James E. Risch
Republican · Senator for Idaho
61 sponsored · 331 cosponsored
In the Senate since 2009
Age 83
Contact their office: (202) 224-2752 · 483 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 · Official website
In the 119th Congress (2025–2026)
- Sponsored 61 bills.The typical senator sponsored 61. Bills they wrote, not ones they signed on to.
- 6 bills they backed became law.They cosponsored them.
- 10 passed the Senate and wait on the House.The House has to pass the same text before it can become law.
- Missed 26 of 915 recorded votes (2.8%).The typical senator missed 2.2%. The record doesn’t say why.
- Works most on crime and law enforcement and international affairs.40 and 39 of the 392 bills they wrote or backed.
What they got done
Most bills never get a vote. These are the ones they wrote or backed that got somewhere.
Became law (6)
This bill allows the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall.
Became law · 119-S-858
- Yes: Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?Directly honors Medal of Honor recipients and veterans through a permanent monument. +8
This bill aims to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. This legislation allows schools participating in the school lunch program to offer whole milk, whether organic or non-organic.
Became law · 119-S-222
- Yes: Would children be better off under this?The bill increases the variety of milk options available to students and enhances food allergy safety training for schools. +5
This bill aims to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. It extends various deadlines and years within the original act, such as changing certain dates from 2023 to 2026.
Became law · 119-S-356
- Yes: Would people in rural areas be better off under this?The bill directly extends financial payments and project authority to rural counties containing federal land. +5
And 3 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.
Passed one chamber, waiting on the other (10)
Halfway: the other chamber has to pass the same text before it can go to the President.
This bill extends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 by seven years. The new termination date for the program is changed from 2027 to 2034.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-4395
- Yes: Is this likely to grow the economy?Extending the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program provides stability and confidence for commercial real estate and business investments. +3
This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to publish and maintain a list of approved and prohibited medications for airmen and air traffic control specialists.
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-3258
- Yes: Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?Requires the FAA to publish and maintain a transparent, public list of approved medications. +6
S. 3257, known as the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act, directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to update regulations and guidance regarding individuals in aviation who disclose menta…
Passed the Senate with no one objecting, no names recorded · 119-S-3257
- Yes: Does this make mental health care easier to get?Encourages aviation personnel to seek mental health help and streamlines the medical certification process for those receiving treatment. +7
And 7 more on their Sponsored and Cosponsored pages.
Resolutions of theirs that were adopted (4)
A resolution is a chamber speaking for itself — a position, a rule or a tribute. Adopting it puts it into effect, but it is not a law.
- A resolution celebrating the 154th anniversary of Arbor Day.
- A resolution welcoming Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom to the United States on the occasion of His Majesty's address to a joint meeting of Congress, and recognizing the historic global significance of the United States-United Kingdom relationship.
- A resolution designating December 2, 2025, as "World Nuclear Energy Day".
- A resolution celebrating the 153rd anniversary of Arbor Day.
Still waiting, of the 61 bills they wrote: 11 cleared committee and wait for a first vote, 46 are in committee. Committee is where most bills end, whoever writes them — silence there, not a vote, is the usual way a bill dies.
What their bills would do
Every bill is scored against plain yes-or-no questions. These count their bills — the ones they wrote and the ones they cosponsored — by how each question was answered: yes, or the opposite. Open one to see those bills, where each stands, and why it was scored that way. Scores are made by AI ().
Who their bills would affect
What else they would change
How they voted lately
Their latest votes that decided something, and what each measure would do.
This bill sets national rules for student athlete name, image, and likeness rights. It creates protections for academic progress, medical coverage, and health and safety standards.
The vote on whether to pass the bill — Bill Passed
- Yes: Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?Significantly expands earning potential through NIL rights and provides medical and academic protections for college athletes. +9
- No: Does this leave more decisions to the states?Prevents states from enforcing their own NIL compensation and transfer laws that conflict with the federal framework. -5
119-S-4668 · roll call 250
What the Amendment Does As folks looking out for the good of the people and holding our officials accountable, we need to know what our leaders are trying to change. This amendment, submitted by Mr. Booker and Mr.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6835 · roll call 249
- NayTo increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.Sep 29, 2026
What the Amendment Does Mr. Booker, along with Mr. Blumenthal, submitted this amendment to change how a specific fund or program is paid for in the bill.
A vote on a proposed change to the bill — Amendment Rejected
119-SAMDT-6805 · roll call 248
On the President’s nominees
The President chooses federal judges, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors and military officers, and the Senate decides whether each one gets the job. Most are confirmed by voice vote, which records no one’s position; in the 119th Congress (2025–2026) the Senate put 223 confirmations to a recorded vote, and confirmed every one.
They voted to confirm 218 and against none, and did not vote on 5. Those votes covered 540 nominees, because the Senate sometimes confirms many in a single vote.
How busy they have been
How many bills they have put their name to over time — volume, not results: most bills never get a vote.