News Releases
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
February 02, 2009
Crapo Opposes Attorney General Nomination
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted today against the nomination of Eric Holder to become U.S. Attorney General. Holder was confirmed by a Senate vote of 75 to 21. Crapo is a long-time advocate for Second Amendment rights, and serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. "There must be strong reasons to reject a new President's nominee but my 'nay' vote today is justified regarding Eric Holder's nomination to become Attorney General of the United States," said Crapo… Continue Reading
February 02, 2009
Crapo Announces National Teen Dating Violence Awareness And Prevention Week 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In an annual effort to raise awareness of the crime of teen dating violence nationwide, Senator Mike Crapo announced that February 2 - 6, 2009 is "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week," as declared by S. Res. 710, which passed the full Senate in December. This marks the fourth year that the United States Senate has unanimously passed Crapo's resolution declaring the first full week in February as a time to encourage local, state and national organizations… Continue Reading
February 02, 2009
Governor, Delegation Call On President To Proceed With Wolf Delisting
(BOISE) - Idaho leaders have sent a letter to President Barack Obama today, asking him to allow publication of a federal rule removing wolves from the list of endangered species and implementing Idaho's state wolf management plan. "Idaho has a long and successful history of managing big game and other species," the letter states. "We are prepared to manage wolves in a sustainable manner within our borders." The letter is signed by Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, U.S. Se… Continue Reading
January 31, 2009
CRAPO PLANS I-TOWNHALL MEETING
January 29, 2009
Delegation Applauds Selection Of DOE-Idaho Interim Manager
Washington, DC - Idaho's Congressional Delegation applauded today's announcement that Dennis Miotla has been named interm manager of the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho Operations Office at the Idaho National Laboratory. Miotla succeeds Elizabeth Sellars, who is retiring as Idaho Operations Office Manager, and is an 18-year DOE veteran. "We are pleased to learn that Dennis Miotla has been named the Interim Manager of the DOE's offices in Idaho," said Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Co… Continue Reading
January 28, 2009
Be Outside!
"Eventually, most of us figure out that it's people, not nature, who create morality, values, ethics-and even the idea that nature itself is something worth preserving. We choose to be shepherds and stewards, or we don't…We will live wisely-preserving water and air and everything else intrinsic to the equation we're only beginning to understand-or we won't, in which case Nature will fill the vacuum when we leave." --Seth Norman, in Richard Louv's "Last Child in the Woods" (2006) In "Last Child… Continue Reading
January 27, 2009
Crapo: President Makes His Case, But It Still Costs Too Much
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo was among a group of Republican Senators meeting with President Barack Obama today on Capitol Hill to discuss economic stimulus legislation. While Crapo characterized the meeting as friendly, he said he remains opposed to the current stimulus package proposed by the President. Crapo is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which broke from its executive session considering parts of the stimulus plan, to meet with the President. "President Obama an… Continue Reading
January 23, 2009
Crapo Readies For Highway Reauthorization
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who has returned to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), is co-sponsoring legislation to protect the interests and funding of rural states during upcoming highway reauthorization efforts in Congress. Later this year, Congress will take up a renewed funding plan for the nation's transportation system. As a member of EPW, Crapo will work to ensure that rural states like Idaho are well-represented on the committee that will oversee the … Continue Reading
January 22, 2009
Senators Introduce Bill To Promote Biogas Production Through Tax Credits
WASHINGTON, DC - Billions of gallons of fossil fuels could be reduced through renewable energy sources produced from animal waste with a little ingenuity and modest government support. Today, a bipartisan group of seven Senators led by Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska introduced groundbreaking legislation that promotes the development of biogas - a natural gas substitute created by the conversion of organic wastes such as the anaerobic digestion of animal wastes - through tax incentives. "We al… Continue Reading
January 22, 2009
Crapo, Wyden Work For Improved Patient Access To Hospitals In Rural Areas
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined with his colleague, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden to introduce legislation that would improve access to nearly 1,300 hospitals in rural areas around the country, including 26 in Idaho. The measure, The Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009, provides hospitals who meet the critical access designation under Medicare with needed flexibility to deal with daily or seasonal fluctuations in the number of patients at a given hospital. Representative… Continue Reading
January 21, 2009
Crapo Committee Assignments Reflect Idaho Concerns And Priorities
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's committee assignments for the 111th Congress reflect the growing financial and economic concerns faced by the United States in the coming months. Crapo announced today that he will continue his service on the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and the Committee on Budget. Furthermore, he will return to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Indian Affairs. He also moved up in seniority … Continue Reading
January 21, 2009
Crapo, Simpson Disappointed That Vela Did Not Receive A Pardon
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson were disappointed to learn that Sgt. Evan Vela did not make the list of pardons that President Bush made during his final hours as President. "My heart goes out to Sgt. Vela and his family," said Simpson. "I know they worked hard to get this case in front of President Bush and had high hopes of receiving a Presidential Pardon. I will continue to work with the Vela family on this important matter." Crapo, who advocated f… Continue Reading
January 16, 2009
Crapo Meets With Energy Secretary-Designate Chu
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo discussed issues relating to the Idaho National Laboratory during a meeting with Dr. Steven Chu, President-Elect Obama's designee to be Secretary of Energy. Crapo and Dr. Chu also discussed alternative energy issues, the AREVA enrichment project slated for Idaho and the future of the nation's energy portfolio. Crapo noted Dr. Chu is expected to be confirmed by the Senate next week, as he is considered to be highly qualified due to his background as La… Continue Reading
January 15, 2009
Crapo Votes Against Releasing Unspent $350 Billion Of TARP Funding
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted in favor of a resolution today disapproving the release of the remaining $350 billion under the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP); citing a lack of responsible use of taxpayer dollars. By a vote of 42-51, the Senate rejected S.J. Res. 5, the TARP Resolution of Disapproval, which would have denied the Administration's request for the release of the funds. Crapo was one of 25 Senators who voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 20… Continue Reading
January 15, 2009
Owyhee Initiative, Lands Bill Passed By Senate
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's Owyhee Initiative legislation, as part of an Omnibus Lands package, passed the Senate today on a vote of 73-21. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives and if passed there, could be signed into law next week. The Owyhee Initiative provisions contained in S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, creates 517,000 acres of wilderness, releases 199,000 acres from wilderness study areas to multiple use and protects ranchers and … Continue Reading
January 15, 2009
Bipartisan Group Of Senators Call For Stimulus Funds To Clean-Up Nuclear Sites
WASHINGTON, D.C.-A bipartisan group of eight U.S. Senators today called for $6 billion in economic recovery funds to be dedicated to the cleanup of existing Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear sites. The group of Senators, which includes U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jim Risch (R-ID), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), outlined how increasing the nation's annual investment in DOE nuclear cleanup site… Continue Reading
