News Releases
CRAPO SAYS JOHN ROBERTS IS GREAT CHOICE FOR SUPREME COURT
Washington, DC â??Idaho Senator Mike Crapo met with Supreme Court Justice nominee John Roberts today and confirmed his belief that Roberts will serve the American people well and correctly interpret the Constitution. Roberts has been meeting individually with Senators prior to his confirmation hearings, which are tentatively scheduled to begin August 29th. â??I appreciate Judge Roberts making himself available to meet with all Senators prior to his consideration by the Senate,â?? Crapo said. â??… Continue Reading
July 28, 2005
CRAPO CALLS FOR NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY
Washington, DC â?? Legislation intended to strengthen federal law regarding registered sex offenders, S.792, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today and may see a floor vote as early as tonight, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. "This measure, which is known as Dru's Law, sends a strong message of zero tolerance to convicted sex offenders,â?? said Crapo. â??With the recent tragic events in north Idaho, it is abundantly clear that these crimes have become a national crisi… Continue Reading
July 28, 2005
CONGRESS COMPLETES COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY BILL
Washington, DC â??Idahoâ??s renewable energy initiatives will now see increased support after Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, was successful in including several tax benefits for consumers and producers in the Energy bill passed today by 74-26. â??This bill benefits everybodyâ??producers receive incentives to explore renewable energy resources, consumers will have access to cheaper and more efficient expanded energy sources and we will decrease our nationâ??s … Continue Reading
July 28, 2005
CRAPO, CRAIG SECURE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Washington, DC â??Idaho will receive a 30 percent increase in federal transportation funding and nearly $150 million for specific critical highway improvements under the transportation bill passed by the U.S. Senate today. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig secured $146.2 million for specific Idaho projects deemed critical to the state's road and highways.Idaho will receive an average of $276 million each year from Fiscal Years 2005-2009, an increase over the previous funding level wh… Continue Reading
July 27, 2005
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 27, 2005
CRAPO INTRODUCES BILL TO AID INVESTORS AND SAVINGS
Washington, DC â?? Idahoans who have savings and investments may see a boost in their finances under legislation introduced today by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. Crapo's bill would potentially benefit retirees, families and investors by permanently lowering the top tax rate on dividends and long-term capital gains to 15 percent. The provision was originally included in the Jobs and Economic Growth package in 2003 but is set to expire in 2008.â??This mea… 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
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 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
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 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
