News Releases
CRAPO EXAMINES DIRECTION OF CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM
Washington, DC â?? Citing an immediate concern with the scheduled expiration of millions of acres under Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contract between 2007 and 2010, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization, held a hearing today to discuss the long-term direction of CRP, including how to deal with expiring contracts and reenrollments and the effect of the CRP on rural economies.The Conservation Reserve Prog… Continue Reading
July 26, 2005
CRAPO: FOCUS ON ACTIONS AND RESULTS FOR SPECIES
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo used a Senate subcommittee hearing today to spotlight how conservation programs under the Farm Bill produce results for a variety of plant and animal species, and called active species recovery the â??next phaseâ?? for the Endangered Species Act. In his role as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization, Crapo said that approach is useful in identifying the kinds of recovery actions that may work… Continue Reading
July 22, 2005
ESA, NEPA ARE FOCUS OF THIRD ANNUAL IDAHO RANGELAND SUMMIT
Washington, DC â?? Collaborative stewardship, protecting natural resources and sustaining ranching livelihoods will be themes of the third annual Idaho Rangeland Summit. The summit, co-sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and the Idaho Rangeland Committee, will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at the Nampa City Council Chambers, 411 Third Street South in Nampa.The Rangeland Summit will include forums featuring Crapo, K. Lynn Bennett, State Director of the BLM; Mary Wagner, Deputy Regional F… Continue Reading
July 21, 2005
IDAHO MILITARY VITAL TO SECURITY
Washington, DC â??Idaho military personnel can look forward to new and improved facilities with the passage of military construction projects in the Senate Appropriations Committee backed by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. "This measure strengthens the commitment to improving housing, supplies, and medical needs at Mountain Home Air Force Base and Gowen Field in Boise," Senator Crapo said. "These bases will receive much-needed supply improvements in their efforts to protect our nation a… Continue Reading
July 21, 2005
CRAPO ANNOUNCES AIRPORT GRANTS
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced federal grant dollars that will bring infrastructure improvements for runways, lighting, and fencing for airports in the Magic Valley and Coeur dâ??Alene. Crapoâ??s office assisted in releasing the funding.The federal Department of Transportation grants announced today include: $2,600,000 to the Magic Valley Regional Airport in Twin Falls to extend taxiways; improve runway lighting and access roads, conduct studies and for other uses. $… Continue Reading
July 21, 2005
CRAPO INTRODUCES BILL FOR PULMONARY AND CARDIAC MEDICARE PATIENTS
Washington, DC â??Idaho Senator Mike Crapo introduced legislation today to include pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation as a covered Medicare benefit. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) joined Senator Crapo as an original co-sponsor. If passed, this legislation would end the decade-long debate between providers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the various fiscal intermediaries responsible for reimbursing for these services. Currently, there is no specific reference to … Continue Reading
July 20, 2005
CRAPO TO REVIEW CONSERVATIONRESERVE PROGRAM
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Rural Revitalization, will chair a hearing next week to discuss oversight of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The hearing will take place on Wednesday, July 27th, at 10:00 a.m. in 328A Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. â??For the past 20 years, CRP has been a tool for farmers and ranchers to voluntarily achieve their conservation goals,â?? said Crap… Continue Reading
July 20, 2005
CRAPO TO CHAIR HEARING ON FARM PROGRAMS,SPECIES CONSERVATION
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization, will hold a hearing next week to discuss how Farm Bill programs can better support species conservation. The hearing will be held Tuesday, July 26th, in 328A of the Russell Senate Office Building beginning at 10:00 a.m.â??There are many programs in the Farm Bill and many people participating in those programs that can do much to recover species and imp… Continue Reading
July 19, 2005
CRAPO: JOHN ROBERTS EXCELLENT NOMINEE FOR HIGH COURT
Washington, DC â??Idaho Senator Mike Crapo commended the Presidentâ??s choice of D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge John Roberts for the Supreme Court today and anticipates an evenhanded and speedy process in confirming him to administer justice under the Constitution. â??John Roberts is a great choice for a Supreme Court nomination, as he brings a breadth of experience both in private practice and public service and has demonstrated a strong ability to correctly interpret the Constitution,â?? … Continue Reading
July 15, 2005
CRAPO IMPROVES TRAVEL FOR PULMONARY PATIENTS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Co-Chair of a Senate Caucus dealing with chronic breathing issues, today won federal rule changes making it easier for pulmonary patients to travel on airplanes. Crapo had worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over the past year to improve language regarding the use of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) which assist passengers with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), the fourth-leading killer in the U.S., and other breathing … Continue Reading
July 13, 2005
IDAHO TO RECEIVE SAGE GROUSE MANAGEMENT FUNDS
Washington, DC - Members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation are applauding today's U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement of $27,021 to fund Idaho sage grouse habitat protection efforts. The funds are part of $5 million the USDA will make available in Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming for special projects to help protect sage grouse habitat. State and local partnerships will provide technical and additional fin… Continue Reading
July 13, 2005
FIRE PREVENTION SEASON
FIRE PREVENTION SEASONGuest opinion submitted by Idaho Senator Mike CrapoYou might be surprised to learn that 348 wildland fires have already been contained nationwide in the 2005 fire season. Over half a million acres are burning. For the Northwest, additional vegetation from our wet spring is becoming potential fire fuel through persistent drought conditions. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise predicts a higher than normal fire risk into late July and August. This is the perfect opp… Continue Reading
July 11, 2005
IDAHO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE SENATE COMPUTERS
Washington, DC - Five Idaho schools will have twenty-five U.S. Senate computers for the coming school year, courtesy of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and the Senate "Computers for Schools" program. The program helps public schools take advantage of current technology by channeling excess federal computer equipment to public schools. "Technology training and computer skills are a vital part of our education system," Crapo said. "In a rapidly changing job sector, these skills a… Continue Reading
July 07, 2005
CRAPO TO DISCUSS SUPREME COURT, GUANTANAMO
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will discuss current issues facing Congress including the upcoming Supreme Court confirmation process and his recent visit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on the July Capitol Watch live town hall meeting. "We have had a busy year in Congress, and with the recent retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the schedule promises to be just as exciting and productive," said Crapo. "I look forward to answering questions from fellow Idahoans about… Continue Reading
July 01, 2005
CRAPOPRAISES O'CONNOR'S SERVICE
Washington, DC - Following Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's resignation from the Court, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo commended Justice O'Connor for her many years dedicated to public service as the first female justice to the Supreme Court and affirmed his support for a fair and prompt process in confirming her replacement. "Justice O'Connor has served the court well for more than twenty years and the nation owes her a debt of gratitude for her service," said Cra… Continue Reading
July 01, 2005
CRAPOADDS NEW ENERGY ADVISER
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has named Craig Ferguson as Legislative Assistant, charged with advising Crapo on energy, natural resources, environment, public lands, and water issues. "I look forward to a strong working relationship with Craig and he brings qualified experience to my staff," Crapo said. "Craig has an excellent background and will be a great asset in aiding with issues that are so critical to Idahoans."Ferguson, originally from Colorado Springs, Co… Continue Reading
June 30, 2005
CRAPO: COLLABORATION, INCENTIVES KEY TO ESA IMPROVEMENTS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will visit Bonners Ferry and Orofino next week to mark collaborative agreements that he says are a critical component of federal legislation he is working to introduce this year to improve how the Endangered Species Act operates. Crapo is writing a bill and coordinating ideas on ESA improvements with Senators Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island) and Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), as well as Representative Richard Pombo (R-California) and other members. Chafee, Inho… Continue Reading
June 30, 2005
CRAPO CO-SPONSORS PROPERTY RIGHTS BILL
Washington, DC - Citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could cause private property owners to forfeit their land or buildings for economic reasons to government entities, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo quickly signed on to a bill seeking to stop such actions. The "Protection of Homes, Small Businesses, and Private Property Act of 2005" was introduced yesterday by Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). "This ruling takes the takings clause and stretches it too far. It is clearly not wha… Continue Reading
June 30, 2005
CRAPO VOTES NO ON CAFTA
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo tonight voted against legislation to implement the U.S. Central America - Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Crapo said that while very appreciative of the commitments obtained from the Bush Administration to hold the U.S. sugar industry harmless throughout the duration of the 2002 Farm Bill, he had to vote with Idaho growers who remained opposed to CAFTA. The measure was approved on a vote of 54-to-45.Crapo was involved in several meetings… Continue Reading
June 29, 2005
SENATE APPROVES INTERIOR FUNDING
Washington, DC â??Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted in favor of the Senate Interior Appropriations bill approved today, that will provide support to improve on Idahoâ??s lands and natural resources, including $1 million for a strategic plan to manage Idahoâ??s noxious weeds. The bill also includes funding for wildlife recovery and lands conservation projects throughout the state at places like Mica Creek and the Upper/South Fork Snake River. â??I am pleased the Senate was able to pass this bill so … Continue Reading
