Risch elected Foreign Relations Committee Chair

Idaho Senator Jim Risch is the newly elected chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Risch is the third Idahoan to serve in the position. William Borah served from 1925 to 1933 and Frank Church from 1979 through 1980.

Risch said he looked forward to giving Idaho a voice on the global stage.

“I am firmly committed to doing whatever is necessary in my capacity as chairman to protect the security and interests of the American people, in addition to continuing to advance U.S. prosperity and leadership,” said Risch. “This will necessitate that the committee give attention to the crises of the given moment as well as the larger strategic outlook for the future of American foreign policy. There will be time for both as our committee tackles a number of challenging issues and debates pragmatic solutions.”

Risch noted that the committee’s work will include negotiation of provisions of the Columbia River Treaty.

He was past chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and is also a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.