News Releases
Crapo, Risch Congratulate Boise Teacher on Teaching Excellence Award
Washington, D.C. - In a joint statement, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch congratulated Sonia Galaviz, a fifth grade teacher from Boise who was recently awarded the NEA Foundation's Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence: "Sonia Galaviz has truly earned this recognition. For nearly 15 years, she has served as a positive role model for Idaho's youth and has inspired students to meet their full potential. Her work has enriched our community. We applaud Sonia's commitment to educatin… Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Crapo Statement at Hearing on the Fed's Semiannual Monetary Policy Report
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today delivered the following opening remarks during a full committee hearing on "The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress." The text of Chairman Crapo's remarks, as prepared, is below. "Today we will receive testimony from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen regarding the Fed's semiannual report to Congress on monetary policy and the state of the ec… Continue Reading
February 01, 2017
Western Senators Introduce Greater Sage-Grouse Protection and Recovery Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) today introduced the Greater Sage-Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 2017, legislation allowing states to implement their own specific conservation and management plans to protect greater sage-grouse populations and their habitats, in lieu of federal management. Original cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Dean Heller (R-NV), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Steve Daines (R-MT). "Senator Risch and I strongly… Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Crapo Comments on the Nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to be Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee issued this statement regarding the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. "Judge Gorsuch has a strong background of legal experience and knowledge. I congratulate him on this high honor. I take seriously my constitutional responsibility to thoroughly review this nomination. As that review is conducted, I have long said that our next justice must lo… Continue Reading
January 29, 2017
Crapo Issues Statement on Executive Order on Immigration
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement on the President's executive order on immigration signed on Friday: "During town meetings I held across my state, Idahoans affirmed that we must take steps to secure our borders and I agree. We will need to constantly refine and improve our vetting process." # # #… Continue Reading
January 26, 2017
Crapo, Risch Seek Third Federal Judge for Idaho
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have introduced legislation to establish an additional federal district judgeship in Idaho for the first time in more than sixty years. Idaho is one of only three states (North Dakota and Vermont are the others) with only two authorized judge seats for the entire state. In contrast, the Central District of California and the Southern District of New York each have 28 authorized judgeships. If passed, the Crapo-Risch legislation, S. 20… Continue Reading
January 26, 2017
Crapo Leads Bipartisan Call to Support Medicare Advantage
WASHINGTON - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today led a letter signed by Idaho Senator Jim Risch and 63 of their colleagues to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Dr. Patrick Conway encouraging the Trump Administration to enact policies to protect and strengthen the Medicare Advantage program. "In Idaho, one in three Medicare beneficiaries have chosen a private health plan through Medicare Advantage, which allows be… Continue Reading
January 25, 2017
Crapo Reintroduces Bill to Protect Second Amendment Rights of Social Security Beneficiaries
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Maintaining a commitment to protecting the Second Amendment rights of individuals, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today reintroduced the Social Security Beneficiary 2nd Amendment Rights Protection Act (S.202) Crapo's legislation would protect Social Security beneficiaries from being stripped of their Second Amendment rights because of determinations used by the Social Security Administration about the management and payment of an individual's benefits. In January 2013, former Pre… Continue Reading
January 24, 2017
RECA Legislation Reintroduced
Washington, DC -A bipartisan coalition of western U.S. Senators has introduced two measures to benefit Americans exposed to airborne radiation during nuclear weapons tests in the 1950s and 1960s. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Senator Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) introduced legislation to allow victims in a number of western states to file claims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (… Continue Reading
January 20, 2017
Crapo Comments on the Inauguration of President Donald Trump
Washington, D.C. - Following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement: "Today, we witnessed the peaceful transfer of power that has been the hallmark of our democracy since its founding. In this election, voters chose a candidate who put forth a vision to create an opportunity society for Americans. This vision builds on conservative principles of a limited government, finally reining in irresponsible federal spending, a strong nation… Continue Reading
January 13, 2017
Crapo, Risch: Recent Action Shows Need for Law Restricting Monument Designations
Washington, D.C. - The sheer volume of national monuments being established and expanded by the outgoing Obama Administration adds renewed urgency to pass new federal legislation mandating local input and approval into the process. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have reintroduced legislation to limit Presidential power related to the designation of national monuments. More than a million acres of new monument designations in western states were added in a single day last December 28 t… Continue Reading
January 13, 2017
Idaho Congressional Delegation Urges DOE to Prioritize Idaho For Nuclear Waste Removal as WIPP Reopens
Washington, D.C. - In a joint letter led by U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), the Idaho congressional delegation thanked the Department of Energy (DOE) for diligently reopening the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) in New Mexico, which was closed for nearly three years following a radiation incident in 2014. The delegation urged Secretary Moniz to prioritize waste coming from Idaho's Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Plant (AMWTP) as DOE establishes a shipment schedule for waste going to WIPP. "Id… Continue Reading
January 11, 2017
Clean Nuclear Energy, Research Advanced in Bipartisan Senate Bill
Washington, D.C. - Private-sector innovators in nuclear energy and government researchers will work hand-in-hand to create the next generation of clean, advanced nuclear power under bi-partisan legislation introduced today in the U.S. Senate. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), today re-introduced the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA). The legis… Continue Reading
January 10, 2017
Crapo Raises States' Rights With Attorney General-Designee Sessions
Washington, D.C. - During a confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo questioned Attorney General-designee Senator Jeff Sessions about states' rights, federal agency overreach and federal abuse of power. Sessions agreed with Crapo that, too often, federal agencies have "forgotten" their role and relationships with states. Crapo, a new member of the committee, has led efforts to stop recent federal agency actions harmful to property owners, … Continue Reading
January 09, 2017
Crapo to Chair Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee in 115th Congress
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has been named Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. Crapo was elected by his fellow Republican colleagues on the committee and his appointment was confirmed by full Senate with the passage of Senate Resolution 7 on Thursday. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over efforts to promote capital formation, investment in our economy, the stability of the financial system and responsible lending to families and busine… Continue Reading
January 03, 2017
Crapo to Join Judiciary Committee in 115th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, flanked by Senator Jim Risch, today took the oath of office and was sworn into office to begin his next term. With the convening of the 115th Congress, Crapo announced he will join the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction for nominations such as the Attorney General, Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, and judges for appellate and district courts. It also has oversight of numerous federal departments including… Continue Reading
December 22, 2016
Crapo Announces 2017 Military Academy Nominations
Washington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced his nomination of 54 Idaho students to the nation's military academies. The students' applications are now being considered by four of the U.S. service academies, where final selections will be made. "The skills and academic achievements of these students sets them apart as leaders across Idaho communities," said Crapo. "By pursuing a higher education through one of our military service academies, they demonstrate their commitment to s… Continue Reading
December 07, 2016
Gowen Field in Boise Among Five Finalists for F-35 Mission, Idaho Delegation Welcomes News
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Idaho congressional delegation welcomed the news that Gowen Field in Boise is among five candidates to become the home to a new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The decision by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James was announced Wednesday. Gowen Field and the Idaho Air National Guard ranked highly among 18 candidates, based on factors including weather, training infrastructure, cost, facilities and environment. The other four finalists are Dannelly Field Air Gu… Continue Reading
November 21, 2016
Wednesday Deadline to Request Tickets to the 58th Presidential Inauguration
Washington, D.C. - The deadline for Idahoans to request tickets to attend the presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony is Wednesday, November 23 at 5:00 PM Mountain time. The Inauguration swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will take place Friday, January 20, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. For the 58 th Presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony, members of Congress are provided with a limited number of tickets. As it has… Continue Reading
November 18, 2016
Crapo, Risch Recognize Idaho Ranking 5th in Nation for Volunteer Service
Washington - A new study from the Corporation for Community and National Service concludes that Idaho ranks fifth in the nation for volunteer service. In Idaho, this translates to 382,200 individual volunteers and 53.42 million hours of volunteer service with an estimated value of service of $1.1 billion. The fifth place ranking puts Idaho behind Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota, respectively. The annual Volunteering and Civic Life in America report concluded that one in four Ame… Continue Reading
