News Releases
Crapo On ISIS Threat, 9-11 Anniversary
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement today regarding President Obama's new Middle East strategy to defeat ISIS, noting the continued threat which struck the U.S. on September 11, 2001: "Having repeatedly overlooked the warnings and advice of senior officials and military leaders, President Obama has now signaled that he concedes the dangers posed by ISIS. Going forward, Idahoans and Americans expect a strategy to protect our national security interests, i… Continue Reading
September 08, 2014
Crapo on the Passing of Former Idaho First Lady Jacque Batt
Washington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement today on the passing of former Idaho First Lady Jacque Batt: "I offer Governor Batt, the family and all those who had the privilege of knowing Jacque my deepest sympathy and kindest thoughts as they remember and celebrate the life of one of Idaho's finest First Ladies. Jacque's kind spirit and effortless ability to lead with grace during her tenure as Idaho's First Lady in the 1990s left an everlasting mark on those who … Continue Reading
September 08, 2014
Crapo, Johnson on Housing Finance Reform Legislation CBO Score
Washington, DC - Last week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a score for S. 1217, the Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013, which estimates a cost savings to the government of $60 billion over a ten-year period. This legislation, drafted by Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Crapo to stabilize the housing finance market and strengthen the economy, passed the Senate Banking Committee in May. "After the housing crisis we experienced, it is clear that our housi… Continue Reading
August 29, 2014
Idaho Delegation Urges Prompt Consideration of Agriculture Disaster Declarations
Twin Falls, Idaho - Heavy and poorly timed August rain storms in the Magic Valley and eastern Idaho have caused significant damage to crops in the region, primarily wheat, barley and hay. For example, the Twin Falls County Emergency Board notes that more than fifty percent of the value of the grain crop has likely been lost due to the rain and economic losses are estimated to exceed $11 million for that county alone. In northern Idaho, a severe hail storm damaged significant acreage of grain o… Continue Reading
August 25, 2014
Crapo Veterans Survey Passes 700 Mark
Washington, D.C. - More than 700 veterans, their family members and friends, have now responded to a new effort to gather information about veterans care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal programs administered in Idaho. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced the survey on August 5 th and it runs through the end of September. Crapo has met personally with hundreds of veterans and veterans advocacy groups during the August state work period in Idaho. "We have v… Continue Reading
August 21, 2014
Crapo to Present WW II Veteran With Spirit of Freedom Award; Keynote Economic Development Conference
Idaho Falls - A veteran of World War II, Quentin Murdock, will receive the Spirit of Freedom Award during a ceremony at the Idaho Veterans Home in Pocatello next Wednesday. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will present the award while donating a U.S. flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol at the veterans' recognition event. In Twin Falls, Crapo will note the individual contributions to veterans care by presenting his Spirit of Idaho Award to volunteers with Hospice Visions during a reco… Continue Reading
August 15, 2014
Affordable Wood Stove Heat May Be In Jeopardy
Rathdrum - Many Idahoans and Northwest residents heat their homes with wood and wood stoves, but that affordable heating source may soon become complicated because of newly proposed federal regulations. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will meet with the owner of Idaho-based Kuma Stoves Monday, August 18, 2014, to discuss the new regulations and their effect on consumers. Kuma Stoves is an Idaho family-owned manufacturer of wood stoves using all-American parts, including doors produced at a foundry in… Continue Reading
August 15, 2014
Crapo Staff Plan Office Hours In Nez Perce, Craigmont and Winchester August 20th
Lewiston - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, staff members representing Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will hold office hours in Nezperce, Craigmont and Winchester August 20th. Staff members from Crapo's Lewiston office will be available to assist Idahoans with any questions or problems related to federal agencies or with problems regarding federal programs. Crapo Remote Office Hours schedule: Wednesday, August … Continue Reading
August 13, 2014
Crapo to Note Water Collaboration in Lewiston, Celebrate Solar Progress in Sandpoint
Lewiston - A collaborative effort to conserve water, assist species and encourage consensus between government agencies will be celebrated Friday as leaders join in Lewiston to mark the Lower Clearwater Exchange Project Agreement (LCEP). The historic agreement between water users, the Nez Perce Tribe; city, county and state leaders, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation averts legal action and settles water allotment questions in the Lewiston Orchards a… Continue Reading
August 08, 2014
Vietnam Veteran Waits 45 Years; To Receive Purple Heart Monday
Boise - A Boise Vietnam veteran has waited 45 years for the rightful honors he will receive on Monday when Idaho Senator Mike Crapo presents him with the Purple Heart for bravery in service and six other military awards. Ronald Wilke is an Army veteran who was wounded during an ambush attack shortly after he was stationed in Vietnam in 1969. He was hospitalized for more than a month while recovering from his injuries. Joining Wilke during Monday's event at the Idaho State Veterans Home is f… Continue Reading
August 08, 2014
Crapo Meets with Irrigators, Farmers on FDA Rule; Joins Concussion Awareness Initiative
Boise - A new federal rule that some Idaho irrigators fear could compromise their use of surface water sources for their crops will be the topic of a meeting Tuesday between Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and area irrigators and water users. Members of the Idaho Farm Bureau and Idaho Food Producers and legal experts will join Crapo to discuss implementation of the Federal Food Safety Management Act draft rules proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Crapo will also join with area healt… Continue Reading
August 05, 2014
Crapo Seeks Help of Idaho's Veterans
Washington, D.C.-In an effort to better address the needs of veterans and improve veterans services in Idaho, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo is seeking feedback from the men and women of our Armed Forces. Crapo is asking Idaho veterans to take part in a brief survey to share their experiences within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). "The recent exposure of the shameful mistreatment of veterans seeking assistance through the VA again underscores the need to improve the delivery of assista… Continue Reading
August 05, 2014
Veterans Issues Dominate Crapo August Agenda
Energy projects, entrepreneurs also topics for news conferences Boise - Veterans issues are a focus of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's travel across Idaho during the August state work period break from Senate floor activities. Having launched a statewide survey effort to gather the opinions of veterans and their families, Crapo will meet directly with many veterans to discuss developments in veterans' services as well as honor those who have served with a Purple Heart presentation and Spir… Continue Reading
August 01, 2014
Crapo Supports Final Veterans Care Bill
Washington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supported compromise legislation to end lengthy wait times for veterans seeking medical care and increase accountability within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). By an overwhelming bipartisan majority, the United States Senate voted 91-3 to adopt the Senate-House conference report on the Veteran's Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014. Notably to Idaho, the legislation, which Crapo co-sponsored, is parti… Continue Reading
August 01, 2014
CRAPO, RISCH A â??NOâ?? ON THE PRESIDENTâ??S BORDER SPENDING BILL
Washington, D.C.-Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch objected to the President's $3.6 billion request for new spending, saying the measure did nothing to put in place reforms to adequately address the burgeoning crisis along our nation's southern border. The Senate defeated the emergency supplemental request yesterday evening by a 50-44 vote. "The Administration has repeatedly disregarded U.S. immigration laws in pursuit of its own immigration agenda," said Crapo. "The crisis we are seein… Continue Reading
July 30, 2014
Crapo, Risch Staff Plan Office Hours in Wallace and Kellogg August 20th
Coeur d'Alene - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, staff members representing Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Idaho Senator Jim Risch will hold office hours in Wallace and Kellogg next month. Staff members from the Coeur d'Alene offices of Crapo and Risch will be available to assist Idahoans with any questions or problems related to federal agencies or with problems regarding federal programs. Crapo & Risch Remote… Continue Reading
July 21, 2014
Crapo Backs Bill to Increase Transparency at the EPA
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is calling for increased transparency in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) federal rule making process. Crapo, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxins and Environmental Science, joined colleagues on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to introduce legislation to prohibit the agency from proposing or finalizing regulations based on science that is not made publicly available to the American people. "… Continue Reading
July 16, 2014
Crapo, Risch Introduce Idaho County Gun Range Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today introduced the Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act in the United States Senate. This bill would convey 31 acres belonging to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to Idaho County for a gun range. "If enacted, this legislation will finally allow Idaho County to provide access to important firearms training for law enforcement officials and residents, as well as create recreational opportunities for families," said Cr… Continue Reading
July 15, 2014
Crapo Testifies On Bipartisan, Bicameral Fix For Fire Funding
Washington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's legislation to fix a fundamental flaw in the way the federal government funds wildfire suppression was the focus of a Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee hearing today. Appearing before the committee, Crapo discussed his legislation, S. 1875, the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, and addressed members on the critical need to end the costly and destructive cycle of underfunding forest management efforts vital to preventing future fires an… Continue Reading
July 10, 2014
Crapo, Risch and Simpson Praise Senate Passage of Water Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch with Congressman Mike Simpson, today praised passage of a bill authored by Simpson to permit existing water diversions in Idaho wilderness areas. The Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act was passed unanimously by the full United States Senate. There are a number of water diversions in both the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness areas that have existed since before the wilderness are… Continue Reading