Editorials
Weekly Column: Our Economy--Heading In The Right Direction
Unemployment is down, way down to the lowest national rate in many years, at 3.8 percent in May. As of April, unemployment was at 2.9 percent in Idaho. Employers added 223,000 jobs nationwide in May alone. Average hourly earnings have increased 2.7 percent. Small business owners report record-level employee compensation and more job openings than qualified applicants. This data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Idaho Department of Labor and NFIB, along with reports of property values… Continue Reading
June 11, 2018
Weekly Column: Honoring Peace Officers
"Blessed are the Peacemakers . . ." is etched in a stone waterfall at the center of the Idaho Peace Officers' Memorial in Meridian. The names of the 71 Idaho officers killed in the line of duty are memorialized on the boulders surrounding the waterfall. The memorial and the ceremonies held there and at other memorials throughout the state to honor fallen officers help ensure that this devoted service is justly remembered. The U.S. Senate recently unanimously passed a resolution that lists… Continue Reading
June 04, 2018
Weekly Column: Holding Veterans Services Administrator--Health Net--Accountable
"We are fed up. In our view, the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) management of the Health Net contract has been a failure. While Health Net is the administrator of the Veterans Choice Program in our states, VA is ultimately accountable for Health Net's poor performance." In March, I joined ten fellow senators in calling on the VA to address ongoing concerns with Health Net's poor performance in administering the Veterans Choice Program (Choice program). The VA promptly responded that He… Continue Reading
May 28, 2018
Weekly Column: Memorial Day: Honoring Fallen Heroes
Thank you to all those who gather to honor our fallen heroes at Memorial Day events throughout Idaho, and especially, thank you to all those who have served our nation and support the service of others. A commitment to honoring the service of Idahoans who protect and defend our nation is a fundamental part of Idaho communities. Idahoans have established many places and events around our great state that provide opportunities to honor military families and reflect on their immense service. An … Continue Reading
May 21, 2018
Weekly Column: Honoring Idaho's Teachers
Rebecca (Becky) Mitchell, who is the head of the language arts program at Vision Charter School in Caldwell, was selected to be the 2018 Idaho Teacher of the Year. Becky is recognized as a teacher who is committed to preparing students for life after high school and encouraging students to pursue higher education. Becky is a great example of Idaho teachers who dedicate their time and talents to inspiring students. As the school year draws to a close in many districts, it is a good time to tha… Continue Reading
May 14, 2018
Weekly Column: Keep Moving To End Domestic Violence
When I think about the impacts of domestic violence, I think about a couple of young children I met years ago at a safe house in Twin Falls County. I will never forget them. I have referred to them often as I have spoken and written about domestic violence. The effects of abuse on their lives touched me deeply and helped cement my focus on abuse prevention. We owe it to them and all those affected by domestic violence to keep moving forward in ending this abuse. The Violence Against Wo… Continue Reading
May 07, 2018
Weekly Column: Protecting Our Second Amendment Rights
In recent weeks, several financial services firms have issued new guidelines that could effectively cut off financial services to law-abiding firearm manufacturers, retailers and firearms purchasers if they do not comply with the bank's firearms preferences. This raises serious concerns about large financial institutions-that receive significant forms of government support and benefits-using their market power to manage social policy by withholding access to credit from customers and companies … Continue Reading
April 30, 2018
Weekly Column: Putting The Brakes On Fire Borrowing
The political divisiveness in Washington, D.C., may make advancing sensible legislation seem nearly impossible. But, legislation ending fire borrowing was pushed over the finish line by a group of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and both Houses of Congress. I have been proud to be a part of this effort that will better enable agencies to fight wildfires like the disasters they truly are and reduce wildfire risks. As wildfires intensify across the West, wildland firefighting costs are e… Continue Reading
April 23, 2018
Joint Delegation Column: Goodbye To Old Federal Tax System
This is the last week where taxes will be paid under the more complicated old federal tax system that takes more of your hard-earned income. When you file next year, rate reductions will be among the more clearly felt benefits of tax reform. The positive outcomes of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are continuing to take shape, but the advantages-including bonuses and wage increases; business investment, productivity and job growth; boosts to retirement assets and other investments; and time and reso… Continue Reading
April 16, 2018
Weekly Column: Countless Reasons To Love The People Of Idaho
Embarking on town meetings in Idaho's unincorporated communities, I have been reminded of how much I admire and respect the people of Idaho. The dozens of meetings held so far in recent weeks in unincorporated communities build on the more than 200 meetings I held in every Idaho city between 2014-2016 and have allowed me to reach into new areas of the state seldom visited by most non-residents. This is an opportunity to hear directly from many across Idaho about what is on your minds. We are … Continue Reading
April 09, 2018
Weekly Column: Veterans: Mental Health Resources
Mental health is an essential part of everyone's well-being, and mental illness touches the lives of millions of Americans. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in six U.S. adults lives with a mental illness. It affects Americans of all backgrounds and vocations. For example, we know that the life-threatening experiences of those who serve our nation can leave scars, and veterans deserve comprehensive services that support their return to civilian life. A thoughtful Idaho… Continue Reading
April 02, 2018
Weekly Column: Ground Work For The Farm Bill
A quote from our nation's first president, George Washington, about the central role of agricultural production is inscribed on the exterior of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's main building in Washington, D.C.: "With reference either to individual or national welfare agriculture is of primary importance." This importance is deeply felt in Idaho communities, where farms and ranches put food on our tables and support jobs. The need for timely reauthorization of the next Farm Bill is a mess… Continue Reading
March 26, 2018
Weekly Column: Enabling Community Banks And Credit Unions To Better Serve Idahoans
As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, I regularly hear from community banks and credit unions, especially those in Idaho, about how they have struggled to keep up with the ever-increasing regulation coming out of Washington. For years, senators on both sides of the aisle have been working to find consensus on how we can provide relief for smaller financial institutions from regulations that were meant for the biggest, most complex institutions, while also ensuring a safe financial system… Continue Reading
March 19, 2018
Weekly Column: Advancing Nuclear Innovation
The Idaho National Lab (INL), the world leader in research and development of nuclear energy and a key partner in sustaining our nation's commercial nuclear power sector, has been home to more than 50 cutting-edge nuclear test reactors. It has led innovation after innovation, breakthrough after breakthrough. The imagination, ingenuity and hard work of the scientists at the lab ensure the United States remains the leader in the development and commercialization of nuclear energy. Legislation I… Continue Reading
March 12, 2018
Weekly Column: Tax Scam Warnings
Enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is resulting in higher take home pay for American workers through tax rate reductions, bonuses and wage increases. Tax reform also generates long-term economic benefits from increased business investment, productivity and jobs. As these benefits reach more American households, we must also make sure that taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned income by guarding against tax season scams. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers about a wi… Continue Reading
March 05, 2018
Weekly Column: Improving Access To Affordable And Quality Health Care
One central and undeniable fact remains throughout health care debates-our current system is badly broken. Repealing and replacing Obamacare remains a need to fully address its broken promises-rising premiums and costs, disappearing options and the inability of many Americans to keep their preferred providers to name a few. In the meantime, it just makes sense to look for ways to find consensus on areas where we can chip away at Obamacare failures and improve access to affordable and quality h… Continue Reading
February 26, 2018
Weekly Column: Stalking Awareness And Prevention
On January 30, 2017, the Senate passed legislation to promote awareness and encourage the prevention of stalking. The Senate also commended the efforts of the police, prosecutors and other organizations that provide support for victims of stalking. I am an original co-sponsor of S.Res. 390, a resolution designating January 2018 National Stalking Awareness Month, that contains the following statistics: During a 1-year period, an estimated 7.3 million individuals in the United States reporte… Continue Reading
February 19, 2018
Weekly Column: Our First President's Lasting Address
George Washington's Farewell Address is read in the United States Senate annually in observation of the birthday of our nation's first president, who led our country during the American Revolutionary War and helped form our government as a Founding Father. This annual reflection on President Washington's observations provides not only a time to celebrate the longevity of our Constitution that has withstood the test of time, but also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges of the past as the… Continue Reading
February 12, 2018
Weekly Column: Progress In Ending Excessive Federal Regulations
Onerous federal regulations have far-reaching negative consequences-not only adding paperwork burdens, but also discouraging job creation and economic growth. One of my top priorities has been to eliminate excessive federal regulations that hinder American innovation and job growth. Thankfully, progress is being made in ending federal mandates that stifle progress. Excessive, costly government regulation holds our economy back from reaching its full potential. Early in his Administration, P… Continue Reading
February 05, 2018
Weekly Column: Tax Reform Benefits
While lowering tax rates is important, it must not be the sole measure taxpayers use for evaluating what tax reform means for them. In the fall, I released a series of guest columns, available on my website at www.crapo.senate.gov/media/editorials, that included a discussion of the importance of considering the broad range of potential effects of tax reforms considered in Congress and having since become law. We are already seeing the positive results of the recently-enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs … Continue Reading
