News Releases
Delegation Wants Assurance On Doe Security
Washington, DC - Idaho's Congressional Delegation is calling on the Department of Energy (DOE) for improved security measures regarding employees. The request comes following a potential identity theft threat involving information from 59,000 present and former workers at the Idaho National Laboratory at Idaho Falls. Delegation members were notified today by DOE that an encoded disc containing personal data from the employees was either lost or stolen in transit via United Parcel Service. The pa… Continue Reading
March 06, 2009
Governor, Idaho Congressional Delegation Praise Wolf Delisting
(BOISE) - Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and all four members of Idaho's congressional delegation joined today in praising Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's affirmation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove gray wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species in Idaho and other areas. "Wolves are a fully recovered species that is thriving in Idaho. That's a fact, and it is heartening to see that Secretary Salazar recognizes it," said Governor Otter, who urged today's … Continue Reading
March 05, 2009
Idaho Delegation Questions Chu Over Yucca
Washington, DC - Idaho's Congressional Delegation has written Energy Secretary Steven Chu to express concern over the Obama Administration's plan to scale back funding for the Yucca Mountain nuclear storage facility in Nevada. Yucca Mountain is slated to be the permanent repository for more than 300 metric tons of nuclear materials produced by the U.S. military and 4,400 cubic meters of high-level waste that was sent to Idaho for temporary storage. Under court-ordered provisions of the 1995 "Bat… Continue Reading
February 26, 2009
Crapo: Budget Increases Both Spending And Taxes
Washington, DC - Noting that President Barack Obama's new budget proposals seek an increase in both federal spending and taxes, at a time when Idahoans are having to cut back on their family budget, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo called for new bipartisan efforts to find a path forward that will be better for the economy and taxpayers. Crapo, a member of both the Senate Budget and Finance Committees, said the Fiscal Year 2010 proposal would double the debt owed by U.S. taxpayers in five years. "I d… Continue Reading
February 26, 2009
Crapo, Lincoln Introduce Railroad Legislation
Washington, DC - Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) have introduced legislation to extend the tax credit to increase the necessary investment in rehabilitation and upgrades for short line railroads. The announcement came as Crapo met with representatives of Watco Companies and other short line railroad companies in his Washington, DC office to discuss the legislation on "Railroad Day" on Capitol Hill. Watco operates rail services in eastern, southern and north-central… Continue Reading
February 26, 2009
Crapo Votes To Uphold Free Speech Protection
Washington, DC - Free speech on radio stations across Idaho and the nation must be protected, says Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. That's why Crapo joined with 29 other Senators to introduce legislation to ensure broadcasters are protected against efforts to increase federal control over the airwaves as well as the content of talk radio and other programs. The legislation was approved today on a vote of 87 to 11 as an amendment to the D.C. Voting Rights Bill. "Free speech and the right to express o… Continue Reading
February 25, 2009
Crapo Assigned Leadership Roles
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will take a leadership role on key committees during the 111th Congress. In addition to retaining his role as Deputy Whip, leading policy discussion for western state Senators, Crapo will be Ranking Member (senior Republican) on three important subcommittees. "These leadership roles will ensure that Idahoans have a voice here in Washington, DC, as we make critical decisions about the nation's policies regarding financial issues and tax policy," Crapo … Continue Reading
February 24, 2009
Crapo: Addressing Budget Starts With Debt
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said today he hopes that President Obama's address tonight to a joint session of Congress will begin a renewed emphasis on reducing the federal budget deficit by cutting back on spending and not raising taxes on anyone. Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget, Finance and Banking Committees, says recent increases in federal spending are unsustainable. He said the President and Congress must address the many mandatory spending programs which are on autopilot… Continue Reading
February 24, 2009
Crapo: Long-Term Solutions Require Bipartisan Action
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo released the following statement regarding President Obama's address to the Joint Session of Congress this evening: "President Obama outlined the pressing issues facing our country today-the economic recession, health care, national defense, energy policy and education were among those. It is important that we approach these issues in a bipartisan fashion, and I am willing to work with him to find lasting solutions for our great nation. As he comes fo… Continue Reading
February 18, 2009
Crapo To Discuss Renewable Energy Efforts, Celebrate Opening Of Energy Research Facility
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Co-Chair of the Senate Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus, will meet with Idaho energy experts, local mayors and others on Thursday to discuss renewable energy initiatives before the Congress, funding and the potential impacts for Idaho. During visits in Southeast Idaho, Crapo will present his Spirit of Idaho Award and visit with area high school government classes, including students who received tickets from Crapo's office for the inauguration sw… Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
Crapo To Address Idaho Legislature On Stimulus, Plans Donation To Black History Museum
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will speak to members of the Idaho House and Senate about economic stimulus efforts before Congress and spearhead other economic and education issues next week during a visit to the Treasure Valley. Crapo will donate 40 Congressional books entitled "Black Americans in Congress: 1870-2007" to Board Members of the Idaho Black History Museum on Wednesday. The event at the Idaho Black History Museum will mark Black History Month in Idaho and begin new educat… Continue Reading
February 13, 2009
Crapo: Note The Real Cost Of This Stimulus
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said simple math may show why the overwhelming majority of Idahoans contacting his office oppose the economic stimulus plan that was passed by the United States Senate and sent to the President for his signature. Crapo voted against the $787 billion plan. Having been approved earlier in the day by the House of Representatives, the Senate was set to approve the measure, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As the final 1,000+ page confer… Continue Reading
February 10, 2009
Crapo Votes Against "Dangerous" Stimulus Bill
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted against the Senate version of the economic stimulus bill today, concerned that the legislation may become a "long-term problem" that could plunge the nation into $2 trillion in debt and make economic conditions worse over the next ten years. The full Senate voted 61 to 37 to send H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as amended, to a conference committee with the U.S. House of Representatives to reconcile differences between t… Continue Reading
February 09, 2009
Crapo Votes No On Stimulus Bill
Washington, DC - Citing concerns that the bill could plunge the country into trillions of dollars of debt and actually worsen the long-term economic situation, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted today against stopping debate and consideration of amendments on H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The cloture vote, bringing to an end debate on the Collins-Nelson Substitute Amendment, moves the measure toward final passage. Requiring 60 votes, cloture was invoked by the Senate by… Continue Reading
February 06, 2009
Crapo Welcomes Spring Interns
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo welcomes several Idaho students to his Washington, DC, and state offices this year as they serve as interns for the spring semester. All will be assisting with constituent contacts, legislative responsibilities, office administrative tasks and other duties. Crapo's intern coordinator is also visiting Idaho next week to answer questions about the internship process. Rachel Johnson, a former Crapo intern herself, will visit a number of Idaho locations, … Continue Reading
February 06, 2009
Idaho Delegation Seeks Help For Dairy Producers
Washington, DC - Idaho's Congressional Delegation has written U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to urge assistance for the Idaho dairy industry through enhanced utilization of existing federal programs. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick say Idaho dairy producers have seen steep drops in the price they receive for dairy products and that a review of existing programs is needed to ensure they are best utilized or improved to enable dairy pr… Continue Reading
February 05, 2009
Committee Assignments Reflect Idaho Priorities
At the start of every new Congress, Senate committee assignments are reviewed and changes are made. While some of my committee assignments have remained the same-I've retained my positions on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Budget Committee-I have been successful in obtaining two new committee assignments (both ones I've held in the past) that reflect priorities Idahoans place on our remarkable natural resources and a commitment to… Continue Reading
February 05, 2009
Health Care Reform Bill Reintroduced
Washington, DC - A bipartisan Senate proposal to reform America's health care policies by expanding market-based health insurance to more Americans was reintroduced today by a coalition of Senators, including Idaho's Mike Crapo. Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said that the Healthy Americans Act is a strong legislative option for health care reform that will expand coverage to everyone without driving up costs or raising taxes. "The Healthy Americans Act would guarantee priva… Continue Reading
February 03, 2009
Crapo Sets ITown Hall Meeting Dates
Washington, DC - The new session of Congress means Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has renewed his plans to use technology to speak with Idahoans from Washington, DC, about the issues before the Senate. Crapo expects economic and tax issues may dominate his first iTownHall meeting of this year, scheduled for February 11, 2009. The iTownHall format allows Crapo to speak with thousands of Idahoans in a conference call format, using the telephone. Signing up for the iTownHall is easy at Crapo's website… Continue Reading
February 03, 2009
Crapo: Gregg Excellent Choice For Commerce
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says his partner and Ranking Member on the Senate Budget Committee Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire) will make an excellent Commerce Secretary. "Senator Gregg knows the relationship between government and the private sector as well as anyone in Washington," Crapo said. "He has shown his ability to work across the political aisle and get things done on the Budget Committee and I am confident he will be ready to do the same leading our economic efforts as Co… Continue Reading
