News Releases
Senators Crapo, Jones, Collins, Tester Introduce Legislation to Eliminate Military "Widow's Tax"
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo joined Senators Doug Jones (D-Alabama), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jon Tester (D-Montana) to reintroduce the Military Widow's Tax Elimination Act of 2019 (S.622), a bipartisan bill to end the so-called "Widows Tax." The legislation would repeal the unfair law that prevents as many as 65,000 surviving military spouses nationwide from receiving their full Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) survivor benefits. Currently, military … Continue Reading
March 01, 2019
Crapo, Risch Statement on Brent Bunn Nomination as U.S. Marshal
Washington, D.C. - The White House announced today its intent to nominate former Bear Lake County Sheriff Brent Bunn to serve as United States Marshal for the District of Idaho. Following the announcement, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch issued the following statements: "Brent has had a distinguished career in law enforcement for over four decades," said Senator Crapo, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over Bunn's nomination. "Brent's extensive career … Continue Reading
March 01, 2019
Crapo, Risch Sponsored Legislation Brings Test Reactor to Idaho National Lab
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry announced the launch of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Versatile Fast Neuron Source, also known as the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR). The project, based at the Idaho National Lab (INL), is a foundational project specified in the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA) of 2017, which Idaho Senator Mike Crapo introduced, and Idaho Senator Jim Risch co-sponsored. "The launch of the Versatile Test Reactor at the Idaho N… Continue Reading
February 21, 2019
Idaho Delegation Announces 2019 Military Service Academy Days
Washington, D.C. - The Idaho Congressional delegation today announced its 2019 Service Academy Days across Idaho. Each Service Academy Day session offers students, parents, and counselors the opportunity to meet with liaisons, cadets, and midshipmen from each of the nation's respective service academies and provides an opportunity for questions. Staff from Idaho's four Congressional delegation offices will be on hand to answer questions about the application process for students who are seekin… Continue Reading
February 20, 2019
Crapo Presents Spirit of Idaho Award to Boise Black Knights
Boise - In recognition of their heroism and selflessness by rescuing an Idaho couple from a vehicle rollover crash, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today presented players and staff of the Boise Black Knights youth football team with his Spirit of Idaho (SOI) Award. "The recipients of today's Spirit of Idaho award deserve our utmost gratitude and recognition for their quick-thinking, selfless and courageous actions in the face of a perilous accident," said Crapo. "It is an honor to present these 21 … Continue Reading
February 14, 2019
Crapo Supports Bill to Fund Border Security Priorities
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo this afternoon voted to support a measure that will keep the government open while also funding projects to secure our border. Following the vote, Crapo issued this comment: "I supported today's measure because it takes a step toward making our communities safer. Bicameral, bipartisan appropriators diligently advanced a compromise proposal that addresses urgent priorities in the seven outstanding appropriations packages. For homeland security, thi… Continue Reading
February 12, 2019
Lands Bill Contains Owyhee Boundary Changes Sought by Crapo
Washington, D.C. - A public lands package, S.47, the Natural Resources Management Act, containing boundary changes for three wilderness areas in Owyhee County authored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo passed the Senate this evening. Crapo sought the changes to keep the boundaries in line with the original Owyhee Initiative collaborative land use agreement. That agreement led to the designation of wilderness areas in Owyhee County along with other conservation and land use measures. "The minor chan… Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Pro-Growth, Pro-Jobs Economic Policies Have Helped Our Nation See Economic Growth Benefiting the American Worker
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, made the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump's second State of the Union Address: "In his second State of the Union address, President Trump outlined a powerful and comprehensive agenda to keep the nation on an upward trajectory and build on previous bipartisan accomplishments by advancing further bipartisan … Continue Reading
February 01, 2019
Crapo Releases Outline for Housing Finance Reform
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee todayreleased an outline for housing finance reform legislation. The outline incorporates elements of many plans and principles for housing finance reform legislation that have been discussed by legislators, analysts, stakeholders and thought leaders. "We must expeditiously fix our flawed housing finance system," said Chairman Crapo. "My priorities are to establish stronger levels of taxpayer protection, preserve the 30-year… Continue Reading
January 30, 2019
Crapo, Risch, Urge Feds to Deliver SRS Payments ASAP
WASHINGTON - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski today urged federal officials to deliver Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments as quickly as possible in the aftermath of the government shutdown. In their bipartisan letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Acting Interior Department Secretary David Bernhardt, the senators said rural residents in their states are conce… Continue Reading
January 29, 2019
Crapo Outlines Banking Committee Agenda for 116th Congress
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, has outlined his committee agenda for the 116th Congress. The Committee will continue to identify and move bipartisan legislative solutions that promote economic growth; build a record for legislative action on the collection, use and protection of personally identifiable information by financial regulators and financial companies; advance presidentially-appointed nominees; and ensure federal agencies… Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Crapo Announces 2019 Military Academy Nominations
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced the nomination of 38 Idaho students to the nation's military academies. The students' applications are now receiving consideration by four of the U.S. academies, where final decisions will be made. "I have the esteemed honor to nominate distinguished students to the U.S. military service academies each year," said Crapo. "These students demonstrate their strong commitment to service and country by pursuing higher education in one of… Continue Reading
January 25, 2019
Crapo Statement on President's Plan to End Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement on the President's announcement that he will support legislation to end the government shutdown: "I support the agreement announced today to reopen government and restore security to federal workers at our national installations. We need to take advantage of this agreement timeframe to come to a long-term solution about securing our southern border." # # #… Continue Reading
January 24, 2019
Crapo Votes to Reopen Government
Washington, D.C. - The United States Senate voted today to fund border security and to reopen the remainder of the government. The measure failed to advance on a 50-47 vote. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supported the measure and issued the following statement after the vote: "I have consistently supported measures that would secure our borders and provide safety for those seeking asylum or to otherwise legally enter the United States. My vote today was no different. The process of collaboratio… Continue Reading
January 24, 2019
Crapo, Wyden Lead Bipartisan Bill to Make Rail Investment Tax Credit Permanent
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Oregon Senator Ron Wyden today introduced the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE), Act, which would make permanent a critical tax credit used to repair and upgrade short line railroads. "Our agriculture communities rely on small business freight railroads to connect their products to markets across the nation and around the globe," said Crapo. "These are crucial economic corridors that serve our communities across the nati… Continue Reading
January 19, 2019
Crapo Statement on President’s Proposal for Border Security and to Reopen Government
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement after President Trump offered a proposal to reopen the remainder of the government and fund border security: "The appropriate treatment of children brought to the United States illegally at a young age, as well as addressing the crisis at our southern border have been key issues facing Congress. I will work with President Trump and my colleagues in Congress to pass legislation that adequately addresses both of these issues and that will re… Continue Reading
January 16, 2019
Idaho National Laboratory to benefit from Nuclear Innovation Legislation Signed Into Law by President
President Trump signed into law S.512, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, or NEIMA. Championed by Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, the legislation will make needed reforms to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and require the commission to establish a licensing framework for next-generation advanced reactors. "The research being completed at Idaho National Lab to develop modern, clean and efficient energy contributes immensely to our nation's domestic energy por… Continue Reading
January 11, 2019
Crapo, Risch Seek Third Federal Judge for Idaho
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have introduced legislation, S.103, to establish an additional federal district judgeship in Idaho for the first time in more than sixty years. Idaho is one of only three states (North Dakota and Vermont are the others) with only two authorized judge seats for the entire state. In contrast, the Central District of California and the Southern District of New York each have 28 authorized judgeships. If passed, the Crapo-Risch legislatio… Continue Reading
January 09, 2019
Crapo Announces Committee Assignments for the 116th Congress
Washington, D.C. - As the newly-reelected Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will maintain the bipartisan push he began in the previous Congress into the 116th Congress. As head of the Committee, Crapo will play a crucial role in ensuring Idahoans can bank with confidence, protect their investments for retirement and other purposes, maintain access to financial services and products, and prevent unwarranted data collection by both gover… Continue Reading
December 20, 2018
Legislation Promoting Nuclear Innovation and Advanced Reactor Licensing Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legislation championed by Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch to bring into wide use newer, more efficient energy reactors cleared the United States Senate today by a voice vote. The bill, S. 512, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA), will support development of and innovation in new, advanced nuclear reactor technology that is being conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory as well as other national laboratories across the nation. NEIMA will pro… Continue Reading
