News Releases
Senators Urge Better Access to Mexican Potato Market
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have joined a number of their colleagues in an effort to increase sales of U.S. potatoes to Mexico. The Mexican market for potatoes from Idaho and other U.S. states is estimated to be worth about $30 million. Mexico signed an accord in 2003, agreeing to lower import restrictions on potatoes from Idaho and other U.S. states. Since the agreement was signed, however, the Mexican government has not fulfilled its commitment, citing concer… Continue Reading
May 16, 2012
Crapo Calls for Senate to Pass a Budget
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate has not passed a budget in three years, and even worse, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, is facing budget proposals from the President that could raise taxes by $2 trillion over the next decade, along with more than $1.2 trillion in spending increases, at a time when the nation is facing an almost $16 trillion national debt. Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, told colleagues during a speech on the Senate floor that a bipartisan agreement is … Continue Reading
May 15, 2012
Crapo to Host iTownhall Meeting on May 23
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will host a statewide telephone iTownhall meeting on Wednesday, May 23, to listen to comments and concerns and answer questions from Idahoans. A wide range of topics is expected to be discussed, but the focus of the iTownhall will be the budget deficit and economy. "It has been more than three years since the United States Senate has submitted a budget-a record since Congress adopted budget process reforms in 1974," said Crapo. "The nation's dire … Continue Reading
May 15, 2012
Crapo Staff Holds Bilingual Office Hours in Wilder May 22
Wilder - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, staff from Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office will travel to Wilder Tuesday, May 22 nd. Brian Raybon, special assistant to Senator Crapo, who is also fluent in Spanish, will be available at Wilder City Hall to assist Idahoans with any questions or problems related to federal agencies or with problems regarding federal programs. Crapo Remote Office Hours schedule: T… Continue Reading
May 14, 2012
Crapo Office Travels to Cascade
Cascade - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, representatives from Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office are increasing a rotation of remote office hours on behalf of the Senator across the state. Crapo's Regional Director Bryan Ricker will travel to Valley County early next month to meet directly with Idahoans on behalf of the Senator. The remote hours availability is scheduled for the Valley County Courthouse: Crapo Remote Off… Continue Reading
May 11, 2012
Crapo, Risch Push for County Payments
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have sent a letter to the Senate conferees of the transportation conference committee, urging them to keep the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and county payment programs in the final version of the legislation. The letter, which was signed by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and 24 other senators, stresses the critical need the program fills for counties with large tracts of federal lands and that inaction may result in layoffs to teachers, r… Continue Reading
May 11, 2012
Crapo, Senators Hail Passage of Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medal to Members of the Civil Air Patrol
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced that the U.S. Senate has unanimously approved bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) who provided, as civilian volunteers using their own aircraft, extraordinary public and combat emergency services during World War II. The legislation, which currently has 85 cosponsors, was introduced last year by Crapo and Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Olympia J. Snowe… Continue Reading
May 11, 2012
Senators Commemorate Conference on Nuclear Energy
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA), introduced a bipartisan resolution commending the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for holding its May 2012 conference on nuclear power plant life management in the United States. At the conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, participants will discuss ways to safely and cost-effectively extend the operating lifetimes of many of the nuclear power plants in the world. … Continue Reading
May 01, 2012
Delegation to Host Office Hours in Rupert on Tuesday, May 8
Rupert - Field representatives from the offices of Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressman Mike Simpson will host a Traveling District Office on Tuesday, May 8, at Rupert City Hall from 9:00 to 11:00 AM and at the Minidoka County Senior Center later that day from 11:30 to 1:00 PM. Congressional field representatives will be on hand to answer questions from individuals with specific problems with federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Veterans' Affairs and the Soc… Continue Reading
May 01, 2012
Crapo Staff Holds Bilingual Office Hours in Murphy and Marsing, May 11
Marsing - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, staff from Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office will travel to Glenns Ferry this month. Brian Raybon, Special Assistant to Senator Crapo, who is also fluent in Spanish, will be available in Murphy at the Owyhee County Courthouse and Marsing at the Marsing City Hall to assist Idahoans with any questions or problems related to federal agencies or with problems regarding federal programs. … Continue Reading
April 26, 2012
Crapo, Risch Support Job-Creating Legislation
Washington, D.C. â?? Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are co-sponsors of the Western Economic Security Today (WEST) Act, legislation focused on strengthening the economy and creating jobs in the West. The act, introduced by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), is a package of several U.S. House of Representatives-passed pieces of legislation currently awaiting action in the U.S. Senate. â??This comprehensive bill will stimulate domestic energy production on public lands a… Continue Reading
April 26, 2012
Senate Passes Crapo-Sponsored Violence Against Women Act
Washington, D.C. - A critical federal measure to assist victims of domestic violence has passed in the United States Senate. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) in introducing the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), S. 1925. Crapo, a long-time leader in Congress against domestic violence and co-author of similar legislation in past sessions, spoke on the Senate floor today regarding the importance of reauthorization. "I am a long-time … Continue Reading
April 19, 2012
Senators Welcome Guidance for Volcker Rule
Washington, D.C. - The Federal Reserve has announced that firms will have two full years to comply with the so-called Volcker rule, allowing regulators more time to assess the effect of the proposed rule. Earlier this year, Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mark Warner (D-VA), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Kay Hagan (D-NC), Tom Carper (D-DE) and Bob Corker (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislationthat links the effective date of the Volcker Rule to 12 months after the issuance of a final rule rather than two y… Continue Reading
April 16, 2012
Crapo Staff Holds Bilingual Office Hours in Glenns Ferry April 24
Glenns Ferry - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, staff from Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office will travel to Glenns Ferry this month. Brian Raybon, Special Assistant to Senator Crapo, who is also fluent in Spanish, will be available at Glenns Ferry City Hall to assist Idahoans with any questions or problems related to federal agencies or with problems regarding federal programs. Crapo Remote Office Hours schedule: … Continue Reading
April 05, 2012
Idaho Delegation to Host Office Hours in Burley on Wednesday, April 18
Burley, ID - Field representatives from the offices of Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressman Mike Simpson will host Traveling District Office meetings on April 18 at Burley City Hall from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by office hours at the Golden Heritage Senior Center from 11:30 to 1:00 PM. Congressional field representatives will be on hand to answer questions from individuals with specific problems with federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Veterans' Affairs and th… Continue Reading
April 04, 2012
Crapo Recognized for Pro-Taxpayer Voting Record
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, has earned the National Taxpayer Union's (NTU) "Taxpayers' Friend Award" for 2011 for his pro-taxpayer voting record. The NTU, a nonpartisan citizen group, awards members of congress who consistently vote to reduce and control the burden on American taxpayers. Because of his commitment to cut spending and balance the budget, Crapo was given one of the highest scores in the Senate at 90 percent. The NTU's a… Continue Reading
April 03, 2012
Crapo Calls for Action on Budget
Washington, D.C. - By law, the U.S. Senate is required to report a budget resolution out of committee each year on April 1 and adopt it by April 15. For the third consecutive year-three years of debt ceiling hikes, three years of record-setting deficits-the Senate has failed to do so, and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, says this is unacceptable. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that cuts government spending, maintain… Continue Reading
April 02, 2012
U.S. Now Number One in Highest Business Taxes
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over the federal tax code, says Congress has another reason to prioritize tax reform now that the calendar has turned to April. Beginning this month, the United States now has the world's highest rate of combined corporate taxes. When Japan lowered its tax rate to 36.8 percent on April 1, the U.S. rate became the world's highest at 39.2 percent. "In the last decade, while v… Continue Reading
March 29, 2012
Hoeven, Blunt, Klobuchar, Crapo Introduce the Bipartisan Domestic Fuels Act of 2012
WASHINGTON - Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today introduced bipartisan legislation, the Domestic Fuels Act of 2012. The measure provides a market-based, no-cost approach to produce more energy, increase competition, foster greater sales of alternative fuels, provide more consumer choice and lower the cost of motor fuels at the pump. Currently, legal and infrastructure obstacles, such as cost of entry for retailers, inconsisten… Continue Reading
March 22, 2012
Senators Fight for Family Farms
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are working to stop federal regulatory overreach on Idaho family farms and ranches. The Preserving America's Family Farms Act, S.2221, recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, would prevent the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) from implementing a new labor regulation that would negatively impact existing agricultural and education programs and family farm structures. The DOL proposed a rule that will adversely affect the ability of farmer… Continue Reading
