News Releases
'Growth' Act Keeps Retirement Funds Working
Washington, DC. - People investing for retirement through the use of mutual funds should not pay capital gains taxes until those shares are sold, according to Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota). To keep retirement savings earning more money for a longer period of time, Crapo and Johnson have introduced the GROWTH (Generate Retirement Ownership Through Long-Term Holding) Act. Crapo, a member of both the Senate Finance and Banking Committees; and Johnson, a member of… Continue Reading
May 15, 2009
New Apache Aircraft Coming To Gowen Field
Washington, DC. - Following months of consultations involving Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Idaho Army National Guard personnel, and Congressional and Guard representatives from other states, the U.S. Army has agreed on an upgrade of the Apache helicopter fleet stationed at Boise's Gowen Field. The decision means Idaho will receive new AH-64D Apache Longbows, the Army's top attack helicopter and a major improvement in equipment and training for the 1-183rd Aviation Battalion of Army Guardsmen and ot… Continue Reading
May 14, 2009
EchoHawk Nomination Passes Committee
Washington, DC - Former Idaho Attorney General Larry EchoHawk is on track to become the next Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, following a voice vote by the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Committee who introduced EchoHawk at last week's nomination hearing, supported his nomination. The Senate has not yet scheduled a floor vote on the nomination. "Larry's diverse background, including experience in law enforcement, in politics and man… Continue Reading
May 14, 2009
Crapo Water Fund Bill Approved In Committee
Washington, DC - Legislation to reauthorize critical new assistance for local water and wastewater improvements today won approval before a Senate committee. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo co-sponsored and voted in favor of S. 1005, The Water Infrastructure Financing Act. The legislation was approved by a vote of 17 to 2. The bipartisan legislation authorizes nearly $35 billion in new federal assistance and makes reforms for th… Continue Reading
May 14, 2009
EPW Committee Moves Landmark Water Infrastructure Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Water and Wildlife Subcommittee Chairman, along with EPW Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK), and subcommittee ranking member Mike Crapo (R-ID), applauded Committee passage of The Water Infrastructure Financing Act, which provides the foundation for our nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The bill, which passed the Committee today wit… Continue Reading
May 14, 2009
Cranes Get Boost In Crapo-Feingold Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Some of the most endangered birds in the world, including whooping cranes, will get needed assistance under legislation approved today by the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a member of the Committee, and Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife, and Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) sponsored the Crane Conservation Act. The legislation establishes a grant program to fund international and domestic crane conserva… Continue Reading
May 13, 2009
Idahoans Want Action, Balance, Bipartisanship On Energy Policy
Washington, DC - Idahoans, 1,200 strong, have made their point: the nation needs to act now to use balance and bipartisanship in crafting a new energy policy of improved conservation and energy resources, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo announced on the Senate floor this morning that he has finished entering into the Senate record hundreds of e-mails he has received directly from Idahoans since last summer, detailing concerns about high energy costs. As gasoline prices soared above … Continue Reading
May 12, 2009
Senate Bill Would Address Doctor Shortages
Washington, DC. - Legislation introduced today in the U.S. Senate would increase access to critical care in intensive care units (ICUs) throughout the country. The Patient-Focused Critical Care Enhancement Act, sponsored by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) would expand the critical care workforce and establish best practices to maximize the efficiency of existing critical care personnel. Critical care doctors provide care to critically ill or injured patie… Continue Reading
May 08, 2009
Clean Water Funding Improved By EPW Bill
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee's Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife, has joined with Subcommittee Chairman Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), full EPW Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Committee Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK) to introduce The Water Infrastructure Financing Act, which provides the foundation for our nation's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. This bipartisan agreement makes imp… Continue Reading
May 07, 2009
Crapo Introduces BIA Nominee EchoHawk
Washington, DC - Former Idaho Attorney General Larry EchoHawk today began the process of Senate confirmation regarding his nomination to be the next Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Department of Interior. As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs and fellow Idahoan, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo had the honor of introducing EchoHawk before the Committee during today's hearing. EchoHawk's nomination must still be approved by the full Senate. Alonzo Coby, Chairman of the F… Continue Reading
May 07, 2009
Idaho Delegation Gets Reversal On Backcountry Mail Delivery Decision
Washington, DC - Mail delivery will continue for residents of Idaho's Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho's Congressional Delegation announced today. U.S. Postmaster General John Potter, in separate letters today to Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representative Walt Minnick, reversed an earlier decision to cancel the contract for backcountry mail delivery. Potter indicated that acceptable service to backcountry customers could not be achieved in any other fashion other than … Continue Reading
May 06, 2009
Crapo, Risch Congratulate Idaho's Top Youth Volunteers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch congratulated two Idaho students for being named the state's top youth volunteers for 2009 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. The students are Hosanna Kabakoro of Twin Falls and Darrien Gish of Nampa. They were joined in Washington, D.C. this week by top volunteers from other states for an award ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, where they received $1,000 awards in recognition of their ou… Continue Reading
May 06, 2009
Crapo To Hold Statewide Forum
Washington, DC - Idahoans can receive the latest news on issues before Congress next week as Senator Mike Crapo holds a statewide iTownHall meeting on Wednesday, May 13th. The technology behind the iTownHall meeting allows Idahoans to join in via telephone from any location in Idaho. Listeners will have an opportunity to ask the Senator about any number of topics regarding federal policies or legislation. "Joining the townhall discussion is as easy as signing up at my official website, http:/… Continue Reading
May 04, 2009
Crapo Bill Protects Gun Owners, Dealers
Washington, DC - Those who own and sell firearms will see increased flexibility from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) under bipartisan legislation introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont). Leahy is Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Crapo is Co-chair of the Congressional Sportsman's Caucus. S. 941, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act, represents the first time … Continue Reading
May 04, 2009
Crapo Notes Hispanic Achievements
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has co-sponsored a Senate resolution noting the importance children play in promoting Hispanic culture. Crapo's actions come during a week of events honoring Latino history and culture both in Idaho and Washington, DC. Crapo co-sponsored S. Res. 122, which passed the Senate unanimously. The legislation calls on parents to play particular attention to communicating with their children and was prompted by celebration over the tradition of Mexico's Dia d… Continue Reading
May 01, 2009
Backcountry Air Mail Cuts "Dangerous''
Washington, DC - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch want the U.S. Postal Service to reconsider ending backcountry air mail service to dozens of Idahoans living in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. In a letter to Postmaster General John Potter, the Senators noted that an alternative of USPS-provided post office boxes in Cascade for the disaffected customers is "not practical." "Asking residents to use a post office box in Cascade would require them to travel over 120 air mil… Continue Reading
April 29, 2009
Crapo Votes Against Budget Exceeding $3 Trillion
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted against a recommendation for a $3.4 trillion federal budget. The budget resolution bill, agreed to by a House-Senate conference committee, was approved by the full Senate on a 53-43 vote. "A budget totaling nearly three and one-half trillion dollars breaks every federal spending record," Crapo noted. "We've never been here before, and this budget sets the stage for trillions in federal deficits for many years to come. We will literally double th… Continue Reading
April 27, 2009
Crapo Seeks To Stop Public Lands Fees
Washington, DC - Legislation to stop Americans from paying twice to access their public lands has been reintroduced in the United States Senate by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Max Baucus (D-Montana). The Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act, S. 868, repeals legislation passed in 2004 that allowed federal agencies, with the exception of the National Park Service, to institute fees for public access to many campgrounds, trailheads and other public uses. Crapo and Baucus heard complaints from… Continue Reading
April 22, 2009
Crapo: Facts Show Indian Health Needs Attention
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, told Indian Health Service (IHS) Director designate Dr. Yvette Roubideaux that Tribal health concerns should be a top priority and that the evidence for that comes from his home state of Idaho. Crapo met today with Dr. Roubideaux and said, after that meeting which was held in his office on Capitol Hill, that he plans to support her nomination. Crapo said that, during his recent health care forums in Id… Continue Reading
April 15, 2009
Crapo Commends Tax Protests, Deficit Awareness
Washington, DC - In a demonstration of support, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo told Idahoans who are protesting high federal deficits and tax increases through "tea parties" today that he supports their efforts and has the voting record to demonstrate that. He also noted the similarities between today's events and his protest 15 years ago when he dumped the U.S. Tax Code into the Boston Harbor. As a member of Congress in 1997, Crapo joined with a handful of other members of the U.S. House of Represent… Continue Reading
