News Releases
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
September 07, 2010
Crapo Notes Community Health; Reading Projects
Washington, D.C. - Improving quality health care across rural Idaho will be the focus as Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joins USDA Rural Development's Idaho Director Wally Hedrick and officials with Health West to cut the ribbon opening the new Aberdeen Health West Clinic tomorrow. The new Aberdeen Health West Clinic offers a variety of services including wellness checks, prenatal and chonic care management and it also features medical providers and visiting specialists. Federal funding through USD… Continue Reading
September 03, 2010
Crapo to Attend BSU Game, Discuss Rail Jobs
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will join thousands of Idahoans Monday when he travels to FedEx field outside Washington, D.C. to watch Boise State University's football team take on Virginia Tech. Following the game, he will return to Idaho for a series of events, including attending the Eastern Idaho State Fair, discussing rail manufacturing technology and jobs at Boise-based Motive Power and federal funding and biomass projects with county leaders from Adams County and Washington … Continue Reading
August 31, 2010
Crapo Challenges Health Care Deficit Claims
Washington, D.C. - Massive cuts for Medicare providers and doctors who treat Medicare patients are coming, warns Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who says a letter from the Congressional Budget Office proves his point that those cuts are the only way the new health care bill can improve the national debt. Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Health Care Subcommittee, argued throughout the health care debate that claims the legislation would reduce the deficit were bogus because the bill … Continue Reading
August 26, 2010
Crapo Notes Progress on Lowering Beer Tax
Pocatello - Efforts to cut taxes and increase employment for small craft breweries in Idaho and other states are gaining momentum, according to the Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Legislation introduced by Crapo and three original co-sponsors on May 11 now has six times the co-sponsors in recent weeks. Crapo joined Senators John Kerry (D-Massachusetts), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) to introduce legislation that would cut in half the federal excise taxes for smaller breweries, s… Continue Reading
August 25, 2010
First Owyhee Land Transactions Announced
Boise - The land management and access partnerships envisioned under the Owyhee Initiative will take a big step tomorrow as the first two major land management transactions are completed to open critical public access into the new Owyhee wilderness areas created under the legislation. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who convened the eight-year collaborative effort resulting in the Owyhee Public Lands Management Act, will join Owyhee County rancher Mike Hanley and local conservation and sporting intere… Continue Reading
August 24, 2010
Senators Ask Interior for Action on Wolves
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have written U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, asking that his agency appeal a recent decision by a federal district court in order to restore state control over the management of grey wolves. A federal judge recently ruled against state management despite the fact Idaho has reached and exceeded recovery goals set for wolves under the Endangered Species Act. Crapo and Risch's letter follows: The Honorable Ken Salazar Secretar… Continue Reading
August 23, 2010
Crapo Plans Jobs and Trade Forum
Boise - More than 380,000 potential jobs could be created or saved if the United States implements pending trade agreements, according to a study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To discuss the impact on Idaho jobs is the reason Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to bring together experts from the U.S. Chamber, the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and other local financial leaders for a forum on jobs and trade Wednes… Continue Reading
August 20, 2010
Veterans' Benefits, Gun Rights on Agenda for Crapo During Magic Valley Visit
Twin Falls - Improvements in health care benefits for veterans and an update on federal gun issues and Second Amendment rights are among the topic that Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will focus on next week in the Magic Valley. Crapo will meet with local veterans, veterans groups, the Veterans Administration and the Idaho Division of Veterans Services to review changes in health care programs for veterans. Federal treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has now been authorized as part of t… Continue Reading
August 20, 2010
Family, Working Moms' Groups Support Crapo
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's record of supporting families and family-friendly work practices has garnered a national award. Crapo is one of 29 Members of Congress receiving the "Best of Congress Award" from Working Mothers Media and Corporate Voices for Working Families. In announcing the awards, the partnership said that Crapo and other recipients "practice what they preach-employing family-friendly policies in their own offices." Crapo is one of three Republican Senators … Continue Reading
