News Releases
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 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 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 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
June 28, 2005
SENATE APPROVES LONG-AWAITED ENERGY BILL
Washington, DC â??Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted in favor of comprehensive energy legislation today that will boost renewable energy initiatives in Idaho and lessen the nationâ??s foreign energy dependence. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over the financing for the national energy policy, he played an instrumental role in securing tax credits to expand nuclear power production to benefit the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). A member of the Senate Renewables and… Continue Reading
June 27, 2005
CRAPO: NO PRISONER ABUSE AT GUANTANAMO, WORK KEEPING AMERICANS SAFER FROM TERRORISM
Washington, DC â?? The world is a safer place for Americans and many of their neighbors around the globe thanks to the interrogation work being done at the Guantanamo Bay detention site in Cuba, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo was part of a five-senator delegation in Cuba on Sunday to personally investigate how prisoners are being treated by U.S. military personnel.â??These are the worst of the worst,â?? Crapo said of the detainees. â??There is a reason they are there. They must be … Continue Reading
June 24, 2005
9TH CIRCUIT SPLIT PLAN MOVES FORWARD
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig said the effort to split the size of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals gained momentum today with the introduction of two bills in the Senate seeking to change the 9th Circuit. Both senators have signed on to co-sponsor both bills.â??With bills moving in both the House and Senate, it is obvious our colleagues from around the country have agreed the 9th Circuit is just too large to properly serve the residents of Idaho and other sta… Continue Reading
June 23, 2005
IDAHO FOOD PRODUCERS STIMULATE ECONOMY
Washington, DC â??Idahoâ??s agricultural industry will benefit through funding advocated by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo in the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill, which was approved in the Senate Appropriations Committee today. The agriculture spending measure dedicates substantial resources to agriculture, rural development, and conservation research important to Idaho communities. â??Agriculture research is vital to the success of Idaho agriculture, and this legislation includes funding for m… Continue Reading
June 23, 2005
CRAPO COMPLIMENTS MUSEUM EFFORTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo complimented the efforts of the National Law Enforcement Museum to augment its artifact collection. The museum is set to open in 2009 and Crapo is encouraging Idahoans to get involved with the preparations. â??The National Law Enforcement Museum has launched a treasure hunt of sortsâ??looking throughout the nation for items that would help preserve the history of law enforcement,â?? Crapo said. â??You might be surprised by what is laying around in at… Continue Reading
June 23, 2005
IDAHO GETS INCREASE IN PILT PAYMENTS FOR 2005
Washington, DC â?? The Idaho congressional delegation is pleased with the Interior Departmentâ??s announcement today that Idaho counties will receive $15.8 million in Payment In Lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) from the federal government. That is up 4 percent from the previous year and represents a significant boost to local county coffers. Elmore, Cassia and Blaine counties each will receive over $1 million in PILT funds. Each one of the 44 counties in the state will receive funds. A copy of the full list… Continue Reading
June 23, 2005
CRAPO CALLS FOR CONTROVERSIAL SEC VOTE DEFERRAL
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and seven other Senators have asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to defer final action on the mutual fund independent chairman rule until a new SEC chairman is on board. Wednesday current and outgoing Chairman William Donaldson called for a vote on the issue just one day before he ends his term in office. President Bush has nominated California Representative Chris Cox to succeed Donaldson; Coxâ??s nomination is pending.In the letter de… Continue Reading
June 22, 2005
CRAPO WANTS TO LOCK UP SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS
Washington, DC â?? As the Senate Finance Committee continues work on preserving and protecting Social Security, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has joined with several colleagues on legislation that would prevent Social Security surpluses from being used for anything except Social Security. The bill, â??Stop the Raid on Social Security Act of 2005,â?? will be introduced on Thursday by South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint along with Senators Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), Lindsay Graham (R-South Carolina)… Continue Reading
June 22, 2005
CRAPO: GRANT COULD MEAN 3,000 JOBS TO MAGIC VALLEY
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) today to announce a $2.7 million federal grant to assist development east of the City of Jerome and north of Twin Falls. Crapo says the EDA grant will be used to spur new jobs and economic development among three commercial and industrial parks.â??This grant will greatly expand the use of technology between Jerome, the Jerome Butte development, and the College of Southern Idaho. Jerome and … Continue Reading
June 22, 2005
SENATE COMMITTEE SUPPORTS SALMON RECOVERY FUNDING
Washington, DC â?? Funds for salmon recovery, advocated for by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, are part of the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee bill completed Tuesday, sending a strong message of support for President George Bushâ??s commitment to salmon recovery. The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund is due to receive $4.5 million in funding that will be used for recovering threatened and endangered salmon in the Pacific Northwest, including parts of Idaho. â??It is… Continue Reading
