Latest news with #JimRisch
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Idaho lawmakers urge feds to move Small Business office from Seattle to their state
People walk past the headquarters of the U.S. Small Business Administration on March 24, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) All four Idaho Republican congressmen want the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, to move its Pacific Northwest regional office from Seattle to Idaho. In March, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced plans to relocate six of the agency's regional offices based in cities 'that do not comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.' The SBA's Region 10 Office, based in Seattle, covers four states: Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. In a joint letter, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, and U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher wrote, 'unlike other states served by the Seattle Office, Idaho has demonstrated a strong commitment to putting American citizens first. Our state has enacted a statewide ban on sanctuary cities, and the Idaho Congressional Delegation has repeatedly worked to prevent illegal immigrants and sanctuary cities from abusing federal funding.' The SBA is a federal government agency that helps small businesses get loans. 'By relocating the regional office to Idaho, the SBA would ensure its services align with President Trump's priorities, directly benefitting law-abiding business owners,' the Idaho congressmen continued. The SBA has district offices across the U.S. Idaho's counties are split between being managed by the Boise District and the Seattle District. idaho SBA letter A copy of the letter that the four Idaho congressional lawmakers sent to Small Business Administration lead Kelly Loeffler. This article was first published by the Idaho Capital Sun, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Democrats and Republicans introduce bill on Indo-US nuclear cooperation
Four US Senators (Two Republicans and two Democrats) have introduced a bill to create a whole-of-government strategy for nuclear cooperation and nuclear export with India as an "ally or partner nation" to further the bilateral civilian nuclear deal . "The Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other relevant federal departments and agencies, shall establish and maintain within the US-India Strategic Security Dialogue a joint consultative mechanism with the Government of the Republic of India that convenes on a recurring basis," as per the bill. Republicans Jim Risch and Mike Lee are sponsoring the bill along with Democrats Martin Heinrich and Chris Coons. The purpose should be "to assess the implementation of the Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of India concerning peaceful uses of nuclear energy, signed at Washington on October 10, 2008; to discuss opportunities for the Republic of India to align domestic nuclear liability rules with international norms... to develop a strategy for the United States and the Republic of India to pursue bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements related to analysing and implementing those opportunities." Foreign nuclear power firms had evinced interest in setting up atomic power plants in India after it secured a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group to engage in global nuclear trade. The NSG waiver came after the landmark India-US civil nuclear deal of 2008. However, the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 proved to be an impediment for private sector participation. Foreign players termed certain provisions of the law unacceptable and contradicted the international Convention for Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC).
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
US Senator Risch to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon Must Buck the Presence of Hezbollah Once and for All
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jim Risch told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Lebanese must weaken Hezbollah's grip over their country and work on 'bucking the presence of the party once and for all.' He said the Republican and Democratic parties want to support the Lebanese army and empower it in preserving security along the border with Syria and Blue Line with Israel. Risch will be granted the Philip C. Habib Award for Distinguished Public Service by the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by former mediator between Lebanon and Israel Amos Hochstein and Lebanese-American businesswoman Micheline Nader. Risch noted that Lebanon was a 'at a critical moment. After decades, the Lebanese people have an opportunity to break free from Iran's tyrannical stranglehold on Beirut.' 'The new leadership has an opportunity to restore Lebanese sovereignty and deliver a prosperous future for its people. But there is significant work to do,' he remarked. 'The new government must implement reforms to end corruption in Lebanon and buck the presence of Hezbollah once and for all,' he urged. 'Government control of customs, the airport, and routes in and out of Lebanon are critical to ensure we continue to weaken Hezbollah's hold,' he stressed. 'Thanks to the courage of the people, Lebanon is on the right path. American support of the Lebanese Armed Forces has paid off and the LAF is finally in the position to displace Hezbollah once and for all,' Risch added. 'I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Administration to support a safe, secure, and prosperous Lebanon,' he vowed. Meanwhile, ATFL President Edward Gabriel told Asharq Al-Awsat that he had returned from Lebanon recently feeling more optimistic after he sensed a commitment by senior officials, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, to the ceasefire and economic reforms that will set the country on the right path. Lebanon's efforts are receiving direct assistance from US President Donald Trump's administration and through Deputy Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, who is expected to visit Beirut soon. An American source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the US Congress had offered the Lebanese army great assistance in recent years. Speaking on condition of anonymity, it said these funds were dedicated to training and equipping the military, raising its tactical and operational capabilities, and developing its forces to take on more duties, including border security with Syria and Israel. Congress is hoping that the army would provide greater security along all of Lebanon's borders as the country strives to impose control over its northern borders and rid areas south of the Litani of terrorist Hezbollah infrastructure, said the source. Officials from the ATFL paid a visit to Lebanon recently where they met with Aoun, Salam, over 12 ministers and lawmakers, Army Commander Rodolph Haykal and Central Bank Governor Karim Souaid and others. Gabriel told Asharq Al-Awsat that every one of the Lebanese officials is aware that time is not on Lebanon's side if it wants US support in its reconstruction. The US has made it clear that the implementation of reforms was a condition for any aid in reconstruction, he stressed. For her part, Nader told Asharq Al-Awsat that she had urged President Aoun to confront the deep crisis of trust in Lebanon after years of economic collapse, political meddling in the country's judiciary and rampant corruption. She proposed some main steps that the Lebanese diaspora across the world can offer to their home country to help restore trust in Lebanon, including rebuilding the economy and financial sector after the Lebanese citizens were deprived of their deposits, estimated at around 93 billion dollars, because the state failed in paying its debts and because of the collapse of the banking sector.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Senator says Rubio protesters ‘making progress' for speaking in English
A US senator said that at least a pro-Palestinian heckler was speaking 'in English', after the demonstrator interrupted Marco Rubio during a Senate committee hearing. The protester cried 'stop the genocide, there is a blood bath going on', as they were dragged out of the Capitol Hill building in Washington DC on Tuesday (20 May). Republican senator Jim Risch said: "Senator Rubio, we're making progress, there's protests in English now. Remember last time.' In January, protesters speaking Spanish interrupted the secretary of state's opening statement at his confirmation hearing,
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Rubio fires back after Dem senator says he regrets voting for him, sparking tense exchange
Secretary of State Marco Rubio fired back at Sen. Chris Van Hollen after the Maryland Democrat said he regretted voting for Rubio as President Donald Trump's chief foreign affairs adviser, leading to a fiery exchange during a Senate hearing on Tuesday. Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the State Department's budget proposal when Van Hollen used his time to tear into the State Department for revoking visas of those found disrupting college campuses or committing acts of violence. "Your campaign of fear and repression is eating away at the foundational values of our democracy," Van Hollen said, likening Rubio to the era of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. He added, "And I have to tell you directly and personally that I regret voting for you for Secretary of State." "First of all, your regret for voting for me confirms I'm doing a good job," Rubio replied. "That's just a flippant statement, Mr. Secretary," Van Hollen shot back. Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, interjected, asking Van Hollen to let Rubio respond to his claims without interruption. When Van Hollen asked if he can, in turn, respond to Rubio, Risch said, "Your time is up, Mr. Senator, and woefully used I might add." Rubio continued, saying that in the case of El Salvador, "we deported gang members … including the one you had a margarita with," referencing Van Hollen's visit to see deported "Maryland man" Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. "And that guy is a human trafficker, and that guy is a gangbanger, and the evidence is going to be clear in the days to come." Van Hollen then jumped in, shouting to the chairman that Rubio "can't make unsubstantiated comments like that." "Secretary Rubio should take that testimony to the federal court of the United States because he hasn't done it under oath," Van Hollen said before Risch banged the gavel to allow Rubio to continue. Rubio continued: "About the student visas, let me say this. I don't deport anybody and I don't snatch anybody. The State Department does not have officers in the streets snatching everybody. What I do is revoke visas. And it's very simple. A visa is not a right. It is a privilege." "People apply for student visas to come into the United States and study. And if you tell me you're coming to the United States to lead campus crusades, to take over libraries, and try to burn down buildings and acts of violence, we're not going to give you a visa," he continued. Van Hollen shot back that Rubio "was just blowing smoke here now." Rubio responded: "The bottom line is, if you're coming here to stir up trouble on our campuses, we will deny you a visa. And if you have a visa, and we find you, we will revoke it." Rubio said the Trump administration will continue to revoke the visas of those who are here as guests and are disrupting college campuses. A senior State Department official reacted to the exchange in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Once again, Senator Van Hollen proves that he cares more about illegal immigrants than his own constituents," the senior State Department official said.
