News Releases
CRAPO CO-SPONSORS TAX RELIEF BILL
Washington, DC - With a nod to today's deadline for filing federal income taxes, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has partnered with Senator Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) to introduce legislation to make sure tax relief does not disappear in the next few years. Left unchecked, present budget plans and tax changes could cost taxpayers more than $700 billion dollars by 2011, when most of the important and successful tax relief passed in the last few years is set to expire.The Invest in America Act makes permane… Continue Reading
March 30, 2007
CRAPO: SOFTWOOD LUMBER CONSULTATION A NECESSARY STEP
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo had the following reaction to the United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab's announcement today that the United States has requested formal consultations with Canada under the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement regarding compliance with several of its provisions. "The strength of any agreement is based on parties adhering to its terms," said Crapo. "Unfortunately, Canada has been ignoring parts of the agreement, forcing U.S. ti… Continue Reading
March 29, 2007
CRAPO: IRAQ DEADLINE SENDS WRONG MESSAGE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted against passage of a supplemental spending bill that contained a mandated deadline for troops to leave Iraq because it sends the wrong message to U.S. troops, terrorists, and all Americans. The supplemental spending bill passed on a 51-47 vote and is very likely to be vetoed by President Bush."I don't believe Congress alone is the entity that should be making the decision about troop management in the field," Crapo said. "No matt… Continue Reading
March 28, 2007
CRAPO, SENATE VOTE TO SUPPORT COUNTY PAYMENTS
Washington, DC - Idaho schools and communities got a vote of support today as the Senate voted 75 to 22 to fund the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program and reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said the vote demonstrates that a majority of Senators support assisting rural counties struggling to provide necessary services in areas with large amounts of federal land."Without continuation of county payments, Idaho counties stand… Continue Reading
March 27, 2007
CRAPO URGES FUNDING FOR RURAL SCHOOLS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This evening, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined fellow Idaho Senator Larry Craig in supporting a multi-year proposal to restore funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act. The provision, offered today by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden as an amendment to the supplemental appropriations measure (H.R. 1591), includes help for rural schools, counties and communities by extending the county payments for one year and reauthorizing the program for five years, p… Continue Reading
March 23, 2007
CRAPO: THE NUMBERS DON'T ADD UP IN THE FY 2008 BUDGET RESOLUTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today expressed his concerns for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 budget resolution passed this afternoon by the Senate. Crapo, who sits on the Senate Budget Committee, voted against the measure, both on the Senate floor and in Committee. "The numbers in this budget resolution simply don't add up to good policy," Crapo said. "It dramatically increases federal spending and makes hardworking Americans foot the bill. In recent years, we have s… Continue Reading
March 22, 2007
DELEGATION NOTES FINAL GRIZZLY DELISTING DECISION
Washington, DC - Idaho's congressional delegation issued the following statements today regarding the announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the final step has been taken in the delisting of the Yellowstone Grizzly. The FWS delisting final resolution, which allows Idaho, Montana and Wyoming to manage the species on their respective state lands while the federal agency will manage the species on federal land, will be published on Thursday, March 29, 2007, in the Federal Regis… Continue Reading
March 22, 2007
CRAPO ANNOUNCES NEW BIOMASS PROJECTS IN IDAHO
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says that more Idahoans are becoming involved with forest biomass and renewable fuels projects promoted by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA). Crapo was the original Senate sponsor of HFRA more than three years ago. Today, he applauded the U.S. Forest Service's announcement regarding funding for three new Idaho projects. The recipients of the grants are located in Salmon, St. Maries and Parma."At a time when this nation is looking to bro… Continue Reading
March 20, 2007
CRAPO NOTES DEADLINE FOR INTERNS IN WASHINGTON
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is reminding students seeking applications for summer or fall internships in his Washington, DC office that the deadline for applications is April 1, 2007, less than two weeks away."It is always a pleasure to have young Idahoans join me in my Washington, DC, office," Crapo said. "We have had many student interns enjoy their experience here in the nation's capital. They bring an interest and enthusiasm to their responsibilities as they … Continue Reading
March 19, 2007
CRAPO URGES EARLY PLANNING ON PASSPORTS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, in response to State Department reports of large increases in the number of Americans seeking passports for the upcoming summer travel season, is helping to alert the public of a backlog in processing travel documents by the Department. Although the Department is trying to ease the problem, Crapo is urging Idahoans to plan ahead because obtaining a passport now could take two months when past practices allowed for passports to be processed within a shor… Continue Reading
March 19, 2007
BILL WOULD EXPAND MINIDOKA NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson introduced legislation today to expand the Minidoka National Historic Site. The site was one of ten internment camps for Americans of Japanese descent during World War II. The legislation authorizes the expansion of the monument so that it will now include Hermann Farm. The Farm is significant because it was originally part of the Camp and was part of a program to give land to veterans of World War II upon their r… Continue Reading
March 19, 2007
GOAL DAY AT INL NETS STRONG INTEREST
Washington, DC - The word is out, and a discussion on global opportunities for Idaho agriculture represented at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is drawing a near capacity crowd, given the fact the group will travel via bus and must meet security restrictions. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced plans last month for the first-ever GOAL (Global Opportunities for Agriculture at the Laboratory) Day at the INL tomorrow, March 20th. Crapo said today that at least thirty people have indicated they w… Continue Reading
March 16, 2007
CONGRESSMEN FIGHT FOR RESCUE UNIT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig and Representative Bill Sali lined up today to support retention of the 36th Rescue Flight unit at Fairchild Air Force Base. They have been working closely with Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers to help preserve this vital rescue unit that saves lives in the Inland Empire. In today's letter to the leaders of the Armed Services Committees in the House and Senate, they urged them to include language in the Fiscal Year 2008 Defens… Continue Reading
March 15, 2007
CRAPO: FY 2008 BUDGET RESOLUTION OVERSPENDS AND UNDERACHIEVES
Washington, DC - Reinforcing his support of pro-growth tax policy for Americans and reigning in federal spending, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo expressed his concern about the 2008 budget resolution, which, in spite of his opposition, passed by a party line vote in the Senate Budget Committee today."In recent years, our economy has grown to unprecedented levels," Crapo said. "Americans have kept more of their hard-earned money, and they have invested in our economy and made it strong. … Continue Reading
March 15, 2007
BIPARTISAN BUDGET LANGUAGE INSERTED TO PROTECT BPA CUSTOMERS FROM RATE HIKE
Washington, D.C. -Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Washington), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) successfully included language in the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution that is a critical first step to defeating an administration proposal to increase the rates of Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) consumers. Murray, Wyden, and Crapo, all members of the Senate Budget Committee, have been supported in their efforts by a unified, bipartisan delegation of Northwest Senators. On … Continue Reading
March 07, 2007
COLLABORATIVE OWYHEE INITIATIVE BILL REINTRODUCED
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is reintroducing his Owyhee Initiative Implementation Act today amidst meetings in Washington, DC with leaders from Owyhee County, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, conservation groups and federal management agencies. Crapo says the Owyhee Initiative process remains a model for resolving controversial land management issues in Idaho and around the nation."The Owyhee Initiative should succeed because the cost of doing nothing, of maintaining the status quo… Continue Reading
March 05, 2007
CRAPO: NORTHERN BORDERS DESERVE FEDERAL SUPPORT
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo seeks federal support for Idaho communities facing financial burdens caused by illegal immigration cases. The Northern Border Prosecution Initiative Reimbursement Act (NBPI) would reimburse northern border states for the cost of prosecuting and detaining individuals for border-related crimes. Crapo, who has continually advocated this program, joined Washington Senator Maria Cantwell in reintroducing the NBPI as an amendment to the Improving America'… Continue Reading
March 01, 2007
CRAPO HELPS LAUNCH NORTH IDAHOANTI-VIOLENCE EFFORT
Washington, DC - An effort to get more people involved in preventing domestic violence against women and families is the centerpiece of a North Idaho anti-violence campaign which will be announced Saturday in Sandpoint by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Bonner County Prosecutor Phil Robinson and Sue Fellen, the executive director for the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. A number of area law enforcement, judicial, state and civic leaders will also attend the announcement.The group … Continue Reading
February 28, 2007
CRAPO, FINANCE COMMITTEE LEADERS, INTRODUCE ENDANGERED SPECIES RECOVERY ACT
Washington, DC - A groundbreaking approach to species recovery where private landowners are key to the recovery process is the centerpiece of legislation introduced today by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and 16 other co-sponsors. The bipartisan Endangered Species Recovery Act (ESRA) ensures taxpayers are eligible for tax credits if they own habitat or incur costs to recover species and are a party to a qualifying agreement. The consensus-driven legislation (S. 700) has the support of close to 100 pro… Continue Reading
February 28, 2007
FROM ROCK OIL TO SWITCHGRASS
Innovation lies at the heart of the American penchant for successful enterprise, as evidenced in our energy history. In 1859, Americans were feeling a financial pinch from the cost of whale oil. Used for lamps and lubricants at the time, whale oil was becoming increasingly unaffordable. A Pennsylvania company became interested in extracting "rock oil" from the ground. When the company was seeking financial backers for its proposed drilling project, historians note that one banker scoff… Continue Reading
