Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman

News and updates from the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

I welcome news of Pastor Ezra Jin’s release from a Chinese prison and reunion with his family in the U.S. Despite months of imprisonment, Pastor Jin stayed true to his faith. Yet again, President Trump has demonstrated his ability to stand up for persecuted Christians worldwide.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

China’s new law promoting "ethnic unity and progress" codifies Beijing’s policies that seek to erase the religion, culture, and language of Tibetans, Uyghurs, and other groups. We will continue to push back against the CCP’s efforts. https://t.co/7QJsqhZhON

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

The war in Sudan has shattered the country and I am concerned about apparent preparation by the RSF to attack the city of El Obeid, putting even more civilians at risk. The RSF, SAF, and other actors must end these atrocities and negotiate a durable peace.
https://t.co/yTchPvroLM

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Happy Canada Day to our friends to the North. Our nations share a robust economic and defense partnership, and I look forward to working with Canada on our shared security interests. Wishing Canadians a joyful celebration today.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Congratulations to President-elect @KeikoFujimori of Peru. We look forward to working together to promote greater economic prosperity, strengthen our defense partnership, and expand law enforcement cooperation advancing security and regional stability.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

The U.S. needs to review its security relationship with Uganda. Gen. @mkainerugaba's attacks on free speech, including shuttering major media houses this weekend, make him & the UPDF unfit partners. We should only work with those who advance regional security, not diminish it.

[Reuters Africa @ReutersAfrica]

Uganda's military chief, who is also the president's son, said on Sunday he had ordered the closure of two leading media outlets, declaring that he did "not believe in a free press". https://t.co/ZHTPUi68qL

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Stopping illicit networks smuggling gold and other conflict minerals from DRC to benefit the Rwanda-backed M23 is key to the success of the Washington Accords, durable peace, and economic opportunity in the region. I’m pleased the Admin is sanctioning responsible actors.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Great meeting with Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh to discuss the threat posed by Hezbollah. I appreciate both Lebanon and Israel’s commitment to working together to address this issue. Direct, bilateral cooperation is the only way to ensure the region’s long-term success.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Vicki and I are praying for Venezuela after devastating earthquakes. As we always have, the United States stands with the people of Venezuela.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

China’s refusal to lift visa restrictions on American diplomats travelling to Macau is disappointing, though not a surprise. This is once again an attempt to limit the U.S. State Department’s abilities to assist American citizens abroad and a reminder that the CCP doesn't play fair.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

For years, foreign adversaries have exploited loopholes in U.S. lobbying laws to advance their own agendas. The PAID OFF Act closes those loopholes by ensuring transparency and accountability for foreign actors. https://t.co/Au7vxWSyx9

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Tax dollars should never be used to promote abortion or fund radical gender ideology and divisive DEI programs in the U.S. or abroad. The PHFFA helps ensure they never are. https://t.co/7E039JWV5Q

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Great to see @AusAmbUSA Greg Moriarty yesterday. The U.S.-Australia relationship is iron-clad and I'm glad to have such an experienced partner in advancing our countries' shared security and economic interests in Washington.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

New sanctions on Prince and Huione Groups are welcome. Criminals use H-Pay, Huione Pay, and similar platforms to bypass U.S. financial controls and defraud Americans, enable human trafficking, and illegally sell weapons and drugs. This is an effective measure to hinder their operations.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

China’s detention of an American citizen is deeply troubling. The Chinese Communist Party must stop its egregious use of hostage diplomacy and its efforts to export repressive practices. The U.S. will remain steadfast in protecting Americans abroad.

[The Washington Post @washingtonpost]

A U.S. citizen who researched Myanmar politics was arrested in China after the country accused him of espionage.

In a separate incident in Myanmar, authorities detained an American businessman who ran a security consultancy. https://t.co/FSz6D1ikau

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Congratulations to Colombian President-Elect @ABDELAESPRIELLA. Colombia remains one of our closest partners in the Western Hemisphere, and I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen security cooperation, combat malign influence, and promote regional stability.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

We cannot ignore how China is increasing its coercive efforts to harass and isolate Taiwan's diplomats around the world. Beijing bullies countries to abide by its self-serving One China Principle. When countries like Kenya agree to these demands, they undermine their own sovereignty and longstanding international norms. https://t.co/FMTP6HYLBr

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

I commend our G7 allies for the strong statement on reducing our dependence on rare earths from China. Now we must follow up these strong words with actions that address China’s manipulation of prices and supply, which I know @USTradeRep and @UnderSecE are hard at work on.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

Congratulations to @MichelleSteelCA on her confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. I know she will work to strengthen our ironclad alliance and implement the U.S.-ROK trade and investment framework, and I look forward to working with her.

[Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @SenateForeign]

The SRFC continues to advance bipartisan legislation that protects American interests at home and abroad. Today, the committee approved 24 measures to strengthen key alliances, build partnerships to boost American technological competitiveness, and respond to conflicts that threaten global stability. https://t.co/mKQrDhXc5e