By Congressman Russ Fulcher
April 21, 2025
It has been a busy past few weeks working with my congressional colleagues to rein in federal government spending and advance policies that strengthen our economy. Recent reports show core inflation is now at its lowest level in four years—a testament that deregulation, encouraging investment, bolstering energy production, and cutting waste work.
Our nation is also seeing a surge in made-in-America investments. Companies such as Apple, Hyundai, General Motors, and Nissan have announced major investments to increase U.S. production. These commitments will create jobs, contribute to our country’s economic prosperity, and help reduce our reliance on foreign nations to keep our supply chains moving.
However, we can’t stop there. The well-being of the American People should never hinge on hostile adversaries—like the Chinese Communist Party—for energy resources or the critical minerals needed for U.S. technology and defense capabilities. It’s time to bring these industries and manufacturing back to the USA.
In the House, I have continued to co-sponsor and advance common-sense legislation to defend Idahoan values and put America first. More on those bills below.
As always, it is an honor to serve you and the people of Idaho’s First Congressional District. Thank you for staying engaged, and I hope this e-newsletter provides a beneficial update on what my team and I have been working on as of late.
Legislation That Directly Impacts Idaho
I fully support returning the critical responsibility of educating America’s next generation of leaders—our students—back to families and the states where community needs can be best met.
For this reason, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of Congressman Thomas Massie’s bill, H.R. 899, to dismantle the federal Department of Education.
Idahoans—not the federal government—are best equipped to manage species and ensure proper recovery goals are reached, all while meeting community needs.
Last month, I was proud to support H.R. 1897, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025, to encourage stronger state collaboration and provide commonsense reforms to the Endangered Species Act.
Every year, Idaho loses revenue in timber sales due to wildfires caused by federal mismanagement of our lands.
I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 1383, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025. This bill provides funding to help offset the preventable loss of timber sales revenue due to wildfires on federal lands.
Click HERE to read my full statement.
The importance of the Lower Snake River Dams and the power they generate has never been clearer.
I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of Congressman Dan Newhouse’s legislative package to protect the Lower Snake River Dams and strengthen hydropower as a reliable, affordable source of base load energy
For more information, please click the photo below.
Rural communities across the West continue to struggle with access to reliable connectivity.
My bill, the Reducing Barriers for Broadband on Federal Lands Act, H.R. 2298, seeks to address this and ensure no Idaho community is left behind in today’s digital age.
Click HERE for more information on this legislation.
Over 95% of Idaho farms are family-owned.
I am proud to co-sponsor H.Res. 206, legislation to preserve the stepped-up basis tax provision, which protects the generational transfer of family farms by preventing folks from being crushed by high capital gains taxes on inherited assets such as land and equipment.
Legislation With National Impact
I am grateful for President Donald J. Trump’s continued support for NO TAX on overtime.
My bill, H.R. 405, the Keep Every Extra Penny (KEEP) Act, accomplishes this. I am committed to working with my colleagues to get this legislation across the finish line to deliver financial relief for Americans.
Click HERE to watch President Trump’s remarks on this historic legislation during his address to a joint session of Congress.
Consumer choice must be what dictates any future market transition to electric vehicles—not the federal government by mandate.
Last month, I was proud to join Congressman Walberg in introducing H.R. 2165, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, to prohibit the EPA from implementing any vehicle emissions regulations, like the one proposed under the Biden administration, that would effectively tell Idahoans and Americans across the country which cars they can and cannot purchase.
This bill supports an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to fuel and recognizes that emissions have decreased substantially over the decades, all while allowing for choice in fuel types for vehicles. I am committed to seeing it passed.
Click HERE for more information on this vital legislation.
Geothermal is a powerful source of clean, safe, and dependable energy.
H.R. 1687, the CLEAN Act, will streamline the permitting process for geothermal exploration, development, and production on federal lands. I was glad to welcome Congresswoman Susie Lee as a co-lead on this vital effort last month, and I look forward to working with our congressional colleagues to deliver this legislation to the President’s desk.
Click the photo below for more information.
During WWII, millions of American women answered the call to serve our nation by holding down our home front. In Idaho, many women took to running farms and ranches while others went to factories around the USA to build planes, munitions, and ships to support the war effort.
I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act, H.R. 2290, to honor their service, sacrifice, and patriotism by securing the location for a memorial in our nation’s capital—supported entirely through private funds.
Click HERE for more information.
Meetings & Media
Last month, in Boise, I celebrated several outstanding young men and women headed to our nation’s prestigious service academies.
Their drive and determination are an inspiration to all and I have no doubt they will make Idaho proud as they aspire to lead in our U.S. Armed Forces.
I am very grateful for my remarkable staff who worked tirelessly to make this academy reception the success it was!
Recently, I joined ABC News Live to discuss the work DOGE is doing, President Trump’s address to Congress, tariffs, and how the House is working to change the trajectory of spending in D.C.
Click HERE to watch the full interview.
Idaho potato farmers work tirelessly to feed families across America and play a key role in turning the economic wheels for the Gem State.
It was a pleasure to meet with the Idaho Potato Commission in Washington, D.C., to discuss trade policy and how we can support our U.S. agricultural community.
Last month, I had the opportunity to address Vice President JD Vance during his meeting with the House on policies that will benefit Idahoans.
Casework Reminder
Since arriving in Congress, I am pleased to share that my terrific casework team has successfully returned over $20 million to hardworking Idahoans. This is money that was owed to constituents but was held up in a federal agency.
If you are a resident of Idaho’s First Congressional District and are unable to get a timely response from a federal agency, or if you feel you have been mistreated, please contact my office. We are here to serve you!
Your opinions, encouragement, and feedback are so important, and they do not go unheard. Each call, email, and letter are considered as I represent you and make decisions on important pieces of legislation.
I will send another update soon. In the meantime, I encourage you to keep in touch by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Sincerely,
Russ Fulcher
Member of Congress
About Russ Fulcher
Russ Fulcher is a fourth-generation Idahoan, grew up on a dairy farm in Meridian, Idaho. He was elected to Congress to represent Idaho's first congressional district in 2019 after serving in the Idaho State Senate for ten years. Visit https://fulcher.house.gov/ for more information or to find contact info.
