News Releases
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING COMING TO IDAHO
Washington, DC - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig confirmed today that Idaho will receive $5 million in new federal economic development funding under a U.S. Department of Labor workforce innovation initiative. The Department's Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development program, or WIRED, targets funding for economic development in various regions. The funding announced today will target economic development in an eight county area of Southern Idaho, including the Magic V… Continue Reading
June 20, 2007
BAUCUS, RANGEL, CRAPO, EMERSON TO UNVEIL CUBA BILLS
Washington, DC - At a news conference tomorrow, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-New York), along with U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), will unveil companion pieces of legislation to ease agricultural trade, travel and other restrictions against Cuba. The news conference will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, in the Senate Radio/TV Gallery (S-325). Since 2005, U.S. agric… Continue Reading
June 19, 2007
CRAPO VOTES TO EXTEND COUNTY PAYMENTS
Washington, DC - Idaho schools and counties would benefit from provisions added today to a renewable energy tax incentives bill approved by the Senate Finance Committee to be added to the Energy bill, H.R. 6, currently being debated by the U.S. Senate. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and other members of the Committee to amend a renewable energy tax incentive bill to extend payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, as well as … Continue Reading
June 15, 2007
CRAPO PRAISES MEN'S HEALTH WEEK
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Idaho Senator Mike Crapo praises Senate approval of a resolution designating June 11-17, 2007, as "National Men's Health Week." The resolution, which Crapo introduced in May, passed by unanimous consent last night in the Senate. Crapo, a two-time survivor of prostate cancer, is a champion of men's health initiatives and has pressed for the creation of a federal office for men's health to promote public awareness and better coordinate existing research. Crapo serves on th… Continue Reading
June 14, 2007
CRAPO SEEKS CHANGE IN TAX CODE TO BENEFIT FARMERS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad in introducing bipartisan legislation that would provide tax benefits for farmers by updating the depreciation schedules for farm equipment. The bill addresses an injustice in the tax code that spreads the tax benefit of farm equipment over seven years, even though average machinery has a life span of only five years. "It is time to fix this outdated system to reflect modern needs in our agricultural com… Continue Reading
June 14, 2007
CRAPO SUPPORTS NATIONAL ANTHEM PROJECT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 14, Flag Day, is a good time to honor our country's national anthem, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. He joined with other Senators today in introducing a Senate resolution honoring the National Anthem Project, a national campaign to promote "The Star-Spangled Banner" and emphasize the importance of school music programs. Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Indiana Senator Evan Bayh introduced the measure, which Crapo co-sponsored. "Our national anthem pays tr… Continue Reading
June 08, 2007
CRAPO: COMMON SENSE PREVAILS IN CHANGES FOR PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo applauded today's announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to permit U.S. passport applicants to travel while their applications are being reviewed. Under new regulations, travelers by air to and from countries in North America must have a valid passport. Crapo noted his office has received many calls from Idahoans concerning delays in receiving their passports. Many of those who called received assistance that ultimately led to succe… Continue Reading
June 06, 2007
CRAPO TO RALLY AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN COEUR D'ALENE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will speak against domestic violence and about federal help for victims during a visit to Coeur d'Alene this Saturday. Crapo will keynote the annual meeting for the Coeur d'Alene Women's Center with an update on legislative efforts to stop domestic violence."The Women's Center epitomizes how programs to stop violence against women and children should work," Crapo noted. "The effort is rooted at the local level and includes … Continue Reading
June 05, 2007
SENATE WILL MISS THOMAS' HUMBLE LEADERSHIP
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo praised the humble leadership of fellow Senator Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming) who passed away last night following a battle with leukemia. Crapo said Thomas' willingness to shun the spotlight in favor of advancing issues critical to the West will be sorely missed in the U.S. Senate. "Craig Thomas was a tremendous friend of mine," Crapo said. "His loss will not only be a great personal loss to me but to the entire U.S. Senate. His integrity … Continue Reading
June 05, 2007
CRAPO, REID SEEK REDUCTIONS IN PRECIOUS METALS TAX
Washington, DC - Those seeking to invest in gold, silver and other precious metals will receive treatment equitable with other investors, under legislation proposed by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Majority Leader Harry Reid. Crapo and Reid are sponsoring the Fair Treatment for Precious Metals Investment Act, which places capital gains taxes on metals more in line with other investments. "Gold, silver, platinum and palladium investment products are not subject to the same capital gains tax t… Continue Reading
May 30, 2007
Northwest Senators Urge BPA, Utilities to Come Together, Preserve Affordable Power for Region
WASHINGTON, DC - All six senators from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho are calling on the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to help bring all stakeholders together to resolve issues resulting from a recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. The Northwest Power Act of 1980 authorized BPA to make payments to investor-owned utilities in the Northwest. These payments bring the rates of investor-owned utilities, which buy BPA power at market-based rates, in line with the rates of public utilities… Continue Reading
May 29, 2007
CRAIG, CRAPO AND SALI ANNOUNCE NEW VA CLINIC COMING TO NORTH IDAHO
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Larry Craig, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and Senator Mike Crapo along with Congressman Bill Sali announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to open a new community-based clinic in the Kootenai/Bonner County area. The final determination will be made by VA officials after final site analysis."It could open sometime this year but if a building has to be built, it could be sometime next year. … Continue Reading
May 24, 2007
CRAPO ISSUES STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF FISCAL YEAR 2007 SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING MEASURE
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo tonight voted in favor of the supplemental spending measure that will provide critical funding for U.S. troops and for a number of domestic programs. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 80-14; the House passed the same measure earlier this evening. It now heads to the White House for final approval. The following is Crapo's statement:"This long-anticipated legislation will provide needed funds for our military, as well as several vital pro… Continue Reading
May 24, 2007
CRAPO TO HONOR VETERANS AT MEMORIAL EVENTS
Washington, DC - During the Memorial Day state work period, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will spend time honoring our nation's veterans in several ceremonies and events throughout Eastern Idaho. While the Senate is in recess for the week of May 28th, Crapo will be in Idaho to speak with veterans, their families and gathered guests during American Legion Memorial Day services in Blackfoot and participate in the 4th annual Thunder Run event with Idaho POW/MIA groups. The locations and events are s… Continue Reading
May 22, 2007
CRAPO PRESSES MEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVES
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who has championed the creation of a federal office for men's health issues, today introduced a Senate resolution supporting National Men's Health Week, which is June 11-17, 2007. Crapo's assignment on the Senate Finance Committee includes oversight of federal health issues. He is a two-time survivor of prostate cancer."Despite advances in medical technology and research, men continue to have a shorter lifespan than womenâ??they live an… Continue Reading
May 22, 2007
CRAPO BACKS BILL TO CURB FEDERAL SPENDING
Washington, DC - A new plan to slow federal spending, address long-term budget threats and find solutions to the issue of automatic increases in entitlement programs is being supported by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and colleagues in the U.S. Senate. The "Stop Over Spending (S.O.S.)" Act is similar to an effort to curb spending last session, but this year's effort features a bi-partisan commission aimed at exploring ways to deal with programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicai… Continue Reading
May 17, 2007
WATER PROJECT FUNDING HEADED FOR IDAHO
Washington, DC - Idaho communities may soon see new projects related to water, flood control and recreation now that the Senate has approved the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA). Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig included a number of Idaho projects in the legislation, which was approved on a vote of 91 to 4. Craig is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which crafted the bill. The WRDA legislation authorizes priorities for projects under the purvi… Continue Reading
May 17, 2007
CRAPO SUPPORTS AWARENESS OF INTERNET SAFETY
Washington, DC - In an annual effort to raise awareness of the dangers of Internet predation, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution declaring June "National Internet Safety Month," Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who supports the effort, said. "Cyber criminal behavior has taken many forms, including sexual predation, intellectual property theft, cyber terrorism, plagiary, viruses and cyber-bullying. As the Internet continues to expand and reach more people, especially… Continue Reading
May 17, 2007
COEUR D'ALENE CHARTER ACADEMY WINS NATIONAL RECOGNITION, HONORED BY DELEGATION AND STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy was honored Wednesday at the National Press Club, as one of the top charter schools in the nation. Members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation were on hand as the Center for Education Reform presented the award. Senator Larry Craig and U.S. Rep. Bill Sali attended today's event. Senator Mike Crapo sent his congratulations. "The Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy is an excellent example of what can happen when parents and teache… Continue Reading
May 16, 2007
CRAPO SEEKS HOME OWNERSHIP FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS
Washington, DC - A bill to improve home ownership for Native Americans on tribal land is backed by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, the Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee's Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development. The full Senate Banking Committee approved the bill during a mark-up today. Tribal lands are generally held in trust by the federal government for individual tribes, which makes obtaining individual mortgages for home ownership difficult. The program… Continue Reading
