News Releases
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
January 14, 2009
Delegation Applauds Decision To Delist Wolves
Washington, D.C. - Today the Idaho Congressional Delegation congratulated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their decision to remove the Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf population from the federal list of endangered species. "Today's decision to delist the Gray Wolf is a testament to the great people in the State of Idaho, Montana and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working together to stabilize the gray wolf population," said Congressman Mike Simpson, Ranking Member of the Appropri… Continue Reading
January 14, 2009
Crapo Welcomes Agriculture Secretary Nominee
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is offering his support for President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for Agriculture Secretary. Citing Gov. Tom Vilsack's recognition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's role in implementing the 2008 Farm Bill promptly and according to congressional intent, Crapo expressed interest in working with Secretary-designate Vilsack to tackle the challenges facing agriculture and rural communities. Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, met perso… Continue Reading
January 13, 2009
Idaho Students Receive U.S. Senate Scholarships
Washington, DC - Two Idaho high school students will travel to Washington, DC, in March as delegates to the 47th Annual United States Senate Youth Program. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and James E. Risch announced today that Kendall Kiser of Rexburg and Breeze Potter of Fairfield were chosen from hundreds of applicants to join 102 other students from each U.S. state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity. "The selections for this opportunity to study our gover… Continue Reading
January 11, 2009
Owyhee Initiative Receives Milestone Senate Vote
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's Owyhee Initiative legislation, as part of a package of lands bills, today passed a legislative milestone demonstrating support that may carry the bill to final Senate passage in the next few days. By a vote of 66 to 12, the Senate today invoked cloture (stopped debate over a bill to move to a final vote) on the S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. S. 22 contains over 150 separate land management bills, including Crapo's Owyhee Initiat… Continue Reading
January 09, 2009
Crapo Commends INL Employee Honors
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today commended nine leaders at the Idaho National Laboratory that have received one of the U.S. Department of Energy's top honors. Retiring DOE Idaho Manager Elizabeth Sellers heads a group that received a team achievement award under DOE's Secretarial Awards Program. INL team members honored during a DOE ceremony in Washington, DC this week include Sellers, Brandt Meagher, Richard Provencher, Robert Iotti, Brett Bowhan and Mark Arenaz. The Idaho ope… Continue Reading
January 06, 2009
Crapo Sees United Idaho Delegation In 2009
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo forecast a smooth working relationship among the members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation in the coming year as he offered his congratulations to Senator Jim Risch, Representative Mike Simpson and Representative Walt Minnick on being sworn in today as members of Congress. Crapo also praised Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and the Idaho Legislature for their leadership and management in challenging economic times and congratulated Senator Brad Little on hi… Continue Reading
January 06, 2009
Crapo Welcomes Risch To The U.S. Senate
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo welcomed fellow Idaho Senator Jim Risch to the United States Senate today by escorting him to the Senate floor. Crapo accompanied Risch as he was sworn in by Vice President Dick Cheney. "I have worked with Jim Risch for many years dating back to our service together in the Idaho Senate," Crapo said. "Idahoans will appreciate the fact they have two United States Senators who take a collaborative approach to problem-solving and will continue to be caref… Continue Reading
December 30, 2008
Crapo, Simpson Call On NRC To Approve AREVA Facility
Washington, DC - Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson are urging the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to grant swift approval to AREVA for construction of a uranium enrichment facility near Idaho Falls. The company filed an application today with the NRC for construction of the Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility in Bonneville County. If approved, construction could begin in 2011. Crapo, co-chair of the Senate Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus, said construction of the Ida… Continue Reading
December 15, 2008
Crapo Announces Idaho 2009 Military Academy Nominations
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced his nominations of 33 Idaho students to military service academies, for the freshman class entering in 2009. The students' applications are now being considered by four of the U.S. service academies, where final selections will be made. "These are our future leaders from Idaho," Crapo said. "I am pleased to assist them continue their education and am proud to see they will also be protecting our country. With our nation engaged in defending … Continue Reading
December 12, 2008
Crapo Named Co-Chairman Of Senate Energy Caucus
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has been named the new Co-Chairman of the U.S. Senate Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus for the 111th Congress. The Co-Chairmanship was passed to Crapo by Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colorado), who was the previous Co-Chair and founder of the caucus. The chairmanship puts Crapo in a leading role to advocate for nuclear energy issues at the Idaho National Laboratory, as well as further development of renewable energy sources like geothermal, wind and so… Continue Reading
December 12, 2008
Senate Declares February 2 - 6, 2009, National Teen Dating Violence Awareness And Prevention Week
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In the final hour of the 110th Congress last night a resolution declaring February 2 - 6, 2009, "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week," passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who introduced the measure, was joined by his colleagues, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Charles Schumer (D-New York) and Evan Bayh (D-IN), who introduced the resolution with him in November. … Continue Reading
