Editorials
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
January 20, 2020
Weekly Column: Working To Lower Prescription Drug Costs
On December 19, 2019, Senate colleagues and I introduced S. 3129, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, to lower prescription drug prices and encourage the development of new therapies and cures. This bill contains provisions that already have broad, bipartisan support in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Focusing on achievable areas of agreement can make progress in truly making prescription drugs more affordable. America is the leader in biopharmaceutical innovation, bringing l… Continue Reading
January 13, 2020
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
