Idaho

On the record

• IsraelSaid

  In an Oct. 6, 2025 statement ahead of the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized countries recognizing a Palestinian state and said he supported the 20-point Gaza peace plan backed by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

  "This is why I support President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s commitment to lasting peace through the 20-point plan for peace in Gaza."

  Risch Statement Ahead of Anniversary of the October 7th Attack in Israel, U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, October 6, 2025

• ICESaid

  On July 23, 2025, Risch introduced the 287(g) Program Protection Act, a bill to streamline agreements under which local law enforcement works with federal immigration authorities, and said local police should help ICE identify and detain people in the country illegally.

  "To finish cleaning up the Biden administration’s mess, we must empower our local law enforcement to assist ICE in identifying and detaining the illegal immigrants in our communities."

  Risch Introduces Bill to Strengthen Local, Federal Immigration Enforcement Efforts, Office of U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (senate.gov), July 23, 2025

• The Trump administrationSaid

  In a statement after President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025, Risch said the country was better off under Trump's leadership.

  "America is safer, more prosperous, and stronger under the leadership of President Trump."

  Risch Statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, Office of U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (senate.gov), March 4, 2025

• Where they want the country to goSaid

  In the same March 4, 2025 statement, Risch contrasted the Biden years with Trump's agenda, said "We will not go back," and listed goals including cutting federal spending and finishing the southern border wall.

  "President Trump’s commonsense revolution is renewing the American Dream."

  Risch Statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, Office of U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (senate.gov), March 4, 2025

• Foreign policySaid

  In a Feb. 28, 2026 statement on President Trump's strikes on Iran, Risch said Iran had continued building its nuclear program despite warnings and now faced the consequences, and said the Iranian people had a chance to change course.

  "Today, President Trump took decisive action to neutralize the threat that the Islamic Republic of Iran has posed to the United States for 47 years."

  Risch Statement on Strikes on Iran, U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, February 28, 2026

• Health careSaid

  In an August 2026 interview with the Idaho Capital Sun, Risch said health care affordability is a problem he hears about, called the Affordable Care Act "a mess," and said the system needs to move toward the private sector.

  "I think the problem, to be solved, the healthcare system is going to have to be moved significantly more back into the private sector."

  Risch v. Achilles may be Idaho’s most active US Senate race in years. Here’s where they stand., Idaho Capital Sun, August 5, 2026

• Democracy and electionsSaid

  In the same August 2026 interview, Risch said he supports the SAVE Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, and called the argument that it could block eligible voters a "red herring."

  "I’m all in on that. I’m all in on the Save Act."

  Risch v. Achilles may be Idaho’s most active US Senate race in years. Here’s where they stand., Idaho Capital Sun, August 5, 2026

• ImmigrationSaid

  In the same August 2026 interview, Risch said he supports legal immigration and wants the H-2A agricultural visa program to allow year-round work, and said a path to citizenship for people who entered illegally is "a non-starter."

  "We’re not getting enough in, but we pressure the administration to get the workforce here necessary"

  Risch v. Achilles may be Idaho’s most active US Senate race in years. Here’s where they stand., Idaho Capital Sun, August 5, 2026

• HousingSaid

  On Sept. 24, 2026, Risch introduced the Affordable HOMES Act, which he said would cut federal regulations to lower the price of manufactured housing.

  "Homeownership is central to the American dream, and I am committed to making that a reality attainable for every hardworking Idahoan"

  Risch Introduces Bill to Lower Cost of Housing, Office of U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (senate.gov), September 24, 2026