News Releases
Delegation Applauds USDA Decision to Waive Sugar PIK Fines for Idaho Growers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho's Congressional Delegation today received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that dozens of Idaho sugar producers facing fines for their participation in the 2001 Sugar Payment-In-Kind (PIK) program would have their fines waived. Specifically, producers who participated in the program as a joint husband and wife operation will now be determined to have been proper participants in the program.The Idaho Congressional Delegation has been working… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo Advocates Full Funding For Domestic Violence Prevention Programs
Washington, D.C. -- Additional efforts to combat violence against women are gaining momentum in the Senate. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined his colleagues in the Senate in calling for full funding in fiscal year 2004 of programs which fall under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Crapo and a number of his colleagues in the Senate sent letters to the Senate Appropriations Committee, insisting that it meet the funding levels set by Congress when VAWA was first enacted. The reauthorization of V… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo, Committee Approve Massive PlansFor Ethanol, Alternative Fuel Production
Washington, DC - Ethanol and alternative fuel production got a huge shot in the arm today as Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and fellow members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved plans for the federal government to ensure the production of up to five billion gallons of ethanol and other alternative fuels. The vote came as the committee considered plans for new, non-polluting additives for gasoline. â??The call for new production of five billion gallons of ethanol will unleash… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo, Otter Win Award For Excellence From Nationâ??s Largest Trade Group
Boise â?? The nationâ??s largest industrial trade association is honoring two members of Idahoâ??s Congressional Delegation for their votes in Congress that favor of policies that will benefit manufacturers and workers. On behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Boise Cascade Corporation Chairman and CEO George Harad today presented Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman C.L. â??Butchâ?? Otter with NAMâ??s Award for Legislative Excellence.Crapo and Otter, like Senator Larry Craig … Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo: We Need to Support Troops,Protect National Security
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo tonight praised President George W. Bushâ??s leadership in defending U.S. national security interests and called on Idahoans and Americans to â??support our troops and the right to defend ourselvesâ?? against the threat of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Crapo said the Presidentâ??s points about these being the â??final days of decisionâ?? and that â??our peaceful efforts to disarm this regime have failed because this is not a peaceful regimeâ?? were on … Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Idaho Delegation Reacts to Laboratory Restructuring
WASHINGTON, DC â?? Idahoâ??s Congressional delegation reacted to the U.S. Department of Energyâ??s announcement today to compete and award separate contracts for what was previously the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory West. One contract will be negotiated for the environmental remediation work at both sites and a separate contract will be structured for the new â??Idaho National Laboratoryâ?? to encompass the research aspects of both labs. … Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo: Endangered Species Act Reform Can Start With Critical Habitat DESIGNATION
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo accelerated efforts to reform the federal Endangered Species Act today at a hearing examining the process under which critical habitat to save species is designated and how the process is managed. Crapo, who presided over the hearing as the chairman of the Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over ESA reform, is continuing what he calls â??rifle shot reformsâ?? to the ESA. Crapo says that â??wholesale reforms to the ESA are simply not politically possib… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo Calls Hud Grants
Washington, DC â?? The City of Pocatello will receive over $600,000 in community block grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the current year, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced today. According to figures released by HUD released this afternoon, Pocatello will be awarded $623,000 in Community Development Block Grants.â??This much-needed money coming to Pocatello will create a better living environment for low- and moderate-income families,â?? Crapo said. â??Housin… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo Questions U.S. Fish & Wildlife Director onIdaho Wolves, Updates Iraq Situation
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Director Steve Williams discussed future management of Idahoâ??s wolf populations during a Senate subcommittee hearing today. Williams told Crapo that his agency is comfortable with Idahoâ??s wolf management process and, as long as it is consistent with the law, he will support whatever Idaho wants to do with the program. Crapo addressed Williams during a meeting of the Senate subcommittee Crapo chairs, the Environment and Pu… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo: Federal Agencies Should Pay Fair Share
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo wants federal agencies to pay their fair share of filing fees in water rights cases, and heâ??s introduced legislation to require just that. Crapo, recognized by many in Congress for his expertise in water rights law, says the Water Adjudication Fee Fairness Act of 2003 would remedy a long-standing practice that allows the federal government to waive fees and costs faced by states and other private users.Crapo said in a statement introducing the bill, … Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Delegation, Governor Say Wolf Actions Could Benefit Idaho Management Plan
Washington, DC - Idahoâ??s Congressional Delegation and Governor Kempthorne said an announcement today that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service plans to reclassify many reintroduced wolf populations could have a silver lining for Idaho, even though the actions affect only wolves north of Interstate 90. The silver lining comes in the form of separate comments from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director during a hearing on Capitol Hill.During a Senate subcommittee hearing chaired by Idaho … Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo: Idahoâ??s Borders Deserve Protection
Washington, DC â?? Citing the need for homeland security and fairness, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has joined with two Washington Senators to introduce the â??Northern Border Prosecution Initiative Reimbursement Act.â?? The legislation, introduced by Crapo, Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), and Patty Murray (D-Washington), would allow states with northern borders to be eligible for reimbursement of prosecution-related costs on immigration cases.â??Idaho and other northern border states are facing an i… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo And Craig Want Apple Crop Insurance Extended
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig joined with a bipartisan coalition of Senators from around the country to urge the USDA to improve crop insurance coverage for all apple farmers in Idaho and across the country. The group sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to urge her to extend crop insurance coverage to fresh-market and processing apples for the 2004 crop year. The present crop insurance policy for apples only covers low-grade, low-priced juice apples.… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo Co-Sponsors â??Invest In The USAâ?? Act
Washington, DC - While the Congress debates general tax cuts, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is one of a growing list of bipartisan supporters pushing for new incentives for American businesses with foreign subsidiaries. S. 596, The Invest In the USA Act, allows for a one-year tax break for businesses that move to the U.S. the earnings from foreign holdings. Those taxes, now as high as 35 percent, would be lowered to 5.25 percent, on a one-year basis.â??It makes sense that our tax system should encour… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo Expresses Condolences
Washington, DC â?? A second Idahoan became a casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom last week. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo expressed his sorrow over the loss of ArmyCpl. Richard P. Carl, 26, of Glenns Ferry, Idaho, in a helicopter crash in Iraq last week. "My condolences and prayers go out to Corporal Carl's wife, his children, and family on their tragic loss this past week," Crapo said. "He joins a long list of Idhaoans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their count… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo Applauds Selection Of North Idaho Watershed Project
Washington, D.C. - The Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Watershed has been selected for President Bushâ??s Watershed Initiative 2003. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo expressed his congratulations on the selection which was limited to 20 sites nationwide. This initiative provides a total of $15 million to be divided among the recipients in amounts ranging from $300,000 to $1 million. The grant total has not yet been determined, and the project must still complete an application process. â??This opportunity to ap… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo Calls Hud Grants â??Great News For Boiseâ??
Washington, DC â?? The City of Boise will receive more than $2.5 million in community and housing grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the current year, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced today. According to figures released by HUD released this afternoon, Boise will be awarded $1.6 million in Community Development Block Grants, and $915,684 in HOME Investment Partnerships program funding.â??It is great to see this money coming to Boise to help improve its neighbo… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo Lauds Presidentâ??s Signing Of Amber Alert Into Law
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is joining with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in hailing todayâ??s signing of the AMBER Alert law by President George W. Bush as perhaps the â??most far-reaching legislation to date to protect Americaâ??s children.â?? Crapo, an early supporter and sponsor of the AMBER Alert legislation, noted, â??early public warnings about missing children have proven to be the most effective way to see them found safely.â?? The PROTECT Act … Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Crapo, Agencies Co-sponsor Workshops On Fire Plan Contracts, Energy Grants
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and the Idaho Department of Commerce are sponsoring workshops to help Idaho businesses bid on fuel reduction contracts offered by the BLM and US Forest Service as part of the National Fire Plan. The federal agencies anticipate awarding multiple contracts in several states aimed at reducing the risk of fires by reducing fuels in the forest. Many of the applications must be in by the end of May and staff from Crapoâ??s office and the Idaho Department of Co… Continue Reading
February 23, 2005
Idaho Business Receives Boost
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced that the Economic Development Administration is awarding a grant of $472,334 to help Idaho companies become more competitive and innovative in getting new products to market. The grant will be administered through Boise State University and TechHelp, a group that does consulting and development for local manufacturers. Through BSU and TechHelp, small companies that do not typically have the capital and resources to pay for expansive research … Continue Reading
