News Releases
Further Job Losses Expected, If Pending Tax Increases Are Not Prevented
Boise - A new study predicts Idaho could lose up to 3,000 jobs each year if existing tax relief passed by Congress in 2001 and 2003 is not extended before the end of this year. Idaho small business owners say looming tax increases and the rising cost of providing health care could result in employers putting off hiring decisions. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says for these reasons and others, it is essential that Congress keep current tax rates in place and resist increasing taxes. He is conveni… Continue Reading
October 13, 2010
Crapo Honors Effort for Veterans
Buhl - An Idaho-based program honoring wounded veterans for their service by offering the "hunt of a lifetime" will itself be honored tomorrow by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The Doug Bridges Memorial Hunts Program honors the memory and service of Army Corporal Doug Bridges of Buhl. Bridges' service inspired Monte and Dianne Bruhn to establish the program that offers returning veterans guided hunts in the Idaho backcountry at no charge. The Bruhns call it a chance to both thank veterans for thei… Continue Reading
October 13, 2010
Grassley, Hatch, Kyl, Crapo Release Chief Actuary Analysis Concluding Medicare Advantage Costs for Beneficiaries Are Going Up Under Health Care Overhaul
Washington, D.C. - Four members of the Senate Finance Committee today released findings from the nation's chief Medicare actuary that the health care overhaul will cause on average hundreds of dollars in increased out-of-pocket annual costs for Medicare Advantage enrollees starting next year. The analysis from chief actuary Rick Foster came in response to a request from Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, and committee members Sen. Orrin Hatch, Sen. Jon Kyl and S… Continue Reading
October 11, 2010
Rally Urges Action to Keep Idaho Children Safe
Boise - More than a third of women who seek emergency care in U.S. hospital emergency rooms are sent there by an injury from a former spouse or dating partner. Since 2001, 19 infants and children have been victims of domestic violence-related homicides in Idaho, including an eight-month-old boy. These are the sobering facts about domestic violence and children. They are the reason Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is joining with Idaho health professionals, Idaho mothers and children, leaders of the … Continue Reading
October 07, 2010
Idaho Senators Pleased Feds Are Joining Wolf Lawsuit
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch applauded the Department of Interior today for joining in the appeal to overturn a recent federal court decision that returned the gray wolf to the endangered species list. In August, the Idaho Senators sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, urging his department to vigorously appeal the District Court decision. "Having the Department of Interior join Idaho, Montana and several other parties in this appeal shows the st… Continue Reading
October 05, 2010
Crapo Receives Top Honor from National Anti-Violence Group
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will receive the highest leadership award given by the nation's largest advocacy group seeking to stop domestic violence during a ceremony tonight in Washington, D.C. Each year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) honors one member of the U.S. Senate and one member of the U.S. House of Representatives with its Visionary Leadership Award. Crapo will be honored with Representative Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin). "You are a remarkable leade… Continue Reading
October 05, 2010
Idaho Hatchery Hearings Set
Washington, D.C. - Idahoans will have two chances to comment on new rules governing the operation of anadromous fish hatcheries. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) concerning operation and funding of hatchery programs under the Mitchell Act. Idaho has more than 30 programs that qualify. NOAA Fisheries informed the Idaho Delegation today that hearings will be scheduled: Lewiston October 13 Lewiston Community Cent… Continue Reading
September 30, 2010
Western Senators Introduce Legislation Allowing States to Manage Wolf Populations
Washington, D.C. Today, a group of Western Senators unveiled legislation putting state governments in charge of managing wolf populations that have become a threat to wildlife and livestock. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) introduced the Returning Wolf Management to the States Act (S. 3919). In order to give states the authority to manage wolf populations, the bill removes Endangered Species Act … Continue Reading
September 29, 2010
Crapo Notes Budget Debt Still Rising
Washington, D.C. - Noting it continues recent double-digit spending increases, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo opposed the temporary stopgap measure providing funding for federal agencies until December. The Senate vote follows the failure of Congress to pass any of the 12 government funding measures for individual federal agencies by the statutory October deadline. "The leadership in Congress has failed to approve ongoing budgets, yet we have found time to debate bailouts and more stimulus packages… Continue Reading
September 29, 2010
Senators' Reps Plan Remote Office Hours
Coeur d'Alene - Representatives from the Congressional offices of Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch will travel to three North Idaho cities to meet with constituents next month. Idaho's Congressional Delegation often sends staff across Idaho to meet with those seeking assistance or advice with federal programs and issues. Representatives from Crapo and Risch's offices will meet with constituents in Kellogg on Wednesday, October 6; they will meet with constituents in both St. Maries and… Continue Reading
September 24, 2010
Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution to Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week
Washington, D.C. - The Senate on Friday unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Ted Kaufman (D-DE), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), designating the week beginning October 10, 2010 as "National Wildlife Refuge Week." President Theodore Roosevelt established the first National Wildlife Refuge in 1903. Since then, the Refuge System has grown to encompass 150 million acres, 552 refuges and 38 wetland management districts. The first National Wildlife Refuge… Continue Reading
September 24, 2010
Crapo: Empty Chair Says It All About Health Care
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says the absence of the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from a Finance Committee meeting in Washington is yet another example of a lack of transparency into what health care reform is doing to the nation's health care system. Crapo noted that Dr. Donald Berwick has been asked repeatedly by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to appear before the Committee and answer questions about cost… Continue Reading
September 22, 2010
Idaho Senators Introduce Wolf Bill
Washington, DC - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch introduced legislation today to remove the gray wolf from being listed as a threatened or endangered species in the states of Idaho and Montana. The act is titled the State Wolf Management Act of 2010. Crapo and Risch argue the U.S. Department of Interior has already communicated to wildlife officials in Idaho and Montana that they have complied with recovery efforts for wolf populations, and those efforts should result in wolf manageme… Continue Reading
September 21, 2010
Delegation Wants to Dig Into Science Behind Earthworm Debate
Washington, D.C. - Idahoans deserve more time to comment on the science review process regarding an Idaho earthworm that could affect Palouse wheat growers and their neighbors, says Idaho's Congressional Delegation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing the science and the potential for increased protection for the giant Palouse earthworm. The worm has been rarely seen over the past century but could rely on habitat now used in agricultural production. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Ri… Continue Reading
September 17, 2010
Crapo: Another Czar Cuts Public Out of the Loop
Washington, D.C. - The latest appointment by President Obama has created yet another unaccountable policy czar who will face no public vetting before filling the position. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today questioned the process behind the President's decision to appoint Elizabeth Warren as a "special adviser" to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and adviser to the White House. Warren would presumably work with the new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protec… Continue Reading
September 16, 2010
Crapo: Big Government Trumped Small Business
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says the recipe for creating jobs for small businesses should include stopping tax increases, preventing new government mandates and providing better access to private-sector capital. But he says the Small Business Development Act that passed the Senate today on a nearly party-line vote of 61-38 meets none of those goals. Crapo voted against the bill because, although it temporarily reduces selected business taxes by $12 billion, it failed to address t… Continue Reading
September 15, 2010
Smeed Honored in Congressional Statement
Washington, D.C. - The accomplishments of lifelong Idaho resident Ralph Smeed are being recognized before the United States Senate. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has submitted a Congressional Record Statement honoring Smeed's commitment to preserving freedom, his strong business and work ethic and political advocacy. The Congressional Record Statement honoring Smeed, who passed away last week, reads as follows: STATEMENT REGARDING RALPH SMEED Mr. CRAPO: Mr./Madam President, I rise today to honor … Continue Reading
September 15, 2010
Wyden, Crapo Bill Levels Playing Field for Geothermal
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to increase energy production from renewable sources, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), introduced the Geothermal Energy Investment Act of 2010 to increase investment in geothermal power facilities and technologies and give producers the ability to compete with other renewable energy resources, like solar, on an equitable basis. The legislation amends an existing tax credit to bring geothermal power more on par with other renewable energ… Continue Reading
September 14, 2010
Crapo Wants To Keep Taxes From Going Up
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo warns that any tax hikes on Americans are bad news, but especially so during a recession like the one the nation is facing now. Worse yet, he says, the tax hikes set to take place at the end of this year will kill the creation of new jobs. That's why Crapo today signed on to legislation in the U.S. Senate that will stop tax increases on every American. "A downturn in the economy is the absolute worst time to raise taxes," Crapo said. "Because half o… Continue Reading
September 08, 2010
Rail Tech Advances Could Mean Long-Term Jobs
Boise - Technological innovations and improvements in mass transit, being created jointly by MotivePower, Inc. (MPI), a Boise-based subsidiary of Wabtec, and a General Electric subsidiary is translating into a bright future for Idaho workers. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter's Commerce Secretary Don Dietrich and Boise Mayor Dave Bieter will join MotivePower Vice President and General Manager Mark Warner Friday to discuss the jobs and innovation behind MPI's new $114.6 millio… Continue Reading
