| Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee (AP-Yonhap) |
Hawkish Republican senators advocating stronger extended deterrence on the Korean Peninsula are poised to lead key Senate committees on foreign affairs and security next year, suggesting potential hard-line stances in future US policy maneuvers regarding North Korea’s nuclear issues, according to reports.
The incoming Senate majority leader, Republican Sen. John Thune representing South Dakota, announced the standing committee assignments for the next congressional session on Dec. 20.
According to the announcement, Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho and Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi have been assigned to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Armed Services Committee, respectively.
Risch and Wicker are known for advocating stronger US extended deterrence, even including the deployment of nuclear weapons beyond US borders to counter North Korea's growing nuclear capabilities and reassure allies in Asia.
At a Senate hearing earlier this year, Risch called for exploring options for "returning nuclear weapons" to the region, citing the potential weakening of the US deterrence.
For similiar reasons, Wicker, a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel, also proposed a "nuclear sharing agreement in the Indo-Pacific" and the "redeployment of US tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula" in a May report.
Both senators are expected to chair their respective committees during the next congressional session, given their party’s anticipated majority status and their current roles as ranking members on those committees.
Committee chairs wield significant influence over legislative priorities and hearings, allowing them to shape and advance their policy agenda within the broader US policy framework.
