News Releases
Crapo Aids Pension Reform
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, won the inclusion of a major provision to reduce the regulatory and financial burdens on pension plans in the pension reform legislation that passed on the Senate floor today 97-2. Crapoâ??s provision would lift investment restrictions and could result in an increase in retirement income for those who belong to pension plans. Crapoâ??s provision, incorporated in the Pension Security and Transparency Act of 200… Continue Reading
November 16, 2005
Idaho Counties Receive Funds To Defend Against Immigration Violations
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says Idaho counties will receive more than $600,000 in new federal money to assist county sheriffs in a program to recoup incarceration expenses associated with prisoners charged with immigration violations. The Idaho funding is part of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), which provides federal payments to states and localities that incurred correctional officer salary costs for incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens for at least f… Continue Reading
November 16, 2005
Crapo Vows To Fight For Capital Gains/Dividend Relief Before Full Senate
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supports the tax reconciliation measure passed by the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday evening, but says that he will fight to extend existing federal tax cuts on capital gains, dividend income, and other investments. Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, voted in favor of the tax and investment measure that passed on a 14-6 vote in committee. Crapo plans to continue to press for an extension for the lower rates on capital gains and divid… Continue Reading
November 15, 2005
Crapo: Grizzly Action Sets Stage For ESA Improvement Legislation
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says the intense planning and cooperation between local, state, and federal agencies to develop recovery plans resulting in the transfer of management of Yellowstone grizzly bears sets the stage for even more rapid recovery efforts of species. Crapo, who soon plans to introduce legislation to enhance the Endangered Species Act in the U.S. Senate, said grizzly numbers in the Yellowstone ecosystem are so high that bear management could have been turned o… Continue Reading
November 14, 2005
Crapo Releases Intercepted Al Qa'ida Letter
Washington, DC â?? The office of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today highlighted a letter regarding the ongoing war against terror. The letter, which was released last month by the office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), is between two senior al-Qaâ??ida leaders, sent by Ayman Zawahiri to Abu Musab al Zarqawi. It is dated July 9, 2005, and was obtained in the course of counterterrorism operations in Iraq. â??This letter sets out a strategic vision for al Qaâ??idaâ??s direction and I wa… Continue Reading
November 09, 2005
Crapo Praises Idaho Marine's Heroic Actions
Washington, DC â??Idaho Senator Mike Crapo praised the service of Idaho Marine Reservist Sergeant (Sgt) Luke Miller, who will receive the Non-Commissioned Officer Association (NCOA) Military Vanguard Award Thursday. The Military Vanguard Award is presented annually to one member of each branch of the Armed Forces for a heroic act. Miller was chosen for the award for saving the lives of several fellow Marines while defending and securing a critical battle position and identifying numerous additio… Continue Reading
November 09, 2005
Crapo Urges Transportation Solutions For Ag
Washington, DC â??Idaho farm families need solutions for the limited availability of affordable shipping and increasing production costs, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, reiterated today in a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing. The hearing today addressed long-term needs in regards to energy issues and transportation for agriculture.â??Idaho is a land-locked state with substantial distance to markets, giving Idaho producers a limited supply of shipping o… Continue Reading
November 09, 2005
Idaho To Be Considered For RECA, Receives Funding For Science Research Projects
Washington, DC â??Idaho downwinders could be eligible for benefits under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, thanks to a provision included in the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill. The Senate is set to approve the report, which also includes funding for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, law enforcement, economic resources in rural counties and safety improvements along the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail. The b… Continue Reading
November 08, 2005
Crapo Encourages Applications To Congressional Intern Program For Minorities
Washington, DC â?? Congressional internships on health care issues targeted to minority ethnic groups are now open, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The Kaiser Family Foundationâ??s Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program is designed to provide African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and other minority populations with a nine-week congressional intern program to learn more about how health care policy is developed and implemented. â??Minorities in Idaho as well as throughout the… Continue Reading
November 07, 2005
Crapo Announces Spirit Of Freedom Awards
BOISE, ID â?? In ceremonies planned around the state on Veterans Day, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will honor veterans and volunteers who help veterans with his Spirit of Freedom award. Crapo created the award in 2002 to honor Idaho veterans and volunteers. This yearâ??s recipients include veterans and volunteers from Blackfoot, Boise, Garden City, Lewiston, Mountain Home and Pocatello. â??These Idaho veterans are part of a proud military tradition and have demonstrated remarkable bravery in battle.… Continue Reading
November 07, 2005
Crapo Presents Idaho Attorneys At Supreme Court
Washington, DC â?? This morning, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo stood before the U.S. Supreme Court to present three Idaho attorneys for admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court. Crapo, who is one of a handful of U.S. Senators with privileges to appear before the High Court, introduced Bonneville County Prosecutor Dane Watkins, Jr.; Chief Deputy Bruce Pickett; and Deputy Randy Neal.â??It is a privilege for any individual to be able to appear before the nation's highest court," Crapo said. &q… Continue Reading
November 04, 2005
Crapo Seeks Border Security Improvements
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is co-sponsoring a Senate bill seeking to beef up the prosecution of those who cross the northern U.S. border illegally. Crapo and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) co-sponsoring the Northern Border Prosecution Initiative Reimbursement Act, S. 1958, which was introduced this week.â??This measure seeks to stop illegal immigrants along the northern border of the U.S. similar to a measure last session covering illegal activity in the southern United S… Continue Reading
November 03, 2005
Senate Sends Ag Bill To The President
Washington, DC â??Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, supported Senate passage today on a vote of 81-18 of the Fiscal Year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations conference report. The funding measure contains projects endorsed by Crapo that will benefit Idaho farmers and communities. The agriculture spending measure dedicates substantial resources to agriculture, rural development and conservation projects important to Idaho communities. A highlight in this bill is … Continue Reading
November 03, 2005
Crapo To Discuss Supreme Court, Ag, Budget On "Capitol Wathc"
Washington, DC â?? The nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court, the recent passage of the Agriculture Appropriations measure, and the Deficit Reduction budget package will be the topics of discussion, among others, with Idaho Senator Mike Crapo next week on â??Capitol Watch.â?? Crapoâ??s â??Capitol Watchâ?? airs the second Tuesday of each month on most cable access stations in Idaho. As a member of the Senate Budget and Finance Committees, Crapo has dealt directly with these i… Continue Reading
November 03, 2005
Crapo: Trade Decision Benefits Ski Resorts, Businesses, Customers
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says a decision by U.S. trade officials to exempt certain imports of ski and snowboard pants from China from import limits will benefit ski areas and clothing distributors. Crapo wrote the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on behalf of Idaho companies such as Sturtevants Mountain Sports of Sun Valley, Scott USA, Smith Sport Optics, Inc., Precision Mountainwear, Tsunami and Sun Valley Ski Tools, asking for an exemption in t… Continue Reading
November 01, 2005
Crapo: Tax Reform Long Overdue
Washington, DC â??Proposals to reduce the complexity of the U.S. tax code, improve fairness, and promote economic growth through tax policies will be addressed by the Senate, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee commented today. In the next year, the Senate Finance Committee will address reforms and the simplification of the nationâ??s current tax code. â??The current tax code is ten times longer than the Bible and creates a system of extreme complexity,â?? Crapo sa… Continue Reading
October 31, 2005
Crapo Applauds Alito Nomination As Supreme Court Justice
Washington, DC â??Idaho Senator Mike Crapo praised the nomination today of Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Samuel Alito to be an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. â??Judge Alito has a distinguished background of experience and knowledge,â?? Crapo said. â??I look forward to meeting with Judge Alito and learning more about him through his confirmation process. While I am disappointed that Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination, I hope that Judge Alito is given fair consideration by … Continue Reading
October 27, 2005
Crapo Gains Funds For Telehealth Grants
Washington, DC â?? The access that rural Idahoans have to top-quality medical care gained Senate support today under an amendment to an appropriations bill proposed by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and several colleagues. The amendment provides $10 million for telehealth grant programs and will fund a minimum of ten telehealth resource center throughout the county. Crapo was joined by lead sponsor Senator Jon Thune (R-South Dakota), and co-sponsors Senators Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota), Sam Brownback… Continue Reading
October 27, 2005
Crapo, Chairman Discuss Downwinder Plans
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania), are discussing the need to expand upon a plan to compensate Idahoans and others exposed to radiation from atomic tests during the middle of the last century. Crapo has introduced legislation to include Idahoans for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) but agrees recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to reform RECA… Continue Reading
October 27, 2005
Crapo Wins Approval For Indian Office of Men's Health
Washington, DC â??To create awareness and prevention of life-threatening diseases and menâ??s health issues, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced an amendment today instructing the Indian Health Service (IHS) to create an Office of Menâ??s Health. That amendment was approved on a voice vote. Crapo has long advocated creating of an Office of Menâ??s Health at the Health and Human Services Department to provide education campaigns and prom… Continue Reading
