News Releases
ROBERTS TO RECEIVE NEW WASTEWATER SYSTEM
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announces the City of Roberts in Eastern Idaho's Jefferson County will soon begin construction on a new wastewater treatment facility, thanks to federal funds distributed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Program. Crapo, Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, says the city has been approved for a $1 million loan and $260,000 grant to replace the… Continue Reading
January 08, 2008
INTERNS ADD TO IDAHO PRESENCE IN CRAPO'S D.C. OFFICE
Washington, DC - Four Idahoans are among the group of interns welcomed for the spring semester into the Washington, DC office of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The internship program allows college students to learn more about the political process and assist with congressional services and legislative support. "Our internship program prioritizes a valuable exchange of information and education," Crapo noted. "Serving an internship in Washington expands a student's knowledge of the workings of U.S… Continue Reading
January 04, 2008
CRAPO ANNOUNCES STAFF PROMOTION, NEW HIRE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announces changes in his legislative staff in his Washington, D.C., office. The promotion and new hire change his staff handling health care, education, labor, welfare, and Social Security issues. Katie Oppenheim is Crapo's newest Legislative Assistant. She has been promoted from her previous role as Crapo's Legislative Correspondent for the same issue responsibilities. A graduate of the American University's Washington College of Law, she previously … Continue Reading
December 20, 2007
HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING KEEPS IDAHO PREPARED
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says ten Idaho jurisdictions will split about $200,000 in new federal funding for disaster preparedness, communications and training. The grants were announced today as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. "These grants are an important source of funding to improve our emergency response capabilities in rural states like Idaho," Crapo said. "Congress allocates these funds through the Depart… Continue Reading
December 18, 2007
CRAPO TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION RESOLUTION PASSES SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Annual efforts to raise awareness of the crime of teen dating violence nationwide received resounding reinforcement late last night when a Senate Resolution authored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo declaring February 4 - 8, 2008, "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week" passed the U.S. Senate by Unanimous Consent. "Dating violence has been shown to be a precursor to adult domestic violence; it is a cruel reality for many American teens," s… Continue Reading
December 18, 2007
CRAPO-JOHNSON BILL IMPROVES RURAL INVESTMENT
Washington, DC - Legislation to spur rural development by broadening the types of investments permissible for national banks to make has been introduced by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota). Johnson and Crapo, members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, have introduced S. 2487, The Depository Institution Community Development Investments Enhancement Act. This legislation has the potential to help attract bank investments to over 4,000 mi… Continue Reading
December 18, 2007
CRAPO OPPOSES CATCH-ALL SPENDING BILL
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo tonight voted against S. 2754, the State, Foreign Operations Appropriation Act, saying the vote is "on principle" to protest a rushed, wrong and irresponsible way to fund the federal government. Crapo noted the measure is one of the most expensive and largest bills to come before the Senate and was being rushed through to a vote in less than 48 hours. The measure passed the Senate by a vote of 76 to 17, with one Senator voting "present." Crapo said it… Continue Reading
December 18, 2007
CRAPO: MEDICARE/SCHIP COMPROMISE CLEARS SENATE
Washington, DC - In the waning hours of this year's congressional session, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to deal with some of the issues currently confronting Medicare. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over Medicare, supported the package, but warned that the fix is only temporary and additional Medicare issues must be addressed in the coming year. The measure, S. 2499, cleared the Senate by unanimous consent late Tuesday afternoon. T… Continue Reading
December 17, 2007
CRAPO RECOMMENDS EXCEPTION TO REGULATION PROHIBITING POSSESSION OF FIREARMS
Washington, DC - Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo requested today that prohibitions that keep law-abiding citizens from transporting and carrying firearms on certain public lands be removed. In a letter to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne spearheaded by Crapo and signed by 46 other Senators, Crapo cited regulations by the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service as infringing on constitutional rights of individuals. He also pointed out that other federal agencies have d… Continue Reading
December 14, 2007
CRAPO: MODERNIZING HUD HOUSING PROGRAMS WILL HELP TO STRENGTHEN MORTGAGE MARKETS
Washington, DC - Under legislation passed today by the U.S. Senate, Idaho seniors will be able to continue to access the equity in their homes, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The U.S. Senate passed S. 2338, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA ) Modernization Act of 2007, which included Crapo's amendment to permit FHA's reverse mortgage program for seniors to continue. Absent the action by Congress, the program would have been halted. Crapo, who serves on the Senate Banking Committee … Continue Reading
December 14, 2007
FARM BILL BRINGS BENEFITS TO IDAHO, CRAPO SAYS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supported the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419), citing benefits to Idaho farmers and ranchers and communities across the nation. The measure, commonly called the Farm Bill, passed the Senate today by a vote of 79 to 11. Crapo has pressed for enactment of strong federal farm policy to better enable producers to plan for the future and compete successfully in domestic and global markets. He is a member of both the Senate Agriculture and … Continue Reading
December 13, 2007
CRAPO: TAX POLICIES SHOULD NOT BURDEN TROOPS
Washington, DC - Military families and veterans in Idaho will benefit under legislation cleared by the U.S. Senate, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act of 2007 (H.R. 3997) provides specific tax relief for those who are currently serving in the military and their families as well as those who are veterans or serving in the reserves. The amended bill will be sent back to the House of Representatives for final approval before being sent to the President fo… Continue Reading
December 13, 2007
CRAPO PRAISES MEASURE TO KEEP EXPERIENCED PILOTS FLYING
Washington, DC - Under legislation passed by the U.S. Senate, experienced pilots will no longer be grounded under an arbitrary age limit rule, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. H.R. 4343, the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act, passed the Senate by unanimous consent and will now be sent to the President for his signature. Crapo supported the measure, and also co-sponsored similar legislation (S. 65) in the Senate, which was championed by Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, an active commerc… Continue Reading
December 13, 2007
CRAPO VOTES FOR COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY BILL
Washington, DC - Late Thursday, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted in favor of H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, commonly referred to as the Energy Bill. The bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of 86-8. The Senate amended the House version of the bill, which was passed on December 6. The Senate amendment strikes a tax package that would have increased taxes on domestic oil and gas producers to pay for incentives for renewable power, energy efficiency, electric vehicles… Continue Reading
December 12, 2007
CRAPO ANNOUNCES WATER IMPROVEMENTS FOR DOWNEY
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announces the City of Downey in southern Bannock County will receive more than $2 million in federal funding to upgrade its water system. Most of the combination of loan and grant dollars for the improvements will come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program. "Improvements in infrastructure are critical to a city's health and well being, as well as the ability to welcome new residents and attract new business and com… Continue Reading
December 11, 2007
CRAPO: NEW SURVEY UNDERSCORES NEED FOR REFORM IN U.S. CAPITAL MARKETS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, chairman of the Senate Republican Capital Markets Task Force, says an initial public offering (IPO) report released today reinforces the need to strengthen the competitive position of our capital markets. The report, prepared by the Financial Services Forum, cites a number of factors that have created difficulties for U.S. companies. Those include: a larger and more liquid capital markets overseas; a litigation environment in the United States perceived… Continue Reading
December 11, 2007
CRAPO URGES TIMELY PASSAGE OF SENATE FARM BILL
Washington, DC - During a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate today, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo urged his colleagues to continue to work together in a bipartisan fashion to advance this legislation through the Senate prior to the end of the year. Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 before the Senate is a careful balance between nutrition programs, conservation efforts, renewable energy, trade initiatives and support for agricultural… Continue Reading
December 10, 2007
BAUCUS, CRAPO BILL WOULD NIX RECREATION FEES
Washington, DC -- The U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies would be blocked from charging Americans higher fees to access their public lands under legislation introduced today by two prominent Western lawmakers. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today joined Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) in introducing the much-anticipated Fee Repeal and Expanded Access Act of 2007 (S. 2438). The bill would revoke authority given federal agencies, with the exception of the National Par… Continue Reading
December 07, 2007
NAMPA RETIREES EARN CRAPO'S SPIRIT OF IDAHO AWARD
Nampa - Residents of a Nampa retirement community will be honored tomorrow for their ongoing contributions to Idaho military members serving overseas. Retirees at Silver Crest Estates II Retirement Center have been making donations of clothing, food, toys, quilts, and other items to Air Force members and their families through the military's Operation Warmheart program. Crapo recently learned of the group's ongoing generosity during the holiday season from retired Air Force Colonel Bruce Wong… Continue Reading
December 07, 2007
CRAPO ANNOUNCES IDAHO 2008 MILITARY ACADEMY NOMINATIONS
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced his nominations of 35 Idaho students to military service academies, for the freshman class entering in 2008. The students' applications are now being considered by four of the U.S. service academies, where final selections will be made. "I am proud to work with these future leaders from Idaho," Crapo said. "Not only will they continue their education, but they will dedicate themselves to protecting our country. With our nation engaged in the… Continue Reading
