News Releases
Crapo Says VOCA Dollars Working on the Ground in Idaho
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced today that nearly $1 million will be available to Idahoans under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) for victim compensation funds. The funding comes from the Justice Department's Fiscal Year 2006 budget and will be administered by the Idaho Industrial Commission. Crapo has long advocated for continued federal funding for crime victims, who are often compensated through the fund paid in part by perpetrators of crime.â??Violent crimes like chi… Continue Reading
March 24, 2006
Crapo: Renewable Energy Deserves Full Funding
Washington, DC â?? A bipartisan coalition of Senators led by Idahoâ??s Mike Crapo and Iowaâ??s Tom Harkin is asking Senate appropriators to ensure programs improving renewable energy production and resulting economic development receive the full funding possible in the coming fiscal year. Crapo and 21 other Senators signing the letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, note that Section 9006 of the 2002 F… Continue Reading
March 16, 2006
53 Senators Vote to Raid Social Security
Washington, D.C. â?? Today, fifty-three U.S. Senators voted against an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), which would have allowed the Senate to create a reserve fund to protect the Social Security surplus. â??Sadly, fifty-three senators turned their backs on Americaâ??s seniors,â?? Senator DeMint said. â??There is simply no way to save Social Security if we donâ??t have the courage stop using the surplus… Continue Reading
March 16, 2006
DeMint, Crapo Force Vote to Stop the Raid on Social Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. â?? Today, the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), that would allow the Senate to create a reserve fund to protect the Social Security surplus. â??We are about to have a moment of truth in the United States Senate,â?? Senator DeMint said. â??Seniors constantly tell me that if Congress would just stop using the Social Security surplus as a secret slush … Continue Reading
March 16, 2006
Crapo Praises Kempthorne Appointment
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne will make a superior Interior Secretary, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said today in response to the announcement that Kempthorne has been chosen to fill the post recently vacated by current Secretary Gale Norton. â??Dirk is a westerner, a colleague and a friend who sincerely understands western issues,â?? Crapo said. â??We are currently addressing so many important and difficult issues that impact Idaho, and the prospect of working so closely with hi… Continue Reading
March 16, 2006
Noting RECA Success May Help Downwinders
Washington, DC â?? Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Conrad Burns (R-Montana) are complimenting former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatchâ??s efforts to update the benefits that residents of his state are receiving under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Hatch, in a news release, outlined the benefits to residents in his state on the 10-year anniversary of their inclusion in the RECA program. The RECA program compensates victims who received fall… Continue Reading
March 14, 2006
Craig, Crapo Celebrate National Safe Place Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. â?? Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo joined together in recognizing the week of March 13th as National Safe Place Week. S. Res. 390, which designated this week National Safe Place Week, passed the Senate unanimously on March 9, with 23 bipartisan cosponsors. â??I am very happy to once again sponsor this legislation that honors Project Safe Place with some well-deserved recognition,â?? Craig said. â??This is a project that continues to expand its reach into new communiti… Continue Reading
March 10, 2006
Crapo Praises Norton's Efforts to Seek Local Answers to Federal Issues
Washington, DC â?? U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton leaves her post as Interior Secretary with a strong track record of cooperation and collaboration with state and local leaders on a number of wildlife management issues and in other areas. Crapo issued the following statement about Norton:â??Secretary Nortonâ??s legacy will be that of true partnership with those at the state and local levels who desired input in issues from land use to wildlife management,â?? Crapo said. â??When Idahoans ask… Continue Reading
March 09, 2006
Bipartisan Language Will Stop BPA Rate Hikes
Washington, DC â?? Customers of Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)-produced electricity will be protected from a projected 10% rate increase under budget language inserted into the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget resolution by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Patty Murray (D-Washington). The Senate Budget Committee agreed to accept the language in its overall budget blueprint legislation outlining spending priorities for the U.S. Department of Energy.â??BPA power customers in I… Continue Reading
March 09, 2006
Crapo: Port Decision. Border Improvements
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says Idahoans and all Americans win with todayâ??s decision to further scrutinize who will operate security at U.S. port accompanied by a vote to improve border security provisions in next yearâ??s budget. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee that approved border improvements today as part of the Fiscal Year 2007 budget resolution, noted the Congress listened to constituents who wanted the port security decision delayed and… Continue Reading
March 08, 2006
Crapo Supports Fiscal Responsibility and Continued Deficit Reduction in Budget Resolution
Washington, DC â?? When the Senate Budget Committee adopts its guidelines for the Fiscal Year 2007 federal budget tomorrow, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo expects several will benefit Idahoans. Crapo, a member of the Budget Committee, said among the areas of interest are:â?¢Funding for 1500 new border patrol agents to increase border security. An increase of $2 billion above the Presidentâ??s request for additional border security infrastructure, communications and equipment improvements.â?¢Eliminatio… Continue Reading
March 07, 2006
Crapo Named National Housing Champion
Washngton, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today was named a 2006 â??Champion of Affordable Housingâ?? by the National Council of State Housing Associations. The Executive Director of the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA), Gerald Hunter, presented the award to Crapo at the national groupâ??s annual legislative conference in Washington, DC.The Champion award is given to members of Congress that advocate for affordable housing. As a member of both the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban … Continue Reading
March 02, 2006
Crapo: Port Case Raises Larger Security Issues
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo told colleagues on the Senate Banking Committee today that the deal to transfer operations of some U.S. ports to a United Arab Emirates firm should be delayed and raises red flags for overall oversight regarding such transactions. Crapo noted his opposition to the February agreement under which Dubai Ports World, a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates, purchased Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, a British firm, which current… Continue Reading
March 02, 2006
Crapo: Patriot Act Reforms Need and Achieved
Washington, DC â?? Efforts to reform the Patriot Act amidst concerns about civil liberties protection have made the end product a better one for all Americans, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said today following a vote by the U.S. Senate on the reform measure. Crapo voted to support the renewal of an amended Patriot Act, labeling the reform package â??a good example of bipartisan collaboration and public scrutinyâ?? which strengthens the fight against terrorism.Crapo said, â??The issues about the Patr… Continue Reading
March 02, 2006
Crapo, Craig Defend Idaho 9th Circuit
Washington DC â?? Today, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Larry Craig reiterated their support for Idaho nominee to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Randy Smith. Smithâ??s nomination is being obstructed by a Senate procedural hold after he was introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday by Crapo and Craig.Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) claims the seat should be filled by a Californian and says she will block the nomination of Smith indefinitely, denying the Senate an oppor… Continue Reading
March 01, 2006
Upon Closer Review . . .
English historian Arnold Toynbee wryly observed, â??America is like a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair.â?? Notwithstanding Toynbeeâ??s conceit, he alludes to an indisputable truism: when America takes military or economic action, at home or abroad, the rest of the world is affected. Our grand history has prepared us for this role and means that our nation carries a responsibility regarding to world affairs and stability. United States,… Continue Reading
March 01, 2006
Crapo: Idaho Banks and Credit Unions Among Those Bearing Regulatory Costs
Washington, DC â?? While chairing a Senate Banking Committee hearing today on regulatory reform, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo used costs forced on small banks and credit unions in his home state through regulation as an example of relief needed. Todayâ??s hearing brought together a comprehensive list of proposals for regulatory reform. Among the witnesses today was the Idaho Department of Finance Director Gavin Gee. Crapo has been working for nearly two years on a regulatory reform effort that would… Continue Reading
March 01, 2006
Crapo Honored For Preserving Crime Victims Fund
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo was honored for his work protecting the Crime Victims Fund from being rescinded in the FY2006 Budget. The National Center for Victims of Crime together with 11 other national victimsâ?? advocacy organizations presented Crapo with an award for his efforts in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. today.â??The Crime Victims Fund, created under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984, provides critical funding for over 44 victimsâ?? assistance programs in Idaho, … Continue Reading
February 28, 2006
Idaho Legislature Supports Crapo ESA Bill
Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo expressed his appreciation to members of the Idaho Legislature today following final passage of HJM 16. The joint memorial, passed today in the Idaho Senate and last week by the Idaho House, emphasizes legislative support for Crapoâ??s efforts to reform the Endangered Species Act by means of collaboration, incentives, and an emphasis on species recovery and a greater role for the states under ESA.â??I am honored to hear my fellow Idahoans in the Idaho … Continue Reading
February 27, 2006
Crapo Rings Closing Bell At NASDAQ
New York City â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will preside over the closing bell this afternoon at the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York. The closing bell ceremony comes as Crapo, a member of the Senate Banking and Finance Committees, meets with financial leaders on Wall Street.Crapo hopes to finish work soon on a legislative package of regulatory reform for the banking and financial industry. A hearing before the Banking Committee to discuss the reforms is scheduled this Wednesday. The hearing is … Continue Reading