News Releases
Craig and Crapo Support $3.1 billion in Farm Drought Aid
Washington, DC - Farmers and ranchers in Idaho and other states may be able to file for more than $3 billion in federal drought assistance under an amendment approved today by the full U.S. Senate on a 59-35 vote. Senator Larry Craig, a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Agriculture Committee, both sought the additional assistance offered in the amendment offered by Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS)â??Drought has struck a significant economic blow to farmer… Continue Reading
February 11, 2005
Craig, Crapo Praise President's Economic Growth Package
WASHINGTON, DC - Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo issued the following statements today regarding President Bush's economic growth package:â??Under the Presidentâ??s plan, everyone in America who pays taxes will benefit from tax reductions. Senior citizens, families, married couples, small business people, and investors will all receive significant tax relief,â?? Senator Craig said. â??This plan encourages consumer spending that will continue to boost economic recovery and it promot… Continue Reading
February 11, 2005
Craig And Crapo Want Stable Funds For Home Heating Program
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig want continued support for a federal program that helps low-income households and senior citizens pay their home energy bills. Under the proposed budget for 2002-2003, the Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a $300 million cut in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In a letter sent to the President, Craig and Crapo are urging support for $1.7 billion in each fiscal year 2003 and 2004 to continue the… Continue Reading
February 11, 2005
Amber Alert Passes Senate
Washington, DC - Missing children and their families may be reunited more quickly if the U.S. House, as expected, follows the lead of the Senate and approves a bill to expand the AMBER (Americaâ??s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert system. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who co-sponsored the measure which was passed by the Senate last night, says several Idaho-based alert systems may be interested in matching federal grants for the voluntary programs aimed at alerting the public when childr… Continue Reading
February 11, 2005
Crapo receives President's Budget
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo had his first opportunity to begin review of the delivery of President Bushâ??s request for fiscal year 2004 budget. As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, Crapo joined with other Committee members at the delivery of the budget on Capitol Hill. Total government spending contained in the proposal will be $2.2 trillion, a 4.2 percent increase over 2003 levels. The budget outline keeps interest on federal debt below 10 percent, and reduces the federa… Continue Reading
February 11, 2005
Crapo: Columbia Crew "True Heroes"
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined with the nation today in mourning the loss of the crew of the space shuttle Columbia. The shuttle, ending a 16-day science mission, apparently exploded just minutes before its scheduled landing in Texas. Recovery and investigation efforts by NASA are underway. "I join with a stunned nation today as we mourn the loss of the seven-member crew of the space shuttle Columbia," Crapo said. "This tragedy is a far too real reminder of the dangers that exi… Continue Reading
February 11, 2005
Crapo Opens Service Academy Application Process For Class Of 2004
Washington, D.C. â?? Students who are interested in attending one of the nationâ??s four service academies are encouraged to get started on the application process now, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Every year, Crapo nominates selected Idaho students to the following: the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York; the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York; and the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Interested … Continue Reading
February 11, 2005
Crapo Committee Assignments Reflect Idaho Priorities
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will gain a new committee assignment for the 108th Congress by serving on the Senate Budget Committee. He has also been named a Deputy Whip by Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky). Crapo will continue to serve on the following committees: Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Environment and Public Works; Agriculture; and Small Business. In addition, he will serve as the Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries,… Continue Reading
February 11, 2005
Crapo: Take Measures To Keep Bones Strong
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo wants more Americans to pay closer attention to bone health, or osteoporosis. It is estimated that millions of men and women are diagnosed each year with the bone disease. This morning, he met with Boise doctor Paul Collins to discuss this and other health-related issues. Last month Crapo underwent a bone density test at Collinsâ?? office in Boise. A bone density scan is a quick and painless test that can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs as… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Senators Say Trade Findings Prove Canadian Dumping; News Benefits Idaho Sawmills And Workers
Washington, DC â?? Idahoâ??s senators say findings announced today by the U.S. Department of Commerce are of substantial benefit to forest products businesses in Idaho and across the U.S. and reaffirm the significant subsidy Canadian softwood lumber producers receive from the Canadian government. The Commerce Department announced a final administrative review that sets combined Countervailing Duty and Anti-dumping duty rates at 21.2%. That rate, which affects duties that Canada must pay the U.S.… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Crapo: Breakthrough In Salmon Recovery
Washington, DC â?? Action by the U.S. Congress this weekend included Idaho in the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. Until now, this salmon recovery program supported efforts only in Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. To extend support to Idaho, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo earlier this year introduced S. 2788. Crapo and Idaho Senator Larry Craig included language from his bill in the Fiscal Year 2005 Consolidated Appropriations measure, which passed the Senate on Saturday night and is li… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Crapoâ??s â??Capitol Watchâ?? Has Holiday Theme
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapoâ??s monthly television program broadcast from the nationâ??s capital will feature the spirit of the holiday season this month. Crapoâ??s â??Capitol Watchâ?? program airs at 7:00 p.m. Mountain/ 6:00 p.m. Pacific on most public access cable stations across Idaho. This monthâ??s edition airs Tuesday evening, December 14th. This monthâ??s program contains highlights of Idahoâ??s contribution to the Christmas celebration at the U.S. Capitol last year. Idaho… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Crapo: Sage Grouse Effort Working, Keep It Up
Washington, DC â?? Idahoans and others in Western states are successfully caring for sage grouse through existing conservation measures which appear to be working. Thatâ??s the assessment of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Endangered Species Act. Crapo is linking on-the-ground activities preserving sage grouse with todayâ??s announcement by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams that field bio… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Crapo Hails Idea Reauthorization
Washington, DC â?? President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) today, an action lauded by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. â??Reauthorization of this important legislation reiterates the federal governmentâ??s commitment to ensuring that children with disabilities have an opportunity for equal educational benefits,â?? said Crapo. â??This reauthorization contains provisions aimed at encouraging positive intervention for children with behavioral challenges and will contri… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Bodmanâ??s Experience A Plus For INEEL, Idaho
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says that the broad public and private sector experience Energy Secretary-designate Samuel Bodman brings as a nominee could mean good things for workers and future plans for the Idaho National Laboratory as it transforms from the INEEL. Crapo pointed to Bodmanâ??s extensive experience as Deputy Secretary for both the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Treasury in addition to three decades in the private sector before that. â??Samuel Bodma… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Intelligence Reform Clears Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. â?? S.2845, the Intelligence Reform bill, was approved by the U.S. Senate today with strong bipartisan support. Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo both voted in support of the measure, which passed 89-2. S.2845 overhauls the intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities of the United States to deal more effectively with the threats of the 21st Century. â??I applaud the passage of this much needed Intelligence Reform bill,â?? said Craig. â??At last, we will have a centr… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Homeland Security Okays Firefighter Payments
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says rural firefighters and all other Americans will benefit from an agency decision to allow volunteer and part-time firefighters to be compensated for security training. Crapo spoke today with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to thank him for agreeing to the change, which had been under discussion since September. Ridgeâ??s DHS oversees the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), which operates the security training programs. Crapo says of the 2… Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Crapo: Rural Doctors To Receive Boost
Washington, DC â?? Doctors and patients in Idaho will see payment increases and service benefits due to expansions in Medicare. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo welcomed the changes that will provide payment bonuses to physicians servicing patients in areas with health care shortages and highly concentrated areas of Medicare recipients. Many doctors in Idaho who treat Medicare patients are in areas considered to have health care shortages. The expansions come on the one-year anniversary of the Medicare … Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Crapo Moves To Powerful Senate Finance Committee
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will add two new committee assignments at the beginning of the 109th Congress in January while retaining slots on the Senate Budget, Senate Banking, and Senate Agriculture Committees. He will join the Senate Finance and the Senate Indian Affairs committees. He will also continue to serve as Deputy Whip for the Senate Majority. He also moves in seniority to 66, up six from the previous Congress. "These committees have jurisdiction over issues that … Continue Reading
February 10, 2005
Lawmakers Seek Transportation Help For Onion Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho's congressional delegation, along with eastern Oregon Congressman Greg Walden, is asking the U.S. Department of Transportation to waive a trucking rule that is putting the region's onion producers at risk. In a letter dated Monday to Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and Idaho Congressmen Mike Simpson and C.L. "Butch" Otter joined Walden in asking that the hours-of-service rule on short-haul truckers be… Continue Reading
