Jim Risch

The Affordable HOMES Act of 2026 prohibits the Department of Energy Secretary from enforcing federal energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing. Instead, the bill allows the Energy Secretary only to recommend revisions to these standards to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and any recommendations must consider the cost-effectiveness of the standards, their impact on home purchase prices, and the unique manufacturing constraints of mobile homes. The legislation specifically voids a 2022 Department of Energy rule that established energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing. This bill primarily affects manufactured home builders, buyers, and the affordability of mobile homes, as manufacturers would no longer be required to meet the federal energy efficiency requirements that had previously applied to their products.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer federal ownership rights to approximately 15.12 acres of land in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to private or local ownership by issuing a disclaimer of federal interest. The land in question was originally platted under an 1800s federal law that has since been repealed, creating unclear ownership status. The Secretary must complete this action within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The transfer excludes any portion of the land that falls within the Kootenai Indian Reservation boundaries. The bill has no specified federal funding requirements, as it simply clarifies and releases the government's claim to land that appears to be in private use.

The Veterans' Earned Benefits Access Act of 2026 changes how the government collects money owed by military members who receive both separation pay and veterans' disability compensation. Currently, federal law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to deduct the full owed amount from disability payments, but this bill gives the VA Secretary flexibility to collect the money through monthly installments, lump sum payments, or other arrangements. The legislation also allows the VA to waive collection entirely if a veteran can demonstrate that deductions would cause financial hardship. The VA must issue regulations within 90 days of the bill's enactment and is required to ensure that monthly deductions do not exceed 25 percent of a veteran's disability compensation and to establish a process for veterans to request hardship waivers. These changes take effect once the final regulations are published in the Federal Register and apply to all disability compensation payments made after that date.

Civil Nuclear Export Act of 2026This bill provides the Export-Import Bank with certain authorities to finance civil nuclear energy exports.Specifically, the bill allows the Export-Import Bank to provide financing for the purchase of liquid metal fast breeder nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities if the purchase is otherwise permitted by law.Additionally, the bill expands the China and Transformational Exports Program (CTEP) by making civil nuclear energy eligible for financing under the program. Currently, the bank may extend loans, guarantees, and insurance to advance the comparative leadership of the United States with respect to China in specified export areas (e.g., artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and wireless communications equipment). This bill expands those areas to include civil nuclear energy technologies, materials, services, and related infrastructure and goods.The bill also revises the financial limitation on the outstanding aggregate amount of all of the bank's loans, guarantees, and insurance. In particular, the bill exempts those amounts attributed by the bank to CTEP, as long as that financing does not exceed a specified amount.The bill also increases from 2% to 4% the bank's default rate cap. Further, the bill allows the bank to exclude financing under CTEP from this default rate, subject to approval of the bank's board of directors.

This Senate resolution honors small firearm manufacturers and their contributions to the American economy and culture. The resolution acknowledges that small businesses manufacturing handguns, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, and accessories support approximately 380,000 jobs and generate over 91 billion dollars in annual economic output, particularly in rural and small-town communities. The resolution recognizes shooting sports, including hunting, target shooting, and competitive marksmanship, as established American recreational traditions that promote responsible firearm handling and outdoor stewardship. The Senate declares August 2026 as "National Shooting Sports Month" and expresses support for policies that allow small firearm manufacturers to innovate and grow while preserving these recreational traditions. As a resolution rather than legislation, this measure does not create law, appropriate funds, or establish binding requirements; it serves as a formal expression of Senate sentiment.

This Senate resolution recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc. (SAAMI), a nonprofit organization founded in 1926 at the federal government's request to establish safety and interoperability standards for firearms and ammunition. The resolution commends SAAMI for its century-long work coordinating with firearms manufacturers, the military, and government agencies to create consistent technical standards and promote safe and responsible use of firearms and ammunition products. SAAMI also collaborates with international standards organizations and has contributed to wildlife conservation efforts. The resolution contains no new laws, funding, or requirements, serving instead as a formal acknowledgment of the organization's contributions to public safety and industry standards over the past hundred years.

This bill accelerates federal geothermal energy development by requiring the Department of Interior to conduct lease sales every year instead of every two years and to automatically hold replacement sales if any sale is canceled or delayed. The legislation also mandates that at least 75 percent of nominated parcels eligible for geothermal development be offered for lease, with the remaining 25 percent offered unless the government provides written justification for exclusion. Additionally, the bill establishes tight timelines for geothermal drilling permits, requiring the government to acknowledge permit applications within 30 days, issue decisions within 30 days of determining an application is complete, and resolve deferred decisions within 10 days of any additional information being submitted. The bill affects companies seeking to develop geothermal energy resources on federal lands and aims to streamline the regulatory process for this renewable energy source. No specific funding is allocated in the legislation, but the changes are intended to increase the pace and predictability of geothermal project approvals.

The PEACE in Sudan Act aims to help end the ongoing civil war in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces by directing U.S. diplomatic and economic tools toward securing a ceasefire and accountability for atrocities. It requires the State Department and intelligence agencies to produce regular reports on foreign governments, militias, and companies fueling the conflict, on human rights abuses, and on financial assets held by armed actors, while also developing a formal strategy to end the war and support post-conflict recovery. The bill authorizes the President to impose sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on individuals or entities supporting the warring factions, trafficking looted resources like gold and gum arabic, or obstructing peace efforts and humanitarian aid, though exceptions protect humanitarian assistance and food shipments. It restricts most U.S. and international financial institution assistance to the Sudanese government until conditions improve, extends the term of the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan from two to five years, and pushes for stronger UN enforcement of the arms embargo. Key provisions include reporting deadlines starting 90 to 180 days after enactment, with reports issued semiannually or annually thereafter, and the entire law automatically expires five years after passage unless a verified peace agreement ends the fighting sooner.

The SILVER Act amends federal commodity trading rules to require clearing organizations that handle precious metals futures contracts to approve precious metals storage facilities in multiple geographic locations across the United States. Currently, physically traded metals must be stored near New York City, which Congress finds creates financial system vulnerabilities, reduces available liquidity, and increases storage costs for market participants. The bill requires that clearing organizations develop transparent criteria for selecting depositories and approve at least two storage facilities in each of the four continental time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific). The legislation aims to reduce systemic risk, lower storage costs through competition, improve market access for investors, and enhance the resilience of metals markets while maintaining security and quality standards for storage facilities. No specific funding amounts or implementation timeline are specified in the bill.

This Senate resolution celebrates the 154th anniversary of Arbor Day, which falls on April 24, 2026, and recognizes the holiday's founding on April 10, 1872. The resolution encourages Americans to participate in Arbor Day activities such as tree planting and highlights the environmental benefits of trees, including carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation, and wildlife conservation. It acknowledges the role of working forests in sustainable forest management and notes that over 3,500 communities participate in the Tree City USA program, reaching nearly half of all Americans. The resolution emphasizes Arbor Day's importance in promoting civic participation and teaching future generations about environmental stewardship. As a ceremonial resolution, it requires no funding and simply expresses the Senate's support for Arbor Day's goals and ideals.

This Senate resolution formally welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom to the United States for the King's address to a joint meeting of Congress on April 28, 2026. The resolution celebrates the historic US-UK relationship and marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, noting this will be the first address by a British monarch to Congress since Queen Elizabeth II spoke in 1991. The measure recognizes the strong partnership between the two nations in areas including defense, security cooperation through NATO and other alliances, and shared democratic values. The resolution passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support and does not involve any funding or create new programs, serving instead as a formal diplomatic gesture. It encourages continued cooperation between the countries on strategic security issues, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

The Veteran Burial Benefit Correction Act increases the federal burial and funeral expense benefit for veterans who die from service-connected disabilities, raising the maximum payment from $2,000 to $3,000. The bill also establishes an automatic annual adjustment mechanism tied to the Consumer Price Index, ensuring the benefit keeps pace with inflation each fiscal year. This change affects veterans' families and survivors who bear the costs of burial and funeral services for service-connected deaths. The legislation does not specify new funding amounts beyond the base increase, as the adjustments will occur automatically based on inflation measurements taken in June of each preceding year. The bill was introduced in March 2026 and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs for consideration.

The amendment introduces new provisions that enhance existing regulations by establishing stricter compliance requirements and increasing penalties for violations. Additionally, it expands the scope of the legislation to include more entities under its jurisdiction, thereby broadening its impact.

The Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act of 2026 establishes a new federal program to support advanced nuclear energy projects by reducing their financial risk through federal loan guarantees and expanded tax benefits. The program, backed by $3.6 billion in authorized funding, requires participating nuclear projects to submit detailed cost estimates, project plans, and risk analyses to the Department of Energy and maintain rigorous annual oversight. The federal government will cover cost overruns beyond what borrowers pay (up to 120% of initial estimates), with federal coverage available up to either 30% of the base cost or $1.2 billion per project, with loan guarantees available up to 200% of the base estimate. Additionally, the bill expands tax incentives for clean energy projects partnering with federal power authorities, military installations, or using domestically-sourced nuclear fuel. This legislation aims to accelerate development of advanced nuclear reactors and make them more financially feasible for private developers and utilities.

S. Res. 573 is a Senate resolution affirming the United States' commitment to promoting religious freedom worldwide. The resolution emphasizes that religious freedom is a foundational American value enshrined in the First Amendment and calls on the U.S. government to lead global efforts against religious persecution and intolerance. It specifically highlights concerns about religious freedom violations in numerous countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and others, while noting that over 360 million Christians face persecution globally. The resolution encourages the Secretary of State to use all available diplomatic tools to pressure foreign governments to stop violating religious freedom and reaffirms the importance of the State Department's Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism positions. This resolution does not authorize new spending or create binding requirements but instead expresses congressional sentiment and support for continued U.S. leadership on international religious freedom issues.

This resolution designates December 2, 2025, as World Nuclear Energy Day.

Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025This bill requires various federal agencies to continue certain operations, functions, and services related to firearms during a government shutdown.The bill applies to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF);the ATF's Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services;the activities of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; andthe activities of the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses.Under the bill, (1) these operations, functions, and services are deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property; and (2) employees carrying out the operations, functions, and services are deemed to be excepted employees. (Under an exception in the Antideficiency Act, an employee whose duties involve the safety of human life or the protection of property may be required to work during a government shutdown. Employees who are required to work during a government shutdown because they fall under this or other exceptions are known as excepted employees.)

The Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act establishes Congress's position that the United States must be prepared to immediately impose sanctions on Chinese military and civilian entities if China takes aggressive actions against Taiwan, including attempts to overthrow Taiwan's government, occupy its territory, conduct naval blockades, seize islands, or launch major cyber or physical attacks. The bill reaffirms the U.S. commitment to its longstanding "One China" policy while emphasizing that Taiwan's future should be determined peacefully without Chinese coercion. The legislation clarifies that it does not change existing U.S. policy toward China and Taiwan, which is based on the Taiwan Relations Act, joint communiques with China, and Six Assurances. Importantly, the bill does not automatically trigger any sanctions—any economic penalties would still require separate authorization under existing federal law or new congressional legislation.