News Releases
Crapo: Entitlement Crisis Looms
Washington, DC - Reports released today by the Social Security and Medicare Trustees demonstrate just how financially tenuous the two programs are, said Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Social Security payments will exceed receipts for the first time since 1983, partly because of the recession, but also because nothing has been done to shore up the program, which benefits 53 million Americans. The annual reports indicate that both Social Security and Medicare currently have very serious cash flow pr… Continue Reading
August 04, 2011
Crapo To Start August Work Period Discussing Economic Issues
Crapo To Start August Work Period Discussing Economic Issues Presents U.S. flag for opening of Community Action facility Contact: Lindsay Nothern Thursday, August 4, 2011 Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will begin Congress's traditional August state work period next week with discussions about the nation's economy, tax and budget issues with local business and civic leaders. Crapo will meet with Chamber of Commerce members in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Rigby. C… Continue Reading
August 02, 2011
Idaho Senators Say Debt Plan Puts Spending Cuts First
Washington, D.C. - With the nation's credit rating and the threat of higher interest rates on the line, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today supported an agreement that sets a framework for trillions of dollars in permanent spending cuts and provides an opportunity to vote on a balanced budget amendment in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Key provisions in the plan ensure no tax increases and true spending reductions in excess of the debt ceiling increase. Both Idah… Continue Reading
August 01, 2011
Americans for Tax Reform: Final Debt Limit Deal Looks Good for Taxpayers
Announced two days before the country is expected to fully exhaust its $14.3 trillion in borrowing authority, a deal to end the debt ceiling negotiations has been announced. After Congressional Republicans held firm in their commitment to taxpayers to reject any and all tax increases, the deal forces lawmakers to get serious about government spending that drives the country's mounting debt. While final legislative language is yet to be fully agreed upon by the full caucuses in both chambers, a s… Continue Reading
August 01, 2011
The Wall Street Journal: A Tea Party Triumph
If a good political compromise is one that has something for everyone to hate, then last night's bipartisan debt-ceiling deal is a triumph. The bargain is nonetheless better than what seemed achievable in recent days, especially given the revolt of some GOP conservatives that gave the White House and Democrats more political leverage. The big picture is that the deal is a victory for the cause of smaller government, arguably the biggest since welfare reform in 1996. Most bipartisan budget d… Continue Reading
July 29, 2011
Crapo Supports Boehner Debt Ceiling Plan
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said tonight the debt ceiling legislation approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on a 218-210 vote should receive strong consideration by the Senate. Crapo said the incorporation of a balanced budget amendment in the House bill is key to curbing spending. The Senate voted 59 to 41to table the House legislation, but the table motion leaves the door open for reconsideration of the bill later. "Speaker Boehner and House members have worked har… Continue Reading
July 23, 2011
Clearwater Basin Collaborative Takes Big Step
Washington, D.C. - A collaborative land management effort in Idaho's Clearwater Basin has been selected for federal funding recommendations through the U.S. Forest Service that could maintain or create up to 380 jobs in the region over the next ten years. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo created the Clearwater Basin Collaborative (CBC) Work Group two years ago in an effort to find consensus on land management issues such as timber harvest, habitat improvement and species management. The restoration … Continue Reading
July 23, 2011
The Wall Street Journal: Out of the Way, Please, Mr. President
The Wall street Journal; July 23, 2011 Out of the Way, Please, Mr. President The Gang of Six puts forward some ideas worth pursuing. By: Peggy Noonan It's good, it represents progress, build from it. That would be a helpful approach to the Gang of Six proposal on the debt. Don't deep-six it because it's flawed. Flawless isn't going to happen. There will be a big election in 2012. A lot can be settled then, and after. The Gang of Six-three Democrats and three Repu… Continue Reading
July 22, 2011
Crapo, Risch Denounce Senate Vote to Kill Balanced Budget
Washington, D.C. - A decision today by the U.S. Senate to reject legislation calling for a balanced federal budget is a setback for the nation and our economy, said Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch. Both senators co-sponsored and voted in favor of the legislation requiring a balanced budget vote as a condition of raising the nation's debt ceiling. The Senate tabled the Cut, Cap and Balance legislation on a mostly party-line vote of 51 to 46, meaning the Senate will not be allowed by t… Continue Reading
July 22, 2011
Crapo: Reductions in Taxes and Spending Are Key to Bipartisan Agreement on Deficit
Washington, D.C. - A bipartisan agreement announced this week by six U.S. Senators to cut the nation's deficit by about $4 trillion over ten years also provides a historic opportunity to reform the tax code to make it fairer and flatter, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo is a member of the Senate bipartisan group, dubbed the "Gang of Six" that has worked for months on a bipartisan agreement on spending reductions and tax reform that could win wide support in Congress. He is also a… Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Former Idahoan Nominated To Head The Marines
Washington, D.C. - A former Idahoan and graduate of the University of Idaho has been nominated to head the U.S. Marine Corps. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo confirmed today that General Jim Amos has been nominated by Defense Secretary Robert Gates as the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps. University of Idaho President M. Duane Nellis said General Amos earned an undergraduate degree in finance/business and economics from the University of Idaho in 1970. "General Amos is an outstanding Idahoan, and… Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
The Wall Street Journal: The Gang of Six Play
The Wall Street Journal; July 21, 2011 The Gang of Six Play A conceptual breakthrough that has too few details. Grand bipartisan budget deals are one of the great come-ons of Washington politics. They rarely work out, and when they do they usually benefit only the political class. The latest offer from the so-called Gang of Six Senators might be an exception, if-and this is a big if-its inviting generalities can be matched by useful details. The budget outline-that's all it is so… Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
The Hill's Congress Blog: A tax reform too good to pass up
By David M. Cote, chairman and CEO of Honeywell - 07/20/11 11:07 AM ET The proposal by the Gang of Six makes many important contributions to the ongoing discussions about how to fix the budget situation, starting with the fact that they have demonstrated that there is broad, bipartisan support for a serious, comprehensive plan to deal with our nation's debt. But perhaps the most significant contribution is their tax reform plan, which is breathtaking in its boldness and has the potential to unl… Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
Crapo, Risch Welcome Cut, Cap and Balance Vote
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both co-sponsors of the Cut, Cap, and Balance legislation, said they will support the legislation when it comes before the U.S. Senate. "We are borrowing $4 billion every day to pay down the debt and 40-cents of every dollar that is spent by Congress goes to paying down the debt," Crapo said. "It is high time we join with the House and approve a plan that cuts the deficit, reduces spending and applies a permanent solution to defici… Continue Reading
July 20, 2011
Atlanta Journal Constitution: 'Gang of Six' deficit plan is right course
By Marty Flanagan 7:35 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011 As a global asset manager, Invesco is closely monitoring both the U.S. and international implications of raising the U.S. debt ceiling by Aug. 2, and addressing the fiscal deficit in the short term. How Congress and the White House resolve this impasse will have significant long-term consequences for the economy, employment, the markets and investors around the globe. The world is watching. Our leaders need to lead and … Continue Reading
July 18, 2011
Crapo Office Travels to Cascade, Council
Boise - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office is increasing its travel to 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. Later this month and next, Ricker will be in A… Continue Reading
July 14, 2011
Senators Introduce Forest Management Legislation
Washington, DC - A recent decision by the U.S. 9 th Circuit Court of Appeals will subject logging roads in public and private forests to some of the most stringent environmental protection laws in the United States. In response, Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska), today introduced legislation--entitled the Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act--that will overturn that decision and return to the model of logging road management… Continue Reading
July 13, 2011
Crapo Postpones Town Hall Meeting Tonight
Washington, DC - Due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict regarding his work on the nation's debt and deficit crisis, Senator Mike Crapo is regrettably cancelling his iTownhall forum scheduled for tonight, July 13 th, at 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time/6:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Crapo said the town hall meeting will be rescheduled at a time in the near future. As Congress and the President work around the clock toward an agreement on an increase to the debt ceiling and other fiscal issues, Senator Cra… Continue Reading
July 06, 2011
Crapo to Discuss the Federal Debt and Deficit
Washington, DC - With critical votes on the federal debt and deficit crisis approaching in the Senate, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will discuss the federal budget, deficit spending and related issues with Idahoans during a telephone town hall event. Crapo invites interested constituents to make arrangements to participate in his iTownhall meeting, which begins at 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time/6:00 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, July 13. To sign up for the iTownhall meeting, please visit Senator Crapo's we… Continue Reading
June 29, 2011
Crapo, Risch Support Balanced Budget Amendment
Washington, D.C. - The time to balance the federal budget by reducing spending is now, and Congress has no leeway left to deal with the issue. That's the message sent today by 47 members of the U.S. Senate, including Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, who support a new Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A procedure was put into effect today by the Senate that will force a vote on the Balanced Budget Amendment, at a time when Congress debates ways to avoid a budget and … Continue Reading
