http://polfeeds.com/id/ Press releases, blog posts, photos, videos, and more from the politicians and candidates you select. News en-us Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:01:23 CDT

]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Boise – Citing the economic stress on Idahoans and all Americans, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is calling for a vote on comprehensive energy reform as soon as Congress returns to work September 8th. Crapo joined with a coalition of local energy interests urging Idahoans to tell Congress to immediately consider wide-ranging legislation that will feature more domestic production, conservation and alternative energy using what Crapo calls a “use less, produce more” model.

“I am calling on Idahoans to make it loud and clear, not just to our delegation, but to their friends and neighbors in other states: tell the Congress we need to vote now on a comprehensive energy bill,” Crapo said alongside representatives from Idaho gas stations, energy researchers and a local electric car distributor.

“We’ve been dependent on petroleum as our primary source of energy for far too long, and we are too dependent on foreign sources of that oil,” Crapo said. “Any bill should not focus on just one energy source. We need to act now, and we need to do so in a way that explores all those energy options.”

“We do need a comprehensive policy,” agreed Dr. John Gardner, Associate Vice President at Boise State University, who coordinates wind and geothermal research. Gardner says Idaho can play an even larger role in the research and development of alternative energy given more federal resources to do so. “Idaho is in a good spot to do that,” Gardner said. “We have the wind resources, solar resources. We’re sitting on top of a great geothermal resource here in Boise that heats most of the downtown. We have great universities that are ready to take on that challenge.”

Electric cars are beginning to get more attention in Idaho, according to Sand Hollow resident Clint Marchbanks, who converts the Zap Truck made in China to run on fuel in addition to batteries. While demonstrating the operations of the electric truck, Marchbanks said federal legislation could spur plans underway for public plug-in charging stations from Caldwell to Boise. “I can charge this vehicle up for eight hours for 25 cents,” Marchbanks said. “It has a running distance of about 40 miles. This is the cheapest form of transportation there is,” he said, adding electric cars are popular in other Northwest states and foreign countries and will catch on in Idaho “if we can promote it with the Senator’s help.”

John Jackson, who owns and operates convenience stores and gasoline stations throughout Idaho, agreed that Congress has been ineffective in passing legislation that spurs additional American energy production while the nation transitions to alternative energy. “It makes me sick to see the hundreds of millions of dollars that are going overseas, paying for the excessive price of fuels,” Jackson said. “It’s down to supply and demand. We need to reduce demand with alternative fuels and change our habits. Eighty-five percent of our shorelines are off-limits right now—it’s not realistic.”

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Boise – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will hold a news conference Tuesday to discuss the critical need for Congress to approve comprehensive legislation in the U.S. Senate that will address alternative energy, research and rising energy prices. An energy expert from Boise State University and the local owner of an all-electric vehicle will join Crapo at the event to discuss their perspectives on energy.

Earlier Tuesday, Crapo will join Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to co-chair a summit meeting on the costs of transportation in Idaho. Today, Crapo will honor former astronaut Barbara Morgan with a Congressional Record Statement tribute during an event hosted by her new employer, Boise State University.

Monday, August 25

12:30 p.m. Boise Join Boise State University President Robert Kustra and others in a tribute to Barbara Morgan. At the Interactive Learning Center on the BSU campus.


Tuesday, August 26

9:30 a.m. Boise Co-host Idaho Transportation Funding Summit with Governor Otter. At the Boise Centre on the Grove.

2:45 p.m. Boise News conference on Congressional actions on energy legislation and the need to emphasis conservation, additional domestic production and development of alternative and renewable energy resources. At the northeast corner of 5th and Front Streets, in front of the Boise Chamber of Commerce and alongside alternative energy vehicles in the parking lot.

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]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Plummer - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today joined Plummer Mayor Tim Clark and Coeur d’Alene Tribal Chairman Chief Allan to announce acquisition of funding to end water and wastewater problems that have caused a building moratorium in the Plummer area. Idaho Senator Joyce Broadsword (R-Sagle) and Representatives Mary Lou Shepherd (D-Wallace) and Dick Harwood (R-St. Maries) joined Crapo, Clark, Allan and Jeff Beeman of USDA Rural Development to comment on the plan to end wastewater treatment issues in the Benewah County city. The $7.2 million is a combination of federal loan and grant funding through the USDA Rural Development program.

“Economic development begins with a solid infrastructure, and Plummer, like many rural cities, has struggled with issues surrounding the decline of its wastewater treatment system,” Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said. “In a part of Idaho that has seen improvements with rural medicine and broadband service, the wastewater capacity issues stood out in need of attention. Today, these issues are being resolved thanks to local problem-solving and assistance with funding through USDA Rural Development, tribal funds and money in the Farm Bill. Now, we can bring new housing on-line and ensure the future development and expansion for facilities like Berg Integrated Systems, which supplies our military needs, and for future development of industry and housing in the area.”

“The reconstruction of Plummer’s sanitary sewer system is a vital step towards the long term health, safety and economic revitalization of Plummer.” said Mike Field, State Director for USDA Rural Development. "The leadership demonstrated by City and Tribal leaders, as well as the dedication of our USDA Rural Development staff to find workable solutions has helped move this project forward, which should bring greater economic stability to the City of Plummer."

The USDA Rural Development funding breaks down as follows: $5 million in loans, $1.295 million in rural development grants and $1 million from the Native American Set-Aside Fund. A State of Idaho Community Development Block Grant will also add an additional $500,000 for the project.

The lack of wastewater capacity had limited operations for both the City of Plummer and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. On August 10, 2006, the city declared a moratorium on sewer connections for the city system due to the lack of sufficient capacity in the water treatment system. The two-tiered project consists of upgrading sewer pipe, service connections and manholes followed by the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.

]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Moscow – Calling it a positive sign of Idaho’s commitment to global competitiveness, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced the first recipient of the Mike Crapo Math and Science Scholarship Fund. Crapo, who has been recognized for leadership in education issues, announced the scholarship effort in 2004 as a way to encourage Idaho’s best students to seek math, science and other technical education at Idaho’s universities.

Crapo was joined by University of Idaho President Steven Daley-Laursen and Hilarie Engle of the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) for the announcement. ICF, led by President and CEO Cathy Silak, administers the scholarship fund, which was started with Crapo’s honoraria donations and has since grown through many contributors through the ICF.

Karen Christian, a Moscow resident planning to study pharmacology and microbiology at the University of Idaho, was selected through a competitive process at ICF to be the first recipient of the Crapo scholarship. She begins classes at the University of Idaho on August 25th. Karen was joined by her parents, Ed and Kathy Christian, for the announcement.

“It is critical for Idaho’s, and America’s, future to remain competitive in the world economy, and the best way to do that is offer our best and brightest students a top-notch technical education and the math and science basics,” Crapo said. “Our future efforts in technology and research rely heavily on the math and science education provided by Idaho’s universities, and I am proud to stand on the University of Idaho campus today and see Karen Christian begin what I hope will be a long-running scholarship program.”

“We are delighted that Karen has chosen to pursue her passion for science at the University of Idaho,” said President Daley-Laursen. “Senator Crapo’s foresight and generosity and the Idaho Community Foundation’s excellent stewardship will foster many future Idaho students’ passion for science and mathematics. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is critical to preparing our young people for success in college and success in career, and we are very grateful for the support of the Mike Crapo Math and Science Scholarship Fund.”

“We are so pleased to begin making awards from the fund,” said CEO Silak. “Providing students with higher education aid is one of the best possible ways to help students as individuals and the state as a whole, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with Senator Crapo on this worthy project.”

“Being selected for the Mike Crapo Scholarship for Math and Science will help me throughout my first year at the University of Idaho,” said Karen Christian. “It is an honor to be chosen for this scholarship.”

Students interested in applying for the scholarships should go to the scholarship section of the ICF Web site at www.idcomfdn.org.

The Idaho Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization composed of more than 370 individual funds, pooled together for efficient management. Total assets are more than $70 million. Since it began making grants in 1991, ICF has made charitable distributions totaling more than $37 million. To learn more about the Foundation or join as a member, visit ICF’s Web site at
www.idcomfdn.org., or call 1-800-657-5357.

]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC –Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a Congressional leader in annual efforts to fully fund domestic violence awareness and prevention and victims’ assistance programs, is honoring 19 Idaho teens who served on the Idaho Teen Advisory Council during the 2007-2008 school year. These teens have taken a lead role in Idaho’s efforts to prevent violence in dating relationships by speaking out against teen dating violence, which includes emotional abuse.

The teens are part of a program started by the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence in 2005, as part of its “No Means Know” teen dating violence prevention campaign. The campaign is developing a statewide education and prevention strategy on teen dating violence in Idaho, partnering with medical providers, educators and counselors, faith-based groups, legal services, and others. Crapo was successful in efforts between 2000 and 2004 in adding dating violence and abuse as part of the definition of domestic violence under federal law. Since 2004, he has continued his efforts to support domestic violence intervention and prevention funding at the federal level and has helped secure federal dollars for family justice centers and domestic and sexual violence intervention and prevention programs across Idaho. He extended federal assistance to victims of dating violence for the first time under a federal version of Idaho’s “Cassie’s Law.”

“It might shock parents to know that one in five teens from 13 to 14 years old say their friends are victims of dating violence,” Crapo said. “More than 60 percent of those in the 11 to 14 age group know of someone who has been verbally demeaned or abused by a dating partner. And these are just the pre- and early teens—dating violence continues on into college and beyond. Awareness programs like the ‘No Means Know’ campaign reinforce the need to speak out against physical and emotional abuse in relationships. I am proud that Idaho’s teens, both young women and young men, have and continue to lead this effort in promoting the characteristics of healthy relationships and recognizing abuse when it occurs.”

Since 2006, Crapo has authored the annual Senate declaration designating the first full week of February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. The week, established by Congress in 2006, stemmed from a 2004 effort, also by teens from all over the nation who came together in Washington, D.C., to talk about putting an end to teen dating violence. They approached Crapo in 2005, and asked for his assistance in establishing a recognition week. For the past three years, the “No Means Know” campaign has been at the forefront of that effort in Idaho and more information is available on the project’s website, http://www.nomeansknow.com.

"The Idaho Teen Dating Violence Advisory Council members have been an extraordinary resource to the project, providing valuable feedback on the curriculums as well as innovative and effective ways to reach out to Idaho teens in promoting respect in teen dating relationships," said Kelly Miller, Project Director. "In the last two years, we have conducted more than 300 presentations in Idaho's secondary schools and youth groups, reaching more than 14,000 youth on this critical issue." The Project has also educated more than 4,000 parents and adults working with youth on recognizing the warning signs of teen dating violence.

Crapo will present Idaho teens and their family members with Congressional recognition during August:

Wednesday, August 13
1:00 p.m. Lewiston Presents Congressional Record Statements noting the efforts of Benjamin Allen, Kyle Conger, Tiffany Delphous and James Walker in promoting the prevention of teen dating violence. At Crapo’s Regional Office, 313 D Street.

Saturday, August 16
8:00 a.m. Kellogg Presents Congressional Record Statements noting the efforts of Sarah Grigg and Katie Kilbourne in promoting the prevention of teen dating violence. At Kellogg City Hall, 1007 McKinley Avenue. Following the presentation, Crapo will tour levees in the Kellogg and Pinehurst area.

]]> Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Boise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will join with Plummer Mayor Tom Clark, Coeur d’Alene Tribal Chairman Chief Allan, Senator Joyce Broadsword (R-Sagle) and Representatives Mary Lou Shepherd (D-Wallace) and Dick Harwood (R-St. Maries) to announce a multi-million dollar loan and grant combination that may end water and wastewater problems that have caused a building moratorium in the Plummer area.

The announcement is scheduled on Friday, August 15th:

9:30 a.m. Plummer City Hall, 880 C Street

]]> Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC – Noted Nez Perce Tribal historian, writer, language preservationist, storyteller and cultural expert Horace Axtell will be honored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo next week. Axtell, a respected Tribal elder, musician and drum maker, was recently awarded a national heritage fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He was among ten recipients earning the national award.

Crapo recognized Axtell in a Congressional Record Statement for the NEA fellowship, along with the many cultural contributions he has made to preserve Tribal heritage. Axtell has written a book of his memoirs, the first of its kind from a Nez Perce elder in more than 50 years. He spent his youth learning from elders who had survived the 1877 War resulting from President Ulysses Grant’s attempts to clear the Nez Perce homeland. Axtell will travel to Washington, D.C., next month as part of the NEA fellowship honors.

During his visit to the area, Crapo will also tour the new VA Veterans Outpatient facilities while in Lewiston and speak with Lewiston Chamber of Commerce leaders.

Wednesday, August 13th

9:45 a.m. Lapwai Present Congressional Record Statement to Nez Perce Tribal elder Horace Axtell and his wife, Andrea. At the Nez Perce Tribal Offices, 100 Agency Road

10:45 a.m. Lewiston Tour VA Outpatient Clinic, 1630 23rd Avenue, Suites 302 and 401

1:00 p.m. Lewiston Present Congressional Record Statements to Benjamin Allen, Kyle
Conger and James Walker for their advocacy work to prevent teen dating violence. At Crapo’s Regional Offices, 313 D. Street

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]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Moscow – Calling it a positive sign of Idaho’s commitment to global competitiveness, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will announce the first recipient of the Mike Crapo Math and Science Scholarship Fund on Wednesday on the University of Idaho campus in Moscow. Crapo will be joined by University of Idaho President Steven Daley-Laursen, Hilarie Engle of the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF), and the student and her family for the announcement.

Crapo announced the scholarship effort in 2004 as a way to encourage Idaho’s best students to seek math, science and other technical education at Idaho’s universities. Since that announcement, it has been collecting contributions to create the fund. The Idaho Community Foundation, under Director Cathy Silak, administers the scholarship fund, which was started with Crapo’s honoraria donations and since grown through many contributors through the ICF.

Announcement of first recipient of the Mike Crapo Math and Science Scholarship

Wednesday, August 13th:

2:15 p.m. Moscow University of Idaho Administration Building
Second Floor Conference Room, Room 207
875 Perimeter Drive

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]]> Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:13:39 CDT Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:13:38 CDT Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC – Family boaters have won a reprieve from the threat of facing a costly and unnecessary permitting process, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo co-sponsored legislation written to head off potentially costly permitting requirements for recreational boaters. The legislation passed both the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives by Unanimous Consent and was signed into law.

Crapo, a member of the Congressional Boating Caucus and the Co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, said judicial interpretations of environmental law could have penalized boat owners for incidental discharge related to bilge water, engine cooling water and common deck runoff. He co-sponsored the Clean Boating Act (S. 2766) that was introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) to codify a 34-year old exemption recreational boats have from permitting requirements for incidental discharge under law.

A U.S. District Court had nullified rules put in place by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and overturned the exemptions. That ruling, which came as the result of a lawsuit brought with the intention to protect waters from invasive species carried aboard ships in ballast water, could have also affected the nation’s eighteen million recreational boats. Ballast water, which is largely used by commercial boats, is carried on board to ensure stability.

“Now that Congress has acted to restore this exemption, family boaters will not face the threat of complying with a burdensome and costly permitting system,” Crapo said. “This unintended action could have also affected canoes and kayaks, but we found unanimous support in Congress to stop this threat.” Groups supporting the legislation include the Blue Ribbon Coalition, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

]]> Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is honoring the men and women of Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base for earning a top award from the U.S. Air Force related to combat support in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 366th Fighter Wing’s Commander, Colonel James S. Browne, announced the Gunfighters have earned the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award for the 17-month period from July 1, 2007 through May 31st of this year.

Crapo noted the Gunfighter’s accomplishments in a Congressional Record Statement today. “I offer my congratulations to all members of the 366th, and commend them on a job that continues to be extremely well done,” Crapo noted in the Record. “Idaho is very proud of her Air Force personnel, and remains honored to be the host of these men and women who make Idaho home during their military service. The Gunfighters’ outstanding accomplishments in earning this award reflect well on them, their units, their families and their adopted state. This demonstrates, yet again, the outstanding commitment that our Mountain Home Air Force Base airmen have to their mission, their excellence in support and execution of the strategic goals of our military mission overseas and their unwavering defense of our nation.”

In addition to honoring the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Crapo has also co-sponsored a Senate resolution to recognize the strategic success of the troop surge in Iraq and express gratitude to all members of the Armed Forces who have made that success possible. The resolution, S. Res. 636, was introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut).

]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:11:21 CDT Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC – In extended remarks on the Senate floor, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo pressed Congress to respond boldly to the gas price crisis facing Americans. To highlight the personal suffering of Idahoans caused by high gasoline prices, Crapo made emails he has received from Idahoans about the price of gasoline a part of his remarks. Crapo says many Idahoans have made difficult choices to forgo food for their families, medicines, and other important purchases in order to pay for the fuel to drive to work.

“In early July, I asked my fellow Idahoans to tell me what the high gas prices meant in their lives,” Crapo said. “Overnight, I had almost 600 responses. The total now is over 1,200 responses. The stories include individuals who cannot purchase their medicine. Their choice is food, medicine, or fuel. They include stories of small businesses that must lay off employees. I’ve placed each of those emails in the Congressional Record so that my colleagues can appreciate the magnitude and scope of the problem and the need to confront it forcefully.”

In his remarks, Crapo noted how energy issues affect national security and how growing imports of oil lead to a direct loss of jobs and a weakening of the dollar. He said rural states like Idaho are facing cuts in airline services because of fuel costs. America has failed to diversify its energy portfolio, he said, and Congress is at the front of the line for blame.

“The main factor behind high gas prices is supply and demand, and Congress has failed to produce a rational energy policy that encourages increased domestic production,” Crapo noted. “We have the opportunity to change that right now by taking action on several fronts—demanding more conservation and efficiency gains in energy usage, greater use of renewables and alternatives, and enhanced domestic production. Legislation is already available to accomplish those goals, but it is up to Congress to agree to pass such legislation.”

Crapo noted China, whose economic growth is fueling much of the worldwide shortage of oil, imposes price controls on its domestic consumption of gasoline. China’s demand for new oil has nearly doubled over the last five years. Crapo noted that many studies point to supply and demand issues as the main factor driving up oil prices. He said speculation and conservation actions alone won’t tackle the issue as the nation needs to increase domestic oil supplies to provide a cushion for consumers while it moves aggressively toward alternatives fuels and conservation efforts.

“As less of our energy needs are met with our own resources, our nation becomes more vulnerable to geopolitical instability and oil market volatility. In turn, these factors expose us to runaway prices, unexpected price spikes, supply shortages, and all of their associated consequences,” Crapo added. “It is relatively simple—produce our own oil as we move toward alternatives and renewables. That is what I have heard from Idahoans. That’s what Congress needs to hear and act on. Now is the time.”

]]> Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:00:00 CDT Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee who helped craft the 2008 Farm Bill, will host a townhall-style meeting via telephone on August 6th to discuss the new Farm Bill. Crapo will utilize a telephone and Internet program known as the iTownhall to lead the discussion with up to several thousand Idahoans simultaneously.

“The iTownhall is simply a conference call with Idahoans, and all that is needed to participate is a telephone,” Crapo said. “Although I have hosted iTownhall meetings before, this is the first time that the meeting will be subject specific, dealing with only questions about the Farm Bill. Signing up is easy. All you need to do is go to my website at http://crapo.senate.gov and sign up to be called on the evening of Wednesday, August 6th.”

Crapo will be joined on the call by Don Dixon, State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency; Jeff Burwell, State Conservationist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS); and Mike Field, State Executive Director for USDA Rural Development. The iTownhall meeting on August 6th will begin at 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time/6:00 p.m. Pacific Time and run for about 90 minutes. Calls are placed to participants starting about 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the meeting.

“The iTownhall meeting can get the most current information on the Farm Bill out to many Idahoans at one time,” Crapo added. “I am hoping many of Idaho’s agricultural producers can join us to discuss the provisions of the new Farm Bill because we can answer their questions directly.” Crapo noted some follow-up meetings are planned around Idaho with members of his staff for further discussions about Farm Bill programs. The meetings are planned for September 17th through the 24th, and details will be available at Crapo’s website.

]]> Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC – A bipartisan group of Senators seeking to improve health care programs, including Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, has written to its colleagues and Presidential hopefuls, asking both to begin working with the group on comprehensive improvements to the health care system. In a letter to Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, Crapo and the other 15 co-sponsors of the Healthy Americans Act said the sooner they can begin working with the candidates and their advisors, the sooner health care improvements can be implemented once one of them becomes President.

“We believe it is vital that we start working now to ensure that all of our people have high quality care early in the next administration,” wrote the bipartisan coalition of 16 senators who are currently sponsoring the Healthy Americans Act. “Like you both, we are deeply committed to avoiding a replay of the bitter, highly polarized health reform effort during the 1990’s…We believe that starting with a strong, bipartisan coalition of Senators and a sound fiscal base will allow a reform initiative to survive the assaults of politics and interests that afflict any serious reform proposal.”

In addition to Crapo, the Healthy American Act is sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee), Bill Nelson (D-Florida), Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire), Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), Norm Coleman (R-Minnesota), Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Bob Corker (R-Tennessee), Tom Carper (D-Delaware) and Gordon Smith (R-Oregon).

The legislation is the first bipartisan, comprehensive health reform bill to receive such widespread support. In addition to guaranteeing that every American can afford quality, private health insurance, the plan would: give Americans choice in where they get their health care; modernize the employer-employee relationship to make health care portable from job to job (and continue if you lose your job); promote personal responsibility and preventative medicine; and reform the insurance market so that insurers are forced to compete on price, benefits and quality. Recently, the Congressional Budget Office concluded that the Healthy Americans Act could accomplish these goals while also generating budget surpluses after the first two years of implementation.

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]]> Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted today to keep the Senate on a path to negotiate a comprehensive plan to reduce gasoline prices. Crapo joined with a number of his colleagues to block an effort to turn floor attention away from resolving gasoline price issues and onto a different bill focusing on energy assistance. The effort failed, meaning a comprehensive bill is still possible.

“Idahoans and others have been sending us the message that Congress should not adjourn for the August state work period until we have approved comprehensive legislation to lower gasoline prices,” Crapo said. “Comprehensive means we vote on a number of potential areas of concern, including speculation, more production of domestic oil to address supply and demand concerns, conservation and alternative forms of energy like nuclear production and wind power. The message from Idahoans and others has become quite clear—take the steps needed to reduce gasoline prices that soon may reach five dollars a gallon. And, do it in a way that addresses the problem on several fronts. That is exactly what many of us are continuing to do here in Washington.”

The Senate today did adopt a housing package assisting homeowners with mortgage problems and giant lenders Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. Crapo supported the housing reform package.

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]]> Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC – Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Max Baucus (D-Montana), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, have introduced legislation to change the way federal excise taxes on firearms and ammunition are collected from businesses. Supporters of the legislation, including national sporting and firearms advocacy groups, say the legislation could provide more money for state wildlife preservation programs by easing restrictions surrounding the collection of the excise taxes.

Federal law requires manufacturers of sporting arms and ammunition to pay excise taxes into the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Fund. That fund fuels habitat restoration and other efforts to help wildlife under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). However, firearms and ammunition manufacturers are treated differently than other related businesses, and must pay the federal taxes every two weeks. The Crapo-Baucus legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require quarterly, not bi-weekly, tax payments. A similar tax scheduling change four years ago for the archery industry resulted in an increase of nearly $15 million in revenue to the Wildlife Restoration Fund.

”Switching to a quarterly excise tax payment system allows manufacturers to reinvest funds into researching and developing new products, purchasing new machinery and potentially increasing marketing,” Crapo said. “This action could result in increased sales and, eventually, more money for wildlife programs. Forcing the firearms and ammunition industry to this sharply-higher standard of tax payments is discriminatory and patently unfair.”

Supporters of the legislation include Ducks Unlimited, the National Rifle Association, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, National Wild Turkey Foundation, North American Wetlands Conservation Council and Pheasants Forever. Similar legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:00:00 CDT Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo called on his Senate colleagues to seek a balanced, bipartisan solution to the high energy prices facing the country. During a speech on the Senate floor, he said legislation that focuses solely on energy speculators in financial markets needs to be augmented with aggressive plans for new energy production, conservation and alternative energy efforts.

“We ought to take this opportunity with the bill we have on the floor of the Senate to look at other ideas about how we should achieve energy independence,” Crapo said. “The point is that there is a tremendous amount of oil in the United States reserves that we could utilize to defend and protect the security of our economy and our nation.”

As examples, Crapo noted 86 billion barrels of oil may be untapped off the nation’s shores. That number totals almost eight times the amount of oil imported here from the Persian Gulf over the last 15 years. Oil shale deposits in Western states could total from 800 billion to 1.8 trillion barrels and could provide a hundred years of domestic energy. Crapo noted those reserves alone could do much to relieve recent supply and demand issues causing the increase in the price of gasoline and diesel fuel.

Crapo’s floor remarks came as the Senate debates S. 3268, the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008. The legislation could come to a vote this week and focuses solely on oil speculation in the financial markets.

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]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate has endorsed an effort to increase awareness and planning for next February’s conversion to digital television signals. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and 31 of his Senate colleagues successfully backed a Senate Resolution, which has passed by unanimous consent, to declare August 2008 as “Digital Television Transition Awareness Month”.

“On February 17th next year, analog signals from full-power television stations will end, and those who receive over-the-air signals may be caught without service if they do not plan ahead,” Crapo said. “Senators are encouraging consumers to learn more about a government coupon program designed to help consumers defray the costs of purchasing converter boxes for analog television sets. I have already been active in working to educate Idahoans about this transition, and recent surveys about awareness in the state are showing that more and more people are taking measures to make sure that they are ready for the transition next year.”

Crapo and officials with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) held a series of meetings in Idaho during February and March to promote information about the digital changeover. Many of the television stations serving Idaho also participated in the meetings, but Crapo noted more must be done ahead of the February 2009 deadline.

“This resolution will raise public awareness concerning the change in television signals,” he added. “Western states have a high concentration of people who receive their television signals over the air, and we don’t want them to be caught off guard.”

Consumers can check with their local television stations and Crapo’s website at http://crapo.senate.gov for information about the Digital Television Conversion. Information is also available at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration website at http://www.dtv2009.gov.

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]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC – Idaho Senator Mike Crapo this evening voted to sustain the President’s veto of healthcare legislation that took steps backward regarding market-oriented healthcare reform. H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, was vetoed by the President earlier on Tuesday. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate voted to override the President’s veto; Crapo voted to sustain it, saying that the legislation “compromised the positive gains we’ve made in instituting market-oriented reforms to Medicare over the past four years.”

Crapo, who serves on the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over this issue, said, “Millions rely on Medicare to access our healthcare system. They should have access to superb care and cutting-edge treatments. I have consistently advocated for timely and adequate physician compensation. Systemic reform is also crucial. The Medicare system needs the strengths inherent in the market; namely, healthy competition that provides choice, flexibility and affordability. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 took this country in the right direction in terms of updating Medicare, introducing market forces into the system that have benefited millions of seniors; H.R. 6331 takes us backward and in the wrong direction.

“Reimbursing doctors so that they can continue to serve these patients is critical. It is important to recognize that the vote on H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, was not about physician compensation. It was about whether or not this country will reject market-oriented reforms and move, instead, to a purely government-run healthcare system. I do not support the move toward socialized medicine that this bill represents, but I fully support a fix to physician compensation and a market-oriented approach to the Medicare system.

“There are those who want to move this country backward, toward failed policies of socialized medicine that reduce choice, incentives for good service and access while increasing systemic and individual costs. H.R.6331 contains controversial offsets that erode provisions in place today that make Medicare more responsive to recipients. The bill was not a fight over physician compensation—doctors still would have received their unreduced Medicare compensation; there was virtually universal support for that fix and it will be made under every proposal on the table. But, linking the fix for physician compensation to removing market-oriented reforms in Medicare made for political manipulation in the extreme.

“Those who want to reverse our successes in moving toward a more market-oriented Medicare system will try to turn my nay vote, and that of many of my colleagues, into an appalling misportrayal of our priorities. My priorities are and always have been patients, physicians and our entire health care system. I’m proud to champion adequate and timely Medicare reimbursement for physicians. I’ve been a leader in the Finance Committee in fighting for physician compensation for years. My voting record is a testament to my consistent efforts.

“I regret that this legislation in this form passed the U.S. Senate. What I regret even more is that the physicians who treat Medicare patients were the unfortunate hostages in this ongoing crisis.”

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]]> Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:06:46 CDT Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:00:00 CDT Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Lewiston – Representatives from the Congressional offices of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Idaho Representative Bill Sali will travel to three North-Central Idaho cities to meet with constituents on July 23rd. This latest remote office tour means that the Lewiston-based Congressional offices will have visited more than 20 North Idaho communities this year as part of the remote office program.

Tony Snodderly of Representative Sali’s office and Peter Stegner of Senator Crapo’s office encourage constituents to attend the remote office visits to ask questions or seek assistance involving federal agencies or programs. The Congressional staffers will also tour local projects sponsored by Framing Our Community in the Elk City area.

The remote office hours visits on July 23rd include:

Craigmont 8:00-9:00 a.m. Prairie Café, 25 West Main Street
Nez Perce 9:30-10:30 a.m. Nez Perce Hotel & Café, 312 Oak Street
Elk City 4:00-5:00 p.m. Framing Our Community Offices, 319 Main Street

The Elk City office hours will follow a tour of projects sponsored by Framing Our Community. The tour begins at 2:30 p.m. from the Framing Our Community Offices.

]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:00:00 CDT Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo was honored today by Idaho sugar growers and the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association for his work on sugar programs in the 2008 Farm Bill. Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, met with member-growers of the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association just off the Senate floor and accepted a plaque, detailing the growers’ appreciation for Crapo’s leadership on agricultural issues and contributions to the Farm Bill.

“The contribution of Idaho’s sugar producers are a big reason Idaho is a national leader in agricultural production,” Crapo said. “Idaho ranks third in the nation for sugarbeet production, which accounted for an estimated $207 million in revenues last year. I remain hopeful that increases in the sugar loan rates and the minimum allotment quota, as well as the sugar-to-ethanol program in the recently enacted Farm Bill will maintain the industry’s strength in a distorted global market for sugar.”

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]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:00:00 CDT Idaho Falls – Idaho’s Congressional Delegation says today’s announcement by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and the U.S. Department of Energy to revise a cleanup agreement at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) reflects the “best science possible". The agreement formalizes a 2006 federal court order requiring DOE to remove buried transuranic waste from the site and to coordinate those activities with existing Superfund cleanup of the area to protect water supplies in the Snake River Aquifer.

Otter was joined by Congressman Mike Simpson, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, DOE Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management James A. Rispoli and former Idaho Governors Phil Batt and Cecil Andrus to announce the agreement during events in Idaho Falls and Boise.

“I am confident that the best science possible was used in making this determination about further cleanup efforts,” said Senator Mike Crapo. “What is most important is to move ahead aggressively with cleanup efforts related to past nuclear materials from outside Idaho that were brought to Idaho for temporary storage. These materials should be removed as quickly as possible, and that activity should not be held up by future court battles or lack of cleanup funding. With our nation’s energy future clouded by high energy prices and too few alternatives in our energy portfolio, it is time to finish the cleanup process so that the Idaho National Laboratory can better prioritize its role as the leading research facility in the nation for nuclear energy production and for the study of alternative and renewable energy.”

"I would like to congratulate both the State of Idaho and the Department of Energy for reaching a resolution on the buried waste issue," Senator Larry Craig said. "We now have a path forward for removing legacy wastes out of the State and a long-term strategy to monitor and manage any remaining wastes at the site. Just as important is that this resolution will allow the INL to continue its valuable research and development work in the areas of nuclear power and on alternative energy sources that will power this country for the future."

"The agreement announced today marks the end of confrontation and the start of accelerated buried waste remediation at the INL, which is very good news for the people of Idaho," said Congressman Simpson. "Governor Otter and Attorney General Wasden, and their staffs, deserve a great deal of credit for achieving a consensus-based approach to buried waste remediation which accomplishes real risk-reduction sooner rather than later. I also commend DOE and Assistant Secretary Rispoli for their cooperation and resolve to meet the federal government's commitments to our state. Finally, the critical involvement of Governors Andrus and Batt in reaching this agreement speaks to both the longevity and importance of this issue to Idaho."

"I applaud everyone who worked so hard to bring us to this point and look forward to continued progress on this issue,” Congressman Bill Sali said. “This agreement will provide for a cleaner Idaho and will also mark a point of progress for those interested in seeing continued energy solutions for our nation coming from our own Idaho National Laboratory.”

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]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced today that he is co-sponsoring the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 because it seeks to both reduce prices at the pump and provide long-term energy policy specific to vehicle fuels that will benefit consumers and the environment. Crapo joined with more than 40 other Senators, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, in introducing the legislation today.

“The key to our energy future is to take a balanced approach to domestic production, conservation and alternative fuel development,” said Crapo, a member of the Senate Renewable and Energy Efficiency Caucus. “This legislation may be our best chance to see price relief because it addresses all the major areas of debate on gas prices—increased domestic production off-shore and possible oil shale development, utilizing more electric and alternative fuel vehicles, and strengthening oversight of oil futures trading to prevent abuses which could affect prices.”

Crapo noted studies show that oil shale reserves centered in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming could hold up to three times the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and that deep-sea exploration could produce more oil than all the exports from the Persian Gulf over the past 15 years.

“This legislation frees our nation to aggressively move to become much less dependent on foreign sources of energy,” Crapo added. “Energy independence and a transition to alternative and reusable forms of energy are critical to our long-term economic security.”

More information about the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 is available on Crapo’s website at http://crapo.senate.gov. He will also host a radio talk show on energy issues next Tuesday, July 1st, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Boise on KBOI-AM 670. Crapo has received well over a thousand e-mails from Idahoans concerned about high energy prices.

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today noted the U.S. Supreme Court made the right decision to uphold both the individual and Second Amendment rights of all Americans by upholding the Constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. The high court today struck down local laws that banned handgun ownership in Washington, DC. Crapo is one of 55 U.S. Senators who signed a “Friend of the Court” brief supporting today’s ruling and noting the rights of individuals in the case.

“The U.S. Supreme Court made a point in underscoring the Constitutional rights of every American today,” Crapo said. “This ruling means that individual rights and the Second Amendment do matter—both for citizens and their government. The ruling also keeps secure the separation of powers for our branches of government—leaving the making of law to the Legislative Branch and not re-interpreting what the Founding Fathers intended.”

The full details on today’s Supreme Court decision can be found on Crapo’s website. The web address is http://crapo.senate.gov.

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:00:00 CDT Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Robert Bennett (R-Utah), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, will visit projects and employees at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) next week during a visit to Idaho Falls. Crapo invited Bennett to tour the site and speak at the Idaho Falls City Club. Bennett accepted the invitation and will visit Idaho Falls on Wednesday, July 2.

“With Senator Craig’s retirement, Idaho will lose a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee,” Crapo noted. “I have enjoyed a lengthy friendship with my colleague from Utah, Senator Bob Bennett, who is also a member of the Appropriations Committee. We have discussed the regional importance of keeping the INL, our nation’s leading nuclear lab, strong. We both support the need for a long-term commitment to research that is the hallmark of the INL. The timing is right for a visit to the site and to discuss energy issues with Idahoans in Idaho Falls.”

Crapo and Bennett will meet with employees and management of the INL and discuss projects ranging from nuclear research to alternative fuels to mixed waste treatment. Crapo will introduce Bennett where he will address the City Club at a luncheon event.


Senators Bennett and Crapo visit the Idaho National Laboratory and Idaho Falls City Club:
Wednesday, July 2

Noon Idaho Falls Speak to City Club, Bennion Student Union Building (SUB) Ballroom, University Place, 1776 Science Center Drive

1:30 p.m. Idaho Falls Media availability following City Club speech
Outside West Entrance, Bennion Student Union
University Place, 1776 Science Center Drive

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