Federal · Idaho · Republican
James E. Risch
Republican U.S. Senator for Idaho.
Voted further right than 72% of the Senate, based on 882 roll-call votes this Congress.4
LeftRight
Each tick is a member of the Senate. Scores are DW-NOMINATE, a standard measure computed from every recorded vote by Voteview at UCLA.
On the record
- Office
- U.S. Senator for Idaho1
- Party
- Republican1
- In this office since
- January 6, 20091
- Term ends
- January 3, 20271
- Contact
- Official website · 202-224-2752 · X / Twitter · Facebook · YouTube1
- On the ballot
- U.S. Senate, Idaho (2026)3
What they say and what they did
Their stated positions, quoted from their website, next to their record in the 119th Congress (2025–26): bills they sponsored and how they voted on bills' final passage.
- 49 bills sponsored, 0 became law · 248 cosponsored5
- Voted on 54 of 56 final votes on bills; missed 26
- Committees: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (Chairman); Senate Select Committee on Ethics; Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship; United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control; Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources2
Economy and jobs
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 7 and cosponsored 27 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 5254: Civil Nuclear Export Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored S. 4621: SILVER Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored S. 2562: Equal Shot Act of 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Voted Yea on H.R. 228: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027Bill Passed 90–6, August 8, 20267
- Voted Yea on H.R. 20: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026Bill Passed 71–29, January 30, 20268
- Voted Yea on H.R. 11: Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026Bill Passed 82–15, January 15, 20269
- Voted Yea on H.R. 618: Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026Bill Passed 60–40, November 10, 202510
- Voted Nay on S.J.Res. 600: A joint resolution terminating the national emergency declared to impose global tariffs.Joint Resolution Passed 51–47, October 30, 202511
Taxes
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 1 and cosponsored 18 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 1169: Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Voted Yea on H.J.Res. 151: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales".Joint Resolution Passed 70–28, March 26, 202512
- Voted Yea on S.J.Res. 102: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Internal Revenue Service relating to "Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales".Joint Resolution Passed 70–27, March 4, 202513
Health care
Immigration
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 2 and cosponsored 11 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 2401: 287(g) Program Protection Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored S. 707: No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Voted Yea on S. 163: Secure America ActBill Passed 52–47, June 5, 202614
- Voted Yea on S. 7: Laken Riley ActBill Passed 64–35, January 20, 202515
Abortion
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 8 bills on this issue5
Guns
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 2 and cosponsored 4 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 119: No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts Your Rights Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored S. 89: Sporting Firearms Access Act of 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Energy and climate
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 11 and cosponsored 41 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 5374: A bill to facilitate the conveyance of certain land in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, platted under section 2387 of the Revised Statutes, and for other purposes. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Sponsored S. 1254: A bill to amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored S. 5484: Affordable HOMES Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Voted Yea on H.J.Res. 84: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.Joint Resolution Passed 50–49, April 16, 202616
- Voted Yea on H.J.Res. 632: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision.Joint Resolution Passed 49–45, December 4, 202517
- Voted Yea on H.J.Res. 623: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Buffalo Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment.Joint Resolution Passed 51–43, November 20, 202518
- Voted Yea on S.J.Res. 599: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision".Joint Resolution Passed 52–45, October 30, 202519
- Voted Yea on H.J.Res. 560: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".Joint Resolution Passed 50–46, October 9, 202520
Education
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 2 and cosponsored 6 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 2251: Say No to Indoctrination Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored S. 227: PEACE Act of 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Crime and policing
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 6 and cosponsored 36 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 3085: Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored S. 2813: FIRE Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored S. 2647: International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Voted Yea on S. 127: HALT Fentanyl ActBill Passed 84–16, March 14, 202521
Foreign policy
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 14 and cosponsored 13 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 4726: PEACE in Sudan Act Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 519.
- Sponsored S. 2904: SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 326.
- Sponsored S. 2960: Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 245.
- Voted Yea on H.R. 224: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026Bill Passed 86–11, August 7, 202622
Social Security and Medicare
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 3 bills on this issue5
Housing
Elections and voting
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 2 and cosponsored 18 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 1556: Zero Based Regulations Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored S. 265: Freedom from Government Surveys Act Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Voted Yea on H.J.Res. 37: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.Joint Resolution Passed 49–47, February 12, 202624
- Voted Nay on S.J.Res. 654: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Policy on Adhering to the Text of the Administrative Procedure Act".Joint Resolution Defeated 50–50, December 18, 202525
Technology and AI
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 4 bills on this issue5
- Voted Not voting on S.J.Res. 238: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program".Joint Resolution Passed 50–38, May 8, 202526
Civil rights
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 8 bills on this issue5
Military and veterans
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 2 and cosponsored 20 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 5266: Veterans’ Earned Benefits Access Act of 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sponsored S. 4108: Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
- Voted Yea on S. 648: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026Motion Agreed to 77–20, December 17, 202527
- Voted Yea on S. 570: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026Bill Passed 77–20, October 9, 202528
Drugs and addiction
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 1 and cosponsored 2 bills on this issue5
- Sponsored S. 860: BUST FENTANYL Act Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 54.
- Voted Yea on S. 163: Secure America ActBill Passed 52–47, June 5, 202614
- Voted Yea on S. 127: HALT Fentanyl ActBill Passed 84–16, March 14, 202521
Farms and rural areas
What they say
- No position found on their website.
What they did
- Sponsored 0 and cosponsored 7 bills on this issue5
Money: U.S. Senate, Idaho (2026)
As reported to the Federal Election Commission, through June 30, 2026.3
Raised$3.4M
Spent$2.2M
Cash on hand$3.5M
- From individuals $2.1M
- From PACs and other committees $897K
- From party committees $62K
- Other (transfers, loans, refunds) $311K
Gifts from people, by size29
Small gifts under $200 against the largest checks. People can give up to $3,500 per election.
- Under $200 7%
- $200–$499 2%
- $500–$999 8%
- $1,000–$1,999 21%
- $2,000 and up 62%
Top PACs and committees giving directly30
Individual donors
- $1.9M from 2,079 itemized gifts31
- 12% came from people in Idaho31
- 17% came from retired people31
- Top states: New York $332K, Idaho $236K, Florida $217K, California $189K, Texas $120K31
Where donors work31
Employers as donors wrote them on the form. These are gifts from people who work there, not from the companies.
| BGR Group | 12 gifts | $14,500 |
| Access Industries | 4 gifts | $14,000 |
| Apollo Global Management | 4 gifts | $12,500 |
| Wilmerhale | 7 gifts | $12,500 |
| Hunter Engineering | 4 gifts | $12,000 |
| Invus Group | 3 gifts | $10,500 |
| Alliantgroup | 1 gifts | $10,000 |
| Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck | 3 gifts | $10,000 |
| Lagos Lagos PLL | 3 gifts | $8,615 |
| Apollo | 3 gifts | $8,500 |
| Perles Law Firm | 8 gifts | $8,500 |
| Microsoft | 8 gifts | $8,164 |
| Plummer Forest | 4 gifts | $8,143 |
| Tecore Networks | 3 gifts | $7,500 |
| Capital Group | 2 gifts | $7,000 |
Sources
Every number on this page points here. Each one links to the public record.
- 1Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress: James E. Rischhttps://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/R000584Retrieved October 16, 2026
- 2congress-legislators, current members (public domain)https://github.com/unitedstates/congress-legislatorsListed as a source by congress-legislators
- 3FEC candidate record S8ID00092https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S8ID00092/Retrieved October 16, 2026
- 4Voteview (UCLA): DW-NOMINATE scores, 119th Congresshttps://voteview.com/dataRetrieved October 16, 2026 · Free to use with credit
- 5GovInfo / Congress.gov bill status, 119th Congresshttps://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/119Retrieved October 15, 2026 · Public domain
- 6Roll-call votes: Office of the Clerk, U.S. House, and U.S. Senatehttps://clerk.house.gov/VotesRetrieved October 15, 2026 · Public domain
- 7Senate roll call 228, August 8, 2026https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00228.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 8Senate roll call 20, January 30, 2026https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00020.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 9Senate roll call 11, January 15, 2026https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00011.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 10Senate roll call 618, November 10, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00618.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 11Senate roll call 600, October 30, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00600.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 12Senate roll call 151, March 26, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00151.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 13Senate roll call 102, March 4, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00102.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 14Senate roll call 163, June 5, 2026https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00163.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 15Senate roll call 7, January 20, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00007.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 16Senate roll call 84, April 16, 2026https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00084.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 17Senate roll call 632, December 4, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00632.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 18Senate roll call 623, November 20, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00623.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 19Senate roll call 599, October 30, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00599.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 20Senate roll call 560, October 9, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00560.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 21Senate roll call 127, March 14, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00127.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 22Senate roll call 224, August 7, 2026https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00224.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 23Senate roll call 53, March 12, 2026https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00053.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 24Senate roll call 37, February 12, 2026https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1192/vote_119_2_00037.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 25Senate roll call 654, December 18, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00654.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 26Senate roll call 238, May 8, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00238.htmOn the Joint Resolution
- 27Senate roll call 648, December 17, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00648.htmOn the Motion
- 28Senate roll call 570, October 9, 2025https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00570.htmOn Passage of the Bill
- 29FEC: contributions to James E Risch by size, 2025–26https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S8ID00092/?cycle=2026&election_full=false#raisingComputed by the FEC · Retrieved October 15, 2026
- 30FEC: committee contributions to James E Risch, 2025–26https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?two_year_transaction_period=2026&committee_id=C00440362&contributor_type=committeeBulk file pas226 · Retrieved October 16, 2026
- 31FEC: itemized individual contributions to Jim Risch for U.s. Senate Committee, 2025–26https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?committee_id=C00440362&two_year_transaction_period=2026Gifts over $200 that campaigns must itemize · Retrieved October 13, 2026