News Releases
Like A Gathering Storm
It's coming. In less than the time it takes to get a bachelor's degree, serve a military tour or complete high school, taxpayers earning $30,000 to $80,000 will see increases in their tax liability from $1,600 to $2,300. At the end of 2010, the tax relief enacted in 2001 and 2003 will expire, absent changes to current tax policy by Congress. The writing is on the wall - those tax cuts will very likely not be made permanent next year or the following. Some taxpayers are already starting to prepar… Continue Reading
June 03, 2008
Crapo Cites Need For Opening Yucca Mountain
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, Co-Chair of the Senate Nuclear Cleanup Caucus, today cited two major reasons to move ahead with federal plans to open a national nuclear depository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The U.S. Department of Energy plans to file an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission seeking to open a storage facility in Nevada as a follow-up to President Bush and Congress designating the site in July of 2002. "The spent nuclear materials temporarily stored in I… Continue Reading
May 29, 2008
Clearwater Basin Collaborative Announced
Lewiston - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today joined with a group of resource, environment, wildlife, sportsmen, Tribal and state and federal agency leaders to announce the Clearwater Basin Collaborative, a consensus-based effort to plan the long-term use and management of public lands in the Clearwater Basin. Crapo and many group members feel a collaborative effort combined with long-range planning may be the best way to solve issues and manage public lands for the benefit of multiple uses-timber p… Continue Reading
May 27, 2008
Crapo To Present Flag At Request Of CDA Students, Announce Clearwater Collaborative Effort
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will visit Coeur d'Alene students at Fernan Elementary School on Friday to present them with a new U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. As part of a Social Studies project, the students in Linda Hannon's first grade class wrote to Crapo, requesting a new flag to replace the worn one being flown at their school. During the flag presentation, several students will read their letters to Crapo. On Thursday, Crapo will announce a new collaborative effort… Continue Reading
May 25, 2008
Crapo: Simplot Left His Mark On Idaho, The World
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo released the following statement regarding the passing of J.R. "Jack" Simplot: "J.R. Simplot lived his life to the fullest, blazing a trail through industry, agriculture and the arts that is hard to match. He was a remarkable man, who used his vision to create technology that has benefitted our entire country. His legacy will be long remembered by our state; he left his mark on not just Idaho, but on the world. Idaho has lost one of its favorite sons … Continue Reading
May 23, 2008
Veterans Earn Tax Relief For Homes, Retirement
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined with the full Senate to approve new tax relief for members of the U.S. military, their families and their employers. The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Act (HEART) was approved by unanimous consent and is expected to be signed into law by the President. The U.S. House of Representatives has already approved the measure. Crapo co-sponsored the Senate version of the bill. "This legislation will make it easier for members of the military to… Continue Reading
May 23, 2008
Crapo Lauds Passage Of Online Safety Measures For Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two measures, co-sponsored by Senator Mike Crapo, that increase safeguards for children using the Internet passed the Senate this week by unanimous consent. "The KIDS Act, combined with the declaration of June as Internet Safety Month sends a strong message that Congress takes very seriously the devastating crime of Internet predation of our children," said Crapo. "Statistics and firsthand accounts of children and law enforcement reveal very frightening data on the pervasivene… Continue Reading
May 22, 2008
Crapo Cites AG Opportunities In Override Vote
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted to override the President's veto of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, commonly called the Farm Bill, today citing the need to enact the new Farm Bill to increase energy and environmental opportunities on farm land, and provide needed certainty for rural communities and all Americans. The Senate overrode the veto by a vote of 82 to 13. "Agriculture is a more than $5 billion industry in Idaho and an integral part of our state's econo… Continue Reading
May 22, 2008
Crapo Supports County Payments Funding
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supported the Senate passage of a provision today that includes $400 million to continue county payments for another year. In April, Crapo, a long-time advocate for the county payments program, joined a bipartisan group of senators, who sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee seeking the inclusion of an extension and funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Act of 2000 in the Fiscal Year 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropr… Continue Reading
May 20, 2008
Crapo Announces State Staff Changes
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announces five members of his state staff are being promoted to new positions. Former Regional Director Mitch Silvers has been named as State Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Environment. Silvers' new assignment will include increased interaction and coordination with local governments, state and federal agencies, and Tribal leaders on a number of Crapo initiatives involving environmental concerns, Native American issues and other topics. Sil… Continue Reading
May 15, 2008
Crapo, Senate Support Farm Bill Compromise
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supported the 2008 Farm Bill Conference Report when it was passed by the Senate today by a vote of 81 to 15. Crapo spoke on the Senate floor in favor of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 as it would provide long-term certainty to farm families, enhance food security, enable environmental improvements, and expand energy opportunities. "At a time when people around the world are struggling to deal with recent natural disasters and ensure tha… 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 13, 2008
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 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
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 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 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
