Editorials
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
January 29, 2018
Weekly Column: Veterans' Access To Local Care Update
Last May, I introduced S. 1279, the Veterans Health Administration Reform Act of 2017, to improve access to local care for veterans to better meet their individual needs. This legislation is the result of essential input of Idaho veterans about what is needed to ensure timely access to high quality services for all veterans no matter where they live. Part of this legislation and other improvements are now included in comprehensive veterans legislation advancing in the U.S. Senate. Delays … Continue Reading
January 22, 2018
Weekly Column: Planning A Visit To Our Nation's Capital
Washington, D.C., is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, and that isn't surprising as there is so much to see and do, most of it free to the public. While I have the honor of meeting with Idahoans who travel to Washington, D.C., for business or to take in our national capital's history, my office can also help with your tour planning. There is a wealth of information on my website, at https://www.crapo.senate.gov/services/visiting-dc, that includes a list of sites and tour ti… Continue Reading
January 15, 2018
Honoring American Leaders Who Have Made Our Nation So Great
The Americans traditionally honored during national holidays this month and next exemplify the leadership and set the example that make our nation so great. As we approach Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents' Day and celebrate the contributions of leaders who guided Americans and helped build our nation into the leader of the free world, we can remember the leadership principles of service and commitment to the nation and its citizens they embodied as we take stock of what we can do as A… Continue Reading
January 01, 2018
Senate Banking Committee: A Year In Review
Serving as Senate Banking Committee Chairman over the past year has been an honor and responsibility as the committee has worked to manage legislation that affects so many Americans. Despite the current political climate, my priority has been to find agreement on common-sense reforms. One significant achievement has been to reach bipartisanship on the committee, avoiding many partisan battles that plague so much of Congress. The following are some of those efforts over the past year. Right-s… Continue Reading
December 25, 2017
Fixing Broken Tax Code Benefits Taxpayers And Boosts Economy
A typical family of four will get a $2,059 tax cut. Lower-middle and middle income families can save time and money on tax preparation due to the near doubling of the standard deduction and other simplifications. According to more than 100 economists, "economic growth will accelerate" under the tax relief legislation passed by Congress, which will give Americans access to higher wages, greater job opportunities and a more vibrant economy. There is no need to take our word for all of this; jus… Continue Reading
December 18, 2017
Making Good Things Happen In Our Communities
We do not have to look hard in Idaho to find great people helping others. Idahoans strive every day to ease the burden of others and inspire acts of kindness through their service. The Idaho Hometown Hero Medal reminds us of the many Idahoans, including those unrecognized, who make good things happen in our communities. Through Congressional Record Statements, I have had the opportunity to help congratulate the award recipients. Ten Idahoans working in various fields are 2017 Hometown Her… Continue Reading
December 11, 2017
Celebrating Adoption: Making The Dream Of A Family A Reality
I had the honor of helping to pay tribute to Idahoan Dixie Weber who was recognized as a 2017 Angel in Adoption® for her work as an adoption advocate. Dixie is the Women's Services Administrator at St. Luke's Boise Medical Center. She is a nurse and health care leader who has dedicated more than 15 years to supporting families participating in and considering adoption. Dixie joins the 28 other extraordinary Idahoans who have been honored with the title Angels in Adoption since the award's… Continue Reading
December 04, 2017
All Hands On Deck To Fight Opioid Crisis
The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) issued an urgent public alert regarding the toxicity of illegal drugs being circulated on American streets advising, "The street drugs the public may be exposed to can be so dangerous that even trace amounts can be fatal when ingested, inhaled or even absorbed through the skin." ASCLD reported a 6,000 percent increase in fentanyl cases witnessed in laboratories between 2012 and 2016 that "corresponds directly with the overdose deaths be… Continue Reading
November 27, 2017
Improving Veterans' Education Benefits
Specialist Robert Cannon, of Boise, served 5.5 years in the U.S. Army in military intelligence. This included a 13-month deployment in Southern Iraq. Robert attended approximately eight different colleges until he found a class structure that provided the hands-on learning that best enabled him to succeed. Unfortunately, when ITT Educational Services (e.g., ITT Technical Institutes) closed, his education and educational benefits were in limbo. However, new changes in law make him eligible to… Continue Reading
November 20, 2017
Idaho Brimming With Spirit Of Freedom
Idahoan and Vietnam Veteran Jim Chally overcomes symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis to assist fellow veterans and their families by giving long-term caregivers of veterans needed breaks from providing round-the-clock care of their loved ones. Jim has provided this care as a volunteer for the past four years with the Legacy Corps for Veterans and Military Families, which supports family caregivers. Jim shared a fond memory of his time serving veterans as part of his nomination for the 2017 Spirit o… Continue Reading
November 13, 2017
Honoring Veterans By Effectively Supporting Their Service
Veterans Day-a day to honor veterans for their service to our nation-is a good time to take stock of where were are in ensuring that they have access to quality health care and other services that support their enduring commitment. So far this year, Congress has passed and President Trump has signed into law the following important, veterans-related legislation that I supported: The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 was enacted to overhaul the current U.S. Departm… Continue Reading
November 06, 2017
Veterans Leading The Way In Helping Others
Idaho veterans and veterans service providers have been among those assisting with hurricane recovery and other emergency response. Staff from the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center headed to Puerto Rico to assist. Area veterans and veterans service providers have skills of great use in a variety of fields, especially emergency response. They are highly trained, hard workers, who above all, have a deep personal understanding of what service means. They know what it is to overcome extreme … Continue Reading
