Top Republican Sen. Jim Risch says deterrence and ‘strong alliances’ are critical to dealing with China, Russia, Venezuela and other ‘No Good Nicks’: He also warns border security MUST be included in a Ukraine-Israel aid package or it won’t pass
Republican Senator Jim Risch says deterrence is critical when dealing with adversaries China, Russia, Venezuela and other 'No Good Nicks' on the world stage.
Risch, a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com at the Aspen Security Forum in Washington, D.C.
He said the United States' first line of defense is “always deterrence,” as the country faces multiple threats worldwide because the country does not want to “get involved kinetically.”
It is critical that America's allies — including Britain and NATO countries — 'know that we take national security seriously' and will defend themselves and our strategic partners,” continued Risch, R-Idaho.
“The rest of the world knows, I think, that our strength and our deterrence is based on many of the alliances that we have with other countries around the world.”
Risch, who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com at the Aspen Security Forum in Washington, D.C.
When asked about Venezuela's recent aggression toward oil-rich neighbor Guyana, Risch told DailyMail.com that the US is “trying not to get involved.”
“Venezuela is not our only concern,” he continued. There is a group of aggressors that the senator calls the “No Good Nicks” of the world that are causing concern.
“They have a club: it's North Korea, it's Iran, it's Russia, it's China, it's Venezuela, it's Cuba. And a few other nominees for that club, but they always cause problems and you have to deal with them when they arise,” Risch explained.
“We have a long history of it, over the centuries, and we do it well.”
On Wednesday, Republican senators blocked President Biden's request for $110 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as the GOP demands tighter security measures be included at the southern border.
The 49-51 vote failed to reach the 60 votes needed to advance. The package included $61 billion to Ukraine, in addition to aid to Israel in its ongoing war with Hamas terrorists, humanitarian aid to Gaza and funds to support U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Risch told DailyMail.com that there are ongoing “political discussions” about how to move forward with a security package.
He said that while “each side” has different priorities, border issues are “top of the list” for Republicans.
The senator said aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan is important to make progress and “we want to get it done,” but “we have to worry first and foremost about our southern border.”
“The reason the whole package has not been approved is that we have not yet reached an agreement on that part of the package,” he explained.
“It's a top priority for us, our border, our national security, our voters.”
He continued, “No one ever said the democratic process was easy, smooth, or beautiful. But we'll get through this.'
Aspen Security Forum in DC panel with General Anthony Cotton, Commander of US Strategic Command and Senator Jim Risch, US Senator for Idaho
Risch said that while “each side” has different priorities, border issues are “at the top of the list” for Republicans
The senator also says he is confident the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will be passed by Christmas.
Lawmakers were deadlocked in negotiations to end Biden's Defense Department's “woke” policy.
The bill text was officially released this morning. Congress has passed the NDAA for 62 years in a row.