News Releases
Crapo, Risch Offer Legislation to Stop EPA Water Grab
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined a coalition of twenty-eight Senators to introduce legislation blocking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing its March 2014 proposed rule revising the definition of "waters of the United States" under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). If made final, the move by the EPA would significantly expand federal authority, allowing the agency to regulate nearly every stream, ditch, pond, puddle and other local … Continue Reading
June 11, 2014
Crapo, Risch Back New Veterans Care Agreement
Washington, DC - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch supported compromise legislation today that would end lengthy waits for veterans seeking medical care by hiring new staff and expanding veterans' access to private medical care. The legislation, co-sponsored by both Crapo and Risch, also improves the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) accountability by allowing VA leadership to more easily fire underperforming employees. The U.S. Senate passed the bill by a 93-3 vote. Congress ha… Continue Reading
June 10, 2014
Delegation: New Report Shows Urgent Need To Overhaul Fire Policy
Washington, D.C. - In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new report demonstrating how limited federal firefighting budgets have negatively impacted wildland fire preparedness, forest restoration efforts and other projects over the last two fiscal years, members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation are saying the report should serve as a call to action to overhaul the way in which the federal government funds fighting wildfires on public lands. "This report further solidifies… Continue Reading
June 03, 2014
Crapo: New EPA Carbon Proposal To Undermine Economy
Washington, D.C.-- Idaho Senator Mike Crapo raised objections to a 3,000-page set of sweeping proposed federal regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The newly outlined rule would mandate existing power plants nationwide reduce carbon emissions 30 percent by 2030 as a part of the President's Climate Action Plan. "If implemented, these regulations will carry enormous economic and practical ramifications without resulting in commensurate environmental benefits," s… Continue Reading
May 31, 2014
Crapo, Risch, Simpson Statements on Bowe Bergdahl's Release
"We celebrate with Bowe, Bob and Jani Bergdahl today as this wonderful news brings an end to their five-year ordeal," said Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. "Our prayers have been answered and we offer our thanks for the perseverance of the family and the many Idahoans who have kept this vigil. We appreciate the men and women who made this release possible. I was able to speak with Bob this morning and convey my feelings and look forward to an Idaho reunion. Today's release is a reminder that we… Continue Reading
May 28, 2014
Crapo to Present Award to Mother of Iraq Vet; Discuss Housing Reform Legislation
Idaho Falls - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will present his Spirit of Idaho Award Saturday to Theresa Hart of Post Falls. Hart lost her son, Nick Newby, to an I.E.D. explosion in Iraq in 2007. Since then, she has established a service program named in her son's honor. "Newby-Ginnings" assists veterans with everything from new appliances to clothing, even money for gas. Crapo will present Hart with the award for her volunteer efforts to encourage donations to veterans. The Spirit of Idaho Award… Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Crapo and Risch Hail Passage of Bipartisan Water Resources Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today praised passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The bill was passed yesterday afternoon, May 22, on the Senate floor with a vote of 91 to 7. "This legislation provides critical funding to our nation's water infrastructure managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers," said Crapo. "The Corps operates multiple projects in Idaho and throughout the Columbia River Basin that, through the furthest inl… Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Crapo Named an Inaugural â??Fiscal Heroâ??
Washington, D.C. - The national Campaign to Fix the Debt has named Idaho Senator Mike Crapo a "Fiscal Hero" for "work to improve the nation's fiscal situation." This is the first time the organization seeking federal fiscal responsibility has issued such awards. The Campaign to Fix the Debt says it issued the recognition to Member of Congress who have "distinguished themselves by taking fiscally responsible votes, pushing their party leaders to make debt a priority, leading bipartisan effo… Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Crapo, Risch Laud Committeeâ??s Inclusion of Potato Nutrition Language
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch commended the U.S. Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee today for adopting an amendment to end the unnecessary exclusion of the nutrient-packed fresh white potato in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. The WIC program makes qualifying foods available for low-income and nutritionally at-risk pregnant women and their infants and children through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under current law, the USDA … Continue Reading
May 21, 2014
Crapoâ??s Blackfoot River Land Settlement Act Moves Forward
Washington, D.C. - Legislation authored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to settle local land disputes in southeastern Idaho was reported favorably out of the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee today by a unanimous voice vote. S. 2040, the Blackfoot River Land Settlement Act, seeks to clear up issues related to the ownership of land and water rights dating back to the 1960s when federal flood control projects were undertaken along the Blackfoot River. As a consequence of the project's channel rea… Continue Reading
May 16, 2014
Crapo, Risch Introduce Youth Careers in Logging Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have introduced the Youth Careers in Logging Act, S. 2336, which would extend benefits enjoyed by others in the agriculture industry by allowing family members to learn the trade of logging from a younger age so that they may carry on the family business. "This legislation offers tomorrow's leaders the family training to become the future of the industry and assist in the restoration of our national forests," said Crapo. "In the loggi… Continue Reading
May 15, 2014
Senate Banking Committee Passes Bipartisan Housing Finance Reform Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Senate Banking Committee approved S. 1217, the Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013, by a bipartisan vote of 13-9. The legislation included a bipartisan agreement drafted by Chairman Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and is designed to stabilize the housing finance market and strengthen the American economy. It will create greater competition in the housing finance system and reduce risk to the taxpayer whi… Continue Reading
May 15, 2014
Crapo Named â??Hero of Main Streetâ??
Washington, D.C. - A national group representing the U.S. retail industry today named Idaho Senator Mike Crapo a "Hero of Main Street" for his legislative priorities and voting record. The National Retail Federation (NRF) notes retail jobs make up the nation's largest private sector of employment. The NRF's 2013 Annual Report noted Idaho had 148,029 direct retail jobs last year and an employment impact of 206,741 jobs. The Idaho statistics and awards are listed on the Federation's website: … Continue Reading
May 14, 2014
Crapo Seeks Answers From HHS Nominee On Medicare Advantage Reductions
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, sought answers from Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Sylvia Mathews Burwell today on how she intends, if confirmed, to fix the many failures that are inherent within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. During the exchange, Crapo focused on recent reductions to the popular and successful Medicare Advantage (MA) program and the practical implicatio… Continue Reading
May 09, 2014
Crapo To Host Tele-Townhall
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will host his second statewide tele-townhall meeting of 2014 and is encouraging Idahoans to participate. Crapo will take questions from Idahoans on a variety of topics currently being debated in Congress, including new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, the Keystone XL pipeline,the state of the economy and our nation's broken housing finance system during the hour-long call. The teleforum will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at 7:00… Continue Reading
May 07, 2014
Crapo, Risch Support Commission to Study Military Changes and Effect on Local Guard Units
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are part of a bipartisan group of Senators calling for an independent commission to study proposed changesin the U.S. Army. The Idaho senators say our nation's budget challenges have forced the Army and other branches of the U.S. military to make force structure changes, some of which could affect National Guard units, including the Idaho Army National Guard. Nineteen senators have sponsored the legislation to create a National Com… Continue Reading
May 07, 2014
Crapoâ??s Work To End Land Disputes In Southeastern Idaho Takes Spotlight At Committee Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Legislation authored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to settle long-standing land ownership claims and water rights issues in southeastern Idaho was the focus of a U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing today. The committee, of which Crapo is a member, began consideration of S. 2040, the Blackfoot River Land Settlement Act and S. 2041, the 1918 Repeal Act, both recently introduced by the senator. In his opening remarks, Crapo noted that the passage of the Blackfoot River L… Continue Reading
April 29, 2014
Crapo Website Named Top Senate Republican Site
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's official website, https://www.crapo.senate.gov., has been named the top Republican website in the U.S. Senate by the independent Congressional Management Foundation (CMF). Crapo's site was issued the Silver Mouse Award for the 113 th Congress, the only Senate Republican to be awarded an honor in the Gold and Silver categories. A total of 70 personal office and committee websites in Congress received a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Award. The Cong… Continue Reading
April 29, 2014
Idaho High School Student To Serve As U.S. Senate Page
Washington, D.C. - An Idaho student will have the opportunity to spend an interesting monthworking on the floor of the United States Senate. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo aided high school student Camdon Kay with his application for the U.S. Senate Page Program, which provides high school students the opportunity to learn more about Congress and the legislative process firsthand. Students in the program assist senators on the floor with day-to-day operations. Camdon Kay is a native of Kuna and wil… Continue Reading
April 11, 2014
Top Air Force Officer to Visit Mountain Home, Boise
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, will welcome General Mark A. Welsh III, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, to Mountain Home Air Force Base in early May. This trip is a unique opportunity for the nation's senior uniformed Air Force officer to see first-hand some of the Air Force's most impressive assets and capabilities. "Earlier this year, we invited General Welsh to Idaho to tour our world-class facili… Continue Reading
