Editorials
Weekly Column: The Abraham Accords Peace Agreement--A Historic Achievement
One of the greatest world challenges of our time, without a doubt, has been the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. Although we have seen progress at various times, lasting, concrete peace has eluded world leaders, and its attainment has eclipsed administrations. The recent Abraham Accords Peace Agreement is a significant step in bringing this important part of our world closer together, and it is worthy of commendation. On September 15, 2020, the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement was signed … Continue Reading
October 12, 2020
Weekly Column: The Congressional Award--Challenging Youth
Young people throughout our communities working to earn the Congressional Award are challenging themselves, learning from their achievements and inspiring their peers to contribute to community and national efforts. I had the opportunity recently to congratulate four young Idahoans, who are 2020 Congressional Award Gold Medal recipients, for the time they are spending bettering themselves and our communities. In order to earn Congressional Award Gold Medals, youth dedicate more than 800 hours… Continue Reading
October 05, 2020
Weekly Column: Advancing Emergency Wildfire Legislation
The 2020 wildfire season has been one of the most active on record. So far, 44,174 wildfires have burned 7.1 million acres, with over five million acres in California, Oregon and Washington alone. In Idaho, 15 wildfires have burned more than 200,000 acres so far. The damage these fires have caused is disastrous. Thousands of people have lost their homes and property. Numerous communities have been destroyed. Millions of people have spent weeks breathing air choked with smoke and ash. And,… Continue Reading
September 28, 2020
Weekly Column: Honoring America's Missing Servicemembers
I call attention to National POW/MIA Recognition Day through Senate statements each year to honor America's prisoners of war (POW)s and missing in action (MIA), commend those keeping attention on our missing servicemembers and embolden those who are working hard to bring our missing servicemembers home. We cannot let up in bringing home all our nation's heroes. The following is the text of my recent Congressional Record Statement: Mr. President, in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition… Continue Reading
September 21, 2020
Weekly Column: From The Mailbag--Utilization Of Clean Energy Sources
As participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. Realizing that many may not have the chance to contact me, I post information about various issues of importance on my website, http://crapo.senate.gov. One of the issues Idahoans have contacted me about recently is the utilization of clean energy sources. The following is my response: As Co-Chairman of the Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, I am a… Continue Reading
September 14, 2020
Weekly Column: Backing Those Leading The Pandemic Fight
Health care workers, businesses and individuals across our country have been working hard to treat those impacted by the pandemic and ensure our nation's recovery. We must make certain that those who act lawfully to meet the needs of our communities are not subject to frivolous lawsuits for their good actions. More than 200 organizations representing American businesses nationwide, including farm families, small businesses, physicians, hotels, trucking associations, manufacturers, grocers, di… Continue Reading
September 07, 2020
Weekly Column: Setting The Record Straight On The United States Postal Service
Most of the inaccurate, partisan narrative regarding allegedly new changes at the United States Postal Service (USPS) are part of long-term efforts from multiple administrations to improve its solvency. The Postal Service is not being disassembled and no efforts are underway to hinder the efficient handling of election mail. The Postal Service can effectively handle the increased volume of ballots facilitated via mail expected from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Administration's actions, most o… Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Weekly Column: Making Medical Innovation More Affordable
Now, maybe more than ever, as Americans face months of dealing with the impacts of the pandemic, and we anxiously await effective vaccines and treatments to advance, we must be thorough in considering all cost drivers affecting the affordability of medical care. Over the past months, Congress has dedicated and the Administration has directed considerable resources to our health care providers on the frontlines of the fight against the pandemic. We also must make certain that as innovative medi… Continue Reading
August 24, 2020
Weekly Column: Highlighting Idaho's Pandemic Heroes
Idahoans have met the challenges of the pandemic with thoughtful, determined efforts to help others. Instead of being overwhelmed by circumstances, Idahoans were busy assisting others and shining bright lights of hope through these difficult times. Since the threat became apparent, individual Idahoans have worked together to help meet the needs of vulnerable residents. Here are just a few examples: Families across the Treasure Valley who opened their homes to foster veterans with medical … Continue Reading
August 17, 2020
Weekly Column: From The Mailbag--COVID-19 Effects On The Postal Service
As participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. One of the issues Idahoans have contacted me about is the 2019 novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and the United States Postal Service (USPS). The following is my response: I share your support for reliable and efficient mail service. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the U.S. and affect all aspects of American life. The outbreak has infected over 5 million… Continue Reading
August 10, 2020
Weekly Column: Making The National Suicide Hotline More Accessible
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports: "Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. One person dies by suicide every 11 minutes. In 2017, 10.6 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.2 million made a plan, and 1.4 million attempted suicide. People who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence are at higher risk for suicide." Idahoans have shared stories with me about the tragic loss of friends … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
Weekly Column: Providing For Our National Defense
One of the most critical jobs of Congress is providing for our national defense, and this is the 60th consecutive year that Congress has fulfilled its constitutional duty. Our country's Founders delineated this responsibility in Section 8 of our Constitution, providing Congress with the power to fund the common defense of the United States. Congress has been moving forward with enacting the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (FY21 NDAA) to support our nation's servicemembers a… Continue Reading
July 27, 2020
Weekly Column: Advocating For A Third Federal Judge For Idaho
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on June 30, 2020, to discuss the Judicial Conference of the United States' most recent recommendations for more federal judgeships. The Judicial Conference has recommended a third judgeship for Idaho consistently since 2003. As a member of the Committee, I reiterated the need to put aside partisan differences and create a third federal district judgeship in Idaho to meet this increasing judicial need. As I stressed during the hearing, … Continue Reading
July 20, 2020
Weekly Column: Civil Forfeiture Reform--Restoring Constitutional Protections
Requiring Americans to prove their property should not have been taken by the government, rather than the government proving guilt, undermines our system of justice. Commonsense restraints must be instituted to protect against civil asset forfeiture abuses. I am again backing legislation to address problems with civil asset forfeiture. According to a March 2017 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General report, the Department seized more than $28 billion over the past ten years via as… Continue Reading
July 13, 2020
Weekly Column: Justice For Missing, Murdered Native Women
A 2016 report from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicates that more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women and men experience violence in their lifetimes; American Indian and Alaska Native women are also two times more likely than other groups to experience rape or sexual assault; and They are two and a half times more likely to experience violent crimes in their lifetimes. While recognizing information on the number of missing Native Americans in the Unit… Continue Reading
July 06, 2020
Weekly Column: Spurring Short Line Rail Investment
Access to affordable and reliable options for transporting Idaho goods to markets is an important part of Idaho small businesses' success and ability to grow and innovate. I am a longtime champion of tax incentives that encourage and support investment in short line railroads because of short line railroads' proven efficiency at moving Idaho goods to customers worldwide. Short line rail has been instrumental in keeping goods moving throughout the pandemic response. The enactment of legislatio… Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Weekly Column: Justice For All
When there is a need for a major reform in our country, listening is the starting point for sound change. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss proposed federal policy changes to address police use of force at a Senate Committee on the Judiciary hearing. The input of those who have worked closely on this issue is instrumental as we work to enact legislation to rebuild the lost confidence in many institutions designed for the purposes of keeping communities safe. The vast majority of law … Continue Reading
June 22, 2020
Weekly Column: Backing Clean Drinking Water Projects
Clean and safe drinking water is a necessity. We all need clean water, and it must be a priority for every community in our country. In the places where we do not have the assurance that water flowing through the faucets is safe, inadequate infrastructure should be addressed. I led a bipartisan letter urging Senate appropriators to dedicate robust funding to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). These state revolving funds (SRF) program… Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Weekly Column: Ensuring Broadband Resources Reach Communities That Need Them
We, without a doubt, rely heavily upon broadband technology for business, government and personal activities. As more Americans have worked from home and homeschooled students during the pandemic, the importance of expansive and reliable broadband technology has been accentuated. Efforts have been underway for some time to address a "digital divide" in broadband deployment between rural and urban or suburban areas to ensure communities, regardless of size, can access these technological advanc… Continue Reading
June 08, 2020
Weekly Column: Flag Day--Beacon Of Hope
In recognition of Flag Day, I wrote this column weeks ago to commemorate our flag and national anthem. Today, as our country grapples with division and some have used the flag in expressions of rage, I questioned whether to submit it. However, I determined that especially now we should remember the inspiration of our national symbols as beacons of hope and unity. Our flag is not the symbol of a nation without flaws, but rather a symbol to inspire hope in the ideals we collectively hold. I am… Continue Reading
