News Releases
Crapo: Vernon Baker An Idaho Legend
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today offered this tribute on the passing of Idaho Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker of St. Maries: "Mr. Vernon Baker, an Idahoan, received the Congressional Medal of Honor 50 years after his honorable service in World War II. He is the only living African-American to receive Congress' highest honor. Baker is a true war hero and he will remain a legend and testament of determination and steadfastness in the face of unspeakable disc… Continue Reading
July 14, 2010
Twenty-nine Members Of The U.S. Senate From Both Parties Urge Obama Administration To Renew County Payments
Washington, D.C. - In a bipartisan effort to maintain the "contract" between rural America and the federal government, 29 members of the U.S. Senate from both parties are urging the Obama Administration to include a long-term reauthorization of the county payments program, known as the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self-Determination Act (SRSCA), in its 2012 budget. "The SRSCA is not an entitlement program, but rather a demonstration of the commitment that this nation made to rural for… Continue Reading
July 08, 2010
Formaldehyde Safety Bill Signed Into Law
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) announced today that their legislation, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Act, has been signed into law by the President. The law establishes national health standards for formaldehyde in composite wood products, protecting consumers from potentially hazardous levels of the chemical. The new standards will apply to both domestic products and foreign imports. "The health threats posed by formaldehyd… Continue Reading
July 07, 2010
Geothermal Expanding Across Broadway Bridge
Boise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and representatives from Boise State University announced the further expansion of renewable and natural geothermal heat in Boise. The expansion will mark phase two of a project to bring geothermal heat across the Boise River. The first phase, announced in the spring of 2009, will bring the geothermal pipeline across the Capitol Bridge. Phase two of the project, funded partly by grant money from the Department of Energy, will complete… Continue Reading
July 06, 2010
Geothermal Expansion To Be Detailed
Boise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and representatives from Boise State University and Boise Public Works will join tomorrow to discuss the historic expansion of renewable and natural geothermal heat in Boise. In addition to phase one of the geothermal expansion project, which is connecting the city's system to Boise State University via the Capitol Boulevard bridge, Senator Crapo and Mayor Bieter will also discuss phase two of the project, which will extend the geothermal… Continue Reading
June 30, 2010
Idaho U.S. Senate Pages Making Their Mark
Washington, D.C. - Two Idaho students are spending an interesting summer working on the floor of the United States Senate. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo assisted the Idaho high school students with their applications into the Senate Page Program. Both began assisting Senators on the floor of the Senate and with day-to-day operations, including writing a prayer to open the Senate at the request of the Senate Chaplain. Hannah Joy Coad is from Sagle, Idaho, and will be a junior next fall at Classical… Continue Reading
June 28, 2010
Byrd's Service Of Note For The Senate, Nation
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said the passing of Senator Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia) today is a time for the United States Senate and the nation to note Byrd's history in the Senate of calling for civility and tradition in public service. Byrd served in Congress for 57 years, longer than any member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. "Senator Byrd pressed for civility, fair dialogue and respect for the traditions of the Senate every day he served here," Crapo said… Continue Reading
June 28, 2010
Crapo: Firearms Rights Reaffirmed
Washington, D.C. - Today's U.S. Supreme Court ruling again confirming Americans' constitutional right to keep and bear arms should be seen as significant for those who seek to restrict firearm ownership, said Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The latest ruling on Second Amendment rights struck down local laws to restrict firearms owners in the Chicago area, and comes after a previous ruling two years ago (District of Columbia vs. Heller) that struck down a local law in Washington, D.C. to restrict the o… Continue Reading
June 25, 2010
Bipartisan Group Of Senators Calls For Hearing On RECA Amendments Act of 2010
Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan group of senators, including Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, today sent a letter to the Judiciary Committee requesting a hearing on the recently introduced Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Amendments of 2010, which would provide expanded restitution for Americans sickened from working in uranium mines or living near atomic weapons tests. The letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-AL) w… Continue Reading
June 24, 2010
National Nuclear Caucus Proposed
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch will join with Idaho State Representative Erik Simpson of Idaho Falls Saturday to announce plans for a new state and federal initiative to promote the use of clean, safe nuclear power. Simpson's proposal for a National Nuclear Caucus has received attention at both the federal and state levels. A news conference and informational discussion is planned this weekend: Saturday, June 26th 10:15 a.m. University Place 1776 Science Cent… Continue Reading
June 22, 2010
Idaho Leaders want Rural Funds Released
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson say county leaders need release of federal funding distributed under the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program. In a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, the Idaho leaders joined 33 other members of Congress from both parties asking the Obama Administration to release the funds before the end of this month. "In nearly every meeting I have with county commissioners from Idaho, the issue of PILT… Continue Reading
June 22, 2010
Senate Confirms Wendy Olson As U.S. Attorney
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today voted with the Senate to unanimously confirm Wendy Olson of Boise as Idaho's next U.S. Attorney. Olson was recommended by Congressman Walt Minnick and nominated by the White House in March. Crapo called Olson this morning to congratulate her on the confirmation. "Ms. Olson has a distinguished track record of service already in the Idaho U.S. Attorney's office and I am confident she will be a strong advocate for law enforcement i… Continue Reading
June 16, 2010
Small Business: The Backbone Of The Economy
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as its 2009 Mentor of the Year for its "commitment to mentoring small business." INL was given this honor for its work with small businesses through its Mentor-Protégé Program, which seeks to enhance "the capabilities of small businesses to perform contracts and subcontracts for INL, other DOE Laboratories and federal agencies." There is a very good reason why INL and DOE seek to support and mentor small… Continue Reading
June 16, 2010
Crapo Statement At CIEDRA Hearning
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Public Lands and Forest Subcommittee today regarding the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA) legislation. The legislation originally introduced by Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson received a hearing before the subcommittee today. Crapo and Idaho Senator Jim Risch are sponsoring the bill in the Senate. Thank you, Chairman Johnson, Chairman Wyden and Senator Risch for th… Continue Reading
June 15, 2010
Crapo, Klobuchar Legislation To Protect Consumers From Formaldehyde Passes Senate
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) announced today that their legislation, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Act, has passed the full Senate. The bipartisan bill will establish national health standards for formaldehyde in composite wood products, protecting consumers from potentially hazardous levels of the chemical. The new standards would apply to both domestic products and foreign imports. "Not only does this legislation protec… Continue Reading
June 15, 2010
Crapo Men's Health Resolution Passes Senate
Washington, D.C. - As Father's Day approaches, the U.S. Senate has approved a resolution introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo designating this week as "National Men's Health Week." The legislation, S. Res. 547, calls for increased awareness and attention to testing that can prevent cancer, heart disease and other ailments that many men often ignore. Crapo, a two-time prostate cancer survivor, has long pushed to improve awareness of men's health issues. Crapo noted that men overall have a s… Continue Reading
June 11, 2010
Crapo: We Must Honor Our Commitment To Victims Of Crime
June 11, 2010
An Energy Policy That Works
Last year at this time, Americans were watching as the price of oil climbed above $120 a barrel. Four dollars a gallon gasoline was causing "pain at the pump," and Americans were pleading with Congress to craft a comprehensive national energy policy that would result in the creation of American jobs, ensure domestic security, and reduce emissions at the lowest cost to the consumer. Despite these calls to action, a year has passed, and we are no closer to an energy policy that will accomplish … Continue Reading
June 10, 2010
Blackfoot River Land Settlement Approved In Committee
Washington, D.C. - Federal legislation introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to settle land claims along the Blackfoot River in eastern Idaho has been approved by a Senate committee. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs today approved S. 2802, the Blackfoot River Land Settlement Act. Crapo is a member of the committee. The legislation brings to a close years of uncertainty over land adjacent to the Blackfoot River that was cut off by the river when federal flood control projects were unde… Continue Reading
June 10, 2010
Idaho Senators Oppose EPA Rulemaking
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined with a bipartisan group of senators in support of a resolution to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases. The resolution, sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski and 40 other senators, would throw out the endangerment finding on greenhouse gases and halt new EPA regulations set to take effect next year. A motion to proceed to the resolution failed 47-53. "Allowing any federal agency to unilaterally … Continue Reading
