News Releases
Crapo, Risch Confirm David Bernhardt to Lead Interior Department
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today voted to confirm David Bernhardt's nomination to become Secretary of the Interior. His nomination passed the Senate. "David Bernhardt is well qualified to lead the Department of Interior, and his list of career accomplishments is exemplary," said Senator Crapo. "I congratulate Mr. Bernhardt on his confirmation, and look forward to continue working with him in a collaborative manner on topics important to Idahoans." "David Bernha… Continue Reading
April 03, 2019
Crapo, Warner Reintroduce Legislation to End Cruel Practice of Horse Soring
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to protect horses from the abusive practice known as "soring," in which show horse trainers intentionally apply substances or devices to horses' limbs to make each step painful and force an exaggerated high-stepping gait rewarded in show rings. Although federal law currently prohibits soring, a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General (IG) … Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Crapo, Bipartisan Group Introduces RECA Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today introduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2019. The legislation would expand coverage of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include victims in Idaho, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Guam. Senator Crapo chaired a Judiciary Committee hearing on the legislation in the last Congress, and introduced the legislation again today to continue pushing for its consideration and passage. The b… Continue Reading
March 28, 2019
Crapo Warns Banks Against Cutting Ties to Politically Disfavored Industries
WASHINGTON - Recent news reports have suggested that large banks are being pressured to withhold access to credit and services to customers and companies that are operating businesses that comply with federal and state law (and, in some cases, are engaged in Constitutionally-protected activities), but are politically disfavored. As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo sent letters to eight bank CEOs reminding them that they should continue to provide credit and s… Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Crapo Expresses Support for Crime Victims Fund, Zeroing Out Changes in Mandatory Programs
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Budget Committee today held the first session of a two-day markup to consider the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Resolution. Today's session consisted of opening statements only. Along with discussing how the positive economic news resulting tax reform and other recent policy successes allow for greater flexibility in tackling our fiscal challenges, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo also highlighted his work in eliminating a budgeting gimmick withholding money from the Crime Vict… Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Crapo, Risch Join Bipartisan Coalition to Reintroduce Nuclear Energy Leadership Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined a bipartisan coalition to reintroduced legislation boosting nuclear energy innovation and ensure advanced reactors can provide clean, safe, affordable, and reliable power to meet national and global energy needs. The Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA), aims to reestablish U.S. leadership in nuclear energy. It will bring together private and public sector innovators to develop next-generation advanced reactor concepts. "Now … Continue Reading
March 26, 2019
Crapo Votes Against Unworkable, Unrealistic Green New Deal
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement following his vote against the Green New Deal: "Ensuring an environmentally-sustainable energy supply for future generations requires us to be smarter, more efficient and more innovative with our energy technology and usage. I voted against the Green New Deal today because it is unworkable, unrealistic and unaffordable. The 10-year plan would divert trillions of taxpayer dollars toward narrow and unachievable benchmar… Continue Reading
March 25, 2019
Crapo Statement on Mueller Report
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the letter sent to Congress by Attorney General William Barr summarizing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election: "I have repeatedly said this investigation should come to a conclusion without interference from either side of the political aisle. Now that special counsel Mueller has released his report, he… Continue Reading
March 15, 2019
Idaho Delegation Cheer DOI Sage-Grouse Plans
Washington, D.C. - Idaho's congressional delegation applauded the collaborative effort of Acting Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt on the Record of Decision (ROD) for the amended land use plans that better align the Bureau of Land Management plans with the State of Idaho aimed at Greater Sage-Grouse conservation. The plans deliver on years of collaborative work between the Department of the Interior and western states that have significant acres of sage-grouse habitat. "The Department… Continue Reading
March 15, 2019
Idaho Delegation Applauds Approval of Incidental Take Permits for Idaho Steelhead Fishing
Washington, D.C. - Idaho's congressional delegation announced today that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued Idaho an incidental take permit for steelhead fishing, providing reliability to Idaho's outfitters and guides for the upcoming season and to the local communities that rely on the commerce steelhead fishing generates. After working to resolve the issue for months, U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulche… Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Senators Introduce Hearing Protection Act
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and 12 Senators, including Idaho Senator Jim Risch, today introduced the Hearing Protection Act (HPA) in the Senate. The HPA, S. 817, would reclassify suppressors to regulate them like a regular firearm. Co-sponsors include Senators John Cornyn (TX), Bill Cassidy (LA), John Boozman (AR), Mike Rounds (SD), Thom Tillis (NC), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), Deb Fischer (NE), Jerry Moran (KS), Dan Sullivan (AK), Joni Ernst (IA), and Jim Inhofe (OK). On average,… Continue Reading
March 14, 2019
Risch, Crapo, Baldwin Stand Up for America's Dairy Farmers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are standing up for American dairy farmers by reintroducing bipartisan legislation today to combat the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products. The Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act (DAIRY PRIDE Act) would require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae to no longer be mislabeled with da… Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
Crapo, Cardin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Fish Habitat
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Maryland Senator Ben Cardin today introduced S. 754, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (NFHCA), to leverage public-private partnerships and authorize annual funds for fish habitat restoration and protection projects supported by regional Fish Habitat Partnerships. "Protecting, maintaining and improving fish habitats is crucial for jobs, recreation and sustainably healthy fish populations," said Crapo. "Our bill would codify the existing… Continue Reading
March 12, 2019
President Signs Lands Package Containing Owyhee Boundary Changes Sought by Crapo into Law
Washington, D.C. - President Donald Trump today signed into law S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act, which contains legislation authored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo that establishes boundary changes for three wilderness areas in Owyhee County. President Trump signs the S.47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act. The Act contains Crapo's Owyhee language. Credit: Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead "The collaboration among the Shoshone-Pai… Continue Reading
March 06, 2019
Crapo, Risch Welcome Idaho Delegates for U.S. Senate Youth Program
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today welcomed Idaho's delegates to the 57th annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) held March 2-9, 2019, in Washington, D.C. Olivia Love of Eagle and Emma Watts of Pocatello were selected from among the state's top student leaders to participate in the 104 national student delegation. "Olivia and Emma have demonstrated the distinct leadership skills necessary to participate in this extremely competitive program," said Cra… Continue Reading
March 05, 2019
Crapo, Bennet Reintroduce "Network Hubs" Bill to Enhance Access to Resources for Veterans
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today reintroduced the Helping Unleash Benefits and Services (HUBS) for Veterans Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation to enhance access to essential resources for veterans, servicemembers, and their families by supporting local "network hubs." "The transition out of military service into the civilian world can prove a particularly daunting and challenging period for veterans and their families," Crapo said. "Many commu… Continue Reading
March 05, 2019
Senators Crapo, Jones, Collins, Tester Introduce Legislation to Eliminate Military "Widow's Tax"
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo joined Senators Doug Jones (D-Alabama), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jon Tester (D-Montana) to reintroduce the Military Widow's Tax Elimination Act of 2019 (S.622), a bipartisan bill to end the so-called "Widows Tax." The legislation would repeal the unfair law that prevents as many as 65,000 surviving military spouses nationwide from receiving their full Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) survivor benefits. Currently, military … Continue Reading
March 01, 2019
Crapo, Risch Statement on Brent Bunn Nomination as U.S. Marshal
Washington, D.C. - The White House announced today its intent to nominate former Bear Lake County Sheriff Brent Bunn to serve as United States Marshal for the District of Idaho. Following the announcement, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch issued the following statements: "Brent has had a distinguished career in law enforcement for over four decades," said Senator Crapo, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over Bunn's nomination. "Brent's extensive career … Continue Reading
March 01, 2019
Crapo, Risch Sponsored Legislation Brings Test Reactor to Idaho National Lab
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced the launch of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Versatile Fast Neuron Source, also known as the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR). The project, based at the Idaho National Lab (INL), is a foundational project specified in the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA) of 2017, which Idaho Senator Mike Crapo introduced, and Idaho Senator Jim Risch co-sponsored. "The launch of the Versatile Test Reactor at the Idaho N… Continue Reading
February 21, 2019
Idaho Delegation Announces 2019 Military Service Academy Days
Washington, D.C. - The Idaho Congressional delegation today announced its 2019 Service Academy Days across Idaho. Each Service Academy Day session offers students, parents, and counselors the opportunity to meet with liaisons, cadets, and midshipmen from each of the nation's respective service academies and provides an opportunity for questions. Staff from Idaho's four Congressional delegation offices will be on hand to answer questions about the application process for students who are seekin… Continue Reading
