News Releases
FROM ROCK OIL TO SWITCHGRASS
Innovation lies at the heart of the American penchant for successful enterprise, as evidenced in our energy history. In 1859, Americans were feeling a financial pinch from the cost of whale oil. Used for lamps and lubricants at the time, whale oil was becoming increasingly unaffordable. A Pennsylvania company became interested in extracting "rock oil" from the ground. When the company was seeking financial backers for its proposed drilling project, historians note that one banker scoff… Continue Reading
February 28, 2007
SENATORS DURBIN AND CRAPO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS SHORTAGE OF CRITICAL CARE DOCTORS
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced bipartisan legislation, The Patient-Focused Critical Care Enhancement Act, to address a current shortage in critical healthcare professionals that will become more severe as the population grows. Critical care doctors or "intensivists" are a new specialty of physicians who are board certified in their primary specialty - pulmonology, surgery or anesthesiology- but also have special traini… Continue Reading
February 27, 2007
CRAPO NAMED RANKING MEMBER ON AGRICULTURE, HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEESAGRICULTURE, HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEES
Washington, DC - Issues of everyday concern to Idahoans such as transportation, tax issues, farm spending, and health care will be among the priorities that Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will handle as he has been named to several Senate subcommitteesâ??with leadership roles on two of them. Crapo has retained leadership roles on Senate Subcommittees dealing with forestry, rural revitalization, and housing issues. The subcommittee assignments are part of Crapo's role as a member of the Senate Agri… Continue Reading
February 22, 2007
IDAHO DELEGATION NOTES CANCELLATION OF NEVADA BOMB TEST
Washington, DC - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig and Idaho Representatives Mike Simpson and Bill Sali comment on today's announcement by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) that it has cancelled the proposed Divine Strake experiment. The Idaho delegation convinced DTRA to hold public information meetings in Idaho to hear from concerned Idaho citizens, who had expressed reservations about the effects that detonation of explosives in a tunnel at the Nevada Test Site."Toda… Continue Reading
February 22, 2007
CRAPO HONORS DR. MAMIE OLIVER IN CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
Boise - The profound mark that Dr. Mamie Oliver has made in Idaho's education system will be honored tonight during a celebration of Idaho Black History Month. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, who honored Dr. Oliver earlier this month in the Congressional Record, will present her with a Gold Border copy of the statement this evening. The presentation will take place at approximately 8:30 p.m. at the Velma V. Morrison Center, immediately following a performance by jazz-fusion artist Regina Carter. &… Continue Reading
February 15, 2007
SENATE CONFIRMS RANDY SMITH
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate unanimously confirmed Norman Randy Smith today to serve on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Smith currently serves as an Idaho State District Judge in Pocatello, Idaho. Following the vote, Judge Smith said, "As a kid from Idaho, I couldn't have received a better honor. I'm so appreciative of Senator Craig's and Senator Crapo's complete support during this process." Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo both suppor… Continue Reading
February 15, 2007
CRAPO BILL SEEKS FEDERAL OFFICE OF MEN'S HEALTH
Washington, DC - A federal clearing-house for health issues related to men could become reality under legislation introduced today by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. The Men's Health Act would improve public awareness and education from federal sources by creating an Office of Men's Health at the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The creation of this office mirrors services already available for women through the Office of Women's Health. Representative Vito Fossella (R-New … Continue Reading
February 15, 2007
CRAPO JOINS CALL FOR NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today joined Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) in introducing a resolution to designate March 25, 2007, as National Medal of Honor Day. The resolution passed this evening and is now on its way to the House of Representatives for final passage. The proposed date for National Medal of Honor Day coincides with the first time the Medal was awarded - March 25, 1863. The Medal of Honor was established by an act of Congress and signed into law by President Abra… Continue Reading
February 14, 2007
CRAPO INTRODUCES AMENDMENT TO BOLSTER AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS
WASHINGTON, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, in an effort to call attention to the challenges facing U.S. financial markets, recently introduced an amendment to H.J. Res. 20, the continuing appropriations resolution for 2007. Key industry professionals today issued statements recognizing Crapo's efforts to secure American competitiveness in the global economy. Crapo's amendment highlights the findings in two recent reports - the Interim Report of the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation… Continue Reading
February 14, 2007
CRAPO SEEKS BIPARTISAN HEALTH CARE REFORMS
Washington, DC - Improved health care for all Americans may become a major focus of the 110th Congress because of a letter signed by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and nine colleagues in the Senate. The bipartisan letter to President Bush drew a receptive response from his spokesman Tony Fratto, who indicated meetings between the White House and Senate staff will likely come as a result of the letter."We have a real opportunity now to work in a bipartisan manner with the President to make sure mo… Continue Reading
February 08, 2007
IDAHO JUDGE NOW ONE STEP AWAY FROM 9TH U.S. CIRCUIT COURT
Washington, DC - Idaho state judge Randy Smith of Pocatello may soon become a federal judge sitting on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Smith's nomination to the federal court, supported by Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig, was approved today by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Smith's nomination now goes to the full Senate. The bipartisan support for Smith in committee means his confirmation by the full Senate is likely. "Judge Smith will represent Idaho well on the 9… Continue Reading
February 08, 2007
CRAPO TOUTS INL'S GLOBAL COMPETITIVE EDGE FOR AG
Washington, DC - Idaho has a large role to play in increasing our nation's global competitiveness, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. For that reason, Crapo today announced his GOAL Initiative and Tour Day at the Idaho National Laboratory on March 20, 2007. GOAL stands for Global Opportunities for Agriculture at the Laboratory. Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the GOAL Tour Day will spotlight what the INL offers in terms of energy and agricultural issues such as … Continue Reading
February 07, 2007
CRAPO PROMOTES REGIONAL DIRECTOR IN COEUR D'ALENE
Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has a new regional director heading up the Coeur d'Alene office, but she is not new to his staff. Karen Roetter has been promoted to Regional Director in Coeur d'Alene after serving as Staff Assistant in the office for the past six years. Roetter has lived in Coeur d'Alene nearly 27 years. Prior to working for Crapo, she assisted Idaho constituents through her work with the late Idaho Representative Helen Chenoweth-Hage. She has also been act… Continue Reading
February 06, 2007
CRAPO BILL MAKES CAPITAL GAINS TAX RELIEF PERMANENT
Washington, DC - Under legislation introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, middle-income taxpayers throughout the country will continue to reap the benefits of tax relief enacted in 2003. Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, with oversight on tax issues, said the measure would make permanent the tax relief approved earlier on capital gains and dividends. Crapo noted that the latest figures released from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) show that reducing capital gains tax rates … Continue Reading
February 05, 2007
CRAPO: BALANCED BUDGET IN SIGHT IN FY08 PROPOSAL
Washington, DC â?? With more than 2,100 pages, the Presidentâ??s Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 budget proposal was delivered to Capitol Hill today. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, will be involved all month in committee hearings on various aspects of the budget. Building on successful efforts to cut the deficit in half over the last three years, this yearâ??s budget projects a $61 billion surplus in 2012.â??Over the next few weeks, the Budget Committee will be looking … Continue Reading
February 05, 2007
CRAPO CALLS FOR FULL AND FAIR DEBATE OVER IRAQ STRATEGY
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted against cloture on S. 470, the Iraq Resolution Bill, regarding military troops in Iraq. The final vote was 49 yeas to 47 nays; 60 votes were needed to end debate (invoke cloture). Crapo was among those who voted to permit full debate to continue.â??Matters of war deserve full debate. It was distressing to learn that Senate procedures were being manipulated to preclude a full debate on what may … Continue Reading
February 05, 2007
CRAPO COMMENDS CREDIT UNION ON SPONSORING TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS PSAs
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo commended the Idaho Credit Union League (ICUL) today on its involvement to increase awareness of teen dating violence. The ICUL is sponsoring a weekâ??s worth of public service announcements (PSAs) in a number of movie theaters in Idaho. The PSAs are part of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, which begins today and runs through the end of the week (February 5-9). The PSAs were produced by Eagle High School students last year, … Continue Reading
February 02, 2007
CRAPO ANNOUNCES NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK
Washington, DC â?? In an effort to bring more public awareness to a problem confronting todayâ??s teens, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has sponsored â??National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week,â?? which runs February 5 through February 9. This is the second year that Crapo has led the effort, joining forces with other Senators and organizations, to alert teens and parents to a growing issue of violence in dating relationships. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution last ye… Continue Reading
February 01, 2007
CRAPO OPENS SERVICE ACADEMY APPLICATION PROCESS FOR CLASS ENTERING IN 2008
Washington, D.C. â?? Students who are interested in attending one of the nationâ??s four service academies are encouraged to get started on the application process now, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Every year, Crapo nominates selected Idaho students to the following: the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York; the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York; and the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Interested … Continue Reading
January 29, 2007
CRAPO: WOLF DECISION SHOWS IDAHO SUCCESS
Washington, DC â?? Todayâ??s announcement to begin the delisting process for wolves in Idaho should be viewed as a success story, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo, who plans to reintroduce legislation encouraging increased landowner involvement in recovering endangered species (the Collaboration for the Recovery of the Endangered Species Act, or CRESA), says the wolf decision now allows Idahoans to get involved in completing the delisting process. In the previous Congress, Crapoâ??s … Continue Reading
