Policy concepts
in progress.
Housing Affordability
Build more houses — and remove the federal obstacles that make it harder and costlier to do so.
The intuitive solution to the housing shortage is the right one: build more houses. How many, what type, and where is a problem best left to the states to determine. But the federal government has a role too. Entire new neighborhoods will be required, and that drives costs and considerations beyond the initial build.
Affordability is an equity issue. Those who create the economy ought to be able to inhabit it.
I propose a solution set that has the federal government remove obstacles that would otherwise pile costs on new home buyers.
Unwind the tariff regime that increases both the initial costs of building materials and appliances and that of insurers for replacements. Tariffs are a tax on American home buyers — they raise costs at every stage of construction and drive up insurance premiums when homes need to be repaired or rebuilt.
When the states identify what, where, and how much they want to build, the federal government should provide grants to extend public infrastructure — roads and utilities — to those areas. New neighborhoods require new connections; that cost should not fall entirely on initial buyers.
Agriculture & Trade
Idaho feeds the world. The obstacles in front of us now are ones we put there ourselves.
Idaho has a vibrant agricultural sector. We grow food products that the world depends on. Our struggles now result largely from self-inflicted wounds, and the solutions are clear.
Tariffs raise the costs of fertilizer and other raw materials, invite retaliation from trading partners, and destroy confidence in the reliability of our supply. When markets move elsewhere, they are not readily recovered. Idaho's agricultural exports are not a sideline — they are essential to our economy, and we cannot afford the disruption tariffs create.
Legitimize and support the workers our agricultural sector depends on. Idaho's farms, dairies, and food processors rely on workers that the domestic labor market doesn't supply in adequate numbers. Restricting that labor doesn't protect American jobs — it leaves crops in the field and businesses on the edge of failure. The immigration reform outlined below addresses this directly.
Commit to the world that we will continue to be there as reliable producers. Trading relationships are built on trust and long time horizons. Unpredictable policy — tariffs imposed and lifted, supply threatened by workforce disruptions — undermines that trust and drives buyers to establish supply chains elsewhere. Stability is itself a competitive advantage.
Immigration
A dual-track solution: build the right system for the future, and deal justly with those already here.
Immigration reform is a hot-button issue that has been batted around for decades. It is time to move forward. I propose a dual-track solution: devise our preferred future framework separately from dealing with the undocumented immigrants already here.
Start with a clear-eyed snapshot of our current needs for temporary, seasonal, non-seasonal, and highly-skilled workers. Set reasonable visa goals for each category, with a process for periodic revision. Fund integration so that communities aren't overwhelmed.
The fault lies on both sides. Those here without authorization should not be — but we have run a historically inefficient system. These are people, and all persons deserve justice. We address each category on its merits.
Track One: The Future Framework
The future solution should start with a snapshot of our current needs for temporary, seasonal, non-seasonal (such as the certified agricultural worker), and highly-skilled workers. We already have visa programs to cover most of these categories. I support the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to fill out more of our needs.
Congress should set reasonable visa goals for all categories, with a process for revising those goals periodically. That's our baseline — and we provide funding for integrating immigrants into communities so that schools, clinics, and other community resources are not overwhelmed.
For worker visas, the states are responsible for integration costs. Workers entering through federal visa programs bring economic benefit; the states that receive them bear responsibility for their integration into communities.
For refugees or others in Temporary Protected Status, the federal government is responsible for integration costs. These individuals arrive through federal humanitarian programs, and the federal government should bear the cost.
Every year in execution, the executive needs to be able to adjust to current realities — which might include opening the door to more refugees or restricting immigration from specific sources. But when the executive acts, it must do so within guardrails. If the executive brings in more immigrants, they cover integration costs without increasing borrowing. When the executive reduces immigration below expectation, they make up for lost tax revenue and Social Security contributions — again, without increasing borrowing. They respond as needed, responsibly.
The system only works if it is enforced consistently and adjudicated fairly. Border enforcement and immigration courts must both be fully resourced to need. Understaffed courts produce the multi-year backlogs that undermine confidence in the entire system — from the perspective of applicants, employers, and the public alike. Funding the rules is not optional.
Track Two: The Undocumented Already Here
The undocumented immigrants already here need special handling. The fault lies on both sides. They should not be here without authorization — but we have traditionally run a sadly inefficient immigration system, with average wait times to see an immigration judge extending up to five years at times.
People here illegally who have committed — convicted, not just accused — serious crimes should be summarily deported. Conviction matters. Due process is not optional.
Dreamers should immediately receive green cards — lawful permanent residency. They committed no crime in coming here. They grew up here. This is their country in every meaningful sense.
I support the Farm Workforce Modernization Act as the right vehicle for legalizing our agricultural workers, and will continue to push for its passage or an equivalent solution that meets Idaho's needs. These workers are essential to our economy. A path to legal status is both the right thing to do and the economically sensible one.
At some point, we may need to go case by case to determine an outcome. But we are talking about people — even if not citizens — and all persons deserve justice. We do not cut corners on that principle.
We are talking about people — even if not citizens — and all persons deserve justice.