{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"ID\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=bdd9efe5-7223-4549-85c9-e654551dbbaa", "Risch Announces Military Academy Nominations", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 U.S. Senator Jim Risch has announced his nominations to the United States Military Academies for the 2014 year. The nominees were selected from dozens of applicants and will now be considered by each of the four academies for appointment.\n\"This year's nominees have met the high standards required to attend our military academies and each of them have demonstrated a level of commitment to our nation that is commendable. They are each truly deserving of this honor and I applaud them for their efforts,\" said Risch.\r\nThose interested in applying for future nominations to the military academies can find details on Senator Risch\u2019s website or by contacting Tim Petersen at (208) 342-7985.\r\nU.S. Air Force Academy  Carlie Ashley, Meridian  Benjamin Beier, Kingston  Gabriel Benavides, Meridian  Scott Bennett, Boise  Austin Box, Boise  Devin Cooper, Mountain Home  Hunter Cyr, Eagle  Rydder Driggs, Ammon  Anderson Gannaway, Rexburg  Lindsey Hammon, Meridian  Tyler Hill, Boise  Alexandria Kempf, Pocatello  Jesse Miller, Laclede  Joshua Rackham, Meridian  Wes Roscoe, Mackay  Braxton Stocking, Rexburg  Tanner Stuart, Pocatello   Timothy Ward, Meridian  Daniel Whitfield, Eagle  Justin Williams, Bancroft\r\nU.S. Naval Academy  Nicholas Blancett, Star  Justus Grammer, Coeur d\u2019Alene  Katey McInturff, Cataldo  Tyrell Reynolds, Kuna  John Schneider, Boise  Quinn Shultz, Eagle  McKenzie Steingruber, Meridian  Kathleen Thompson, Meridian  Alexander Tracy, Nampa  Ryan Walker, Eagle\r\nU.S. Military Academy at West Point  Randy Foristiere, Boise  Garrett Plant, Meridian   Spencer Rich, Meridian  Alix Stanley, McCall  Steven Schneickert, Pocatello  Hannah Wentland, Meridian  Jonathan Yake, Coeur d\u2019Alene  Andrew Young, Meridian  Thomas Zagula, Rigby  James Zimmerman, Boise\r\nU.S. Merchant Marine Academy  Avian Blumhorst, Idaho Falls  Nicholas Bower, Meridian  Reilly Cherry, Coeur d\u2019Alene  Isaac Christensen, Coeur d\u2019Alene\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0  Victoria Nash, Homedale  Justin Peters, Boise  Joshua Rackham, Meridian  Quinn Shultz, Eagle  Bryce Schroeder, Caldwell  Jonathan Yake, Coeur d\u2019Alene\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=357658", "Crapo Demands Answers from IRS on Civil Forfeitures", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Demands Answers from IRS on Civil Forfeitures \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Says investigations could negatively impact law-abiding taxpayers \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.\u00a0- Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is asking the U.S. Department of Treasury for information on IRS seizure and forfeiture activities of legitimate small business accounts.\u00a0 The IRS cites a law under the Bank Secrecy Act used to identify drug traffickers, racketeers and terrorists by tracking cash deposits under $10,000, a practice known as \"structuring,\" but sometimes the IRS captures efforts at legitimate, cash-only operating small businesses.\u00a0 Recent news reports have detailed instances in which the IRS seized bank accounts of legitimate small businesses on suspicion of money laundering without proof of guilt.\u00a0 Crapo, the Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew demanding answers from the federal government on this practice.\r\n\"I am concerned with the impact these IRS civil forfeitures will have on law-abiding American taxpayers,\" Crapo said. \"By some accounts, the seizure and forfeiture procedures used to preserve assets during the course of an investigation can deny taxpayers use of legitimate assets for up to two years.\"\r\nHe continued, \"While penalties for structuring transactions are an important deterrent in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, it is absolutely imperative that investigators understand the law and proper procedures that are in place and used to protect otherwise legitimate businesses in their day to day activities.\"\r\nMany small, legitimate cash-only businesses frequently make cash deposits in amounts less than $10,000, and some have become targets of the IRS.\u00a0 Most victims of civil asset forfeiture settle with the government for only a small portion of what was seized from them, and some are not able to challenge the federal government for up to a year or more.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\nFull text of the letter is below. Click here to view online.\r\n__________________________________________________________________\r\nThe Honorable Jacob Lew\r\nSecretary\r\nU.S. Department of the Treasury\r\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\r\nWashington, D.C. 20220\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Secretary Lew:\r\nI write to express concern with how the IRS reportedly pursues, seizes and forfeits assets, particularly small business bank accounts of law-abiding Americans depositing cash receipts in the course of routine business operations and without connection to any overt criminal act.\u00a0\r\nI direct your attention specifically to the pages of the \r\nWashington Post, \r\nNew York Times and \r\nIdaho Statesmen, which all have reported recently on IRS seizure and forfeiture activities of otherwise legitimate small business accounts in connection with the federal \"anti-structuring\" requirements of 31 U.S.C. \u00a7 5324.\r\nThat IRS has spent the better part of a year on establishing the new policy, announced on October 17, 2014, to address what it calls \"legal source\" structuring, demonstrates the IRS has been aware for some time of problems with such investigations as a general law enforcement matter.\u00a0 Apparently, the main concerns for IRS were consistency of case management and undue hardship on IRS manpower issues, which draws vital resources away from the key priorities of the IRS Criminal Investigations Division.\r\nMore than IRS manpower issues, I am concerned with the impact that these legally-sourced structuring investigations may have on law-abiding American taxpayers, particularly when the seizure and forfeiture procedures used to preserve assets during the course of investigation may turn out to deny taxpayers use of legitimate assets for up to two years, by some accounts.\r\nMoreover, I am concerned with the proper and efficient administration of Bank Secrecy Act implementation and enforcement, of which structuring violations form an integral part.\u00a0 While penalties for structuring transactions are an important deterrent in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, it is absolutely imperative that investigators understand the law and proper procedures that are in place and used to protect otherwise legitimate businessmen in their day to day activities.\r\nAccordingly, in light of the new IRS policy, together with the reports of alleged abuses connected to structuring violations, I ask that you provide me the following information:\r\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What fund holds the assets seized and forfeited by the IRS generally and that specifically related to structuring crimes?\u00a0 Does the IRS share these funds with local law enforcement or any other agency?\r\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What types and threshold amount of evidence was required by IRS under the old policy before IRS seized a bank account?\u00a0 What kind of evidence is required now, under the new October 17\r\nth policy?\r\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How often and how long were assets seized or forfeited under suspicion of structuring only to never see a structuring case prosecuted?\r\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When was work begun on the new policy? Were seizures of legal sourced funds, unconnected to a second crime, suspended during this time period?\r\n5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Did the new policy guideline go through interagency review?\r\n6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What effect does IRS expect the new guideline to have on taxpayers?\u00a0 On law enforcement efforts?\r\n7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What qualifications are required for state and local law enforcement officers to participate on IRS task forces or Suspicious Activity Review (SAR) review teams and what training is provided?\r\n8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How often did IRS discover that either federal or affiliated state and local law enforcement authorities interpreted 31 U.S.C. \u00a7 5324 to mean that multiple or serial sub-$10 thousand deposits without more were acts of structuring and grounds for seizure?\r\n9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Does IRS believe that this anti-structuring guideline should be implemented across all law enforcement agencies, nationwide?\u00a0 Why or why not?\r\n10.Will the guideline lead to consistency of nationwide investigations or lead to uneven application of the structuring law depending on the investigating agency?\r\nPlease provide my office with all responsive information by January 19, 2015.\r\nThank you for your cooperation.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=357654", "Crapo Announces Committee Posts for 114th Congress", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Announces Committee Posts for 114th Congress \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Will remain a senior member of the Finance Committee, Banking Committee \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - After wrapping up work with incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) on the Senate Republican Committee on Committees, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced his committee assignments for the 114\r\nth Congress.\u00a0 Crapo will retain his committee posts from the previous Congress, serving on the following committees: \r\nSenate Finance Committee, Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, Senate Budget Committee, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and the SenateCommittee on Indian Affairs.\u00a0 The 114\r\nth Congress will also mark a move in seniority for the Idaho Senator, who will now be ranked 22\r\nnd in overall seniority-the highest seniority an Idaho Senator has attained since Senator McClure was ranked 17\r\nth in the 101\r\nst Congress.\r\nCrapo, who has long been a strong advocate of reforming our nation's broken tax code, is looking forward to returning as the third ranking Republican on the powerful Finance Committee, which oversees many issues of daily importance to all Idahoans, including taxes, Social Security, trade policy and certain health care programs (Medicare, Medicaid), among others. \"Our tax code is far too big, complex and anti-competitive to serve as the foundation for the economic growth our country needs,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"The more than $1.5 trillion in tax increases placed on middle class families in recent years have made the burden of our current code worse and have hindered, rather than fueled, economic growth.\"\r\nThe Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, on which Craposerved as Ranking Member in the 113\r\nth Congress,maintains jurisdiction over efforts to promote the stability of the financial system, promote responsible lending to families and businesses, preserve homeownership and authorize federal transit spending.\u00a0Crapo will now serve as the second rankingRepublican on the Committee. \"In our current economic climate, my continued focus on the Committee will be to protect taxpayers and stop irresponsible taxpayer funded bailouts, as well as modernize our financial regulatory structure and its goals,\" Crapo continued.\r\nCrapo will reprise his role on the Indian Affairs Committee in the new Congress, where he expects to advocate directly for the substantial Native American population in Idaho.\u00a0 \"Serving on the Committee on Indian Affairs gives me the opportunity to work closely with the Tribes in Idaho to ensure that needed changes in critical areas such as education, economic development, land management, health care and others are met.\"\r\nThe Idaho senator, who previously served on the President's Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform and was a part of the Senate's \"Gang of Six\", seeking bipartisan answers on debt reduction, will also return to the Senate Budget Committee for the 114\r\nth Congress.\u00a0 The Committee remains responsible for drafting and monitoring Congress' annual budget.\u00a0 \"With our nation's debt now exceeding a staggering $18 trillion, it is imperative that Congress put forth an annual budget-something that has gone by the wayside in recent years.\u00a0 Strong budget controls to curb the explosive level of federal spending are needed, and I look forward to working with my colleagues this coming Congress to find meaningful ways to develop balanced budgets that will lead us to begin paying down our debt.\"\r\nFinally, Crapo will continue service on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee with jurisdiction over environmental laws, water issues, fisheries, highway funding, wildlife and other issues.\u00a0 Among other federal agencies, the Committee is charged with overseeing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\u00a0 \"Without question, EPW deals with some of the most important natural resource issues facing Idaho.\u00a0 From stopping EPA's aggressive overreach into the lives of Idahoans to ensuring that rural areas are fairly considered for highway funding, it is clear Congress is confronted with significant challenges.\u00a0 I am encouraged by the opportunity in this new Congress to advance the interests of Idahoans and promote sensible and effective environmental policies that don't jeopardize the economy and small businesses,\" Crapo concluded. \u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=934", "LABRADOR GRAZING, GUN RANGE BILLS HEAD TO PRESIDENT", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFriday | December 12, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR GRAZING, GUN RANGE BILLS HEAD TO PRESIDENT\r\n\r\n\tThe two measures \u2013 one local, one national \u2013 clear the Senate\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Two bills introduced by Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador, R-Idaho, offering regulatory relief in federal land management are expected to become law after final passage in the Senate Friday.\r\n\r\n\tThe Grazing Improvement Act, which Labrador has been working on since he came to Congress in 2011, will provide stability for about 20,000 ranchers who lease grazing rights on more than 250 million acres of federal land.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tIntroduced as H.R. 657, the grazing reform bill would temporarily extend permits while the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service process a backlog of environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. It also allows the agencies to issue permits and leases under categorical exclusions from NEPA if they continue current management and grazing is not adversely affecting land health. Finally, the bill permanently exempts livestock trailing from full NEPA review.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRanchers with grazing permits own nearly 120 million acres of nearby lands, making the collaborative management critical to rural economies. More stable business conditions will prompt investment in improvements such as stock ponds that benefit livestock and wildlife.\r\n\r\n\tThe Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act would establish the first public shooting range in the state\u2019s largest\u00a0county by conveying 31 acres of BLM land to Idaho County. Introduced as H.R. 5040, Labrador\u2019s bill was necessary because federal regulations blocked the transfer of the parcel used informally as a gun range by sportsmen and women. The bill has the BLM\u2019s support and the County Commission has agreed to manage the site as a shooting range and work closely with law enforcement on maintenance.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0 \u201cThe Idaho County gun range bill resolves a local issue that has been pending for close to six years,\u201d Labrador said. \u201cI am just as gratified to see it pass as I am the grazing reform that will boost economic certainty for ranchers across the West. Both measures are examples of how Congress can act to better manage public resources.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tUnfortunately, the measures were attached in the House to the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, in the closing days of the 113th Congress. \u00a0The NDAA was totally unrelated to the substance of Labrador\u2019s bills, which had previously passed with bipartisan support. Labrador\u00a0voted against the defense bill because he continues to object to the NDAA on both foreign policy and civil liberties grounds. He opposes the NDAA's authorization of $1.6 billion to arm and train Syrian rebels and continues to have concerns about the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=933", "LABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF MASSIVE YEAR-END SPENDING BILL", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tThursday | December 11, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF MASSIVE YEAR-END SPENDING BILL\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 First District Congressman Ra\u00fal Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement after voting against the fiscal year 2015 catch-all appropriations bill that raises spending to $1.1 trillion, up $88 billion from fiscal year 2014 levels:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOnce again, Congress has failed to take seriously its responsibility to squarely address the federal spending crisis. The last two days have been particularly outrageous with the process driven by a handful of people behind closed doors. The result is a 1,603-page bill larded with pork and favors for special interests. The funding bill also fails to address the president\u2019s unconstitutional immigration order.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI promised Idahoans I would do everything in my power to stem the growth of our now-$18 trillion debt, which Congress refuses to do. \u00a0Next year, with both the House and Senate in Republican hands, my sincere hope is we quit stalling and enact meaningful spending reforms.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398376", "Simpsons Newborn Screening Bill Passes Congress and Heads to Presidents Desk", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House of Representatives has unanimously passed the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act, co-authored by Congressman Mike Simpson and Congresswoman Lucile Roybal-Allard (CA).\u00a0 The bill will reauthorize newborn screening programs for five years while updating and building upon the landmark 2008 Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act first offered by Simpson and Roybal-Allard. \r\n\u201cI am pleased to see the House pass the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act and send it to the President for his signature,\u201d said Congressman Simpson. \u201cI am so grateful to Congresswoman Roybal-Allard for her dedication to this issue.\u00a0 She has truly led the way in making this bill a reality.\u201d \r\n\u201cI have repeatedly said that this bill is as important as any we will pass this year,\u201d Simpson continued. \u201cThese crucial screening tests detect conditions that are too often undetected at birth and if left untreated can cause disability, developmental delay, illness, or even death.\u00a0 Conditions quickly identified lead to better outcomes and saved lives, often at a reduced cost. \u201d\r\nCongresswoman Roybal-Allard added, \u201cOur collective efforts to rapidly identify and treat these disorders are making a difference between health and disability, and even life and death, for the children affected by these severe diseases.\u201d\r\nNewborn screening is run by individual states, but the original 2008 Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act first encouraged states to uniformly test for a recommended set of disorders, and provided resources for individual states to grow their own screening programs.\u00a0\u00a0 Before that legislation, state screening varied greatly, with only 10 states requiring infants to be screened for all the treatable \u201ccore conditions\u201d recommended.\u00a0 Today, most states require screening for at least 29 of the 31 core conditions.\r\nThe test consists of a simple prick on the heel of newborns before they leave the hospital.\u00a0 That blood sample tests for serious genetic, metabolic, or hearing disorders that may not be apparent at birth.\u00a0 Without the test, parents may have no way of knowing their child needs treatment. \r\n\u201cNewborn screening represents a major public health success story that has preserved the lives and health of tens of thousands of newborns,\u201d stated March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. Howse.\u00a0 \u201cThe March of Dimes is deeply grateful to Rep. Mike Simpson for being a tireless champion of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act.\u00a0 With this legislation, we have ensured that the over 20,000 babies born in Idaho each year will continue to receive potentially life-saving newborn screening tests.\u201d\r\n\u201cBesides the obvious benefit to families who suffer an enormous emotional and economic burden when a one of these conditions goes undiagnosed for too long, this legislation is a powerful tool for savings in our already overburdened health care system,\u201d added Simpson. \u201cAs a former dentist, I have seen the value of diagnosing and treating a condition early in a child\u2019s life, and this bill will help strengthen newborn screening across the country.\u201d \r\nOne example is found in a 2012 study on severe combined immunodeficiency, known as SCID, which is one of the 31 core conditions recommended for state screening.\u00a0 The Medicaid cost of treating a baby with SCID in the first two years can be $2 million dollars or more.\u00a0 Yet an infant diagnosed early can be cured through a bone marrow transplant in the first three months of life, costing $100,000. \r\nThe amended bill already passed in the Senate, and now with House passage heads to the President\u2019s desk for a signature.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=15c6de61-d52b-4d0f-a3ff-221b51f2725e", "Risch, Crapo Say Energy Costs Could Soar Under EPA Power Plan", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and 20 of their Republican colleagues to express deep concern about the impact the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) proposed power plan would have on electricity prices and power grid reliability. \u00a0In a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, the senators call for the rule\u2019s withdrawal, citing unrealistic interim targets, a severely constrained timeline for implementation and complications related to multi-state resources among the many concerns raised by stakeholders.\r\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s families and businesses depend upon affordable, reliable electricity. Unfortunately, EPA\u2019s proposal will constrain Americans\u2019 energy choices and inflict significant economic harm without producing any tangible environmental benefits,\u201d the senators write in the letter.\r\nJoining Crapo, Risch and Fischer on the letter are: Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee); John Boozman (R-Arkansas.); Richard Burr (R-North Carolina); Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia); Dan Coats (R-Indiana); Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi); John Cornyn (R-Texas); Jeff Flake (R-Arizona); Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina); Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa); John Hoeven (R-North Dakota); Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia); Mike Johanns (R-Nebraska); John McCain (R-Arizona); Jerry Moran (R-Kansas); Rob Portman (R-Ohio); Pat Roberts (R-Kansas); Richard Shelby (R-Alabama); John Thune (R-South Dakota); and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi).\r\nFull text of the letter is available below:\r\nDecember 10, 2014 \u00a0   The Honorable Gina McCarthy   Administrator   Environmental Protection Agency   U.S. EPA Headquarters \u2013 William J. Clinton Building   1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW   Washington, DC 20460\r\nDear Administrator McCarthy,\r\nWe write to express serious concern regarding EPA\u2019s proposed existing source performance standards (ESPS) under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act and to identify some key issues that must be addressed in any final rule.\u00a0 As proposed, the rule would have sweeping impacts that would not only raise Americans\u2019 electricity prices, but also jeopardize the reliability of our nation\u2019s power grid.\u00a0 Among the biggest problems with the rule are the unrealistic interim targets, severely constrained timeline for implementation, and the complications related to multi-state resources.\r\nFirst, as both state environmental agencies and industry stakeholders have pointed out, the emission rate targets are front-loaded, requiring a disproportionate percentage of emission rate reductions in the early years of the program.\u00a0 These unrealistic reduction rates do not account for the time needed to accommodate the infrastructure changes needed to achieve them.\u00a0 Development of new generation and transmission resources takes time.\u00a0 Planning, design, siting, permitting, and construction can easily take as long as a decade.\u00a0\r\nComparing the interim emission rate reduction in 2020 (from the 2012 baseline) to the final emission rate reduction required by 2030, total emission rate reductions that must occur between\u00a0 the 2012 baseline and the 2020 emission rate target reach as high as 90%.\u00a0 The median reduction level is 66% for all states during that timeframe.\u00a0 Under EPA\u2019s second building block\u2014 prematurely shutting down coal-fired generation in favor of natural gas combined cycle generation, EPA\u2019s emission rate formula results in a 100% decrease in coal generation by 2020 in some states.\u00a0 Furthermore, this premature shutdown of coal fired generation will pose serious reliability risks to the electric grid and result in billions of dollars in stranded investment in expensive pollution control equipment that has been installed in order to comply with recent EPA regulations.\u00a0\u00a0 For these reasons, we urge the elimination of the 2020 targets.\r\nSecond, states have very little time to prepare and submit implementation plans\u201413 months from the time EPA issues a final rule with a possibility of a one-year extension for individual state plans or two-year extension for multi-state plans.\u00a0 This is simply not enough time for states to plan and prepare for such significant changes to their electricity generating portfolio, let alone address \u201cbeyond-the-fence\u201d energy efficiency programs.\u00a0 Moreover, regional transmission operators must have time to evaluate and provide feedback on the state plans to address impacts on regional markets and ensure power reliability.\u00a0 As outlined in its 2014 Initial Reliability Review of EPA\u2019s Proposed Clean Power Plan, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation also needs time to assess resource adequacy and long-term reliability of the North American bulk power system.\u00a0\r\nA third fundamental issue to be resolved is how EPA will account for electricity resources generated in one state but used in another.\u00a0 While EPA has promulgated state-based reduction targets, our electricity system is interconnected with many cross-state purchase agreements.\u00a0 EPA\u2019s current proposal fails to establish a workable regulatory framework for addressing these complicated, but critically important multi state issues.\u00a0\r\nOur nation\u2019s families and businesses depend upon affordable, reliable electricity.\u00a0 Unfortunately, EPA\u2019s ESPS proposal will constrain Americans\u2019 energy choices and inflict significant economic harm without producing any tangible environmental benefits.\u00a0 We urge you to address the wide range of issues raised by stakeholders regarding this proposal, including the three key concerns we have identified above, should you choose to proceed with issuing any final rule.\u00a0 However, we strongly believe the best way to address the aforementioned concerns is by withdrawing this ill-conceived and overreaching rule in its entirety.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=595b6c9b-7563-44a8-b507-d5f0f2e7b475", "La Plaza in Buhl Named Small Business of the Month", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - In recognition of their tremendous efforts and years of success, U.S. Senator Jim Risch has named La Plaza as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for September.\u00a0 The business will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the United States Senate.\r\n\u201cI am pleased to recognize La Plaza as an outstanding small business,\u201d said Sen. Risch. \u201cThis is a restaurant that has grown and adapted for the past 11 years. Locally owned and operated, La Plaza serves unique, traditional Mexican fare to Southern Idaho and its visitors.\u00a0 La Plaza is a true illustration of the American Dream. Started out of a converted two-car garage, the small business is now operated out of a 1,992 square foot space on Buhl\u2019s Main Street.\u00a0 I congratulate everyone at La Plaza on their success and wish them the very best in their future growth.\u201d\r\nFounded in 2003 by Guadalope \u201cLupe\u201d and Chon Loza, La Plaza specializes in homemade traditional Mexican cuisine.\u00a0 The restaurant\u2019s dedication to high quality ingredients and exceptional hospitality exemplifies the hard work and originality that is so characteristic of Idaho.\u00a0 La Plaza has earned a remarkable reputation in the local community and with out-of-town diners, which have made the restaurant a local staple and traveler\u2019s destination.\r\nSenator Risch is the highest ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.\u00a0 The committee oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to entrepreneurship and provides oversight of the Small Business Administration.\u00a0 They also research, investigate and report all problems relating to American\u2019s small businesses to the full Senate.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=357627", "Crapo, Risch Say Energy Costs Could \r\nSoar Under EPA Power Plan", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 11, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Say Energy Costs Could Soar Under EPA Power Plan \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators call for rule\u00e2??s withdrawal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch joined Senator Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and 20 of their Republican colleagues to express deep concern about the impact the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed power plan would have on electricity prices and power grid reliability. \u00a0In a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, the senators call for the rule's withdrawal, citing unrealistic interim targets, a severely constrained timeline for implementation and complications related to multi-state resources among the many concerns raised by stakeholders.\r\n\"Our nation's families and businesses depend upon affordable, reliable electricity. Unfortunately, EPA's proposal will constrain Americans' energy choices and inflict significant economic harm without producing any tangible environmental benefits,\" the senators write in the letter.\r\nJoining Crapo, Risch and Fischer on the letter are: Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee); John Boozman (R-Arkansas.); Richard Burr (R-North Carolina); Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia); Dan Coats (R-Indiana); Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi); John Cornyn (R-Texas); Jeff Flake (R-Arizona); Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina); Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa); John Hoeven (R-North Dakota); Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia); Mike Johanns (R-Nebraska); John McCain (R-Arizona); Jerry Moran (R-Kansas); Rob Portman (R-Ohio); Pat Roberts (R-Kansas); Richard Shelby (R-Alabama); John Thune (R-South Dakota); and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi).\r\nFull text of the letter is available below:\r\nDecember 10, 2014\r\nThe Honorable Gina McCarthy\r\nAdministrator\r\nEnvironmental Protection Agency\r\nU.S. EPA Headquarters - William J. Clinton Building\r\n1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\r\nWashington, DC 20460\r\nDear Administrator McCarthy,\r\nWe write to express serious concern regarding EPA's proposed existing source performance standards (ESPS) under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act and to identify some key issues that must be addressed in any final rule.\u00a0 As proposed, the rule would have sweeping impacts that would not only raise Americans' electricity prices, but also jeopardize the reliability of our nation's power grid.\u00a0 Among the biggest problems with the rule are the unrealistic interim targets, severely constrained timeline for implementation, and the complications related to multi-state resources.\r\nFirst, as both state environmental agencies and industry stakeholders have pointed out, the emission rate targets are front-loaded, requiring a disproportionate percentage of emission rate reductions in the early years of the program.\u00a0 These unrealistic reduction rates do not account for the time needed to accommodate the infrastructure changes needed to achieve them.\u00a0 Development of new generation and transmission resources takes time.\u00a0 Planning, design, siting, permitting, and construction can easily take as long as a decade.\u00a0\r\nComparing the interim emission rate reduction in 2020 (from the 2012 baseline) to the final emission rate reduction required by 2030, total emission rate reductions that must occur between\u00a0 the 2012 baseline and the 2020 emission rate target reach as high as 90%.\u00a0 The median reduction level is 66% for all states during that timeframe.\u00a0 Under EPA's second building block- prematurely shutting down coal-fired generation in favor of natural gas combined cycle generation, EPA's emission rate formula results in a 100% decrease in coal generation by 2020 in some states.\u00a0 Furthermore, this premature shutdown of coal fired generation will pose serious reliability risks to the electric grid and result in billions of dollars in stranded investment in expensive pollution control equipment that has been installed in order to comply with recent EPA regulations.\u00a0\u00a0 For these reasons, we urge the elimination of the 2020 targets.\r\nSecond, states have very little time to prepare and submit implementation plans-13 months from the time EPA issues a final rule with a possibility of a one-year extension for individual state plans or two-year extension for multi-state plans.\u00a0 This is simply not enough time for states to plan and prepare for such significant changes to their electricity generating portfolio, let alone address \"beyond-the-fence\" energy efficiency programs.\u00a0 Moreover, regional transmission operators must have time to evaluate and provide feedback on the state plans to address impacts on regional markets and ensure power reliability.\u00a0 As outlined in its 2014 Initial Reliability Review of EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation also needs time to assess resource adequacy and long-term reliability of the North American bulk power system.\u00a0\r\nA third fundamental issue to be resolved is how EPA will account for electricity resources generated in one state but used in another.\u00a0 While EPA has promulgated state-based reduction targets, our electricity system is interconnected with many cross-state purchase agreements.\u00a0 EPA's current proposal fails to establish a workable regulatory framework for addressing these complicated, but critically important multi state issues.\u00a0\r\nOur nation's families and businesses depend upon affordable, reliable electricity.\u00a0 Unfortunately, EPA's ESPS proposal will constrain Americans' energy choices and inflict significant economic harm without producing any tangible environmental benefits.\u00a0 We urge you to address the wide range of issues raised by stakeholders regarding this proposal, including the three key concerns we have identified above, should you choose to proceed with issuing any final rule.\u00a0 However, we strongly believe the best way to address the aforementioned concerns is by withdrawing this ill-conceived and overreaching rule in its entirety.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398374", "Simpson Touts Vital Idaho Priorities Included in Cromnibus", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today applauded the release of H.R. 83, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations bill that included many important provisions for Idaho and Western States.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cThis bill represents an important step for Congress toward fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to fund government operations through the regular process,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cWhen we fail to pass annual appropriations bills, we fail to look critically at how agencies spend taxpayer dollars, and lose opportunities to make government work better.\u00a0 We can point to dozens of examples in this bill that support conservative priorities and represent good government that would not have been supported had we continued to fund the government through a Continuing Resolution.\u201d\r\nSimpson is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment had a key role in deciding funding levels for Department of Energy and Department of Interior programs, including the following highlights:\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nEnergy and Water Development \r\n\u201cI am pleased to report that the Energy and Water portion of the omnibus rejects cuts to nuclear research sought by the Obama Administration and increases funding for many of the vital programs at INL,\u201d said Chairman Mike Simpson. \u201cWe\u2019ve worked very hard with the Lab and the people of Eastern Idaho to promote INL, and the funding in this bill will advance the critical contributions that INL makes toward a broad energy security policy in the United States.\u00a0 This bill will have a lasting impact on enhancing the current capabilities of INL and building new, unique capabilities that are essential to the world class researchers at our national laboratory.\u201d \r\n \r\n    \r\n    DOE\u2019s Office of Nuclear Energy is funded at $914 million, an increase of $24.3 million over the FY14 funding level. Nuclear energy research and development programs that receive funding within the $914 million allocation include several of the following:\r\n    \r\n \r\n \r\n    \r\n        \r\n        The Idaho Operations and Infrastructure account, which covers infrastructure maintenance and improvements at Idaho National Laboratory, is funded at $200.6 million \u2013 a $20 million increase over last year.\r\n        \r\n        \r\n        The National Science User Facility program is funded at $36.5 million \u2013 an increase of $18 million above the President\u2019s request.\u00a0 Increases under this program are directed to fully complete the installation of post-irradiation examination equipment at INL\u2019s Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory (IMCL).\r\n        \r\n        \r\n        Small Modular Reactor Licensing Support Programs are funded at $55 million.\u00a0\u00a0 This funding is slated for NuScale Power\u2019s Small Modular Reactor which is proposed for construction in Idaho.\r\n        \r\n        \r\n        The Light Water Reactor Sustainability program, which is managed by INL and promotes the continued safe operation of America\u2019s existing nuclear reactors, is funded at $35 million, an increase of $5 million over FY14 and the budget request.\r\n        \r\n        \r\n        The Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration account is funded at $133 million \u2013 an increase of $20 million above fiscal year 2014 and $32.5 million above the President\u2019s request. Within the overall $133 million level for this account, $33 million is allocated to fuel qualification for the High Temperature Gas Reactor, $11 million above the budget request.\r\n        \r\n        \r\n        The Advanced Fuels program within Fuel Cycle Research and Development is funded at $60.1 million, the same as last year and $17 million above the President\u2019s budget request, and Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition research and development is funded at $49 million, $19 million above FY14.\r\n        \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Within the Office of Naval Reactors, the bill includes $68 million for the operation of the Advanced Test Reactor, an increase of $1.5 million above FY14.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, the bill includes $5 million to continue development of an Electric Grid Test Bed program to enhance existing full-scale electric grid testing capabilities like those at Idaho National Laboratory.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    The bill also provides $380 million for cleanup activities associated with the Idaho Cleanup Project and the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project co-located on the Idaho desert with Idaho National Laboratory. This represents an increase of $13 million above the President\u2019s request to fully support workplan alignments needed for Idaho\u2019s transuranic waste program as a result of the closure of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.\u00a0 \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Includes an additional $2 million for the National Spent Fuel Program, putting the unique expertise of INL to work in order to provide solutions for managing the Department of Energy\u2019s inventories of spent nuclear fuel. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Prohibits the U.S. Corps of Engineers from requiring Clean Water Act section 404 permits for certain agricultural activities, such as construction and maintenance of farm or stock ponds or irrigation ditches.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Directs the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army to withdraw the interpretive rule, \u201cU.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army Interpretive Rule Regarding the Applicability of the Clean Water Act 4 Section 404(f)(1)(A).\u201d Section 404 of the Clean Water Act exempts certain agricultural activities, such as soil and water conservation practices, from regulation. The interpretive rule would have limited that exemption significantly.\u00a0 \r\n    \r\n \r\nInterior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased with a number of public lands provisions in this bill that will have a direct and positive impact on Idaho,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPILT funding is crucial to Idaho counties, and adequate funding for wildfire suppression is essential, so I\u2019m very glad that this bill fully funds both of those priorities.\u00a0 In addition, the language delaying the sage-grouse ESA listing decision is extremely important to our state.\u00a0 Stakeholders in Idaho have worked hard to create a management plan that will prevent the listing of\u00a0sage-grouse as an endangered species.\u00a0 Yet even stakeholders who have been at the table since the beginning of this process are concerned that the court-imposed listing deadline has resulted in less collaboration and rushed decisions.\u00a0 They\u00a0need more time to do the proper work that will warrant a decision not to list the species.\u00a0 By delaying the listing decision, we can provide the BLM with time to do the job right.\u201d\r\n \r\n    \r\n    Full funding of the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which compensates counties for the losses in property tax as a result of a high percentage of federal land.\u00a0 Idaho counties received $28,579,192 in PILT funding for FY14.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Language prohibiting funding for writing a rule to list the greater sage-grouse as an endangered species, providing stakeholders additional time to craft management plans that would work to prevent a listing.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Full funding for wildfire suppression operations at the 10-year average, as well as $65 million for the Forest Service to acquire needed airtankers to fight wildfires, allowing the agency to phase out antiquated aircraft.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Extends language making litigation costs more transparent and extending requirements that litigants exhaust administrative review before litigating grazing issues in Federal court.\r\n    \r\n \r\n \r\n    \r\n    Restores $1 million to compensate ranchers for livestock killed by wolves; and\r\n    \r\n \r\n \r\n    \r\n    Prevents agencies from limiting recreational shooting and hunting on federal lands. \r\n    \r\n \r\nDefense\r\n\u201cI\u2019m very pleased that my colleagues have shown wide recognition and support for the importance of keeping the A-10,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cThe A-10\u2019s past combat performance is lauded by both the service members that operate them and those who rely on them for close air support on the battlefield.\u00a0 While I certainly acknowledge that the Air Force must make difficult decisions in this time of reduced budgets, the A-10\u2019s low operating costs and unique capabilities merit our continued support until an appropriate replacement can be identified.\u201d \r\n \r\n    \r\n    Denies the administration\u2019s request to retire any A-10 close-air support aircraft, and provides $337.1 million to keep A-10s flying in FY15.\u00a0 \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Prohibits funds from being used to transfer or divest AH-64 Apache helicopters from the Army National Guard to active Army in FY15. \r\n    \r\n \r\nAgriculture and Rural Development Subcommittee\r\n\u201cFresh potatoes have been excluded from the WIC program despite their widely known nutritional value,\u201d said Simpson. \u201cThis bill corrects the exclusion of fresh potatoes and allows WIC participants to make wholesome food choices for their young families.\u201d\r\n \r\n    \r\n    Includes a provision lifting a ban on white potatoes from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.\u00a0 This language, drafted by Congressman Simpson, ensures that fresh white potatoes and all varieties of fresh vegetables are eligible for purchase through the WIC program.\u00a0 \r\n    \r\n \r\nThe House is scheduled to vote on H.R. 83 on Thursday, December 11.\u00a0 Links to the bill text and reports can be found here: http://rules.house.gov/bill/113/hr-83", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2b5de0c9-ee1e-4c33-8c5e-d14f7a079e2d", "Risch, Rubio Statement on Senate Intelligence Committee Release of Interrogation Study", "2014-12-08", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the impending declassification of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence release of a partisan report on CIA interrogation and detention programs:\r\n\u201cThe one-sided report that will be released by Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence cost U.S. tax-payers over $40 million dollars to produce, and its authors never interviewed a single CIA official.\u00a0\r\n\u201cIt is unconscionable that the Committee and the White House would support releasing this report despite warnings from our allies, the U.S. State Department, and a new coordinated Intelligence Community document assessing the increased risk to the United States the release of this report poses. \u00a0We are concerned that this release could endanger the lives of Americans overseas, jeopardize U.S. relations with foreign partners, potentially incite violence, create political problems for our allies, and be used as a recruitment tool for our enemies.\u00a0 Simply put, this release is reckless and irresponsible.\u00a0 We have written to the administration reminding them of these concerns.\u00a0\r\n\u201cCongress has a legitimate and necessary role to play in conducting serious and constructive oversight of our intelligence agencies and capabilities. This report does not qualify as either serious or constructive. This was a partisan effort that divided members of the committee, and the committee against the people of the CIA. \u00a0We voted against this report because it is flawed, and voted against declassifying this report because we believed that its release could put American lives at risk, be used to contribute to propaganda against the United States by our enemies, and damage U.S. foreign policy and counterterrorism efforts.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThe American civilian and uniformed personnel who worked tirelessly in the days and months after the September 11, 2001 attacks on our nation to keep us safe and prevent another mass casualty event deserve our eternal gratitude, not politically\u2013motivated attacks.\u00a0 As a nation at war, we need a coherent detention and interrogation policy in order to extract valuable intelligence about terrorist networks from captured operatives.\u00a0 The Obama Administration has no detention policy, and it has hindered U.S. efforts to fight terrorism globally.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398372", "Simpson Opposes Unilateral Action By President", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today opposed H.R. 3979, The National Defense Authorization Act because of the authority it extends to the Administration to train and equip the Syrian rebels.\r\n\u201cThere are many essential provisions included in H.R. 3979 that I support.\u00a0 However, I opposed the bill because I cannot in good conscience vote to extend additional authority to the Obama administration\u2019s unilateral decision to train and equip Syrian rebel groups,\u201d said Simpson. \u201cA determination to continue to commit billions of dollars and countless other American resources to a new, and potentially years long conflict in the Middle East is too important for Congress to rubber stamp.\u00a0 We need to hold hearings, have a debate and vote after we have a complete picture of what our long-term strategy will be in this conflict.\u00a0 The actions we take now will have long lasting impacts on our national security, budget, and our economy, and I for one do not trust the President with making those decisions alone.\u201d\r\nH.R. 3979 passed with a final vote of 300-119 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356584", "Crapo, Udall Lead Bipartisan Coalition on PILT, SRS Funding for Critical Local Government Services", "2014-12-01", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 01, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo, Udall Lead Bipartisan Coalition on PILT, SRS Funding for Critical Local Government Services \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Lawmakers request full funding in end-of-year legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.\r\n- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) led a bipartisan coalition urging Senate leaders to fully fund the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) in any end-of-year legislation.\r\n\u00a0\r\nPILT provides federal payments to local governments to help offset losses in property taxes because of nontaxable federal land within their boundaries, and these resources are critical to rural counties across the country, which use the funding to provide services, such as police, fire protection, and emergency response. The SRS program, which benefits rural counties near national forests, supports public schools, public roads, forest health projects, and other county projects. Along with PILT, rural counties rely heavily on SRS to help provide essential services to residents.\r\n\u00a0\r\nFunding for both PILT and SRS has expired, and unless the programs are renewed, counties across the country will see major budget cuts. Annually, PILT and SRS combined provide more than $700 million to rural counties across the country.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"Moving forward, we hope that we can work together to seek a long-term solution to provide a consistent and stable source of funding for the nation's counties containing federal lands,\" the lawmakers wrote to Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. \"As we approach the end of the 113th Congress, however, we urge you to consider the economic hardship and uncertainty that these counties will face if the PILT program is not given consistent funding.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe lawmakers added, \"In supporting the PILT and SRS programs, we have the opportunity to fulfill the federal government's obligation to local communities with large amounts of federal land.\" While Congress works on a permanent, long-term fix to provide counties with proper compensation for federal lands in their jurisdictions, the letter requests Senate Leadership provide a bridge to such a solution through at least Fiscal Year 2015\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn addition to Udall and Crapo, the letter was signed by Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden, (D-Oregon), Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia), Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia), Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Angus King (I-Maine), Carl Levin (D-Michigan), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Dianne Feinstein (D-California), Barbara Boxer (D-California), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Michael Enzi (R-Wyoming), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), John Walsh (D-Montana), Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas), Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Mark Udall (D-Colorado), Dean Heller (R-Nevada), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota), and James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma).\r\n\u00a0\r\nAfter years of funding PILT inconsistently, Congress in 2008 fully and automatically funded PILT for five years. In a 2012 transportation bill, full funding was extended for another year, leaving the future beyond 2013 uncertain. Earlier this year, Udall and Crapo successfully pushed for PILT funding to be included in the Farm Bill, and have continued to be strong advocates for steady, full funding.\u00a0 In October 2013, Congress passed a one year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act as part of the Helium Stewardship Act. Udall and Crapo have advocated for reliable, full funding of the PILT and SRS programs to provide local communities certainty of these resources for long-term planning.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe full text of the letter is below:\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  November 24, 2014\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  The Honorable Harry Reid\r\n\r\n\r\n  Majority Leader\r\n\r\n\r\n  United States Senate\r\n\r\n\r\n  522 Hart Senate Office Building\r\n\r\n\r\n  Washington, DC\u00a0 20510\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  The Honorable Mitch McConnell\r\n\r\n\r\n  Minority Leader\r\n\r\n\r\n  United States Senate\r\n\r\n\r\n  317 Russell Senate Office Building\r\n\r\n\r\n  Washington, DC\u00a0 20510\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  Dear Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell:\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  We write to request that full funding of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program and the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) program be included in any end-of-year legislation likely to pass in the Senate and House.\u00a0 We greatly appreciate your attention to these programs in previous years and would welcome the opportunity to work with you to ensure that a solution be in place before the end of the 113th Congress for these payments to be funded and paid during at least Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15).\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  The PILT program provides critical resources to nearly 1,900 counties in 49 states and 3 U.S. territories.\u00a0 It was created in 1976 to help offset losses to local governments from the presence of non-taxable federal lands.\u00a0 Property taxes fund county governments allowing them to provide essential services such as law enforcement, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, education, and health services for local communities.\u00a0 A fully-funded PILT program helps to ensure that counties that house federal lands can continue to provide these essential services.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  The SRS program reaches over 775 rural counties and 4,400 schools located near national forests throughout the country. SRS payments support public schools, public roads, forest health projects, and other county projects.\u00a0 Along with PILT, rural counties rely heavily on SRS to help provide essential services to residents.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  Moving forward, we hope that we can work together to seek a long-term solution to provide a consistent and stable source of funding for the nation's counties containing federal lands.\u00a0 As we approach the end of the 113th Congress, however, we urge you to consider the economic hardship and uncertainty that these counties will face if the PILT program is not given consistent funding.\u00a0 In supporting the PILT and SRS programs, we have the opportunity to fulfill the federal government's obligation to local communities with large amounts of federal land.\u00a0 We look forward to working with you to resolve this pressing issue facing our communities in FY15 and in the coming years.\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398369", "Simpson to Forest Service: Observe First Amendment in Wilderness", "2014-11-25", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today sent a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell expressing his strong concern about the Service\u2019s Proposed Rules for Commercial Filming in Wilderness Areas. Simpson\u2019s primary concern is that the Administration\u2019s final rule will place an undue burden on journalists, television programs, outfitters and guides and other media-related activities that have traditionally enjoyed access to wilderness areas for filming or photography. \n\u201cMy office has received considerable contact from journalists and others who regularly film or take photographs in our nation\u2019s spectacular wilderness areas,\u201d Simpson wrote. \u201cThese are people who appreciate wilderness, want to share its values with others, or may want to use their photographs or videos to help promote their business. These are not individuals who are looking to film feature length action movies that would do harm to wilderness areas or involve multiple cameras with large crews and extensive sets.\u201d\nSimpson\u2019s primary concern is protecting the First Amendment, \u201cUnder no circumstances should the Forest Service be dictating its views about content to the media,\u201d Simpson wrote. \u201cThe portion of the rule that leaves open the possibility that the Forest Service could deny access over content raises serious First Amendment concerns and is contrary to any Congressional intent associated with the creation of the National Wilderness Preservation System.\u201d\nSimpson is requesting Chief Tidwell to ensure the final rule addresses concerns from journalists and others who would like to film or take photographs in wilderness areas administered by the U.S. Forest Service.\nA copy of the letter can be found on Simpson\u2019s website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2576b167-77fb-4f17-aedf-09b204e6e363", "Risch Statement on Obama Executive Order", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch made the following statement on President Obama\u2019s announcement of executive action on immigration:\r\n\u201cThese are troubling times for America, when the President of the United States by executive decree seizes the Constitutional lawmaking power that belongs to the first branch of government. Regardless of the issue or who is president, every American should be deeply distressed by this new government the president is attempting to establish.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206004754/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=72e29197-06cf-49d6-bfe6-ef54d78716a9", "Risch Statement on Iranian Nuclear Talks", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch made the following statement regarding news of an extension of the Iranian nuclear talks:\n\u201cWith this extension, President Obama has defined a new normal where Iran can continue its nuclear weapons program and receive billions of dollars in sanctions relief with no movement toward changing its unacceptable behavior. Releasing money to the Iranians while they continue to produce material that could be used for a weapon is a bad deal. Also, it is absolutely imperative that the Iranians release Pastor Abedini and the other two Americans they are holding. The Iranian regime needs to be taught that it must come to the table with serious actions to end its nuclear program, or the West will walk away, isolate, and punish their threatening behavior.\u00a0 This extension will not be helpful to President Obama\u2019s legacy.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=931", "LABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S EXECUTIVE ORDER", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tThursday | November 20, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA\u2019S EXECUTIVE ORDER \r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 First District Congressman Ra\u00fal Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement after President Obama\u2019s announcement Thursday evening of a new executive order regarding U.S. immigration law: \u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday President Obama conceded his failure as a leader on immigration. Instead of finding common ground with Congress, he chose to bail out his bankrupt presidency through an order he has already admitted he cannot legally take. He violated his promise to champion reform in his first term, sabotaged bipartisan House negotiations in his second and bred distrust by failing to faithfully enforce the law throughout.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cNow he wants to save face by imposing unilaterally what he could not achieve democratically. Congress must defend its constitutional role to make laws and immediately block his illegal action through all available avenues.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe president\u2019s action not only undermines efforts to achieve real reform \u2013 it is directly opposed to it. Real reform starts with enforcing current laws, securing the border and modernizing the visa system. Only a system that works \u2013 that drives immigrants into viable avenues for legal entry \u2013 will end illegal immigration and protect the rule of law. That is what I will continue to fight for \u2013 no matter who occupies the White House.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=932", "LABRADOR TO DISCUSS IMMIGRATON ON CBS' 'FACE THE NATION'", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFriday | November 21, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR TO DISCUSS IMMIGRATON ON CBS\u2019 \u2018FACE THE NATION\u2019 \r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal Labrador will appear on \u201cFace the Nation\u201d with Bob Scheiffer on Sunday to discuss congressional response to President Obama\u2019s executive order on immigration.\r\n\r\n\tThe public affairs program celebrated its 50th anniversary last month. Scheiffer, chief Washington correspondent for CBS, has anchored the show since 1991. Labrador will appear from a studio in Boise.\r\n\r\n\tThe program airs at 9:30 a.m. MST on KBOI in Boise and KIDK in Idaho Falls; 8:30 a.m. MST on KMVT in Twin Falls; and 8:30 a.m. PST on KREM in Spokane.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398364", "Simpson Supports Bills to Improve EPAs Public Accountability", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson this week supported a series of bills to bring greater transparency and accountability to actions by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\u00a0 H.R. 1422, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013, H.R. 4012, the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013, and H.R. 4795, the Promoting New Manufacturing Act, were all passed by the House of Representatives and are now awaiting action by the U.S. Senate.\r\nH.R. 1422, which makes a number of reforms to the EPA\u2019s Science Advisory Board to ensure that EPA\u2019s decisions are made on sound science, complements Simpson\u2019s efforts to address concerns about the EPA\u2019s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program.\u00a0 In recent years the IRIS program has drawn harsh criticism from the science community.\u00a0 H.R. 1422 takes action based on findings from a National Academy of Sciences study that Simpson commissioned in 2011 when he chaired the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.\r\n\u201cThe public needs to be able to trust that EPA\u2019s policy decisions are based on good science and not swayed by politics,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cWhen we first examined the IRIS system, we found a broken process that lacked scientific accountability, and I\u2019m pleased that Congress has taken up addition efforts to improve transparency and accountability and increase public participation in EPA\u2019s decision making process.\u201d\r\nH.R. 4012 would ensure that the scientific data used by EPA for policy decisions is available to the public.\u00a0 The bill responds to concerns about the fact that the Obama Administration has not made public the data behind a number of its decisions and has refused to provide the information to Congress when requested.\u00a0 Similarly, H.R. 4795 would improve accountability and transparency in EPA\u2019s permitting process for industrial projects.\r\n\u201cI have long expressed my concern about EPA\u2019s appetite for aggressive regulation, a concern that is magnified by the fact that EPA cannot or refuses to provide the scientific data it uses to make these policies,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cThese bills are reasonable and important measures to bring transparency and accountability to the regulatory process, and I am hopeful that the Senate will act on them quickly.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398366", "Simpson Response to Obamas Immigration Plan", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The following statement was issued by Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson following the President\u2019s Address to the Nation on his plans for immigration:\u00a0\r\n\u201cLet me be clear, the President's actions tonight are illegal, unconstitutional, and contrary to the way in which the American people expect the President and Congress to interact. They have the potential to throw us into a Constitutional Crisis.\u00a0\r\n\u201cApparently the President didn't get the message the American people sent to him two weeks ago. At the same time, I strongly believe my party's response to this inappropriate executive action should be measured and realistic.\u00a0\u00a0We cannot shut down the government, impeach the President, or allow this issue to impede progress on deficit reduction, tax reform, or other critical priorities for the American people.\u00a0\u00a0Instead, we should fight this edict early next year in any realistic way we can, fight the President in the courts, and move expeditiously to enact a more responsible, effective and lasting approach to immigration reform.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356567", "GAO Report Says FSOC Lacks Transparency, Accountability", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 20, 2014\n\t\t\t GAO Report Says FSOC Lacks Transparency, Accountability \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Non-bank SIFI designation process should be systematic and measurable \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the results of a comprehensive study requested by Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) analyzing the Financial Stability Oversight Council's (FSOC) process to designate systemically important non-bank financial companies (non-bank SIFIs) for additional regulation by the Federal Reserve.\u00a0 The FSOC is a council created by the Dodd-Frank Act to, among other things, designate a financial firm as systemically important if the institution's financial distress could cause instability of the U.S. financial system.\u00a0\r\nThe GAO report highlights several problems with how FSOC oversees and manages the non-bank SIFI designation process.\u00a0 Broadly, GAO concluded that FSOC's process lacks transparency and accountability, insufficiently tracks data and does not have a consistent methodology for determinations.\r\n\"Before FSOC makes further non-bank SIFI designations, its activities must be transparent and objective, with clearly outlined criteria when such designations are appropriate,\" Crapo said. \u00a0\"The non-bank SIFI designation process has proved immeasurable and unclear, with serious regulatory consequences for firms that receive the designation that will inevitably translate into higher costs for consumers and the overall economy.\u00a0 Threatening to subject firms to a new regulatory regime without clear and objective standards is not only contrary to the long established principles of our regulatory framework, but doing so will lead to legal uncertainty that will undermine the very objective of FSOC.\"\r\nTo date, FSOC has designated three non-bank entities as systemically important, and the publicly released documents surrounding the designations have provided little useful insight into the specific criteria FSOC used.\u00a0 GAO ultimately determined that making FSOC's designation process more systematic and transparent could bolster public and market confidence in the process and help FSOC achieve its intended goals.\u00a0\r\nKey findings from the GAO report:\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Lack of publicly available information.\r\n  \r\n\r\n\"FSOC's public documentation supporting its three final determinations made through September 2014 included only a small portion of the information and analysis in its nonpublic documentation, including information from publicly available sources.\" (p.39) \u00a0\r\n\"\u2026without more fully disclosing the nonsensitive information and analysis supporting its determinations as included in its nonpublic basis documents, the public and the markets receive limited information on the bases for FSOC's determinations-which in turn may undermine the public's and the market's confidence in the determination process.\" (p.41)\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Lack of documentation and tracking of key evaluation information.\r\n  \r\n\r\n\"The determination process to evaluate companies has been in place for more than 2 years, but FSOC has not systematically recorded or monitored data related to the occurrence of significant events or comprehensive information on staff working on evaluations.\" (p.27)\r\n\"Without data on when staff conduct, or which staff participate in, determination evaluations, FSOC's ability to effectively monitor the progress and evaluate the efficiency of determination evaluations may be limited.\" (p.30)\r\n\"\u2026FSOC has not centrally recorded the dates when significant events in the process occurred-such as the initiation of Stage 2 analysis-or tracked the duration of key stages in each evaluation\u2026FSOC ultimately was unable to provide us with this information for 2012 because it has not systematically recorded or monitored the dates of key processing steps.\" (p.29)\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Determinations largely judgment-based, rather than data-driven.\r\n  \r\n\r\n\"\u2026two of the international methodologies-those for banks and insurers-include specific calculations for weighting the analytical indicators and categories used to produce an aggregate risk score. \u00a0In contrast, FSOC's determination methodology does not have a formal mechanism for weighting evaluation criteria, but instead relies on the judgment of FSOC staff and principals in evaluating companies and making determination decisions.\" (p.49)\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Evaluation teams assigned \r\n    ad hoc and lacking continuity; varying levels of staff expertise.\r\n  \r\n\r\n\"\u2026two of the four companies [GAO] interviewed that FSOC evaluated in Stage 3 indicated that some of the analysts conducting the evaluation had limited expertise in their company's industry.\" (p.27)\r\n\"\u2026One agency official said that team lead selections were contentious in some instances.\u00a0 For example, staff from this agency and another member agency state that although they each attempted to have an experienced staff member co-lead an evaluation, FSOC denied the request without explanation.\" (p.27)\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Communication with institutions under consideration is unclear.\r\n  \r\n\r\n\"Companies that the FSOC evaluated generally were satisfied with FSOC's communication throughout the process, but were unclear about how and when they could access [FSOC member agencies'] deputies and principals.\" (p.30)\r\n\"Company officials stated that they also were allowed to provide additional information beyond the specific data that FSOC requested. \u00a0However, they said that they were unsure to what extent FSOC had considered the information or how FSOC incorporated it into the determination decision.\" (p.31)\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Scope of evaluation standards limited.\r\n  \r\n\r\n\"\u2026documentation did not include details about precisely how FSOC determined that the stated characteristics were significant or sufficiently large in the context of meeting one or both of the determination standards, and FSOC's documentation could have benefitted from inclusion of such additional details.\" (p.41)\r\nTo view a full copy of the GAO report on recommended actions to improve FSOC's non-bank designation process, click \r\n\r\n  HERE\r\n.\u00a0 To view Senator Crapo's original request to the GAO, click \r\n\r\n  HERE\r\n.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356568", "Crapo Statement On President Obamas Executive Order on \r\nImmigration", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 20, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Statement On President Obama\u00e2??s Executive Order on Immigration \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement on President Obama's decision to issue an executive order on immigration that could apply to as many as five million illegal immigrants:\r\n\"Rather than listening to the American people and respecting their voices in the last election, the President will instead impose his deliberately divisive action on the important issue of illegal immigration,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"This unfortunate choice by the President will, most importantly, hurt immigrants in the long run and undercut future prospects for lasting immigration reform. \u00a0In addition, the President has done an about-face on his executive role.\u00a0Just last year, he said 'I'm not the emperor of the United States.\u00a0 My job is to execute laws that are passed.'\u00a0 However, his administration has repeatedly tried to side-step Congress through the use of Executive Order.\u00a0 The inherent checks and balances between the branches of government are a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy, and these actions set a dangerous precedent by violating our basic Constitutional principles. \u00a0\r\n\"No one should gain any advantage or benefit toward citizenship or legal permanent resident status because of illegal entry into the United States.\u00a0 The unilateral legal protections provided lawlessly to millions of illegal immigrants by the President-benefits that legal immigrants must wait years to obtain-pose a profound \u00a0threat to our immigration system and rule of law, discouraging those who seek to come to America from doing so legally.\u00a0 I will continue to press for a solid solution that will secure our nation's borders and advocate for sound, sensible immigration policies.\"\r\nCrapo previously called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for the immediate consideration of legislation to prohibit the President from implementing sweeping immigration reforms through the use of executive order.\u00a0 Read the letter \r\nhere.\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=930", "LABRADOR GUN RANGE BILL CLEARS HOUSE", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTuesday | November 18, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR GUN RANGE BILL CLEARS HOUSE\r\n\r\n\tThe measure is the third Labrador bill to pass this Congress \r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 A bill introduced by Ra\u00fal Labrador, H.R. 5040, the Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act, passed the U.S. House late Monday. The bill would convey 31 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to Idaho County for use as a shooting range.\r\n\r\n\tFor years, Idaho County commissioners have sought to acquire the parcel in the Riggins area which has been informally used by sportsmen and women. Cumbersome federal regulations blocked the transfer to Idaho County, even though the Bureau of Land Management supported the idea.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Labrador and his staff worked closely with both the BLM and the Idaho County Commission to develop a bill to finally resolve the issue and develop a management plan. Idaho County is the state\u2019s largest; of its 5.4 million acres, 4.5 million acres are owned by the federal government. The County Commission has agreed to manage the 31 acres as a shooting range and work closely with law enforcement to maintain the site.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIn a county full of guns that is 83 percent managed by the federal government, we\u2019re excited at the very real prospect of our first public shooting range,\u201d said County Commissioner Skip Brandt. \u201cWe\u2019re very appreciative of Congressman Labrador\u2019s willingness to chase this down.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019m grateful to all who\u2019ve helped in this effort to establish a safe location for essential training by law enforcement and recreational firearms use by civilians,\u201d Labrador said. \u201cGiven the broad support, I\u2019m hoping the Senate will move quickly to pass this bill.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe gun range measure is the third bill authored by Labrador that has passed the House during the 113th Congress.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador\u2019s H.R.657, the Grazing Improvement Act,would extend livestock grazing permits on federal lands from 10 to 20 years, giving ranchers the certainty to boost operations and local economies. The bill addresses a backlog in processing renewals by extending permits under existing terms. It also offers regulatory relief and would discourage frivolous lawsuits.\r\n\r\n\tThe third bill, H.R. 1294, is titled the Self-Sufficient Community Lands Act. It would establish pilot community forest projects of about 200,000 acres, totaling up to 4 million acres nationwide. Local governments would manage the land in accordance with state laws. The result would be responsible production, creation of rural jobs and reduced wildfire risk.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206004756/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=c3fb4702-db19-443e-b8d7-34e2e597c51a", "Risch, Crapo Support Keystone XL Pipeline", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch voted with the minority today to support construction of the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline. The Senate vote of 59 to 41 rejected approval of the pipeline carrying Canadian oil to the southern U.S.\u00a0\u00a0 The Senate action followed a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to approve the project.\n\u201cIf eventually approved, the Keystone project will provide a significant economic boost to our country, creating thousands of jobs and providing needed tax revenue to states along its route,\u201d Crapo said.\u00a0 \u201cWhen completed, the project will also help North America increase its energy security by reducing reliance on foreign resources from volatile countries and regions around the globe.\u00a0 The Administration\u2019s own State Department has confirmed that the development of this resource should have no meaningful impact on the environment and is the safest way to transport the oil.\u201d\u00a0\n\u201cThe Keystone XL pipeline is the kind of project America really needs,\u201d said Risch. \u00a0\u201cIt would employ thousands of workers and be paid for by the private sector, rather than our tax dollars. This vote is long overdue and I am disappointed that Democrats have\u00a0blocked this project, using government power to once again frustrate the creation of jobs in the private sector.\u201d\nFollowing today\u2019s vote, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced he expects to bring the Keystone XL Pipeline back for consideration early in the next Congress.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356555", "Crapo Introduces Legislation To Reduce Onerous Government Regulations On \r\nJob Creators", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 18, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Introduces Legislation To Reduce Onerous Government Regulations On Job Creators \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Joined by U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Idaho Senator Mike Crapo todayintroduced a bill to reduce excessive unfunded government mandates on job creators, giving them greater freedom to invest in their companies and hire new workers.\r\n\"Businesses across the nation continue to struggle under the heavy weight of the federal government,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"Removing the tremendous burdens placed on job creators and strengthening policies that encourage, not stifle, innovation is key to the kind of economic restoration our country needs.\u00a0 Federal mandates are too often imposed without careful consideration of the negative economic consequences. This measure promotes more comprehensive decision-making and will cut down on excessive regulations by requiring federal agencies to fully evaluate the costs and benefits associated with any proposal.\"\r\n\"At a time when American employers are struggling to expand and create good-paying jobs, the federal government should not be imposing unnecessary costs on the private sector,\" said Portman. \"As we continue through the weakest economic recovery since the Great Depression, we should be pursuing policies that make it easier, not harder to hire. This legislation will help job creators compete globally rather than be held back by stifling government mandates.\"\r\nThe legislation would strengthen the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), for which Crapo was a co-sponsor in the 104th Congress. UMRA was a bipartisan effort to prevent Congress and federal regulators from blindly imposing regulations on the private sector and on state, local and tribal governments without first weighing the potential economic impacts.\r\nAmong other measures, the legislation would require agencies to specifically assess the potential effects of new regulation on job creation or job loss; consider market-based and non-government alternatives to regulation; require agencies to choose the least burdensome regulatory option that achieves the policy goal set out by Congress; extend UMRA to independent agencies; and permit courts to review an agency's economic impact analysis under UMRA.\r\nCrapoand Portman originally teamed up to introduce the legislation in the 112\r\nth Congress\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398362", "Simpson Supports Keystone XL Pipeline", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Simpson today supported H.R. 5682, a bill to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would put an end to years of bureaucratic delays and allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline project.\u00a0 \r\nThe Keystone XL pipeline would transport crude oil from the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, to refineries in the United States. Because the pipeline would connect the United States with a foreign country, it requires a Presidential Permit issued by the State Department.\u00a0 The State Department must find that the project would serve the national interest before it can issue the permit. \r\nThe first application to the U.S. State Department to build the pipeline was submitted in 2008, and after a thorough environmental review, in 2011 an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) found that the pipeline would have limited adverse environmental impacts during its construction and operation.\u00a0 Despite this, President Obama denied the Presidential Permit request in January of 2012, requiring the permitting process to begin anew.\u00a0 The State Department issued a second Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement in January of 2014, confirming once again that the pipeline would have limited adverse environmental impact.\r\n\u201cMoving forward with the permitting of the Keystone XL pipeline will create jobs and reduce our dependence on unstable foreign sources of oil,\u201d said Simpson. \u201cThe President is yet again playing political games with our energy security, and ignoring the benefits of this project without a scientific basis for doing so.\u201d\r\nCanadian pipeline company TransCanada has estimated that it will invest $7 billion in the United States to build the pipeline, and that up to 20,000 jobs would be directly created by the pipeline\u2019s construction.\u00a0 The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the Keystone XL pipeline would be able to move 830,000 barrels of oil per day, which represents about half of the amount the U.S. imports from the Middle East.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cThis project has broad bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, and it has been reviewed and studied for six years and found to be environmentally safe,\u201d Simpson said.\u00a0 \u201cI hope the Senate and the President approve this bill quickly, because the economic and energy security implications for this country are too important to delay any longer.\u201d\u00a0 \r\nH.R. 5682 authorizes the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL pipeline.\u00a0 The bill deems the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Secretary of State in January of 2014 sufficient to satisfy all the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and any other federal law that requires federal agency consultation or review.\r\nThe House passed H.R. 5682 by a vote of 252-161. It will now move to the Senate for further consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356547", "McConnell Selects Crapo to Lead\r\nCommittee on Committees", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 14, 2014\n\t\t\t McConnell Selects Crapo to LeadCommittee on Committees \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has selected Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to chair the Senate Republicans' Committee on Committees, the panel responsible for committee assignments during the 114\r\nth Congress.\u00a0The assignment marks the sixth consecutive congressional two-year term that Senate leadership has asked Crapo to chair negotiations among his Republican peers in the Senate.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"Mike is a trusted advisor and has the respect of his colleagues,\" McConnell said.\u00a0\"He has a proven track record and the entire Republican conference is honored to have him once again leading our negotiations on committee assignments.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Committee on Committees negotiates the process of assigning Republican senators to committees.\u00a0After general elections, Senate party leaders negotiate the ratios on standing committees.\u00a0Crapo will provide leadership in the negotiations surrounding subsequent committee assignments.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"I appreciate the honor and trust represented by this appointment. Partnering with Senate Republican Leader McConnell, I look forward to working to ensure my colleagues have the best possible opportunities to make a mark on the important agenda of the 114th Congress. With so many critical decisions facing the next Congress, our expanded conference has a lot of work ahead of it to meet the needs of the American people,\" Crapo said.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSenator Tim Scott (R-SC) will be assisting in the committee selection process in the 114\r\nth Congress.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356534", "Crapo Shares Results of Veterans Survey", "2014-11-11", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 11, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Shares Results of Veterans Survey \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Idaho\u00e2??s veteran community shares stories, offers solutions \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today released the results of his Fall 2014 Veterans Survey-an endeavor undertaken to gather information about Idahoans' experiences with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). \u00a0More than 1,000 Idahoans from the veterans community provided feedback and participated in the survey.\r\nFollowing the Senate's passage of bipartisan VA reform legislation this summer, Crapo met with hundreds of veterans and veterans' advocacy groups throughout the state, asking Idahoans to share their unique perspectives on the VA.\u00a0\r\nThe survey results will be used to guide Crapo's efforts on behalf of Idaho's veterans in the U.S. Senate and will be shared with officials in Washington, D.C., and with the VA to help push meaningful policy changes.\r\n\"Veterans have given so much of themselves, and we must ensure that the nation supports these extraordinary individuals for putting their lives on the line to safeguard our freedoms,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"I am more than appreciative of our veterans' willingness to share their stories, both the good and the bad, and will continue communication with VA leaders to ensure they understand the experiences of Idaho's veterans and act appropriately to meet their needs.\"\r\nOverall, approximately 51 percent of participants rated their experiences with the VA as \"satisfying\" or better, while around 30 percent of participants rated their experiences \"dissatisfying\" or worse.\u00a0 Participants were asked to share the basis for their satisfaction rating. \u00a0They could select any of the following as a basis for their overall experience satisfaction:\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Quality of VA health care;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Transportation to VA related appointments;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wait times for appointments with the VA;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Benefits and Claims processing;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Appeals processing;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Educational benefits;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Other (please specify).\r\nCrapo's survey provided the opportunity for participants to seek assistance from the Senator in matters involving the VA or other federal agencies.\u00a0 Crapo's outreach efforts generated significant growth in veteran-related constituent service with a 519 percent increase in the total number of veterans requesting aid.\u00a0 \"One of the greatest aspects of my role as a U.S. Senator is the ability to act as an advocate and assist Idahoans to remedy potential issues they may be having with a federal agency.\u00a0 I encourage all Idahoans to share their experiences with federal agencies, and to contact any one of my offices for assistance when they need it,\" Crapo concluded.\r\nThe results of the Fall 2014 Veterans Survey are available on Crapo's official website at \r\nwww.crapo.senate.gov , or you can click \r\nhere to view the full report.\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=929", "Congessman Labrador statement on deaths of two Idaho Guardsmen", "2014-11-07", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFriday | November 7, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tCongressman Raul Labrador issued the following statement regarding the deaths of two Idaho Army National Guard pilots Thursday night. Their names have not been released pending notification of their families.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cRebecca and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families of the two Idaho National Guard pilots who died in the line of duty. Their sacrifice is a sober reminder of the price of freedom. We also are praying for the entire Idaho Guard community and ask that every Idahoan take special note of Veterans Day on Tuesday.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141107194922/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7277310a-2cb5-41f2-823a-193b1f4c10eb", "Risch Expresses Condolences Following Guard Helicopter Crash", "2014-11-07", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch issued the following statement regarding the crash of an Idaho Army National Guard helicopter that killed both pilots aboard on the evening of Thursday, November 6, 2014:\n\u201cVicki and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families of those lost. Because of my special relationship with the Idaho National Guard this hits all the harder. This once again reminds us of the dangers our dedicated servicemen and women face, at home and abroad, as they work hard to keep America safe.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356521", "Crapo Statement on Loss of Two Idaho Guard Pilots", "2014-11-07", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 07, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Statement on Loss of Two Idaho Guard Pilots \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement regarding the Apache helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two Idaho Army National Guard pilots late Thursday evening:\r\n\"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Idaho National Guardsmen. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and the entire Idaho National Guard community during this difficult time.\u00a0 This tragic event serves as a poignant reminder of the dedicated service and ongoing sacrifices our military men and women make to safeguard our freedoms.\"\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356526", "Crapo's Spirit Of Freedom Award to Be Presented On Veterans Day", "2014-11-07", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 07, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo's Spirit Of Freedom Award to Be Presented On Veterans Day \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Veterans, volunteers to be honored at three ceremonies \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's Spirit of Freedom Award will be presented to twenty Idahoans this year-thirteen veterans and seven volunteers-at three ceremonies throughout the state on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11. The award, which was created by Crapo twelve years ago, provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding service to our nation of area veterans and the many Idahoans who dedicate extensive timesupporting those who have served our country.\u00a0 Each year, Crapo has worked with Idaho's veterans community to present the awards during Veterans Day ceremonies throughout Idaho. \u00a0All ceremonies are open to the public.\r\n\"Many of the veterans honored through this award have spent decades serving our country and now give considerably of their time to befriending and lightening the load of their fellow veterans,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"Seeing this camaraderie that reaches beyond the battlefield and crosses generations is part of what makes honoring these individuals so rewarding.\"\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Planned ceremonies:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  Boise\r\n\r\nIdaho State Veterans Home\r\n320 Collins Road\r\n11:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\n  Lewiston\r\n\r\nIdaho State Veterans Home\r\n821 21\r\nst Avenue\r\n2:00 PM Pacific Time\r\n\r\n  Pocatello\r\n\r\nIdaho State Veterans Home\r\n1957 Alivn Ricksen Dr.\r\n2:30 PM Mountain Time\r\n\r\n  \r\n    2014 Sprit of Freedom Award honorees:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Veterans\r\n  \r\n\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Todd Bramhall\r\n  \r\n  , Meridian:\u00a0 Chaplain Todd Bramhall has built on his military service to help many veterans through his ministry.\u00a0 Chaplain Bramhall, who joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and served during the Vietnam War, was nominated by the Boise VA Medical Center for this award.\u00a0 After 23 years of pastoral ministry and experience in VA chaplaincy in Minnesota, Ohio and Michigan, Todd became the lead chaplain at the Boise VA Medical Center in December 2007.\u00a0 He has developed an outstanding, clinical chaplain program and has helped provide spiritual care for thousands of area veterans.\u00a0\r\n \r\nTodd served in the 815\r\nth Engineer Battalion, 18\r\nth Engineer Brigade like his father who served in the brigade in World War II.\u00a0 The recognitions he received for his service include the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Medals and the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.\u00a0 After his service, Todd earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Warner Pacific College and a Master of Divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary and began a career of pastoral ministry.\u00a0 Todd and his wife, Kathy, have three sons and one daughter.\u00a0 We are fortunate that Todd and his family have chosen Idaho as home and especially fortunate that he is utilizing his talents to assist the veteran community.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\n  Thomas L. Couch\r\n\r\n, Boise:\u00a0 Tom is being honored for his service to our nation and ongoing service to fellow veterans.\u00a0 He was nominated for this award by the Idaho State Veterans Home-Boise where he maintains the stock in the Fort Boise Canteen, serves in the Canteen and fills in for other shifts when needed.\u00a0 He also assists with getting items for the Boise home, as well as for the Office of Veterans Advocacy, the Idaho Veterans Cemetery and the home's activity department.\u00a0 Tom's ability to maintain accurate records of expenditures for these activities is appreciated, and he is considered a vital part of the home.\u00a0\r\nPrior to this service to fellow veterans, Tom served in the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Naval Reserve and the Idaho Army Guard spanning more that 20 years collectively.\u00a0 During his service, he earned a number of recognitions, including a U.S. Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.\u00a0 In addition to his service, he worked for the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) for more than 40 years.\u00a0 He and his wife have two children and two grandchildren. \u00a0\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Gerald E. Feil, Sr.\r\n  \r\n  , Boise:\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery nominated Gerald (Jerry) Feil for this award.\u00a0 Master Sergeant Feil not only served our nation for more than 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, he continues to serve his fellow veterans and their families through dedicating considerable time to assisting families who visit the cemetery or attend the service for a loved one who has passed.\u00a0 He is recognized for demonstrating a great sense of duty and initiative by volunteering to lead the services at the cemetery's committal shelter and greeting and consoling families during their most difficult time.\u00a0 Jerry also worked with his friend and fellow volunteer Terry to construct a new temporary reader board that is considered to be a great asset to the cemetery and has greatly improved the experience for families.\u00a0\r\n \r\nJerry joined the U.S. Air Force in 1964 and served until 1984.\u00a0 For his distinguished service, Jerry has earned a Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal with six Oak Leaves and the National Defense Service Medal.\u00a0 Jerry also operated a lawn care business for 10 years and spent 14 years as a Rack Maintenance and Repairman for a local newspaper.\u00a0 He and his wife of 44 years, Charlene, have two children and two grandchildren.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    William Arnold Ferrin\r\n  \r\n  ,\r\n  Pocatello:\u00a0 William Arnold Ferrin, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961 and served for six years, is being honored for his remarkable service to our nation.\u00a0 He served as the plane captain in a shore patrol squadron in the Vietnam War and was injured twice.\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Home-Pocatello nominated him for this award.\u00a0 After his military service, Arnold, who was born in Casper, Wyoming, lived in Albany, Oregon where he worked as carpenter for 18 years until retiring and returning to his home in Jackson, Wyoming.\u00a0 He always wanted to be a pilot and participated in many outdoor activities, including hunting and fishing.\u00a0\r\n \r\nHis unwavering dedication to the Navy was recognized through a special evaluation of his actions when he remained at the Naval Station in Kodiak, Alaska after his scheduled departure to assist after servere damage was inflicted on the Naval facilities and surrounding community from an earthquake.\u00a0 According to the special, \"Ferrin worked around the clock in below freezing temperatures in limited lighting, only taking the time to eat and for an occasional nap.\"\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Douglas P. Foote\r\n  \r\n  , Middleton:\u00a0 Douglas Foote is being honored for his distinguished service to our country.\u00a0 Douglas served more than 20 years in the Air National Guard, and he earned many honors for his distinguished service.\u00a0 This includes the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak leaf Clusters, a National Defense Service Medal, an Air Force Longevity Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters and many more.\u00a0 The American Legion Middleton Post 39 nominated him for this award.\u00a0\r\n \r\nDouglas had a desire to continue to serve his country after his military service.\u00a0 He found a good way to do that was by assisting veterans organizations.\u00a0 He and his wife of 30 years, Janis, donate the services of their pet and livestock sitting business to veterans in need.\u00a0 He is also active in a number of veterans organizations.\u00a0 This includes helping restart and serving as Commander of the Middleton American Legion Post 39; 1\r\nst Vice-Commander for District 3, Department of Idaho; President of the Ada County United Veterans Council; a board member for Brave Hearts; and much more.\u00a0 Both Douglas' son and daughter have served in the military.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Harry Gustafson\r\n  \r\n  ,\r\n  Pocatello:\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Home-Pocatello nominated Harry Gustafson for this award for his dedicated service to our nation.\u00a0 Harry Gustafson joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and served as a crane operator/Army Engineer.\u00a0 He spent three years serving in Europe, with six months of the time being on the frontline in France.\u00a0 Harry assisted with company communication on the frontline and had duties holding the line and keeping the Germans from crossing over.\u00a0 During his service, he had a few close calls, including nearly getting hit with mortar fire when he and a fellow soldier were splicing a wire to assist with communication.\u00a0 Harry earned a number of honors for his service, including a Bronze Star, the European African Middle Eastern Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. \u00a0\u00a0\r\n \r\nAfter returning home, he worked in a grocery store, as his childhood dream had been to own a grocery store.\u00a0 He spent most of his career as a tool and dye maker in California.\u00a0 He married his wife, Adeline, in 1947, and they had two daughters.\u00a0 He loved going camping and fishing in the Idaho mountains with his wife and children.\u00a0 Harry is recognized as \"a very loving man who did much for his wife when she was ill for his children, and for his country.\"\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Gerald A. Hanson\r\n  \r\n  , Boise:\u00a0 Gerald Hanson is being honored for his extensive, dedicated service to our nation.\u00a0 Gerald served with distinction for 27 years through three wars, including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.\u00a0 The Marine Corps League nominated him for this award.\u00a0 Gerald earned many military honors for his notable service.\u00a0 This includes the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with one Gold Star, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one Gold Star, the Navy Unit Commendation, the World War II Victory Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Star and many more.\u00a0\r\n \r\nFollowing his military service, Gerald served as an Ada county Deputy Sheriff for two years.\u00a0 He later retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 18 years.\u00a0 He and his late wife, Jane, have three sons and one daughter.\u00a0 People like Gerald are the reason our freedoms are preserved.\u00a0 At a young age, he stepped forward to serve, and his commitment is inspiring.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\n  Kay C. Kalbfleisch\r\n\r\n, Lewiston:\u00a0 Major Kay Kalbfleisch, who retired from the Lewiston School District in 1992, spent decades serving our nation.\u00a0 The Marine Corps League nominated him for this award for his outstanding service to our nation and its veterans.\u00a0 Kay, who was born in Lewiston and grew up in Orofino, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952 and served for three years during the Korean War.\u00a0 He then returned to college, married, had two sons and a daughter, taught school and coached.\u00a0\r\nHe continued to serve as a reservist and returned to active duty during the Vietnam War.\u00a0 He earned numerous honors for his service.\u00a0 This includes being awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service as a Commanding Officer.\u00a0 His citation for his award recognizes his \"inspiring leadership,\" \"superb professionalism and unwavering devotion to duty.\"\u00a0 After serving in Vietnam, he returned to teaching and later active duty and retired from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1979 as a Major.\u00a0 He remains actively engaged in a number of veterans organizations and devotes considerable time to assisting with veterans and other community activities, including graveside memorial services, food drives, Toys for Tots, the Traveling Vietnam Wall, Veterans Day celebrations and more.\u00a0 Major Kalbfleisch has served our nation with distinction and continues to serve.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Billy Joe Keng\r\n  \r\n  , Lewiston:\u00a0 Billy Joe Keng is being honored for his exemplary service to our nation.\u00a0 He was born in 1925 in Dill, Oklahoma and served our nation in the U.S. Marine Corps during the World War II.\u00a0 He served in Okinawa, the Ryukyu Islands and during the Occupation of China.\u00a0 His special military qualifications were serving as a mortar crewman and guard.\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Home-Lewiston nominated him for this award.\u00a0\r\n \r\nHe married Louella B. Stevens in 1948 and was a member of the American Legion Post 13 and the Moose Lodge for more than 50 years.\u00a0 Billy worked as a meat cutter and Safeway Department Manager from 1950-1987.\u00a0 He also volunteered for the American Red Cross and for the Idaho Veterans' Home.\u00a0 At a young age, Billy Joe Keng left home to serve our nation, defend our freedoms and help liberate our allies abroad.\u00a0 He then returned home and became part of the heart of the community while continuing to serve others.\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Robert E. Lenigan\r\n  \r\n  , Star:\u00a0 First Lieutenant Robert (Bob) E. Lenigan is being honored for his outstanding service to our nation.\u00a0 Bob, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, joined the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam combat veteran.\u00a0 A Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star with \"V\" device and two Oak Leaf Clusters are among the honors he earned for his distinguished service.\u00a0 The Military Order of the Purple Heart, which recognizes Bob's dedication and service to veterans, nominated him for this award.\r\n \r\nSince 2002, Bob has served in many Military Order of the Purple Heart Leadership roles that include serving as Jr. Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander and Department Commander.\u00a0 His leadership has been credited with keeping the chapters active and competitive.\u00a0 In addition to his military career and volunteer work, Bob has been a small business owner.\u00a0 He and his wife, Terri, have two sons.\u00a0 Bob Lenigan's support for our nation and ongoing support for his fellow veterans are admirable.\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Carl Murray\r\n  \r\n  , Pocatello:\u00a0 Carl Murray, who was born in Kuna, Idaho, is being honored for his exemplary service to our nation during World War II.\u00a0 Carl enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and served for more than three years.\u00a0 This included serving in the air offensive in Europe, Normandy and Nothern France during World War II.\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Home-Pocatello nominated him for this award.\r\n \r\nCarl was a navigator for the Army Air Corps echelon strategic bombers and assisted with bombing places of resources or transportation routes.\u00a0 Carl's first mission with the echelon was on June 6, 1944, D-Day.\u00a0 After his military service, Carl went on to attend college and earn a Chemical Engineering degree.\u00a0 He worked as a chemist and retired from a chemical processing plant near Arco, Idaho.\u00a0 Carl enjoyed fishing, camping and hunting with his wife and children.\u00a0 He was also a minister and an exalted ruler for the Elks Club in Blackfoot, Idaho.\u00a0 Carl is well respected as an intelligent, caring man who is a pleasure to be around and has done much for his family and country.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Howard A. Osterberg\r\n  \r\n  , Lewiston:\u00a0 Howard Osterberg is being honored for his dedicated service to our nation.\u00a0 The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10043 nominated Howard for this award.\u00a0 Howard was raised on a family farm between Troy and Deary, Idaho and joined the U.S. Army on July 2, 1948.\u00a0 In June 1950, he received orders to deploy to Korea.\u00a0 After what he characterized as \"the hardest duty and the coldest winters of his life\" his tour ended in June 1951 and he returned to Fort Lewis, Washington.\u00a0 His next assignment took him to Germany where he spent another cold winter before returning to the U.S. and being honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class in June 1952.\u00a0 The distinctions he earned for his service include the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars.\r\n \r\nHoward married in June 1954 and gained one step daughter, and was later widowed in August 1987.\u00a0 He worked for Potlatch Forest, Inc. for 35 years, and joined the VFW in 1995.\u00a0 He held several offices, including Post Commander, District Commander, State Inspector and State Surgeon.\u00a0 In 2007, he was voted Mr. VFW for his volunteer work and leadership, and in 2011 he received a Lifetime of Achievement Award from the Department of Idaho.\u00a0 Howard Osterberg's service to our nation and continued service to his fellow veterans is worthy of recognition.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Daniel Verwolf\r\n  \r\n  , Pocatello:\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Home-Pocatello nominated Daniel (Dan) Verwolf for this award for his remarkable service to our nation.\u00a0 Dan joined the U.S. Marines in 1965 and served for more than a year as part of a helicopter support team during the Vietnam War.\u00a0 The team's duties included transporting supplies to troops and flying out those who gave the greatest sacrifice for our country.\u00a0 Dan's honors for his service include a Good Conduct Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.\u00a0\r\n \r\nDan, who was born in Bozeman, Montana, grew up in the city, but at the age of six his family moved to Manhattan, Montana, where he quickly learned to become a cowboy.\u00a0 He loved working with his family on the ranch and running cattle.\u00a0 After his military service, Dan had many jobs, but really enjoyed driving truck.\u00a0 Dan is acknowledged for his considerable sacrifice for his country.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Volunteers\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  Mary K. Caldwell\r\n\r\n, Garden City:\u00a0 Mary Kathleen (Kathy) Caldwell is being honored for the considerable assistance she provides to area veterans.\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Home-Boise nominated her for this award.\u00a0 Kathy has been volunteering for more than three years at the home, helping with a number of activities, including outings and trips and assisting in the Canteen.\u00a0 She is a regular at the home's bi-monthly shopping trips, the monthly senior center lunches and breakfasts, Festival of Trees, Western Idaho Fair and various holiday parties.\u00a0 She is well-respected for her willingness to always pitch in and help.\r\nKathy's giving spirit runs deep.\u00a0 Since the age of eight, she gave away food, blankets and more to those in need.\u00a0 In addition to her service at the veterans home, she spearheaded the \"Arrest the Cold\" blanket drive while employed at the Idaho Department of Corrections, prior to her retirement.\u00a0 She also participates in the Stuff the Bus campaign each year, makes regular deliveries to shelters, the Food Bank and assists at Goodwill.\u00a0 Kathy indicates that the love she gets back and the friends she makes are what she enjoys about volunteering.\u00a0 She says that she has always enjoyed helping people.\u00a0 Kathy is a great asset to the community and an inspiration to all those who are blessed to know her.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Don Crisp\r\n  \r\n  , Lewiston:\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Home-Lewiston nominated Don for this award for his dedicated volunteer service to the home since 2006.\u00a0 He assists with weekly bible study, monthly singing during ice cream socials, and he helps out wherever needed as a good friend to the residents.\u00a0 Don is known for his great rapport with the veterans and their spouses, and he is considered to be an asset to the veterans home.\u00a0 Don credits his journey with God for his service work.\u00a0 According to Don, \"This began the most exciting portion of my life.\u00a0 I started doing nursing home ministry and serving others instead of just myself.\"\u00a0 In addition to volunteering in the veterans home, Don and his wife, Marilynne, are dedicated to reaching out to people in retirement and nursing homes in the area.\u00a0\r\n \r\nDon also served in the U.S. Marines for eight years from November 1953-November 1961.\u00a0 Like Don, all of his four children, two sons and one daughter, from his first marriage served in the military.\u00a0 Don has resided in Lewiston since June 1977 when he moved his business from Missouri to Lewiston.\u00a0 He operated the business until 1990 and then worked as a Business & Sales Representative for the Husqvarna Co. of Sweden in their Power Equipment Division until he retired in 1998.\u00a0 Don is an important part of the community, and his friendships and connection with fellow veterans is special.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Barry C. Kelso\r\n  , Boise:\u00a0 Barry C. Kelso is a strong advocate on behalf of veterans both within his family and within the veterans' community.\u00a0 The Boise Valley POW-MIA Corporation nominated him for the Spirit of Freedom Award.\u00a0 After serving as Seaman Apprentice in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, Mr. Kelso resumed his civilian career and worked tirelessly to achieve the Purple Heart for his uncle, Orval Allen Kelso, who fought on Wake Island and died during World War II.\u00a0 Mr. Kelso worked with Idaho filmmaker Noah Barnes and executives at URS, formerly Morrison-Knudson, to help document the sacrifice of Idahoans on Wake Island.\r\n \r\nThis effort saw Mr. Kelso spearheading the creation of a permanent Wake Island Veterans Memorial alongside existing memorials at the Idaho Veterans State Park in Boise.\u00a0 For the first time, the stories of Idaho veterans and civilians who were taken as Prisoners of War and who defended our freedom on Wake Island are documented in this public exhibit.\u00a0 Mr. Kelso, affectionately known as \"Captain\" to his associates, proudly flies the POW-MIA flag outside his home.\u00a0 He installed the flag during a ceremony outside his Boise residence.\u00a0 Mr. Kelso has given generously of his time at POW-MIA rallies and events such as the \"Chrome at the Home,\" and is a long-time volunteer at the Idaho Veterans Home.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Lori Marvin\r\n  \r\n  , Blackfoot:\u00a0 Lori Marvin has dedicated considerable time over the last more than eight years volunteering at the Idaho State Veterans Home-Pocatello, that has nominated Lori for this recognition.\u00a0 Lori is considered a pleasure to work with, dedicated to serving veterans, and her positive attitude inspires others.\u00a0 She enjoys taking veterans to the Eastern Idaho State Fair and spending the day enjoying food, seeing booths, animals and special programs.\u00a0 Most of all, she enjoys seeing the smiles on veterans faces.\u00a0 Those who nominated her feel she reflects a true volunteer spirit of compassion, dedication and energy and indicate that \"her love for veterans and seniors is shown in her words and actions.\" \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\r\n \r\nLori's father is a veteran, and she has always had a great admiration for veterans.\u00a0 In addition to the assistance she provides at the veterans home, she is a board member for the Idaho Veterans Assistance League and the Elks Veterans Chairman and Elks East Idaho Chairman.\u00a0 She has worked to unite Elks lodges to raise money to help veterans.\u00a0 Lori has lived in Blackfoot for 14 years and is the owner of Lori's Salon.\u00a0 Lori and her husband, Mike, have been married for 12 years.\u00a0 She is regarded as having a great gift of seeing a need and finding a way to help.\u00a0 Her work is making a big difference in the lives of those who are blessed to know her.\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Mary May\r\n  , \r\n  Eagle:\u00a0 Mary May is being honored for her extensive volunteer service on behalf of our nation's veterans.\u00a0 The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, where Mary May has volunteered since May 2014, nominated Mary for this award.\u00a0 With family members in all branches of military service, Mary has been a long-time volunteer for military-related causes.\u00a0 She enjoys making a positive difference in someone's life.\u00a0 In her words, \"Through volunteering at the Veterans Cemetery, I feel privileged to be able to reach out to someone during such a difficult and emotional time in order to let them know that they are not alone-that their sacrifice and their loved ones' sacrifices on behalf of our country are acknowledged and appreciated.\"\r\n \r\nI addition to volunteering at the cemetery, Mary dedicates considerable time to volunteering through many other organizations.\u00a0 She is the founder and chair of the Eagle Food and Wine Festival, the founder and chair of the Central Valley Expressway Coalition and founding member and co-chair of ESTech:\u00a0 Eagle-Emmett-Star Technology Corridor.\u00a0 Mary also serves as the President of the College of Western Idaho Foundation Board of Directors, is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Boise, member of the Board of Directors of the Special Olympics of Idaho, a Board Member for Idaho Performing Arts and much more.\u00a0 In nominating her for the award, Idaho State Veterans Cemetery Administrator James Earp wrote, \"Her actions inspire those around her to strive for excellence.\u00a0 Her presence at the cemetery provides an energy that motivates her fellow volunteers and also comforts those during the difficult interment experience.\"\u00a0 Beyond the work she does, she has a gift for encouraging others through her\r\nexample.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Milton D. Smith\r\n  \r\n  , Meridian:\u00a0 Milton (Milt) Smith, a native Idahoan, is being honored for his extensive service to our nation and its veterans.\u00a0 He assists his fellow veterans as a Veteran Service Officer with the Idaho Division of Veterans Services that nominated him for this honor.\u00a0 He works to ensure that benefits due to veterans are rightly realized.\u00a0 He has also been appointed as the American Legion Department Service Officer and works for the improvement of veterans benefits.\u00a0\r\n \r\nMilt joined the U.S. Navy in 1961 and dedicated 26 years serving our nation as an Aviation Electronics Technician.\u00a0 During his military service, he was deployed twice to the Western Pacific in support of the Vietnam War and received several promotions and honors for his distinguished service.\u00a0 This includes the 1969 Naval Air Station Imperial Beach Navy Man of the Year, the Navy Achievement Medal and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.\u00a0 In 1986, he retired from active duty and worked for the Boeing Company and the Department of Idaho before his current position.\u00a0 Milt also serves as an Adult Sunday School Teacher, participates in Toastmasters and walks his dog, Buddy.\u00a0 He and his wife, Karen, have six children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.\u00a0 Milt's experience as a veteran gives him valuable perspective in assisting other veterans and championing needed benefits changes.\u00a0\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    Sam Wanacott\r\n  \r\n  , Boise:\u00a0 The Boise VA Medical Center nominated Sam for this award, as Sam has dedicated considerable time over the past nine years volunteering in Recreation Therapy.\u00a0 Sam began volunteering as a high school student continuing on into college.\u00a0 His willingness to make himself available for the needs of the veterans and his good rapport with residents, staff and other volunteers is recognized.\u00a0 Sam is considered to be an example in leadership for the high school volunteers in Recreation Therapy. \u00a0 \u00a0\r\n \r\nSam enjoys meeting veterans and assisting them where needed.\u00a0 He also enjoys working with staff and other volunteers in recreation programs and special events.\u00a0 Through his volunteering, the VA feels like a second home to Sam and many of the staff and volunteers are nearly family.\u00a0 Sam assists with numerous activities, including the Winter Carnival, Festival of Trees and Patient Carnival.\u00a0 He also plays chess with veterans, serves as a State Fair escort and assists with the Community Living Center newsletter.\u00a0 Sam indicates he looks forward to assisting, talking with and getting to know veterans in helping with improving their quality of life.\u00a0 Sam is an Economics major at Boise State University.\u00a0 Sam's dedication to assisting veterans from a very young age is inspirational.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356515", "Crapo on INL Director's Departure", "2014-11-05", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 05, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo on INL Director's Departure \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement after Admiral Grossenbacher announced that after a decade of dedicated service he will step down from his role as Director of the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and President of Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC:\r\n\"We owe Admiral Grossenbacher a debt of gratitude for his leadership in driving the mission of the Idaho National Laboratory and for the foundation he paved for nuclear research in Idaho,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with him for many years, and know firsthand that his efforts helped to shape the many successes at the INL.\"\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356516", "Crapo Calls on Senate Leadership to \r\nHalt Forthcoming Executive Action on \r\nImmigration", "2014-11-05", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 05, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Calls on Senate Leadership to Halt Forthcoming Executive Action on Immigration \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Says President\u00e2??s threats require immediate congressional response \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, along with Senators Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today to immediately consider legislation to block the President's foreseeable attempt to circumvent Congress to implement sweeping immigration reforms through the use of Executive Order.\r\nFollowing the President's controversial September pledge to unilaterally act on immigration after the conclusion of the midterm elections, many have speculated that the likely impending executive actions may expand the Administration's 2012 order which deferred deportations for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.\u00a0 While no specifics have been shared, some observers believe the President's plan could provide legal protections and work permits to as many as five million illegal immigrants.\r\nIn the letter to Majority Leader Reid, the senators voiced concerns over the Administration's efforts to undermine the separation of powers guaranteed under the Constitution, saying in part \r\n\"\r\nWe write to express our alarm with President Obama's announced intention to take unilateral executive action by the end of this year to lawlessly grant amnesty to immigrants who have entered the country illegally.\u00a0 The Supreme Court has recognized that \"over no conceivable subject is the power of Congress more complete\" than its power over immigration. \u00a0Therefore, President Obama will be exercising powers properly belonging to Congress\u2026This will create a constitutional crisis that demands action by Congress to restore the separation of powers.\"\r\n\"Any reforms to our immigration laws must be the product of a full, transparent debate in the halls of Congress, not imposed through Administrative dictate,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"No individual should gain any advantage or benefit toward citizenship or legal permanent resident status because of illegal entry into the United States, and I am deeply concerned about the President's intentions to selectively enforce our immigration system to achieve his desired policy agenda.\"\r\nTo read the full text of the letter, click \r\nhere.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356461", "Crapo Named Friend of the Farm Bureau", "2014-10-23", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 23, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Named \u00e2??Friend of the Farm Bureau\u00e2?? \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator presented with award at ceremony in Boise \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBOISE -The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) presented U.S. Senator Mike Crapo with the 'Friend of the Farm Bureau' award today in Boise for his efforts in the 113\r\nth Congress.\u00a0 Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance and Environment and Public Works Committees with jurisdiction over agricultural related tax and environmental policies, accepted a plaque from IFBF President Frank Priestley, detailing the bureau's appreciation for the Senator's leadership on agricultural issues and his \r\ncontributions to the Farm Bill.\r\nFormed in 1919, the national American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent organization dedicated to advocating for farmers and ranchers, strengthening the lives of rural Americans and building strong, prosperous agricultural communities.\r\n\"Farm families are facing ever increasing challenges in providing Idahoans and the nation with an abundant, affordable food supply,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"They continue to experience growing pressures on farm and ranch land, including excess government regulations and restrictions, burdensome paperwork requirements and tax uncertainty.\u00a0 It is an honor to be named a friend to Idaho's producers, and I will continue to work to advance measures that remove these barriers to ensure our agriculture communities continue to thrive.\"\r\n\"The members of our congressional delegation understand the importance of agriculture to our state's economy and to our nation's security,\" said Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley. \"It's a pleasure to work with these fine gentlemen.\"\r\nAward recipients are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the American Farm Bureau Board of Directors. The award, which is given to legislators at the end of each Congress, is based upon a member's 'farm-friendly' voting record, number of bills that a member has sponsored and co-sponsored, specific leadership role for Farm Bureau priority issues and how accessible and responsive a member is to Farm Bureau members and leaders.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356465", "Crapo Sets Public Meetings in Silver Valley, Benewah County", "2014-10-21", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 21, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Sets Public Meetings in Silver Valley, Benewah County \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tKellogg - Idaho's Silver Valley and Benewah County will be the next stops in Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's schedule of town meetings across Idaho.\u00a0 Crapo will hold formal town meetings and meet with county officials in Pinehurst, Kellogg, Wallace, Mullan, St. Maries and Plummer next week.\u00a0He will also host meet and greet open houses in Osburn and Harrison.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Silver Valley schedule will follow Crapo's stops this week in southwest Idaho.\u00a0 He will visit Kuna, Boise, Caldwell, Wilder, Melba, Nampa, Crouch, Horseshoe Bend, Emmett, Weiser, Fruitland, Idaho City, Garden City, Eagle, Star and Meridian this week.\u00a0 At some stops, Crapo will be accompanied by other members of the Idaho Congressional Delegation.\u00a0 The full listing of Crapo's town meetings is available on Crapo's official website at \r\nhttps://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_all.cfm\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"Idahoans have really turned out for these town meetings and their common-sense solutions to the issues we face as a nation are valuable,\" Crapo said.\u00a0 The town meeting schedule will likely continue into next year.\u00a0 The schedule began last month with a meeting at a lumber mill in Moyie Springs in Idaho's Panhandle.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    The schedule for Crapo's meetings in the Silver Valley and Benewah County is below:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, October 30:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nPinehurst:\u00a0 Pinehust City Hall, 106 N. Division Street\r\n\r\n  9:00 AM - 10:00 AM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nKellogg:\u00a0 Idaho Department of Labor, 35 Wildcat Way, Suite A\r\n\r\n  10:30 AM - 11:30 AM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nOsburn:\u00a0 Meet and greet at Mom's Vintage Eatery, 713 Mullan Avenue\r\n\r\n  Noon\u00a0 - 1:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nMullan: \u00a0Mullan City Hall, 112 Terrill Loop\r\n\r\n  3:00 PM - 4:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nWallace:\u00a0 Wallace High School, 1 Miners Alley\r\n\r\n  5:00 PM - 6:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Friday, October 31:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nHarrison:\u00a0 Meet and greet at the Landing Restaurant, 204 Coeur d'Alene Avenue\r\n\r\n  9:00 AM - 10:00 AM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nSt. Maries:\u00a0 Elks Lodge #1418, 628 Main Avenue\r\n\r\n  Noon - 1:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nPlummer:\u00a0 Plummer City Hall, 880 C Street\r\n\r\n  4:00 PM - 5:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398360", "Simpson Praises Findings of Safety Evaluation Report", "2014-10-17", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today released a statement on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission\u2019s (NRC) completion of a key volume of the Safety Evaluation Report for the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Storage Project. Simpson is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and has the lead role in deciding funding for all Department of Energy programs.\r\n\u201cThe findings of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the Safety Evaluation Report provide the strongest evidence yet that Yucca Mountain is safe and that the project should move forward,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cYucca Mountain has been the law of the land for nearly 30 years, and we have spent $11 billion dollars on the effort up to this point.\u00a0 It is mindboggling that the administration continues to block the project despite overwhelming scientific evidence confirming its safety.\u201d\u00a0 \r\nThe NRC originally received an application from the Department of Energy (DOE) in June of 2008 for a license to construct and operate the nation\u2019s first geologic repository for high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain in Nevada.\u00a0 In March of 2010, the Obama Administration filed a motion to withdraw its application, and the NRC unilaterally halted its technical review of Yucca Mountain in September 2011.\u00a0 The completion of the third volume of its Safety Evaluation Report follows an August 2013 decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision ordering the NRC to continue its review of the licensing application at least until available funds are expended.\u00a0 The Court found that the NRC was \u201csimply defying a law enacted by Congress, and\u2026is doing so without any legal basis.\u201d\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s time to stop wasting taxpayer money on political games and move forward on Yucca Mountain,\u201d Simpson said.\u00a0 \u201cAll of the technological developments that are happening now at the Idaho National Lab and elsewhere in the field of nuclear energy will ultimately depend on our ability to find a permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel.\u00a0 In light of this new NRC report, I hope that the administration will rethink its baseless objections on Yucca Mountain.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398045", "Simpson Urges Full Funding of PILT SRS for FY2015", "2014-10-15", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined a number of western colleagues in urging House leadership to secure full funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) programs for fiscal year 2015.\u00a0 In a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Simpson and others urged that the federal government fulfill its responsibility to counties with tax-exempt federal land by fully funding both programs.\r\nLegislation authorizing full funding of PILT expired at the end of September.\u00a0 The letter reads:\u00a0 \u201cWhile it must be our ultimate goal to enact a long-term, sustainable solution to eliminate the ongoing uncertainty our counties face [while Congress authorizes these programs on a year-to-year basis], an extension and full-funding of these programs is essential to address immediate needs\u2026Without congressional action, we risk severely crippling these counties\u2019 ability to operate.\r\n\u201cEqually important is the funding that more than 700 forest counties and school districts receive through SRS.\u00a0 These payments honor the over 100 year old contract between the federal government and counties housing the 193 million acres of National Forest land.\u00a0 Due to extremely low productivity on the federal forests over the past two decades, these funds are more critical to counties\u2019 well-being than ever.\u00a0\u201d\r\nSimpson has been a long-time advocate for extending the existing mandatory authorization of PILT.\u00a0 \u201cPILT is the equivalent of the federal government paying the property taxes it owes to the counties where it owns land.\u00a0 If we fail to fully fund the government\u2019s obligations under PILT, the federal government is essentially failing to pay its taxes and fulfill its commitments to counties throughout Idaho and the West.\u00a0 As a result, many counties\u2014especially those with a large percentage of federal land\u2014will be unable to provide essential services.\u00a0 These counties know that PILT is not an optional \u2018nice to have\u2019 but critical to their ability to serve their communities.\u201d\r\nThe letter was signed by 41 members and delivered to House leadership on October 15, 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=928", "LABRADOR RECORD HAILED BY FARMERS & MANUFACTURERS", "2014-10-15", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tWednesday | October 15, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR RECORD HAILED BY FARMERS & MANUFACTURERS\r\n\r\n\tCongressman\u2019s performance during the 113th Congress recognized by two national groups\r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador has been honored by the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Association of Manufacturers for his \u00a0support of agriculture and manufacturing in the United States.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador was named a \u201cFriend of the Farm Bureau\u201d by NFIB for his voting record, sponsorship of legislation, leadership on key Farm Bureau issues and accessibility to farmers, ranchers and Farm Bureau leadership.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador was nominated by the Idaho Farm Bureau and the award was approved by the Board of Directors of the American Farm Bureau. Idaho\u2019s other members of Congress \u2013 Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Rep. Mike Simpson \u2013 also received the award.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe members of our congressional delegation understand the importance of agriculture to our state\u2019s economy and to our nation\u2019s security,\u201d said Idaho Farm Bureau President Frank Priestley. \u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to work with these fine gentlemen.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tFarm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in the U.S., with affiliates in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador also was honored by the country\u2019s largest manufacturing association, the National Association of Manufacturers, which represents small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and all 50 states. He received the \u201cNAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence\u201d for his record on 29 key votes in the House in 2013 and 2014.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador earned an 89 percent rating from NAM. Among the scored votes were several promoting diverse energy exploration and development, including speeding approval of the Keystone XL pipeline; regulatory, tax and tort reform bills; and both all-out repeal of the Affordable Care Act and a one-year delay of the law\u2019s employer mandate.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe NAM is proud to stand with lawmakers like Rep. Labrador who understand what is at stake and seek to implement policies that will foster innovation, growth and competiveness,\u201d said Aric Newhouse, senior vice president of policy and government relations.\r\n\r\n\tSens. Crapo and Risch and Rep. Simpson also received the NAM award.\r\n\r\n\tThe Farm Bureau and NAM awards were announced this month. In September, Labrador was recognized by two other major associations for his 2013-14 pro-business voting record. He was named a \u201cGuardian of Small Business\u201d by the National Federation of Independent Business and received the \u201cTaxpayers\u2019 Friend Award\u201d from the National Taxpayers Union.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=28c0553b-142c-44f9-8ed8-7f80a1c9e998", "Risch Named 'Friend of Farm Bureau'", "2014-10-10", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch was today honored by the American Farm Bureau Federation as a \u2018Friend of Farm Bureau\u2019 for his efforts during the 113th Congress.\r\n\u201cAs a rancher, I understand the immeasurable value that Idaho\u2019s farmers and ranchers bring locally, nationally, and internationally,\u201d said Risch.\u00a0 \u201cI am proud to once again be recognized as a \u2018Friend of Farm Bureau\u2019 for my work in the United States Senate.\u201d\r\nThe Friend of Farm Bureau award is given at the end of each Congress to those members of Congress who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors.\r\nThis award is based upon voting records on AFBF\u2019s priority issues established by the Board of Directors, number of bills that a member has sponsored and co-sponsored, specific leadership role for Farm Bureau on priority issues, and how accessible and responsive that member is to Farm Bureau members and leaders.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=927", "LABRADOR RESPONDS TO 9TH CIRCUIT RULING ON MARRIAGE", "2014-10-08", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTuesday | October 7, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR RESPONDS TO 9TH CIRCUIT RULING ON MARRIAGE \r\n\r\n\tCongressman Ra\u00fal Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement in response to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling striking down Idaho\u2019s constitutional protection of traditional marriage:\r\n\r\n\tWhile I personally believe that marriage should be defined as the union of a man and a woman, marriage is an issue that should be decided by the states. \u00a0Marriage should not be redefined by unelected judges who continue to trump the will of the people of the various states.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tIn 2006, 282,000 Idahoans -- more than 63 percent of those voting -- amended the Constitution to preserve traditional marriage. \u00a0Now, a single judge in Idaho and a panel of judges in San Francisco have trumped the will of the vast majority of the people of this state. \u00a0I believe the U.S. Supreme Court should review these federal court decisions \u00a0and reaffirm that the people of the 50 states have the right to define\u00a0marriage.\r\n\r\n\tRegardless of how the Supreme Court ultimately decides this question, our focus at the federal level should be on guaranteeing the religious liberty of those who continue to believe in traditional marriage. This is why I introduced H.R. 3133, the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act, which would prohibit adverse actions by the IRS or other federal agencies based on a person or a group\u2019s views on marriage.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141010012004/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=e14ab2e4-da14-4930-9677-3fb50570d7c2", "Risch Welcomes Fall Interns to Senate Office", "2014-10-08", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u2014 U.S. Senator Jim Risch has selected two college students from the state of Idaho to serve as fall interns in his Washington, D.C., office. The interns have the opportunity to engage in the national level of government while assisting with constituent services and legislative research.\n\u201cInterning in the U.S. Senate is an excellent way to learn about the legislative branch of government and to see where much of our nation\u2019s early history took place,\u201d said Risch. \u201cThese interns are highly qualified and will serve Idaho well.\u201d\nThe interns are:\nLauren Conrad, a University of Idaho junior from Boise. Lauren is pursuing a double major in political science and economics and a minor in accounting. She has served as a junior volunteer at St. Luke\u2019s Regional Medical Center and is a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. Lauren is the daughter of Vic and Jani Conrad of Boise.\nJayson Vial, a graduate of Boise State University from Susanville, Calif. Jayson studied political science with an emphasis in American government and public policy and international relations. He served as an intern for the House majority leadership members of the Idaho State Legislature and as assistant mock trial coordinator for the Idaho State Bar. Jayson is the son of Richard and Tammi Vial of Susanville, Calif.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=356430", "Republican Senators Demand Answers on DOJs Operation Choke Point", "2014-10-06", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 06, 2014\n\t\t\t Republican Senators Demand Answers on DOJ\u00e2??s \u00e2??Operation Choke Point\u00e2?? \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Operation must not become end-run around Second Amendment rights \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Today, Republican Senators on the Senate Banking Committee sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) demanding answers regarding a DOJ-led effort that is negatively impacting law-abiding and legitimate businesses by choking them off from the banking sector, known as Operation Choke Point.\u00a0 The letter, led by Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), raises concerns that the operation is inappropriately targeting certain business models and is politicizing the payment system and access to credit markets.\r\n\"Operation Choke Point has morphed into an attempt to shut down entire industries of law-abiding and legitimate merchants,\" Crapo said.\u00a0 \"In Idaho, I have heard from individuals involved in the guns and ammunition business who experienced difficulty finding essential banking services as a result of this fear and uncertainty.\u00a0 The Department of Justice must not politicize its enforcement policies and we must not let Operation Choke Point become an end run around the Second Amendment by threatening the financial security of gun and ammunition manufacturers.\"\r\nLate last summer, news reports surfaced regarding Operation Choke Point and how it has been targeting certain industries' ability to access banking services and the payments system without first demonstrating that a company is breaking the law.\u00a0 The effort is causing banks to deny or terminate credit lines, close bank accounts, and prevent payment processing due to fear of DOJ subpoenas or unjustified regulatory action by federal banking regulators.\u00a0 The senators request the Department to provide information regarding the legality of Operation Choke Point, how the Department is working with the financial regulators to carry out its objectives, and what steps it plans to take in order to provide market clarity in light of the operation.\r\nSenators joining Crapo on the letter include Banking Committee members David Vitter (R-Louisiana), Mike Johanns (R-Nebraska), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) and Dean Heller (R-Nevada).\r\nFull text of the letter is below.\u00a0 To view a signed copy of the letter, click \r\n\r\n  \r\n    here\r\n  \r\n.\r\n___________________________________________________________________\r\n\u00a0\r\nOctober 6, 2014\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe Honorable Eric Holder\r\n  Attorney General\r\n  United States Department of Justice\r\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\r\nWashington, DC\u00a0 20530\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Attorney General Holder:\r\nWe write to express our strong concerns regarding \"Operation Choke Point\" and its impact on merchants, financial institutions, and consumers.\u00a0Specifically, Operation Choke Point is inappropriately targeting business models not supported by the Administration and is politicizing the payment system and access to credit markets. The result is causing banks and payment processors to deny or terminate loans and restrict access to payment systems for law-abiding and legitimate businesses to avoid unwarranted investigations and legal actions by the Department of Justice (\"DOJ\") and Federal financial regulators.\u00a0\r\nLast summer, news reports surfaced regarding a DOJ-led initiative (named \"Operation Choke Point\") with other members of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (\"FDIC\"), the Federal Trade Commission(\"FTC\"), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (\"OCC\")) to crack down on mass frauds. As part of Operation Choke Point, rather than initiating cases against specific bad actors, these Federal agencies devised a list of certain \"high-risk merchant\" categories with the intent of \"choking-off\" these merchants' access to payment systems and banking services.\u00a0This list appears to have been created with no public input, no compliance guidance or metrics for private entities to follow, and with disregard for the legality of a merchant's operation.\u00a0Further, the list has been used as a pretext by DOJ to limit essential banking services for industries out of favor by this Administration.\r\nAccording to constituents who have been affected by Operation Choke Point as well as news reports and documents obtained by Congress, banks and payment processors believed that if they did business with small businesses on that list they would face heightened regulatory scrutiny, including potentially being penalized in banking examinations and subject to subpoenas and enforcement actions by the DOJ.\u00a0 We understand that these concerns have caused law-abiding and legitimate gun store owners and short-term, small-dollar credit lenders to lose access to payment systems and basic banking services. \u00a0In addition, small and community banks have lost valuable customers merely because their legal businesses are disfavored by Federal agencies, while consumers have lost access to merchants they need and value. \u00a0\r\nLast month, at the urging of many members of Congress, the Federal financial regulators updated regulatory guidance and retracted the list of \"high-risk merchant\" categories.\u00a0 This is an encouraging first step.\u00a0However, it will be important to monitor how this new guidance is implemented at the bank examiner level and in the selection of enforcement actions by the regulators.\r\nIt is now imperative that the DOJ also revise its implementation of Operation Choke Point. To date the DOJ has implemented Operation Choke Point by relying on a highly-questionable interpretation of the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (\"FIRREA\") to investigate banks and payment processors and hold them liable for alleged wrong-doings of their merchant customers. The DOJ must focus on combating fraud and stop politicizing its enforcement policies. It should promptly cease seeking to use subpoenas and legal actions to unfairly impose liability on parties not involved in fraud and to put out of business merchants engaged in legal and legitimate commerce that DOJ disfavors.\u00a0\r\nAs members of the Senate Banking Committee, which is responsible for oversight of financial regulation, we have a responsibility to fully understand and review DOJ's implementation of Operation Choke Point.\u00a0 The Committee has previously requested information about Operation Choke Point.\u00a0 Unfortunately, your June 24\r\nth letter to the Senate Banking Committee did not satisfactorily address our concerns. Accordingly, we request that you provide us with the following information:\r\n \r\n  A detailed explanation and guidance on how FIRREA and other laws will be enforced as part of Operation Choke Point and similar initiatives, including how reputational risk concerns will be addressed.\r\n  Please provide all communications between the DOJ and each Federal financial regulator (including the FDIC, the FTC, and the OCC) concerning the development and implementation of Operation Choke Point and similar initiatives.\r\n  Please identify the number of referrals or informal \"tips\" that each Federal financial regulator (including the FDIC, the FTC, and the OCC) has made to the DOJ as a part of Operation Choke Point and similar initiatives or that has resulted in a FIRREA investigation.\r\n  Please describe the steps the DOJ will take to refocus its implementation of Operation Choke Point in light of the new regulatory guidance.\r\n \r\nWe respectfully request all responsive information be provided to us by November 2, 2014.\r\nThank you for your cooperation.\r\n\u00a0\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397540", "Simpson Continues Fight Against Obama Water Grab", "2014-10-03", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today expressed continued opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) proposed rule to expand federal jurisdiction over water.\u00a0 This week the Small Business Administration expressed \u201cdeep concern\u201d in a letter to the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the impact of the rule on agriculture and other small businesses.\u00a0 The letter echoed Simpson\u2019s call to withdraw the rule.\r\n\u201cI have long expressed concern about the negative impact that the EPA\u2019s attempted water grab would have on agriculture in Idaho.\u00a0 Unfortunately, we are now seeing these predictions play out,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cThe more this rule is analyzed, the more ridiculous the EPA\u2019s claims that it won\u2019t negatively affect agriculture and other industries become.\u00a0 With the SBA weighing in that the rule would have \u2018direct and significant impact on small businesses,\u2019 it\u2019s time to renew the call to withdraw this rule.\u201d\r\nThis week Simpson joined colleagues in other dairy states in sending a letter to the EPA, the Corps, and USDA expressing concern about the impact that the rule would have on the dairy industry, among others.\u00a0 He crafted language in both the FY15 House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill and the FY15 House Energy and Water Appropriations bill to prevent the rule from moving forward.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=926", "LABRADOR HONORED BY FREE-MARKET & CIVIL LIBERTIES THINK TANK", "2014-10-03", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFriday | October 3, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR HONORED BY FREE-MARKET & CIVIL LIBERTIES THINK TANK \r\n\r\n\tCongressman one of 29 with perfect scorecard in the 113th Congress \r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador\u2019s votes on employment and workforce issues have earned him the \u201cChampion of the Worker\u201d award from the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Founded in 1984, the non-profit group advocates limited government, free enterprise, privacy and individual liberty.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador is among 29 House members, all Republicans, to receive a 100 percent score from CEI on 15 key votes in 2013 and 2014.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThese lawmakers resisted all of the accounting gimmickry, unfunded government handouts that burden future workers and additional federal mandates that put people\u2019s jobs and economic well-being at risk,\u201d said CEI senior fellow Aloysius Hogan.\r\n\r\n\tCEI scores votes based on increasing employment, creating incentives for workers, growth in workers\u2019 incomes and improving worker freedom.\r\n\r\n\tAmong the key votes \u00a0were measures supporting time-and-a-half compensatory time as payment in lieu of overtime pay and a prohibition of action by the National Labor Relations Board pending a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of \u201crecess appointments\u201d made by President Obama.\r\n\r\n\tThe NLRB vote on H.R. 1120 was in April 2013 and passed the House, 219-209; but the bill stalled in the Senate. In June 2014, the Supreme Court unanimously held that three of the president\u2019s appointments to the NLRB were unconstitutional.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cLimiting the role of government in the workplace is good for employees and their families, stimulates innovation and prosperity and helps cut federal spending,\u201d Labrador said. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to be among a growing number of free-market voices in Congress advancing these values.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tLabrador received the award in mid-September.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=925", "LABRADOR RECORD APPLAUDED BY BUSINESS & TAXPAYER GROUPS", "2014-10-02", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tThursday | October 2, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR RECORD APPLAUDED BY BUSINESS & TAXPAYER GROUPS\r\n\r\n\tCongressman\u2019s votes during the 113th Congress recognized in recent awards\r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN\u00a0\u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador has been honored by the National Federation of Independent Business and the National Taxpayers Union for his support of business and fiscal responsibility.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador was named a \u201cGuardian of Small Business\u201d by NFIB for his 100 percent voting record on 10 issues tracked by the group in 2013 and 2014. Among those was his support of delaying the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act by one year; approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline without a presidential permit; and legal sanctions aimed at reducing frivolous lawsuits.\r\n\r\n\tHe received the \u201cTaxpayers\u2019 Friend Award\u201d from the National Taxpayers Union for his voting record in 2013. NTU scored Labrador at 87 percent based on 253 votes on appropriations bills, authorization bills, budget target resolutions, tax bills, amendments and procedural votes that could affect the burden on taxpayers.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to be recognized by groups advocating private-sector solutions to achieve a stronger economy,\u201d Labrador said. \u201cSmall business, individual initiative and fiscal restraint are the most vital drivers of the American economy and I will continue to support those values every time I cast a vote.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe awards came in mid-September. Lawmakers who voted favorably on small-business issues at least 70 percent of the time were eligible for the \u201cGuardian of Small Business\u201d award. The threshold for the \u201cTaxpayers\u2019 Friend Award\u201d was 83 percent in the House.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355420", "Crapo Sets Town Hall Meetings for Southwest Idaho", "2014-10-02", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 02, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Sets Town Hall Meetings for Southwest Idaho \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Expands statewide plan for listening sessions \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBoise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is expanding his schedule of town meetings across Idaho\u00a0later this month in southwest Idaho.\u00a0 The new schedule will have Crapo meeting directly with Idahoans in meetings stretching from Crouch to Wilder and across southwest Idaho's Treasure Valley region.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"My plan is to listen to Idahoans at as many town meetings and rural locations as possible when the Senate is not in session,\" Crapo said.\u00a0 \"We are beginning our schedule in the Idaho Panhandle and moving to southwest Idaho, but that schedule will expand around the state as the schedule permits.\u00a0 Idahoans offer the common sense to problem-solving that is too often absent in Washington, D.C.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe first leg of the town meeting schedule begins later this week, with stops in Moyie Springs, Bonners Ferry, Laclede, Sandpoint, Priest River, Rathdrum and Hayden.\u00a0 Crapo will speak with workers at the Idaho Forest Group Mill in Moyie Springs and deliver the keynote speech during the dedication of the Kootenai Tribe's new Two Rivers Hatchery.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    The list of Crapo's town meetings and events in southwest Idaho is below:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, October 21:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nKuna:\u00a0 Kuna City Hall, 763 W. Avalon\r\n\r\n  6:00 PM to 7:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, October 22:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nBoise:\u00a0 Offers remarks and introduces Keynote Speaker Mitt Romney at the Governor's Trade & Business Conference, Boise Centre on the Grove\r\n\r\n  10:00 AM - 11:30 AM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nCaldwell:\u00a0 Caldwell Police Department Community Room, 110 S, 5\r\nth Avenue\r\n\r\n  12:30 PM - 1:30 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nWilder:\u00a0 Wilder Rural Fire Department, 601 Patriot Way\r\n\r\n  2:30 PM - 3:30 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nMelba:\u00a0 Melba Valley Senior Center, 115 Baseline Road\r\n\r\n  5:00 PM - 6:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nNampa:\u00a0 Nampa High School, Little Theater, 203 Lake Lowell Avenue\r\n\r\n  7:00 PM - 8:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, October 23\r\n  \r\n  :\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nCrouch:\u00a0 Crouch Community Hall, 1022 Old Crouch Road\r\n\r\n  10:00 AM - 11:00 AM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nHorseshoe Bend:\u00a0 Horseshoe Bend City Hall, 112 Ada Street\r\n\r\n  Noon - 1:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nEmmett:\u00a0 Emmett City Hall, Council Chambers, 501 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n  2:30 PM - 3:30 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nWeiser:\u00a0 Weiser Senior Center, 115 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n  5:00 PM - 6:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nFruitland:\u00a0 Fruitland City Hall, Council Chambers, 200 S. Whitley Drive\r\n\r\n  7:00 PM - 8:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Friday, October 24:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nIdaho City:\u00a0 Boise Basin Senior Center, 102 Bear Run Road\r\n\r\n  10:00 AM - 11:00 AM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nGarden City:\u00a0 Garden City Hall, Council Chambers, 6015 N. Glenwood Street\r\n\r\n  1:00 PM - 2:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nEagle:\u00a0 Eagle City Hall, Council Chambers, 660 E. Civic Lane\r\n\r\n  3:00 PM - 4:00 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nStar:\u00a0 Star City Hall, 10769 W. State Street\r\n\r\n  4:30 PM - 5:30 PM\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Saturday, October 25:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nMeridian:\u00a0 Meridian City Hall, Council Chambers, 33. E. Broadway\r\n\r\n  10:00 AM - 11:00 AM", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355394", "Crapo To Hold Town Hall Meetings in Idaho Panhandle During October", "2014-09-29", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 29, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo To Hold Town Hall Meetings in Idaho Panhandle During October \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator to hold meeting at forest products mill; offer keynote speech at Kootenai Tribe\u00e2??s fish hatchery dedication \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tCoeur d'Alene - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announces he will hold a series of seven town hall meetings across the Idaho Panhandle in early October.\u00a0 Crapo said his goal is to hear directly from Idahoans on a wide range of federal issues that impact Idaho citizens and local communities.\r\n\u00a0\r\nCrapo noted his larger plan is to visit more Idaho towns as his travel in the state permits.\u00a0 He plans on a series of town hall meeting dates in southwest Idaho later in October.\u00a0 Those dates and locations have not yet been finalized.\r\n\u00a0\r\nMaking this round of Panhandle visits more unique is that some meetings will be held in smaller communities and one in a forest products facility.\u00a0 Crapo will also offer the keynote speech at the dedication of the Kootenai Tribe's Twin Rivers Fish Hatchery near Moyie Springs.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"Idahoans bring common sense in resolving issues we need to address back in Washington, D.C.,\" Crapo said.\u00a0 \"I encourage all Idahoans to try to attend these town hall visits as I schedule them near your community.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    The list of Crapo's town hall meetings and events in the Idaho Panhandle region are below.\u00a0\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, October 8:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nMoyie Springs:\u00a0 IFG Forest Products Mill\r\n, 3082 Roosevelt Road\r\n5:00 PM to 6:00 PM\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday,\u00a0 October 9:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nBonners Ferry:\u00a0 Memorial Hall, Boundary County Fairgrounds\r\n10:30 AM to 11:30 AM\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nMoyie Springs:\u00a0 Kootenai Tribe Dedication of Twin Rivers Fish Hatchery\r\n1823 Twin Rivers Road\r\n1:30 PM to 3:00 PM\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nLaclede:\u00a0 Laclede Community Hall , 24 Moore Loop Road\r\n5:00 PM to 6:00 PM\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nSandpoint:\u00a0 Panhandle State Bank, Second Floor Auditorium, 414 Church Street\r\n7:00 PM to 8:00 PM\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Friday, October 10:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nPriest River:\u00a0 Priest River Event Center, 5399 Highway 2\r\n10:00 AM to 11:00 AM\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nRathdrum:\u00a0 Rathdrum City Hall, 8047 W. Main Street\r\nNoon to 1:00 PM\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nHayden:\u00a0 Hayden City Hall, 8930 N. Government Way\r\n7:00 PM to 8:00 PM\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355373", "Crapo's Land Settlement Act Passes Senate", "2014-09-23", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 23, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo's Land Settlement Act Passes Senate \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Bill resolves local land disputes dating back to the 1960s \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Legislation authored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to settle local land disputes in southeastern Idaho was passed out of the U.S. Senate by unanimous vote before adjournment for the October work period.\u00a0 S. 2040, the Blackfoot River Land Settlement Act, seeks to clear up issues related to the ownership of land and water rights dating back to the 1960s when federal flood control projects were undertaken along the Blackfoot River. \u00a0\r\n\"Thebipartisan action taken by the Senate brings us one step closer to finally securing certainty for a community who has long-sought a practical legislative solution to resolve land ownership claims and water rights issues plaguing the region,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"This bill will provide a clear path forward for not only the Tribes, but for the city and local residents.\u00a0 I thank Chairman Small and all those who helped champion this collaborative-natured agreement, and look forward to working with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure this important measure becomes law.\"\r\n\"We deeply thank Senator Crapo for his work on the bill as well as the work of Senator Risch,\" said Nathan Small, Chairman of the Fort Hall Business Council of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.\u00a0 \u00a0\"The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are pleased at Senate passage of S. 2040 and our close partnership with the North Bank Landowners and allottees in working together on this legislation. \u00a0Due to the re-channelization of the Blackfoot River in the 1960's, Indian allottees, the Tribes, and North Bank landowners lost use of valuable lands along the River for decades due to land title issues created by the re-channelization. \u00a0S. 2040 resolves these issues by allowing the parties to exchange these lands so that we can all put these lands to productive use on both sides of the River.\"\r\n\"We are very pleased with the recent news of the passage of this piece of legislation by\u00a0the\u00a0Senate and are hopeful that the House will follow suit,\" said Marion Walker, spokesperson for the Non-Tribal interests.\u00a0 \"We have been working on this legislative act since 2006.\u00a0 We are anxious to see it come to a successful conclusion. Deep appreciation is expressed to Senator Crapo, Chairman Small and all those who have championed the passage of this bill.\u00a0\u00a0This is an issue that has been long overdue.\"\r\nCrapo \r\npreviously welcomed Chairman Small to Capitol Hill to testify before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee about the legislation and its importance to the region and the Tribes.\r\nSpecifically, S. 2040, the Blackfoot River Land Settlement Act, provides the following improvements:\r\n \r\n  Embodies the terms of a negotiated settlement between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, non-Indian litigants and the state of Idaho related to ownership of land and water rights.\r\n  Extinguishes all claims and all past, present and future rights, title and interest in and to the tribal land and non-Indian land.\r\n  Places lands located on the north side of the Blackfoot River into a trust and would then transfer the southern tribal land to the Flood Control District, which would in turn compensate the non-Indian landowners through the sale of those lands.\r\n \r\nThe bill, co-sponsored by Idaho Senator Jim Risch, now awaits further consideration from the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355364", "GAO Confirms CFPB Massive Data Collection", "2014-09-22", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 22, 2014\n\t\t\t GAO Confirms CFPB Massive Data Collection \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Report cites weaknesses with data security and privacy \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released the results of a comprehensive study confirming that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is collecting financial data on up to 600 million consumer credit card accounts, and that the Bureau's privacy and security controls for data collection should be enhanced to reduce the risk of improper collection, use, or release of consumer financial data.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nThe report, requested by U.S. Banking Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), documents CFPB's large-scale collection of consumer financial data from 2012 through 2014, confirms the existence of personal identifiers in CFPB's data collections, and raises the concern that CFPB lacks written policies and procedures for data privacy and protection.\r\n\"The CFPB's massive data collection effort is an unwarranted, unwelcome intrusion into the private financial lives of millions of Americans,\" Crapo said. \u00a0\"This GAO report confirms what the Bureau would not-that it has been collecting information on up to 600 million American financial accounts, and it does not have the proper safeguards in place to protect the information it is collecting.\u00a0 At a time when data and identity-related crimes are at an all-time high, the last thing the American people need is one more federal agency collecting their private financial information.\" \u00a0\r\nAfter discovering the CFPB was spending millions of dollars to collect information on millions of Americans' personal credit card, banking, mortgage and student loan information, Crapo began to raise serious concerns with the CFPB's \"big data\" collection.\u00a0 When the Bureau repeatedly failed to provide sufficient information regarding the data collection, Crapo turned to the non-partisan GAO to investigate, requesting an official review of the CFPB's data collection efforts.\r\nKey findings from the GAO report:\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    CFPB has access to account-level credit card data on between 546-596 million consumer accounts on a monthly basis.\r\n  \u00a0 This represents consumer data covering 87 percent of the credit card market. (p.28)\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    CFPB conducts large-\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    scale collections on consumer financial data, including data with personal identifiers.\r\n  \u00a0Data includes one-time and monthly collections on automobile sales, consumer credit report information, credit cards, credit scores, mortgages, student loans, and others. See charts \r\n  \r\n    here\r\n   and \r\n  \r\n    here\r\n  . \u00a0\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    CFPB lacks written policies and procedures for data privacy.\r\n  \u00a0 GAO noted that the CFPB \". . . has not developed standard policies and written procedures to document the practices it uses for anonymizing data, including clarifying how data sensitivity will be assessed. . .\" (p.42)\u00a0 For example, the CFPB retained sensitive data in two data collections reviewed by GAO, including religious data. (p.42-43)\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    GAO found weaknesses in the Bureau's ability to assess risks and vulnerabilities associated with data security and protection of consumer financial information\r\n  . \u00a0Both the GAO and the CFPB's Inspector General previously found similar weaknesses in a separate report released last year. (p.58)\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    GAO noted that the CFPB and OCC should submit its credit card data collection plan for consultation and approval by the Office of Management and Budget, as required by law.\r\n  \u00a0 Without such review, CFPB and OCC lack reasonable assurance that these collections are in compliance with the law. (p.66)\r\n \r\n\"There are many outstanding questions and concerns following this report,\" Crapo continued.\u00a0 \"For example, it is still unclear exactly what information the CFPB is collecting, how they are using it, and whether it can be easily reverse-engineered to identify an individual.\u00a0 I consider these to be very serious concerns at the very agency that was supposed to watch out for consumers, not watch them.\"\r\nTo view a full copy of the GAO report on recommended enhancements for the privacy and security controls for the CFPB's data collection, click \r\n\r\n  HERE\r\n.\u00a0 To view Senator Crapo's original request to the GAO, click \r\n\r\n  HERE\r\n.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=04d2f250-2e17-44e9-ad84-50c1dc36cef6", "Crapo, Risch Vote Against Continuing Resolution Spending Bill", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch issued the following statements today after voting against final passage of H.J.Res.124, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution for Fiscal Year 2015:\r\n\u201cFor far too long, Congress has neglected the critical budget and appropriations process, becoming almost solely reliant on irresponsible stop-gap measures,\u201d said Crapo.\u00a0 \u201cWith our national debt exceeding $17 trillion, Congress can no longer shirk its responsibility to make the hard decisions and fulfill this important function of our federal government. \u00a0Allowing funding for federal programs to go unchecked year after year diminishes Congress\u2019 oversight responsibilities and worsens our deteriorating fiscal picture.\u00a0We must take substantive action now to develop a comprehensive strategy to address our fiscal problems, while also meeting federal responsibilities.\u00a0 As a nation, we cannot afford to maintain this dangerous status quo.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\r\n\u201cThis bill spends too much, borrows too much and taxes too much,\u201d said Risch. \u00a0\u201cWe borrow $2.5 billion every day that our children and grandchildren will have to repay.\u00a0 I cannot in good conscience support it without even an attempt to fix the problem.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1a018ec4-93e7-4f8c-946d-28c7fe0fd93a", "Risch, Crapo Both Named 'Taxpayers' Friend'", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u00a0 \u2013 Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have earned the rating \u201cTaxpayers\u2019 Friend\u201d from the National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit and nonpartisan citizen group dedicated to lower taxes, limited government and economic freedom.\u00a0 The group issues annual ratings for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and individual members of both chambers.\r\nBoth Crapo and Risch earned an \u201cA\u201d rating, as did Idaho overall.\u00a0 Other Senate delegations receiving \u201cA\u201d ratings included Oklahoma and Texas.\u00a0 The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) gave the Senate an overall failing grade as 45 members \u201cearned\u201d an \u201cF\u201d rating on the scorecard of votes.\u00a0 The NTU says it takes into account every roll call vote affecting fiscal policy, including appropriations, authorization votes, budget resolutions and procedural votes.\r\n\u201cIt is disturbing to see nearly half the members of the Senate receive a failing grade, but with Americans facing nearly $18 trillion in debt handed to them by Congress\u2019 reckless tax and spend policies, it is a sign of both the lack of fiscal responsibility and the failure to find bipartisan agreement on critical issues like tax reform,\u201d said Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees tax policy; the Senate Budget Committee, and the \u201cGang of Six,\u201d which sought bipartisan approval for elements of the Simpson-Bowles federal deficit reduction plan.\r\n\"I am proud to be named as a \"Taxpayers\u2019 Friend\" another year in a row,\" said Risch. \"Given the historic spending crisis and amount of debt our nation faces, saving money and eliminating waste is always a top priority. The best way to strengthen families, grow businesses and boost our national economy is to let taxpayers keep more of their money.\"\r\n\u201cWith Big Spenders outnumbering Taxpayers\u2019 Friends by a nearly four to one ratio in Congress, limited government was definitely item one on the legislative to-do list in 2013,\u201d NTU President Pete Sepp noted.\u00a0 \u201cGoing forward, the Senate in particular will have to take a more positive attitude toward getting results for taxpayers in order for our country to overcome the massive debt and tax burdens still holding the economy back.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=924", "LABRADOR GUN RANGE, GEOTHERMAL BILLS ADVANCE", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION: \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tThursday | September 18, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR GUN RANGE, GEOTHERMAL BILLS ADVANCE\r\n\r\n\tFour bills authored by Congressman Labrador\u00a0have now been approved by the Natural Resources panel\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Two bills authored by Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador cleared the House Natural Resources Committee on Thursday, offering solutions to regulatory burdens affecting constituents and industry in Idaho.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe committee passed H.R. 5040 the Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act. The bill would convey 31 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to Idaho County for use as a gun range. This gun range would provide accessible firearms training for Idaho County residents, recreational opportunities for families and a convenient training facility for the Idaho County Sheriff\u2019s Department. The Idaho County Commissioners have agreed to manage the land as a shooting range and work closely with local law enforcement to provide all necessary maintenance.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAs a matter of principle, the government closest to the people is the one that governs best,\u201d Labrador said. \u201cFor years, the Idaho County Commission has been ready to install a gun range in the Riggins area. Because of cumbersome BLM regulations, they have been unable to acquire the necessary land. Idaho County residents deserve to have a safe location for recreational firearms use and this solution is long overdue.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe committee also passed H.R. 1363, the Exploring for Geothermal Energy on Federal Lands Act. The legislation removes federal barriers to geothermal energy exploration while limiting environmental impact. It will allow for the development of clean geothermal energy resources on federal lands that will create jobs and provide low-cost energy to American families. In Idaho alone, geothermal energy has the potential to generate more than 800 megawatts. That\u2019s enough energy to power more than 500,000 homes.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIdaho has an abundance of geothermal potential that is unavailable due to bureaucratic impediments,\u201d Labrador said. \u201cIdaho has a unique history of developing geothermal energy. I served in the Idaho Legislature where our 100-year-old Statehouse is heated with geothermal energy, as are many Downtown Boise office buildings, homes near Warm Springs Avenue and part of the Boise State University campus. We need to harness this clean, renewable and reliable form of energy.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tBoth bills now move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tEarlier in the 113th Congress, the Natural Resources Committee approved two other bills sponsored by Labrador: H.R. 657, the Grazing Improvement Act and H.R. 1294, the Self-Sufficient Community Lands Act. Both bills passed the full House of Representatives and await Senate consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140919004424/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=a7c879dc-c91c-4ad3-b53c-0ddb9769b319", "Risch, Crapo Vote against Obama Proposal to Aid Syrian Rebels", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo today voted against President Obama\u2019s proposal to provide aid that would arm so-called Syrian \u201cmoderate rebels\u201d to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).\n\u201cI have real reservations about choosing from over 200 different ethnic and religious groups within Syria and arming those that are labeled \u2018moderate\u2019 by some in our government,\u201d said Risch.\u00a0 \u201cI am not convinced there is a group of \u2018moderate\u2019 rebels in Syria. \u00a0There is no easy choice here, but President Obama has not laid out a clear strategy, instead the strategy I have seen is not in my opinion destined to succeed, but drag us further into the mire.\u00a0 I want to support a winning strategy, but I cannot support his $500 million proposal without a better plan.\u201d\n\u201cISIS poses a very real threat to the United States and our national security,\u201d said Crapo. \u00a0\u201cThe President\u2019s announced action leaves many questions for the American people and Congress.\u00a0 \u00a0Unless the Administration provides more details about a comprehensive strategy, I cannot support it.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355347", "Crapo, Risch Both Named 'Taxpayers' Friend'", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 18, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Both Named 'Taxpayers' Friend' \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Earn \u00e2??A\u00e2?? ratings from the National Taxpayer Union \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.\u00a0 - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have earned the rating \"Taxpayers' Friend\" from the National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit and nonpartisan citizen group dedicated to lower taxes, limited government and economic freedom.\u00a0 The group issues annual ratings for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and individual members of both chambers.\r\n\u00a0\r\nBoth Crapo and Risch earned an \"A\" rating, as did Idaho overall.\u00a0 Other Senate delegations receiving \"A\" ratings included Oklahoma and Texas.\u00a0 The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) gave the Senate an overall failing grade as 45 members \"earned\" an \"F\" rating on the scorecard of votes.\u00a0 The NTU says it takes into account every roll call vote affecting fiscal policy, including appropriations, authorization votes, budget resolutions and procedural votes.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"It is disturbing to see nearly half the members of the Senate receive a failing grade, but with Americans facing nearly $18 trillion indebt handed to them by Congress' reckless tax and spend policies, it is a sign of both the lack of fiscal responsibility and the failure to find bipartisan agreement on critical issues like tax reform,\" said Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees tax policy; the Senate Budget Committee, and the \"Gang of Six,\" which sought bipartisan approval for elements of the Simpson-Bowles federal deficit reduction plan.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"I am proud to be named as a \"Taxpayers' Friend\" another year in a row,\" said Risch. \"Given the historic spending crisis and amount of debt our nation faces, saving money and eliminating waste is always a top priority. The best way to strengthen families, grow businesses and boost our national economy is to let taxpayers keep more of their money.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\n\"With Big Spenders outnumbering Taxpayers' Friends by a nearly four to one ratio in Congress, limited government was definitely item one on the legislative to-do list in 2013,\" NTU President Pete Sepp noted.\u00a0 \"Going forward, the Senate in particular will have to take a more positive attitude toward getting results for taxpayers in order for our country to overcome the massive debt and tax burdens still holding the economy back.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355353", "Crapo, Risch Vote Against Continuing Resolution Spending Bill", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 18, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Vote Against Continuing Resolution Spending Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators say measure only perpetuates Washington\u00e2??s budget mismanagement \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch issued the following statements today after voting against final passage of H.J.Res.124, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution for Fiscal Year 2015:\r\n\"For far too long, Congress has neglected the critical budgetand appropriations process, becoming almost solely reliant on irresponsible stop-gap measures,\" said \r\nCrapo.\u00a0 \"With our national debt exceeding $17 trillion, Congress can no longer shirk its responsibility to make the hard decisions and fulfill this important function of our federal government. \u00a0Allowing funding for federal programs to go unchecked year after year diminishes Congress' oversight responsibilities and worsens our deteriorating fiscal picture.\u00a0We must take substantive action now to develop a comprehensive strategy to address our fiscal problems, while also meeting federal responsibilities.\u00a0 As a nation, we cannot afford to maintain this dangerous status quo.\"\u00a0\r\n\"This bill spends too much, borrows too much and taxes too much,\" said \r\nRisch. \u00a0\"We borrow $2.5 billion every day that our children and grandchildren will have to repay.\u00a0 I cannot in good conscience support it without even an attempt to fix the problem.\"\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355354", "Crapo, Risch Vote against Obama Proposal to Aid Syrian Rebels", "2014-09-18", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 18, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Vote against Obama Proposal to Aid Syrian Rebels \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Voted against language in temporary spending bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today voted against President Obama's proposal to provide aid that would arm so-called Syrian \"moderate rebels\" to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This proposal was included as part of the continuing resolution that would fund the government through December 11, 2014.\r\n\"ISIS poses a very real threat to the United States and our national security,\" said \r\nCrapo. \u00a0\"The President's announced action leaves many questions for the American people and Congress.\u00a0 \u00a0Unless the Administration provides more details about a comprehensive strategy, I cannot support it.\"\r\n\"I have real reservations about choosing from over 200 different ethnic and religious groups within Syria and arming those that are labeled \"moderate\" by some in our government,\" said \r\nRisch.\u00a0 \"I am not convinced there is a group of moderate rebels in Syria anymore, period. \u00a0There is no easy choice here, but President Obama has not laid out a clear strategy, instead the strategy I have seen is not in my opinion destined to succeed, but drag us further into the mire.\u00a0 I want to support a winning strategy, but I cannot support his $500 million proposal to aid these groups without a better plan.\"\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=922", "Labrador, Johnson introduce bipartisan bill demilitarizing police", "2014-09-17", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTuesday | September 16, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey (Labrador) \u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tAndy Phelan (Johnson)\u00a0404-593-9125\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\tREPS. LABRADOR AND JOHNSON INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO DEMILITARIZE POLICE\r\n\r\n\tMembers of Congress move to reform program that gives military-grade weapons to local law enforcement departments\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Reps. Raul Labrador (R-ID) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) introduced the bipartisan Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2014,\u00a0H.R. 5478, which would place restrictions and transparency measures on the Department of Defense program that transfers surplus military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur nation was founded on the principle of a clear line between the military and civilian policing,\u201d Labrador said. \u201cThe Pentagon\u2019s current surplus property program blurs that line by introducing a military model of overwhelming force in our cities and towns. Our bill would restore the focus of local law enforcement on protecting citizens and providing due process for the accused.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tUnder the Pentagon\u2019s \u201c1033\u201d program, the Department of Defense has provided $4.2 billion in surplus military equipment \u2013 often from warzones in Iraq and Afghanistan \u2013 to state and local law enforcement agencies without charge. Recently, a large number of small towns have been given tank-like Mine Resistant, Ambush-Protected vehicles (MRAPs). Many others have received grenade launchers and high-caliber assault rifles. Even college campus police are receiving advanced equipment and weaponry. While vital in war, much of this equipment is not suited for civilian law enforcement.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMilitarizing America\u2019s main streets won\u2019t make us any safer, just more fearful and more reticent,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cBefore another small town's police force gets a $700,000 gift from the Defense Department that it can't maintain or manage, it behooves us to press pause on the Pentagon's 1033 program and revisit the merits of a militarized America.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act would:\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prevent transfers of equipment inappropriate for local policing, such as high-caliber weapons, long-range acoustic devices, grenade launchers, weaponized drones, armored vehicles, and grenades or similar explosives.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 End incentives to use equipment in circumstances when the use is unnecessary. Under the 1033 program, local police are required to use the equipment within a year, incentivizing towns to use it in inappropriate circumstances.\r\n\r\n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Require that recipients certify that they can account for all equipment. In 2012, the weapons portion of the 1033 program was temporarily suspended after DOD found that a local sheriff had gifted out army-surplus Humvees and other supplies. This bill would prohibit re-gifting and require recipients to account for all equipment received from DOD.\r\n\r\n\tThe \u00a0bill adds requirements to enforce tracking mechanisms that keep up with and control transfers of the equipment, implement policies ensuring that police agencies can\u2019t surplus the equipment for resale and define drones more clearly.\r\n\r\n\tOriginal co-sponsors are: Reps. Justin Amash (R-MI), Tom McClintock (R-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), and\u00a0Jim Moran (D-VA).\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=923", "LABRADOR VOTES AGAINST MILITARY AID FOR SYRIAN REBELS, CALLS FOR JUSTICE FOR MURDERED AMERICANS", "2014-09-17", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tWednesday | September 17, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey\u2013 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR VOTES AGAINST MILITARY AID FOR SYRIAN REBELS, CALLS FOR JUSTICE FOR MURDERED AMERICANS \r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, DC\u2014Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador (R-ID) today voted against President Obama\u2019s proposal to provide training and weapons to \u201cmoderate\u201d rebel forces opposed to the Assad regime in Syria. Rep. Labrador issued the following statement:\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cLike all Americans, I am outraged and saddened by the murder of two Americans by ISIS. I would support a targeted operation to hunt down the killers and win justice for the victims and their families. Instead, the president has engaged in a broad intervention without congressional approval and sought authority to arm Syrian rebels whose primary interest is removing President Assad.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cAs I warned last year, regime change could lead to a worse outcome for America. While Assad is a brutal dictator, I still believe backing rebels allied with al-Qaeda and on the same side as ISIS in this civil war likely would bring to power even worse elements in Syria. Our focus should not be on resolving an age-old religious civil war, but on bringing to justice those who took the lives of our citizens.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140918204958/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=870cfda0-5b84-421e-bc13-0d9648a80351", "Seekins Precision in Lewiston Named Small Business of the Month", "2014-09-17", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - In recognition of their tremendous efforts and years of success, U.S. Senator Jim Risch has named Seekins Precision as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for September.\u00a0 The company will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the United States Senate.\n\u201cI am pleased to recognize Seekins Precision as an outstanding Idaho small business,\u201d said Sen. Risch. \u201cLocally owned and operated, Seekins Precision builds innovative products for precision shooters.\u00a0 Seekins Precision is a true illustration of the American Dream, having grown and adapted for the past 10 years. It all started out of Glen and Katie Seekins\u2019 garage and since then the business has expanded from manufacturing original scope rings with just a handful of employees, to developing over ten major upper-end rifle lines and creating over 25 new jobs.\u00a0 I congratulate everyone at Seekins Precision on their success and wish them the very best in their future growth, both domestically and internationally.\u201d\nFounded in 2004 as a start-up company, Seekins Precision provides some of the finest quality rifle products available in the nation.\u00a0 In January, the small business participated in the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show and Conference in Las Vegas, the largest annual trade show for recreation technology professionals and the world\u2019s premier exposition of combined firearms.\u00a0 Participation in the SHOT Show exposed Seekins Precision to buyers from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.\u00a0 Their commitment to high-quality products and customer service has enabled them to adapt to constant changes in a unique marketplace. Seekins Precision is a great example of the small business spirit that drives Idaho\u2019s economy.\nSenator Risch is the highest ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.\u00a0 The committee oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to entrepreneurship and provides oversight of the Small Business Administration.\u00a0 They also research, investigate and report all problems relating to American\u2019s small businesses to the full Senate.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355344", "Crapo Welcomes Fall 2014 Interns to \r\nWashington, Boise Offices", "2014-09-17", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 17, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Welcomes Fall 2014 Interns to Washington, Boise Offices \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Idaho students to gain firsthand knowledge about the legislative process \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tIdaho Senator Mike Crapo welcomes six new interns in his Boise regional office and his Capitol office in Washington, D.C.\u00a0 These Idaho students will gain firsthand knowledge about the legislative process and the federal government while exploring possible career options.\u00a0 Interns provide critical assistance to the Senator and his staff in serving the people of Idaho by conducting legislative research, providing administrative support, helping in communications operations, attending congressional hearings and giving tours of the U.S. Capitol to visiting Idahoans and their families.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Washington, D.C.\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\nDevin Cobia, a Sugar City native, recently earned his degree in accounting from BYU-Idaho.\u00a0 Devin enjoys staying active on Idaho's many hiking trails, and plans on continuing his education in business school.\r\n\r\nAudrey Mearns, recently earned a Communications degree from Boise State University.\u00a0 Audrey, a multi-sport enthusiast, is a San Ramon, California native.\u00a0 She hopes to pursue a career in communications on Capitol Hill.\r\n\r\nBrandon Huffaker, a Lewiston native, will be entering his senior year at BYU-Idaho where he will earn a Political Science degree.\u00a0 Brandon spends his spare time camping and enjoying the Idaho outdoors with his wife and daughter.\u00a0 He hopes to pursue a career on Capitol Hill.\r\n\r\nKailamai Hansen, a Coeur d' Alene native, is a junior at Lewis-Clark State College where she will earn a degree in Business Administration.\u00a0 She enjoys volunteering, camping, traveling and writing.\u00a0 Kailamai wants to make an impact in her community and hopes to attend law school and become an advocate for at-risk children.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Boise\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\nDaniel Keough, a Sandpoint native, is in his final semester at Boise State University where he will graduate with a Political Science degree in December.\u00a0 Daniel speaks Spanish fluently and has a keen interest in international relations, having gained foreign policy experience completing an internship with the U.S. Department of State at the Consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay.\u00a0 In his spare time, Daniel enjoys hiking, biking and reading.\u00a0 He hopes to continue his education and find work crafting foreign policy or working with political organizations in Latin America.\r\n\r\nMitchell Jensen, a Blackfoot native, is currently a junior at Boise State University studying Political Science.\u00a0 Mitchell is a shooting enthusiast and enjoys relaxing in Idaho's secluded wilderness.\u00a0 After his undergraduate studies, Mitchell is planning to attend law school. \u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140918204959/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6d71cbf6-3bbd-4355-a81b-c8cbbc9513d8", "Risch Celebrates National Lab Day, Launches Senate National Laboratory Caucus", "2014-09-16", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch today welcomed Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz for National Lab Day on Capitol Hill. Risch also joined with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to formally launch the Senate National Laboratory Caucus, which aims to increase awareness of the reach of the national labs as leaders in developing new breakthrough technologies and discoveries to address some of our nation\u2019s most pressing challenges.\n\u201cFrom coast to coast, the Department of Energy\u2019s national laboratories contribute groundbreaking scientific research in a number of disciplines, including energy innovation, national security, and basic research,\u201d said Risch. \u00a0\u201cIn order to conduct this research, our national labs are equipped with unique assets \u2013 be it their location, one-of-a-kind instruments and, most importantly, the world\u2019s leading scientists. My home state is fortunate to have the Idaho National Laboratory located in Idaho Falls, the nation's lead nuclear laboratory and a world leader in securing the ever-growing cyber network.\u00a0 I am glad to have the opportunity to join with Senator Durbin in co-chairing the Senate National Laboratory Caucus and furthering support for our national labs in the United States Senate.\u201d\n\u201cThe National Labs continue to advance science, clean energy and nuclear security in this country, as they have for decades,\u201d said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. \u201cThe Labs also provide essential capabilities for university and industrial researchers \u2013 nearly 30,000 per year \u2013 and advance technology frontiers, such as high performance computing and advanced manufacturing.\u201d\nThe Idaho National Lab played a major role in National Lab Day, joining with directors and representatives from the other sixteen Department of Energy National Labs to showcase demonstration projects across five theme areas \u2013 energy innovation and environmental sustainability, manufacturing innovations, high performance computing, national security, and discovery science.\nVideo of Risch\u2019s opening remarks at National Lab Day can be found on YouTube or through a high resolution file of the video, which can be downloaded via FTP. Links are below.\nYouTube: National Lab Day Remarks\nFTP: National Lab Day Remarks\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355319", "Crapo Spring Internships Available", "2014-09-16", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 16, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Spring Internships Available \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Deadline to apply is October 15 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-The deadline is rapidly approaching for Idaho's students to apply for internship opportunities in U.S. Senator Mike Crapo's Washington, D.C., office, or one of his six \r\nregional offices throughout Idaho. \u00a0Students have until October 15, to submit an application to be considered for an internship position for the upcoming spring semester.\r\n\"As a former Capitol Hill intern, I recognize the invaluable role internships play in professional development,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"This opportunity provides an avenue for Idaho's students to learn more about the legislative process firsthand while gaining important skills that will translate into valuable experience for any future endeavor.\"\r\nInterns play an integral role in the Senator's offices, assisting with legislative research, constituent services and communications operations, as well as attending congressional hearings and providing tours of the U.S. Capitol to visiting Idahoans. \u00a0Students in all areas of study are strongly encouraged to apply.\r\nTo learn more about internships offered through Crapo's office and access application materials, please visit the intern section of the website at \r\nhttps://www.crapo.senate.gov/services/interns.cfm.\u00a0 Due to unanticipated delays in mail delivery on Capitol Hill, students who are applying are encouraged to email, not mail, their materials to Crapo's D.C.office.\u00a0 Applications can be addressed to the attention of Rosie Brinckerhoff, Internship Coordinator, and emailed to\u00a0\r\nRosie_Brinckerhoff@crapo.senate.gov. Further questions can be directed to the intern coordinator in the Washington, D.C., office, 202-224-6142.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355318", "Crapo To Host Statewide Tele-Townhall Meeting", "2014-09-15", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 15, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo To Host Statewide Tele-Townhall Meeting \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Invites Idahoans to join discussion on September 17 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.- Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will host his third tele-townhall meeting of 2014 and is encouraging Idahoans to participate.\u00a0 Crapo will take questions from Idahoans on a variety of topics currently being debated in Congress, including new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency efforts to increase federal control over state waters, the economy and the President's Middle East strategy to defeat ISIS during the hour-long call. \u00a0The teleforum will take place on \r\nWednesday, September 17, 7:00 PM Mountain Time/6:00 PM Pacific Time.\r\nTo sign up for the teleforum, please visit Senator Crapo's official website, \r\nwww.crapo.senate.gov, and click the tele-townhall icon on the right side of the homepage under the Action Center.\u00a0 This link will direct users to the tele-townhall section of the website, where a sign up box is located in the middle of the page.\u00a0 You may also click \r\nhere to be taken directly to the tele-town hall page.\u00a0 The deadline to register to ensure participation is Wednesday, September 17, 1:00 PM Mountain Time/ 12:00 PM Pacific Time.\r\nAll that is needed to participate is a telephone.\u00a0 Joining the call is voluntary, and listeners are given an opportunity to ask Crapo about topics regarding federal policies and legislation.\u00a0 Those who have signed up in advance will receive an automated phone call just before the tele-townhall begins and will receive instructions on how to participate.\r\nThis is Crapo's third of four scheduled tele-townhalls for 2014.\u00a0 The schedule for the remaining tele-townhall is listed below, tentatively set for 7:00 PM Mountain Time/6:00 PM Pacific Time:\r\nDecember 10, 2014.\r\nFollowing the call, an audio file (MP3) of the full call will be posted under the tele-townhall section of Crapo's official website.\u00a0 To listen to previous tele-townhall meetings, click \r\nhere.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=393182", "House Takes Action to Allow Americans to Keep Current Health Insurance Plans", "2014-09-11", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today supported passage of H.R. 3522, the Employee Health Care Protection Act.\u00a0 This bill would allow employees to keep their work sponsored health plans by ensuring that existing group health plans can continue to be sold through 2019.\u00a0 It passed the House 247 to 167.\r\nLast year, millions of plans in the individual insurance market were cancelled due to Obamacare mandates.\u00a0 Now, as many as 50 million workers with full coverage could face cancellation or disruption because their work sponsored plans would not meet new minimal essential coverage requirements.\r\nH.R. 3522 ensures that group health plans that were offered in 2013 remain available and allows small businesses and their employees to purchase these plans regardless of whether they were on them in 2013.\u00a0 The Administration has provided limited relief for group plans that do not comply with Obamacare, but that relief only lasts through 2016. This bill would extend that opportunity to those not previously on such plans, and add three years of reprieve. \r\nThe bill expands on the \u201cKeep Your Health Plan Act of 2013,\u201d which applied to individual market plans, and allowed individuals to keep their plans. \u00a0That bill passed the House late last year. \r\n\u201cThe President repeatedly promised that if Americans liked their health plans, they could keep them,\u201d Said Congressman Simpson. \u201cWe now know that is not true.\u00a0This bill would allow the Administration to start making good on that promise and also allow for more affordable coverage options to remain available to more Americans.\u201d \r\nThe bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355304", "Crapo On ISIS Threat, 9-11 Anniversary", "2014-09-11", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 11, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo On ISIS Threat, 9-11 Anniversary \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Reacts to Presidential address, 13-year anniversary of 9-11 attacks \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.\u00a0 - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement today regarding President Obama's new Middle East strategy to defeat ISIS, noting the continued threat which struck the U.S. on September 11, 2001:\r\n\"Having repeatedly overlooked the warnings and advice of senior officials and military leaders, President Obama has now signaled that he concedes the dangers posed by ISIS.\u00a0 Going forward, Idahoans and Americans expect a strategy to protect our national security interests, includingpossible threats to our own border security, with clear goals and the tools necessary to succeed.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the President's plans to date have mismanaged our Middle East strategy and shunned our allies, allowing the scourge of ISIS to take root in Iraq and Syria.\u00a0 On this anniversary of 9/11, we must remember the loss of so many Idahoans and other Americans who have perished on that dark day in 2001 and in the years since.\u00a0 We must prevent this from happening again.\u00a0 The Administration must effectively implement the necessary actions to achieve this goal.\"\r\nMEDIA NOTE:\u00a0 Video and audio are available on Crapo's YouTube Channel \r\nhere. To download the original file, click here:\r\n\r\n  CRAPO_ISIS_091114.mp4\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392951", "Simpson Praises Passage of Water Protection Act", "2014-09-09", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored and supported final passage of H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, that supports the existing partnership between states and the federal government by preventing EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers from redefining \u201cwaters of the United States\u201d under the Clean Water Act. This bill addresses widespread concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) new proposed rule expanding its jurisdiction over water throughout the country.\u00a0H.R. 5078 passed the House with a bipartisan vote 262-152. Simpson, who has long been a leader on this issue, included language in his FY2015 House Energy and Water Appropriations Act and authored language in the FY2015 House Interior and Environment Appropriations Act to prohibit the agencies from finalizing a rule on this issue, which the agencies proposed earlier this year. \u201cThe EPA\u2019s efforts to expand its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act by redefining waters of the U.S. have, not surprisingly, resulted in widespread uncertainty and deep concern for the agriculture sector in our state,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m pleased that Congress has acted on this issue to recognize the existing and successful partnerships between states, land users, conservationists, and the federal government and stop the Obama Administration from expanding its jurisdiction over water throughout the U.S.\u201d H.R. 5078 is now under consideration by the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=921", "LABRADOR PRAISES PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO CURB EPA OVERREACH", "2014-09-09", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTuesday | September 9, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey or Doug Taylor\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t208-888-3188\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR PRAISES PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION \r\n\r\n\tTO CURB EPA OVERREACH \u00a0\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador (R-ID) lauded passage of H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, which prevents the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers from expanding their regulatory jurisdiction over waters under the Clean Water Act. \u00a0Rep. Labrador is a cosponsor of the legislation.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cToday was a positive step forward in limiting overreach by the federal government.\u00a0 I\u2019ve always advocated for a state\u2019s right to regulate waters within its borders and a limited role for the federal government, \u201d said Rep. Labrador.\u00a0 \u201cThis legislation moves us closer to achieving this goal.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 5078 prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA from implementing a new rule to expand their jurisdiction over state waters under the Clean Water Act.\u00a0 The bill would require these agencies to consult with State and local officials as they develop new regulatory proposals.\u00a0 H.R. 5078 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 262-152 today, and will now be referred to the Senate for consideration.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392777", "Simpson Bill to Authorize Facilities Maintenance on Salmon River Passes House", "2014-09-08", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation authored by Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson that would authorize important but routine maintenance at Smith Gulch on the Salmon River in Idaho has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 398 to 1. \u00a0H.R. 4283 would allow the use of limited maintenance equipment needed to maintain the routine functions and safety of the existing lodge. \u201cThis legislation clarifies Congress\u2019 intent of the 2004 amendments to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act which continued the existing use and occupancy of commercial services in this corridor of the Salmon River,\u201d Simpson said. \u201cThe use of maintenance equipment would allow the lodge to eliminate the reliance on outdated energy sources and replace them with modest renewable energy sources, all while complying with existing laws.\u201d Currently, the Forest Service does not believe it has clear authorization to permit the use of the equipment necessary for the general upkeep of the facilities at the lodge. This bill clarifies the authorization so the corridor can be managed as it was intended under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. H.R. 4283 will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140912005000/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=ed0f25ae-3424-4c71-8fe8-861425edb0b7", "Risch Praises Military Child of the Year from Idaho", "2014-09-08", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch today praised Collin Squires of Lewisville for being named one of just four Military Children of the Year in the entire United States by Our Military Kids, Inc., a nonprofit organization created to provide support and recognition to military children.\nRisch joined Collin and his mother Rebecca Squires at an Our Military Kids, Inc. event in Washington, D.C. Collin was honored as a Child of the Year for his musical achievements that were made possible by grants received from Our Military Kids during his father\u2019s deployments overseas with the Air Force Reserve. The grants paid for fees associated with piano and guitar lessons.\n\u201cCollin is an exceptionally bright and talented young Idahoan,\u201d said Risch. \u201cIt was a privilege to spend time with him and his mother and to learn more about their family\u2019s story. I\u2019m grateful for the sacrifices they make as Collin\u2019s dad serves in the Air Force Reserve in Idaho, having been deployed four times, and proud of Collin\u2019s considerable achievements.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140912005004/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=a4f7a3b4-d36e-4e53-85f8-b91af0f04e34", "Risch Statement on Passing of Jacque Batt", "2014-09-08", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch and former First Lady Vicki Risch issued the following statement regarding the passing of Jacque Batt, the wife of former Governor Phil Batt:\n\u201cVicki and I express our heartfelt condolences to Phil and the entire Batt family for the loss of former First Lady Jacque Batt. \u00a0Jacque loved our great state. She will be dearly missed.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355278", "Crapo, Johnson on Housing Finance Reform Legislation CBO Score", "2014-09-08", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 08, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo, Johnson on Housing Finance Reform Legislation CBO Score \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWashington, DC - Last week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a score for S. 1217, the Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013, which estimates a cost savings to the government of\u00a0$60 billion over a ten-year period. This legislation, drafted by Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Crapo to stabilize the housing finance market and strengthen the economy, passed the Senate Banking Committee in May.\r\n\"After the housing crisis we experienced, it is clear that our housing finance system needs to be reformed,\" said Chairman Johnson. \"The significant savings expected by the score from CBO reaffirms that S. 1217 is designed to protect the American taxpayer and restore faith in the American dream of homeownership.\"\r\n\"It is essential that Congress act as soon as possible to reform our country's housing finance system,\" Ranking Member Crapo said. \"This CBO score demonstrates that our strong, bipartisan legislation will have a positive impact on economic growth, contribute to deficit reduction, increase private sector involvement in the housing finance market, and ensure that taxpayers are protected going forward.\"\r\nThe legislation approved by the Committee in May builds on S. 1217 as introduced, a bill put forward by Senators Corker, Warner and a bipartisan group of eight other Committee members, and it incorporates many ideas generated by an in-depth series of hearings and briefings hosted by the Committee last fall and winter.\r\nThe legislation winds down and eliminates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (GSEs) and allows for a diverse set of private entities to step in and replace most of the functions of the government sponsored enterprises. The new system will be regulated by the modernized and streamlined Federal Mortgage Insurance Corporation (FMIC), modeled in part after the FDIC. It also creates a reinsurance fund, known as the Mortgage Insurance Fund, to protect taxpayers.\r\nThe new system establishes a type of mortgage-backed security with an explicit government backstop and 10% first loss private secondary-market capital to absorb losses and protect taxpayers from future bailouts.\r\nSmall lenders will have multiple access points to the secondary mortgage market, including the option to sell their individual loans through a new small lender mutual. The mutual will be jointly owned by small lenders, providing community banks, credit unions, and other small lenders direct access to the secondary market so that they will not be at the mercy of their larger competitors when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are dissolved. Lastly, the new system provides certainty to investors and homeowners through standardization and improved market liquidity.\r\nAccording to the CBO report, FMIC would charge fees on the underlying mortgages to guarantee the payment of principal and interest to investors in eligible Mortgage Backed Securities and would require private capital to absorb some losses before federal payments would occur. Because of this, CBO expects that the government would take on less risk under FMIC guarantees than it would from continued operation of the GSEs under current law and thereby incur smaller costs, and also estimates that enacting S.1217 would reduce direct spending by $60 billion over the 2015-2024 period.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355279", "Crapo on the Passing of Former Idaho First Lady \r\nJacque Batt", "2014-09-08", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 08, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo on the Passing of Former Idaho First Lady Jacque Batt \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement today on the passing of former Idaho First Lady Jacque Batt:\r\n\"I offer Governor Batt, the family and all those who had the privilege of knowing Jacque my deepest sympathy and kindest thoughts as they remember and celebrate the life of one of Idaho's finest First Ladies.\u00a0 Jacque's kind spirit and effortless ability to lead with grace during her tenure as Idaho's First Lady in the 1990s left an everlasting mark on those who had the opportunity to meet and associate with her.\u00a0 I know that many others share my prayers on behalf of the Batt family during this time.\"\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=918", "Labrador issues statement calling for debate, vote before further military action against ISIS", "2014-09-05", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tThursday | September 4, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey \u2013 208-800-1565 (cell)\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0208-888-3188 (desk)\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR CALLS FOR DEBATE, VOTE BEFORE FURTHER MILITARY ACTION AGAINST ISIS\r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN, Idaho \u2014Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador (R-ID) called for an open debate and a public vote before pursuing further U.S. military engagement against the Islamic State (ISIS). With Congress set to return to Washington next week, Rep. Labrador issued the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThe acts committed by ISIS are abhorrent and should be\u00a0condemned by all civilized people. Under our Constitution, the president needs congressional authorization to engage in war.\u00a0As members of Congress,\u00a0we must be more than a rubber stamp for the\u00a0president\u2019s military actions. Before we commit additional U.S. assets and lives to this fight, Americans deserve an open debate and public vote.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIf the president believes further military action is required against ISIS, he should present his case to Congress. To justify the most solemn action a member of Congress can take, I must be convinced that ISIS poses a direct threat to the United States, that the mission is well-defined, that there is an exit strategy and that our nationis committed to finishing the job.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIf we conclude that aggressive intervention is necessary, it must be targeted, specific to the threat and of limited duration.\u00a0As Congress\u00a0returns to Washington, I urge the leadership of both parties to allow a full\u00a0and deliberate debate on this matter.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355246", "Idaho Delegation Urges Prompt Consideration of Agriculture Disaster \r\nDeclarations", "2014-08-28", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 29, 2014\n\t\t\t Idaho Delegation Urges Prompt Consideration of Agriculture Disaster Declarations \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t August storms damage crops in multiple Idaho regions \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tTwin Falls, Idaho - Heavy and poorly timed August rain storms in the Magic Valley and eastern Idaho have caused significant damage to crops in the region, primarily wheat, barley and hay.\u00a0 For example, the Twin Falls County Emergency Board notes that more than fifty percent of the value of the grain crop has likely been lost due to the rain and economic\u00a0losses are estimated to exceed $11 million for that county alone.\u00a0 In northern Idaho, a severe hail storm damaged significant acreage of grain on the Weippe Prairie.\u00a0\u00a0\r\nIdaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Idaho Congressmen Mike Simpson and Ra\u00fal Labrador\u00a0\u00a0are again emphasizing their support for Idaho farmers by encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promptly review pending disaster declarations requested by Idaho counties.\u00a0 In a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack, the delegation emphasized the extent of weather-related crop damage and encouraged the agency to promptly review and approve disaster requests.\u00a0 To date, Twin Falls, Jerome, and Clearwater counties have requested disaster declarations, and others may be submitting additional requests in the near future.\u00a0 If approved, such declarations would make eligible producers within those and neighboring counties qualified for emergency low interest loans from the USDA.\r\nThe complete text of the letter can be found below.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nDear Secretary Vilsack:\r\n\u00a0\r\nSevere and uncharacteristic weather has occurred in various locations in Idaho during the month of August.\u00a0 The result of these storms is adding up to significant losses for farmers.\u00a0 In multiple locations, excessive rainfall late in the summer amounted to several inches more than what is normal for the region.\u00a0 These severe rain events could not have come at a worse time as mature wheat and barley crops were nearing harvest.\u00a0 Other crops, such as hay, peas and beans, have been adversely impacted as well.\u00a0 In response to these weather events, local Farm Service Agency officials have been working with affected producers to document damage and losses and, in some cases, have requested secretarial disaster declarations for the most affected areas to provide additional opportunities for relief.\r\n\u00a0\r\nAgriculture is a central pillar of Idaho's economy and the late summer rains have been very problematic for producers.\u00a0 For example, the Twin Falls County Emergency Board notes that more than fifty percent of the value of the county's grain crop has likely been lost due to the rain.\u00a0 Additionally, ninety-five percent of the barley in this area is grown for malting purposes.\u00a0 However, the excessive August rainfall has caused sprout damage that is making much of the barley crop only suitable for lower priced animal feed.\u00a0 The Twin Falls County Farm Service Agency states that early economic loss estimates total $12.8 million for that county alone.\u00a0 Similar situations are occurring for farmers elsewhere in Idaho.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nIt is clear that these weather events have had a destructive impact on many important agriculture regions in Idaho, making the farm safety net all the more important at this time.\u00a0 Twin Falls, Jerome and Clearwater counties have already submitted requests for disaster declarations due to adverse weather.\u00a0 It is our understanding more counties in Idaho may be requesting disaster declarations in the near future and it is our hope that you will promptly review and grant these declarations so our farmers and rural communities may begin to recover as soon as possible.\u00a0 As affected counties continue the effort to assess, document and report damage, we appreciate the ongoing assistance and resources provided by your agency.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nShould you have any questions regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.\r\n\u00a0\r\nThank you for your consideration.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355233", "Crapo Veterans Survey Passes 700 Mark", "2014-08-25", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 25, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Veterans Survey Passes 700 Mark \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senator seeks input as he meets with service members around Idaho \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.\u00a0 - More than 700 veterans, their family members and friends, have now responded to a new effort to gather information about veterans care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal programs administered in Idaho.\u00a0 Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced the survey on August 5\r\nth and it runs through the end of September.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nCrapo has met personally with hundreds of veterans and veterans advocacy groups during the August state work period in Idaho.\u00a0 \"We have voted to increase the commitment to veterans regarding health care and other programs; now it is up to the federal agencies to act and I appreciate the willingness of Idaho's veterans to assist us in tracking the care and service they receive,\" Crapo said.\u00a0 \"These veterans have given so much of themselves and we must ensure that the nation keeps its commitment to them for putting their lives on the line to protect our freedom.\"\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe survey is relatively brief and is available on Crapo's official website at \r\nhttps://www.crapo.senate.gov/contact/survey.cfm and through the Idaho Division of Veterans Services.\u00a0 Veterans can also call one of the Senator's \r\noffices to have a staff member administer the survey.\u00a0 The following phone numbers can be used to reach Crapo's offices:\u00a0 Washington, DC (202) 224-6142; Idaho State Office (Boise) 208-334-1776; South-Central Idaho (Twin Falls) (208) 734-2515; North Idaho (Coeur d' Alene) (208) 664-5490; Eastern Idaho, North (Idaho Falls) (208) 522-9779; North-Central Idaho (Lewiston) (208) 743-1492; Eastern Idaho, South (Pocatello) (208) 236-6775.\u00a0 Additionally, veterans are welcome to visit any of the Senator's \r\nregional offices to take the survey in person.\u00a0 Friends and families of veterans are also welcome to take the survey to share their experiences. \u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nThe survey contains questions about the level of satisfaction veterans have with the VA generally.\u00a0 It also asks where veterans receive health care treatment if they use VA facilities.\u00a0 The survey provides the option of sharing individual positive and negative experiences.\u00a0 Idahoans in need of specific assistance in dealing with the VA or other federal agencies and navigating programs may also contact any one of Crapo's offices for further assistance through the survey or separately.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355221", "Crapo to Present WW II Veteran With Spirit of Freedom Award; Keynote Economic Development Conference", "2014-08-21", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 21, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo to Present WW II Veteran With Spirit of Freedom Award; Keynote Economic Development Conference \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\u00a0Idaho Falls \u00a0-\u00a0 A veteran of World War II, Quentin Murdock, will receive the Spirit of Freedom Award during a ceremony at the Idaho Veterans Home in Pocatello next\u00a0 Wednesday.\u00a0 Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will present the award while donating a U.S. flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol at the veterans' recognition event.\r\n\u00a0\r\nIn Twin Falls, Crapo will note the individual contributions to veterans care by presenting his Spirit of Idaho Award to volunteers with Hospice Visions during a recognition and flag ceremony at the Twin Falls Care Center.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nCrapo will also focus on economic development during stops in eastern Idaho.\u00a0 He will keynote the Bannock Development Corporation's Economic Symposium next Thursday and he will tour Blackfoot's Latino Economic and Development (LEAD) Center.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Highlights of Crapo's schedule for August 27 and 28 include:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 27:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n1:30 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nTwin Falls\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Presents Spirit of Idaho Award during a Veterans Recognition Ceremony hosted by Hospice Visions, Twin Falls Care Center, 674 Eastland Drive.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, August 28:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n9:30 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nPocatello\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Presents the Spirit of Freedom Award to WWII Veteran Quentin\r\n\u00a0Murdock, Idaho State Veterans Home, 1957 Alvin Ricken Drive.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n11:00 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nPocatello\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Addresses participants at the Bannock Development Corporation Economic Development Symposium, Idaho State University Performing Arts Center, 1002 Sam Nixon Drive.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n2:30 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nBlackfoot\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tours the Latino Economic and Development (LEAD) Center,\r\n625 West Pacific Street, Suite 2.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355210", "Crapo Staff Plan Office Hours In Nez Perce, Craigmont and \r\nWinchester August 20th", "2014-08-15", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 15, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Staff Plan Office Hours In Nez Perce, Craigmont and Winchester August 20th \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLewiston - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, staff members representing\u00a0 Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will hold office hours in Nezperce, Craigmont and Winchester August 20th.\u00a0\r\nStaff members from Crapo's Lewiston office will be available to assist Idahoans with any questions or problems related to federal agencies or with problems regarding federal programs.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Crapo Remote Office Hours schedule:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 20:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\nNezperce\u00a0\u00a0 Community Center,\u00a0 604 Fourth Avenue\u00a0 10:45 AM-11:30 AM\r\n\r\nCraigmont\u00a0 Craigmont Fire Station, 116 North Division Street, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM\r\n\r\nWinchester \u00a0City Hall, 501 Nezperce Street, 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355211", "Affordable Wood Stove Heat May Be In Jeopardy", "2014-08-15", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 15, 2014\n\t\t\t Affordable Wood Stove Heat May Be In Jeopardy \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Kuma Stoves, Crapo to discuss new federal regulations \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tRathdrum\u00a0- Many Idahoans and Northwest residents heat their homes with wood and wood stoves, but that affordable heating source may soon become complicated because of newly proposed federal regulations.\u00a0 Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will meet with the owner of Idaho-based Kuma Stoves\u00a0Monday,\u00a0August 18, 2014,\u00a0to discuss the new regulations and their effect on consumers.\r\nKuma Stoves is an Idaho family-owned manufacturer of wood stoves using all-American parts, including doors produced at a foundry in nearby Spokane.\u00a0 The company, founded in 1981,\u00a0continues to\u00a0create\u00a0and provide\u00a0jobs at the Rathdrum location and with its manufacturing and retail partners throughout the region.\r\nWood stove manufacturers are under pressure\u00a0yet again to lower federal emission standards, this time to a level that may not be attainable financially or\u00a0technologically for consumers or the wood stove industry.\u00a0 Kuma Stoves President Mark Freeman notes that, before the hearth industry worked to develop new technologies,\u00a0older stoves in the mid-1980s\u00a0would emit an average of 60 grams per hour of particulates.\u00a0\u00a0In 1988\u00a0the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stepped in\u00a0and worked with the hearth industry to\u00a0lower emissions to 7.5 grams per hour\u00a0for all new stoves.\u00a0 The newly proposed EPA regulations\u00a0would lower that again to 4.5 grams per hour by the end of next year, and\u00a0possibly to 1.3 grams per hour by 2020.\u00a0\u00a0In addition, the EPA proposes to radically change the fuel and the test methods for the 2020 targets.\r\n\"We are making stoves that are efficient and affordable but these new regulations may change that,\" said Freeman.\u00a0 \"The ironic part is that these changes will raise prices and cause consumers to not upgrade their old units, meaning the air will get dirtier instead of cleaner.\u00a0 We just want some fairness in this process and for the\u00a0EPA to hear the\u00a0industry's concerns, especially that of small businesses like ours, regarding both the benefits and costs of the new emission targets\".\u00a0\r\nCrapo is a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, with jurisdiction over the EPA. \"Monday's\u00a0meeting is a call to action for consumers and industry alike to let the EPA know that public health and jobs are at issue with how far we go with these new regulations.\u00a0 Worse yet, the EPA has unfortunately fallen into a pattern that uses non-public data and undisclosed models with the science the agency uses to craft regulations.\u00a0 We need the light of day on this issue and others and we are asking Idahoans to weigh in.\"\u00a0 Crapo has joined committee colleagues and Idaho Senator Jim Risch to introduce S. 2613, the Secret Science Reform Act, which would prohibit the EPA from proposing or finalizing regulations based on science that is not made publicly available to the American people and that is not\u00a0reproducible.\u00a0 A similar measure has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    News Conference and Tour of Kuma Stoves:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  Monday, August 18\r\n\r\n\r\n  1:00 PM\r\n\r\n\r\n  Kuma Stoves Manufacturing Facility\r\n\r\n\r\n  50145 Old Highway 95 (just north of Coeur d'Alene off U.S. 95)\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=920", "Silver Star Presented to Idaho Soldier", "2014-08-13", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFriday | August 13, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDan Popkey: 208-800-1565\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t208-888-3188\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tSILVER STAR PRESENTED TO IDAHO SOLDIER\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tCongressman Labrador\u00a0joins veterans in honoring Atwell\u2019sgallantry during 1967 fight in Vietnam\r\n\r\n\tPOST FALLS \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal Labrador, R-Idaho, presented the Silver Star -- \u00a0the military\u2019s third-highest decoration for valor -- to Sgt. Michael Atwell at a ceremony Wednesday at the American Legion Hall in Post Falls.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador\u2019s office assisted Atwell, 65, of Osburn, in obtaining the award. Two of Atwell\u2019s colleagues, Col. Ron Leonard and Maj. Larry Moore, came to Labrador for help last year.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cIt is at last time to recognize this soldier\u2019s extraordinary courage and valor,\u201d said Leonard, who traveled to the ceremony from Fairfax Station, Va.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis day has been long coming,\u201d said Moore, of Knoxville, Tenn. \u201cMike Atwell is a brave soldier.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tMoore and Leonard described Atwell as quiet and effective. Accepting the award, Atwell was brief: \u201cI\u2019m not going to say a lot. We had a lot of good people. This Silver Star is for all of them \u2013 couldn\u2019t have done it without them.\u201d\r\n\r\n\r\n\tLabrador notedthat he was born two weeks afterthe battle for which Atwell was honored. \u201cBecause of men like you and all of you who are here, I was born into a free nation,\u201d Labrador said.\r\n\r\n\tLeonard and Moore began collecting records about the Battle of Dak To in \u00a02011, submitting an application for the award to the Army in 2012.\u00a0Early in 2013, they brought the matter to Labrador, whose veterans\u2019 affairs specialist Tori Shockey took the case. Shockey helped revise the application and on June 26, 2014, Secretary of the Army John McHugh approved the award.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cGod bless her,\u201d Leonard said of Shockey.\r\n\r\n\tDuring the Nov. 20 to Nov. 23, 1967, battle Atwell was 18 years old. Operating from an exposed forward position, he delivered \u201ccontinuous devastating fire on the enemy,\u201d according to the Army citation. \u201cAtwell endured wave after wave of enemy counterattacks\u201d for three days, \u201cwhich ultimately allowed friendly forces to secure Hill 875.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u201cPrivate First Class Atwell\u2019s gallantry in action is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 503d Airborne Infantry Brigade and the United States Army,\u201d says the citation. Atwell\u2019s Company B was outnumberedby a ratio of 7-to-1.\r\n\r\n\tAfter a 6-year Army Career, Atwell worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. His postings included Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Eastern Environmental Office in Kellogg. He was twice deployed to Iraq and twice to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Atwell retired from the Corps in 2011.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355195", "Crapo to Note Water Collaboration in Lewiston, Celebrate Solar \r\nProgress in Sandpoint", "2014-08-13", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 13, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo to Note Water Collaboration in Lewiston, Celebrate Solar Progress in Sandpoint \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Will also address Orofino Chamber during visits in north Idaho \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLewiston\u00a0 - A collaborative effort to conserve water, assist species and encourage consensus between government agencies will be celebrated Friday as leaders join in Lewiston to mark the Lower Clearwater Exchange Project Agreement (LCEP).\u00a0 The historic agreement between water users, the Nez Perce Tribe; city, county and state leaders, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and members of Idaho's Congressional Delegation averts legal action and settles water allotment questions in the Lewiston Orchards area.\r\nCrapo will be in Sandpoint Saturday morning to meet with Mayor Carrie Logan and Scott and Julie Brusaw, the owners of Solar Roadways, to discuss advances in solar technology that are putting the city and company in the national spotlight.\u00a0 Solar Roadways is designing unique solar panels that can double in serving both transportation needs and for generating energy and the city has historic plans to utilize the technology that Crapo hopes can catch on nationwide. \u00a0In addition, Crapo will join the mayor for an important announcement about changes to the Amtrak Depot in Sandpoint.\r\nThe senator will also address the Orofino Chamber of Commerce in a special meeting \r\n\r\n  today\r\n in Orofino.\u00a0 Highlights of Crapo's schedule August 14-16 include:\r\n\r\n  \r\n    TODAY, Thursday, August 14:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n11:15 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nOrofino\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Discusses issues with Clearwater County Commissioners,\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Commission Office, 150 Michigan Avenue\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nNoon\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nOrofino\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Speaks to members of the Orofino Chamber of Commerce,\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ponderosa Restaurant, 220 Michigan Avenue.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Friday, August 15:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n10:00 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nLewiston\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Speaks at groundbreaking ceremonies for the Lewiston Orchards\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Water Exchange Project, a collaborative effort led by the Lewiston\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Orchard Irrigation District, the Nez Perce Tribe and the U.S. Bureau\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0of Reclamation, Fish & Game Regional Office, 3316 16\r\nth Street.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Saturday, August 16:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n10:30 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nSandpoint\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joins Sandpoint Mayor Carrie Logan and representatives of Solar Roadways for\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 a news conference to mark progress of solar panels and a\u00a0remodel of Sandpoint's \u00a0\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 historic Amtrak Depot,\u00a0 at the Depot, 450 Railroad\u00a0Avenue.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355166", "Vietnam Veteran Waits 45 Years; To Receive Purple Heart Monday", "2014-08-07", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 08, 2014\n\t\t\t Vietnam Veteran Waits 45 Years; To Receive Purple Heart Monday \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Ronald Wilke was wounded in 1969; Crapo to present honors \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBoise\u00a0 - A Boise Vietnam veteran has waited 45 years for the rightful honors he will receive on Monday when Idaho Senator Mike Crapo presents him with the Purple Heart for bravery in service and six other military awards.\u00a0 Ronald Wilke is an Army veteran who was wounded during an ambush attack shortly after he was stationed\u00a0 in Vietnam in 1969.\u00a0 He was hospitalized for more than a month while recovering from his injuries.\r\nJoining Wilke during Monday's event at the Idaho State Veterans Home is fellow veteran Russell Waugh.\u00a0 Waugh will speak about veterans services and the benefits of working with Congressional staff, veterans support staff and the Veterans Administration to achieve a successful outcome when there is a disagreement over assigned benefits.\u00a0\r\nCrapo has launched a statewide initiative to survey veterans on their care in Idaho.\u00a0 He supported recent legislation to improve VA care and allow veterans in rural areas to seek private medical care if they cannot easily access a VA medical facility.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355161", "Crapo Seeks Help of Idaho's Veterans", "2014-08-05", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 05, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Seeks Help of Idaho's Veterans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Invites Idahoans to share feedback through short survey \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-In an effort to better address the needs of veterans and improve veterans services in Idaho, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo is seeking feedback from the men and women of our Armed Forces. \u00a0Crapo is asking Idaho veterans to take part in a brief survey to share their experiences within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\u00a0\r\n\"The recent exposure of the shameful mistreatment of veterans seeking assistance through the VA again underscores the need to improve the delivery of assistance to our nation's veterans,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"The scandals prove that the stakes are high: Congress must get VA reform right this time. \u00a0Nonetheless, in Congress' rush to make improvements, we must be careful not to harm programs that work well.\u00a0 I invite all Idaho's veterans, their communities, friends and family to share feedback, both positive and negative, about their VA experiences. \u00a0The input of Idahoans is critical as I work to represent Idaho's veterans and advocate needed changes.\"\r\nVeterans can take the survey online through Crapo's website at \r\nhttps://www.crapo.senate.gov/contact/survey.cfm.\u00a0 Veterans who do not have internet access or are uncomfortable with computer use can call one of the Senator's \r\noffices to have a staff member administer the survey.\u00a0 The following phone numbers can be used to reach Crapo's offices:\u00a0 Washington, DC (202) 224-6142; Idaho State Office (Boise) 208-334-1776; South-Central Idaho (Twin Falls) (208) 734-2515; North Idaho (Coeur d' Alene) (208) 664-5490; Eastern Idaho, North (Idaho Falls) (208) 522-9779; North-Central Idaho (Lewiston) (208) 743-1492; Eastern Idaho, South (Pocatello) (208) 236-6775.\u00a0 Additionally, veterans are welcome to visit any of the Senator's \r\nregional offices to take the survey in person.\u00a0 Friends and families of veterans are also welcome to take the survey to share their experiences. \u00a0\r\nThe short survey contains questions about the level of satisfaction veterans have with the VA generally.\u00a0 It also asks where veterans receive health care treatment if they use VA facilities.\u00a0 The survey provides the option of sharing individual positive and negative experiences.\u00a0 Idahoans in need of specific assistance in dealing with the VA or other federal agencies and navigating programs may also contact any one of Crapo's offices for further assistance through the survey or separately.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355162", "Veterans Issues Dominate Crapo August Agenda", "2014-08-05", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 05, 2014\n\t\t\t Veterans Issues Dominate Crapo August Agenda \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n  Energy projects, entrepreneurs also topics for news conferences\r\n\r\nBoise\u00a0- Veterans issues are a focus of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's travel across Idaho during the August state work period break from Senate floor activities.\u00a0 Having launched a statewide survey effort to gather the opinions of veterans and their families, Crapo will meet directly with many veterans to discuss developments in veterans' services as well as honor those who have served with a Purple Heart presentation and Spirit of Freedom ceremonies this month.\u00a0 He will join Governor Otter in Boise to rename Idaho's Interstate 84 to honor Vietnam Veterans and participate in a veterans recognition ceremony in the Magic Valley.\r\nIn north Idaho, Crapo will note the entrepreneurial expertise of Idaho manufacturers of unique solar panel modules and an Idaho family-owned wood stove manufacturer facing problems with federal regulations.\u00a0\r\nCrapo assisted irrigators and local cooperative members in eastern Idaho to create a new hydroelectric source at the Chester Dam.\u00a0 He and the group will tour the facility August 26.\u00a0 Crapo will also join his partners in the Idaho Congressional Delegation to meet with U.S. Energy Secretary Earnest Moniz at Mayor Rebecca Casper's Intermountain Energy Summit in Idaho Falls.\u00a0\r\nHighlights of Crapo's August in Idaho include the following events:\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 11:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:30 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boise\u00a0\u00a0Speaks at the Congressional Awards Ceremony, Idaho Statehouse, Lower Level, West Wing\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n1:45 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Boise\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Presents the Purple Heart in a ceremony at the Idaho State Veterans Home, 320 North Collins Road.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n8:00 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boise\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Addresses attendees at the Financial Industry Authority (FINRA) Investor Forum, Boise Centre on the Grove, 850 \u00a0W. Front Street.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, August 12:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n9:00 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nBoise\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Speaks at a ceremony designating Interstate 84 as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Interstate, Idaho Statehouse.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n4:15 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nBoise\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Tours the newly-completed TRACON air traffic control facilities, Boise Airport south side, 3001 W. Harvard Street.\r\n\r\n5:00 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nBoise\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Attends reception for new Shoshone-Paiute Tribal Chair Lindsey Manning, Idaho Statehouse.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 13:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n11:00 AM\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nMcCall\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Discusses issues with Valley County Commissioners, Payette National Forest Supervisor's Office, 500 Mission Street.\r\n\r\n4:00 PM\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nLewiston\u00a0 Tours Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory's recent facility expansion, Schweitzer Engineering, 2821 Juniper \u00a0Drive\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, August 14:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n11:15 AM\u00a0 \u00a0O\r\nrofino\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Discusses issues with Clearwater County Commissioners, Commission Office, 150 Michigan Avenue\r\n\r\n12:00 PM\u00a0\u00a0 Orofino\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Speaks to members of the Orofino Chamber of Commerce, Ponderosa Restaurant, 220 Michigan Avenue.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Friday, August 15:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nLewiston\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Speaks at groundbreaking ceremonies for the Lewiston Orchards Water Exchange Project, a collaborative effort led by the\u00a0 Lewiston Orchard Irrigation District, the Nez Perce Tribe and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Fish & Game Regional Office, 3316 16\r\nth Street.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Saturday, August 16:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:30 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\nSandpoint\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joins Sandpoint Mayor Carrie Logan and representatives of Solar Roadways for a news conference to mark progress of solar panels and a remodel of Sandpoint's historic Amtrak Depot, At the Depot, 450 Railroad Avenue.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 18:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n8:30 AM\u00a0 \r\nCoeur d' Alene\u00a0\u00a0 Addresses attendees at the National Conference of State Housing Boards' Educational and Development Workshop,\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Coeur d'Alene Resort, 115 South Second Street.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n1:00 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nRathdrum\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joins ownership of Kuma Stoves for a news conference on federal regulations proposals that could damage wood stove manufacturers.\u00a0 At Kuma Stoves, 50145 Old Highway 95.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, August 19:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n8:30 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nBoise\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Joins Steve Forbes to address the Zions Bank Small Business Forum, Riverside Hotel, 2400 W. Chinden Boulevard\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 20:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n8:00 AM\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nIdaho Falls\u00a0\u00a0 Addresses Mayor Rebecca Casper's Intermountain Energy Summit breakfast with fellow members of the Idaho Congressional Delegation \u00a0and \u00a0U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Boulevard.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n\r\n  Thursday, August 21:\r\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n8:45 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nSun Valley\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joins former HUD Secretary Mel Martinez to speak to attendees of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Idaho Housing Field Hearing, Dollar Mountain Lodge, 1 Sun Valley Road.\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, August 26:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n9:45 AM\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\r\nSt. Anthony \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tours facilities and participates in news conference regarding the Chester Dam Hydroelectric Project opening.\u00a0 Partners are the Fremont-Madison Irrigation District and Fall River Cooperative.\u00a0 Northeast of St. Anthony on the Henry's Fork.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n11:30 AM\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nSt. Anthony \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Meets with Fremont County Commissioners, Fremont County Courthouse, 151 West First North.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n2:00 PM\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\nIdaho Falls\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Meets with McAfee Cybersecurity officials and tours facility, 2325 W. Broadway Street.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 27:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n9:45 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nTwin Falls\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Meets with local veterans groups, including the Magic Valley Veterans\u00a0 Advocacy Group, and local veterans. \u00a0\u00a0At Crapo's South Central- Twin Falls Offices, 202 Falls Avenue.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n1:30 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nTwin Falls\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Participates\u00a0 in a Veterans Recognition Ceremony hosted by Hospice Visions, Twin Falls Care Center, 674 Eastland Drive.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, August 28:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n9:30 AM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nPocatello\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Presents the Spirit of Freedom Award to WWII Veteran Quinton Murdock, Idaho State Veterans Home, \u00a01957 Alvin Ricken Drive.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n11:00 AM\u00a0\r\nPocatello\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Addresses participants at the Economic Development Symposium, Idaho State University Performing Arts Center, 1002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sam \u00a0\u00a0Nixon Drive.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n2:30 PM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nBlackfoot\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tours the Latino Economic and Development (LEAD) Center, 625 West Pacific Street, Suite 2.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140808013311/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=61268b8e-e9d5-4dcd-86b1-50d44c42faa9", "Crapo, Risch a 'No' on the President's Border Spending Bill", "2014-08-04", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch objected to the President\u2019s $3.6 billion request for new spending, saying the measure did nothing to put in place reforms to adequately address the burgeoning crisis along our nation\u2019s southern border.\u00a0 The Senate defeated the emergency supplemental request yesterday evening by a 50-44 vote.\n\u201cThe Administration has repeatedly disregarded U.S. immigration laws in pursuit of its own immigration agenda,\u201d said Crapo.\u00a0 \u201cThe crisis we are seeing along our nation\u2019s southern border is a direct consequence of the President\u2019s end-run around Congress to enact immigration reform, in particular the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).\u00a0 The supplemental request before the Senate lacked the proper assurances that the additional resources would be used to enforce the law and strengthen our border.\u00a0 In addition, the Senate Majority Leader blocked all amendments, including those to put in place real reforms that would ensure our immigration laws do not incentivize continued illegal immigration.\u201d\u00a0\n\u201cThe U.S. is experiencing a tragedy along its border which did not need to happen,\u201d said Risch. \u201cPresident Obama can fix this, but his proposal for $3.6 billion was a bad deal. It throws good money after bad, and it ignores the policy changes that are required to solve this humanitarian crisis.\u201d\nThe Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was an executive action issued in 2012. Implemented by the Department of Homeland Security, DACA prevents the agency from initiating deportation proceedings on illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before they were 16 years old and have lived in the U.S. for five years since their arrival. \u00a0This policy, among others, has encouraged an influx of unaccompanied children attempting to cross the border.\u00a0 This year alone, nearly 60,000 unaccompanied minors have entered the U.S. illegally, and that number is expected to dramatically increase.\nCrapo and Risch previously called on the President to take direct action in dispelling misinformation regarding U.S. immigration policies and firmly enforce the law along our nation\u2019s border. \u00a0Read the letter here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355147", "Crapo Supports Final Veterans Care Bill", "2014-08-01", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 01, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Supports Final Veterans Care Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Says legislation beneficial to rural Idahoans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo supported compromise legislation to end lengthy wait times for veterans seeking medical care and increase accountability within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\u00a0 By an overwhelming bipartisan majority, the United States Senate voted 91-3 to adopt the Senate-House conference report on the Veteran's Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014.\r\nNotably to Idaho, the legislation, which Crapo co-sponsored, is particularly beneficial to those living in rural communities.\u00a0 It would allow veterans who reside more than 40 miles away from a VA facility to seek health services outside of the system.\r\n\"Given the sacrifices our military men and women make, Congress must provide the necessary resources to our service personnel and their families,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"Although we are in a time of fiscal crisis with our national debt exceeding $17 trillion, we must do all that we can to identify the most holistic and responsible ways to provide the resources and benefits our military community needs and deserves.\r\n\"This legislation, though more work remains, takes a positive step in addressing the deep-seated problems plaguing the VA.\"\r\nThe Veteran's Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 makes the following improvements within the VA:\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Allows veterans to seek private treatment if faced with long wait times at VA facilities;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Expands the VA secretary's ability to terminate or demote employees for poor performance;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Allows for the hiring of additional doctors and nurses;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Establishes two independent commissions to review and monitor veterans' access to care and VA construction projects;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extends counseling and treatment to service members who suffered sexual trauma while serving on inactive duty training;\r\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Requires VA to report on prevalence of domestic violence in the veteran population.\r\nThe bill now heads to the President's desk where it awaits signature before becoming law.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355150", "CRAPO, RISCH A NO ON THE PRESIDENTS \r\nBORDER SPENDING BILL", "2014-08-01", "2014", "2014-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 01, 2014\n\t\t\t CRAPO, RISCH A \u00e2??NO\u00e2?? ON THE PRESIDENT\u00e2??S BORDER SPENDING BILL \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Senators say measure will not curb further illegal immigration \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch objected to the President's $3.6 billion request for new spending, saying the measure did nothing to put in place reforms to adequately address the burgeoning crisis along our nation's southern border.\u00a0 The Senate defeated the emergency supplemental request yesterday evening by a 50-44 vote.\r\n\"The Administration has repeatedly disregarded U.S. immigration laws in pursuit of its own immigration agenda,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"The crisis we are seeing along our nation's southern border is a direct consequence of the President's end-run around Congress to enact immigration reform, in particular the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).\u00a0 The supplemental request before the Senate lacked the proper assurances that the additional resources would be used to enforce the law and strengthen our border.\u00a0 In addition, the Senate Majority Leader blocked all amendments, including those to put in place real reforms that would ensure our immigration laws do not incentivize continued illegal immigration.\"\r\n\"The U.S. is experiencing a tragedy along its border which did not need to happen,\" said Risch. \"President Obama can fix this, but his proposal for $3.6 billion was a bad deal. It throws good money after bad, and it ignores the policy changes that are required to solve this humanitarian crisis.\"\r\nThe Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was an executive action issued in 2012. Implemented by the Department of Homeland Security, DACA prevents the agency from initiating deportation proceedings on illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before they were 16 years old and have lived in the U.S. for five years since their arrival. \u00a0This policy, among others, has encouraged an influx of unaccompanied children attempting to cross the border.\u00a0 This year alone, nearly 60,000 unaccompanied minors have entered the U.S. illegally, and that number is expected to dramatically increase.\r\nCrapo and Risch previously called on the President to take direct action in dispelling misinformation regarding U.S. immigration policies and firmly enforce the law along our nation's border. \u00a0Read the letter \r\nhere.\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=390011", "Simpson Hails Passage of Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act", "2014-07-31", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today hailed passage of legislation to clarify federal regulation of pesticides by the House of Representatives. \u00a0H.R. 935, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, would remove duplicative requirements that have added layers of paperwork on top of day-to-day operations for small businesses, farmers, and local governments by clarifying that pesticides which are already regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) are not also regulated under the Clean Water Act.\u00a0 The bill, of which Simpson is a cosponsor, reinstates EPA\u2019s long-standing position on the issue, which was overturned as the result of a lawsuit in 2009.\u00a0\r\n\u201cThis ruling didn\u2019t make applying pesticides any safer; all it did was create duplicative and unnecessary new regulations that cost money and increase the risk of litigation for local governments, irrigation districts, and farmers and ranchers,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cPassing this legislation is common sense, and I\u2019m hopeful that the Senate will act quickly on the bill so that we can address this issue once and for all.\u201d\r\nSimpson has been a cosponsor of similar legislation since 2011. \u00a0H.R. 935 is bipartisan and widely supported in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.\u00a0 After passing the House by a vote of 267-161 today, it is now under consideration by the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=390087", "Simpson Works to Stop EPA Water Grab", "2014-07-31", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has cosponsored two new bills to address widespread concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) new proposed rule expanding its jurisdiction over water throughout the U.S.\u00a0 H.R. 5071, the Agriculture Conservation Flexibility Act, would address some of the most controversial provisions in the proposed rule, withdrawing the Interpretive Rule proposed in March that has resulted in great uncertainty and concern across the agriculture sector.\u00a0 H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, would support the existing partnership between states and the federal government by preventing EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers from redefining \u201cwaters of the United States\u201d under the Clean Water Act.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cThese two bills respond to some of the most troubling aspects of the EPA\u2019s efforts to expand its jurisdiction,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cThe EPA initially claimed that its new rule would provide clarity and flexibility for American agriculture, but my initial concerns that this would not be the case have proven true.\u00a0 Farmers across Idaho have expressed to me their serious concern about how the EPA may decide to interpret this rule in the future, leading to even less certainty than they have now.\r\n\u201cMoreover,\u201d he added, \u201cThese bills recognize that the EPA\u2019s proposed rule undoes many existing and successful partnerships for cleaning up and maintaining our waterways, whether those are partnerships between farmers, ranchers, and conservationists or local, state, and federal governments.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s an arrogant assumption on the part of the EPA to say that they alone should have such authority over every drop of water across the country.\u201d\r\nH.R. 5071 and H.R. 5078 are currently under committee consideration in the House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1802bdcb-0da2-4eaa-9473-99bc1bb51e69", "Mikulski, Risch, Cardin Announce Committee Passage of Bipartisan Resolution Marking 70th Anniversary of Warsaw Uprising", "2014-07-30", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Co-Chairs of the Senate Caucus on Poland, along with Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today announced bipartisan passage by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of a resolution they introduced honoring the 70th Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, which is on August 1.\r\n\u00a0   \u201cI am pleased the Senate has acted in a bipartisan way to recognize and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the heroic Warsaw Uprising,\u201d Senator Mikulski said. \u201cMy Polish heritage has given me an identity and a set of beliefs that make me the Senator I am with a belief in freedom, a belief in people, and a belief that we must always speak truth to power. When the Polish people rose against the Nazi\u2019s in 1944, they took a great risk to try and take back their capital and end the occupation. Their resistance will forever serve as a symbol of heroism in the face of great adversity, and of the power of the human spirit.\"\r\n\u00a0   \u201cI am proud to honor the 70th anniversary of Poland\u2019s fight against tyranny,\u201d said Senator Risch. \u00a0\u201cDespite incredible risks to their lives and property, the people of Warsaw made heroic efforts to rebel against their captors and assist the Allied war effort.\u00a0 These actions helped establish a bond that has made Poland one of the closest U.S. allies in the world.\u00a0 They deserve our respect and we owe them our support.\u201d\r\n\u00a0   \u201cWe look back with pride as the Polish people stood their ground against a mighty enemy despite the odds. I am proud to join Senator Mikulski and Senator Risch to honor this important moment in history,\u201d said Senator Cardin. \u201cThe Warsaw Uprising is a reminder to us all that tyranny cannot go unchallenged.\u201d\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0   On August 1, 1944, the Polish Home Army rose against the Nazi occupation of Warsaw though they were outnumbered and equipped with makeshift weapons. The resistance fought against German occupation for 63 days with little support from outside and was quelled by German forces by October 2, 1944. In response to the uprising, Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of Warsaw as punishment, which resulted in 85 percent of the city of Warsaw being demolished by the end of the war, including many historical buildings and monuments.\r\n  Over 250,000 Poles were killed, wounded or missing.\r\n\u00a0   The full text of the Senate Committee-passed Resolution follows:\r\n \u00a0   A resolution honoring the 70th Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising.\u00a0 \u00a0   Whereas August 1, 2014, marks the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, a   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0heroic event during World War II during which citizens of Poland,   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0against all odds, fought against the Nazi occupation of Warsaw; \u00a0   Whereas, on August 1, 1944, the Polish Home Army, with limited supplies and   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0armed with mostly homemade weapons, rose up against the Nazis to fight   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the nationwide occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany; \u00a0   Whereas the Polish resistance fought German forces for 63 days, suffering   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0extreme hardship, retribution, and personal sacrifice, and during which   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0approximately 250,000 Poles were killed, wounded, or went missing; \u00a0   Whereas Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of Warsaw as punishment for the   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0uprising, leaving 85 percent of the city of Warsaw in ruins, including   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0many historical buildings and monuments; \u00a0   Whereas the actions of the Polish resistance inspire people throughout the world   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0who fight for freedom and democracy; and \u00a0   Whereas the actions of the Polish people during the Warsaw Uprising were a   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0significant contribution to Allied war efforts during World War II and   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0those actions continue to be respected and remembered throughout Poland:   \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Now, therefore, be it \u00a0\u00a0   \u00a0Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, which occurred during World War II and serves as a symbol of heroism and the power of the human spirit. \u00a0 \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140801023223/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=61f76292-2932-4d00-9b6c-95e90fc68bdb", "Risch on Obama Administration Losing INF Treaty", "2014-07-30", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch made the following statement after learning that the Obama Administration has finally acknowledged that Russia has violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty:\n\u201cIt may not have the same visual and emotional impact as Russian troops entering Ukraine, or the shooting down of a civilian airliner, but when one imagines all of the actions Putin could take to destabilize Europe, violating the INF Treaty is right up there\u201d said Risch.\u00a0 \u201cMy colleagues and I have been pressing the Obama administration on this issue for years.\u00a0It is senseless that it took so long for us to not only call these Russian actions a violation, but also that it took so long for us to brief our NATO allies, and confront the Russians in the first place.\u00a0 Saving INF just hasn\u2019t been a priority for President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and Secretary Kerry.\u201d\u00a0\nThe Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty has been the bedrock of security and stability in Europe since 1987.\u00a0When Presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev signed this treaty banning the possession, production or flight testing of ground-launched missiles with ranges of 300 to 3,400 miles, the threat of a nuclear exchange with Russia was significantly reduced.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nRisch has sponsored several items calling for accountability under the INF, including S.1924, a\u00a0bill to require a report on INF Treaty compliance information sharing, and SCR 34, a Concurrent Resolution expressing the sense of Congress that President Obama should hold the Russian Federation accountable for being in material breach of its obligations under the INF Treaty.\u00a0\nIn January of 2013, Risch questioned Secretary of State John Kerry about Russian accountability and treaty compliance at Kerry\u2019s confirmation hearing.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140801023417/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7a7d234a-704e-4bf2-86f4-a47d570c299a", "rosieMADE in Meridian Named Small Business of the Month", "2014-07-30", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - In recognition of their tremendous efforts and years of success, U.S. Senator Jim Risch has named rosieMADE as the Idaho Small Business of the Month.\u00a0 The company will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the United States Senate.\n\u201cI am pleased to recognize rosieMADE as an outstanding small business.\u00a0 This is a new company that has grown and adapted for the past two years,\u201d said Risch. \u201crosieMADE has achieved success as an online marketplace, supplying quality gifts and products made in the USA by women-owned businesses.\u00a0 I congratulate everyone at rosieMADE on their success and wish them the very best in the future.\u201d\nLaunched in 2012 by retail and corporate merchandising expert Alicia Vanderschuere, rosieMADE offers exceptional options for gifts and products while supporting women-owned businesses.\u00a0 Committed to supplying only products \u201cMade in the USA\u201d and encouraging women\u2019s entrepreneurship, rosieMADE is symbolic of the small business spirit that drives Idaho\u2019s economy.\nSenator Risch is the highest ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.\u00a0 The committee oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to entrepreneurship and provides oversight of the Small Business Administration.\u00a0 They also research, investigate and report all problems relating to American\u2019s small businesses to the full Senate.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355133", "Crapo, Risch Staff Plan Office Hours in Wallace and Kellogg August 20th", "2014-07-30", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "July 30, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Staff Plan Office Hours in Wallace and Kellogg August 20th \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\u00a0\r\nCoeur d'Alene - To better assist Idahoans with questions and issues concerning federal agencies and policies, staff members representing\u00a0 Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Idaho Senator Jim Risch will hold office hours in Wallace and Kellogg next month.\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\nStaff members from the Coeur d'Alene offices of Crapo and Risch will be available to assist Idahoans with any questions or problems related to federal agencies or with problems regarding federal programs.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Crapo & Risch Remote Office Hours schedule:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 20:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\nWallace City Hall\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 703 Cedar Street, 10:00 AM - Noon\r\n\r\nKellogg City Hall\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1007 McKinley Avenue,\u00a0 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM.\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=919", "New Spokesman Joins Labrador Staff", "2014-07-29", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tFOR MORE INFORMATION:\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tTuesday | July 29, 2014\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tMike Cunnington - 202.225.6611\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\tDoug Taylor - 208.888.3188\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tNEW SPOKESMAN JOINS LABRADOR STAFF\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN \u2013 Congressman Ra\u00fal Labrador, R-Idaho, is pleased to announce that longtime Idaho Statesman political reporter Dan Popkey will become his new press secretary. \u00a0Dan\u00a0will be based in the Congressman\u2019s Meridian office and will coordinate communications in Idaho and Washington, D.C.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019m very excited to have Dan on board as my new press secretary,\u201d said Congressman Labrador. \u201cHe brings a wealth of experience and considerable knowledge of Idaho political history that will be a tremendous asset to me and my staff throughout the First Congressional District. \u00a0I\u2019ve learned that one has to have an exceptional communications strategy to effectively represent Idaho in Congress. I know that Dan will help me better communicate my message to constituents and the media.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tPopkey began reporting on the congressional delegation and state government in 1987, and has covered 26 sessions of the Legislature.\r\n\r\n\tPopkey started covering Congressman Labrador after his election to the Idaho House in 2006 and has continued to follow him since he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI\u2019ve come to deeply respect Congressman Labrador\u2019s independence, integrity and fierce commitment to setting our nation\u2019s fiscal house in order,\u201d Popkey said. \u201cIt\u2019s bittersweet to leave journalism, my first love, but I\u2019m thrilled with the opportunity to apply what I\u2019ve learned to help advance our state\u2019s priorities in Washington.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tPopkey, 55, worked for three years as a reporter in California. In 1984, he joined the Statesman. \u201cI\u2019ve been privileged to work with people of great talent, character and devotion and I wish them the best,\u201d he said.\r\n\r\n\tHe has a bachelor\u2019s in political science from Santa Clara University (1980) and masters in journalism from Columbia University (1981). He was an American Political Science Association congressional fellow (1988-89) and University of Michigan journalism fellow (1997-98).\r\n\r\n\tBorn in Tucson, Ariz., Popkey attended public schools in Cupertino, Calif. His senior year of high school, 1975-76, he was a page in the U.S. House.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140801023430/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=b3ffc140-036b-467e-9872-1a26caa8f9e8", "Statement by Senators McCain, Cardin, Shaheen and Risch Expressing Disappointment About Charges Against Former Georgian President Saakashvili", "2014-07-29", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u00ad\u2013 U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Jim Risch (R-ID) today released the following statement expressing disappointment regarding the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia filing criminal charges against former President Mikheil Saakashvili and numerous senior leaders of the previous government:\n\u201cWe are extremely disappointed and concerned that the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia has filed criminal charges against former President Mikheil Saakashvili and numerous senior leaders of the previous government.\n\u201cPresident Saakasahvili and his government were not faultless, and it is important for any democracy to uphold its laws. But the pursuit of justice should not become a tool of political retribution and a source of national division, especially when Georgia has so many pressing challenges at present. We and other have urged Prime Minister Garibashvili and other Georgian leaders to focus on the future, not the past, and to help move their country forward, not take it backward. It is nearly impossible to see how the decision to put most of the previous government on trial is consistent with this purpose.\n\u201cGeorgia\u2019s leaders need to think long and hard about the direction they are taking their country. Today\u2019s action, and others like it, imposes unnecessary challenges in moving our relationship forward.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=389391", "Simpsons Wilderness Water Bill Signed into Law", "2014-07-25", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson expressed great satisfaction at the news that H.R. 876, the Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act, which he authored, has been signed into law.\u00a0 Simpson first introduced the legislation in 2009, and today it was signed by the president. The Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act corrects a long-standing oversight in law by authorizing a number of water diversions within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area and the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness Area in Idaho which existed before the wilderness was created.\u00a0 The new law will enable landowners to do the necessary maintenance and repairs on these diversions. \u201cI\u2019m so pleased that the Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act has finally been signed into law,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cI introduced this bill five years ago when the Forest Service discovered that it didn\u2019t have the authority to permit repairs on an historic water diversion in the Frank Church.\u00a0 When we looked into the issue, we learned that a number of pre-existing diversions had been overlooked when the wilderness areas were created.\u00a0 Any one of these diversions could need repairs to maintain integrity and protect the surrounded ecosystem.\u00a0 With enactment of this bill, the necessary maintenance and repairs can now be done.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=917", "ICYMI: PAUL RYAN & WASHINGTON POST ENDORSE LABRADOR BILL TO REFORM CRIMINAL SENTENCING LAWS", "2014-07-24", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In a speech today at the American Enterprise Institute, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, endorsed Rep. Ra\u00fal Labrador\u2019s bill to reform criminal sentencing laws.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tRep. Labrador\u2019s bill, H.R. 3382, the Smarter Sentencing Act, would allow courts to make individualized assessments in nonviolent drug cases, ensuring that limited resources are focused on the most serious offenders, while maintaining public safety.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tIn his prepared remarks, Chairman Ryan said, \u201cWe need commonsense criminal-justice reform. We need to give people the opportunity to earn a second chance. Luckily, my colleagues have done a lot of good work on this front. Senator Mike Lee and Congressmen Raul Labrador and Bobby Scott have introduced a bill to reform our sentencing guidelines. It would give judges more discretion with low-risk, non-violent offenders. All we\u2019re saying is, they don\u2019t have to give the maximum sentence every time. There\u2019s no reason to lock someone up any longer than necessary.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tIn addition, the Washington Post published an editorial today, Congress Should Reform the Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenses.\r\n\r\n\tThe Post stated, \u201cThe core of the problem \u2014 overly tough mandatory minimum sentences and the difficulty in reintegrating ex-prisoners into society \u2014 can be addressed only by Congress\u2026Luckily, two bills are pending that precisely address these issues.\u00a0 The Smarter Sentencing Act would reform how prisoners are sentenced\u2026 The second bill, the Recidivism Reduction and Public Safety Act, reforms the way prisoners reintegrate into society\u2026Sponsors of these two proposals are negotiating on whether to bundle them together. Whether that is successful or not, both bills should pass. They will help lower the crime rate in the long run, bring proportionality back into punishments and save millions of dollars a year.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Smarter Sentencing Act has 47 House cosponsors and the Senate version of the bill has already passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.\u00a0 The bill has been endorsed by organizations across the political spectrum, including Heritage Action; Justice Fellowship of Prison Fellowship Ministries; ACLU; American Correctional Association; American Bar Association; NAACP; and Constitution Project.\r\n\r\n\tTo learn more about the Smarter Sentencing Act, please click here.\u00a0 \r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=355071", "Crapo Backs Bill to Increase Transparency at the EPA", "2014-07-21", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "July 21, 2014\n\t\t\t Crapo Backs Bill to Increase Transparency at the EPA \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t Says data behind costly environmental regulations should be made available to the public \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is calling for increased transparency in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) federal rule making process.\u00a0 Crapo, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxins and Environmental Science, \u00a0joined colleagues on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to introduce \r\nlegislation to prohibit the agency from proposing or finalizing regulations based on science that is not made publicly\u00a0available to the American people.\r\n\"If the American people are going to continue to foot the bill for these multimillion and multibillion dollar regulations, they have a right to see the underlying data,\" said Crapo.\u00a0 \"The Administration continues to disregard the most basic tenets of science-transparency and reproducibility.\u00a0 Costly and burdensome environmental regulations should only be based on data that is available to independent scientists and the public.\"\r\nCurrently, the EPA relies almost entirely on undisclosed data and proprietary models to justify the basis for new federal regulations and rulemakings.\r\nCrapo previously pressed for increased transparency within the agency, requesting the EPA release the underlying data behind some of the agency's most costly rules.\u00a0 Read the letter \r\nhere.\r\nSenators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), David Vitter (R-Louisiana), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) and Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) joined Crapo in introducing the legislation.\u00a0\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    \n\t\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140718031305/http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=702361f9-2c0c-4c9c-86a3-3680bfb5cf6c", "Risch Presses Obama Officials on Immigrant Minors", "2014-07-17", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Jim Risch today pressed administration officials on the fallout of President Obama\u2019s 2012 executive order that has encouraged a flood of unaccompanied minors into the United States. The President\u2019s executive order instructed the Department of Homeland Security to no longer initiate the deportation of illegal immigrants who came to the United States before age 16.    \u00a0   Risch made reference to a graph that shows the annual apprehensions of unaccompanied minors into the United States from 2009 to June 2014 and the explosion of minors since 2012. \nFollowing the hearing, Risch said \u201cCommonsense tells us, the president would do well to immediately, publicly, and loudly rescind his executive order of 2012. That action would reverse the flood of unaccompanied illegal immigrant children to the United States, since it was that executive order that unleashed this flood.\u201d\nThe exchange took place at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on \u201cDangerous Passage: Central America in Crisis and the Exodus of Unaccompanied Minors.\u201d The administration witnesses addressed were Thomas Shannon, Counselor of the Department at U.S. Department of State and Bruce Swartz, Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice.\nVideo of the exchange can be found via YouTube or FTP link below.   YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JorrgWLky0&feature=youtu.be FTP Link: RischImmigrationSFRC71714.mp4 \u00a0   ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=388092", "House Committee Blocks Sheep Station Closure", "2014-07-16", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson applauded the decision to stop USDA\u2019s planned closure of the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station in Dubois, Idaho.\u00a0 Simpson, who is working with other western representatives to prevent closure of the facility, recently urged the chairman of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee to deny a request by the Agricultural Research Service to reprogram funds from the sheep station, which would result in its closure.\u00a0 Simpson was pleased to learn that the request has been denied.\r\n\u201cBecause of its location and expertise, experts at the Sheep Experimental Station Dubois are conducting research that no other facility is currently able to do, including unique research on the domestic-wildlife interface that is vital to the future of the sheep industry,\u201d said Simpson.\u00a0 \u201cClosing down the Dubois station would effectively end this important research, and it would be a huge loss to American agriculture, which is why my western colleagues and I are fighting so hard to keep it open.\u201d\r\n\u00a0Last week Congressman Simpson also sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, expressing disappointment that neither the USDA nor ARS notified Congress of their intent to close the Dubois center.\u00a0 In the letter, Simpson and other western Members of Congress expressed concern that neither agency has explained how research currently underway in Dubois would be continued.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased that we have avoided shutting down the Dubois center for now, but I recognize that this decision does not eliminate the potential threat of future closure of the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station,\u201d Simpson said.\u00a0 \u201cI will continue to work with the USDA, University of Idaho, and members of the sheep industry to ensure the long-term viability of the sheep center at Dubois.\u00a0 It is critical that the sheep industry have a voice in future USDA decisions affecting their economic vitality.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 307, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, 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