Editorials
Weekly Column: Justice For All
When there is a need for a major reform in our country, listening is the starting point for sound change. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss proposed federal policy changes to address police use of force at a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing. The input of those who have worked closely on this issue is instrumental as we work to enact legislation to rebuild the lost confidence in many institutions designed for the purposes of keeping communities safe. The vast majority of law … Continue Reading
June 22, 2020
Weekly Column: Backing Clean Drinking Water Projects
Clean and safe drinking water is a necessity. We all need clean water, and it must be a priority for every community in our country. In the places where we do not have the assurance that water flowing through the faucets is safe, inadequate infrastructure should be addressed. I led a bipartisan letter urging Senate appropriators to dedicate robust funding to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). These state revolving funds (SRF) program… Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Weekly Column: Ensuring Broadband Resources Reach Communities That Need Them
We, without a doubt, rely heavily upon broadband technology for business, government and personal activities. As more Americans have worked from home and homeschooled students during the pandemic, the importance of expansive and reliable broadband technology has been accentuated. Efforts have been underway for some time to address a "digital divide" in broadband deployment between rural and urban or suburban areas to ensure communities, regardless of size, can access these technological advanc… Continue Reading
June 08, 2020
Weekly Column: Flag Day--Beacon Of Hope
In recognition of Flag Day, I wrote this column weeks ago to commemorate our flag and national anthem. Today, as our country grapples with division and some have used the flag in expressions of rage, I questioned whether to submit it. However, I determined that especially now we should remember the inspiration of our national symbols as beacons of hope and unity. Our flag is not the symbol of a nation without flaws, but rather a symbol to inspire hope in the ideals we collectively hold. I am… Continue Reading
June 01, 2020
Weekly Column: Supporting Rural Communities
As Congress works with the Administration to consider the next phases of federal support to address the impacts of the pandemic, I am advocating for getting resources to smaller communities to ease recovery. Enacting a long-term solution for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRS) and Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs is a priority to provide much-needed certainty to rural communities. In April, I co-led a bipartisan letter with Senators James E. Risch (R-Id… Continue Reading
May 25, 2020
Weekly Column: 75 Years Later--American Fortitude The Foundation Of Recovery
On May 8, 1945, Americans, with our allies around the world, celebrated Nazi Germany's surrender ending World War II in Europe. Many American troops stationed in Europe were soon after sent home or to the Pacific Theater. Concentration Camps and communities across Europe were liberated, Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, and people turned from the dreadfulness of war to working to heal and rebuild. In a broadcast to the American people announcing the surrender of Germany, Presi… Continue Reading
May 18, 2020
Weekly Column: Idaho Pulling Together
Even in these uncertain times, as the pandemic has torn across our world taking lives and livelihoods, Idahoans are moving forward. I have been proud to work closely with Governor Brad Little and fellow members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation, Senator Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, to support Idahoans throughout the state's response to the pandemic. From the beginning, the Idaho Congressional Delegation worked with the Governor's office to assist with testing… Continue Reading
May 11, 2020
Weekly Column: Addressing Rise In Domestic Violence
Reports indicate crisis centers and law enforcement agencies have seen a rise in domestic violence incidents as communities face increased strain from the impacts of the pandemic. To address this problem, I joined a bipartisan group of senators in urging Senate Leadership to include more support for domestic violence programs in any further emergency coronavirus response legislation. As we raised in our letter, Phase 3 of the emergency coronavirus response legislation, the bipartisan Coronavi… Continue Reading
May 04, 2020
Weekly Column: Greatness Of Educators Clear Amid COVID-19 Response
As schools closed nationwide to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, millions of school-aged children suddenly started being homeschooled. Many parents are reeling trying to juggle at home work schedules while trying to keep on top of schooling needs. For most, this abrupt shift has not been easy, and the tremendous importance of our educators is even more acutely clear. All the while, teachers and administrators have been working hard to overcome the difficult circumst… Continue Reading
April 27, 2020
Weekly Column: Coronavirus Aid For Agricultural Producers
Idaho farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers are among those continuing to work hard every day to put food on our tables--despite the personal health threat of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, and enormous strain on the agricultural sector. The intent of this column is to help clarify some of the federal assistance available to help Idaho agricultural producers weather this storm. Agriculture is facing tremendous disruption due to the shuttering or scaling back of restaurants, schoo… Continue Reading
April 20, 2020
Weekly Column: Backing Rural Providers
Making sure health care providers, big and small, have the resources necessary to keep those on the frontlines safe and combat the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is the most important part of the fight against this disease. The University of Chicago recently released a "U.S. COVID-19 Atlas" indicating emerging hotspots in rural areas. Many already cash-strapped rural health care providers with oftentimes only a handful of emergency medical personnel and very limited bed space are responding t… Continue Reading
April 13, 2020
Weekly Column: Phase 3 Of The Coronavirus Response
Congress and the Trump Administration have enacted three phases of legislation providing resources to support the fight against the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Most recently, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed and President Trump signed into law Phase 3 of emergency coronavirus response legislation, the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Details are rolling out about how to access the support provided through the … Continue Reading
April 06, 2020
Weekly Column: The American Spirit--Confronting COVID-19 Head On
As the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread across our world, our communities have confronted this unprecedented challenge head on. In the face of adversity, we are seeing innovation and compassion from those working hard to contribute to the solution-the American spirit at its best. Our public health providers, including doctors, nurses, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, laboratory technicians, emergency medical technicians and others, are working diligently to mitigate the s… Continue Reading
March 30, 2020
Weekly Column: Confronting COVID-19
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic has challenged our sense of normalcy, and it has tested every institution of daily life we know. The crisis has had a major impact on the physical and economic health of our country, and a major response has been required. Thank you to all those within the health care system and others on the frontlines of battling the coronavirus for your dedication to treating patients and working to identify therapeutic medications (for short-term treatment) as well a… Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Weekly Column: Moving America's Public Transportation Systems Forward
The Senate Banking Committee recently held a hearing on the reauthorization of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which expires at the end of September 2020. The FAST Act provides long-term funding certainty for public transportation agencies across the country, funding that goes toward capital purchases and operations of the systems, and ultimately promotes safety, mobility and economic opportunity. Public transportation plays a key role in our nation's economy. There ar… Continue Reading
March 16, 2020
Weekly Column: Shutting The Door On Telephone Scammers
We have heard about people in our communities, neighbors, friends, or even family, falling victim to robocall scams and losing significant amounts of money and security of their personal information. Scammers are coming up with ever-creative ways to manipulate our open society to defraud unsuspecting victims. These scams are out of control, and enough is enough. Thankfully, we are getting traction on enacting legislation aimed at helping to stop illegal robocalls. In December, the U.S. Sena… Continue Reading
March 09, 2020
Weekly Column: Veterans History Workshop In Idaho
Recording the life stories of Idaho veterans helps ensure their service is honored in a way that enables us to learn from their examples. Over the years, I have participated in interviewing Idaho veterans to preserve their stories for the Veterans History Project (VHP). I am proud to be a part of bringing representatives of the Library of Congress, which administers the Veterans History Project, and others to Jerome, Idaho, Saturday, March 14, 2020, to host a veterans oral history workshop. T… Continue Reading
March 02, 2020
Weekly Column: Time To Plan Spring And Summer Washington, D.C., Visits
Idahoans who visit our United States Capitol Building may have seen Idaho's contributions to the collection of statues donated by each state to honor people notable in each state's history. Rooms and halls of the Capitol are adorned with this collection of statues. Idaho has given statues of two notable Idahoans-George Laird Shoup and William Edgar Borah-that pay tribute to the service of these esteemed individuals and represent the many Idahoans who are part of our state and nation's deep his… Continue Reading
February 24, 2020
Weekly Column: Improving Access To Neighboring Markets
The original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) needed to be re-negotiated. I voted against passage of NAFTA in 1993, because it was flawed. The agreement traded away sovereign rights of individual states and the federal government. Many goods and services originating in the United States received unfair treatment among trading partners. It also failed to provide sufficient market access and address problematic pricing structures and restrictive trade practices in the dairy sector. … Continue Reading
February 17, 2020
Weekly Column: Follow Up: Legislative Advancements This Congress
An important part of representing Idahoans in the U.S. Senate is keeping folks informed about legislation advancing in Congress. In December, I provided a year-end review of some legislative highlights from the first year of the 116th Congress. The following is a more detailed account of the advancement of legislation I have advocated for on behalf of Idahoans. I introduced or co-led the following bills that were enacted into law prior to the end of last year either as standalone legislati… Continue Reading
