(From the Desk of Senator James E. Risch, October 16, 2026)
My mission as your U.S. Senator has always been to pass policies that make life easier, more affordable, and safer for Idahoans.
But we all know that too often getting answers or resolving an issue with the federal government can be complicated and downright frustrating.
That’s where me and my staff come into the picture. We work day-in and day-out with federal agencies on behalf of Idahoans to help them find information, access critical care and earned benefits, and get results.
In 2026 alone, my incredible casework team has returned $8,563,183.20 to Idahoans owed to them by a federal agency. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Here’s just a few examples of what our office has accomplished for Idahoans this year:
- Helped an expectant mother and her daughter receive Social Security survivor benefits following her husband’s passing;
- Brought a U.S. Marine home in time to attend his grandfather’s funeral;
- Helped a veteran schedule an expedited appointment when his motorized wheelchair stopped working;
- Eliminated IRS penalties and interest imposed on a disabled man and his family because of errors in their tax return;
- Helped a family secure Social Security benefits for their son’s care earlier than expected, including more than $20,000 in retroactive payments during their final months together; and
- Corrected an error that threatened a woman’s lawful permanent resident status, Social Security benefits, and Medicare coverage.
I’m proud of the work our office does for Idaho.
If you or an Idahoan you know needs assistance with a federal agency, me and my team are ready to help. Contact one of my six regional offices across the state at risch.senate.gov.
For the latest press releases and constituent services visit risch.senate.gov.
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