News Releases
CRAPO CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE REPEAL OF AMT
Washington, DC - Close to 90,000 Idaho families may be facing an unexpected tax if Congress doesn't act quickly to end an outdated federal income tax. In a news conference on Capitol Hill today, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said that the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is now threatening tens of millions of middle-income Americans. The tax, created in 1969 to stop a handful of wealthy individuals who were legally avoiding paying any taxes, was not indexed for inflation; as a result, millions of middle… Continue Reading
October 15, 2007
CRAPO CITES BENEFITS OF IDAHO COOPERATIVES
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is praising the work behind new farm-to-market cooperatives in Idaho that recently obtained federal funding and could be an economic and business model for others to follow. Hagerman I.D.E.A. (Improvement, Development, Education and Appreciation) Incorporated is receiving a $60,294 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the "Idaho's Bounty" cooperative program. The cooperative serves much of southern Idaho, benefiting workers and customers in … Continue Reading
October 12, 2007
GAO REPORT UNDERSCORES NEED TO MODERNIZE FINANCIAL REGS, IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says a report released today by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) provides valuable information that Congress can use to improve U.S. global competitiveness with regard to U.S. financial markets. Today's GAO report was mandated by Crapo's Financial Services Regulatory Act of 2006. "Congress needs to seriously consider this report and begin to examine and consider how to modernize our federal financial regulatory system," Crapo said. "In … Continue Reading
October 11, 2007
CRAPO: SHRINKING FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT SHOWS TAX RELIEF POLICY IS WORKING
Washington, DC - With today's news that the federal budget deficit continues to shrink, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, noted that economic strength fueled by federal tax relief has resulted in the federal budget deficit falling to its lowest level in five years. Crapo, also a member of the Senate Finance Committee overseeing federal tax policy, said that today's announcement by the U.S. Treasury strengthens what he and others on the committee have been saying … Continue Reading
October 10, 2007
OCTOBER: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month; the perfect time to highlight progress we've made and the rough road ahead in our march against domestic violence. We've come a long way in the past few decades concerning public discussions of domestic violence. Women, men and teens are joining community efforts to talk about domestic and dating abuse; slowly, but surely, reducing society's tolerance of these terrible crimes. Violence committed in homes against mothers, children, fathers, or in d… Continue Reading
October 05, 2007
FINANCE COMMITTEE SETS STAGE FOR SENATE FARM BILL DEBATE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined fellow members of the Senate Finance Committee in approving legislation intended to provide funds for Farm Bill spending. The measure, passed on a 17 to 4 vote, would also provide opportunities for private landowners and agricultural producers through tax incentives for alternative fuel production, conservation efforts, and endangered species recovery. Crapo's Endangered Species Recovery Act (ESRA) is now included in the agricultural tax package i… Continue Reading
October 04, 2007
CRAPO HONORS SHELLEY COUPLE AS "ANGELS IN ADOPTION"
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is honoring Rick and Tina Betzer of Shelley, Idaho, as being among the nation's leading advocates for adoption. The Betzers, who have mentored 40 children and 11 special-needs children are in Washington, DC, as part of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's annual "Angels in Adoption" recognition ceremony. Crapo applauded the Betzers' efforts today in a Congressional Record Statement on adoption. The Betzers joined more than 180 other "Angel… Continue Reading
October 04, 2007
CRAPO NOTES ETHANOL PLANT ONE STEP CLOSER
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says a facility to produce cellulosic ethanol from grain is a big step closer to reality today, following an announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy. Crapo and the Idaho Delegation were notified today that the DOE has given final approval to a new loan guarantee program and invited Iogen Biorefinery Partners LLC to submit an application to participate in the program. "The Iogen facility would bring jobs to Bingham County and Eastern Idaho and … Continue Reading
October 04, 2007
CRAPO: CRAIG HAS RIGHT TO PURSUE OPTIONS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement today regarding Senator Larry Craig: "Senator Craig has the right to pursue his legal options as does any citizen, and I support his effort. I look forward to serving with him as we continue to work on issues important to Idaho."… Continue Reading
October 04, 2007
IDAHO DEFENSE PROJECTS CLEAR THE SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The full Senate voted last night to approve the FY 2008 Defense appropriations bill, which includes funding for a number of Idaho projects. Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo voted in support of the bill, and talked about Idaho's role in defending our nation. "Idaho's growing high-tech industry and universities continue to play an important role in developing new concepts and products that will keep our troops on the cutting edge," Craig said. "… Continue Reading
October 03, 2007
CRAPO, MORGAN AGREE EFFORTS IN SPACE MUST CONTINUE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo met today with NASA Educator Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, and both agreed that the recent downlink from Morgan's shuttle mission to Idaho students should be a model for future space missions. Crapo met with Morgan and two other members of the recent Space Shuttle Endeavor mission crew, Charles Hobaugh and Tracy Caldwell, this morning in his Washington, DC, office. "There is no question about the benefits of continuing NASA missions and the educa… Continue Reading
October 02, 2007
CRAPO, JOHNSON INTRODUCE BILL AIMED AT INCREASING RETIREMENT SAVINGS
Washington, DC - Americans who invest in mutual funds can look forward to more profitable, long-term investing and a more secure retirement, thanks to a bipartisan bill introduced today by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota). The bill would allow shareholders who automatically reinvest distributions to keep more of their own money working for them longer by deferring capital gains taxes until they actually sell the investment. Senator Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire), Rank… Continue Reading
September 27, 2007
CRAPO DISCUSSES IDAHO NATIONAL LAB WITH LOCAL MAYORS AND LEADERS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo told mayors and regional economic leaders from eastern Idaho today he is aggressively working to strengthen and increase missions at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Crapo told the Idahoans he is working with Senate leadership and appropriators to increase and strengthen the work at the Lab, and he discussed both D.C.-based and Idaho-based strategies to expand the Lab's core missions. As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, Crapo helps draft the … Continue Reading
September 26, 2007
CRAPO SUPPORTS CRAIG'S DECISION TO REMAIN IN U.S. SENATE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo released the following statement regarding Senator Larry Craig: "I support Senator Craig's decision to remain in the U.S. Senate. He, like every citizen facing allegations, deserves to be able to fully defend himself. Senator Craig has demonstrated outstanding leadership and tireless service to the state of Idaho for nearly three decades. Idahoans deserve to continue to benefit from Senator Craig's experience and expertise. I look forward to continuin… Continue Reading
September 25, 2007
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS GET FEDERAL SUPPORT
Washington, DC - Two Idaho renewable energy projects have been rewarded with federal grants under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, noted the USDA Rural Development loans and grants help rural economies while saving energy resources. "The 9006 program… Continue Reading
September 25, 2007
WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT PROJECTS APPROVED
Washington, DC - The United States Senate has authorized a number of water projects for Idaho in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), H.R. 2864. Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo voted to support the WRDA Conference Report, which passed on a vote of 81-12. WRDA authorizes programs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is generally passed every two years. However, the last WRDA bill Congress enacted was in 2000 when Crapo was chairman of the subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlif… Continue Reading
September 25, 2007
Committee Clears Idaho Projects in Defense Bill
BOISE, ID - The full Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Defense appropriations bill for FY 2008 earlier today. Funding was included for a number of Idaho projects. Idaho Senator Larry Craig, a member of the committee, praised Idaho's role in bolstering the nation's defenses. "Idahoans have every reason to be proud of the research and development of cutting-edge technologies being done here," Craig said. "These efforts make our nation more secure and our Armed Fo… Continue Reading
September 25, 2007
ACADEMY DAY EVENTS IN BOISE AND COEUR D'ALENE TO PROCEED
Washington, DC -Due to scheduling conflicts, there will not be an Academy Day in Idaho Falls as originally planned. Students in this area of the state are encouraged to attend the Boise Academy Day, or contact Senator Craig, Senator Crapo or Congressman Simpson for additional information. The purpose of these gatherings is to share information with students, parents, and counselors about the Congressional nomination process for the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY; t… Continue Reading
September 25, 2007
IDAHO DELEGATION TO HOST ACADEMY DAY
Washington, DC - The Idaho Congressional Delegation is pleased to host the Seventh Annual Service Academy Day in Idaho on October 6th. Events will be held simultaneously in Boise, Idaho Falls, and Coeur d'Alene. The purpose of these gatherings is to share information with students, parents, and counselors about the Congressional nomination process for the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, C… Continue Reading
September 21, 2007
CRAPO'S ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT TAX BILL PASSES COMMITTEE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's groundbreaking legislation to update the Endangered Species Act took a key step toward becoming law today. The legislation, the Endangered Species Recovery Act (S. 700), cleared the Senate Finance Committee as part of a larger measure, the Habitat and Land Conservation Act. Crapo's bill provides tax incentives for private landowners to improve habitat for endangered and threatened species. "Support for this consensus approach to species recovery has… Continue Reading
