Jim Risch

Rule Changes

Supporting administration's arms transfer approach

For decades, the State Department has followed an informal practice: before announcing major arms sales, wait for the top members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee to review the deal. The Trump administration has now bypassed this congressional review three times in twelve months, pushing through more than $18 billion in weapons to Israel without committee approval.

Updated May 26

Force in Play

Defended administration's Venezuela operation

Congress hasn't declared war since 1942, though presidents have ordered 212 military strikes without formal declarations. On January 3, 2026, U.S. special forces raided Venezuela, captured President Nicolás Maduro in his residence, and flew him to New York to face narcoterrorism charges.

Updated May 22

Rule Changes

Key Senate backer of America First Global Health Strategy

In 2025 the Trump administration dismantled the post-Cold War global health architecture by withdrawing from the WHO, freezing most foreign aid, and abolishing USAID's development role. Through its 'America First Global Health Strategy,' the administration created bilateral health compacts requiring partner governments to co-finance HIV, TB, malaria, and outbreak response programs and gradually assume full responsibility.

Updated May 10