Risch, James E.
In office since
2009 · 17 yrs
Chambers served
Senate
Born
1943, Milwaukee
Occupation
Politician
Education
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee · University of Idaho · University of Idaho College of Law
Office history
- prosecutor 1970–1974
- member of the State Senate of Idaho 1974–1989
- majority leader 1976–1982
- president pro tempore 1982–1989
- member of the State Senate of Idaho 1995–2002
- Lieutenant Governor of Idaho 2003–2006
- Governor of Idaho 2006–2007
- Lieutenant Governor of Idaho 2007–2009
- United States senator 2009–2011
- United States senator 2011–2013
- United States senator 2013–2015
- United States senator 2015–2017
- United States senator 2017–2019
- United States senator 2019–2021
- United States senator 2021–2023
- United States senator 2023–present
Contact
Capitol office
483 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
202-224-2752
District office · Boise
350 N. 9th St., Boise, ID, 83702
208-342-7985
District office · Coeur d'Alene
610 Hubbard, Coeur d'Alene, ID, 83814
208-667-6130
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55
Bills sponsored
this session · 189 all-time
311
Bills co-sponsored
this session · 352 all-time
—
Enacted into law
counting…
899
Recorded votes
97%
Vote participation
voted in 97% of 899 recorded votes
Voting scorecard
119 session · computed from recorded roll-call votes
Party unity
100%
based on 264 votes
Votes with own party's majority
Independence
0%
based on 264 votes
Votes against own party's majority
Participation
97.4%
based on 264 votes
Roll calls where a yes/no was cast
Sponsored (introduced)
189 billsCurrent session 55 bills
- S 1054 United States African Development Foundation Dissolution Act In Committee
- S 884 ATF Transparency Act In Committee
- SRES 116 A resolution celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments and vital role of women business owners in the United States. In Committee
- S 860 BUST FENTANYL Act In Committee
- SRES 98 A resolution condemning Beijing's destruction of Hong Kong's democracy and rule of law. In Committee
- S 771 End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act In Committee
- S 707 No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act In Committee
- SRES 90 An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Foreign Relations. In Committee
- SRES 86 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) and the harmful conflation of China's "One China Principle" and the United States'"One China Policy". In Committee
- S 592 Simplifying Subcontracting Act In Committee
- S 509 Future Logging Careers Act In Committee
- S 334 American Values Act In Committee
- S 265 Freedom from Government Surveys Act In Committee
- S 227 PEACE Act of 2025 In Committee
- S 182 Northwest Energy Security Act In Committee
- S 181 A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets. In Committee
- S 119 No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts Your Rights Act In Committee
- S 145 Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act of 2025 In Committee
- S 89 Sporting Firearms Access Act of 2025 In Committee
- S 37 VALOR Act of 2025 In Committee
- SRES 536 A resolution designating December 2, 2025, as "World Nuclear Energy Day". Passed
- S 3085 Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025 In Committee
- S 2960 Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act In Committee
- S 2904 SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026 In Committee
- S 2813 FIRE Act In Committee
Historical 134 bills
- S 201 A bill to require agencies submit zero-based budgets. Died
- SRES 165 A resolution celebrating April 30 through May 6, 2017, as "National Small Business Week" and commending the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses owners in the United States. Died
- S 197 American Values Act Died
- SRES 318 A resolution to support the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Sixth Replenishment. Died
- S 2270 Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act Died
- S 702 PLUS Act Died
- S 590 A bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain or replace certain facilities and structures for commercial recreation services at Smith Gulch in Idaho, and for other purposes. Died
- S 655 Future Logging Careers Act Died
- S 2092 Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act Died
- S 2066 SADRA Died
- S 2023 FAST Fix Act of 2019 Died
- S 1975 Small Business Investment Improvement Act of 2019 Died
- S 273 Greater Sage-Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 2017 Died
- SRES 32 An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Died
- S 1570 Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act Died
- SRES 81 World Health Organization Pandemic Treaty Implementation Resolution Died
- S 565 Pregnancy Center Security Act Died
- SRES 72 A resolution recognizing Russian actions in Ukraine as a genocide. Died
- S 431 UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act Died
- S 436 SAFE Act Died
- S 430 A bill to provide authority to enter into a cooperative agreement to protect civilians in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula from weaponized unmanned aerial systems. Died
- SRES 184 A resolution condemning the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, offering sincere condolences to the victims, to their families and friends, and to the people and nation of Sri Lanka, and expressing solidarity and support for Sri Lanka. Died
- S 367 ECON Act Died
- SRES 123 A resolution supporting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and recognizing its 70 years of accomplishments. Died
- S 818 Future Logging Careers Act Died
Co-sponsored
352 billsCurrent session 311 bills
- SRES 770 A resolution designating June 6, 2026, as National Naloxone Awareness Day. Passed
- S 4801 Duty Status Reform Act In Committee
- S 4838 Outdoor Recreational Outfitting and Guiding Act In Committee
- S 4873 Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Act In Committee
- SRES 794 A resolution expressing support for the designation of July 10, 2026, as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. Passed
- S 4880 Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026 In Committee
- SRES 787 A resolution celebrating the historic anniversary of the June 24, 2022, decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. In Committee
- S 4952 Protecting American Taxpayers Act In Committee
- S 5025 Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 In Committee
- SRES 801 A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham, a Senator from the State of South Carolina. Passed
- S 4709 UNLOCK AUKUS Act In Committee
- SRES 694 A resolution designating April 2026 as "Financial Literacy Month". Passed
- SRES 696 A resolution expressing support for the designation of the month of April 2026 as "Parkinson's Awareness Month". Passed
- SRES 703 A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week" to celebrate the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in every community in the United States. Passed
- S 4427 Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 In Committee
- SRES 709 A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2026. In Committee
- SRES 723 A resolution honoring the life of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, former United States Senator for the State of Idaho. Passed
- SRES 739 A resolution honoring the life and legacy of John Seymour, the late Senator for the State of California. Passed
- S 4576 Jewish American Security Act In Committee
- SRES 755 A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for the State of Michigan. Passed
- S 4671 Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2026 In Committee
- S 4775 Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act In Committee
- S 24 A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 154 First Avenue East in Jerome, Idaho, as the "Representative Maxine Bell Post Office". In Committee
- S 54 A bill to authorize an additional district judgeship for the district of Idaho. In Committee
- S 65 Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 In Committee
Historical 41 bills
- S 340 Sensible Environmental Protection Act of 2017 Died
- S 97 Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017 Signed
- S 174 Securing Energy Infrastructure Act Died
- S 537 FOCA Act Died
- S 422 Build the Wall Now Act Died
- S 2887 Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act Died
- S 133 Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 Died
- SRES 451 A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Senator Max Cleland. Died
- S 105 Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act Died
- S 241 Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act Died
- S 428 FIND Act Died
- S 2894 Science and Technology Agreement Enhanced Congressional Notification Act of 2023 Died
- S 62 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023 Died
- S 490 A bill to reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Gibson Dam. Signed
- SRES 60 A resolution designating May 5, 2017, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls". Died
- S 139 Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023 Died
- S 91 Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act Signed
- S 333 Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2023 Died
- S 2210 Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act Died
- SCONRES 3 A concurrent resolution affirming the importance of religious freedom as a fundamental human right that is essential to a free society and protected for all people of the United States under the Constitution of the United States, and recognizing the 237th anniversary of the enactment of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Died
- S 4075 Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act Died
- S 1797 Judicial Reorganization Act of 2019 Died
- S 7 A bill to authorize an additional district judgeship for the district of Idaho. Died
- S 3636 Strengthening STEM Ecosystems Act Died
- S 770 NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act Signed
Voting record
Current session 17 votes
| Bill | Vote | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HR 9340
Ratepayer Protection Act
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 9340 |
Yea | fail | September 30, 2026 |
|
HR 7008
Stop Insider Trading Act
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 7008 |
Yea | fail | September 30, 2026 |
|
SJRES 197
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program".
On the Motion to Proceed S.J.Res. 197 |
Nay | fail | September 29, 2026 |
|
S 4668
Protect College Sports Act of 2026
On Passage of the Bill S. 4668 |
Yea | pass | September 28, 2026 |
|
HCONRES 89
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89 |
Nay | fail | September 24, 2026 |
|
S 4668
Protect College Sports Act of 2026
On the Cloture Motion S. 4668 |
Yea | pass | September 24, 2026 |
|
S 4668
Protect College Sports Act of 2026
On the Motion to Proceed S. 4668 |
Yea | pass | September 17, 2026 |
|
S 4668
Protect College Sports Act of 2026
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed S. 4668 |
Yea | pass | September 15, 2026 |
|
HR 3633
Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 3633 |
Yea | fail | September 15, 2026 |
|
HR 6500
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
On Passage of the Bill H.R. 6500 |
Yea | pass | August 08, 2026 |
|
HR 5334
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
On Passage of the Bill H.R. 5334 |
Yea | pass | August 07, 2026 |
|
SJRES 187
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)".
On the Motion to Proceed S.J.Res. 187 |
Nay | fail | August 05, 2026 |
|
HR 6500
Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 6500 |
Yea | pass | August 03, 2026 |
|
SJRES 181
A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 181 |
Nay | fail | July 30, 2026 |
|
SJRES 199
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)".
On the Motion to Proceed S.J.Res. 199 |
Nay | fail | July 30, 2026 |
|
HR 5334
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
On the Motion to Proceed H.R. 5334 |
Yea | pass | July 29, 2026 |
|
HR 5334
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 5334 |
Yea | pass | July 28, 2026 |
Historical 33 votes
| Bill | Vote | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| On the Nomination PN1129 | Yea | pass | September 30, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN1129 | Yea | pass | September 30, 2026 |
| On the Motion to Discharge S.Res. 852 | Nay | fail | September 29, 2026 |
| On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6835 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file) | Nay | fail | September 28, 2026 |
| On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6805 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file) | Nay | fail | September 28, 2026 |
| On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6760 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file) | Nay | fail | September 28, 2026 |
| On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6758 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file) | Nay | fail | September 28, 2026 |
| On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6828 to S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file) | Yea | pass | September 28, 2026 |
| On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file) | Yea | pass | September 24, 2026 |
| On the Nomination PN999-1 | Yea | pass | September 23, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion S.Amdt. 6776 to S. 4668 (No short title on file) | Yea | pass | September 22, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN999-1 | Yea | pass | September 22, 2026 |
| On the Nomination PN999-4 | Yea | pass | September 17, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN999-4 | Yea | pass | September 17, 2026 |
| On the Nomination PN1093-3 | Yea | pass | September 15, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN1093-3 | Not Voting | pass | September 14, 2026 |
| On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed S. 5271 | Yea | fail | August 08, 2026 |
| On the Nomination PN1078 | Yea | pass | August 08, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN1078 | Yea | pass | August 08, 2026 |
| On the Motion to Table S.Amdt. 6747 to S.Amdt. 6732 to H.R. 6500 (No short title on file) | Yea | pass | August 08, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion S.Amdt. 6732 to H.R. 6500 (No short title on file) | Yea | pass | August 07, 2026 |
| On the Nomination PN961-1 and PN937-5 and PN901-1 and PN730-38 and PN962-3 and PN931-6 and PN1022-25 and PN806-5 and PN1022-10 and PN1012 and PN931-5 and PN931-4 and PN937-2 and PN1022-22 and PN962-1 and PN961-4 and PN901-3 and PN806-7 and PN730-23 and PN1022-7 and PN1022-6 and PN961-3 and PN937-9 and PN937-8 and PN937-7 and PN1022-34 and PN1022-31 and PN1022-15 and PN1022-9 and PN1022-8 and PN1022-3 and PN961-9 and PN931-2 and PN1093-2 and PN1093-1 and PN1011 and PN961-2 and PN930-8 and PN930-6 and PN930-5 and PN930-1 and PN901-12 and PN901-2 and PN850 and PN787-2 and PN730-18 and PN730-2 and PN933 and PN852-3 and PN806-2 and PN961-7 and PN901-7 and PN901-6 and PN792 and PN786-10 and PN931-3 and PN730-59 and PN786-5 and PN937-1 and PN901-11 and PN859-5 and PN730-36 and PN901-5 and PN859-2 and PN859-1 and PN901-10 and PN852-11 and PN852-9 and PN859-6 and PN852-6 and PN852-5 and PN852-2 and PN806-9 and PN730-11 | Yea | pass | August 07, 2026 |
| On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6715 to S.Amdt. 6711 to H.R. 5334 (No short title on file) | Nay | fail | August 07, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN961-1 and PN937-5 and PN901-1 and PN730-38 and PN962-3 and PN931-6 and PN1022-25 and PN806-5 and PN1022-10 and PN1012 and PN931-5 and PN931-4 and PN937-2 and PN1022-22 and PN962-1 and PN961-4 and PN901-3 and PN806-7 and PN730-23 and PN1022-7 and PN1022-6 and PN961-3 and PN937-9 and PN937-8 and PN937-7 and PN1022-34 and PN1022-31 and PN1022-15 and PN1022-9 and PN1022-8 and PN1022-3 and PN961-9 and PN931-2 and PN1093-2 and PN1093-1 and PN1011 and PN961-2 and PN930-8 and PN930-6 and PN930-5 and PN930-1 and PN901-12 and PN901-2 and PN850 and PN787-2 and PN730-18 and PN730-2 and PN933 and PN852-3 and PN806-2 and PN961-7 and PN901-7 and PN901-6 and PN792 and PN786-10 and PN931-3 and PN730-59 and PN786-5 and PN937-1 and PN901-11 and PN859-5 and PN730-36 and PN901-5 and PN859-2 and PN859-1 and PN901-10 and PN852-11 and PN852-9 and PN859-6 and PN852-6 and PN852-5 and PN852-2 and PN806-9 and PN730-11 | Yea | pass | August 05, 2026 |
| On the Resolution S.Res. 817 | Yea | pass | July 30, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion S.Res. 817 | Yea | pass | July 29, 2026 |
| On the Nomination PN932 | Yea | pass | August 05, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN932 | Yea | pass | August 05, 2026 |
| On the Nomination PN1092 | Yea | pass | July 28, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN1092 | Yea | pass | July 27, 2026 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN373 | Yea | pass | December 18, 2025 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN615-2 | Yea | pass | December 18, 2025 |
| On the Cloture Motion PN12-1 | Yea | pass | December 18, 2025 |
Career history 5 past roles
- Upper chamber Republican
- Upper chamber Republican
- Upper chamber Republican
- Upper chamber Republican
- Upper chamber Republican