News Releases
Crapo, Risch Sign on to Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Cleaner Transportation Fuel, Healthier Forests
Washington, D.C. - This week, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) to introduce bipartisan legislation to allow biomass collected from certain federal lands to be considered renewable, including biomass derived from residual materials from timber processing and from areas needing fire prevention or ecological restoration. In addition to Risch and Wyden, the legislation is co-sponsored by Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Angus King (I-Maine), and … Continue Reading
May 23, 2019
Crapo, Cortez Masto Introduce Bill to Expand Access to Mental Health Services for Combat Veterans
Washington, D.C. - The veteran suicide rate in many western states, including Idaho, remains dramatically higher than the national rate. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada) have introduced legislation to address the epidemic of veteran suicide by expanding access to mental health services for veterans. The SERVICE Act removes time limits on combat veterans' eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health services for conditions related to … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Crapo to Serve on Bipartisan Working Group on Family Leave Policies
Washington, D.C. - Families and parents today are operating under a law that hasn't been updated in 25 years, and it is past time to review and improve federal leave policies under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Citing rising childcare costs as a burden on many families and parents who work outside the home, Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) announced today the formation of a bipartisan working group to discuss federal family le… Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Crapo, Risch Re-Introduce Legislation to Reduce Burdensome Regulations on Sales of Automatic Knives
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) re-introduced the Freedom of Commerce Act, S. 1588, which would allow consumers to purchase an automatic knife legal in their state, regardless of where it was manufactured in the U.S. "Access to tools vital to their trade is critically important for law-abiding citizens and sportsmen in states allowing possession of automatic knives," said Senator Crapo. "This measure would remove one of the many federal regulatory… Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Crapo, Stabenow Legislation Would Improve Servicemember Transition to Civilian Life
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) today reintroduced the bipartisan Improving Preparation and Resources for Occupational, Vocational, and Educational (IMPROVE) Transition for Servicemembers Act (S. 1555). The IMPROVE Act would make reforms to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), a multiagency program responsible for providing pre-separation counseling, training and assistance to servicemembers returning to civilian live and their families… Continue Reading
May 09, 2019
Crapo Supports Bill to Ensure Gold Star Families Receive Survivor Benefits
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today co-sponsored the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act to provide tax relief for families who have lost a parent serving in the military. "Gold Star families have made an extraordinary sacrifice in supporting their loved ones' service in the military and should not have to face additional hardships after their loss," said Senator Crapo. "This legislation ensures Gold Star families do not face unintended and unfair tax penalties on their s… Continue Reading
May 07, 2019
Crapo Leads Efforts on Data Privacy and Protection
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) is leading efforts to address data privacy and protection for consumers. As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Crapo recently joined Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to invite feedback from the public on the collection, use and protection of sensitive information by financial regulators and private companies in light of the immense growth and use of data for a multitude of purposes across the economy. Today, the Banking Committee … Continue Reading
May 02, 2019
DNA Backlog Program Legislation Clears Senate Judiciary Committee
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted to report the Debbie Smith Act, S. 820, to the full Senate for its consideration. U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a member of the committee, supports the bill as a co-sponsor, and voted today to advance its consideration. "Ensuring adequate resources are in place to support prompt and thorough forensic investigations to bring perpetrators of crime to justice remains a critical component of obtaining justice for crime victims and… Continue Reading
May 02, 2019
Crapo, Risch Statement on Advancement of Brent Bunn U.S. Marshal Nomination
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted to advance a number of nominations to the full Senate for consideration, including the nomination for retired Bear Lake County Sheriff Brent Bunn to serve as United States Marshal for the District of Idaho. U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a member of the Committee, voted in favor of Bunn's nomination. Senator Crapo and fellow U.S. Senator from Idaho, Jim Risch, issued the following statements: "Mr. Bunn has had a lengthy and ho… Continue Reading
May 02, 2019
ICYMI: Crapo Raises Questions of Individual Bias and Unauthorized Leaks at Barr Hearing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, yesterday had the opportunity to question Attorney General William Barr about the Federal Bureau of Investigation's handling (FBI) of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Senator Crapo expressed concerns with regard to continued unauthorized leaks of internal information at the FBI and instances of individuals displaying political bias as employees of the FBI. He als… Continue Reading
April 29, 2019
Crapo Announces Staff Changes
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today announced several staff changes and hires in his Washington, D.C., office to support his advocacy on behalf of the people of Idaho. Scott Riplinger joined the office in January to fill the role of Legislative Director following the retirement of Ken Flanz who served on Senator Crapo's staff for more than 20 years. Previously, Riplinger served as Legislative Director for U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-Nevada) and served as the Majority St… Continue Reading
April 26, 2019
Crapo Honors Fallen Idaho Soldier, Specialist Michael Osorio
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today honored the life and service of fallen Idahoan, Specialist (Spc.) Michael T. Osorio. "I am saddened to learn of the death of Specialist Michael Osorio on his first deployment to Iraq," said Senator Crapo. "Specialist Osorio bravely answered the call of duty to serve his country as a member of the United States Army. I offer my deepest, heartfelt condolences to his family for their loss and extend my utmost gratitude for the understated sacrif… Continue Reading
April 18, 2019
Crapo Statement on Full Mueller Report
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's full report on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election: "I have repeatedly said this investigation should come to a conclusion without interference from either side of the political aisle. Attorney General William Barr's four-page summary submitted last month adequately summarized the p… Continue Reading
April 12, 2019
Crapo, Stabenow Introduce Legislation to Address Veterinarian Shortage
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to address the veterinarian shortage in rural areas. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) Enhancement Act would help meet the growing demand for veterinarians nationwide by eliminating taxes on programs that encourage veterinarians to practice in underserved areas. Fellow Idaho Senator Jim Risch is a co-sponsor, along with six other bipartisan Senators. … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Crapo, Risch Confirm David Bernhardt to Lead Interior Department
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today voted to confirm David Bernhardt's nomination to become Secretary of the Interior. His nomination passed the Senate. "David Bernhardt is well qualified to lead the Department of Interior, and his list of career accomplishments is exemplary," said Senator Crapo. "I congratulate Mr. Bernhardt on his confirmation, and look forward to continue working with him in a collaborative manner on topics important to Idahoans." "David Bernha… Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Crapo, Warner Reintroduce Legislation to End Cruel Practice of Horse Soring
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to protect horses from the abusive practice known as "soring," in which show horse trainers intentionally apply substances or devices to horses' limbs to make each step painful and force an exaggerated high-stepping gait rewarded in show rings. Although federal law currently prohibits soring, a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General (IG) … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Crapo, Bipartisan Group Introduces RECA Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today introduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2019. The legislation would expand coverage of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include victims in Idaho, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Guam. Senator Crapo chaired a Judiciary Committee hearing on the legislation in the last Congress, and introduced the legislation again today to continue pushing for its consideration and passage. The b… Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Crapo Warns Banks Against Cutting Ties to Politically Disfavored Industries
WASHINGTON - Recent news reports have suggested that large banks are being pressured to withhold access to credit and services to customers and companies that are operating businesses that comply with federal and state law (and, in some cases, are engaged in Constitutionally-protected activities), but are politically disfavored. As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo sent letters to eight bank CEOs reminding them that they should continue to provide credit and s… Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Crapo Expresses Support for Crime Victims Fund, Zeroing Out Changes in Mandatory Programs
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Budget Committee today held the first session of a two-day markup to consider the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Resolution. Today's session consisted of opening statements only. Along with discussing how the positive economic news resulting tax reform and other recent policy successes allow for greater flexibility in tackling our fiscal challenges, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo also highlighted his work in eliminating a budgeting gimmick withholding money from the Crime Vict… Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Crapo, Risch Join Bipartisan Coalition to Reintroduce Nuclear Energy Leadership Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined a bipartisan coalition to reintroduced legislation boosting nuclear energy innovation and ensure advanced reactors can provide clean, safe, affordable, and reliable power to meet national and global energy needs. The Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), aims to reestablish U.S. leadership in nuclear energy. It will bring together private and public sector innovators to develop next-generation advanced reactor concepts. "Now … Continue Reading
