NEWSLETTER: Congressman Fulcher’s Legislative Update

By Congressman Russ Fulcher

We cannot have a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that is handcuffed or partially funded—protecting our nation and people requires being fully operational. 

I recently became a co-sponsor on legislation to pair the SAVE America Act with a 60-day extension of full funding for DHS while a reconciliation bill is formalized. Both measures are vital to advancing America first priorities—safeguarding the integrity of our federal elections while ensuring DHS has the resources necessary to keep our homeland safe.

The House has acted responsibly and passed legislation to advance the SAVE America Act and fund all of DHS four times now. This proposal builds on that effort and doubles down on our commitment to see these objectives through. As we move forward, I will keep you posted on the latest regarding this measure. 

As always, 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 have introduced the System Integrity through Licensed Vault Expansion and Resilience (SILVER) Act, H.R. 8007.

Having metal depositories located in more than one region in the United States will provide Americans across the country with affordable access to metal exchanges and safeguard assets in the event of a national emergency or extreme weather event.

This bill will require the approval of at least two depositories in the Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones, strengthening system integrity and resiliency.

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I am very pleased to share that $30 million has been secured for Idaho’s Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District (LOID) through Congress’s H.R. 1, the Working Families Tax Cuts law.

This funding will support the construction of a new water intake and conveyance system from the Clearwater River, ensuring a strong, reliable water supply for the Lewiston Orchards area for years to come.

This is a major win for water security in the West, and I am proud to have worked alongside my Idaho congressional colleagues to help advance this important project.

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The U.S. Forest Service has announced it will issue $248 million in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments for 2025 and $182 million in retroactive payments for 2024 for eligible states and counties with untaxed National Forest System lands.

Federal programs like SRS are vital to Idaho’s rural communities, where a significant portion of land is owned by the federal government. However, this funding has grown increasingly difficult to garner support for in the U.S. Congress, as states without vast federal landholdings often view this program as a subsidy.

I am grateful to Speaker Johnson and House Republican Leadership for their collaborative efforts with my office to get legislation to provide payments through Fiscal Year 2026—in addition to lapsed payments for 2024 and 2025—on the House floor and passed. While I am very pleased to see these funds released, I will continue to advocate for a long-term solution in Congress.

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In other great news, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $115.2 million to support sawmills and wood processing facilities—strengthening domestic production and reducing wildfire risk. Idaho is among the states that will benefit from this initiative!

I’m proud to support these efforts in Congress, including co-sponsoring the SAWMILL Act to expand American timber production.

Legislation With National Impact

I have gladly joined my colleagues in advocating for America’s potato industry to have market access in Japan. Our growers produce the best spuds in the world!

Easing Japan’s restrictions would increase U.S. fresh potato exports to an estimated $100 million plus and strengthen farming communities across the country.

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H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, has passed the House.

This bill prohibits sweeping federal bans on lead ammunition and fishing tackle while protecting sportsmen and women’s access to our public lands.

I proudly co-sponsored this common-sense legislation and am glad to see it head to the Senate!

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Washington, D.C., could take a page from Idaho’s playbook on achieving a balanced budget. That’s why I have introduced H.R. 4324, the One Subject at a Time Act.

This measure would improve the way Congress goes through the legislative process by focusing every bill legislators consider on a single subject, ensuring each topic receives a separate vote—exactly how it is done in Idaho.

Effective, transparent, and productive. I will continue to advocate for this legislation to be taken up and passed.

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On Section 702 of FISA, I cannot in good conscience support authorizing multiple government channels to have broad, warrantless surveillance authority over Americans. When it comes to U.S. citizens, intelligence agencies should be required to obtain a warrant.

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American manufacturers and communities should not be penalized for foreign emissions.

This month, I joined my Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues on the House floor to urge support for H.R. 6409, the Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act.This legislation restores the original intent of the Clean Air Act, protecting states from being held accountable for pollution that originates outside U.S. borders. To watch that floor speech, click the photo below.

Meetings

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is changing the landscape of college sports.

There is a growing need for clarity to ensure we maintain a competitive balance and opportunities for athletic programs at schools in all conferences. Institutions like Boise State are at the forefront of driving community involvement, innovation, and economic growth. As a former Bronco myself, I am proud of the work they’re doing both on and off the field. Go Broncos!

We had over 10,000 Idahoans join our telephone town hall in March. I am truly grateful for a forum that allows us to meet in such large numbers.

We covered issues ranging from U.S. involvement in the Middle East to the need for strong domestic energy production, the status of the SAVE Act, efforts to address our national debt, and more. The conversations were both polite and constructive.

In Idaho, we truly have something special, and your counsel and participation are what will help keep it that way. 

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There is no one better suited to manage Idaho’s lands than Idahoans—we live on them, work them, and use them for recreation.

I had a great meeting with Director Miller of the Idaho Department of Lands to discuss responsible stewardship and the importance of strong, state-level management to preserve Idaho’s beautiful landscapes for generations to come.

Casework Reminder

Since arriving in Congress, I am pleased to share that my terrific casework team has successfully returned over $24 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!

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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