News Releases
Idaho Delegation Wins Pro-Potato Language In Farm Bill Compromise
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation have convinced a House-Senate conference committee to include pro-potato language that could lead to white potatoes being restored as part of a program for low income women and children. The conference committee agreed to include report language in the Farm Bill suggesting that white potatoes should not be unnecessarily excluded from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's nutrition programs including the Women, Infants and Children … Continue Reading
May 13, 2008
Crapo, Lincoln Win Airline Oxygen Change
Washington, DC - Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) today scored a victory for airline passengers who are reliant on portable oxygen when traveling. A federal rule change requires airlines to allow all passengers needing portable oxygen access to aircraft. Prior to the new ruling, portable oxygen containers were designated as a permissible carry-on item, but airlines were still permitted to deny passengers carrying these containers. The new announcement from the U.S. … Continue Reading
May 12, 2008
Congressional Staff Plan Remote Office Visits In North Central Idaho
Lewiston - Field representatives from Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig and Congressman Bill Sali's Lewiston offices will meet with constituents during remote office hours next Monday and Thursday in visits across north central Idaho. All constituents are encouraged to stop by and express their concerns about federal issues. Field representatives will be on hand to answer questions from individuals with specific problems with federal agencies. For more information, contact the offices at th… Continue Reading
May 10, 2008
CONGRESS HONORS IDAHO POTATOES, INDUSTRY
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate and House of Representative have approved resolutions honoring Idaho potatoes and growers and noting the 70th Anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission. Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig introduced the Senate resolution approved unanimously today by the Senate. A similar resolution introduced by Congressmen Mike Simpson and Bill Sali was approved in the House of Representatives. The resolutions bring Congressional recognition of May 2007 as "Idaho Potato … Continue Reading
May 08, 2008
Minidoka Expansion Signed Into Law
Washington, DC - Legislation that expands the borders of the Minidoka Internment National Monument near Jerome is now law, after being signed today by President George W. Bush. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig and 2nd District Representative Mike Simpson authored the provision, which was included in S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. Among the directives included in S. 2739 is one to adjust the boundaries of the Minidoka site, which was designated a national monume… Continue Reading
May 08, 2008
Crapo Hails Inclusion Of ESA Incentives In Farm Bill
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture and Finance Committees, is encouraged that Farm Bill negotiators have presented a Farm Bill conference agreement that includes a permanent tax deduction for Endangered Species Act (ESA) expenditures. Crapo has introduced legislation seeking tax credits for landowners who volunteer to protect endangered species on their private property and said he will continue to seek credits for participation in ESA programs. "Lan… Continue Reading
May 07, 2008
Owyhee Initiative Clears Committee
Washington, DC - The Owyhee Initiative, federal legislation sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to settle land management issues and create new wilderness in Southwest Idaho, was given approval today by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Owyhee Initiative bill (S. 2833, the Owyhee Public Lands Management Act) passed on a voice vote, and will likely be included in a package of other land management bills that will be considered together by the full Senate as early as next… Continue Reading
May 06, 2008
Idaho Delegation Applauds TRICARE Increase
Washington, DC - The Idaho Congressional Delegation praised the Department of Defense today for its decision to increase TRICARE reimbursement rates for Critical Access Hospitals. This rule change brings TRICARE rates more in line with Medicare, ensuring continued access to high quality health care for military personnel and their dependents. Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson earlier this year urged the Defense Department to include Elmore Medical Center in Moun… Continue Reading
May 06, 2008
Idaho Selected By AREVA For $2 Billion U.S. Uranium Enrichment Plant
Washington, DC - The French-based AREVA company has notified Idaho's Congressional Delegation and Governor Butch Otter that it has selected Bonneville County, Idaho, as the site of its $2 billion first U.S. uranium enrichment plant. "AREVA has the technology and the experience, and eastern Idaho has the workforce, the infrastructure, the commitment to advancing nuclear technology and the critical understanding of this industry. It's a great match that will result in secure jobs and a stronger… Continue Reading
May 06, 2008
Idaho Delegation To Hold Office Hours In Priest River
Coeur d'Alene - Representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and U.S. Representative Bill Sali will hold office hours in Priest River to meet with constituents and to help anyone who may be having problems with federal agencies. Thursday, May 15, 2008 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time Priest River City Hall 209 Old Priest River Road Priest River, Idaho … Continue Reading
May 02, 2008
Crapo, USDA-RD Announce Water Funding For New Plymouth
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and USDA Rural Development (USDA-RD) announce the city of New Plymouth will receive $3.7 million in a combination of loans and grants to upgrade its water and wastewater systems. New Plymouth has planned the improvements to upgrade both facilities and to address arsenic issues in its water. "Key to rural economic development is the maintenance of the infrastructure involved-roads, bridges and water systems," said Crapo, Ranking Member of the Senate Ag… Continue Reading
May 01, 2008
Crapo: Healthy Americans Act Gets Good Review From CBO
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a co-sponsor of S. 334, the Healthy Americans Act, received the news today that the bipartisan legislation has received a favorable cost review from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The report, released today, concludes the proposal would be budget neutral in just a few years after enactment and would actually generate savings in the long term. Crapo, along with the other Senate sponsors of the bill, were briefed today on a CBO report regarding th… Continue Reading
April 30, 2008
Senators To Discuss CBO Report On The Healthy Americans Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Thursday morning, Senate sponsors of the Healthy Americans Act (S.334) will be available to discuss the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) financial analysis of S.334. The media availability will immediately follow a closed briefing with CBO Director, Peter Orszag, during which he will present Senators with his agency's findings. Copies of the CBO report will be made available at the briefing. Introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Bob Bennett (R-Utah), the Healt… Continue Reading
April 30, 2008
Minidoka Lands Bill Clears Congress
Washington, DC - Idaho's Congressional Delegation today praised final passage of a public lands bill that includes language to expand the borders of the Minidoka National Internment Site. The legislation, S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, passed the U.S. House of Representatives following approval earlier this month in the U.S. Senate. The legislative language, included in a land management package, could aid human rights efforts to expand private development at the Minido… Continue Reading
April 30, 2008
Crapo: New Interior Firearms Proposal Follows State Law
Washington, DC - A newly-proposed regulation from the Interior Department regarding firearms on certain public lands will soon be reviewed by Congress and the general public. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who led the effort to revise the regulation to allow for consistency with state law, released the following statement today: "Under the proposed rule, law-abiding gun owners would be permitted to transport and carry firearms through federal parks and refuges in accordance with the state law appl… Continue Reading
April 29, 2008
Crapo, Colleagues Want Action To Stop AMT
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over tax issues, joined 40 of his Republican colleagues today in asking for immediate consideration of legislation that will stop the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) from hitting millions of additional middle income taxpayers this year, and that will also extend many key tax incentives that expired at the end of 2007. The letter, which was sent to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Bauc… Continue Reading
April 28, 2008
Crapo Plans May iTownhall Meeting
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will hold an interactive iTownhall meeting with Idahoans on the evening of May 7th. The technology behind the iTownhall meeting allows Idahoans to join in via telephone from any location in the state. Participation is voluntary, and listeners are invited to ask the Senator questions about any topics confronting Congress and the nation. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Mountain/6:30 p.m. Pacific and will last for about an hour. "Joining the town hal… Continue Reading
April 24, 2008
Crapo: Mountain Home Air Force Base Has It All
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today congratulated the staff and airmen at Mountain Home Air Force Base for their second top award in a year-this one coming in the culinary arts category. Last April, Mountain Home Air Force Base was named the best installation in the Air Force by winning the 2007 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence. Now, Mountain Home can also brag about having the best food in the Air Force after winning the Best Food Award following a vi… Continue Reading
April 24, 2008
Increase In Cardiac Deaths Prompts Crapo-Dorgan Legislation
Washington, DC - The high probability of death from sudden cardiac arrest in the U.S. has prompted Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan to introduce legislation today seeking to increase educational efforts about the affliction. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 95 percent of people stricken with sudden cardiac arrests die, including healthy athletes, infants and middle-aged Americans. "The best hope for survival in the case of sudden cardia… Continue Reading
April 24, 2008
Senate Enacts Short-Term Farm Bill Extension
Washington D.C.- Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Finance Committee, has been working with fellow members of Congress to achieve enactment of a new Farm Bill that incorporates improvements in federal farm policy that benefit Idahoans. Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would extend the current Farm Bill for a week as work continues to conclude negotiations on the new Farm Bill. "Ideally, a new Farm Bill would be enacted by now provi… Continue Reading
