being a mother and wife, Kacey is a mechanical engineer for HP Inc. Kacey has been recognized for her exceptional care of Dan and his team members when they were wounded in action, and for her advocacy for those wounded or killed in combat and their families. Ned Barker, Commander of the State of Idaho Department for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, wrote, Kacey Nelson is the embodiment of quiet and meaningful patriotism and social action. Dan and Kacey partnered with another awardee, Dan Muguira, on the inaugural Aaron Butler Memorial Purple Heart Run.\r\n \r\nLarry Payne, Pocatello: When nominating Larry Payne, Carrie Leavitt, with the Idaho State Veterans HomePocatello, shared, He has a heart of an American Veteran, always serving others and his country. Larry, a Pocatello native, was drafted into the U.S. Army after high school and served our nation in two tours in Vietnam and the Army National Guard in California. Larry earned a number of recognitions for his honorable service, including the Bronze Star Medal. After his service, Larry returned to live in California to assist his mother, and he worked for the California Vision Service. Larry is considered by his loved ones to be a great big brother and the favorite uncle of his two nieces, Cassidy and Carson. Larry, who enjoyed playing football and baseball during his high school years, spent time teaching his nieces how to catch and throw a baseball. Larry is also very close to his Aunt Norma, and is always available to give her a helping hand.\r\n \r\n \r\nMatthew J. Wrobel, Meridian: American Legion District 3 nominated Matthew J. Wrobel, who served in the Army National Guard. Mathew Wrobel trained as a tank crewman. When making the nomination, American Legion District 3 Commander Richard L. Dees wrote about Matthew helping all veterans in his community with their problems big and small. Matthew, who has two children, Ivy and Varonica, has served in leadership positions at all levels of the American Legion, including post, district, state and national service roles. Commander Dees highlighted Matthew's national leadership in honoring veterans through promoting the proper disposal of retired American flags. Matthew also had a bell cast from the brass grommets of disposed American flags to honor the Department of Idaho during its 100th convention.\r\n \r\n \r\nJames A. Wuehler, Kuna: Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7019 Commander Matthew Biggs nominated James Wuehler writing, It cannot be stressed enough the impact that Jim has on his community and veteran organizations. An active member of the Idaho City VFW Post, Jim has led multiple efforts in support of area veterans and their families. Jim, a native of Payette, joined the Army National Guard and transferred to the Idaho Air Guard before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1958, serving as a guided missile technician. Jim is a Korean War Veteran who served overseas and on various bases in the U.S. throughout his service, which concluded in 1966. He then worked for the State of Oregon in the Revenue Department for 29 years before his retirement. Jim then returned to Idaho, and he has been active in important community efforts, including serving on volunteer fire and ambulance crews and assisting at-risk juveniles. Jim and his wife of 55 years, Dee, have a son, Andy.\r\n \r\n \r\nLloyd Young, Jerome: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of Jerome nominated Lloyd Young, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and earned a number of honors for his service, for his embodiment of the Spirit of Freedom. Eric Bolich with the VFW commended Lloyd, who serves as the post's service officer, for his consistent work to better the community through his acts of kindness and selfless service. Lloyd is described as a devoted family man whose compassion extends to the community where he works tirelessly to help veterans in need and educate young people on the importance of patriotism, Americanism and civic pride. Lloyd's post-military work included a 28-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. He is also active in other local veterans' organizations. Eric Bolich shared, He often goes above and beyond to ensure veterans who are reluctant to ask for help are taken care of, taking time to deliver food and necessities to those experiencing need. \r\n \r\nVolunteers:\r\n \r\nTammy Burst, Eagle: The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery nominated Tammy Burst, who has used her experience working with the funeral and cemetery industries to provide commendable volunteer assistance at the cemetery. Tammy's father's military service inspired her to serve veterans and their families. James A. Earp, State Veterans Cemetery Bureau Chief, wrote, She exercises thoughtful compassion and care for the families who attend committal services, patriotic events, and those visiting a loved one's burial site. As a part of our volunteer team she brings a sense of calm and comfort to the families struggling with the loss of their loved ones. Tammy, who was born and raised in California, spent 35 years in the floral industry before selling her flower shop in 2015 and retiring to Boise to look after her mother.\r\n \r\n \r\nBruce and Joy Finch, Lewiston: The Lewis Clark Valley Veterans Council nominated Bruce and Joy Finch, who are recognized for their unwavering support of veterans in the community. Their nominators explained that Bruce felt that veterans were under-recognized and decided to do something about it with the resources they had. The family established monthly Vets Eat Free meals as a gift of recognition to area veterans and have served more than 100,000 meals to honor veterans in their eight restaurants. When making the nomination, the Council also noted Bruce and Joy Finch's active engagement in making sure area veterans hear about the meals and their honoring veterans in many other ways. Members of the Council shared that Bruce and Joy have instilled a spirt of commitment to veterans in their son and wrote, Bruce and Joy Finch's volunteerism will live beyond them in the hearts of veterans who have and will benefit from their patriotism and in the consciousness of our community members who see them leading through action and commitment to do what they can with what they have for Veterans!\r\n \r\n \r\nLucky Gallego, Grangeville: The Crea-D'Haven Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3520 of Grangeville nominated Lucky Gallego, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 22 years and is recognized for selflessly serving the veterans community in Idaho County. VFW Post 3520 Commander Clinton Miller wrote that if Lucky is not on-site at the Idaho County Veterans Outreach and Community Center in Grangeville, he is probably visiting veterans at their home, at the county courthouse or supporting one of the area American Legion posts, where he has been commander for more than two years. Lucky's training in Mental Health First Aid and experience as a veteran enable him to provide counsel to other veterans working through post-traumatic stress issues. After retiring from the military, Lucky worked 15 years as a locomotive technician.\r\n \r\n \r\nMelissa Hartman, Pocatello: Disabled American Veterans Chapter 3 Commander Dr. Grace C. Jacobson nominated Melissa Hartman. Melissa is recognized for putting her heart and soul into serving veterans and the military community through her work as a County Veterans Service Officer and as a volunteer. She shared that learning about history from the men and women who made it is the most rewarding part of her efforts on behalf of veterans. Melissa has assisted with numerous projects, including the Idaho Field of Heroes Memorial, Military and Veteran Appreciation Day, Veterans Treatment Court and more. Melissa is a mother, grandmother and the wife of another awardee, Phillip Hartman.\r\n \r\n \r\nMary G. Krempasky, Lewiston: The Idaho State Veterans Home-Lewiston nominated Mary G. Krempasky, who has been helping at the home for several years. Her assistance includes helping with activities and sewing blankets for residents. Mary comes from a military family, and her career has supported military efforts. After her high school graduation, Mary went to work for the U.S. Air Force at Andrews Air Force Base as a flight records clerk. She later went on to a career as a program analyst working for the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Program Integration. She retired in 1999 after nearly 30 years in federal service. Her retirement was short lived though, as she went back to work in 2001 as an Adjunct for the Institute of Defense Analysis where she worked for more than a decade before retiring again in 2012. Mary and her husband of 52 years, Joe, thankfully chose to make Lewiston their home. They have one daughter, Karen.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nCarrie Leavitt, Pocatello: The Idaho State Veterans HomePocatello nominated Carrie Leavitt, noting she coordinates more than 24,000 volunteer hours for the home every year and has served veterans for more than 10 years. When making the nomination, Josiah Dahlstrom wrote, Her love is felt by all those she serves, especially here at the Veterans Home. Carrie's daughters and son conveyed their thoughts about her. Her son, Wade, shared, She continues to look out for the one in need, by learning their stories of service, bravery and honor. Carrie's daughter, Heidi, expressed, My mother's goal every day is to shine a little more light and bring love and hope into our sweet, deserving heroes' lives and all those around her. Her daughter, Dawn, wrote, My mom's arms are always stretched out to hug, lift, and reach for someone in need.\r\n \r\n \r\nBeverly McLendon, Rigby: Servicemembers and veterans have been an important part of Beverly McLendon's life, as her husband served in active duty in the U.S. Army for 22 years. The Idaho State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America nominated Bev McLendon noting her dedication to those still serving and those who formerly served. Bev is a member of and assists with fundraising for the American Legion Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and the Military Affairs Committee. She also organizes homecoming events for returning servicemembers, and she has sent hundreds of care packages to those on deployment. Bev says that she loves to be around the veteran community.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nSteve Pratt, Boise: The Idaho Veterans Assistance League nominated Steve Pratt, who is considered a very reliable volunteer. The League notes that Steve exemplifies the attitude and enthusiasm needed for all volunteers. Steve, who was drafted into the U.S. Army after graduating from high school and served in the Infantry in Vietnam, volunteers in the Idaho State Veterans HomeBoise's Canteen. He says he enjoys talking with and helping other veterans, and considers the canteen to be his classroom. Steve's career after his military service included working for IBM for 28 years followed by working for HP Inc. for six years prior to his retirement. He feels he can use his time in retirement to help veterans. Steve is guided by a focus on how he makes others feel. Steve has two children and five granddaughters.\r\n \r\n \r\nConnie Seymour, Boise: The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery nominated Connie Seymour. James A. Earp, State Veterans Cemetery Bureau Chief, wrote, She brings a level of calm and confidence to everyone around her. Put simply, she brings out the best in everyone and everything that she does. Connie comes from a military family. She considers raising her two children to be the most important job she has had. Her career also included working for the Ada County Sheriff's OfficeRecord Department for 20 years. She feels her retirement provides an opportunity to help veterans, and she particularly likes volunteering at the cemetery during Memorial Day when she helps families locate buried veterans and offers comfort.\r\n \r\n \r\nLucile Summerlin, Nampa: The Idaho State Veterans HomeBoise nominated Lucile Summerlin, who has assisted at the home for the past four years. In addition to assisting at the home, Lucile works part-time for Bridges Senior In-Home Care and is an officer at the Nampa Elks Lodge. As part of a military family, Lucile has extensively served our nation and its veterans. Lucile has been married for nearly 54 years to a Vietnam Veteran who served as an active duty soldier for 17 years. Their son, Scott, and daughter, Renee, also served in the military. Lucile and her husband have also adopted soldiers and military families providing care packages, letters and Christmas gifts. She has prepared Thanksgiving meals for soldiers and their families, worked on landscaping at a golf course designed for veterans, and more. For seven years, she volunteered weekly helping to feed veterans unable to feed themselves.\r\n \r\n \r\nGene Womack, Blackfoot: The Idaho State Veterans HomePocatello nominated Gene Womack, crediting Gene with being an outstanding veteran who serves his fellow military brothers and sisters. Carrie Leavitt, with the Idaho State Veterans HomePocatello, wrote, Gene is modeling to his family and everyone he meets the best practice of volunteering and selfless service to others. He is an inspiration in his drive to give back to those who have served our great nation. Gene served 10 years in the Army Reserves and 26 years in the Navy Seabees Reserves. Gene also worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 41 years. He is a member of the Idaho Veterans Assistance LeagueEast and the American Legion Stewart Hoover Post #23 and has been instrumental in ensuring veterans have items they and enjoyable events, including the home's annual fishing trip. Gene and his wife of 63 years, Marietta, have five children, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-shaheen-push-for-additional-efforts-to-bring-home-missing-servicemembers", "Crapo, Shaheen Push for Additional Efforts to Bring Home Missing Servicemembers", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 06, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Shaheen Push for Additional Efforts to Bring Home Missing Servicemembers \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashingon, D.C. -- According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), 359 Idahoans are listed as missing during their service in the United States Armed Forces. To continue his efforts to bring home prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA), U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced, with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), the Bring Our Heroes Home Act to provide for an expedited and consolidated process for declassifying and collecting records of POW and MIA personnel.\r\nOur country cannot waver on efforts to bring home America's missing servicemembers, said Crapo. We owe it to the families and survivors of the brave women and men in uniform to bring home their loved ones who sacrificed so much for our country. Over 82,000 Americans still remain missing, and their families deserve some sense of resolution to the lingering questions that still fill their lives. Piecing together the circumstances, whereabouts and lives of those lost cannot be easy, but bringing them home is critical to honoring their service. The Bring Our Heroes Home Act will prioritize and facilitate the declassification of records related to missing servicemembers, and aid in bringing them all home.\r\nFor generations, Americans have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and in the name of freedom. My heart breaks for the family members of the tens of thousands of service members who have not yet been brought home to be mourned and honored by their loved ones, and a forever grateful nation, said Shaheen. I appreciate Senator Crapo's leadership on this effort, and hope that together we can move this bill through Congress so the United States can complete its mission to bring every American hero home.\r\nS. 2794, the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, would consolidate all records related to missing personnel within a newly instituted Missing Armed Forces Personnel Records Collection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and require all government agencies to transmit any records to their possession pertaining to missing servicemembers to NARA. The measure would also establish an independent government office, the Missing Armed Forces Personnel Records Review Board, to identify missing personnel records, facilitate the transmission and disclosure of these records, and review any decisions by federal agencies to postpone declassification.\r\nSenator Crapo previously co-sponsored the legislation in the 115th Congress and has long supported various efforts to identify and recover all missing and unaccounted for American military personnel.\r\nFull bill text can be found HERE. A section-by-section can be found HERE and a one-pager can be found HERE.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/senator-risch-shares-views-on-international-development-at-international-advocacy-lunch", "Senator Risch Shares Views on International Development at International Advocacy Lunch", "2019-11-04", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Boise, Idaho -- U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on Friday at a foreign affairs lunch at the Idaho History Museum in Boise, Idaho, about the United States' role as a global leader and the challenges associated with providing foreign assistance to developing nations.\r\nI am deeply grateful for the opportunity to speak with Idahoans who are passionate about responding to the needs of people both here at home, and across the globe, said Risch. Events such as this allow our local community to engage in valuable discussions about the future of U.S. leadership and humanitarian aid, and I thank today's sponsors for their generosity in hosting this important event.\r\nFor decades, global development and humanitarian assistance have garnered strong bipartisan support in the United States Congress. America's leadership on these fronts has saved lives, lifted millions out of poverty, promoted stability, spurred economic growth, and brought hope to entire generations.\r\nSince 1990, worldwide mortality rates for children under five have fallen by 56 percent, due in large part to U.S. humanitarian leadership. Over the same period of time, rates of extreme poverty have dropped to their lowest levels in recorded history, directly improving the lives of over one billion people.\r\nAs the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Risch has a pivotal role in helping to preserve critical U.S. foreign aid programs.\r\nThe event was hosted by Idahoans associated with five internationally focused advocacy organizations: Save the Children Action Network, the ONE Campaign, Oxfam, CARE, and Bread for the World.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-joins-bipartisan-group-to-promote-reforms-for-broken-budget-process", "Crapo Joins Bipartisan Group to Promote Reforms for Broken Budget Process", "2019-11-01", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 01, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo Joins Bipartisan Group to Promote Reforms for Broken Budget Process \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Encourages bipartisan collaboration in tackling growing debt and deficits \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, joined Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming) and a bipartisan group of other Senators in introducing legislation that would fix the federal government's broken budget process. The Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act, S. 2765, would provide a more orderly, deliberative budget process focused on long-term fiscal planning. It encourages bipartisan collaboration in tackling the nation's growing debt and deficit.\r\nOur country is on an unsustainable spending path, said Crapo, who recommended budget reforms as an original member of the President's Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. This bipartisan legislation will reform our broken budget process by outlining a more deliberative, transparent process for managing our nation's finances. Added accountability in the congressional budget process would be a much-needed step in the right direction to help Congress adequately balance our budget. Chairman Enzi has been a great leader on this front, and I look forward to working with him further on this issue.\r\nThe Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act would:\r\n \r\nMove the budget resolution to a two-year cycle, while maintaining annual appropriations.\r\nRequire more involvement from Senate spending and taxing committees, including by requiring detailed spending and revenue plans to better inform budget development.\r\nFocus on fiscal sustainability by requiring the budget resolution to establish a debt-to-GDP target backed by a deficit-reducing special reconciliation process to promote adherence to the budget plan.\r\nCreate a mechanism within the regular budget process to end the brinksmanship surrounding the statutory debt limit by conforming the limit to levels called for in the budget resolution.\r\nEstablish an optional new bipartisan budget pathway through which the budget would set a glideslope of deficit reduction that includes health care, revenue levels, and appropriations, and tax expenditures. Such bipartisan budgets would require the support of at least 60 senators, including at least 15 members of the minority party, and would be considered in the Senate under expedited procedures jointly agreed to by the Majority and Minority Leaders.\r\nProvide a more orderly, deliberative process for Senate consideration of budget resolutions that preserves the ability of Senators on both sides of the aisle to offer amendments.\r\nEnhance fiscal transparency by requiring that up-to-date tabulations of congressional budget action be publicly posted and that information on the interest effects of authorizing and revenue legislation be included in cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The legislation also supports transparency efforts underway at CBO.\r\nRequire CBO and the Government Accountability Office to regularly review and report to Congress on portfolios of federal spending to help lawmakers make more informed budgetary decisions.\r\n \r\nBudget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi and Committee member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) introduced the legislation on Thursday, October 31. Senator Crapo and Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), Angus King (I-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), David Perdue (R-Georgia), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) and Mike Braun (R-Indiana) are original co-sponsors.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/11/risch-honors-10-veteran-owned-idaho-small-businesses-for-the-month-of-november", "Risch Honors 10 Veteran-owned Idaho Small Businesses for the Month of November", "2019-11-01", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  In honor of Veterans Day on November 11th, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced the recognition of a different veteran-owned small business for each of the ten days the Senate is in legislative session. Each small business will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.\r\nAmerica's veterans have protected the very freedoms and values that give each of us and our children the ability to achieve the American dream,said Risch.The skills veterans learn as members of the military are invaluable and undoubtedly contribute to Idaho's flourishing veteran business community. I am proud of the sacrifices veterans have made to protect our country and that they are choosing Idaho to call home when they complete their service in the military.\r\nThe Veteran-owned Idaho Small Business award schedule will proceed as follows:\r\nTuesday, November 5: Rhino Metals, Inc.  Caldwell \r\nWednesday, November 6: Popular Patch  Hayden\r\nThursday, November 7: Eagle Rock Gallery  Idaho Falls\r\nTuesday, November 12: Mac's Vacs  Lewiston\r\nWednesday, November 13: A & J Auto Repair  Twin Falls\r\nThursday, November 14: Critical Power Products & Services  Post Falls\r\nMonday, November 18: Mountain View Dental Clinic  Soda Springs\r\nTuesday, November 19: Hammer Down River Excursions  White Bird\r\nWednesday, November 20: Leisureland RV Center  Boise\r\nThursday, November 21: Kellogg Lumber Company  Kellogg\r\nCongratulations to these veteran-owned businesses and to all of their employees for being selected as a Veteran-owned Idaho Small Business for the month of November. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.said Risch.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2019/10/31/id-fc8b669f-697c-41b1-9c0b-811be462b989/", "Mailing Company Mistakenly Sends to CD02\u2013 All Taxpayer Funds Reimbursed", "2019-10-31", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Contact:\n\nAlexah Rogge\n\n202-225-6611\n\nalexah.rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Earlier this week, Congressman Russ Fulcher sent out an informational mailer to update his constituents in Idaho\u2019s First District. The company used to print and ship this mailer mistakenly sent 15% to residents of the neighboring Second District, represented by Congressman Mike Simpson. The costs associated with this error have been reimbursed.\n\nCongressman Simpson replied to Congressman Fulcher\u2019s tweet about the vendor\u2019s error, \u201cNo Worries, Russ.\u201d\n\nRep. Fulcher commented, \u201cIt is my responsibility to talk to my constituents and mailers are an efficient avenue. My team swiftly realized the printing company\u2019s mistake and due diligence was taken to quickly resolve this situation. We will continue to keep in touch with First District Idahoans and I appreciate all of the positive feedback and suggestions we\u2019ve already received from this mailer.\u201d\n\nRep. Fulcher\u2019s Communications Director stated earlier this week, \u201cAs a Freshman Member of Congress, it is important that Rep. Fulcher communicate with his ID-01 constituents\u2013 to let them know of our office locations, contact information, the services our office provides, and to ask for their feedback on current issues. Mailers are a very effective way of doing this; but Congressional offices cannot execute a project of this size inside of their own office, so it is typical to use a third party vendor to handle the logistics of printing and sending out the mailer. The vendor that was used made a mistake when sorting the addresses and a portion of people in the Second District received the mailing. The vendor has taken complete responsibility for this mistake and the vendor has reimbursed the taxpayer dollars that were associated with this error.\u201d\n\nThe Idaho Statesman also reported on this issue, \u201cCompany errs in sending out Idaho congressman\u2019s mailing, reimburses taxpayers\u2019 cost.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:39:44Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/press-releases?ID=FC8B669F-697C-41B1-9C0B-811BE462B989", "Mailing Company Mistakenly Sends to CD02-- All Taxpayer Funds Reimbursed", "2019-10-31", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Facebook Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGoogle Plus Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tInstagram Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tLinkedIn Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tTwitter Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tYouTube Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tVimeo Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tClients Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEmail icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMap Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPrint Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tQuote Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\ticon_share\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Left\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Right\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t Print", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398794", "Bipartisan House Members Introduce Farm Workforce Modernization Act", "2019-10-30", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Collin Peterson (D-MN-07), Mike Simpson (R-ID-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25) introduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to provide a compromise solution for American agriculture. The bill was introduced with the strong bipartisan support of 24 Democrats and 20 Republicans. \r\nThe Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which was negotiated over several months with input from agricultural stakeholders and labor organizations, makes meaningful reforms to the H-2A agricultural guestworker program and creates a first-of-its-kind, merit-based visa program specifically designed for the nation's agricultural sector. \r\nClick here for a one-pager.\r\nClick here for bill text.\r\nThe men and women who work America's farms feed the nation. But, farmworkers across the country are living and working with uncertainty and fear, contributing to the destabilization of farms across the nation, said Rep. Lofgren. Our bill offers stability for American farms by providing a path to legal status for farmworkers. In addition, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act addresses the nation's future labor needs by modernizing an outdated system for temporary workers, while ensuring fair wages and workplace conditions.\r\nWhen I speak to farmers and ranchers across the country, labor is often their number one concern. Our nation's agriculture industry is diverse and flourishing, but producers are in desperate need of a legal and reliable workforce, said Rep. Newhouse. As a third-generation farmer, I understand the invaluable contributions made by farmworkers to American agriculture, and we must modernize our guestworker program to work for farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers in the 21st Century. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act offers a strong, bipartisan workforce solution to provide certainty to both farm owners and workers through an accessible, employment-based program. This bill is the solution our agricultural industry needs. \r\nThe full list of cosponsors includes: Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV-07); Rep. James Baird (R-IN- 04); Rep. Anthony Brindisi(D-NY-22); Rep. Susan W. Brooks (R-IN-05); Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24); Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA-29); Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-27); Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK-04); Rep. Luis J. Correa (D-CA-46); Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-16); Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA-21); Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN-02) Rep. John Curtis (R-UT-03); Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13); Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL-13); Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25); Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11); Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29); Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH-07); Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA-10); Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01); Rep. Al Lawson (D-FL-05); Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05); Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI-10); Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04); Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA-22); Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20); Rep. Collin C. Peterson (D-MN-07); Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY-23); Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA-38); Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05); Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) ; Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID-02); Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-08); Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07); Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19); Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21); Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH-15); Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA-35); Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM-02); Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI-06); Rep. Filemon Vela (D-TX-34); Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR-02); Rep. Don Young (R-AK- At Large)\r\nAgriculture needs a reliable and legal source of workers. I want to thank the bipartisan group of Members who worked with ag groups to come up with this initial bill that can help move this dialogue forward. This effort has produced a proposal that provides a better option than the status quo for many parts of U.S. agriculture. As this discussion continues, we need to also address meat and poultry processing workforce needs, said Rep. Peterson. \r\nMy constituents have been asking me to fix our immigration laws since my first day in Congress, said Rep. Simpson. There is perhaps no more important facet of immigration reform for Idaho and its economy than the agriculture workforce. I am proud to introduce the Farm Workforce Modernization Act alongside a bipartisan coalition of members in the first step towards solving this problem. Getting our farmers' employees right with the law will provide economic stability to our rural communities and make our country safer by creating a legal, merit-based agriculture immigration system that allows our valuable law enforcement resources to focus on the bad actors.\r\nFor many years, farmers and farmworkers from the Central Coast to the center of America to the East Coast have faced continued uncertainty when it comes to agriculture labor, said Rep. Panetta. Fortunately, my colleagues and I not only understand this issue, we understand what it will take to fix this issue. That is why for the past nine months, Democratic and Republican members of Congress and farmers and farmworkers have been at the table working tirelessly to grind out the details of legislation that protects the people that currently work in agriculture and modernizes and streamlines our immigration system for agriculture labor. It wasn't easy and the legislation still needs to be signed into law, but the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a big step in the right direction for a bipartisan solution that can provide the needed certainty in our agriculture communities. I am proud to have been a part these efforts and look forward to continuing the fight to pass this legislation that is so important to the Central Coast and our country.\r\nToday, we announce a common-sense compromise that is fair to farmers, farmworkers, and to US citizens who appreciate the rule of law. Across the Country and in California, farmers have been calling for a reliable and legal workforce for years, said Rep. LaMalfa. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act addresses these issues in a bipartisan manner that will provide some much-needed certainty. It does so by modernizing the H-2A program, stabilizing wages, and instituting a merit-based system for agricultural workers to eventually earn legal status  but only after years of proven and consistent employment in the U.S. agriculture industry, vigorous background checks, and state-of-the-art biometric verification. It's what the people who work to feed our country need. I'm happy to have been a part in crafting this bipartisan agreement and deliver on our promise to find solutions for America's agriculture industry.\r\nThe success of our farmers, growers, and producers is essential not only for our economy but for our national security. For far too long, we've suffered from a broken H2A systemmaking it difficult for farmers to hire the workforce necessary to provide to the American people, saidRep. Diaz-Balart. This bill would allow us to continue to grow and produce food in our country, while proving a solution that strengthens economic and national security, offers stability and permanence to agricultural workers, adheres to the rule of law, modernizes our antiquated H2A system, and bolsters the economy. I'm proud to lead this important legislation, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues as we pursue a good-faith, bipartisan solution for our nation's farmers.\r\nThe bill has garnered the wide-spread support of nearly 250 agriculture groups and labor organizations. \r\nAfter months of negotiations, the UFW and UFW Foundation are enthusiastic about passing legislation that honors all farm workers who feed America by creating a way for undocumented workers to apply for legal status and a roadmap to earn citizenship in the future without compromising farm workers' existing wages and legal protections. Understanding that compromise is required to meaningfully improve the lives of immigrant field laborers, it is our hope this will be the first time the House of Representatives, under the leadership of either party, will approve an agricultural immigration bill, said Arturo S. Rodriguez, President Emeritus of United Farmworkers & Spokesperson of UFW Foundation.\r\nWe have supported numerous efforts to address dairy's acute labor needs. Passing legislation in the House is a critical step in the process. We urge the Senate to work with us on this important issue so we can get an ag worker bill across the finish line in this Congress, said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). The bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act provides an important starting point for badly needed improvements to agriculture immigration policy. NMPF would like to thank Chairwoman Lofgren and Congressman Newhouse for their bipartisan leadership, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as this important legislation moves forward.\r\nThe legislation points the way towards achieving many of the long-standing immigration reform goals of NCFC and others in agriculture. While there are provisions that are problematic, on balance it is a good starting point for the legislative process. It provides an opportunity to obtain an earned legal status for the current workforce in agriculture; it codifies many of the reforms that the Trump Administration has made to the current H-2A program and provides some certainty over labor costs; and it authorizes a limited number of year-round visas for those farmers with year-round labor needs, such as those in dairy and livestock, said Chuck Conner, President & CEO of National Coalition of Farm Cooperatives. We look forward to working with Chairwoman Lofgren, Congressman Newhouse and the other co-sponsors as the bill moves forward to ensure that the bill leads to a solution that ensures agriculture producers have access to a legal and stable workforce.\r\nBackground: \r\nFarmers and ranchers across the United States are in desperate need of a high-quality, reliable workforce, and the current H-2A guestworker program is in need of meaningful, bipartisan reform. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act creates a workforce solution for America's agriculture industry by providing stability, predictability, and fairness to one of the most critical sectors of our nation's economy.\r\nThe bill will:\r\n \r\n    Establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy. \r\n    Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. The bill focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs. \r\n    Establish mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers who are incorrectly rejected by the system. \r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/risch-duckworth-introduce-bill-to-promote-small-business-federal-contracting", "Risch, Duckworth Introduce Bill to Promote Small Business Federal Contracting", "2019-10-30", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Yesterday, U.S Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced (S. 2729) the Small Business Contracting Accountability Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure Federal agencies meet small business contracting requirements. This legislation was drafted after the Government Accountability Office uncovered multiple Federal agencies'failureto fully empower their Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). These offices were created by Congress to ensure each federal agency with procurement power maximizes small business contract opportunities.\r\nThe Small Business Contracting Accountability Act would require non-compliant agencies to submit a report detailing why the agency is not compliant, as well as the specific actions that the agency will take to correct its failures. Risch is the former chairman and a current member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship.\r\nMany Federal agencies are required by law to maximize opportunities to contract with America's small businesses. When agency officials fail to comply with the law, they should have to answer to the authorizing committees,said Risch.I am proud to introduce the Small Business Contracting Accountability Act of 2019, a bipartisan, common-sense approach that will level the playing field for small businesses and hold Washington bureaucrats accountable for failing to meet reasonable standards.\r\nSmall business are our nation's job creators and primary investors in our local economies, which is why it's critical they have a strong voice within our federal agencies,Duckworth said.I'm glad to be working with Senator Risch on this bipartisan bill that would help enforce existing law designed to enable small businesses across the country better access contracting opportunities with the federal government.\r\nBackground:Under the Small Business Contracting Accountability Act, any non-compliant agency would have 120 days upon the enactment of this legislation to submit their report, or 120 days after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) submits their report to the Committees, whichever is later. If GAO issues another report on agency compliance with OSDBU requirements, this legislation will also apply should the GAO find agencies non-compliant. GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that provides Congress and federal agencies with objective, reliable information.\r\n\r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2019/10/29/id-1fc89f66-a6e0-4db3-986b-0c81c5c1099e/", "Congressman Fulcher Supports Bill to Honor Women\u2019s Suffrage", "2019-10-29", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Contact:\n\nAlexah Rogge\n\n202-225-6611\n\nalexah.rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Earlier this month, Congressman Fulcher co-sponsored H.R. 2423, the Women\u2019s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. Yesterday, he voted for the bipartisan bill and it passed through the House of Representatives.\n\nThe bill commemorates the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women\u2019s right to vote in America. Funding for the coins is paid for in the price of the coins, with any extra proceeds to support the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s American Women\u2019s History Initiative.\n\n\u201cRepresenting a state with a strong track record of accomplished women, I am proud to co-sponsor and vote for the bipartisan Women\u2019s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act,\u201d commented Congressman Fulcher.\n\nIdaho first allowed women to vote in 1896 \u2013 just six years after becoming a state. Idaho was the fourth state to grant women the right to vote and the first state to do so by constitutional amendment. In 1898, Idaho voted for Permeal French to be our first woman Superintendent of Public Instruction, and three female members to the Idaho State Legislature. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Idaho reports 30% women representation in our legislature, ahead of the national average of state legislatures at 28.7% for 2019. Additionally, Idaho is the only state to have the official state seal (also on the state flag) designed by a woman: Emma Edwards Green.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:39:44Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1FC89F66-A6E0-4DB3-986B-0C81C5C1099E", "Congressman Fulcher Supports Bill to Honor Women's Suffrage", "2019-10-29", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Facebook Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGoogle Plus Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tInstagram Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tLinkedIn Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tTwitter Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tYouTube Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tVimeo Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tClients Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEmail icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMap Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPrint Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tQuote Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\ticon_share\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Left\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Right\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t Print", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/risch-discusses-the-fight-against-isis-with-fox-news-sandra-smith", "Risch Discusses the Fight Against ISIS with Fox News' Sandra Smith", "2019-10-29", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke with Sandra Smith on Fox News about the impact of the U.S.-led military raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the successful termination of his second in command.\r\nAmerica's memory is long and our reach is even longer. [ISIS'] road is going to end with either death or capture, and it's most likely death,said Risch.\r\nWe're all committed to keeping our foot on the throats of all terrorist organizations,he continued. I don't care if it's Al-Shabab or Boko Haram or any of the other, because one of those will pop up again and we're going to have to keep doing what we do [Our intelligence community is] very good at what they do. When we go in, it's going to be a very, very bad day for the people on the receiving end.\r\n\r\nTo watch on YouTube, clickhere.  To download video file, clickhere.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/risch-statement-on-announcement-of-death-of-isis-leader-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi", "Risch Statement on Announcement of Death of ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi", "2019-10-27", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has released the following statement on the announcement of the successful U.S.-led military raid against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi:\r\n\"Reports of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death following a U.S. raid in Syria are welcome news and a triumph for all peace-loving people,\"Risch said.\"I applaud the professionalism of our special operations and the steadfast devotion of our men and women in uniform  there are none finer. I commend President Trump on his leadership and resolve in the fight against terror. Baghdadi's removal from the battlefield represents another significant milestone in the fight against ISIS. We must continue to apply pressure until the Islamic State is incapable of reconstituting.\"\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/10/25/2019/crapo-announces-staff-changes", "Crapo Announces Staff Changes", "2019-10-25", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 25, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo Announces Staff Changes \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today announced several staff promotions and hires in his Washington, D.C., office.\r\nMolly Carpenter joined the office in September as the new Military Legislative Assistant. Previously, Carpenter served in a similar role for the late Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-Arizona). She will cover policy areas of defense, military, intelligence, veterans and foreign affairs. Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Indiana University.\r\n\r\nEllie Bender has been promoted to Legislative Correspondent. She will also cover issues related to defense, veterans, intelligence and foreign affairs. Ellie previously served as Staff Assistant after an internship in Senator Crapo's office. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Boise State University.\r\n\r\nNate Favero joined the office in September as Staff Assistant and D.C. Office Manager. He previously interned for Senator Martha McSally (R-Arizona). Favero is responsible for coordinating requests for flags flown over the U.S. Capitol and for assisting in the management and operation of the Washington office. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University (BYU), where he played on the baseball team.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2019/10/24/id-de711509-8ec6-4e09-8498-1e17cd20be30/", "Rep. Fulcher Supports Resolution to Protect Christians & Other Faiths", "2019-10-24", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Contact:\n\nAlexah Rogge\n\n202-225-6611\n\nalexah.rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Fulcher has announced his co-sponsorship of Rep. Gary Palmer\u2019s resolution to condemn governments that allow for or take part in the persecution of Christians and other faiths.\n\nThe Resolution also calls upon the State Department to \u201cprioritize freedom of conscience and religion\u201d in U.S. foreign policy formulation.\n\n\u201cMembers of the Christian faith are being attacked and persecuted by governments and groups around the world\u2013 that is wrong,\u201d said Congressman Russ Fulcher. \u201cI proudly voted on bipartisan legislation to condemn racism and attacks on religious liberty, including anti-Christian, anti-Semitism, and anti-Islamic language. Governments and non-state actors must know that the United States will not tolerate the killing of Christians for practicing their faith.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the House Resolution does the following:\n\nCondemns the persecution of members of any faith\n\nCalls for governments to recognize the right of Christians to practice their faith without fear of persecution\n\nCalls on the State Department to prioritize religious freedom in foreign policy considerations\n\nAccording to the Pew Research Center, Christians remain the most persecuted religious group in the world. For Example, attacks on Christians by the terrorist group Boko Haram in Nigeria, the wrongful imprisonment of American Pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey, the mass killing of Christians and Yazidis in Northern Iraq and Syria by ISIS, and more recently the horrific Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka and Beijing\u2019s continued crackdown on local churches.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:39:44Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/press-releases?ID=DE711509-8EC6-4E09-8498-1E17CD20BE30", "Rep. Fulcher Supports Resolution to Protect Christians & Other Faiths", "2019-10-24", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Facebook Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGoogle Plus Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tInstagram Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tLinkedIn Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tTwitter Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tYouTube Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tVimeo Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tClients Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEmail icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMap Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPrint Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tQuote Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\ticon_share\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Left\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Right\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t Print", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-simpson-announce-senior-outreach-schedule-in-the-magic-valley", "Crapo, Risch, Simpson Announce Senior Outreach Schedule in the Magic Valley", "2019-10-24", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 24, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch, Simpson Announce Senior Outreach Schedule in the Magic Valley \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tTWIN FALLS  Today, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representative Mike Simpson announced that representatives from their Twin Falls regional offices will be holding outreach hours at senior centers throughout the Magic Valley in late October and early November.\r\nStaff members will be available from 11:00am  1:30pm at each visit to discuss federal issues and concerns. Representatives from the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) and CSI Office on Aging will also be available to provide resources and answer questions.\r\nLate October and Early November Senior Center Outreach Schedule:\r\nWednesday, October 30, 2019  Jerome\r\nJerome Senior Citizens Center\r\n520 North Lincoln Ave.\r\nJerome, ID 83338\r\n\r\nFriday, November 1, 2019  Rupert\r\nMinidoka County Senior Center\r\n702 11th St.\r\nRupert, ID 83350\r\n\r\nMonday, November 4, 2019  Twin Falls\r\nTwin Falls Senior Citizen Federation\r\n530 Shoshone St. West\r\nTwin Falls, ID 83303\r\n\r\nTuesday, November 5, 2019  Burley\r\nGolden Heritage Senior Center\r\n2421 Overland Ave.\r\nBurley, ID 83318\r\n\r\nFriday, November 8, 2019  Oakley\r\nOakley Valley Senior Citizens, city council meeting room\r\n135 W Main St.\r\nOakley, ID 83346\r\n\r\nTuesday, November 12, 2019  Eden\r\nSilver & Gold Senior Center\r\n210 Wilson St. West\r\nEden, ID 83325\r\n\r\nFriday, November 15, 2019  Kimberly\r\nAgeless Senior Citizens, Inc.\r\n310 Main St. North\r\nKimberly, ID 83341\r\n# # #\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/risch-crapo-simpson-announce-senior-outreach-schedule-in-the-magic-valley", "Risch, Crapo, Simpson Announce Senior Outreach Schedule in the Magic Valley", "2019-10-24", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Twin Falls, Idaho  Today, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson announced that representatives from their Twin Falls regional offices will be holding outreach hours at senior centers throughout the Magic Valley in late October and early November.\r\n\r\nStaff members will be available from11:00am  1:30pmat each visit to discuss federal issues and concerns. Representatives from the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) and CSI Office on Aging will also be available to provide resources and answer questions.\r\n\r\nLate October and Early November Senior Center Outreach Schedule:\r\n\r\nWednesday, October 30, 2019  Jerome\r\nJerome Senior Citizens Center\r\n520 North Lincoln Ave.\r\nJerome, ID 83338\r\n\r\nFriday, November 1, 2019  Rupert\r\nMinidoka County Senior Center\r\n702 11th St.\r\nRupert, ID 83350\r\n\r\nMonday, November 4, 2019  Twin Falls\r\nTwin Falls Senior Citizen Federation\r\n530 Shoshone St. West\r\nTwin Falls, ID 83303\r\n\r\nTuesday, November 5, 2019  Burley\r\nGolden Heritage Senior Center\r\n2421 Overland Ave.\r\nBurley, ID 83318\r\n\r\nFriday, November 8, 2019  Oakley\r\nOakley Valley Senior Citizens, city council meeting room\r\n135 W Main St.\r\nOakley, ID 83346\r\n\r\nTuesday, November 12, 2019  Eden\r\nSilver & Gold Senior Center\r\n210 Wilson St. West\r\nEden, ID 83325\r\n\r\nFriday, November 15, 2019  Kimberly\r\nAgeless Senior Citizens, Inc.\r\n310 Main St. North\r\nKimberly, ID 83341\r\n\r\n***Schedule for late November and early December visits to be announced at a later date***\r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/risch-manchin-introduce-bill-to-promote-nuclear-hybrid-energy-systems", "Risch, Manchin Introduce Bill to Promote Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems", "2019-10-24", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Today, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced S. 2702, theIntegrated Energy Systems Act, a bill to promote the research, development and deployment of nuclear hybrid energy systems.\r\nThe bill authorizes an Integrated Energy Systems Program at the Department of Energy to promote the development of innovative technologies to improve the economic competitiveness of nuclear power plants, promote grid stability, and reduce carbon emissions in the industrial sector.\r\nNuclear energy holds incredible potential beyond its traditional uses. Its hybrid energy systems and hydrogen production show great promise for keeping our nuclear fleet competitive for years to come,said Risch.The Idaho National Laboratory continues to be the world leader in nuclear innovation. Their groundbreaking work is enhancing the security of our electric grid and making nuclear power a viable energy source across multiple uses and platforms. This bipartisan legislation will expand upon that great work and I look forward to working with my colleague Sen. Manchin to advance this important piece of legislation.\r\nI am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan piece of legislation that will lay the groundwork for our energy systems of tomorrow,said Manchin.This legislation will allow for our national labs, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, to research, develop, and deploy technologies that will lower electricity costs and leverage advanced and existing nuclear, carbon capture, utilization and sequestration, and renewables to be used in the transportation and industrial sector.\r\nTo read the bill text, clickhere.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2019/10/22/id-7bfdfcb6-1761-4329-b338-5b985385edab/", "Congressman Fulcher Thanks Trump Administration for Decision on Electively-Aborted Human Fetal Tissue", "2019-10-22", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Contact:\n\nAlexah Rogge\n\n202-225-6611\n\nalexah.rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Fulcher signed a letter to support the Trump Administration\u2019s decision to impose a rule to end all National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding of medical research using the fetal tissue of electively-aborted babies.\n\nThe rule also requires any NIH research grant applications to be reviewed by an ethics board to ensure, among other things, that such experimentation does not violate the Public Health Services Act. It is expected that NIH plans to spend $120 million on these research projects in FY2019. Finally, it requires Health & Human Services (HHS) to provide Congress with an annual report including the description, status, and review of all applications.\n\n\u201cIt is wrong to use the most vulnerable of us for medical research,\u201d said Congressman Fulcher. \u201cI believe all life is precious. There is no more important role for government than to protect the sanctity of life. We must do all we can to meet that responsibility.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter to Secretary Azar here.\n\nA Fox News poll found that nearly half of Americans oppose research using human fetal tissue. Additionally, the D.C.-based taxpayer watchdog group White Coast Waste Project and Pro-Life San Francisco published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner that noted the extensive use of human fetal tissue from elective abortions being used in animal experiments at colleges and universities in California and around the country. In some instances, the body parts came from aborted babies ranging from 8 to 24 weeks old.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:39:44Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7BFDFCB6-1761-4329-B338-5B985385EDAB", "Congressman Fulcher Thanks Trump Administration for Decision on Electively-Aborted Human Fetal Tissue", "2019-10-22", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Facebook Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGoogle Plus Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tInstagram Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tLinkedIn Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tTwitter Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tYouTube Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tVimeo Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tClients Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEmail icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMap Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPrint Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tQuote Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\ticon_share\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Left\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Right\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t Print", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/icymi-risch-pens-op-ed-on-women-business-owners-in-rural-idaho", "ICYMI: Risch Pens Op-Ed on Women Business Owners in Rural Idaho", "2019-10-18", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In Case You Missed It \r\n  \r\n\r\nBy Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) - October 16, 2019\r\nIt seems like nearly every day there's a news story or statistic proclaiming Idaho as one of the best places to live, raise a family, and grow a business. Idaho is all those things and more, and people across the country are taking notice.\r\nJust this past August, Idaho received an A' rating in small business friendliness from Thumbtack, and in a new study from American Express, Idaho earned a spot in the Top Five for economic clout of women-run businesses, defined as an increase in the number of women-owned firms and their growth in employment and revenue.\r\nWomen small business owners in the Gem State are driving much of the innovation and economic growth we have experienced over the past decade. But apart from the thriving business communities in Idaho's urban hubs, we have countless women entrepreneurs in the rural reaches of our state who are outperforming expectations. They are the ones making Idaho the success story that it is.\r\nLast week, I had the opportunity to partner with the National Women's Business Council and meet some of these women from the Idaho business community for a Rural Women's Business roundtable. The roundtable, which was hosted at the new Nampa Women's Business Center, drew women entrepreneurs from across the state, with participants traveling from as far as Moscow and Filer.\r\nTheir challenges with starting and growing a small business often paralleled one another's. Being in Idaho, they told me, they have to work harder to access capital to grow their businesses, sometimes traveling to neighboring states to secure startup funding.\r\nPatchy internet access also poses a challenge, with many rural parts of the state lacking an adequate broadband connection to conduct ecommerce. On top of this, the difficulty of finding and hiring qualified workers  something all small businesses struggle with  is particularly acute for women running businesses in rural parts of the state.\r\nWe should all be committed to helping these small business owners and entrepreneurs address these issues. We are actively working to encourage eligible members of Idaho's business community to host a Small Business Investment Company (a program that helps fill funding gaps for small businesses), and I recently introduced legislation to streamline and better manage the SBIC application to potentially increase funding streams for emerging businesses. To address the challenges of effective rural broadband, I'm advocating for grants that will offset the high cost of deploying broadband to underserved communities. And while hiring continues to pose a challenge to Idaho businesses, I will work with my colleagues in the state to ensure Idaho attracts and maintains a broad and qualified workforce.\r\nIdaho's success is no coincidence. We understand the importance of keeping the government out of the way so that businesses, families and workers can thrive. Last week's conversation underscored the tenacity and spirit of Idaho's business community, and it gave me great hope for the future of Idaho. I applaud the women business owners I had the privilege of meeting, and look forward to watching their continued progress and success.\r\n  To read online, clickhere.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/idaho-sen-jim-risch-discusses-what-is-happening-in-syria-impeachment-inquiry-and-nancy-pelosi", "KTVB: Idaho Sen. Jim Risch discusses what is happening in Syria, impeachment inquiry, and Nancy Pelosi", "2019-10-18", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/kboi-nate-shelman-interviews-senator-risch-about-turkey-syria-legislation", "KBOI: Nate Shelman Interviews Senator Risch About Turkey-Syria Legislation", "2019-10-18", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/foreign-relations-committee-leaders-announce-new-comprehensive-syria-turkey-legislation", "Foreign Relations Committee Leaders Announce New Comprehensive Syria-Turkey Legislation", "2019-10-17", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan Risch-Menendez bill aims to hold Turkey accountable for actions in Syria \r\n\r\nWashington, D.C. - Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced they are partnering to introduce new comprehensive legislation in response to Turkey's military incursion into northern Syria and attack on America's partners in northeast Syria, including the Kurds.\r\nThe bipartisan legislation, which will be introduced soon, will require the administration to produce a strategy to defend our hard-won gains against ISIS and prevent a resurgence in Syria and Iraq, authorize humanitarian assistance for Syrian civilians, restrict arm sales to Turkey, and impose new biting sanctions against Turkey and Russia. The senators' effort comes as the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) last night introduced Syria-Turkey legislation in the House of Representatives.\r\nThis bipartisan legislation is meant to confront the instability being sown in the Middle East by President Erdogan,said Risch. For decades Turkey has been a strong ally, but Erdogan's aggressive actions are destabilizing Syria, and are a gift to the malign interests of Russia, Iran, and ISIS and its affiliates in the region. The Syrian Kurds have been critical partners to the U.S. and our allies as we have worked to counter ISIS and other terrorist activities in Syria, and we should continue this partnership. Additionally, Turkey's incursion has worsened an already devastating humanitarian situation in Syria, and I fear this will exacerbate the conflict between Turkey and the Kurds for years to come. I am glad to have worked with Senator Menendez and his staff on this bill and believe this is an important step to help address these actions.\r\nI'm proud to be a part of this bipartisan, bicameral effort by the leadership of the Congressional committees tasked with ensuring a robust American foreign policy that champions the values of democracy, peace, and the preservation of our national security,said Menendez. Our forthcoming legislation will address Turkey's brutal incursion into Northeastern Syria, but also require the Trump administration chart a path forward for our nation's efforts to counter ISIS and address our most pressing national security needs in the middle east. As the devastating consequences of withdrawing our troops from Northeastern Syria start becoming clearer, there's no doubt that sanctions against Turkey to date  while justified  have had no impact on Erdogan or his brutal incursion. We need comprehensive legislation and that is precisely what we will be pursuing in the coming days.\r\nKey provisions of the senators' legislation include:\r\nCounter-ISIS:   Requires a comprehensive strategy to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, including plans for ISIS detainees and humanitarian assistance. Strategy includes required reports on Russian and Iranian influence in Syria, and the ability of ISIS to reconstitute, among other reports.\r\nHumanitarian Assistance and Protection:   Required report on Turkish incursion into Syria, and conditions of humanitarian access, assistance and civilian protection\r\n Authorization of humanitarian assistance for Syrian civilians\r\n Report on potential Turkish war crimes during the Syrian incursion\r\n  Sanctions and Arms Prohibition for Turkey:   Restrictions on arms sales to Turkey for Syria\r\n Sanctions against senior Turkish officials\r\n Sanctions against persons providing arms to Turkish forces in Syria\r\n Directs president to oppose loans to Turkey from international finance institutions\r\n Report on Turkey's participation in NATO\r\n  Sanctions Against Russia for Malign Behavior in Syria:   Sanctions with respect to Russian support for Assad\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-colleagues-express-concern-regarding-suicide-rates-among-national-guardsmen", "Crapo, Colleagues Express Concern Regarding Suicide Rates among National Guardsmen", "2019-10-16", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 16, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Colleagues Express Concern Regarding Suicide Rates among National Guardsmen \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Request Defense Department assessment of gaps in prevention programs \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) expressing concerns with the high rates of suicide in the National Guard. Citing information from the DOD Annual Suicide Report for Calendar Year 2018, the letter acknowledges the suicide rate for members of the Guard was 30.6 suicides per 100,000 population, compared to 24.8 suicides per 100,000 population in the Active component, and 22.9 suicides per 100,000 population in the Reserves.\r\nThe letter reads, We cannot continue to treat the National Guard as just another branch of the Active Army and Air Force while not paying special attention to their unique needs. We must ensure the National Guard has the care and community comparable to the Active components. The National Guard maintains comparable operational tempos but lacks the support of a community that fully empathizes with their unique and sometimes isolating experience of being both soldier and civilian.\r\nThe Senators emphasized the unique position of National Guard servicemembers as both soldiers and civilians necessitates tailored solutions for accessing mental health care and community-based support. The letter requests a brief no later than December 2019 highlighting any gaps that remain across DOD, branch-level or interagency suicide prevention programs for the National Guard. The Senators also requested further analysis of any explanatory factors contributing to differences in suicide rates between the Active and Reserve Component and the National Guard.\r\nAdditional Senators that signed the letter include Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Patty Murray (D-Washington).\r\nSenator Crapo joined Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nevada) in introducing the Show Esteem and Respect for Veterans by Increasing Care and Equity (SERVICE) Act earlier this year to address the epidemic of veteran suicide by expanding access to mental health services for veterans. During an August roundtable discussion at the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Senator Crapo re-committed to furthering efforts to ensure National Guardsmen and women receive adequate mental health treatment for their service.\r\nA copy of the letter can be found here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/risch-picks-hanson-garage-as-idaho-small-business-of-the-month", "Risch Picks Hanson Garage as Idaho Small Business of the Month", "2019-10-16", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, has selected Hanson Garage of Orofino as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for October 2019. Hanson Garage will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.\r\nHanson Garage was founded more than 100 years ago by Hans Pete Hanson, and has seen three generations of leadership by the Hanson family. The garage, which specializes in selling and repairing vehicles, ATVs, and motorcycles, has been recognized numerous times for its exceptional sales and customer service. Orofino locals can agree that Hanson Garage is a staple in the community, and brothers Keith and Larry Hanson who now run the business attribute the garage's success to its consistent fair prices and superior customer service.\r\nI would like to extend a well-deserved congratulations to Keith and Larry Hanson and all of the employees of Hanson Garage for being selected as the October 2019 Idaho Small Business of the Month,said Risch.You make our great State proud, and I look forward to watching your continued growth and success.\r\nBackground:Each month, Senator Risch selects an Idaho small business that exemplifies the Idaho values of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and exceptional commitment to community.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2019/10/15/id-cb81d6f1-ed87-4b8d-a7e3-8d074b9b5976/", "Rep. Fulcher Joins Letter to Review Gruesome Discovery of 2,200 Fetal Remains", "2019-10-15", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Contact:\n\nAlexah Rogge\n\n202-225-6611\n\nalexah.rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Fulcher has signed onto Reps. Jim Banks and Jackie Walorski\u2019s letter requesting Attorney General William Barr to review whether any federal laws were violated in the gruesome discovery of more than 2,200 preserved fetal remains on the Illinois property of the recently deceased Dr. Ulrich \u201cGeorge\u201d Klopfer. Dr. Klopfer is a known abortionist who practiced for decades in northern Indiana until 2015.\n\n\u201cI believe the discovery of so many aborted babies shows us how horrific this practice can be,\u201d said Congressman Russ Fulcher. \u201cI applaud my colleagues for bringing this to our attention.\u201d\n\nThe letter by Members of Congress will consider whether there is a federal interest, such as learning whether any other individuals may have had knowledge or may bear any responsibility for the preservation and transfer of the remains, as well as if any state or federal laws were violated.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:39:44Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CB81D6F1-ED87-4B8D-A7E3-8D074B9B5976", "Rep. Fulcher Joins Letter to Review Gruesome Discovery of 2,200 Fetal Remains", "2019-10-15", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Facebook Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGoogle Plus Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tInstagram Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tLinkedIn Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tTwitter Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tYouTube Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tVimeo Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tClients Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEmail icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMap Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPrint Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tQuote Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\ticon_share\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Left\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Right\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t Print", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2019/10/07/id-e8ac45b9-5d9f-40fb-98f9-8547b415f0b9/", "Rep. Fulcher Announces Town Halls in Idaho\u2019s First District", "2019-10-07", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Contact:\n\nAlexah Rogge\n\n202-225-6611\n\nalexah.rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Russ Fulcher has announced a series of town halls across Idaho\u2019s First District. After nine months in Congress, Rep. Fulcher is hosting town halls to update constituents on his work and answer questions from those he represents.\n\nIt is requested that attendees RSVP at the link here: https://forms.gle/qfJpe1F1koej2eaPA\n\nMedia RSVP required to Alexah.Rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nThursday, October 10\n\n1:15-2:15pm\n\nSandpoint Town Hall\n\nPonderay Events Center\n\n401 Bonner Mall Way, Ponderay, ID 83852\n\nThursday, October 10\n\n4:30-5:30pm\n\nRathdrum Town Hall\n\nNorth Idaho Stem Charter Academy\n\n15633 N Meyer Rd, Rathdrum, ID 83858\n\nFriday, October 11\n\n10:30-11:30am\n\nLewiston Town Hall\n\nLewiston City Library (Upstairs)\n\n411 D St, Lewiston, ID 83501\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:39:44Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E8AC45B9-5D9F-40FB-98F9-8547B415F0B9", "Rep. Fulcher Announces Town Halls in Idaho\u2019s First District", "2019-10-07", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Facebook Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGoogle Plus Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tInstagram Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tLinkedIn Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tTwitter Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tYouTube Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tVimeo Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tClients Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEmail icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMap Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPrint Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tQuote Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\ticon_share\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Left\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Right\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t Print", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/icymi-idaho-sen-risch-has-quiet-but-key-role-on-national-stage", "ICYMI: Idaho Sen. Risch has quiet but key role on national stage", "2019-10-07", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "By Betsy Z. Russell - October 6, 2019\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Jim Risch had just asked Pat Kole of the Idaho Potato Commission about this year's potato crop when his cellphone rang loudly, its bright, old-fashioned brring, brring ringtone startling everyone in the conference room of Risch's Senate office.\r\nGuys, this is the White House  I gotta take this, Risch said, ducking out of the meeting.\r\nIn his 10 years in the nation's capital, Risch has gone from a little-remarked senator from a small state to chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, one of the most powerful and high-profile positions in Congress. Heads of state and other high-ranking foreign officials regularly seek him out; the president and top administration officials are in touch frequently.\r\nIn today's Washington, D.C., it's a role that preceded early retirement after two terms for Risch's predecessor, GOP Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who held the gavel for four years. Corker had repeated, testy, high-profile clashes with GOP President Donald Trump, whose often unorthodox and fast-changing positions on foreign policy have included overtures to the nation's biggest enemies and insults to longtime allies. It's a role that Risch relishes.\r\nThe president interacts with me on a very respectful basis. That respect flows both directions, Risch said, and that's how you get things done.\r\nBY TELEPHONE, NOT MICROPHONE'\r\nRisch has raised hackles among Democrats, pundits and the press for declaring that he'll keep his differences with Trump private, but many of his Senate Republican colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee laud him for that approach.\r\nJim believes the way to talk with the president is by telephone, not microphone, said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming.\r\nSen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, praised Risch's quiet and focused leadership, as opposed to a lot of bloviating.\r\nHe's a grownup, said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, a close ally of Risch. I think he has seen enough in his life, both as a person and as a public official, to know what matters and what doesn't.  I've learned a lot from him in this regard.\r\nRisch's approach also has drawn criticism, however. Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution and its director of research on foreign policy, calls it regrettable.\r\nA senator should never be afraid to challenge a president, because the reason we've been a successful democracy is because we have three branches of government, O'Hanlon said. The three branches are checks and balances on each other. If you just disagree with him in private, it may not create any political pressure.\r\nPlus, he said, public disagreement allows the citizenry at large to be involved in the debate.\r\nOthers see Risch's quiet approach as the more productive path.\r\nSen. Corker did not really advance the ball at the committee by virtue of his public spats with President Trump,\" said Jon Lerner, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and former deputy to the U.S. ambassador at the United Nations; he was part of the Trump Administration until the end of 2018.\r\nPresident Trump actually speaks to members of Congress far more often than previous presidents did, certainly than President Obama or President Bush, Lerner said. That's sort of how he approaches dealings with Congress.\r\nLerner said when he was with the administration, Risch was viewed very positively.\r\nThe view of Sen. Risch is that he's a serious guy, he's not a show horse, he's not somebody who tries to get publicity for himself. He's very serious about U.S. foreign policy,\" he said. \"And his policy views, not in every case, but in most cases, align with where the administration is. So he was very much seen as an ally.\r\nSen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said, If he feels the administration is making an error, he is assertive in pushing back.  I watched him in an interaction with the president, and the president didn't like the points of view that Republican senators were expressing. Sen. Risch was relentless and determined, and he succeeded in redirecting an important policy decision.\r\nHis approach has been effective to date, Romney said. The issues he's had, he has been able to impact policy. I have seen that firsthand.\r\nRisch said bluntly, It's the only approach that will work.\r\nIf you're results-oriented, you have to figure out what works, and then use that, he said.\r\nHOW HE GOT HERE\r\nAfter a long career in the Idaho Senate, two terms as lieutenant governor and a seven-month stint as governor, Risch, a self-made millionaire lawyer from Boise, arrived in Washington, D.C., in 2009 ready for a change.\r\nI said I didn't want anything to do with money, Risch said in a recent speech in Boise. After all the years I spent in state government, I'm tired of dealing with taxes and budgets and appropriations. I even turned down a seat on the appropriations committee. And I wound up with what I think is a dream portfolio, because  it is absolutely, incredibly interesting.\r\nRisch's fellow Idaho senator, Republican Mike Crapo, who long has chaired the Senate's Committee on Committees that parcels out committee assignments, said, We had seats available on appropriations at that point, but Jim wanted Foreign Relations.\r\nAppropriations is the powerful committee that decides how federal tax money is spent  what gets funded and what doesn't. It's where 2nd District Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson has built his power in his 21-year career in the House.\r\nThere's a lot of things you can do for your district and for your state, Simpson said.\r\nSimpson, a dentist and former speaker of the Idaho House, said he's glad Risch passed on an appropriations seat.\r\nI think it's a mistake for all four of us to try and get on the same committees, he said. With only four (Idaho) members, it's important for us to try and spread out.\r\nSimpson said when he runs into a banking issue, he calls Crapo, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee. He does the same with Risch on matters in Risch's wheelhouse.\r\nIf something comes up regarding foreign affairs or intelligence, we'll call Jim's office, and Jim will tell us what he can, he said with a chuckle, noting that Risch deals with lots of classified information that he can't discuss. That citing of what he knows but can't talk about is among Risch's hallmarks in Washington, D.C.\r\nJim has a good relationship with the president, Simpson said. He doesn't criticize him, and I think that's kind of how you have to handle it. Most Republicans don't like the behavior  but they like (Trump's) policies, and ultimately it comes down to policies.\r\nI think Jim consults with the president probably more than we think about these issues, Simpson said. As far as I can tell, I think Jim's doing a really good job over there, I do.\r\nBefore heading to D.C., Risch had little international background beyond overseas vacations with his wife, Vicki. His undergraduate degree from the University of Idaho was in forestry.\r\nJim decided he wanted to do foreign relations, Crapo said. He is an incredibly intelligent, fast learner.  He's like a sponge. He learned at deep levels, even down to the personal relationship level with leaders of foreign countries.\r\nCrapo said when he arrived in Washington, D.C., he decided to focus on finance, the revenue side of government, which included entitlements, international trade, banking, the housing market and urban development, the stock market, the federal reserve, and the economy.\r\nI had to make the same choice in reverse, Crapo said. Although I made it differently, I made it with some reluctance.\r\nCrapo, before he earned his law degree at Harvard, majored in international relations and political science at Brigham Young University.\r\n'PARTISAN AND DIVIDED' ERA\r\nRisch has been known throughout his career as a conservative Republican, a highly partisan figure. He notes that just two years after he arrived at the Idaho Senate as a freshman, he was in GOP leadership, and he stayed in leadership from there on out, rising to Senate president pro-tem.\r\nYou get much more of a reputation as a partisan when you're in leadership  you have to carry the flag, he said.\r\nBut the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has historically been a bastion of bipartisanship, based on the longstanding principle, as articulated by then-Sen. Arthur Vandenberg, R-Michigan, in 1945, that politics stop at the water's edge, when the nation deals with other nations.\r\nI try to avoid partisanship, Risch said. Having said that, Republicans and Democrats are different  they're more different today than at any time in 50 years, and they're drifting further. They have a different view of government.\r\nSen. Christopher Coons, D-Delaware, said, I think he is chairman in one of the most divided and partisan periods in American history. Some of my colleagues would say he is a more partisan chairman. This is also a more partisan and divided period.\r\nRisch gets high marks from minority Democrats on the committee for his responsiveness and inclusiveness as chairman.\r\nThere are very few senators with whom I vote the opposite way more frequently than Jim Risch, but he is responsive and listens, and I appreciate it, Coons said.\r\nDemocratic Sen. Tim Kaine, R-Virginia, Hillary Clinton's 2019 vice presidential pick, said, Look, I'm not a big fan of the president, bluntly, and Jim is a big fan of the president. So we have major differences. But he said Risch's approach to the chairmanship has benefited him as a minority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.\r\nI would frankly be in the dark about a lot of things, if it hadn't been for Jim, Kaine said.\r\nWhen Kaine couldn't get the Trump administration's state department to turn over documents about nuclear technology transfers to Saudi Arabia, he asked about it during an open committee hearing, and Risch backed him up.\r\nHe said, You're entitled to that information,' and I had it within 48 hours, Kaine said.\r\nYoung, the Republican senator from Indiana, lauded Risch's directness.\r\nI've found his leadership refreshing, he said. He's brought a level of candor and directness to committee leadership. It's very easy to get an unvarnished and clear assessment from Sen. Risch with regard to challenges I might encounter in trying to advance some legislation.\r\nThough Risch didn't originally support Trump for president he backed Rubio he has emerged as one of Trump's biggest defenders in Congress, frequently dismissing all criticism of Trump, including the impeachment inquiry, as \"hate and vitriol\" that is \"so over the top.\"\r\nKaine doesn't buy Risch's talk of quietly and privately disagreeing with Trump.\r\n\"That does assume disagreement.  I don't know what that would be, Kaine said. \"I think Sen. Risch sincerely believes that they're  following the right path.\"\r\nHeather Conley, senior vice president at the respected think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a former deputy assistant secretary of state under President George W. Bush, said, I would characterize Sen. Risch as a traditional Republican hawk, who's trying to manage within a very disruptive foreign and security policy environment and trying to, the best he can, maintain a bipartisan approach in a very partisan environment for foreign policy and national security issues.\r\nI think this would be difficult for any senator to manage this, Conley said. It's not just obviously a disruptive environment. You have deep partisanship that has seeped fully into foreign policy and national security. You really have a Congress that is struggling to function as a balancing force, a check on the executive.\r\nConley said there have always been important tactical differences between Republicans and Democrats on foreign policy. But we had a larger bipartisan consensus on how we should approach major challenges to the United States.\r\nThat began to erode in the early 2000s, she said, with the Iraq war, when questioning the policy was questioning patriotism. It's a vote that still 17 years later, it's still a litmus test for politicians, on how they voted. That was really what began this deep partisanship.\r\nThings like the Iran nuclear agreement are seen in such partisan terms that, for example, Risch himself refers to it as a policy of the Obama Administration, rather than the U.S. government.\r\nWhen we see partisanship on major agreements, then they are undone when a new administration comes in, Conley said. So that partisanship damages the U.S. and its credibility and its certainty as a foreign policy actor, and in some ways it makes us more insecure.\r\nI give Sen. Risch great credit for trying to restore bipartisanship on the Foreign Relations Committee, Conley said, though he's suffered some bumps and bruises, most notably on his Saudi Arabia legislation. But at least he's trying.\r\nSAUDI ARABIA, HONG KONG\r\nThough Risch rarely makes national headlines, he did so in late July, when the Foreign Relations Committee rejected his proposed Saudi Arabia sanctions bill in favor of a stronger one proposed by ranking Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, blocking arms sales and in-flight refueling of Saudi aircraft in retaliation for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. That prompted Risch to withdraw his own bill, and nothing ended up moving forward.\r\nForeign Relations Committee snubs Republican chairman on Saudi Arabia,declared the headline on Politico, over a photo of a perturbed Risch.Senators break ranks over Saudi Arabia,said the headline in Foreign Policy Magazine.\r\nThere was much concern that, in the hubbub, Risch was violating comity, a longstanding tradition on the committee that the chairman and ranking minority member negotiate the agenda. Risch says it didn't happen.\r\nComity means different things to different people, he said. I've bent over backwards to make the thing work and to get along. But Sen. Menendez and I have a different view of what comity is.\r\nHe said Menendez suggested nothing should go on the committee's agenda without the two of them agreeing on it.\r\nI said, So you're the chairman?' he recalled.\r\nRisch had negotiated his milder bill with the president, and said Trump had committed to signing it  even though the president at the time wasn't enthusiastic about taking steps against Saudi Arabia.\r\nThe bill that survived cannot become law, as it would be vetoed, Risch said in a statement after the committee's vote. But, it was a fair debate, a fair vote, and now it's done. The committee will move on to other pressing business.\r\nOn Hong Kong, by contrast, Risch has moved forward in a bipartisan fashion, joining Menendez to meet with the leaders of the nation's pro-democracy movement in September and advancing bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by the committee's two second-ranking members of each party, Rubio and Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland.\r\nWhen Risch and Menendez met with the young protest leaders in the Foreign Relations Committee's ornate, historic hearing room in the Capitol on Sept. 19, and Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong recounted brutal tactics used by police against the democracy protesters, Risch declared, The world is watching.\r\n\r\nSen. Jim Risch, with wife Vicki, and Sen. Bob Menendez, all three at center, pose with leaders of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement on Sept. 19, 2019, in Senate Foreign Relations Committee's formal meeting room in the U.S. Capitol. At Risch's right is movement leader Joshua Wong; at Menendez' left is pop star and pro-democracy advocate Denise Ho.BETSY Z. RUSSELL/Idaho Press\r\nA week later, the Senate committee unanimously passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, and Risch said, After more than two decades of broken promises, it is time that we hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy. This bill takes important steps in that direction. I am proud of the bipartisan work that went into this legislation  we are all proud to stand with the people of Hong Kong in pursuit of their fundamental freedoms.\r\nConley said that's the perfect example of how Congress can still work to influence foreign policy in the current disruptive environment. When Congress speaks in a bipartisan way and sends a clear message that the value and the dignity of the individual, standing for democracy and liberty (matters)  it is a balance to the president, she said. And hopefully it will start to change the president's language and action.\r\nIt may not grab all the headlines in the world, you may not be able to see that change, she said, but the message that that sends to the Hong Kong activists is critical.  We underestimate the power of that moral perspective, and giving hope to people that are fighting oppression. And Congress is really important. I really commend him for doing it and making it bipartisan.\"\r\nDAYS OF DYSFUNCTION\r\nRubio faults Democrats for the dysfunction on Capitol Hill, where budgets don't get passed, deadlines are missed, government shutdowns are regularly threatened and there's a near-constant air of chaos. It's a common theme; each party regularly blames the other.\r\nOn a recent morning in the Senate, the opening remarks from the majority and minority leaders featured each accusing the other of obstruction and dishonesty. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, his left arm in a sling, ripped into Senate Democrats for what he described as putting up a familiar litany of partisan stumbling blocks before the appropriations process.\r\nThen, Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer shot back, saying, I've heard some howlers in my day, but that's pretty rich, what Leader McConnell is saying.\r\nRepublicans control the Senate, Democrats control the House. The House currently is immersed in an impeachment inquiry against Trump  an issue so politically volatile that it's figuratively sucking all the air out of the Capitol, leaving little for other pressing issues.\r\nAfter the Senate's failed attempt to pass a mini-bus  versus omnibus  budget bill amid party squabbling over border-wall funding, Risch said, This is not the way it should be done, there's obviously no question about it. But, he said, The president has absolutely run into a brick wall. It's so partisan that the wall' has become a euphemism for everything the president stands for.\r\nNow, you can't even talk about it, Risch said in disgust.\r\nRisch, Rubio said, is operating under a very different set of circumstances, so his years of experience at every level of government has really served him well.\r\nThose different circumstances?\r\nWe're running up against an unparalleled level of obstruction, Rubio said, to where Democrats are objecting to even nominees that in years past would have flown through.\r\nConley said multiple factors have played into the huge list of vacancies among key State Department and foreign service positions in the Trump Administration, and Risch has been trying to move some of those along.\r\nThe White House has been  slow in nominating, slow in putting forward the paperwork, slow, slow, slow even three years into the process, she said. And sometimes those nominees are going to be individuals that will need greater scrutiny because they do not have experience in the portfolios they are about to enter. The Democrats, some could argue with extreme due diligence, are doing their part to be extremely thorough in the vetting process, probably more thorough than previous parties would have done. Which has a cumulative effect of slowing this process down.\r\nEven Lerner, who worked in the Trump Administration, agreed. That's the fault of the White House, he said.\r\nCoons noted that Trump himself had no previous experience in government when he took office. He is learning foreign policy on the job, Coons said. We don't have an ambassador to Pakistan or Jordan today.  No one's ever been nominated.\r\nHe noted, Some of these issues are not of Sen. Risch's making at all.\r\nFRENETIC PACE\r\nRisch's days in the Senate proceed at a lightning-quick pace. He sits for a briefing on Asia issues with his staff in his office before a big hearing in the Foreign Relations Committee, asks a few questions, makes some notes in a binder with a Sharpie.\r\nThanks  good job, he concludes. This is good stuff.\r\nImmediately after that briefing, a staffer informs him the president has tweeted about a new national security adviser appointee.\r\nIt was the worst-kept secret in D.C., Risch responds, adding, Good pick. He's got a solid reputation.\r\nHe then heads off to the hearing, and is accosted in the Capitol basement by a phalanx of national reporters with questions about the attack on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure.\r\nI've reviewed all the intelligence on the matter, Risch declares. The president was on very firm ground.\r\nAsked by reporters what more he needs to hear to conclude that Iran was responsible for the attack, Risch says brusquely, I don't need to hear anything more. It speaks for itself.\r\n\r\nIdaho Sen. Jim Risch answers questions about Saudi Arabia from a phalanx of national reporters in the basement of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 18, 2019.BETSY Z. RUSSELL/Idaho Press\r\nThe reporters move on, and Risch steps onto the Capitol's internal subway to travel to the hearing.\r\nAsked how frequently he gets questions about his conversations with the president, Risch says, Oh, 10 times a day. Frequently. He shares little from those conversations, beyond general positions with which he's stating agreement.\r\nWhile presiding over the Asia hearing, he has to leave periodically to cast votes on the Senate floor, as do other members of the panel; Risch hands the gavel off to another member when he steps out.\r\nRisch's schedule before and after the hearing is peppered with various meetings with constituent groups, each of them cued up in a different conference room surrounding his Senate office. He meets with health care advocates from Idaho. He steps behind closed doors to chat with Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. He meets with representatives of Melaleuca and Scentsy pushing a direct-selling bill.\r\nYou're not going to have any trouble with me on this, he tells them. I know what a contract employee is.\r\n\r\nSen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, left, meets with Corey Surber, right, of Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, in Risch's Senate office in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 18, 2019. Risch's days in Washington include numerous meetings with constituent groups.BETSY Z. RUSSELL/Idaho Press\r\nRisch says he once held 26 constituent meetings in a single day. Now that he's the Foreign Relations chairman, his schedule also includes visits with international delegations and high-ranking foreign officials.\r\nConley said the nation's biggest foreign policy challenges right now are in some ways beyond the reach of a weakened congressional branch.\r\nCongress does not implement or execute foreign security policy, she said. They hold power of the purse strings, which is important. They hold laws on sanctions. They can prohibit, but they cannot implement. So when Congress has weighed in on Russia sanctions, Chinese policy and technology transfers  there's bipartisan unity on that. But Congress does not execute the policy.\r\nThe unevenness, the absolute uncertainty on any given day what our policy is  will it be leveraged, will it be used, she said. This is where Congress has no control. That is in some ways the most maddening part of it. For a policy to be effective  there has to be certainty and credibility. We have neither right now.\r\nRisch says, My job is to do the best I can for America and for my state. That doesn't include fighting with the president, he said. The president and I have disagreements, but I have found the best way to try and have some influence is to keep it between he and I.\r\n\r\n\r\nBetsy Z. Russell is the Boise bureau chief and state capitol reporter for the Idaho Press and Adams Publishing Group. Follow her on Twitter at @BetsyZRussell.\r\nTo read the story on the Idaho Press, clickhere.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-proposed-transportation-rule-would-provide-greater-autonomy-to-idaho-tribes", "Crapo: Proposed Transportation Rule Would Provide Greater Autonomy to Idaho Tribes", "2019-10-04", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 04, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo: Proposed Transportation Rule Would Provide Greater Autonomy to Idaho Tribes \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Rule would reduce burdensome and costly regulatory red tape \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) earlier this week announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to establish a Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program at DOT. The announcement is the culmination of a three-year negotiated rulemaking process among representatives of Indian tribes, the DOT and the Department of the Interior (DOI).\r\nThe proposed rulemaking recognizes the unique self-governance capabilities of Idaho's tribes to strengthen infrastructure and reduce administrative red tape from the federal government, said Crapo. Tribal leaders know best the needs of their communities and members, and the proposed rule would provide for greater autonomy in the management and delivery of transportation programs in their communities.\r\nThe Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program will strengthen transportation infrastructure and reduce administrative red tape for Tribes receiving funding from the Department, said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.\r\nThe proposal will streamline the DOT's approach to the distribution of transportation funding to Indian tribes, and reduce burdensome and costly regulatory requirements. This will both reduce the administrative burden on the Tribes and promote greater self-sufficiency. By providing funding to local Tribal communities under a less onerous framework, DOT will partner with Tribes to ensure more program funds are used to improve the quality of life in Indian communities.\r\nDOT is seeking comments on the proposed rule and will hold additional Tribal consultations before the close of public comment 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. Read the full proposed rule here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/senators-call-for-financial-certainty-for-rural-counties", "Senators Call for Financial Certainty for Rural Counties", "2019-10-02", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 02, 2019\n\t\t\t Senators Call for Financial Certainty for Rural Counties \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bipartisan group of 31 Senators request two-year reauthorization for PILT and SRS programs \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and 27 of their Senate colleagues today requested that any end-of-year legislation include at least a two-year reauthorization of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) programs.\r\nIn a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators wrote, Congress has an obligation to ensure counties with large swaths of federally-owned, tax-exempt forests and rangelands can adequately provide essential services for their residents. As history has proved, without the certainty of these two critical programs, schools, libraries, and jails will close. The services counties continue to provide will see a reduction in staffing and resources. Roads will go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental health and physical health services will be scaled back and in some cases even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers will be forced to patrol larger and larger areas.\r\nAs we work to establish a permanent county payments solution, diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our public lands provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, grazing opportunities, and wood fiber for local economies, a short-term reauthorization of at least two years is critical to provide fiscal certainty for counties containing federally-owned lands.\r\nIn addition to Crapo, Risch, Wyden and Merkley, the letter is signed by: U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Cory Gardner, R-Colo., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Tom Udall, D-N.M., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Kamala Harris, D-Calif., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Martha McSally, R-Ariz., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Jon Tester, D-Mont.\r\nA copy of the full letter can be found here.\r\nAs part of a broader effort to ensure long-term financial stability for rural counties containing large swaths of federal lands, Crapo, Wyden, Risch, Merkley, Bennet and Gardner recently introduced legislation that would reauthorize the PILT program for ten years. Crapo, Wyden, Merkley and Risch earlier this year also introduced the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act to make SRS permanent by creating an endowment fund to provide stable, increasing and reliable funding for county services.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/senators-call-for-financial-certainty-for-rural-counties", "Senators Call for Financial Certainty for Rural Counties", "2019-10-02", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.),Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and 27 of their Senate colleagues today requested that any end-of-year legislation include at least a two-year reauthorization of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) programs.\r\nIn a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the senators wrote,\"Congress has an obligation to ensure counties with large swaths of federally-owned, tax-exempt forests and rangelands can adequately provide essential services for their residents. As history has proved, without the certainty of these two critical programs, schools, libraries, and jails will close. The services counties continue to provide will see a reduction in staffing and resources. Roads will go unpaved and become unsafe. Mental health and physical health services will be scaled back and in some cases even ended. Fewer and fewer law enforcement officers will be forced to patrol larger and larger areas.\r\n\"As we work to establish a permanent county payments solution, diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments, and ensure that our public lands provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, grazing opportunities, and wood fiber for local economies, a short-term reauthorization of at least two years is critical to provide fiscal certainty for counties containing federally-owned lands.\r\nIn addition to Risch, Wyden, Crapo, and Merkley, the letter is signed by: U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.).\r\nA copy of the full letter can be foundhere.\r\nAs part of a broader effort to ensure long-term financial stability for rural counties containing large swaths of federal lands,Risch, Wyden, Crapo, Merkley, Bennet, and Gardner recentlyintroducedlegislation that would reauthorize the PILT program for ten years.Risch, Wyden, Crapo, and Merkleyearlier this year alsointroducedthe Forest Management for Rural Stability Act to make SRS permanent by creating an endowment fund to provide stable, increasing and reliable funding for county services.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/9/risch aquifer recharge bill advances to full senate", "Risch Aquifer Recharge Bill Advances to Full Senate", "2019-09-25", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", null, 0, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/blog/?postid=398787", "Simpson Cosponsors Bills to make PILT Permanent and to Extend SRS", "2019-09-24", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Simpson Cosponsors Bills to make PILT Permanent and to Extend\r\nWashington, D.C. - Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored two bills that would provide payments to counties with significant percentages of federal land. The Permanently Authorizing PILT Act would eliminate the uncertainty of annual PILT payments by permanently funding the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program which provides more than $30 million a year to Idaho counties. Congressman Simpson also cosponsored H.R. 3048 which would extend the Secure Rural Schools program which provides payments to counties with national forests who have seen revenue from timber sales decline beginning in the early 1990's. Both programs fund essential local services such as education and roads. \r\nPILT and SRS are critical to Idaho counties, said Congressman Simpson. This is essentially the federal government's property tax for counties where there is large amounts of federal land. If you don't have the ability to collect local property taxes, these programs are necessary to provide funding for schools, roads, and other local services  especially in small rural counties. That is why I am proud to continue my support for PILT and SRS through cosponsoring H.R. 3043 and 3048.\r\nCongressman Simpson also cosponsored H.R. 3716, which would fix the PILT formula to benefit smaller population counties without impacting larger counties defined as 5,000 or more in population. This would potentially benefit six Idaho counties who currently receive PILT payments. \r\nAll the bills have bipartisan support. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398787", "Simpson Cosponsors Bills to make PILT Permanent and to Extend SRS", "2019-09-24", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Simpson Cosponsors Bills to make PILT Permanent and to Extend SRS \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      September 24, 2019\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Simpson Cosponsors Bills to make PILT Permanent and to Extend SRS\r\nWashington, D.C. - Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored two bills that would provide payments to counties with significant percentages of federal land. The Permanently Authorizing PILT Act would eliminate the uncertainty of annual PILT payments by permanently funding the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program which provides more than $30 million a year to Idaho counties. Congressman Simpson also cosponsored H.R. 3048 which would extend the Secure Rural Schools program which provides payments to counties with national forests who have seen revenue from timber sales decline beginning in the early 1990's. Both programs fund essential local services such as education and roads. \r\nPILT and SRS are critical to Idaho counties, said Congressman Simpson. This is essentially the federal government's property tax for counties where there is large amounts of federal land. If you don't have the ability to collect local property taxes, these programs are necessary to provide funding for schools, roads, and other local services  especially in small rural counties. That is why I am proud to continue my support for PILT and SRS through cosponsoring H.R. 3043 and 3048.\r\nCongressman Simpson also cosponsored H.R. 3716, which would fix the PILT formula to benefit smaller population counties without impacting larger counties defined as 5,000 or more in population. This would potentially benefit six Idaho counties who currently receive PILT payments. \r\nAll the bills have bipartisan support. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/9/risch-leads-senators-in-calling-on-secretary-perdue-to-prioritize-forest-projects-in-rural-counties", "Risch Leads Senators in Calling on Secretary Perdue to Prioritize Forest Projects in Rural Counties", "2019-09-24", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, U.S. Sen Jim Risch (R-Idaho) led thirteen of his Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue urging the secretary to expedite nominations to Resource Advisory Committees (RACs). A vital part of the Secure Rural Schools law, RACs provide recommendations to federal land managers about where and how to spend SRS Title II funds. The majority of RACs are plagued by vacancies and do not have the membership needed to disburse funds already appropriated by Congress.\r\nSixty percent of RACs nationwide currently lack a quorum and, consequently, the ability to distribute funds for projects, the senators wrote. This equates to approximately $55 million for Title II projects that is allocated for, but not being invested in, rural communities. The letter goes on to encourage the secretary to use all authorities at his disposal to expedite nominations.\r\nCompounding the problem, eligible RACs have only until September 30, 2020 to initiate projects, and funds must be obligated no later than September 30, 2021. Title II funds may be spent on federal land for projects such as trail maintenance or repair, noxious weed abatement, watershed restoration, soil productivity improvement, or a variety of other purposes.\r\nOther signers of the letter included Senators Crapo, Wyden, Gardner, Merkley, McSally, Bennet, Graham, Tim Scott, Daines, Murkowski, Romney, Hawley and Lee.\r\nBackground: SRS payments provide a critical income stream to rural communities throughout Idaho and the West. Earlier this year, Sens. Risch, Crapo, Wyden, and Merkley introduced the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act to create a permanent endowment to provide rural counties with a stable, reliable income stream to fund county services. \r\nTo read the full letter, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2019/09/23/id-6fd6dd7e-522f-4827-8f97-304a3877e181/", "Rep. Fulcher Introduces Bill to Honor Forensic Science", "2019-09-23", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Contact:\n\nAlexah Rogge\n\n202-225-6611\n\nalexah.rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON\u2013 In honor of National Forensic Science Week, Congressman Russ Fulcher introduced a resolution to recognize the hard work of forensic science laboratories in support of justice and public safety.\n\nForensic science is a critical component of police investigatory work, analyzing DNA, ballistics, drugs and toxicology, fingerprint analysis, trace evidence, and digital signatures on software applications. Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies rely heavily on the work of forensic science. In the fight against the illegal opioid drug trade and illegal drugs, forensic labs can help validate the accuracy of the identity and quantity of controlled substances. Forensic science supports law enforcement in dealing with drug crimes that include detecting drugs at crime scenes, in cargo, and at transit hubs throughout the shipment process.\n\nIdaho is a leader in the field of forensic science, as demonstrated by:\n\nIdaho was the first state in the country to fully implement a sexual assault kit tracking system. Led by Idaho State Police forensic services, Idaho tracks and tests all sexual assault kits.\n\nIdaho has revolutionized the performance of toxicology testing in the state. Most DUI/DUID cases are tested within 45 days, and a number of drugs are now being quantitated to help in criminal prosecutions.\n\nAll drug cases in Idaho have a 10-day turnaround time, helping investigators and courts receive their evidence in a very timely manner.\n\nThis year, Idaho is developing one of the most robust data sharing systems in the country for the identification of emerging drug trends. Idaho will be one of the first in the country to develop a test method for quantitating marijuana so that the state can comply with the federal farm bill related to interstate commerce of industrial hemp.\n\nRep. Fulcher commented, \u201cThis week of recognition of forensic science is extremely important\u2013 not only to recognizing our law enforcement and forensic scientists who rely on timely, reliable data to complete their jobs, but also for families who want answers to crimes that have affected them, and for men and women who have experienced extreme trauma. I am very proud to be representing one of the leading states in forensic science and encourage all states to look to Idaho for leadership on best practices in this space.\u201d\n\nNational Forensic Science Week recognizes the important contribution forensic science makes to help in the investigation of crimes, in the prosecution and conviction of correct perpetrators, and in the exoneration of innocent individuals falsely accused of crimes. The resolution also encourages policymakers, local, state, and federal leaders, and media outlets to tour forensic science laboratories and attend community events sponsored by local forensic science labs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:37:07Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2019/09/23/id-b128f7c8-8ee4-4260-9b27-e6283990c519/", "Fulcher Supports Bill to Combat Anti-Semitism", "2019-09-23", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "Contact:\n\nAlexah Rogge\n\n202-225-6611\n\nalexah.rogge@mail.house.gov\n\nWASHINGTON\u2013 Congressman Fulcher co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to counter the rise of anti-Semitism. H.R. 943, the Never Again Education Act will provide schools with content outlining the historical realities of the Holocaust, and will counter recent trends on anti-Zionism, which often masquerades as an excuse to engage in anti-Semitism. This bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by 280 House Members, including Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson.\n\n\u201cI have never understood how people could engage in anti-Semitism,\u201d said Congressman Fulcher. \u201cI will defend the Jewish people from those who push bigotry and hate against them. The Holocaust happened, the Nazi Regime was responsible, and false propaganda or fake \u2018anti-Zion\u2019 campaigns do not change the fact that there are hostile governments in the world who attack people because of their religion. We have an obligation to use the realities of history to teach our children that discrimination of any kind has no place in America. People should respect one another.\u201d\n\nH.R. 943 authorizes the federal Department of Education (DOE) to provide grants for teaching about the Holocaust. The emphasis will be on the treatment of people of Jewish origin by the Nazi government before and during World War II. This will include education content to address efforts to deny, distort, or otherwise seek to revise the history of the scale, gravity, and humanitarian consequences of the Holocaust.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:37:07Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6FD6DD7E-522F-4827-8F97-304A3877E181", "Rep. Fulcher Introduces Bill to Honor Forensic Science", "2019-09-23", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Facebook Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGoogle Plus Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tInstagram Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tLinkedIn Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tTwitter Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tYouTube Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tVimeo Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tClients Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEmail icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMap Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPrint Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tQuote Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\ticon_share\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Left\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Right\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t Print", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://fulcher.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B128F7C8-8EE4-4260-9B27-E6283990C519", "Fulcher Supports Bill to Combat Anti-Semitism", "2019-09-23", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Facebook Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tGoogle Plus Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tInstagram Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tLinkedIn Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tTwitter Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tYouTube Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tVimeo Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tClients Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tEmail icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tMap Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPrint Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tQuote Icon\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\ticon_share\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Left\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCarousel Arrow - Right\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tHome\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMedia\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Releases\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t Print", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/senate-recognizes-september-as-prostate-cancer-awareness-month", "Senate Recognizes September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month", "2019-09-23", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 23, 2019\n\t\t\t Senate Recognizes September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- The U.S. Senate unanimously supported a Senate Resolution designating September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) introduced the resolution, which aims to educate people in the United States about prostate cancer and early detection strategies crucial to saving the lives of men and preserving and protecting families.\r\nI know firsthand the need for early screenings and warnings when it comes to cancer, said Crapo. Checkups and testing for prostate cancer can save lives given that it is treatable if found early. Congress must use every avenue available, including through resolutions like these, to raise awareness of the risks and early detection screenings necessary to combat prostate cancer.\r\nProstate cancer is highly preventable and the U.S. has the highest rates of prostate cancer survival in the world,said Menendez. But early detection is key to survival. Congress has a responsibility to promote awareness and encourage men of all ages to speak to their providers about prostate health.\r\nThe resolution notes that nearly 3 million men in the U.S. live with prostate cancer, and that one in 41 will die from the cancer. Furthermore, it encourages improvements to health care services for detecting and treating prostate cancer. Senator Crapo, a two-time prostate cancer survivor, has co-sponsored similar resolutions in the past. Recently, he co-sponsored legislation with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) to reauthorize and increase funding for the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act, which would help better the chance of survival of breast cancer.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/six-interns-join-crapos-offices-for-fall-term", "Six Interns Join Crapo\u2019s Offices for Fall Term", "2019-09-23", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 23, 2019\n\t\t\t Six Interns Join Crapo's Offices for Fall Term \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- The Washington, D.C., and state offices of U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) will have four interns serve in various capacities for the fall of 2019.\r\nInternships with the U.S. Senate provide each person with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in the legislative branch, said Crapo. Our interns this fall will be tasked with assignments that help them witness firsthand how the views and needs of Idahoans are considered before Congress in the front office, the legislative office and in the press office. I look forward to having them on my team for this fall.\r\nFour students are interning in the Washington, D.C., office:\r\nSamuel Hunt, a native of Rexburg, studies Business Strategy at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. With educational interests in the judiciary, as well as fiscal and monetary policy, Sam also enjoys camping, skiing and watching college football.\r\nBridget Swanson is also a native of Rexburg attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. An American Studies major, Bridget sees herself teaching American History or Government at the college level someday, and enjoys swimming, reading and exploring big cities. She previously interned in the U.S. House of Representatives for Representative John Curtis (R-Utah-03).\r\nSamantha Foster, a native of Houston, Texas, attends Brigham Young University in Rexburg, Idaho, and is pursuing a degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration. Her policy interests include immigration, the constitution and judiciary, education and taxes. She enjoys the fine arts and swimming.\r\nChristina Green, a native of Long Island, New York, has family roots in Idaho, and currently studies criminal justice at George Washington University. She has interests in constitutional law and education, and hopes to pursue a law degree in the future. In her free time, Christina likes to hike.\r\nTwo students are interning in the Boise, ID, office:\r\nAkisha Bedgisoff, a native of Washington State, moved to Boise, ID, shortly after completing her a degree in International Studies at Brigham Young University in Rexburg. She is pursuing a master's degree through Southern New Hampshire University in media and marketing. Her hobbies include dancing.\r\nKylie Coleman, a native of Southern California, studies Political Science at Boise State University. She plans to pursue a law degree in the future. Kylie has previously studied abroad in Italy, and is active with the Special Olympics and Girls on the Run organizations in Boise.\r\nCrapo hosts interns in his D.C. office as well in the various regional offices throughout Idaho. Students interested in positions for the spring, summer or fall semesters can find more information about the application process, internship expectations, and deadlines for applying on the Senator's official website athttps://www.crapo.senate.gov/services/interns.cfm.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/9/senator-risch-joins-president-trump-and-singapore-prime-minister-lee-for-mou-signing-benefiting-mountain-home-afb", "Senator Risch Joins President Trump and Singapore Prime Minister Lee for MOU Signing Benefiting Mountain Home AFB", "2019-09-23", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "New York, N.Y.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore for a signing ceremony to extend a 1990 defense cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) that underpins strong and enduring U.S.-Singapore defense and security cooperation. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.Today the U.S. and Singapore took an important step to ensure that the partnership between our two countries continues to grow and flourish. U.S.-Singapore ties are critical to the security and prosperity of the United States and the Indo-Pacific Region, and also to my home state of Idaho. said Risch. Idaho is proud to host a Singaporean F-15 training squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Our relationship with Singapore is just one example of the many ways that Idaho contributes to strong international partnerships and security  a role our state takes seriously. I commend President Trump for making this partnership a priority.\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-klobuchar-introduce-legislation-to-reauthorize-breast-cancer-awareness-funding", "Crapo, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize Breast Cancer Awareness Funding", "2019-09-20", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 20, 2019\n\t\t\t Crapo, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize Breast Cancer Awareness Funding \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) have introduced legislation to reauthorize and increase funding for the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act. The earlier cancer cases are identified, the better the chance of surviving this often deadly disease. The key to early detection and treatment lies in education, advocacy and research. The EARLY Act, which first became law in 2010, empowers young and high-risk women to understand their bodies and advocate for their health. This bill would reauthorize the programs established under the EARLY Act for another five years at the original enacted level of $9 million per year to increase the reach of the education campaign.\r\nI know firsthand the need for early screenings and warnings about the health threat of cancer, said Crapo. The Centers for Disease Control should be able to provide educational materials about the importance of early detection that could save many Americans from breast cancer. I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of this legislation.\r\nWe've come so far in the fight against breast cancer, but there is more we can do to ensure that all womenand especially young and high-risk womenhave the information and support they need to protect themselves from this deadly disease, said Klobuchar. Our bipartisan bill will help to elevate breast cancer awareness and support critical research so that one day, we can finally eradicate breast cancer.\r\nThe EARLY Act is endorsed by Breast Friends, Bright Pink, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Moffitt Cancer Center, National Hispanic Medical Association, Oncology Nursing Society, and Susan G. Komen.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/9/lawmakers-applaud-ferc-action-to-modernize-purpa-protect-electricity-customers", "Lawmakers Applaud FERC Action to Modernize PURPA, Protect Electricity Customers", "2019-09-19", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and James Risch (R-ID) and U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI) released the following statement after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced plans to update regulations implemented under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA). Earlier this year, Barrasso and Risch introduced the UPDATE PURPA Act (S. 1760) in the Senate and Walberg introduced the PURPA Modernization Act (H.R. 1502) in the House. Many of the Commission's reforms unveiled today mirror the provisions included in the lawmakers' legislation.\r\nI'm pleased the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) took action today to modernize the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), said Sen. Barrasso. The electricity markets have changed drastically in the four decades since PURPA became law. Today's proposed reforms align with legislation we've introduced to eliminate outdated regulations. They will go a long way in lowering Americans' electricity bills while encouraging the development of all sources of American energy.\r\nAmerica's energy production has changed in ways that were unimaginable when this law was written 40 years ago, and we are glad the FERC and Chairman Chatterjee agree that it's time for an update, said Sen. Risch. The changes they are proposing will protect Idaho ratepayers, give the states more flexibility, and still encourage development of renewable sources of energy. This is a great step forward.\r\nFour decades after PURPA's inception, the energy landscape looks totally different and the market is more diverse than ever before, said Rep. Walberg. The time has come for reform. For several years, we have been calling for changes to PURPA's outdated regulatory structure in order to increase competition and help bring down electricity costs for consumers. We are pleased to see Chairman Chatterjee and FERC take these commonsense steps that will prevent abuse of the one-mile rule and give greater flexibility to the states.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/9/risch-discusses-the-path-forward-on-iran-with-fox-news-bill-hemmer", "Risch Discusses the Path Forward on Iran with Fox News' Bill Hemmer", "2019-09-19", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke with Bill Hemmer on Fox News about the path forward on Iran following its attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil supply.\r\nWhen asked by Hemmer about the process the U.S. will go through to form its response to these newly escalated tensions, Risch said:\r\nWhen you're talking about kinetic action, it needs to be well thought out. This event occurred, it's now over, it needs to be analyzed, and I think all of these arguments have got to be taken into account. That part of the world, particularly the Iranians, understand a kinetic response, and certainly that's on the table as the President said and we're going to take into consideration our allies feelings on it and all of the consequences that come with this.\r\nWhen these things start, they're not so easy to unwind as we learned 18 years ago from Afghanistan, so we have to be really careful about getting into this. But the Iranians are notorious for making bad judgements and miscalculating and the real danger here is a miscalculation on the part of the Iranians which give us no choice but to go in fully loaded.\r\n\r\nTo watch on YouTube, clickhere.\r\nTo download video file, clickhere.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/9/e-mail-builds-website-view-report-risch-talks-with-martha-maccallum-on-fox-news-about-addressing-iran-s-aggressions", "Risch Talks with Martha MacCallum on Fox News About Addressing Iran's Aggressions", "2019-09-18", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke with Fox News' Martha MacCallum about the newest developments regarding Iran's attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil supply.\r\nWhen asked by MacCallum whether a strong response was the only viable option to address Iran's aggressions, Risch said:\r\nOur Commander-in-Chief has said he does not want war with Iran and the Saudi Arabians have said the same thing. The unfortunate part of all of this is that Iran continues to push the envelope. I don't think we're there yet, but it's very, very close, and the difficulty is the Iranians are just notorious for making bad judgments and bad calculations, and they're doing that now. They need to listen carefully to what the President said. He doesn't want war with Iran. Having said that, sometimes you get pulled into something and have to do something that you don't necessarily want to do. The Iranians are very, very close to that.\r\n\r\nTo watch on YouTube, clickhere.\r\nTo download the video file, clickhere.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/9/risch-talks-with-fox-news-neil-cavuto-about-iran-s-motives-behind-attack-on-saudi-arabia", "Risch Talks with Fox News' Neil Cavuto About Iran's Motives Behind Attack on Saudi Arabia", "2019-09-18", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke with Fox News' Neil Cavuto about developments with Iran over its attack on Saudi Arabia's oil supply.\r\nWhen asked by Cavuto why Iran carried out this attack, Risch said:\r\nThings are very bad in Iran, it doesn't get a lot of play in the media as it should. The rial [Iran's currency] lost a very substantial part of its value in 2018 and it's continued through 2019. They are in tough shape at home, and they have got to change the narrative somehow. Something like this will change the narrative, and one could argue that's what's going on here. Things are very bad inside Iran right now.\r\n\r\nTo watch on YouTube, clickhere.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/bipartisan-group-of-western-senators-introduce-legislation-to-provide-financial-certainty-for-rural-counties", "Bipartisan Group of Western Senators Introduce Legislation to Provide Financial Certainty for Rural Counties", "2019-09-17", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 17, 2019\n\t\t\t Bipartisan Group of Western Senators Introduce Legislation to Provide Financial Certainty for Rural Counties \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -- A bipartisan group of Western senators have introduced legislation to provide long-term financial security for rural counties.\r\nThe legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) and Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) would reauthorize the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for ten years. The program provides critical resources to nearly 1,900 counties across 49 states. Counties have used these payments for more than 40 years to fund law enforcement, firefighting, emergency response and other essential county services.\r\nIdaho's rural counties depend on PILT funding for vital functions like law enforcement, emergency response, public health and critical transportation infrastructure, said Crapo. The federal government does not pay local property taxes, which makes rural counties containing large swaths of federally-owned land face tough financial decisions. Our legislation would provide much-needed stability to these counties so they can budget appropriately according to expected revenueand provide these essential services to local citizens and taxpayers. I look forward to continue working in a bipartisan manner to end the financial uncertainty thousands of rural counties face nationwide.\r\nThe PILT program impacts every single county in Idaho. Without PILT funding, many rural communities throughout our state and much of the West would face economic devastation, said Risch. Our rural communities need a lasting solution, and we owe it to them to fulfill our obligation and reauthorize PILT.\r\nThe PILT program is a critical lifeline for rural counties struggling to pay for essential services like law enforcement, jails, mental health and libraries, said Wyden. Congress and the federal government have a moral responsibility to provide stable and reliable funding for this important program. Rural counties in Oregon and across America deserve certainty. It's time to end the financial roller coaster they face each year.\r\nRural communities shouldn't have to wonder if they will have the resources they need to pay their firefighters, emergency first responders, or law enforcement officials, said Merkley. It's time for Congress to reauthorize the federal support counties need to pay for these critical services on a long-term basisso families across Oregon and America have the peace of mind they deserve.\r\nPILT funding is critical for communities across Colorado that use these funds for essential services like infrastructure maintenance and law enforcement, said Bennet. This legislation is a common sense step to reauthorize the program, so that we can continue to fully fund PILT and meet the needs of our counties. We will continue to work toward a long-term solution for PILT that will provide counties and local governments sustained funding and more predictability.\r\nThe PILT program is an important resource for many counties in Colorado and across the country with large amounts of non-taxable federal land, said Gardner. It's important that Congress fully funds this program, which is used for critical services like law enforcement and infrastructure investments.\r\nEarlier this year, Crapo, Wyden, Merkley and Risch also introduced the bipartisan Forest Management for Rural Stability act to make the Secure Rural Schools program permanent by creating an endowment fund to provide stable, increasing and reliable funding for county services.\r\nNational Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase said, In 61 percent of the nation's counties, the federal government is a major landowner. Counties provide critical services for residents and visitors in and around untaxable federal public lands, including roads, bridges, search and rescue, law enforcement and solid waste disposal. The PILT program represents the federal government's commitment to these and many other services. This bill ensures the long-term certainty we need, instead of being susceptible to the whims of unpredictable federal funding and shifting the burden to local taxpayers and businesses. We applaud and thank Senators Wyden, Crapo, Merkley, Risch, Bennet and Gardner for working to establish a decade of stability for the PILT program. We urge Congress to fulfill its promise to public lands counties and swiftly pass this legislation.\r\nA copy of the bill text is available here.\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t   \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n \n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 346, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "ID", "p2": "2019"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=ID&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 346, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=ID&year=2019&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=ID&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 346, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ID&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=ID&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "ID", "label": "ID", "count": 346, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=ID&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "2019", "label": "2019", "count": 346, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=ID", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2019-09-17,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecrapo~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~2Fmedia~2Fnewsreleases~2Fbipartisan-group-of-western-senators-introduce-legislation-to-provide-financial-certainty-for-rural-counties", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=ID&year=2019&_next=2019-09-17%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecrapo~2Esenate~2Egov~2F~2Fmedia~2Fnewsreleases~2Fbipartisan-group-of-western-senators-introduce-legislation-to-provide-financial-certainty-for-rural-counties&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 70.30384289100766, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}