News Releases
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 "It is time to fix this outdated system to reflect modern needs in our agricultural com… Continue Reading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
May 15, 2007
ANNIVERSARY NOTES BENEFITS OF TAX RELIEF
Washington, DC - Job creation, low unemployment rates and a surging economy can all be traced back to events four years ago, which lowered tax rates on investment, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo was part of an event on Capitol Hill this morning marking the four-year anniversary of legislation, which lowered tax rates on capital gains and dividends. He has introduced legislation (S. 502) to make the tax reductions permanent. Representative Eric Cantor (R-Virginia) is introducing a s… Continue Reading
May 14, 2007
2009 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES NOTICED IN U.S. CONGRESS
Washington, DC - The Idaho Delegation has introduced resolutions in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, aimed at commending the efforts of Idahoans to bring to Idaho the largest sporting event in state history during 2009â??the Special Olympics World Winter Games. The resolutions, originally authored in the House by Congressman Bill Sali and proposed by the entire Idaho delegation, salute the athletes and all who make the Special Olympic World Games possible and offer the… Continue Reading
May 09, 2007
Crapo Praises Lower Tax Rates
Washington, DC â??Tax rates on capital gains and dividends will stay lower through 2010, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo reported after the Senate-House tax reconciliation conferees came to an agreement on a measure that included the relief today. Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, authored a letter to the conferees, signed by 20 Senators, requesting that the conference report include that two-year extension relief on capital gains and dividends. Additionally, he is the lead sponsor of le… Continue Reading
May 03, 2007
CRAPO: RURAL DEVELOPMENT MAINTAINSRURAL COMPETITIVENESS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says many rural Idahoans are competing in the world market just like their city cousins, thanks in part to the federal USDA Rural Development Program. Crapo, who is Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, praised the efforts of the USDA Rural Development Program, which came under fire recently following media reports that some funding from the program was spent in affluent areas.&q… Continue Reading
