News Releases
IDAHO DELEGATION HELPS WIN BEEF TRADE CONCESSIONS
Washington, DC â?? Secretary Mike Johnanns responded to concerns of the of Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig and Idaho Congressmen Mike Simpson and C.L. â??Butchâ?? Otter and many in the U.S. cattle industry in delaying a provision of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that would have allowed for the importation of beef product over 30 months of age. The U.S. border has been closed to imports of cattle and some beef products from Canada following the discovery of Bovine Spongif… Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
Crapo To Hand Out Free Books On Saturday
Washington, DC â?? Organizations from throughout the state will be in Twin Falls on Saturday to pick up books for low-income students, and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will be on hand to help load the shipments. Crapo has partnered with the national nonprofit First Book program to give away 100,000 books in Idaho, and groups from as far away as Worley, Nampa, Montpelier, Riggins, Lewiston, and Coeur dâ??Alene will be picking up books for distribution in their local communities. Idaho Superintendent … Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
BPA RATE INCREASE EXCLUDED FROM BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. â?? Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo announced today that they were successful in efforts to block the inclusion of a proposal for Power Marketing Administrations, such as the Bonneville Power Administration, to charge market-based rates. The Presidentâ??s budget included such a proposal, which would be a shift in the charter of the BPA and result in up to 20 percent annual power rate increases. Two weeks ago, Craig stated to Deputy Secretary of Energy nominee Clay Sell… Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
Crapo Marks Water Amendment Anniversary
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined with a group of Western Senators in marking the 50th anniversary of an important water rights amendment. Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell introduced a resolution on the anniversary of the McCarran Amendment in the Senate today; Crapo and Idaho Senator Larry Craig are both co-sponsors of the resolution. The McCarran Amendment, which was adopted in the Department of Justice Appropriations Act of 1953, waives the sovereign immunity of the U… Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
Delegation Supports Former Idaho Ag â?? Al Lance â?? For Judgeship
WASHINGTON, DC â?? Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and Congressmen Mike Simpson and C.L. â??Butchâ?? Otter expressed their support today for the nomination of former Idaho Attorney General Al Lance to be a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Lance appeared before a hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on his nomination this afternoon. Craig, a member of the Committee, introduced Lance at the hearing. Crapo also attended the hearing and expressed… Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
Crapo To Discuss Federal Budget Proposals, ESA Legislation On â??Capitol Watchâ?? Program
Washington, DC â?? As the Senate Budget Committee prepares to begin consideration of the Fiscal Year 2006 federal budget resolution, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will discuss those proposals with Idahoans during the March airing of his â??Capitol Watchâ?? program. Crapo is a member of the Senate Budget Committee, which will vote on a proposed budget later next week, as well as the Senate Finance Committee, which will review tax reform and simplification proposals and plans to reform Social Security.… Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
Fire Funds To Nez Perce And Moyie Springs,
Washington, DC â?? The Nez Perce and Curley Creek, Idaho fire departments will receive grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. â??These grants will enhance the ability of these two rural fire departments to respond more effectively to fire and fire-related hazards in their surrounding areas,â?? said Crapo. â??The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program has received a $390 million boost for Fiscal Year 2003. These grant awards will substantial… Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
NEW CANADIAN BEEF IMPORT RULE HARMFUL TO IDAHO
Washington DC - Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo, along with Congressmen Mike Simpson and C.L. "Butch" Otter, expressed their concerns to Agriculture Secretary Michael Johanns today over the possible impact on Idaho beef producers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recent decision to reopen cattle markets between the United States and Canada. The new rule is set to be implemented March 7 if finalized. It would prohibit live cattle over the age of 30 months from ente… Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
Homeland Security Appropriations Passes
Washington, DC â?? The Senate approved $29.3 billion to fund the new Department of Homeland Security last night, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. â??The Senate version includes important increases in our investment for the Coast Guard, terrorism prevention, and border security above and beyond what were asked for by the administration,â?? said Crapo. â??This funding will enable the Department of Homeland Security to better safeguard our nation against attacks. The threat of terrorism is ve… Continue Reading
March 08, 2005
Crapo Calls For Quick Passage Of Forest Health Bills As Western Fires
Washington, DC - Western residents and forest ecosystems need the immediate help contained in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo told a Senate committee hearing he chaired today to open discussion on the bill. Crapo chairs the forestry subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and said the billâ??s provisions to streamline forest management decisions are critical. â??We need to move the focus from what we take, to what we leave,â?? Crapo said in agreein… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Idaho Crime Victim Services Get $1.9 Million Boost
Washington, DC â?? Victims of crime in Idaho will benefit from a $1.9 million federal grant awarded to the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance. The grant announcement was made this morning by the Department of Justice, who notified Idaho Senator Mike Crapo.â??Todayâ??s announcement is welcome news for those Idahoans who suffer at the hands of abusive partners,â?? said Crapo. â??Since 1984, the Victims of Crime Act has provided vital federal funding to community-based organiz… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Crapo Brings First Book To Magic Valley
Washington, DC â?? One hundred thousand books are due to be delivered this morning to a warehouse in Twin Falls, courtesy of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and a national literacy program. Crapo partnered with First Book to bring the truckloads of books to the Magic Valley, and will be on hand next month when the books are handed out. Over the next month, preparation will be underway to hand out the books at a kick-off event in Twin Falls on Saturday, June 21st. Crapo will be on hand at that time to… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Crapo Plans Salmon & Steelhead Hearing, Meeting
Washington, DC - Idahoâ??s role in anadromous fish recovery and the future of the biological opinion regarding government programs on salmon and steelhead recovery will be the focus of dual hearings and meetings in both Idaho and Washington, DC. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water, will hold a hearing on June 24th in Washington, DC, to review the future of the federal biological opinion. This biological opini… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Crapo To Get â??On The Groundâ?? Forest Health Report In Advance Of Senate Hearings
Boise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will visit remote Elk City Saturday to meet with local residents and others on forest health concerns and rural economic development issues in advance of Senate subcommittee hearings he will help lead on President Bushâ??s Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. The bill, HR 1904, ReAgriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. Senator Crapo is chairman of the Agriculture subcommittee that has jurisdiction over forestry issues. As chairman of the Senate Agricu… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Senate Passes Craig/Crapo Bill To Create Third District Judgeship For Idaho
WASHINGTON, DC â?? A bill authored by Idaho Senator Larry Craig and cosponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to create a third additional permanent federal district court judgeship for the state of Idaho, passed the full Senate late yesterday evening unanimously. â??I am very pleased that Senator Crapo and I were able to take this major step in creating a third permanent federal district judgeship for our state necessary to address Idahoâ??s exploding federal caseload,â?? Senator Craig said. â??T… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Crapo: Iraqi People Need Support
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo released the following statement regarding the United Nationâ??s Security Council vote today to lift sanctions against Iraq:â??For many years, the Iraqi people suffered under an oppressive regime that plundered the countryâ??s natural resources and took the gain for its own benefit,â?? Crapo said. â??The lifting of the sanctions will allow the Iraqi people to rightfully claim what should have been theirs. The resolution that lifts the sanctions gives t… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Crapo Receives Recognition For Cancer Activism
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapoâ??s wide-ranging efforts on prostate cancer and health awareness were recognized last night on Capitol Hill. Crapo was awarded the first-ever 2003 William A. Schwartz Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC).In his acceptance remarks, Crapo talked about the planning underway for a third year of the Mike Crapo Health Awareness booths at local fairs in Idaho. Since being diagnosed with prostate cancer in December … Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
EPA Ombudsman Bill Passes Senate
Washington, DC â?? Legislation proposed by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to reinstate the Office of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ombudsman as an independent entity cleared the Senate floor today by unanimous consent. Crapoâ??s bill, S. 515, strengthens the Office of the Ombudsman by establishing an independent office within the EPA whose head would be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Ombudsman would report directly to the EPA Administrator and would have the capaci… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Crapo Votes To Give Idahoans A Tax Break
Washington, DC â?? After intense debate and a narrow victory, the Senate passed H.R. 2, the Jobs and Economic Growth package, today by a vote of 51 to 50. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted in favor of the conference report, which is expected to be delivered to the President later today. The House passed the measure last night.â??Reaching an agreement on the growth package has been a complex process, but Idahoans should feel confident and pleased with the outcome,â?? said Crapo. â??This measure incl… Continue Reading
March 07, 2005
Crapo Agrees ESA Is â??Brokenâ??
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today cited a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report concerning years of backlogged litigation under the critical habitat section of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as evidence Congress must step in with reform methods quickly. Crapo, who chairs the Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over the ESA, agreed with statements by Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Craig Manson. Manson said time and money are being lost und… Continue Reading
