Editorials
Weekly Column: Meeting The Federal Obligation To Idaho Counties
Nearly two-thirds of Idaho is federally owned, which severely limits the tax base for roads, law enforcement and schools because federal lands contribute no property taxes. The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program provides critical funding streams for rural Idahoans. The two-year extension of SRS funding, included in the end-of-year funding package approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, helps provide a more predictable source of funding for rural communities and school dist… Continue Reading
December 30, 2019
Weekly Column: Year End Review And New Year Opportunities
As we gather with family and friends this holiday season, there are likely plenty of discussions about the state of our nation. Hopefully, these conversations are more lighthearted than Washington, D.C.-style partisan bickering. These discussions around dinner tables and coffee tables can be fruitful, as we listen and share viewpoints with our loved ones. Here are some considerations as we end out the year and get ready to kick off 2020. The U.S. Department of Labor's November Employment Su… Continue Reading
December 23, 2019
Weekly Column: Momentum On Bipartisan Budget Reform
Federal overspending cedes strength, forgoes the ability to put full resources behind new ideas and essentially resigns our nation to a system of cobbling by, moving from one federal funding deadline to another without a focus on the bigger picture. The strength of our nation is far too important not only to Americans, but also to world stability to accept this outcome. I joined a bipartisan group of my fellow Senators in introducing S. 2765, the Bipartisan Congressional Budget Reform Act, tha… Continue Reading
December 16, 2019
Weekly Column: Backing Research And Improved Treatment For Alzheimer's Disease
More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease and, absent a medical breakthrough, that number could rise to nearly 14 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association. This disease is tragic and life-altering-wherever, whenever and whomever it strikes. Medical researchers pursue improved treatment for this progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells and is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, as … Continue Reading
December 09, 2019
Weekly Column: From The Mailbag--Association Health Plans
As participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. One of the issues Idahoans have contacted me about is S. 1170, the Association Health Plans Act, and Association Health Plans (AHPs). The following is my response: I support Association Health Plans. The needs of small business owners and employees are of great importance to me. As a result of Obamacare, small business owners have increasingly struggled to find affo… Continue Reading
December 02, 2019
Weekly Column: Supporting Small Businesses
Somewhere in a community across our country, a fellow American is thinking through the steps of turning their idea into a small business. They could be a young entrepreneur with dreams of changing the world with their innovation. They could be a middle-aged parent, who has always worked for others and is now ready to bring their small business dream into clear focus. They could be a highly-skilled veteran who returned home ready to invest in an opportunity to satisfy a need in their community… Continue Reading
November 25, 2019
Weekly Column: Dedication To Others A Common Thread In Idaho
Each year, I honor Idaho veterans and volunteers who support veterans with the Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veterans Service Award. The lives of the award recipients are fascinating and inspiring and represent the core of what makes our communities and state so special. A common characteristic among the recipients of the award is that they give so much often not only in service to our nation, but also to many others. They are leaders demonstrating a dedication to caring for their fellow veterans … Continue Reading
November 18, 2019
Weekly Column: Focus On Return Of Missing Servicemembers
I honor America's prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA) and call attention to National POW/MIA Recognition Day through Senate statements each year to try to help keep national focus on the return of American servicemembers. Additionally, to assist with this effort, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) recently joined me in introducing the bipartisan S. 2794, the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, to provide for an expedited and consolidated process for declassifying and collectin… Continue Reading
November 11, 2019
Weekly Column: Honoring Veterans Beyond Veterans Day
Thank you, veterans, for your service to our nation and support of your fellow veterans and military families. We honor veterans beyond Veterans Day by fully supporting their service beyond their deployments. Congress has been advancing legislation to improve veterans services. Transition to Civilian Life: I have been proud to lead a coalition focused on implementing improvements to support veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. This led to the reintroduction of the b… Continue Reading
November 04, 2019
Weekly Column: An Unprecedented Impeachment Process
The unprecedented impeachment process House Democrats have undertaken lacks transparency and due process. I am a strong supporter and co-sponsor of a Senate Resolution highlighting the shortcomings of these proceedings and calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to provide the President of the United States basic principles of due process. On October 24, 2019, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) introduced S.Res. 378 that specifies serious concerns with the impeachment proceedings … Continue Reading
October 28, 2019
Weekly Column: Getting Fire Equipment Where It Is Needed
Ranchers are well positioned and have the understanding of the land necessary to provide quick and effective initial responses to wildfire outbreaks. Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) are largely comprised of farmers and ranchers who use their skill, knowledge of the land and expedient response times to assist with firefighting efforts on the range. Transfers of fire equipment no longer used by federal agencies to local cooperators further fuel these partnerships between local lan… Continue Reading
October 21, 2019
Weekly Column: Hearing From Idahoans
Often, I am asked "what is the best part of my job," and there are really wonderful parts of being a United States Senator representing our great state-including being able to help make a difference on so many issues. But, the very best part is getting to visit with Idahoans all across our wonderful state to hear directly about what is on your minds and how you want our country to be governed. It is truly rewarding and extremely helpful. During the August state work period, I held 29 uninco… Continue Reading
October 14, 2019
Weekly Column: Federal Obligation To Idaho Counties Must Be Met
In September, Idaho County Commissioners visited my office as part of their making the case to Congress about the need to reauthorize Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS). While I welcome opportunities to get a sense of local needs, local officials should be spared the time and expense of having to continuously make the case for this federal responsibility. The federal government must meet its responsibility to rural communiti… Continue Reading
October 07, 2019
Weekly Column: Needed Changes To The Endangered Species Act
Wildlife species should be protected and recovered when possible. But, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as written and enforced has had very limited success. We can do better as envisioned in legislative reforms, including the 21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act and the Endangered Species Settlement Reform Act, and regulatory reforms advanced by the Administration. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data, 1,784 U.S. species have been listed as threatened or endangered s… Continue Reading
September 30, 2019
Weekly Column: Countering The Assault On Our Supreme Court's Judicial Independence
The Supreme Court of the United States plays a vital role in safeguarding the United States' Constitution. Threats by other members of the U.S. Senate to intimidate the Supreme Court into capitulation of its constitutionally mandated duties goes against every value of judicial independence our country has long held. Fellow Idaho Senator James E. Risch and I joined a majority of our Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the Supreme Court taking issue with legislative threats to the court's i… Continue Reading
September 23, 2019
Weekly Column: Honoring Gold Star Families
The sacrifices families make when their loved ones serve in our nation's Armed Forces are incredibly understated. Military families raise children and hold together households while their loved ones are far from home. They endure sleepless nights worrying about their loved ones serving in harm's way. And, if their loved ones are killed in service to our country, these extraordinary families, recognized as Gold Star families, have to carry on with the memories of their husbands and wives, sons… Continue Reading
September 16, 2019
Weekly Column: Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Legislation
In June, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence G. Wasden asked me to introduce legislation to affirm the state's authority to address Medicaid resident abuse beyond traditional health care facility settings. As providers are encouraged to treat patients in home and community-based settings, Medicaid integrity programs need to be able to conduct appropriate oversight to keep Idahoans safe and ensure that taxpayer funds are not misused. In July, I introduced S. 2379 that would clarify the authority of… Continue Reading
September 09, 2019
Weekly Column: September 11--A Day Of Remembrance And Recommitment To First Responders
On the Anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, as we pause to remember that tragic day and all those lost, we remember where we were when we watched this national tragedy unfold. The tremendous amount of anxiety, fear and confusion gave way to increased patriotism. This 18th anniversary is a day of remembrance and a day of recommitment to the great Americans who were our nation's first responders in the War on Terrorism. I was in my first term in the U.S. Senate when news ne… Continue Reading
September 02, 2019
Weekly Column: Fortifying Our Supply Chains
We live in an accelerating world requiring reliance on ever-advancing technology for many aspects of our lives. While technology may speed up and facilitate daily tasks, it also presents risk. Attacks through our technology do not just cause frustrating delays; malicious supply chain exploitation endangers our servicemembers without ever firing a shot. I am working to enact legislation that would secure the supply chains that government, industry and the general population rely on to reduce o… Continue Reading
August 26, 2019
Weekly Column: Farm Bill Support For Veteran Farmers And Ranchers
The work ethic, experience, diligence and ingenuity of our nation's veterans lend well to many civilian professions. Some veterans choose to apply their skills to farming and ranching following their military service, and certain federal programs provide tools for former servicemembers transitioning to civilian life or seeking a new career in agriculture production. At the end of last year, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2018 Farm Bill by overwhelmingly bipartisan… Continue Reading
