News Releases
Crapo, Risch and 21 Other Northwestern Lawmakers: The Bonneville Power Administration Must Remain Independent
Washington, D.C. - The Idaho Congressional Delegation, including Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, along with every lawmaker representing Oregon and Washington, urged the U.S. Energy Department (DOE) to maintain an independent Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) that puts Northwest power users first, in a bipartisan letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz sent today. "Bonneville Power plays a critical role in supplying power to the Northwest… Continue Reading
November 08, 2013
Idaho Senators Call on FCC To Support Investment in Rural Telecom
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined their colleagues Senators Jon Tester (D-Montana) and John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) in a large, bipartisan coalition calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to do more to ensure that rural America is not disadvantaged or left behind as the commission reforms and modernizes important programs. In 2011, the FCC developed and proposed a significant modernization of the Universal Service Fund (USF), which was originally cre… Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Crapo Co-Sponsors Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee is co-sponsoring the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act recently introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota). "Indian tribes across the nation contribute a rich cultural heritage to society, and the Kootenai, the Coeur d'Alene, the Nez Perce, the Shoshone-Bannock and the Shoshone-Paiute peoples in Idaho are benefiting our communities," said Crapo. "The Inter… Continue Reading
November 07, 2013
Crapoâ??s Spirit of Freedom Award To Be Presented On Veterans Day
Washington, D.C. - The Spirit of Freedom Award, in its twelfth year, will be presented to sixteen Idahoans, eleven veterans and five volunteers, at four ceremonies throughout the state on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo created the award to acknowledge the contributions, patriotism, service and sacrifice of Idaho's veterans and service-oriented volunteer leaders. Since its inception, Crapo has worked with Idaho's veteran's service organizations to present the awards… Continue Reading
November 06, 2013
HHS Secretary Hedges About Premium Hikes Despite Evidence To Contrary
Washington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today used a Committee hearing to catalogue the failed administration pledges about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known as "Obamacare." Crapo called for a "timeout" on the implementation of the law during his questioning of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "We need to look past the technical problems with the Obamacare website," Crapo said. "The president said … Continue Reading
November 05, 2013
With EU Trade Talks Next Week, Crapo, Cantwell Seek to Expand Access for American Apples and Pears
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the Obama Administration prepares for trade talks set to begin next week with European authorities, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) are leading a bipartisan letter urging the administration to prioritize reducing trade barriers pear and apple growers face in European markets. U.S. and European trade officials completed the first round of talks in July on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) to boost trading betwe… Continue Reading
November 01, 2013
Crapo, Risch Call for Immediate Release of Pastor Saeed Abedini
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch were joined by their Senate colleagues Rand Paul (R-KY) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in authoring a resolution calling on the government of Iran to immediately release Pastor Saeed Abedini and all other individuals detained on account of their religious beliefs. Pastor Saeed Abedini, a pastor and resident of Boise, was seized by the Iranian government and has been sentenced to eight years in prison for allegedly spreading Christianity. He … Continue Reading
November 01, 2013
Crapo Co-Sponsors Anti-Shutdown Bill
Washington, D.C. - Future federal government shutdowns over funding disagreements will result in smaller government, not shutdowns of government, under legislation co-sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo, a member of the joint House-Senate budget negotiating committee established by the agreement last month to re-open the government, calls the bill a "common-sense compromise" to avoid the loss of pay and benefits to those who work for, and rely on, federal government operations, as wel… Continue Reading
October 31, 2013
Crapo, Risch: If You Like Your Current Health Plan, You Should Be Able To Keep It
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are co-sponsoring a measureknown as the "If You Like Your Health Plan, You Can Keep It Act." During the debate over Obamacare, the president and others in the administration repeatedly claimed, "if you like your health insurance, you will be able to keep it." Reports now indicate that keeping an existing plan may not be possible for millions of Americans comfortable with their policies, due to cancellation notices from health insuranc… Continue Reading
October 31, 2013
Senators Seek Pea, Lentil, Bean Focus in New Farm Bill
Washington, D.C. - Students and farmers could benefit from a new federal initiative supported by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington). The Senators are leading a letter to members of the Farm Bill Conference Committee promoting a five-year pilot program that promotes the use of pulse crops-dry beans, dry peas, lentils and chickpeas-in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's nutrition program. Northwest states are a prime producer of pulse crops. The Pulse Health I… Continue Reading
October 30, 2013
Crapo: Budget Conference Committee Must Result in Strong Budget Enforcement Process
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Budget Committee and a conferee to the Senate-House Budget Conference Committee, delivered an opening statement at the first public meeting of the committee charged with reconciling differences between the two chambers' budgets. Acknowledging the short time frame for the committee to reach a large-scale agreement, Crapo focused on the need to lay the foundation for processes that would result in strong fiscal reforms moving forward. … Continue Reading
October 29, 2013
Crapo Supports Resolution Disapproving of Federal Debt
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today rejected S.J. Res. 26, a resolution to disapprove of the president's exercise of authority to suspend the debt limit and increase the debt ceiling. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supported this resolution of disapproval, urging the President to allow for an open conversation to enact necessary spending reforms before the deadline to raise the nation's borrowing limit is approached yet again. "Our national debt is now at a record $17 trillion and climbing high… Continue Reading
October 18, 2013
Crapo Extends Internship Application Deadline And Invites Idaho Students to Apply
Washington, D.C. - Due to the government shutdown during the first few weeks of October,Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced today that he will extend the application deadline for the internship program in spring of 2014. Students now have until November 15, 2013,to submit an application to be considered for a position within one of the Senator's seven offices. Each semester, Senator Crapo welcomes students to his office to serve internships in both Washington, D.C., and in his regional offices … Continue Reading
October 18, 2013
Deadline Approaching for U.S. Military Academy Applications
Washington, D.C. - With the government shutdown now concluded, Members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation are reminding Idahoans that the deadline for submitting applications for U.S. Academy Nominations is just over a month away. High school seniors and parents interested in attending an academy should submit completed application packetsby November 30, 2013. The unfortunate shutdown forced the cancellation of an Academy Nomination Open House in Boise, but the application deadline remains … Continue Reading
October 17, 2013
Crapo Appointed To Budget Conference Committee
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, has been named as one of the twenty-one senators of the U.S. Senate who will serve on a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives-passed budgets. This bipartisan group, from both the Senate and House, will work to find compromise between the differing budgets with a deadline to report back to Congress by December 13, 2013. The Senate and House… Continue Reading
October 16, 2013
Crapo, Risch Oppose Debt Ceiling and Government Funding Deal
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch voted against legislation to delay the nation's borrowing limit until February 7, 2014, and temporarily fund government operations until January 15, 2013. Included in the agreement is a requirement for both chambers of Congress to go to conference on a budget with a reporting deadline of December 13, 2013, as well as new safeguards to ensure people who receive federal subsidies to purchase health insurance under Obamacare are eligible t… Continue Reading
October 10, 2013
Crapo: Approaching Debt Limit Shows Need To Enact Further Fiscal Reforms
"Secretary Lew said, 'We've made progress on our overall debt crisis in the past few years, and I think that we can continue to work on those kinds of steps if you will simply pass this clean debt ceiling' and do so in a way that involves no negotiations from the president in any way. I reminded him that a major part of the progress we have made in the last couple of years was made when we met the debt ceiling two years ago. It was the Budget Control Act that put into statute over $2 trill… Continue Reading
October 09, 2013
Crapo on Yellen Nomination for Fed Chair
Washington, D.C. - Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement regarding the expected nomination of Janet L. Yellen to serve as the next Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. "As is always the case, Ms. Yellen's nomination to serve as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve Board will be carefully reviewed and considered by the Banking Committee. The next Fed Chair faces a unique set of challenges, including winding… Continue Reading
October 04, 2013
Idaho Delegation Postpones Service Academy Day
Washington, D.C. - The Idaho Congressional Delegation postponed the 2013 Service Academy Day that was previously scheduled for Sat., Oct. 5 at Gowen Field, Boise, ID. Notice will be given once this event is rescheduled.… Continue Reading
September 30, 2013
Crapo, Risch Join In Mourning Loss Of Cenarrusa
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch released the following statement after learning of the passing of long-time Idaho Secretary of State, Pete Cenarrusa: "The state of Idaho lost a dear friend yesterday with the passing of Pete Cenarrusa. Pete had a unique capacity to lead people and institutions with good will, great humor and wise counsel. Pete was a personal friend and advisor to both of us and we will forever remember the example he set for all public servants. Pet… Continue Reading
