News Releases
CRAPO RECOMMENDS EXCEPTION TO REGULATION PROHIBITING POSSESSION OF FIREARMS
Washington, DC - Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo requested today that prohibitions that keep law-abiding citizens from transporting and carrying firearms on certain public lands be removed. In a letter to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne spearheaded by Crapo and signed by 46 other Senators, Crapo cited regulations by the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service as infringing on constitutional rights of individuals. He also pointed out that other federal agencies have d… Continue Reading
December 14, 2007
CRAPO: MODERNIZING HUD HOUSING PROGRAMS WILL HELP TO STRENGTHEN MORTGAGE MARKETS
Washington, DC - Under legislation passed today by the U.S. Senate, Idaho seniors will be able to continue to access the equity in their homes, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The U.S. Senate passed S. 2338, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA ) Modernization Act of 2007, which included Crapo's amendment to permit FHA's reverse mortgage program for seniors to continue. Absent the action by Congress, the program would have been halted. Crapo, who serves on the Senate Banking Committee … Continue Reading
December 14, 2007
FARM BILL BRINGS BENEFITS TO IDAHO, CRAPO SAYS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supported the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419), citing benefits to Idaho farmers and ranchers and communities across the nation. The measure, commonly called the Farm Bill, passed the Senate today by a vote of 79 to 11. Crapo has pressed for enactment of strong federal farm policy to better enable producers to plan for the future and compete successfully in domestic and global markets. He is a member of both the Senate Agriculture and … Continue Reading
December 13, 2007
CRAPO: TAX POLICIES SHOULD NOT BURDEN TROOPS
Washington, DC - Military families and veterans in Idaho will benefit under legislation cleared by the U.S. Senate, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act of 2007 (H.R. 3997) provides specific tax relief for those who are currently serving in the military and their families as well as those who are veterans or serving in the reserves. The amended bill will be sent back to the House of Representatives for final approval before being sent to the President fo… Continue Reading
December 13, 2007
CRAPO PRAISES MEASURE TO KEEP EXPERIENCED PILOTS FLYING
Washington, DC - Under legislation passed by the U.S. Senate, experienced pilots will no longer be grounded under an arbitrary age limit rule, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. H.R. 4343, the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act, passed the Senate by unanimous consent and will now be sent to the President for his signature. Crapo supported the measure, and also co-sponsored similar legislation (S. 65) in the Senate, which was championed by Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, an active commerc… Continue Reading
December 13, 2007
CRAPO VOTES FOR COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY BILL
Washington, DC - Late Thursday, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted in favor of H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, commonly referred to as the Energy Bill. The bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of 86-8. The Senate amended the House version of the bill, which was passed on December 6. The Senate amendment strikes a tax package that would have increased taxes on domestic oil and gas producers to pay for incentives for renewable power, energy efficiency, electric vehicles… Continue Reading
December 12, 2007
CRAPO ANNOUNCES WATER IMPROVEMENTS FOR DOWNEY
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announces the City of Downey in southern Bannock County will receive more than $2 million in federal funding to upgrade its water system. Most of the combination of loan and grant dollars for the improvements will come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program. "Improvements in infrastructure are critical to a city's health and well being, as well as the ability to welcome new residents and attract new business and com… Continue Reading
December 11, 2007
CRAPO: NEW SURVEY UNDERSCORES NEED FOR REFORM IN U.S. CAPITAL MARKETS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, chairman of the Senate Republican Capital Markets Task Force, says an initial public offering (IPO) report released today reinforces the need to strengthen the competitive position of our capital markets. The report, prepared by the Financial Services Forum, cites a number of factors that have created difficulties for U.S. companies. Those include: a larger and more liquid capital markets overseas; a litigation environment in the United States perceived… Continue Reading
December 11, 2007
CRAPO URGES TIMELY PASSAGE OF SENATE FARM BILL
Washington, DC - During a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate today, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo urged his colleagues to continue to work together in a bipartisan fashion to advance this legislation through the Senate prior to the end of the year. Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 before the Senate is a careful balance between nutrition programs, conservation efforts, renewable energy, trade initiatives and support for agricultural… Continue Reading
December 10, 2007
BAUCUS, CRAPO BILL WOULD NIX RECREATION FEES
Washington, DC -- The U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies would be blocked from charging Americans higher fees to access their public lands under legislation introduced today by two prominent Western lawmakers. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today joined Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) in introducing the much-anticipated Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act of 2007 (S. 2438). The bill would revoke authority given federal agencies, with the exception of the National Par… Continue Reading
December 07, 2007
NAMPA RETIREES EARN CRAPO'S SPIRIT OF IDAHO AWARD
Nampa - Residents of a Nampa retirement community will be honored tomorrow for their ongoing contributions to Idaho military members serving overseas. Retirees at Silver Crest Estates II Retirement Center have been making donations of clothing, food, toys, quilts, and other items to Air Force members and their families through the military's Operation Warmheart program. Crapo recently learned of the group's ongoing generosity during the holiday season from retired Air Force Colonel Bruce Wong… Continue Reading
December 07, 2007
CRAPO ANNOUNCES IDAHO 2008 MILITARY ACADEMY NOMINATIONS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced his nominations of 35 Idaho students to military service academies, for the freshman class entering in 2008. The students' applications are now being considered by four of the U.S. service academies, where final selections will be made. "I am proud to work with these future leaders from Idaho," Crapo said. "Not only will they continue their education, but they will dedicate themselves to protecting our country. With our nation engaged in the… Continue Reading
December 07, 2007
CRAPO: NEW YEAR SHOULD BRING REPEAL OF AMT
Washington DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says the Senate vote approving a temporary one-year fix to the problems created by the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is a "long-overdue first step," but now a vote is needed to repeal the tax completely. Crapo is a sponsor of legislation to repeal the tax, which is now hitting middle-income Americans, something it was not intended to do. "This most recent vote will, for this year, prevent an unexpected tax increase on thousands of Idahoans," Crapo said… Continue Reading
December 05, 2007
SENATORS ANNOUNCE TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION RESOLUTION
WASHINGTON, D.C.-In an annual effort to raise awareness of the crime of teen dating violence nationwide, Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York), Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Joe Biden (D-Delaware) joined together to introduce a Resolution declaring February 4 - 8, 2008, "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week." This marks the third year that the United States Senate has introduced a resolution declaring the first fu… Continue Reading
December 04, 2007
CRAPO SUPPORTS PERU TRADE AGREEMENT
Washington, DC - The benefits to U.S. small businesses, including U.S. agriculture, are good reasons to support a new free trade agreement with Peru, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. H.R. 3688, the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, was approved by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 77 to 18. Crapo voted in favor of the measure. Having just returned from a diplomatic trip to several Central and South American nations, Crapo noted the trade opportunities beyond ou… Continue Reading
December 04, 2007
CRAPO CO-SPONSORS BILL TO PROTECT BOATERS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has co-sponsored new legislation seeking to avoid a costly permitting process for owners of family and recreation boats not intended under federal law. Crapo, a member of the Congressional Boating Caucus and the Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, says recent judicial interpretations of environmental law could penalize boat owners for incidental discharge related to bilge water, engine cooling water and common deck runoff. The Recreation… Continue Reading
November 28, 2007
HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS FOR THE SOLDIERS
Boise - A special delivery to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's Boise office this morning will bring a wonderful Christmas gift to hospitalized servicemen and women. Audrey Bowers, Emmett, with a little help from her husband, Jim, brought 37 handmade scarves to Crapo's office for delivery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Bowers has been knitting the scarves since August so that members of the U.S. military have something to cherish for Christmas this year. Bowers, whose son has… Continue Reading
November 20, 2007
Drought, fire conditions merit assistance request
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) in spearheading efforts to extend the deadline for federal assistance for ranchers and farmers affected by drought, fires and other disasters this year. Wyoming Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso (both R-Wyoming) are working with Crapo to build Republican support in the bipartisan effort started by Wyden and Crapo. Crapo, Enzi, Barrasso and other Senators signing the letter to the Chairman and Ranking Members of t… Continue Reading
November 19, 2007
CRAPO: FUNDING NEEDED TO PREVENT IED ATTACKS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is co-sponsoring a bill that is designed to keep those within the U.S. safe from IEDs (improvised explosive devices). The legislation, S. 2292, would stop attacks by utilizing new technologies discovered in fighting IED attacks overseas. It would enhance the ability and funding of the Office of Bombing Prevention within the Department of Homeland Security. That office is responsible for coordinating federal efforts to detect and prevent the threat of an … Continue Reading
November 16, 2007
TASK FORCE OPPOSES PASSAGE OF ANTI-COMPETITIVE TAX POLICY
Washington, DC - The Senate Republican Capital Markets Task Force, led by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, sent a letter today to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell reporting to him the Senate should not increase tax rates on carried interest and publicly traded partnerships in order to offset tax legislation that may come before the Senate in the remaining weeks of this year's session. The letter included the signatures of 20 members of the Task Force and was sent in response to the passage of H… Continue Reading
