News Releases
Delegation Seeks Assistance For Potato Growers
Washington, D.C. - Idaho's Congressional Delegation is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist potato producers struggling due to a high supply of domestic potatoes and low prices. In a letter sent to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Administrator, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick are asking USDA to give favorable consideration to a pending request for purchase of fresh surplus potatoes for federal nutrition pro… Continue Reading
January 12, 2010
Crapo Visits Afghanistan, Pakistan
Washington, D.C. - During a Congressional visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan over the past four days, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo found U.S. soldiers in high spirits but foreign leaders left with questions over announcing public timetables for U.S. withdrawal from the area and making sure the Taliban and al Qaeda are defeated. Crapo was a member of a Congressional delegation tour to gain a better understanding on how the war against the Taliban was progressing in the Mideast. He was accompanied on t… Continue Reading
January 05, 2010
Crapo: Boise State, Idaho Players Are Champions
Washington, D.C. - Impressive bowl victories by Boise State University and the University of Idaho deserve congratulations and recognition, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said today following Boise State's Fiesta Bowl victory over TCU last night. Crapo also noted the University of Idaho's victory over Bowling Green in the Humanitarian Bowl December 30th in Boise. "There is now no doubt that football in Idaho belongs in the national spotlight with impressive bowl victories this season by both Boise … Continue Reading
December 24, 2009
Crapo: A Day Of Record Debt, Big Government
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate voted today 60 to 39 along party lines to approve H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. By the same vote, the Senate then followed action by the U.S. House of Representatives to raise the federal debt ceiling by $290 billion, to nearly $12.4 trillion, with an additional vote set for January to further increase the debt limit to more than $13 trillion. "These two votes taken together have created a stark fiscal reality for the nation as we p… Continue Reading
December 23, 2009
19,000 Sign Crapo Health Care Petition
Washington, D.C. - More than 19,000 people, starting with Idahoans but spreading nationwide to all 50 states, have signed an online petition opposing the current health care reform legislation before the U.S. Senate. The online petition was prepared by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who has been on the Senate floor and national cable television programs leading opposition to the bill because it raises taxes on the middle class, increases premiums for many people now carrying insurance, cuts senior pr… Continue Reading
December 22, 2009
Crapo Announces Legislative Promotions
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announces two promotions and other staff changes in his Washington, D.C., office: Luke Tomanelli has been promoted to Legislative Assistant, handling issues related to Crapo's membership on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. As such, Tomanelli is responsible for such key issues as the environment, water, wildlife and the Endangered Species Act. He also works in other areas of interest to Idahoans, including the Idaho National Laborat… Continue Reading
December 18, 2009
Crapo's 2010 Military Academy Nominations Almost Double From Last Year
Washington, DC - The number of Idaho students being nominated by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo for entrance into U.S. service academies is nearly double that of last year's nomination total. Crapo today announced his nominations of 64 Idaho students to military service academies for the freshman class entering in 2010. That number compares to 33 nominations last year. The students' applications will now be considered by four of the U.S. service academies, where final selections will be made. "It i… Continue Reading
December 17, 2009
Crapo, Risch Ask For Balanced Approach To Motorized Access In Eastern Idaho
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today voiced concerns received from Idahoans over a provision in a bill that would close-off snowmobile access along portions of the Idaho/Montana border. The comments were made during a hearing on S. 1470, by the Senate Energy Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forest, where Risch serves and was acting Ranking Member. The bill, sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and cosponsored by Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), would designate appro… Continue Reading
December 15, 2009
Senate Votes To Pay For Health Reform With Middle-Class Tax Increases
Washington, D.C. - If the Senate goes on to pass a health care reform bill, the legislation will likely contain at least a half a trillion dollars in new taxes and fees that fall significantly on America's middle-class taxpayers. The Senate Majority today voted against a motion offered by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo that would have sent the bill to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to ensure that no provision would result in an increased federal tax liability for middle-income American… Continue Reading
December 11, 2009
Formaldehyde Consumer Protection Bill Clears Committee
Washington, DC - A key Senate Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) to update consumer product protections under the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Act. The bipartisan legislation was approved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and protects consumers by establishing national health standards for formaldehyde in composite wood products, which would apply to both domestic products and for… Continue Reading
December 10, 2009
Senate Halts Debate On Health Care With Crapo Motion Pending
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate has halted debate on H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with a motion offered by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo pending on the floor. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Crapo and Senators Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) and John McCain (R-Arizona) immediately called a news conference to decry the stalling tactics and to point out the health plan as presently written will raise taxes on middle-income Americans by hundreds of billions of dollars. Senat… Continue Reading
December 09, 2009
Crapo Sponsors Bill To Force Action To Reduce Spending
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is co-sponsoring new legislation that would create a bipartisan task force to study and propose ways to reduce federal spending and the burgeoning national deficit. Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, is one of 25 original co-sponsors backing the legislation that was introduced today. The Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act of 2009 is being sponsored by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota) and Co… Continue Reading
December 03, 2009
Crapo Sees Vote As A Defeat For Women's Health
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate today defeated an amendment that would have guaranteed women the right to seek preventive health care without government interference, something Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said is a bad omen for a health care bill written behind closed doors and costing more than $2 trillion. The amendment referenced by Crapo was offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). It would have prevented the government from standing in the way of preventive health care services sought … Continue Reading
December 01, 2009
Crapo Urges Troop Support In Afghanistan
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo reacted to President Obama's decision tonight to send extra troops to Afghanistan by noting that the President should heed the guidance of his commanders in the field and ensure that U.S. soldiers are given the tools and backing necessary to accomplish their mission. Crapo issued the following statement concerning the President's decision: "The basis of any military decision should be our national security, and we should not send our military men an… Continue Reading
November 21, 2009
Crapo: Health Care Reform Bill Misses The Mark
Washington, DC - Tonight, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted against moving ahead on a health care reform proposal, saying that the legislation, drafted behind closed doors with only Democrats involved, is a massive government takeover that will drive up the cost of health insurance and medical care. The legislation passed on a strictly partisan vote of 60 to 39; Crapo voted nay. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced that the Senate will begin full debate on the measure following the Thank… Continue Reading
November 20, 2009
Crapo To Deliver National Address On Health Bill
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is delivering a national address on the health care legislation expected to be considered by the U.S. Senate Saturday evening. Crapo was chosen by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to offer the Republican response to the President's weekly radio address. The address airs Saturday morning on many radio stations. "Americans are calling on Congress for health care reform because they can no longer tolerate its skyrocketing cost," Crapo said. "They… Continue Reading
November 11, 2009
Senate Resolution Supports Veterans Histories
Washington, DC - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch are urging Americans to join an effort to record the wartime and service histories of our veterans. Crapo and Risch introduced S. Res. 340, which passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent. The Resolution asks the Senate to designate a week where Americans can promote the recording of the stories of veterans' service during U.S. conflicts. The National Veterans History Project is serving as a clearinghouse for recorded histories that includ… Continue Reading
November 10, 2009
Crapo Honors Spirit Of Freedom Recipients
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will honor ten veterans and eight volunteers tomorrow with his Spirit of Freedom Award during five different ceremonies around Idaho on Veterans Day. Crapo created the Spirit of Freedom Award to acknowledge the contributions, patriotism, service and sacrifice of Idaho's veterans and service-oriented volunteer leaders. He has worked with Idaho's veteran's community to present the awards on Veterans Day. There are five ceremonies on Veterans Day, Novemb… Continue Reading
November 05, 2009
Crapo: Artificial Deadline Rushes Climate Change Bill
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee issued this statement following Committee action today to pass a climate change cap and trade bill. The bill was reported out of committee with no Republican members present. "There is absolutely no reason, other than trying to meet an artificial deadline for international audiences, to move this bill so quickly without sufficient cost analysis and public review," Crapo said, noting … Continue Reading
October 29, 2009
Idaho Locations Named As Potential Home Of F-35's
Washington, DC-Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick have notified commanders at Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Idaho Air National Guard they have both qualified as top five locations, in their respective categories, under consideration for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The two locations are not competing against each other as Mountain Home Air Force Base is under consideration for the operation of up to three squadrons of the F-35, while th… Continue Reading
