News Releases

February 19, 2020

Idaho Leaders to Talk Trade Benefits

Boise - Idaho's agricultural and political leadership will join together Thursday morning in Governor Brad Little's Ceremonial Office to discuss the benefits of the U.S. Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) that was recently signed into law. According to an analysis by the U.S. International trade Commission, the USMCA agreement will raise U.S. real GDP by over $68 billion and create nearly 176,000 new jobs, while increasing total agricultural food exports by $2.2 billion. Idaho producers wil… Continue Reading

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February 18, 2020

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Crapo Drug Pricing Bill

The United States Chamber of Commerce today endorsed U.S. Senator Crapo's (R-Idaho) Lower Costs, More Cures Act (S. 3129), which would lower prescription drug prices, bring greater transparency to the prescription drug industry and encourage further innovation of new treatments and cures within the U.S. "Access to affordable prescriptions remains one of the most persistent challenges in our country," said Senator Crapo. "I thank the Chamber for its endorsement of the Lower Costs, More Cures A… Continue Reading

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February 13, 2020

Crapo, Cortez Masto Lead Bipartisan Call to Support Medicare Advantage

- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) and Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), along with 62 of their colleagues, sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma expressing support for the Medicare Advantage program. Nationwide, 3,148 Medicare Advantage plans will be available for individual enrollment for the 2020 plan year. "Different Medicare Advantage plans allow beneficiaries to select a health plan that best suits their… Continue Reading

Editorials

February 17, 2020

Weekly Column: Follow Up: Legislative Advancements This Congress

An important part of representing Idahoans in the U.S. Senate is keeping folks informed about legislation advancing in Congress. In December, I provided a year-end review of some legislative highlights from the first year of the 116th Congress. The following is a more detailed account of the advancement of legislation I have advocated for on behalf of Idahoans. I introduced or co-led the following bills that were enacted into law prior to the end of last year either as standalone legislati… Continue Reading

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January 20, 2020

Weekly Column: Working To Lower Prescription Drug Costs

On December 19, 2019, Senate colleagues and I introduced S. 3129, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, to lower prescription drug prices and encourage the development of new therapies and cures. This bill contains provisions that already have broad, bipartisan support in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Focusing on achievable areas of agreement can make progress in truly making prescription drugs more affordable. America is the leader in biopharmaceutical innovation, bringing l… Continue Reading

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January 13, 2020

Weekly Column: Meeting The Federal Obligation To Idaho Counties

Nearly two-thirds of Idaho is federally owned, which severely limits the tax base for roads, law enforcement and schools because federal lands contribute no property taxes. The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program provides critical funding streams for rural Idahoans. The two-year extension of SRS funding, included in the end-of-year funding package approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, helps provide a more predictable source of funding for rural communities and school dist… Continue Reading

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