News Releases
Bipartisan Group Introduces RECA Amendments Act of 2011
Washington, D.C . -- Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have joined Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and a bipartisan group of senators to introduce the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Amendments of 2011. The Act would provide expanded restitution for Americans sickened from working in uranium mines or living downwind of atomic weapons tests. Other co-sponsors of the bill include Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Mark Udall (D-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO). Companion legislation w… Continue Reading
April 07, 2011
Tribes, Idahoans Benefit from SBA Job Programs
Washington, DC - New private-public partnerships promoted by Idahoans and Idaho tribal leaders are already paying dividends in the form of more than one hundred jobs in north-central Idaho. The job-creating efforts promoted under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 8(a) Development Program, and supported by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, were the focus of a hearing held today by the Indian Affairs Committee on which Crapo serves. Coeur d'Alene Tribal Chairman Chief Allan provided testimony du… Continue Reading
April 07, 2011
Transportation Bill Improves Efficiency, Savings
Washington, D.C. - With gasoline and diesel prices skyrocketing, those bringing America's goods to market must utilize competitive advantages in order to keep consumer prices as low as possible. That idea is behind the introduction this week of the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (SETA) in the U.S. Senate. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, with jurisdiction over transportation issues, is an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan legi… Continue Reading
April 05, 2011
Crapo Reacts to House Budget Proposal
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said the spending reductions outlined by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) provide ideas on immediate steps to reduce the nation's dangerously unsustainable federal debt. Elements of the House proposal have already been a part of discussions in the Senate to craft a long-term fiscal solution, and Crapo says Ryan's proposal brings appropriate attention to the true magnitude of the nation's fiscal problems. "We need to move the di… Continue Reading
April 04, 2011
Crapo: Rail Partnerships Create Jobs, Investment
Washington, DC - The improvement of short line railroads in Idaho is playing a larger role in economic development and job-creating efforts, says Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who wants a resumption of rail investment incentives in the U.S. Senate. Crapo is the lead Republican sponsor of the Short Line Railroad Investment Act, S. 672, along with Senator John Rockefeller (D-West Virginia). The legislation renews incentives, and therefore jobs, for short lines to invest in track rehabilitation by p… Continue Reading
March 31, 2011
Crapo Honored by High-tech Industry
Washington, D.C. - Long concerned with the nation's rising debt, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is committed to finding common ground in achieving comprehensive deficit-reduction solutions. In recognition of his efforts, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) presented Crapo with the "Legislator of the Year" award. Micron Technology's Deputy General Counsel, Joel Poppen, presented Crapo with the award in a meeting with representatives of more than a dozen ITI companies. The ITI Legis… Continue Reading
March 29, 2011
Crapo Welcomes Idaho's Trevor Schaefer to D.C.
Washington, D.C. - The hard work of a McCall-turned-Boise resident was on display today in the nation's capital, as a Senate committee took up the issue of cancer clusters. Boisean Trevor Schaefer and his mother, Charlie Smith, have founded the "Trevor's Trek" Foundation in an effort to bring attention to the possibility of environmental causes for cancer clusters nationwide. The clusters are defined as an area of above-average cases of human cancer diagnosis, and Trevor is a survivor of br… Continue Reading
March 29, 2011
Republican Senators Reintroduce PATIENTS Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) were joined today by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) to reintroduce legislation that would prohibit the federal government from denying or delaying health-care treatment to a patient based on cost. The Preserving Access to Targeted, Individualized, and Effective New Treatments and Services (PATIENTS)… Continue Reading
March 25, 2011
Crapo Office Travels to Emmett, McCall, New Meadows
Boise - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office is increasing its presence in Southwestern Idaho cities. Crapo's staff has begun a regular rotation of remote office hours on behalf of the Senator across the southwest part of the state. Crapo's Regional Director Bryan Ricker will travel to a number of southwest cities and counties on a rotating basis each month. This month, Ricker will be in Adams, Gem and… Continue Reading
March 22, 2011
Crapo to Discuss Local Trade Efforts, Receive National Business Award
Washington, D.C. - Idaho and U.S. manufacturers can and are making progress in trade actions that protect local jobs, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Hilex Poly, a local plastics manufacturer, recently won an international trade case with Crapo's assistance. The dispute involved anti-dumping issues where foreign governments were found to be illegally undercutting U.S. competition. Crapo and Hilex Poly's leadership will discuss the trade case during a tour of the manufacturing facility… Continue Reading
March 21, 2011
Crapo to Discuss Federal Debt at City Club, Address Idaho Legislature
Boise - The need to take immediate steps to reduce our nation's burgeoning federal debt will be the focus as Idaho Senator Mike Crapo addresses the Boise City Club next week. Crapo, who served on the President's Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, is now working with a bipartisan group of senators to bring the commission's ideas before Congress. While the Senate group continues its work behind the scenes, Crapo said more members of Congress are becoming interested in the efforts a… Continue Reading
March 18, 2011
Crapo: Wolf Agreement a Positive Step
Washington, D.C. - Today's partial settlement of a court case over wolf management could benefit Idaho by returning the species to state management, and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo noted that cooperation should trump court action and bring surer solutions to issues raised under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Crapo is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which holds jurisdiction over the ESA, and has been part of a group in Congress advocating legislative solutions to … Continue Reading
March 16, 2011
Crapo: Anniversary Marks Prescription for Deficits, Higher Costs
Washington, DC - One year after the backroom deal that resulted in the passage of the health care reform law, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says the results are apparent-higher premiums for consumers and business owners, billions in new taxes, special exemptions from the plan for certain groups, and more than 250 new initiatives in the IRS budget for enforcing the new law. "Families are facing premium increases of more than $2,000, according to the Congressional Budget Office, and health costs are … Continue Reading
March 10, 2011
Nuclear Power Touted in Bipartisan Bill
Washington, D.C. - Legislation requiring the U.S. Department of Energy to work more actively with the private sector on nuclear energy partnerships has been introduced in the U.S. Senate. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have co-sponsored the Nuclear Power 2021 Act. The bill would increase the number of small modular nuclear reactors available to produce clean, alternative energy. More than half of the development costs would be paid for by private investors. Other sponsors of the b… Continue Reading
March 09, 2011
Small Brewery Tax Bill Would Create Jobs, Open Markets
Washington, D.C. - Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) today introduced legislation to reduce the beer excise tax for America's small brewers. The Brewer's Employment and Excise Relief (BEER) Act will help create jobs at more than 1,600 small breweries nationwide, which collectively employ nearly 100,000 people. Idaho and Massachusetts are home to dozens of small breweries. "Like any private business, craft brewing is all about supply and demand," said Cra… Continue Reading
March 09, 2011
Crapo, Johnson Introduce Bill to End Shortfall of Veterinarians in Rural Areas
Washington, DC-U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) today continued their efforts to end the shortfall of veterinarians in rural areas by introducing the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act of 2011 . The bipartisan bill would help meet the growing demand for veterinarians nationwide by eliminating taxes on programs that encourage veterinarians to practice in underserved areas. This legislation would provide a federal income tax exemption… Continue Reading
March 08, 2011
Crapo: Congress Fiddles While Nation Burns
Washington, D.C. - The debate on Capitol Hill reflects a contrast this week, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo: as Senators debate short-term spending bills to keep the government running, they may be ignoring the bigger picture posed by the growing $14 trillion in debt. Crapo joined the chairmen and members of the President's Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform for two presentations today, on Capitol Hill and broadcast on C-SPAN, to urge members of Congress to address more th… Continue Reading
March 07, 2011
Crapo Office Travels to Greenleaf, Mountain Home, Idaho City, Caldwell
Boise - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office is increasing its presence in Southwestern Idaho cities. Crapo's staff has begun a regular rotation of remote office hours on behalf of the Senator across the southwest part of the state. Crapo's Regional Director Bryan Ricker will travel to a number of southwest cities and counties on a rotating basis each month. This month, Ricker will be in Boise, Cany… Continue Reading
March 07, 2011
Crapo Seeks to Rein in Energy Prices
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has co-sponsored two bills that seek to put the brakes on gas price hikes by increasing domestic oil production in Alaska and offshore, and by stopping anticipated tax increases related to increased federal regulations. The No Cost Stimulus Act expands U.S. oil production and seeks to lower prices by easing permitting prices for production on government properties, off-shore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "Opening ANWR to respo… Continue Reading
March 02, 2011
Senators Recognize Civil Air Patrol Members
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to introduce bipartisan legislation awarding 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. Joining Harkin, the Commander of the Congressional Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, and Crapo in introducing the legislation were Senators Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Olymp… Continue Reading
