News Releases
CRAPO DISAPPOINTED FARM BILL LEFT IN LIMBO
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, today issued the following statement regarding today's cloture vote on the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. Crapo voted against cloture and continues to press for an open amendment process on the bill. The motion to invoke cloture, a procedure to limit debate and the amendment process, on the substitute a… Continue Reading
November 15, 2007
CRAPO HOSTS FIRST STATEWIDE iTOWNHALL MEETING
Washington, DC - Using Internet and telephone technology, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo hosted his first statewide iTownHall meeting. The hour-long meeting, held Wednesday evening, involved more than 4,000 Idahoans and is now posted on the Senator's website, http://crapo.senate.gov, for anyone who would like to listen to the event. There is also a link to allow people to sign up for future iTownHall meetings. "It was an outstanding opportunity to use this technology to hear from Idahoans on issues… Continue Reading
November 15, 2007
CRAPO: FARM BILL IS TOO IMPORTANT FOR PARTISAN POLITICS
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, in a speech before the full U.S. Senate today, expressed disappointment with the Senate Majority Leadership for using procedural tactics to block open consideration of the Farm Bill and forcing a vote to move the closed bill forward. "I support the Senate Farm Bill," said Crapo. "It is important legislatio… Continue Reading
November 14, 2007
IDAHO, WYOMING AND MONTANA DELEGATIONS FIGHT FOR SNOWMOBILE USE TO REMAIN OPEN IN YELLOWSTONE
Washington, D.C. - Congressional members from Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana sent a letter today to the Director of the National Park Service, encouraging her to continue to allow winter public access to Yellowstone National Park by the means of snowmobile use. "As residents of the Intermountain West we share a love of the outdoors and the beautiful lands our region offers," the Delegations wrote in the letter. "As such, the preservation of our national parks is something we are deeply concerned… Continue Reading
November 14, 2007
CRAPO CO-SPONSORS BILL CLOSING METH LOOPHOLE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is co-sponsoring a new bill closing an existing loophole in federal legislation that restricts access to drugs used in the manufacture of illegal methamphetamine. Crapo, who requested more federal help in the fight against meth last month on the Senate floor, says some retailers are avoiding compliance with federal laws that restrict the sale of the ingredients used to produce meth. He is co-sponsoring S. 2071, the Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act,… Continue Reading
November 13, 2007
SENATORS CRAPO AND LIEBERMAN SPONSOR HEALTHY AMERICANS ACT
Washington, DC - The bipartisan Senate effort to reform the nation's ailing health care system took a step forward today as U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Bob Bennett (R-Utah) welcomed two more influential senators as sponsors of the Healthy Americans Act (S.334). U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, join a growing list of co-sponsors, which now totals 11 senators. Previously announced co-sponsors include: U.S. Se… Continue Reading
November 09, 2007
CRAPO CALLS FOR SUFFICIENT FIREFIGHTING FUNDS FOR WILDLAND FIRES IN IDAHO
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo wants to ensure that sufficient funds are made available for wildland fire management in Idaho, including recovery and rehabilitation efforts underway from this year's fires. In letters sent to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Connor, Crapo noted that the funds are crucial for fighting and recovery from wildland fires in the state. Wildland Fire Management funds in the Fiscal Year 2008 Continuing Resolution are de… Continue Reading
November 08, 2007
SPIRIT OF FREEDOM AWARDS SHOW HISTORY, COMMITMENT OF MILITARY
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is honoring 14 Idahoans this Veterans Day weekend in ceremonies to held in Boise, Pocatello, Twin Falls and Lewiston. Crapo's sixth annual Spirit of Freedom Awards will honor both veterans and volunteers who work with veterans. This year's ceremonies demonstrate the long history of commitment and volunteerism that marks military service in Idaho. "This year, I am honoring veterans from almost 70 years of American military history-from World War II to … Continue Reading
November 07, 2007
CRAPO CO-SPONSORS BILL TO REPEAL AMT, MAKE TAX RELIEF PERMANENT
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is announcing legislation to end an unintended tax that could hurt up to 90,000 Idahoans this year, and prevent a major tax increase on all Idahoans in the next five years. The AMT Repeal and Tax Freedom Act is being heralded by Crapo and the bill's main sponsor, Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada) as a way to encourage greater economic growth by maintaining lower tax rates on capital gains and dividends. The bill also abolishes the unfair Alternative Minimum… Continue Reading
November 07, 2007
CRAPO: FINANCIAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT UNDERSCORES NEED TO ACT
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, the newly-appointed chairman of the Senate Republican Capital Markets Task Force, says a report released today adds considerably to the understanding of the challenges that American capital markets face and offers specific solutions that could help American markets, companies, and workers to better compete. Financial Services Roundtable's Blue Ribbon Commission on Enhancing Competitiveness Blueprint recommends 68 specific recommendations to ensure the U… Continue Reading
November 07, 2007
CRAPO: DEFENSE PROJECTS FOR IDAHO HIGHLIGHTED
Washington, DC - Idaho stands to gain in funding for federal defense-related work within the state under a measure approved by the U.S. Congress and now in conference. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo successfully requested funding for a number of Idaho projects for universities, military operations and work at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives are expected to finalize work on the Defense Appropriations conference report this week. The conferen… Continue Reading
November 07, 2007
CRAPO CONGRATULATES BOISE STUDENT
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is sending his congratulations to Clare Pratt, an 11-year-old Boise 6th grader at St. Mary's Catholic School, who took grand prize for her essay in the 4th annual Veterans Day Essay Contest sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Clare's essay on the theme, "Veterans Day: Honoring Our Nation's Heroes", was chosen from approximately 800 entries nationwide, and is posted at Crapo's website, http://crapo.senate.gov, and at the Paralyzed Veterans of … Continue Reading
November 02, 2007
CRAPO PUSHES VA ON VETERANS' BRAIN INJURIES
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts need increased treatment and attention regarding traumatic brain injury (TBI). This type of injury has been described as the "signature wound" of the recent Mideast conflicts because of the use of roadside bombs and other explosive devices that have been unique to the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. "My staff and I have spoken with hundreds of veterans suffering the effects of concussive injuri… Continue Reading
November 02, 2007
CRAPO PROMOTES, HIRES NEW STATE STAFF MEMBERS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has promoted two state staff members and hired two Idahoans to take positions in his state offices. Jennifer Beier has transferred from the North-Central Regional office in Lewiston, where she was a Staff Assistant, to the Idaho State Office in Boise, where she will now work as the Constituent Service Representative. She will be responsible for casework and managing the state internship program. Beier, who just finished up a degree in Business Adminis… Continue Reading
October 31, 2007
CRAPO: AG SECRETARY-DESIGNATE SCHAFER HAS STRONG BACKGROUND
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, welcomes President Bush's nomination of former North Dakota Governor Edward Schafer and says that Schafer's diverse background and experience will be beneficial in making it through the Senate confirmation process. During his tenure as Governor, Schafer made economic development a priority in his rural state, a priority Crapo shares. "Schafer understands the important relationships between American agricu… Continue Reading
October 30, 2007
SENATE PASSES AMTRAK BILL WITH CRAPO AMENDMENT
Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate has approved an Amtrak rail passenger service spending bill that will likely result in a renewed effort to return service to southern Idaho, if the U.S. House agrees. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's amendment including Idaho-specific language about returning Amtrak was approved as a part of the full bill, which passed on a vote of 70 to 22. "Idahoans are contacting our offices and showing overwhelming support for returning Amtrak service to southern Idaho," Crapo s… Continue Reading
October 30, 2007
SENATE ADOPTS CRAPO AMTRAK AMENDMENT
Washington, DC - The effort to return passenger rail service to Idaho may get its best shot in a decade this week, according to Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo has successfully attached the Idaho-related amendment to an Amtrak funding bill, S. 294, now being debated by the U.S. Senate. The amendment was approved by unanimous consent on Monday evening. The Crapo amendment will set parameters on how Amtrak evaluates a return of the former Pioneer Route across southern Idaho in several ways. It forces… Continue Reading
October 29, 2007
CRAPO PUSHES TO RETURN AMTRAK TO IDAHO
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has launched an aggressive push to return passenger railroad service to southern Idaho. Crapo today filed an amendment to S. 294, a bill to fund Amtrak now being debated on the Senate floor; that amendment will strengthen an effort already in the bill to return the former Pioneer Route across southern Idaho in several ways. Crapo's amendment will ensure that Amtrak uses the same new methodology to determine whether to reinstate passenger rail service … Continue Reading
October 29, 2007
CRAPO HONORS MAGIC VALLEY IRAQ WAR VETERAN
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo honored a Shoshone native, Bronze Star recipient Major Vaughn Ward, with a statement published in the Congressional Record. Ward earned his medal for bravery during combat near where he was stationed in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2006. Crapo met with Ward earlier this month to congratulate him on his distinguished service and to present him with a gold-bordered copy of the statement. (A photo of the presentation accompanies this news release.) Ward's heroism … Continue Reading
October 26, 2007
CRAPO: ACADEMY DEADLINE NEARLY HERE
Washington, DC - More than 250 Idaho students have downloaded applications for nominations to U.S. military academies from Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's website. The strong interest follows Academy Day presentations in Boise and Coeur d'Alene earlier this month. Crapo reminds interested Idaho students that applications for nominations to four of the nation's military academies must be submitted by Wednesday, October 31, 2007, to be considered for the class entering in 2008. Every year, Crapo nomina… Continue Reading
