News Releases
FIRES: DELEGATION PLEDGES ASSISTANCE, CALLS FOR FLEXIBILITY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Idaho Congressional Delegation called on the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to ensure land managers in Idaho are given maximum flexibility to help restore the land following the catastrophic wildfires this year. Idaho is currently in the unenviable position of having the largest fires during one of this nation's worst fire years and the largest in decades. To date this year, more than 850,000 acres in Idaho have burned. More than 600,000 acres burned in on… Continue Reading
July 25, 2007
CRAPO, REID SEEK CONTINUED ASSISTANCE FOR FIRE VICTIMS ON THE IDAHO-NEVADA BORDER
Washington , DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today pressed for continued assistance to residents along the Idaho-Nevada border who have been heavily impacted by the Murphy Complex fire, the largest wildfire burning in the nation at more than 560,000 acres. Both Senators are meeting today with U.S. Bureau of Land Management officials to discuss the situation and are calling for increased support from the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affair… Continue Reading
July 20, 2007
SCHOOL FRUIT & VEGETABLE PROGRAM FUNDED BY COMMITTEE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is applauding a vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee to continue funding for a fruit and vegetable program in Idaho schools that is helping both farmers and students. Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, worked to bring the program to 25 Idaho schools.While cautioning that the $500,000 in funding approval must still be matched by the full Senate and a likely conference between the Senate and the U.S. House, Crapo said the recogniti… Continue Reading
July 20, 2007
IDAHO SENATORS HONOR COWBOYS, SEN. THOMAS
Washington, DC - A bill honoring the American Cowboy and continuing the legislative legacy of the late Senator Craig Thomas, R-Wyoming, has passed the U.S. Senate. S. Res. 130, sponsored by Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig, declares July 28, 2007 as 'National Day of the American Cowboy." The legislation notes that, "Whereas pioneering men and women, recognized as cowboys, helped establish the American West...that cowboy spirit continues to infuse the nation with its solid … Continue Reading
July 17, 2007
CRAPO: IRAQ SURGE REMAINS BEST OPTION
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says efforts by Senate leaders to promote around-the-clock debate on removing troops from Iraq provides a good opportunity for discussion, but the timetable for decision-making should remain the same-that Congress must review options in Iraq when U.S. military leaders issue a report this September on the recent surge in Iraq. "The debate on our Iraq policy and how best to ensure the U.S. is successful in fighting the Global War on Terror is one that… Continue Reading
July 16, 2007
CRAPO, KLOBUCHAR INTRODUCE BILL TO INCREASE INVESTMENT IN BIODIESEL EDUCATION
Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) introduced a bill to extend funding for the Biodiesel Education program for an additional five years. The 2002 Farm Bill provided $1 million per year; this new bill would increase the funding to $2 million annually. The proposal is modeled after Minnesota's program - the first state to pass a 2 percent biodiesel standard. Crapo said, "In the face of rising gasoline prices and increasing calls for… Continue Reading
July 14, 2007
Idaho Delegation Holds Office Hours In Grangeville, Craigmont
Washington, DC â?? Field representatives from the offices of Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig and Congressman C.L. â??Butchâ?? Otter will host meetings and office hours on July 27th, 2006 in Grangeville and Craigmont. The office hours are part of the delegationâ??s efforts to meet with area residents outside their regional field offices in Lewiston, Coeur dâ??Alene, and elsewhere in Idaho. . The congressional representatives will hold office hours:Grangeville City Hall 10:00 - 11:30 am 225 We… Continue Reading
July 13, 2007
CRAPO TO PRESENT SPIRIT OF IDAHO TO 'EXTREME MAKEOVER' VOLUNTEERS, JOIN OWYHEE DAM EVENT
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will thank Idaho volunteers who are working on a home building project outside of Middleton and present them with his Spirit of Idaho Award this Saturday morning. Crapo will meet with a large group of volunteers and the president of CBH Homes, Corey Barton, to thank them for a week-long effort that is being organized by the television program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The program will air later this season on the ABC network. Crapo said… Continue Reading
July 10, 2007
CRAPO WELCOMES IDAHO INTERNS TO D.C.
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is welcoming four Idaho college students to his Washington, D.C. office for the summer. The students will have opportunities to assist with office procedures, constituent correspondence, legislative support and media relations. Internships typically run eight to twelve weeks. "It is always a pleasure to welcome Idahoans to my internship program," Crapo said. These four students will learn a great deal about their government and the political p… Continue Reading
July 09, 2007
ADDITIONAL FUNDING COMING TO ASSIST IDAHO POTATOES
Washington, DC - Idaho's potato crop will receive an additional boost in the ongoing fight against the potato cyst nematode, with the announcement that an additional $500,000 has been approved to eradicate the pest. The Idaho Congressional Delegation says the Bush Administration has continued to be an essential partner in this ongoing effort to eradicate the potato cyst nematode (PCN) in Idaho. "The potato cyst nematode originally appeared in a limited number of Eastern Idaho fields in … Continue Reading
July 03, 2007
ADDITIONAL VAWA FUNDING HEADED TO CONFERENCE
Idaho Falls , ID - At the start of a week working in Idaho, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo reiterated his support of the additional funding included in the Senate Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Justice appropriations for victims of family and dating violence, including specific funding for Native American women who are victims of violence. "I appreciate the efforts in recent months on the part of family violence prevention advocates at local, state and n… Continue Reading
July 02, 2007
CRAPO TO PARTICIPATE IN 4th OF JULY EVENTS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will participate in 4th of July events in Boise, Caldwell and Melba this week during Congress' July 4th state work period. Crapo will also join with Trout Unlimited officials and the Boise National Forest to observe progress on a conservation project near Idaho City that is restoring threatened populations of Idaho bull trout. Crapo's schedule for July 4th and 5th includes the following events: Wednesday, July 4th: 10:30 a.m. Melba Participate… Continue Reading
June 28, 2007
IN LIGHT OF SUPREME COURT REFUSAL TO END DOUBLE AND TRIPLE TAXATION OF BUSINESSES, CRAPO AND SCHUMER UNVEIL LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE RELIEF
Following the Supreme Court's refusal last week to hear two cases relating to multiple layers of tax on multi-state businesses, today U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) announced legislation that would relieve impacted businesses from the burden of double taxation, which results from a varying mix of state tax laws. At issue is whether companies, in addition to being taxed in the state where physically located, should also be subject to business activity taxe… Continue Reading
June 28, 2007
CRAPO APPLAUDS VOCA FUND PRESERVATION
Washington , DC - In a show of support for victims of crime today, the Senate Appropriations Committee refused to institute a proposed rescission of the Crime Victims Fund in the Fiscal Year appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice and Science according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo, who, for three years, has led efforts in the Senate to keep the Fund out of the General Treasury, applauded the members of the Appropriations Committee for their commitment to victims… Continue Reading
June 28, 2007
CRAPO: IMMIGRATION REFORM NEEDS MORE WORK
Washington, D.C. - Today Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted against moving forward on immigration reform legislation, saying that the bill was a flawed approach to a critical issue. The final vote was 46-53, 14 votes short of what was needed to move forward with the legislation. "Over the past several weeks I have heard an overwhelming response from Idahoans regarding immigration reform," said Crapo. "Clearly, change is desired but not if that change comes with offering amnesty to millions of peo… Continue Reading
June 27, 2007
CRAPO UPDATED ON DEBILITATING "STEALTH TAX"
Washington , DC - Tax experts today reaffirmed to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo that the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) forces debilitating financial effects on American taxpayers. At a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, witnesses told Crapo and others on the committee that the so-called "stealth tax" hit four million taxpayers in 2006 and, in just three more years, is projected to affect 34 percent of those who file income tax. "The Alternative Mi… Continue Reading
June 26, 2007
CRAPO: BILL OBSTRUCTS EMPLOYEE CHOICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Idaho Senator Mike Crapo asserted that an employee has a right to privacy and free choice in the workplace by voting against the Employee Free Choice Act, H.R. 800. The bill, which would do away with an employee's right to a private ballot in union organizing elections, failed to move forward in the Senate by a vote of 51 to 48; 60 votes were needed. "Employees should have the right to private ballots when deciding whether or not to join a union," Crapo said.… Continue Reading
June 22, 2007
ENERGY BILL GETS A PASSING GRADE - STILL MORE TO DO
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Late Thursday, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig voted in favor of the Senate Energy Bill, H.R. 6. The bill focused on advanced biofuels and efficiency for automobiles, research and development of carbon capture and storage technologies, and the development of key international strategic energy relationships. Crapo said, "This energy bill will go a long way toward increasing our supply of domestic fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, and cellulosic ethanol; reasonab… Continue Reading
June 21, 2007
CRAPO, BAUCUS INTRODUCE BILL TO HELP U.S. FARMERS AND RANCHERS TAP CUBAN MARKET
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee with jurisdiction over certain foreign trade issues, joined with Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) to introduce legislation today to ease trade and end travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba. The legislation, S. 1673, aims to better enable U.S. producers to export to Cuba and enhance U.S. and Cuba political and economic opportunities. "Unfortunately, Idaho products have made up very little of … Continue Reading
June 20, 2007
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
