{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"ID\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361829", "Senator Mike Crapo Delivers the Republican \r\nChristmas Address", "2015-12-24", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 24, 2015\n\t\t\t Senator Mike Crapo Delivers the Republican Christmas Address \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\n  'We all know people in our communities who are making good things happen. They reach out to those who are hurting, shelter those without and demonstrate examples of selfless service throughout our great nation. Many devote countless hours to lessening the burdens of others. To all those giving Americans serving others, please know that you are setting lasting examples.'\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - In the Weekly Republican Address, Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho delivers a holiday message that recognizes the importance of service to others and thanks the men and women who strive to keep our nation and its citizens safe, both at home and abroad. 'Thank you, to all our first responders and law enforcement officers who serve in the face of evil,\" says Crapo. \"And to the men and women of our military, many of whom are far from home right now missing their families and the joys of this holiday season, we thank you.' \r\nVideo of Crapo's remarks is available here.\r\nA full transcript of the address follows:\r\n\"Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I am Mike Crapo and I represent the people of the great state of Idaho in the United States Senate.\r\n\"This season is a time to gather with loved ones and celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. An important part of Christmas is remembering our Father's love. God loved us so very much that He sent His Son to earth so that we may better understand that love.\r\n\"As we love and care for our families, strive to protect them, and always no matter how grown our children get, long for what is best for them, we can start to grasp the magnitude of God's love and reflect it not only throughout the Christmas season, but also every day. For many families, this time of year is when children learn charity and service to others, and realize that giving to others, is always more important than receiving.\r\n\"For those of different faiths, including those who choose not to observe a higher power or any religious faith, this season is observed with many different traditions. The season is a reminder of one of our greatest American values ensured by our Constitution: the freedom of religion. Many families spend the holidays volunteering to serve others in our communities. The diversity of our celebration is part of the magic of Christmas. It brings people together in so many different ways, especially in service to others.\r\n\"We all know people in our communities who are making good things happen. They reach out to those who are hurting, shelter those without and demonstrate examples of selfless service throughout our great nation. Many devote countless hours to lessening the burdens of others. To all those giving Americans serving others, please know that you are setting lasting examples. Acts as seemingly small as caring words or holding a door generate a current of kindness. Thank you, for the love and kindness you share. \r\n\"As we gather together with our loved ones this Christmas, let us not forget to take time to enjoy the little and the big things more: The joy in the eyes of children; the laughs of friends and family; the snow covered trees; the food on our tables; clean water and heat-and all the many other blessings we have as Americans.\r\n\"This year, we have witnessed both abroad and at home the real threats to our way of life. Yet in the face of these unspeakable acts of terror, men and women still selflessly volunteer themselves to defend families, neighbors, communities and our nation. Thank you, to all our first responders and law enforcement officers who serve in the face of evil. And to the men and women of our military, many of whom are far from home right now missing their families and the joys of this holiday season, we thank you. Your sacrifice and dedication to your country is a debt we can never fully repay. The men and women of our military routinely give so much of themselves so that the rest of us, as a nation, can remain free. And to the families, the many military families across this country, who set an extra place at their tables in honor of a loved one deployed in the service of our nation, we thank you. You too bear the cost of our freedoms and protection of Americans at home and abroad.\r\n\"For many, 2015 has been a year of great challenges and impactful events. The terrorist attacks and the continued struggle of millions across America and around the world are a glaring reminder that we cannot take our well-being for granted. As this year draws to a close, I hope that those who have struggled will find optimism in the dawn of a new year. These challenges will unite us and our compassion will match our strength.\r\n\"We live in a beautiful world with some very dark corners. I pray that more light can be shed into the dark corners throughout this Christmas season and the year ahead and that God's love can be felt and reflected in every corner of our hearts, of our country and the world.\r\n\"God bless you all and Merry Christmas.\"\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398499", "House Overwhelmingly Passes FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations  Big Wins for Idaho", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today applauded the passage of H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations bill that included many important provisions for Idaho and Western States. The House passed H.R. 2029 by a vote of 316-113, and it will be considered by the U.S. Senate today. Links to the bill text and reports can be found here: https://rules.house.gov/bill/114/hr-2029-sa.\r\nI applaud Chairman Rogers and Speaker Ryan for their hard work in assembling this comprehensive and responsible package that will keep the government open through the rest of this fiscal year, said Simpson. This bill contains many critical wins for Idaho and Western States. It avoids the inefficient and negligent practice of funding the government through continuing resolutions, and is instead the product of this past years worth of thoughtful deliberation and line-by-line analysis of our budget. It will make vital investments in our national economy, all while adhering to budget caps that are $56 billion below the Ryan budget for FY16 and $70 billion below the Ryan budget for FY17. With all of the provisions that support conservative priorities and Idaho specifically, and I am so pleased to see that it passed the House with overwhelming support. \r\nAs Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, Simpson had a key role in deciding funding levels for Department of Energy and Department of Interior programs, including the following highlights: \r\nEnergy and Water Development\r\nThe Energy and Water division of the omnibus continues to support accelerating nuclear innovation programs and addressing much needed infrastructure enhancements at the Idaho National Laboratory, said Chairman Mike Simpson. INL plays a vital national and international role in leading the development of new nuclear technologies, and this bill will help maintain and expand that role in the future. We are so lucky to have this world class facility in our backyard, with a workforce that constantly pushes the bound of scientific research; we must ensure its capabilities are protected and maximized.\r\nThe FY 2016 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill sets funding for the DOEs Office of Nuclear Energy at $986 million, an increase of $73 million above fiscal year 2015 and $79 million above the Presidents request. Nuclear energy research and development programs that receive funding within the overall $986 million allocation include:\r\n \r\n    \r\n    The Idaho Facilities Management account, which covers infrastructure maintenance and improvement at INL, is funded at $222.5 million  an increase of $16.5 million above FY15, and $11 million above the Presidents request. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    INLs Safeguards and Security Program is funded at $126.1 million  an increase of $22.1 million over fiscal year 2015.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    The Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies program is funded at $111.6 million  an increase of $10.6 million above fiscal year 2015 and $25 million above the Presidents request. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Small Modular Reactor Licensing Support Programs are funded at $62.5 million$8 million above fiscal year 2015. This funding is slated for NuScale Powers 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 Americas existing nuclear reactors, is funded at $40 million.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    The Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration account is funded at $141.7 million  an increase of $8.7 million above fiscal year 2015, and $33.5 million above the Presidents request. Within the overall $141.7 million level for this account, $33 million is allocated to fuel qualification for the High Temperature Gas Reactor.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Within the Fuel Cycle Research and Development program, the Advanced Fuels program is funded at $62.1 milliona $2 million increase from fiscal year 2015; and Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition research and development is funded at $85 million.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Within the Office of Naval Reactors, the bill includes $77.2 million for the operation of the Advanced Test Reactor to accelerate planned safety-related infrastructure upgrades, and $86 million is included for the Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization Project.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, the bill includes $5 million for the 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    Within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, $7 million is included to continue performance testing and life cycle diagnostic assessment activities that validate and verify advanced battery performance.\r\n    \r\n \r\nThe bill also provides $396 million for cleanup activities associated with the Idaho Cleanup Project and the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project co-located on the Idaho desert with INL. The funding level of $396 million is an increase of $16.5 million above fiscal year 2015 and $36 million above the Presidents request, which will allow the significant cleanup activities currently underway to continue. The bill also 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 Energys inventories of spent nuclear fuel. Finally, the bill includes $2 million for dynamic threat assessments at Idaho National Laboratory to create innovative assessment tools for the US government on high consequence threats to the electric grid, oil and gas, and nuclear energy sectors. \r\nTransportation, Housing and Urban Development\r\nI am so pleased to see the important language allowing trucks weighing up to 129,000 pounds on Idaho interstates included in the omnibus, said Simpson. This change has long been sought by the State of Idaho because it will remove the competitive disadvantage the state currently faces, and will be a major generator of economic activity in Idaho. By ensuring that Idahos vehicle laws match those of its neighboring states, Idaho can more efficiently play a larger role in transferring goods without impacting road safety.\r\nThe increase to 129,000 pounds from the current allowance of 105,500 pounds will put Idaho in line with neighboring states and with Idahos state highways, which currently allow trucks up to 129,000 pounds. The current weight limit has made it difficult for Idaho producers to ship goods to, from, and through the state. A higher weight limit means trucks will have more axles than traditional trucks, distributing the weight in such a way that there is less weight on each axle than a standard truck. It also will reduce the number of trucks on the road. \r\nInterior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee\r\n\"This bill makes a critical and significant investment in preventing and fighting wildfires,\" said Simpson. \"This year's fire season was so terrible that the Forest Service and DOI had already gone half a billion dollars over budget by mid-August and ultimately had to transfer $700 million from other non-fire accounts in order to keep putting out fires. This bill provides $4.2 billion for wildfire suppression and prevention programs, which includes $1 billion in firefighting reserve funds. As the cost of fighting wildfires increases, this increased funding will provide the agencies with the resources they need to respond to wildfires without decimating forest management accounts in the process. The bill also includes important funding for hazardous fuels activities and timber management accounts, which will give the Forest Service tools to improve forest health and ultimately reduce the impact of wildfires.\r\n\"Fire borrowing remains a problem, and I am disappointed that, in spite of a significant bipartisan effort, my language to fix the wildfire budgeting process was not included in the omnibus. I am hopeful, however, that this increased funding will address the issue for the coming fiscal year, giving us an opportunity to push a long-term solution like the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act across the finish line.\"\r\nIn addition to providing $4.2 billion for wildfire programs, the Interior portion of the bill:\r\n \r\n    \r\n    Includes 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. Idaho counties received $28,609,614 in PILT funding for FY15. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Provides $545 million for hazardous fuels reduction activitiesa $19 million increase over FY15, and $360 million for the timber programa $21 million increase of FY15. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Cuts EPA funding by $452 million below the Presidents budget request, holding the agencys budget at 21% below FY10 levels. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Provides $1 million to compensate ranchers for livestock killed by wolves. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Continues 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    Includes a 3-year extension of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with 50% of program funding going to state and local recreation, conservation, and battlefield protection programs.\r\n    \r\n \r\nAgriculture \r\nI am very pleased the omnibus includes language that maintains the mission at Dubois, said Simpson. Because of its location, and expertise, the Dubois staff are working on unique issues, including research on the domestic-wildlife interface that is vital to the sheep industrys future.\r\n \r\n    \r\n    Includes language that preserves Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research programs which includes the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station (USSES) in Dubois, Idaho. The administration attempted to close the facility in 2014 without notifying Congress.\r\n    \r\n \r\nDefense\r\nBy ensuring the A-10 remains available for close air support, we are responding to the needs of the service members that operate them and to the brave men and women on the ground that rely on them, said Simpson. While I certainly acknowledge that the Air Force must make difficult decisions in this time of reduced budgets, the A-10s low operating costs and unique capabilities merit our continued support until an appropriate replacement can be identified.\r\n \r\n    \r\n    Denies the administrations request to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt II which is based at the headquarters for the Idaho National Guard at Gowen Field in Boise and provides funding to keep them flying in FY16.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Provides a 1.3% pay raise for over 1.3 million active-duty troops and nearly 811,000 reserves.\r\n    \r\n \r\nLabor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations\r\nFollowing the recent passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization, it is important that we match appropriate funding levels so these programs can succeed, said Simpson. Impact Aid is important to the counties and school districts that are impacted by federal activities and Im glad this bill honors that responsibility.\r\n \r\n    \r\n    $1.3 billiona $17 million dollar increase over FY15 for Impact Aid which benefits Idaho counties and schools.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1015", "Labrador on Spending Deal: Bad for Idaho and the West", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "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\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 | Dec. 18, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR ON SPENDING DEAL: BAD FOR IDAHO AND THE WEST\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement onthe end-of-year omnibus spending bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016:\r\n\r\n\tThe spending deal between Republican leadership and Democrats is an abject failure for Idaho. Instead of advancing conservative policies this bill funds President Obamas agenda and ignores the needs of Western states. Thats why I voted no today.\r\n\r\n\tPursuing a low-hanging-fruit strategy, negotiators picked provisions that were always going to be in any year-end spending bill, such as funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes and A-10 aircraft. But they didnt deliver on key priorities for Idaho and other Western states.\r\n\r\n\tAmong its omissions, the bill fails to roll back the Waters of the United States rule, block the Clean Power Plan that raises electricity costs, lift regulatory restraints on mining and energy production, or allow state conservation plans for sage grouse to supersede economically damaging federal plans.\r\n\r\n\tThe 2,009-page behemoth is also bad for America, raising spending by $51 billion above the limits that Congress and the President agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011. It uses a wartime account as a slush fund to further increase domestic spending. In exchange, our majority party didnt get any of the important policy changes I advocated, including tougher screening for refugees from Syria and Iraq and defunding Planned Parenthood. Additionally, the bill includes the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, which strips privacy protections against excessive government intrusion and surveillance.\r\n\r\n\tIts no surprise that Democrats are pleased. Adam Jentelson, a top aide to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, tweeted about nixing more than 150 GOP riders, and said the deal will secure major progressive policy successes. President Obama is eager to sign the bill, said spokesman Josh Earnest, because it lives up to our values.\r\n\r\n\tAs an Idahoan, a westerner and a conservative, I couldnt support a bill that so blatantly ignores the needs of my constituents and the conservative values of Idahoans.\r\n\r\n\tPassing an omnibus appropriations bill at the end of the year is not the way to legislate. Like Speaker Ryan, I am hopeful that next year we will pass individual appropriations bills and return to regular order.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361826", "Crapo Opposes Year-End Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Opposes Year-End Spending Bill \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today voted against the year-end spending bill and issued the following statement:\r\n\"This catch-all funding measure is a big part of what is wrong with Congress. Earlier this year, Congress put together and passed a budget for the first time in seven years. That budget put us on a path to balance over ten years and would have increased economic growth by an estimated $500 billion, while achieving $4.4 trillion in deficit reduction. But we didn't even make it through one year. Now, not even a full year later, Congress has already broken that budget, adding billions of dollars to our national debt through this omnibus spending measure. Moreover, this funding process should have been used to achieve reforms of major overreach by the executive branch in areas like managing sage grouse habitat or stopping the federal grab of jurisdiction over water from the states. Yet these and many other needed reforms were stripped out.\"\r\nThe measure, which passed the Senate by a vote of 65-33, will now go to the President who is expected to sign the measure.\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361827", "Trevor's Law Passes U.S. Senate", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Trevor's Law Passes U.S. 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 Effort by Idahoans on cancer cluster study spearheaded by Crapo \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - An historic improvement of how childhood and adultcancers are documented and studied across the United Stateshas passed the U.S. Senate as part of a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform bill. Named for former McCall and now Boise resident,Trevor Schaefer, Trevor's Law was included by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo in the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. Crapo, who introduced the bill originally in 2011, was joined by his Senatecolleagues, Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Ranking Member Barbara Boxer (D-California),SenatorsDavid Vitter (R-Louisiana) and Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), to ensure final passage.\r\nTrevor's Law calls on the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop criteria to monitor, track andrespond to instances of potential cancer clusters in the United States. The legislationwould create a mechanism to study and document where such clusters exist, why they exist, and who they might affect. The law seeks to improve communication and data sharing between local, state and federal governments. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) would also be required to track cancer clusters and offer assistance as needed to local residents and government officials.\r\nTrevor Schaefer survived a diagnosis of brain cancer at age 13. He and his mother, Charlie Smith, also of Boise, and Susan Rosser, brought the idea for cancer cluster legislation to Crapo in 2010. Crapo and Boxer introduced the original bill in 2011 and similar legislation again in 2013, when Trevor joined cancer activist Erin Brockovich and others to testify before the committee in Washington, D.C.\r\n\"I am extremely excited for the Senate passage of Trevor's Law and TSCA reform,\" said Trevor Schaefer. \"Thanks to the tireless efforts of Senators Crapo, Boxer, Inhofe, Vitter, Udall, their staff and many others, the 40 year old Toxic Substances Control Act has been given new life and resources to protect our children and communities from harmful toxins. We have made great strides in our country on curing childhood cancer, and now with this important legislation we can also focus on the causation and prevention of this dreaded disease. I am honored to have Trevor's Law included in legislation named after the late, great senator Frank R. Lautenberg.\"\r\n\"Hearing the words your child has cancer is a parent's worst nightmare,\" said Charlie Smith. \"When my son Trevor was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2002 the first question I asked myself was why did this happen to my child. There is mounting evidence that environmental exposures and toxic chemicals play a pivotal role in creating potential cancer clusters throughout our country. I sincerely want to thank Senators Mike Crapo, Barbara Boxer, James Inhofe, David Vitter and Tom Udall for their support in passing TSCA reform and Trevor's Law.\"\r\nCrapo, also a two-time cancer survivor, said, \"I know from experience how families and those battling cancer deserve support and answers. This law will better coordinate how we respond across the public and private sectors and bring the study of cancer clusters to a new level.\"\r\nSenator Boxer said; \"Trevor's cancer cluster law was one of the key changes that had to be in the Senate bill before I could support moving the legislation forward in the process. The focus of the TSCA bill should be the health of our families -- we cannot turn our backs on children with cancer. I am so pleased Trevor's law was included in the final Senate-passed bill.\"\r\nTrevor Schaefer, Charlie Smith and Susan Rosser formed the Trevor's Trek Foundation to bring attention to cancer clusters. The TSCA bill that included the Trevor language is being heralded by Inhofe as the \"first major environmental law rewrite in decades.\" It reforms and strengthens chemical safety regulations as outlined in legislation crafted by the late Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey), who Crapo served alongside on the EPW's Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health as Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively. \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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398497", "What the FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Means To Idaho", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson applauded the release of H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations bill that included many important provisions for Idaho and Western States. \r\nI applaud Chairman Rogers and Speaker Ryan for their hard work in assembling this comprehensive and responsible package that will keep the government open through the rest of this fiscal year, said Simpson.This bill contains many critical wins for Idaho and Western States. It avoids the inefficient and negligent practice of funding the government through continuing resolutions, and is instead the product of this past years worth of thoughtful deliberation and line-by-line analysis of our budget. It will make vital investments in our national economy, all while adhering to budget caps that are $56 billion below the Ryan budget for FY16 and $70 billion below the Ryan budget for FY17. This bill has countless provisions that support conservative priorities and Idaho specifically, I look forward to its swift passage. \r\nAs Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, Simpson had a key role in deciding funding levels for Department of Energy and Department of Interior programs, including the following highlights: \r\n\r\nEnergy and Water Development\r\nThe FY 2016 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill sets funding for the DOEs Office of Nuclear Energy at $986 million, an increase of $73 million above fiscal year 2015 and $79 million above the Presidents request. Nuclear energy research and development programs that receive funding within the overall $986 million allocation include:\r\n \r\n    \r\n    The Idaho Facilities Management account, which covers infrastructure maintenance and improvement at INL, is funded at $222.5 million  an increase of $16.5 million above FY15, and $11 million above the Presidents request. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    INLs Safeguards and Security Program is funded at $126.1 million  an increase of $22.1 million over fiscal year 2015.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    The Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies program is funded at $111.6 million  an increase of $10.6 million above fiscal year 2015 and $25 million above the Presidents request. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Small Modular Reactor Licensing Support Programs are funded at $62.5 million$8 million above fiscal year 2015. This funding is slated for NuScale Powers 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 Americas existing nuclear reactors, is funded at $40 million.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    The Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration account is funded at $141.7 million  an increase of $8.7 million above fiscal year 2015, and $33.5 million above the Presidents request. Within the overall $141.7 million level for this account, $33 million is allocated to fuel qualification for the High Temperature Gas Reactor.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Within the Fuel Cycle Research and Development program, the Advanced Fuels program is funded at $62.1 milliona $2 million increase from fiscal year 2015; and Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition research and development is funded at $85 million.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Within the Office of Naval Reactors, the bill includes $77.2 million for the operation of the Advanced Test Reactor to accelerate planned safety-related infrastructure upgrades, and $86 million is included for the Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization Project.\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Within the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, the bill includes $5 million for the 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    Within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, $7 million is included to continue performance testing and life cycle diagnostic assessment activities that validate and verify advanced battery performance.\r\n    \r\n \r\nThe Energy and Water division of the omnibus continues to support accelerating nuclear innovation programs and addressing much needed infrastructure enhancements at the Idaho National Laboratory, said Chairman Mike Simpson. INL plays a vital national and international role in leading the development of new nuclear technologies, and this bill will help maintain and expand that role in the future. We are so lucky to have this world class facility in our backyard, with a workforce that constantly pushes the bound of scientific research; we must ensure its capabilities are protected and maximized.\r\nThe bill also provides $396 million for cleanup activities associated with the Idaho Cleanup Project and the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project co-located on the Idaho desert with INL. The funding level of $396 million is an increase of $16.5 million above fiscal year 2015 and $36 million above the Presidents request, which will allow the significant cleanup activities currently underway to continue. The bill also 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 Energys inventories of spent nuclear fuel. Finally, the bill includes $2 million for dynamic threat assessments at Idaho National Laboratory to create innovative assessment tools for the US government on high consequence threats to the electric grid, oil and gas, and nuclear energy sectors. \r\n\r\nTransportation, Housing and Urban Development\r\nThe bill includes language to increase to 129,000 pounds from the current allowance of 105,500 pounds will put Idaho in line with neighboring states and with Idahos state highways, which currently allow trucks up to 129,000 pounds. The current weight limit has made it difficult for Idaho producers to ship goods to, from, and through the state. A higher weight limit means trucks will have more axles than traditional trucks, distributing the weight in such a way that there is less weight on each axle than a standard truck. It also will reduce the number of trucks on the road. \r\nI am so pleased to see the important language allowing trucks weighing up to 129,000 pounds on Idaho interstates included in the omnibus, said Simpson. This change has long been sought by the State of Idaho because it will remove the competitive disadvantage the state currently faces, and will be a major generator of economic activity in Idaho. By ensuring that Idahos vehicle laws match those of its neighboring states, Idaho can more efficiently play a larger role in transferring goods without impacting road safety.\r\n\r\nInterior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee\r\nIn addition to providing $4.2 billion for wildfire programs, the Interior portion of the bill:\r\n \r\n    \r\n    Includes 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. Idaho counties received $28,609,614 in PILT funding for FY15. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Provides $545 million for hazardous fuels reduction activitiesa $19 million increase over FY15, and $360 million for the timber programa $21 million increase of FY15. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Cuts EPA funding by $452 million below the Presidents budget request, holding the agencys budget at 21% below FY10 levels. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Provides $1 million to compensate ranchers for livestock killed by wolves. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Continues 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    Includes a 3-year extension of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with 50% of program funding going to state and local recreation, conservation, and battlefield protection programs.\r\n    \r\n \r\nThis bill makes a critical and significant investment in preventing and fighting wildfires,\" said Simpson. \"This year's fire season was so terrible that the Forest Service and DOI had already gone half a billion dollars over budget by mid-August and ultimately had to transfer $700 million from other non-fire accounts in order to keep putting out fires. This bill provides $4.2 billion for wildfire suppression and prevention programs, which includes $1 billion in firefighting reserve funds. As the cost of fighting wildfires increases, this increased funding will provide the agencies with the resources they need to respond to wildfires without decimating forest management accounts in the process. The bill also includes important funding for hazardous fuels activities and timber management accounts, which will give the Forest Service tools to improve forest health and ultimately reduce the impact of wildfires.\r\nFire borrowing remains a problem and I am hopeful that this increased funding will address the issue for the coming fiscal year, giving us an opportunity to push a long-term solution like the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act across the finish line\r\n\r\nAgriculture \r\n \r\n    \r\n    Includes language that preserves Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research programs which includes the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station (USSES) in Dubois, Idaho. The administration attempted to close the facility in 2014 without notifying Congress. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Includes language that repeals mandatory country-of-origin-labeling (COOL) which ensures the U.S. will no longer violate international trade policy. Last week, the World Trade Organization announced that Canada and Mexico could seek $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs due to COOL. This would have significant impacts on Idaho agriculture with estimated tariffs as high as $172 million on Idaho exports. Congressman Simpson supported passage of standalone legislation to repeal COOL in June, which passed the House with wide bipartisan support.\r\n    \r\n \r\nI am very pleased the omnibus includes language that maintains the mission at Dubois, said Simpson. Because of its location, and expertise, the Dubois staff are working on unique issues, including research on the domestic-wildlife interface that is vital to the sheep industrys future. I am also pleased that COOL repeal was included as just today Mexico and Canada announced that they are prepared to seek retaliatory tariffs should this bill not pass. Defense\r\nThe defense portion of the bill denies the administrations request to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt II which is based at the headquarters for the Idaho National Guard at Gowen Field in Boise and provides funding to keep them flying in FY16. The bill also includes:\r\n \r\n    \r\n    Provides a 1.3% pay raise for over 1.3 million active-duty troops and nearly 811,000 reserves.\r\n    \r\n \r\nBy ensuring the A-10 remains available for close air support, we are responding to the needs of the service members that operate them and to the brave men and women on the ground that rely on them, said Simpson. While I certainly acknowledge that the Air Force must make difficult decisions in this time of reduced budgets, the A-10s low operating costs and unique capabilities merit our continued support until an appropriate replacement can be identified.\r\n\r\nLabor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations\r\n \r\n    \r\n    $1.3 billiona $17 million dollar increase over FY15 for Impact Aid which benefits Idaho counties and schools.\r\n    \r\n \r\nFollowing the recent passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization, it is important that we match appropriate funding levels so these programs can succeed, said Simpson. Impact Aid is important to the counties and school districts that are impacted by federal activities and Im glad this bill honors that responsibility.\r\nThe House is scheduled to vote on H.R. 2029 on Friday, December 18th. Links to the bill text and reports can be found here: https://rules.house.gov/bill/114/hr-2029-sa", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=dbd43321-05a4-4454-8a70-ca6f57d88c22", "Wyden, Crapo, Merkley and Risch: Spending Bill Boosts Wildfire Funds, But Much More Work to Do", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. A bipartisan group of Oregon and Idaho senators praised congressional leaders for boosting wildfire funding in a year-end spending bill, and vowed to continue pushing for a long-term solution.\r\nOregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, joined with Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and James Risch to renew their call for a long-term solution to wildfire funding. The bill directly funds firefighting at 100 percent of the 10-year average of firefighting costs. Additionally, it contains nearly $600 million in rollover reserve funds that can be used in the event of a catastrophic fire season, which will reduce the severity of fire borrowing by the U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department. However, it lacks a long-term solution, and does little to free up new funding for fire prevention or hold down-long term firefighting costs.\r\nThis years spending bill is a real improvement over the status quo, but there is far, far more to do to protect communities in Oregon, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho and across the United States that are threatened by wildfire every year. Im proud to stand with Senators Crapo, Merkley, Risch and a strong bipartisan coalition in the House and Senate to work toward a long-term solution to this problem. Its disappointing a small number of members blocked that solution this year, but well keep fighting until we get it over the finish line, Wyden said.\r\nIt is positive to see this the year-end spending measure includes an increase in funding for wildfire suppression. This will provide our wildland firefighters with the certainty they need to plan and allocate resources appropriately, said Crapo. However, I consider such funding to be a first-step in what must be a long-term solution to fighting wildfires each year. As disaster-level fires and the resulting damages grow each year, government agencies cannot bankrupt themselves by continually taking funds from other priorities to fight fires. Moreover, Congress near-yearly passage of off-budget emergency funding measures to cover funding for our worst wildfires is both irresponsible and harmful to agency budgets. I look forward to working with my colleagues next year to identify and pass a long-term, fiscally-responsible funding solution to this problem that affects so many states.\r\nThis bill marks an enormous improvement over past years when we have dramatically underfunded fighting wildfires, said Merkley. Ive been pleased to fight for firefighting funding in this spending bill to advance the bipartisan vision Senator Wyden has advocated for so effectively in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Now, we need a long-term solution that funds fighting massive wildfires like we fund other disasters, ensuring we no longer have to shut down other Forest Service programs to fund firefighting in bad fire years.\r\nAlthough many of my eastern colleagues do not fully appreciate the situation, wildfires continue to wreak havoc in the western part of our country and this continuing threat is very real, said Risch. This additional $600 million in funding is a good thing, but we are still missing a long-term solution to the ever-increasing need for funds to prevent and battle fires.\r\nWyden and Crapo, along with Merkley, Risch and a strong bipartisan coalition, have pushed to fix wildfire funding since the introduced the bipartisan Wildfire Disaster Funding Act in 2013, The bill treats the largest and most destructive wildfires as the natural disasters by allowing agencies to use funding from a disaster funding account similar to the one used to pay for hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters. The Forest Service and U.S. Department of the Interior estimate the largest one percent of fires account for 30 percent of fire budget costs.\r\nIn addition, several of those members came together this fall to forge a compromise proposal that would have fixed fire borrowing, stopped the continued erosion of the Forest Service budget, and increased the capacity of the Forest Service to accomplish fire prevention projects, thereby reducing wildfire risks and fire suppression costs. In addition to these important fire-related fixes, the compromise included limited additions to federal forested land management authorities intended to bolster the position of forest collaboratives and empower those looking for solutions to forest health and environmental issues in our eastern as well as western forests. This working group was made of Democrats and Republicans in both the House and the 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=361825", "Crapo, Wyden, Risch, and Merkley: Spending Bill Boosts Wildfire Funds, But \r\nMuch More Work to Do", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo, Wyden, Risch, and Merkley: Spending Bill Boosts Wildfire Funds, But Much More Work to Do \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 Year-End Bill Reduces Risks of Damaging Fire Transfers; Senators Disappointed In Lack of Long-Term Solution \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n  Washington, D.C.\r\n-A bipartisan group of Oregon and Idaho senators praised congressional leaders for boosting wildfire funding in a year-end spending bill, and vowed to continue pushing for a long-term solution.\r\nOregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, joined with Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and James Risch to renew their call for a long-term solution to wildfire funding. The bill directly funds firefighting at 100 percent of the 10-year average of firefighting costs. Additionally, it contains nearly $600 million in rollover reserve funds that can be used in the event of a catastrophic fire season, which will reduce the severity of \"fire borrowing\" by the U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department. However, it lacks a long-term solution, and does little to free up new funding for fire prevention or hold down-long term firefighting costs.\r\n\"\r\nThis year's spending bill is a real improvement over the status quo, but there is far, far more to do to protect communities in Oregon, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho and across the United States that are threatened by wildfire every year. I'm proud to stand with Senators Crapo, Merkley, Risch and a strong bipartisan coalition in the House and Senate to work toward a long-term solution to this problem. It's disappointing a small number of members blocked that solution this year, but we'll keep fighting until we get it over the finish line,\" Wyden said.\r\n\r\n\"It is positive to see this the year-end spending measure includes an increase in funding for wildfire suppression. This will provide our wildland firefighters with the certainty they need to plan and allocate resources appropriately,\" said Crapo. \r\n\"However, I consider such funding to be a first-step in what must be a long-term solution to fighting wildfires each year. As disaster-level fires and the resulting damages grow each year, government agencies cannot bankrupt themselves by continually taking funds from other priorities to fight fires. Moreover, Congress' near-yearly passage of off-budget emergency funding measures to cover funding for our worst wildfires is both irresponsible and harmful to agency budgets. I look forward to working with my colleagues next year to identify and pass a long-term, fiscally-responsible funding solution to this problem that affects so many states.\"\r\n\r\n\"This bill marks an enormous improvement over past years when we have dramatically underfunded fighting wildfires,\" said Merkley.\r\n\"I've been pleased to fight for firefighting funding in this spending bill to advance the bipartisan vision Senator Wyden has advocated for so effectively in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Now, we need a long-term solution that funds fighting massive wildfires like we fund other disasters, ensuring we no longer have to shut down other Forest Service programs to fund firefighting in bad fire years.\"\r\n\r\n\"Although many of my eastern colleagues do not fully appreciate the situation, wildfires continue to wreak havoc in the western part of our country and this continuing threat is very real,\" said Risch.\r\n\"This additional $600 million in funding is a good thing, but we are still missing a long-term solution to the ever-increasing need for funds to prevent and battle fires.\"\r\nWyden and Crapo, along with Merkley, Risch and a strong bipartisan coalition, have pushed to fix wildfire funding since the introduced the bipartisan Wildfire Disaster Funding Act in 2013, The bill treats the largest and most destructive wildfires as the natural disasters by allowing agencies to use funding from a disaster funding account similar to the one used to pay for hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters. The Forest Service and U.S. Department of the Interior estimate the largest one percent of fires account for 30 percent of fire budget costs.\r\nIn addition, several of those members came together this fall to forge a compromise proposal that would have fixed fire borrowing, stopped the continued erosion of the Forest Service budget, and increased the capacity of the Forest Service to accomplish fire prevention projects, thereby reducing wildfire risks and fire suppression costs. In addition to these important fire-related fixes, the compromise included limited additions to federal forested land management authorities intended to bolster the position of forest collaboratives and empower those looking for solutions to forest health and environmental issues in our eastern as well as western forests. This working group was made of Democrats and Republicans in both the House and the Senate.\r\n\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398496", "Chairman Mike Simpson Praises Release of FY16 Omnibus Appropriations Act", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House Appropriations Committee released FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill last night. This legislation includes funding for the 12 annual Appropriations bills through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2016. \r\nMany provisions that are critical to Idaho are included in the legislation. Chairman Simpson secured increased funding for operations and research at the INL, funding for the A-10 at Gowen Field, and full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Simpsons language allowing trucks weighs up to 129,000 pounds on Idaho Interstates is also in the bill. Along with these provisions for Idaho, the legislation includes numerous important policy items that increase transparency and accountability to federal agencies and stop the administrative overreach.\r\nIdaho Congressman Mike Simpson, who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, released the following statement:\r\nI applaud Chairman Rogers and Speaker Ryan for their hard work in assembling this comprehensive and responsible package that will keep the government open through the rest of this fiscal year, said Simpson. This bill contains many critical provisions for Idaho and Western States, including increased funding for operations and research at the INL, continued funding for the A-10 at Gowen Field, and full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, on which rural counties throughout Idaho depend. I was also very pleased to see my language allowing trucks weighing up to 129,000 pounds on Idaho Interstates. This is something I have been seeking for years on behalf of Idaho Transportation Department, and it will be a major generator of economic activity in Idaho. \r\n\r\nThis bill avoids the inefficient and negligent practice of funding the government through continuing resolutions, continued Simpson, and is instead the product of this past years worth of thoughtful deliberation and line-by-line analysis of our budget. It is an important step back toward regular order, it contains many provisions that support conservative priorities, and I look forward to its swift passage.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1014", "The New Yorker Magazine Explores Labrador's Role in Reforming the House", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "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\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 | Dec. 10, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIN CASE YOU MISSED IT:\r\n\r\n\tTHE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE EXPLORES LABRADORS ROLE IN REFORMING THE HOUSE \r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, is featured prominently in a story in The New Yorker profiling the role of the House Freedom Caucus in changing House leadership and efforts to reform the institution.\r\n\r\n\tThe 6,000-word article, A House Divided, is authored by the magazines Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza and appears in the Dec. 14 edition. Lizza recounts the founding of the Freedom Caucus by Labrador and eight colleagues and the groups push to restrain federal spending and advance other conservative causes. The article describes Labrador as the public face and strategist for the Freedom Caucus.\r\n\r\n\tExcerpts:\r\n\r\n\t The innovation that Labrador and his colleagues brought to the Republican conference was a willingness to use tactics that Boehner and his allies saw as beyond the pale. We dont want a shutdown, we dont want a default on the debt, but when the other side knows that youre unwilling to do it you will always lose, Labrador said. In his view, Boehner dangerously misunderstood Obama and had an outdated view of political combat in Washington. You have somebody in the White House who plays hardball, Labrador said. He wants to fundamentally change America. And when you have a guy whose only job is to govern, and doesnt realize that the other guy is trying to fundamentally change America, you just dont have an even match.\r\n\r\n\t You have two choices, Mr. Speaker, Labrador told Boehner. Either you change the way youre running this place, which you have been unwilling to do, or you step down.\r\n\r\n\tThe next morning, Boehner announced that he would retire. It is clear to me now that many of the members of this conference want a change, he told his colleagues at a private meeting, and want new leadership to guide through the rough shores ahead.\r\n\r\n\tTo read the entire article, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1013", "Labrador Issues Statement on Passage of Bill Strengthening Visa Waiver Program", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "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\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 | Dec. 8, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF BILL STRENGTHENING VISA WAIVER PROGRAM \r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement following todays 407-19 House vote for H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program and Terrorist Travel Protection Act:\r\n\r\n\tThis bill is a good first step in securing our borders and strengthening visa processes.While the Visa Waiver Program is a cornerstone of our foreign policy, we cannot let it be abused by those who seek to harm Americans.\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 158 prevents individuals who were present in countries of concern -- including Iran, Iraq and Syria -- on or after March 1, 2011, from entering the United States without first obtaining a visa. It also targets fraud and requires collection of new information, including all current or past citizenship. Still more must be done to ensure our security, but I am proud to have been a part of this effort and will continue to work on this important issue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398493", "Simpson Opposes Egregious EPA Water Takeover Plan", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Simpson Opposes Egregious EPA Water Takeover Plan \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Signs Amicus Brief supporting states authority over water \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 3, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson signed onto an amicus brief regarding the recent decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in the American Farm Bureau Federation v. United States Environmental Protection Agency. The brief outlines concerns about the EPAs overreach in the Chesapeake Bay blueprint, in which the EPA has issued an ultimatum to states that if they dont follow the federal blueprint, they risk the EPA taking over their water quality plans under the Clean Water Act.\r\nWeve seen a lot of examples of EPA overreach throughout the Obama Administration, said Simpson, but this is one of the most egregious. The Third Circuit Court has basically handed the EPA the right to usurp states authority over their own water, as long as the law doesnt expressly prohibit them doing so. This is totally backwardsagencies should only act when Congress expressly authorizes them to do so, and the idea that Congress should have to pass laws to prohibit each and every activity that an agency could do is ludicrous. If this can happen in the Chesapeake Bay area, it can happen in Idaho, and I am extremely concerned about the implications of this decision.\r\nSimpson sits on the subcommittee that oversees the budget for the EPA. He has long opposed efforts by the Obama Administration to expand the agencys jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398494", "Simpson Supports Long-Term Overhaul of Education, Transportation Programs", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today supported the conference report to reauthorize highway programs for five years, providing long-term certainty to state and local governments to carry out much needed maintenance and repair projects for our roads, bridges, and transit systems. The Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act passed the House by a vote of 359-65. \r\nFunding for highways is some of the most important money appropriated on the federal level, said Simpson. Idahos economy depends on an efficient and affordable transportation system to move people and products across the country. After years of doing short term extensions and patches that make long term planning and investment impossible, this bill will provide critical economic development, job creation, and safety improvements on our Federal Highway System. I was also pleased to see this bill make good on the promise to reverse the recent $3 billion cut to crop insurance payments.\r\nEarlier in the week, Congressman Simpson supported passage of the conference report to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act, passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 359-64. It has been more than seven years since the last long term education bill No Child Left Behind expired. \r\nPassing a final version of ESEA reauthorization is a victory for education in our country, said Simpson. This bill represents positive reforms to the education system, returns important decisions back to states and localities, and empowers the most integral people in the education system  educators, parents, and of course students. It makes improvements based on what we learned from No Child Left Behind and will no longer allow the president to unilaterally impose his agenda through conditional waivers.\r\nSpecifically, the Every Student Succeeds Act reduces the federal role in education by removing ineffective policies such as the adequately yearly progress federal criteria, and returns accountability responsibilities back to the states. The bill also reauthorizes Impact Aid, a program on which rural counties and schools in Idaho depend. \r\nEach of these two bills makes crucial investments in our economy, said Simpson. Congress has for too long failed in its duty to reauthorize long-expired transportation and education programs. This week we have made important reforms and improvements to these programs that eliminate unsuccessful and inefficient measures previously in place. Weve also provided needed certainty to state and local governments who are trying to maintain and improve our transportation infrastructure and advance our education programs. As is always the case in a divided government, this is a compromise. But it would be irresponsible to reject forward progress in favor of a failed status quo just because we did not get everything we wanted.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398492", "Simpson Votes to Block EPA Cap and Trade Rules", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted for two resolutions intended to put the brakes on the Obama Administrations new cap and trade regulations. The votes on S.J Res. 23 and S.J. Res. 24 disapprove of two rules recently finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants. S.J.Res. 23 and S.J.Res. 24 would employ the Congressional Review Act to ensure that the rules do not go into effect. Simpson has long opposed efforts to impose unworkable regulations on the energy sector that would do little to improve climate conditions but would impose prohibitive costs to consumers. \r\nThe American people have already rejected the idea of imposing a costly and unrealistic cap and trade system on our economy, yet the Obama Administration continues to be bent on implementing its own climate change regulations, in spite of their unpopularity with the public, said Simpson. Frankly, the Presidents lack of regard for the economic impact of his regulatory actions and his willingness to ignore the legislative process make it necessary to use the Congressional Review Act to get the Administrations regulatory appetite in check.\r\nThe EPAs new and existing power plant rules were finalized in October. The new power plant rule depends on technologies, like carbon capture and sequestration, which are still not largely available or viable. The existing power plant rule would effectively put into place a cap and trade system, even though many economists agree that such a system is not the most effective way to reduce the impacts of climate change. Without global participation in such a program, including heavy polluters in growing economies like India and China, U.S. industries will be unable to compete on the world stage and American jobs will be forced overseas.\r\nThe Obama Administrations rules impose a regulatory structure on our nations energy sector that is simply not viable, and even worse, it forces the American people to foot the bill, said Simpson. Instead, I support using technology, incentives, and innovation to move our economy to sustainable, independent energy sources. That means we need to look at all the options and approach them in a common sense, thoughtful way. Unfortunately, these rules dont do that.\r\nS.J.Res. 23 and S.J.Res. 24 passed by a vote of 235-188 and 242-180.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361822", "Crapo: By Any Objective Measure, President's Health Care Plan Is A Disaster", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 02, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo: By Any Objective Measure, President's Health Care Plan Is A Disaster \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today highlighted the negative effects of Obamacare on Idaho residents. In remarks delivered from the Senate floor, Crapo spoke about how Obamacare is raising insurance plan premiums and highlighted stories from residents in Boise, Melba, and Meridian.\r\nExcerpts of Crapo's remarks follow. Video of Crapo's remarks \r\nmay be viewed here.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    On rising insurance premiums in Idaho:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \"In Idaho, which operates a state exchange, the average premium increase for a BlueCross Idaho plan is 23 percent. The average increase for a Regence BlueShield of Idaho Plan is 10 percent. The average premium increase for a SelectHealth plan is 14 percent. This is after year after year of increasing health care premiums\"\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    About one Idahoan, Daniel, from Meridian:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \"Daniel is employed and the sole provider for his family. His employer offers health coverage, but the estimated cost of premiums for his family would be over $900 per month. He chose to purchase insurance from the exchange, but decided the coverage was not worth a $500 per month premium and an $8,000 deductible.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    About Bill, a small business owner from Boise:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \"[Bill] purchases his own health insurance and provides coverage to his 45 employees. He saw his premiums increase by 7 percent in 2014, by 12 percent in 2015 and was recently notified by his insurance company that premiums will increase by 25.6 percent in 2016.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    And about Layne, from Melba:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \"Layne experienced his premium increase to be over $900 per month for his family. Even without preexisting conditions, [Layne's] plan includes a $3,500 deductible.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n  Background:\r\n\r\nCrapo has been an opponent of Obamacare since it was initially proposed and voted against final passage when it was considered in the Senate in 2009. The Idaho lawmaker has backed repeated legislative efforts to repeal, defund and dismantle Obamacare, including championing legislation to protect lower-and-middle income Americans from tax increases contained in the law.\r\nDuring the national debate and since then, Crapo has pushed for alternative, common-sense solutions aimed at driving down the cost of health care in the United States and providing better access to quality care for all Americans without the predicted failures that are inherent in Obamacare. Among them, provisions that would realign payment incentives toward patient outcomes rather than the number of procedures administered; promote wellness and prevention programs; encourage small businesses to pool together to purchase insurance; allow insurance companies to sell across state lines to increase competition; and eliminate the waste, fraud and abuse that contributes to the rising cost of health care. Additionally, Crapo has been a long-time supporter of consumer-driven initiatives that would allow individuals to find benefit options that best meet their needs. For example, expanding effective and popular Health Savings Accounts would do so without increasing taxes or expanding the government.\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=f11f9b8a-78b5-4a99-9112-1091cef1d0eb", "Risch, Crapo Join Bipartisan Effort to Increase Flexibility For Dairy Sector", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today joined a bipartisan group of senators calling for increased weight limit flexibility in the transportation and delivery of milk as part of a finalSurface Transportation Bill. In a letter to Senate negotiators, Crapo and Risch request the final bill include a provision recognizing food safety and time-sensitive considerations for trucks hauling milk.\r\nNegotiators are working to merge individual House and Senate measures into one final Surface Transportation Bill. The bill passed by the House includes language that would designate fluid milk products as a non-divisible load for the purposes of federal truck weight regulations. A non-divisible load is defined as cargo that cannot be easily dismantled or divided due to the risk of ruining the value of the load.Current law sets federal truck weight limits at 80,000 pounds but includes a provision that allows states the option to issue overweight permits for non-divisible loads. Treating milk as non-divisible is important because truck weight limits currently vary between states and can create logistical challenges when milk is transported across state lines. Once milk is loaded onto a truck, it is subject to stringent food safety regulations that require the container to be sealed and transported immediately. Transportation disruptions resulting from varying truck weight limits could run afoul of these food safety guidelines and spoil the load, thereby destroying the value of the milk.\r\nFull text of the letter is below:\r\nNovember 23, 2015\r\nThe Honorable Jim Inhofe  The Honorable Barbara Boxer\r\nChairman Ranking Member\r\nSenate Committee on Environment  Senate Committee on Environment\r\nand Public Works and Public Works\r\n205 Russell Senate Office Building 112 Russell Senate Office Building\r\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\nThe Honorable John Thune   Ranking Member Bill Nelson\r\nChairman Ranking Member\r\nSenate Committee on Commerce,  Senate Committee on Commerce,\r\nScience, and Transportation  Science, and Transportation\r\n511 Dirksen Senate Office Building 716 Dirksen Senate Office Building\r\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Richard Shelby  The Honorable Sherrod Brown\r\nChairman Ranking Member\r\nSenate Committee on Banking,  Senate Committee on Banking,\r\nHousing, and Urban Affairs   Housing, and Urban Affairs\r\n304 Russell Senate Office Building 713 Russell Senate Office Building\r\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Orrin G. Hatch  The Honorable Ron Wyden\r\nChairman Ranking Member\r\nSenate Committee on Finance   Senate Committee on Finance\r\n104 Hart Senate Office Building 221 Dirksen Senate Office Building\r\nWashington, D.C. 20510  Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\n\r\nDear Chairs and Ranking Members,\r\n\r\nEach day, more than 12,500 bulk milk trucks pick up milk at farms across the country and move it to over 2,000 processing plants. The transportation of bulk milk is an issue that affects businesses and consumers in every region and in every state.\r\n\r\nWe urge you to support language that was included in the House-passed version of H.R. 22, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, that would classify milk as a non-divisible load. This provision would allow states to issue special permits to bulk milk trucks, giving them more flexibility to ensure that milk is delivered in a timely manner and in compliance with federal and state food safety and security standards.\r\n\r\nBy classifying milk as a non-divisible load, this provision acknowledges that milk cannot be easily divided or dismantled between farms and processing plants. Milk is a perishable product that must be sealed for safety and transported quickly. When milk truckers pick up bulk milk, they must load the entire stock of bulk milk that a farm produced that day  not just the amount of milk that would keep the trucker in compliance with state truck weight limits. This is problematic because the amount of milk produced at a farm varies from day-to-day, based on weather, feed, and other factors. As a result, milk truckers perpetually risk being overweight. While milk truckers can break the seal and offload a portion of the milk to bring their truck weight into compliance, doing so increases transportation time and compromises the safety and security of the milk.\r\n\r\nCurrent law already permits states to issue special permits for non-divisible loads, such as trees, boats, or any other products whose integrity would be compromised through division. Adding milk to the list of products that qualify as non-divisible loads would improve the safety and security of bulk milk. Whats more, this provision would improve the stability of trucks loaded with fluid milk.\r\n\r\nAs the Conference Committee deliberates which provisions will be included in the final version of the DRIVE Act, we strongly urge your support the inclusion of this important milk classification.\r\n\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\n\r\nSen. Chris Murphy\r\nSen. Patrick Leahy\r\nSen. Ron Johnson\r\nSen. Mike Crapo\r\nSen. Al Franken\r\nSen. Tammy Baldwin\r\nSen. Kelly Ayotte\r\nSen. Jim Risch\r\nSen. Angus King\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361820", "Crapo, Risch Join Bipartisan Effort to Increase Flexibility for Dairy Sector", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 23, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Join Bipartisan Effort to Increase Flexibility for Dairy Sector \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch today joined a bipartisan group of senators calling for increased weight limit flexibility in the transportation and delivery of milk as part of a final Surface Transportation Bill. In a letter to Senate negotiators, Crapo and Risch request the final bill include a provision recognizing food safety and time-sensitive considerations for trucks hauling milk.\r\nNegotiators are working to merge individual House and Senate measures into one final Surface Transportation Bill. The bill passed by the House includes language that would designate fluid milk products as a non-divisible load for the purposes of federal truck weight regulations. A non-divisible load is defined as cargo that cannot be easily dismantled or divided due to the risk of ruining the value of the load. Current law sets federal truck weight limits at 80,000 pounds but includes a provision that allows states the option to issue overweight permits for non-divisible loads. Treating milk as non-divisible is important because truck weight limits currently vary between states and can create logistical challenges when milk is transported across state lines. Once milk is loaded onto a truck, it is subject to stringent food safety regulations that require the container to be sealed and transported immediately. Transportation disruptions resulting from varying truck weight limits could run afoul of\r\nthese food safety guidelines and spoil the load, thereby destroying the value of the milk.\r\nFull text of the letter is below:\r\n\r\n  November 23, 2015\r\n\r\n\r\n  The Honorable Jim Inhofe The Honorable Barbara Boxer\r\n\r\n\r\n  Chairman Ranking Member\r\n\r\n\r\n  Senate Committee on Environment Senate Committee on Environment\r\n\r\n\r\n  and Public Works and Public Works\r\n\r\n\r\n  205 Russell Senate Office Building 112 Russell Senate Office Building\r\n\r\n\r\n  Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  The Honorable John Thune Ranking Member Bill Nelson\r\n\r\n\r\n  Chairman Ranking Member\r\n\r\n\r\n  Senate Committee on Commerce, Senate Committee on Commerce,\r\n\r\n\r\n  Science, and Transportation Science, and Transportation\r\n\r\n\r\n  511 Dirksen Senate Office Building 716 Dirksen Senate Office Building\r\n\r\n\r\n  Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  The Honorable Richard Shelby The Honorable Sherrod Brown\r\n\r\n\r\n  Chairman Ranking Member\r\n\r\n\r\n  Senate Committee on Banking, Senate Committee on Banking,\r\n\r\n\r\n  Housing, and Urban Affairs Housing, and Urban Affairs\r\n\r\n\r\n  304 Russell Senate Office Building 713 Russell Senate Office Building\r\n\r\n\r\n  Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  The Honorable Orrin G. Hatch The Honorable Ron Wyden\r\n\r\n\r\n  Chairman Ranking Member\r\n\r\n\r\n  Senate Committee on Finance Senate Committee on Finance\r\n\r\n\r\n  104 Hart Senate Office Building 221 Dirksen Senate Office Building\r\n\r\n\r\n  Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  Dear Chairs and Ranking Members,\r\n\r\n\r\n  Each day, more than 12,500 bulk milk trucks pick up milk at farms across the country and move it to over 2,000 processing plants. The transportation of bulk milk is an issue that affects businesses and consumers in every region and in every state.\r\n\r\n\r\n  We urge you to support language that was included in the House-passed version of H.R. 22, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, that would classify milk as a non-divisible load. This provision would allow states to issue special permits to bulk milk trucks, giving them more flexibility to ensure that milk is delivered in a timely manner and in compliance with federal and state food safety and security standards.\r\n\r\n\r\n  By classifying milk as a non-divisible load, this provision acknowledges that milk cannot be easily divided or dismantled between farms and processing plants. Milk is a perishable product that must be sealed for safety and transported quickly. When milk truckers pick up bulk milk, they must load the entire stock of bulk milk that a farm produced that day - not just the amount of milk that would keep the trucker in compliance with state truck weight limits. This is problematic because the amount of milk produced at a farm varies from day-to-day, based on weather, feed, and other factors. As a result, milk truckers perpetually risk being overweight. While milk truckers can break the seal and offload a portion of the milk to bring their truck weight into compliance, doing so increases transportation time and compromises the safety and security of the milk.\r\n\r\n\r\n  Current law already permits states to issue special permits for non-divisible loads, such as trees, boats, or any other products whose integrity would be compromised through division. Adding milk to the list of products that qualify as non-divisible loads would improve the safety and security of bulk milk. What's more, this provision would improve the stability of trucks loaded with fluid milk.\r\n\r\n\r\n  As the Conference Committee deliberates which provisions will be included in the final version of the DRIVE Act, we strongly urge your support the inclusion of this important milk classification.\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sincerely,\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Chris Murphy\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Patrick Leahy\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Ron Johnson\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Mike Crapo\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Al Franken\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Tammy Baldwin\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Kelly Ayotte\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Jim Risch\r\n\r\n\r\n  Sen. Angus King\r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361817", "Crapo, Bennet Lead Bipartisan Letter on County Payments", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 20, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo, Bennet Lead Bipartisan Letter on County Payments \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.- U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today led a bipartisan coalition urging Senate leaders to fully fund the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program in any end-of-year legislation.\r\nPayments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) provide federal payments to nearly 1,900 local governments across 49 states to help offset losses in property taxes because of nontaxable federal land within state boundaries. PILT payments are critical to rural counties across the country and are used to fund services such as police, fire protection, and emergency response.\r\n\"PILT funding is an important resource for many counties in Idaho and across our nation and is not exclusive to rural or western communities,\" said Crapo. \"The strong showing of bipartisan senators on this letter is evidence that PILT payments are critical to communities nationwide. I look forward to working with all my colleagues to restore funding to this important program in a fiscally-responsible manner.\"\r\n\"Counties throughout Colorado, particularly those with vast expanses of public lands, consider PILT an essential part of their budgets,\" Bennet said. \"This funding helps pay for road maintenance, emergency services, and law enforcement. Full funding for PILT will ensure these counties have the resources they need to provide these crucial services to Coloradans.\"\r\n\"Without full funding for the PILT program before the end of the year, counties across the nation will be unable to provide essential services such as education, law enforcement, search and rescue, road maintenance and public health to residents and millions of federal lands visitors alike,\" the lawmakers wrote to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Harry Reid. \"However, as the end of the year approaches, enacting full-funding for PILT in FY 2016 is essential in order to provide counties with the certainty they need to plan their own budgets and continue providing essential county services.\"\r\nThe lawmakers added, \"Moving forward, we hope Congress can work together to enact a fiscally responsible long-term sustainable solution to fully fund this important program and eliminate the ongoing funding uncertainty PILT counties face.\"\r\nIn addition to Crapo and Bennet, the letter is also signed by Dan Sullivan (R-AK); Jeff Sessions (R-AL); John Boozman (R-AR); Jeff Flake (R-AZ); John McCain (R-AZ); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Cory Gardner (R-CO); Bill Nelson (D-FL); James Risch (R-ID); Joe Donnelly (D-IN); Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); Al Franken (D-MN); Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); Jon Tester (D-MT); Steve Daines (R-MT); John Hoeven (R-ND); Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND); Martin Heinrich (D-NM); Tom Udall (D-NM); Dean Heller (D-NV); Jim Inhofe (R-OK); Jeff Merkley (D-OR); Ron Wyden (D-OR); Mike Lee (R-UT); Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Mark Warner (D-VA); Tim Kaine (D-VA); Maria Cantwell (D-WA); Patty Murray (D-WA); Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV); Joe Manchin (D-WV); Michael Enzi (R-WY); John Barrasso (R-WY).\r\n\r\nThe full text of the letter follows and is attached.\r\n\r\n  November 20, 2015\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n  The Honorable Mitch McConnell\r\n\r\n\r\n  Majority Leader\r\n\r\n\r\n  United States Senate\r\n\r\n\r\n  U.S. Capitol Building, Room: S-230\r\n\r\n\r\n  Washington, DC 20510\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  The Honorable Harry Reid\r\n\r\n\r\n  Minority Leader\r\n\r\n\r\n  United States Senate\r\n\r\n\r\n  U.S. Capitol Building, Room: S-221\r\n\r\n\r\n  Washington, DC 20510\r\n\r\n\r\n  Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Reid,\r\n\r\n\r\n  As Members of Congress representing counties containing federal public lands within their boundaries, we write to request that Congress include full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for FY16 along with responsible budget offsets in any legislation likely to pass the House and Senate and be signed into law before the end of the year.\r\n\r\n\r\n  PILT provides critical resources to nearly 1,900 counties across 49 states to offset lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal lands within their jurisdictions. Without full funding for the PILT program before the end of the year, counties across the nation will be unable to provide essential services such as education, law enforcement, search and rescue, road maintenance and public health to residents and millions of federal lands visitors alike.\r\n\r\n\r\n  Moving forward we hope Congress can work together to enact a fiscally responsible long-term sustainable solution to fully fund this important program and eliminate the ongoing funding uncertainty PILT counties face. However, as the end of the year approaches, enacting full-funding for PILT in FY 2016 is essential in order to provide counties with the certainty they need to plan their own budgets and continue providing essential county services. We look forward to working with you to resolve this pressing issue facing our communities in FY16 and in the coming years.\r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=02e7303f-f6fa-48fd-8670-79b8fbce07c8", "Senate Sportsmen's Caucus Hails Bipartisan Passage of Sportsmen's Act", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Members of the Senate Congressional Sportsmens Caucus today hailed the bipartisan passage of the Sportsmens Act of 2015 by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.\r\nIntroduced by Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), with original cosponsors Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), the bill passed the committee by a voice vote.\r\nThe Sportsmens Act of 2015 builds on last years bipartisan legislation, which had 46 cosponsors and more than 40 groups supporting. The bill strengthens of all of last years provisions plus some additional provisions that increase access to federal lands for the benefit of sportsmen and women.\r\nWhether you hunt or fish to put food on the table, to pass down a tradition to your family, or for game management purposes, there is something in this bill for you. With more than a half-a-million sportsmen and women in Idaho alone, this legislation will ensure they can continue to access their favorite hunting or fishing spot. I commend Senators Murkowski and Heinrich for their work to get this bill through the committee today and urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the bill on the Senate floor.  Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus.\r\nThe Sportsmans Act celebrates some of our nations longest-standing traditions and will benefit millions of Americans who love fishing, hunting, recreational shooting, and a wide range of other outdoor activities. It will ensure that our public lands are open unless closed, provide new opportunities for more Americans to enjoy those lands, and require federal agencies to expand and enhance access in accordance with their missions. As a sportswoman, I am proud of the work we have done today to advance this important bipartisan effort. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.\r\nThe Sportsmens Act has been a long time in the making, and Im proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Senator Murkowski. Hunting and fishing are an integral part of our American heritage, but without our public lands, that tradition will be lost. This bill will make sure our kids and grandkids will be catching trout and chasing mule deer on our public lands for many years to come. Hunters and anglers alone spend more than $613 million per year in New Mexico, and outdoor recreation as a whole is directly responsible for 68,000 jobs in our state. The Sportsmens Act will enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation, reauthorize key conservation programs, improve access to our public lands, and boost our economy.\"  Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.\r\nAs a lifelong and avid sportsman, I know firsthand that our hunting, fishing and outdoor heritage is so important to who we are as West Virginians and as Americans. I believe that we should protect our American traditions like fishing and hunting that define who we are as a nation. This bipartisan bill will boost West Virginias economy while expanding hunting and fishing rights and allowing people a greater ability to enjoy the outdoors.  Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus.\r\nOutdoor recreation is part of the Nebraska way of life. Today was an important step forward for bipartisan legislation that will promote our country's hunting, fishing, and conservation heritage. I hope the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will swiftly consider this bill so that a final proposal can advance to the Senate floor.  Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., vice-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus.\r\n\"Hunting and fishing are at the heart of what makes North Dakota's outdoor spaces so special. Our bipartisan bill would expand opportunities for North Dakota hunters and anglers, while also preserving our vast and beautiful outdoor spaces for generations of sportsmen to come. Millions across our country enjoy outdoor recreation in North Dakota and beyond every year, and I'll keep working to make sure the outdoors are accessible and well taken care of into the future.\"  Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., vice-chair of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398489", "Simpson Applauds Motion to Move the Discussion Forward on Education Reform", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Tuesday, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised the passage of a motion to go to conference on a bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The motion to go to conference, which was passed by the House without opposition, is the next step towards finalizing ESEA, which was last reauthorized in 2001, and is the primary law which governs K-12 education in the United States. \r\nToday is a positive step forward on education reform, said Simpson. I have heard from teachers, parents, administrators, and of course students about how we can update our K-12 education system. I am very pleased the House has acted to go to conference and I look forward to analyzing the conferees work as they ultimately craft a final bill with the Senate.\r\nBoth the House and Senate passed individual versions of ESEA reauthorization in July. The Senate also agreed on a motion to go to conference. \r\nWhile No Child Left Behind was not without its flaws, it certainly gave stakeholders an evaluation of which education reforms work and which simply do not. This conference committee is a unique opportunity for Congress work together to advance solutions for one of the most important issues in our country  education. \r\nLast Friday, Congressman Simpson signed a letter to the House and Senate chairmen and ranking members with jurisdiction over education reform, urging them to finish their work and complete conference negotiations to reauthorize ESEA as soon as possible. \r\nThe first conference committee between House and Senate conferees is today.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398490", "Simpson Opposes Obama Administrations Cap and Trade Rules", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson strongly supports efforts to put the brakes on the Obama Administrations new cap and trade regulations. Simpson has long opposed efforts to impose unworkable regulations on the energy sector that would do little to improve climate conditions but would impose prohibitive costs to consumers. Most recently he has cosponsored resolutions to disapprove of two rules recently finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants. H.J.Res. 71 and H.J.Res. 72 would employ the Congressional Review Act to ensure that the rules do not go into effect.\r\nThe American people have already rejected the idea of imposing a costly and unrealistic cap and trade system on our economy, yet the Obama Administration continues to be bent on implementing its own climate change regulations, in spite of their unpopularity with the public, said Simpson. Frankly, the Presidents lack of regard for the economic impact of his regulatory actions and his willingness to ignore the legislative process make it necessary to use the Congressional Review Act to get the Administrations regulatory appetite in check.\r\nThe EPAs new and existing power plant rules were finalized in October. The new power plant rule depends on technologies, like carbon capture and sequestration, that are still not largely available or viable. The existing power plant rule would effectively put into place a cap and trade system, even though many economists agree that such a system is not the most effective way to reduce the impacts of climate change. Without global participation in such a program, including heavy polluters in growing economies like India and China, U.S. industries will be unable to compete on the world stage and American jobs will be forced overseas.\r\nThe Obama Administrations rules impose an unfeasible regulatory structure on our nations energy sector and force the American people to foot the bill, said Simpson. Instead, I support using technology, incentives, and innovation to move our economy to a sustainable, independent energy source. That means we need to look at all the options and approach them in a common sense, thoughtful way. Unfortunately, these rules dont do that.\r\nH.J.Res. 71 and H.J.Res. 72 are being marked up in committee today, with floor consideration expected soon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1012", "House Judiciary Committee Approves Bipartisan Sentencing Reform Legislation", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES\r\n\r\n\tJUDICIARY COMMITTEE\r\n\r\n\tCHAIRMAN BOB GOODLATTE\r\n\r\n\tPRESS RELEASE\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2015 CONTACT: Kathryn Rexrode or Jessica Collins, (202) 225-3951\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tHouse Judiciary Committee Approves Bipartisan Sentencing Reform Legislation\r\n\r\n\tThis bill is part of the Committees bipartisan criminal justice reform initiative\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  The House Judiciary Committee today approved by voice vote bipartisan legislation to reform federal sentencing laws. The Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 3713)  authored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Congressman Raul Labrador (R-Idaho), and Congressman Mike Bishop (R-Mich.)  is part of the House Judiciary Committees ongoing bipartisan criminal justice reform initiative.\r\n\r\n\tThe Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 reduces certain mandatory minimums for drug offenses, including the three-strike mandatory life sentence to 25 years and the second-strike mandatory sentence from 20 to 15 years. It broadens the mechanism for non-violent drug offenders to be sentenced below the mandatory minimum sentence and provides judges in those cases with greater discretion in determining appropriate sentences.\r\n\r\n\tSignificantly, the Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 contains important limitations on retroactivity to ensure that serious violent criminals serve the full time for their crimes in federal prison and do not get out of prison early. It also contains sentencing enhancements for Fentanyl trafficking, a highly addictive and deadly drug that is becoming a growing epidemic in the United States.\r\n\r\n\tBelow are statements from the authors of this bipartisan Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 on todays Committee approval of the bill.\r\n\r\n\tChairman Goodlatte:The House Judiciary Committee has been hard at work on a number of bills to improve our nations criminal justice system and I am pleased that we have approved a bipartisan solution to reform federal sentencing requirements. The Sentencing Reform Act makes commonsense changes to federal sentencing laws to ensure our federal laws effectively and appropriately punish wrongdoers, work as efficiently and fairly as possible, and do not waste taxpayer dollars. It also ensures that serious violent criminals do not benefit from these reforms and serve the full time for their crimes in prison. The House Judiciary Committee will continue to work on other issues facing our criminal justice system and will unveil additional bills over the coming weeks.\r\n\r\n\tRanking Member Conyers:I am pleased that the Committee today approved the Sentencing Reform Act, an important bill that provides a number of improvements to federal sentencing, any one of which would be considered a significant achievement standing alone. These changes will still allow for appropriate punishment and will actually make us safer. They will also save money by reducing the spending associated with needlessly long incarceration. In the future, I hope we will do even more to address this issue, but with this bill we have the opportunity  on a bipartisan basis  to address some of the injustices of these laws, including mandatory minimum sentencing, and to retroactively provide relief for some of those who have been subject to them. \r\n\r\n\tCrime Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackson Lee:HR 3713 - the Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 offers significant and positive sentencing reforms. I want to applaud the bipartisan effort that has taken place over the past several months to draft and introduce this critical legislation. Now that it has passed out of Committee, I want to urge my Colleagues in the House to support its passage. By helping to reduce lengthy prison sentences for certain non-violent drug offenses and providing those currently incarcerated with the opportunity to petition the court for a reduction in their sentence, this bill will serve as a powerful tool to right the wrongs of the past, ensure justice and equality moving forward, and become a launching pad for other necessary reforms in the future. I sincerely hope that this is merely the first step towards creating a more just and rational criminal justice system for the nation and its citizens.\r\n\r\n\tCongressman Labrador:Today the House Judiciary Committee seized an opportunity to make history. A bipartisan coalition came together to advance reforms that address the mistakes of the past and establish a positive framework for the future. Our Sentencing Reform Act ensures law enforcement officers have the tools they need to protect us from dangerous criminals, while giving non-violent offenders the chance to turn their lives around and contribute to society. I thank Chairman Goodlatte, Ranking Member Conyers and our many partners in this just cause.\r\n\r\n\tCongressman Bishop:I applaud my House Judiciary colleagues for coming together in support of this bipartisan reform to our nations federal sentencing guidelines. This fiscally and socially responsible legislation takes the right steps to provide flexible sentencing for those who deserve it, while still ensuring the safety of our families and local communities remains the number one priority. We can and must do more to address the problems in our criminal justice system today, and the Sentencing Reform Act will be an important part of that process.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tTo learn more about the House Judiciary Committees bipartisan criminal justice reform initiative, click here.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=e09e5e18-9df6-4dad-9984-b7379e19b9b8", "Idaho Delegation Wants Syrian Refugee Program Put on Hold", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Idaho Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, called for suspending bringing Syrian refugees to Idaho through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program until better assurances of security can be obtained.\r\nThe attack on France demonstrates in stark horror the risks that not all who enter our country have peaceful intentions. It has become evident at least one of the terrorists who carried out this plot entered the country under the guise of being a Syrian refugee, Crapo said. I support Governor Otters call to suspend this program. I have strong concerns about the effectiveness of how we vet those coming in. And we must give our state and our local communities a strong voice in how they participate in the decisions being made about refugees in their community. Of the more than 350 calls that have come into my office since this attack, all but two have opposed resettling Syrian refugees who have not been adequately vetted. Idahoans deserve a voice in this decision.\r\nHaving been recently briefed in a classified setting as to the methods and process used to vet potential refugees, I have serious reservations about the effectiveness and the guarantees currently in place which allows people into the United States from this region of the world, said Risch. This government program is no different than other federal programs in which the government attempts to handle sizable undertakings, such as the response to Hurricane Katrina and the rollout of Obamacare. The safety of Americans is the first and most important responsibility of the government. The current process simply cannot guarantee our safety under these circumstances. Although the exact method by which the government vets these people is classified, I can tell you that after my review I lack confidence in the ability of the process to keep us safe. In addition, the individual states and communities should have a say in this process.\r\nI fully support Governor Otters call to halt the refugee resettlement effort. There are obviously serious concerns with the refugee screening process as it currently stands; and in light of recent attacks in Paris, we cannot move forward with accepting Syrian refugees, said Simpson. We have to focus our resources on protecting Americans and the homeland, and to do that we must first identify a path forward that will ensure verification that those entering our country will do no harm.\"\r\nLast month, FBI Director James Comey admitted to me in a hearing that he couldnt guarantee refugees coming to the United States would not include terrorists, said Labrador. I have since received no assurances from the Administration that the situation has improved. In the face of the malevolence of ISIS-directed attacks, it is only prudent to suspend resettlement until we establish reliable security protocols at home and abroad.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1011", "Idaho Delegation Wants Syrian Refugee Program Put on Hold", "2015-11-16", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\r\n\r\n\tNovember 16, 2015\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact: Lindsay Nothern (Crapo), 208-344-1776\r\n\r\n\tSuzanne Wrasse (Risch), 202-224-8078\r\n\r\n\tNikki Wallace (Simpson), 208-334-1953\r\n\r\n\tDan Popkey (Labrador), 208-800-1565\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIdaho Delegation WANTS SYRIAN REFUGEE PROGRAM PUT ON HOLD\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWashington, D.C.  Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Idaho Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, called for suspending bringing Syrian refugees to Idaho through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program until better assurances of security can be obtained.\r\n\r\n\tThe attack on France demonstrates in stark horror the risks that not all who enter our country have peaceful intentions. It has become evident at least one of the terrorists who carried out this plot entered the country under the guise of being a Syrian refugee, Crapo said. I support Governor Otters call to suspend this program. I have strong concerns about the effectiveness of how we vet those coming in. And we must give our state and our local communities a strong voice in how they participate in the decisions being made about refugees in their community. Of the more than 350 calls that have come into my office since this attack, all but two have opposed resettling Syrian refugees who have not been adequately vetted. Idahoans deserve a voice in this decision.\r\n\r\n\tHaving been recently briefed in a classified setting as to the methods and process used to vet potential refugees, I have serious reservations about the effectiveness and the guarantees currently in place with allows people into the United States from this region of the world, said Risch. This government program is no different than other federal programs in which the government attempts to handle sizable undertakings, such as the response to Hurricane Katrina and the rollout of Obamacare. The safety of Americans is the first and most important responsibility of the government. The current process simply cannot guarantee our safety under these circumstances. Although the exact method by which the government vets these people is classified, I can tell you that after my review I lack confidence in the ability of the process to keep us safe. In addition, the individual states and communities should have a say in this process.\r\n\r\n\tI fully support Governor Otters call to halt the refugee resettlement effort. There are obviously serious concerns with the refugee screening process as it currently stands; and in light of recent attacks in Paris, we cannot move forward with accepting Syrian refugees, said Simpson. We have to focus our resources on protecting Americans and the homeland, and to do that we must first identify a path forward that will ensure verification that those entering our country will do no harm.\"\r\n\r\n\tLast month, FBI Director James Comey admitted to me in a hearing that he couldnt guarantee refugees coming to the United States would not include terrorists, said Labrador. I have since received no assurances from the Administration that the situation has improved. In the face of the malevolence of ISIS-directed attacks, it is only prudent to suspend resettlement until we establish reliable security protocols at home and abroad.\r\n\r\n\tTo directly link to this news release, please use the following address: http://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361816\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\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=361816", "Idaho Delegation Wants Syrian Refugee Program Put on Hold", "2015-11-16", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 16, 2015\n\t\t\t Idaho Delegation Wants Syrian Refugee Program Put on Hold \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  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Idaho Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, called for suspending bringing Syrian refugees to Idaho through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program until better assurances of security can be obtained.\r\n\r\n\"The attack on France demonstrates in stark horror the risks that not all who enter our country have peaceful intentions. It has become evident at least one of the terrorists who carried out this plot entered the country under the guise of being a Syrian refugee,\" \r\nCrapo said. \"I support Governor Otter's call to suspend this program. I have strong concerns about the effectiveness of how we vet those coming in. And we must give our state and our local communities a strong voice in how they participate in the decisions being made about refugees in their community. Of the more than 350 calls that have come into my office since this attack, all but two have opposed resettling Syrian refugees who have not been adequately vetted. Idahoans deserve a voice in this decision.\"\r\n\r\n\"Having been recently briefed in a classified setting as to the methods and process used to vet potential refugees, I have serious reservations about the effectiveness and the guarantees currently in place with allows people into the United States from this region of the world,\" \r\nsaid Risch. \"This government program is no different than other federal programs in which the government attempts to handle sizable undertakings, such as the response to Hurricane Katrina and the rollout of Obamacare. The safety of Americans is the first and most important responsibility of the government. The current process simply cannot guarantee our safety under these circumstances. Although the exact method by which the government vets these people is classified, I can tell you that after my review I lack confidence in the ability of the process to keep us safe. In addition, the individual states and communities should have a say in this process.\"\r\n\r\n\"I fully support Governor Otter's call to halt the refugee resettlement effort. There are obviously serious concerns with the refugee screening process as it currently stands; and in light of recent attacks in Paris, we cannot move forward with accepting Syrian refugees,\" \r\nsaid Simpson. \"We have to focus our resources on protecting Americans and the homeland, and to do that we must first identify a path forward that will ensure verification that those entering our country will do no harm.\"\r\n\r\n\"Last month, FBI Director James Comey admitted to me in a hearing that he couldn't guarantee refugees coming to the United States would not include terrorists,\" \r\nsaid Labrador. \"I have since received no assurances from the Administration that the situation has improved. In the face of the malevolence of ISIS-directed attacks, it is only prudent to suspend resettlement until we establish reliable security protocols at home and abroad.\"\r\n\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=18279fe6-4a9b-48bf-af0d-1474f1abadd1", "Risch Recognizes Fall Interns", "2015-11-13", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch selected two college students from the state of Idaho to serve as interns in his Washington, D.C. office this fall. The interns have had the opportunity to engage at the national level of government while assisting with constituent services and legislative research.\r\nInterning in the U.S. Senate is an excellent way to learn about the legislative branch of government and to see where much of our nations early history took place, said Risch. Emily and Devin have served Idaho well during their internship and each has a bright future ahead.\r\nThe interns are:\r\nEmily Greene, a native of Boise, is a recent graduate of the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies with a minor in German language, and a Bachelor of Science degree in History. Emily is the daughter of David and Susan Greene. She studied abroad in Germany for a year during school, served as a research scholar at for the U of I Martin Institute, and was a note taker for the Disability Support Services at U of I.\r\nDevin Ferrell of Boise is a recent graduate of Boise State University with a dual degree in Political Science with a focus on International Relations and Communications. Devin is the son of Elise Hyde. He has worked previously as an EMT and enjoys photography, cycling, and volunteering at the Humane Society.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361814", "Idaho Veterans See Nearly One Million Dollars in Benefits from Casework, Survey Efforts", "2015-11-11", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 11, 2015\n\t\t\t Idaho Veterans See Nearly One Million Dollars in Benefits from Casework, Survey Efforts \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 Crapo releases highlights from Idaho Veterans Survey \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBoise - Idaho veterans received nearly $1 million in benefits related to successful casework in partnering with Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's office over the past year. Crapo thanked veterans for participating in his recently-completed Idaho Veterans Survey, and said that participation was a factor regarding increased requests for casework help that benefitted veterans.\r\n\r\n\"About a thousand new requests for casework assistance came in last year, much of it from awareness created by our dialog with veterans and the veterans surveys,\" Crapo said. \"Although many veterans described themselves as reasonably satisfied with veterans services, vets are telling us they want improvements for outside health care and increased attention to benefit services for veterans. This survey effort has helped to break down past barriers. We are taking the findings to the Veterans Administration and the result should benefit more and more Idaho veterans over time.\"\r\n\r\nCrapo noted the $957,716 in veteran-related casework in his office over the past fiscal year included retrieval of past benefits, medical coverage, status updates and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by veterans. As examples, Crapo noted one veteran who received more than $200,000 in a medical claim, and others who received overdue disability benefits and resolved home loan payment disputes. One veteran won a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) case after a wait of nearly 20 years. \"This is real help that is available to every veteran from advocates and their Congressional offices and this survey has helped get out the word that these services are available,\" Crapo added.\r\n\r\nThe survey responses showed 52 percent of veterans as \"satisfied\" with service in the VA system but 27 percent describing themselves as \"dissatisfied\" or worse. The numbers reflect a slight improvement from last year's survey results.\r\n\r\nMany veterans said they are not pleased with the Veterans Choice Program, an attempt to increase medical care alternatives, and said they would like other options. Nearly half the respondents, 48 percent, said they were unhappy with the VA appeal process. Crapo will discuss the findings with the VA Secretary and noted the findings will be part of the discussion as Congress continues to seek ways to improve services for veterans.\r\n\r\nCrapo added he remains troubled over recent letters sent to veterans from both the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Administration regarding Second Amendment rights to own a firearm. He said the letters threaten veterans who have turned their financial affairs over to another individual, saying that they should surrender any guns they own or face penalties.\r\n\r\n\"These brave men and women served our country with distinction and without hesitation,\" Crapo said. \"Now, the government is threatening them with the loss of their constitutional rights without due process. It is another example of extreme overreach and wrongheaded policies by agencies that already face many questions from veterans.\"\r\n\r\nCrapo's comments came as he announced his Spirit of Freedom Awards, given annually to veterans and volunteers across Idaho. Recipients were named during ceremonies in Boise, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Lewiston, Firth, Sandpoint and Hayden/Coeur d'Alene.\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1008", "Labrador Lauds Court of Appeals Blocking Obama Executive Amnesty", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "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\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 | Nov. 10, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLabrador Lauds Court of Appeals Blocking Obama Executive Amnesty \r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement after Mondays decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold an injunction blocking President Obamas unilateral action to confer lawful status to millions of undocumented aliens. The Court held that the Presidents executive actions fail to comply with the Administrative Procedures Act.\r\n\r\n\tI am encouraged by the Courts decision to prevent further implementation of President Obamas dangerous attempt to expand executive authority. The Presidents disregard for the law and Congressional involvement has made it impossible for Congress to work with him on immigration reform.\r\n\r\n\tI look forward to crafting solutions within the bounds of Constitutional authority and will continue to oppose any further hijacking of the legislative process.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361812", "Crapo Announces Spirit of Freedom Award Recipients", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Announces Spirit of Freedom Award Recipients \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 Awards Recognize the Service and Sacrifice of Veterans, Volunteers Across Idaho \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced the names of twenty-one Idahoans-twelve veterans and nine volunteers-who will be honored with his Spirit of Freedom Award at ceremonies to be held throughout Idaho on Veterans Day, November 11.\r\nThe Spirit of Freedom Award was created by Crapo thirteen years ago to recognize the outstanding service of Idaho veterans as well as the many Idahoans who dedicate extensive volunteer time and service supporting those who have served our country.\r\n\"The veterans honored with this award have spent decades serving our country. They continue to set the example of selfless leadership by volunteering to serve their communities and fellow veterans,\" said Crapo. \"In addition, these awards honor the work of many community volunteers who selflessly give of themselves to ensure our veterans receive the care and compassion they have rightfully earned.\"\r\nThe 2015 Spirit of Freedom Awards will be presented at the following ceremonies, all of which open to the public.\r\n\r\nBoise \r\n(Note: Sen. Crapo will be in attendance to present awards in Boise)\r\n  Idaho State Veterans Home\r\n  320 Collins Road\r\n  11:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nFirth\r\n  Firth High School\r\n  101 N Park Ave\r\n  10:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nTwin Falls\r\n  Twin Falls City Park\r\n  400 & 500 block of Shoshone Street East\r\n  11:00 AM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nCoeur d'Alene and Hayden\r\n  Hayden City Hall\r\n  8930 N. Government Way\r\n  11:00 AM Pacific Time\r\n\r\nLewiston\r\n  Idaho State Veterans Home\r\n  821 21st Avenue\r\n  2:00 PM Pacific Time\r\n\r\nPocatello\r\n  Idaho State Veterans Home\r\n  1957 Alvin Ricken Dr.\r\n  2:30 PM Mountain Time\r\n\r\nSandpoint\r\n  Veterans Memorial Field\r\n  855 Ontario St\r\n  1:00 PM Pacific Time\r\nThe following biographies highlight the military service and volunteer contributions of the 21 Idahoans being honored by Sen. Crapo.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Veterans\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  Fred Arbuckle, Pocatello (U.S. Air Force)\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello nominated Fred for this award for his dedicated service to our nation. Fred served as a flight engineer on a B26 tow target plane, which entailed trailing a target behind a B26 while B24 fighters took target practice. This required no shortage of nerve and precision, which are traits than run deep in Fred.\r\n\r\n  Brian Beeler, Hayden (U.S. Army)\r\n\r\nThe Veterans of Foreign Wars nominated Brian for this award for his distinguished service to our nation and his commitment to making a difference for fellow veterans, their families and children. His volunteer efforts include serving as District 1 Commander for the VFW Idaho, Quartermaster for the VFW Post 889. He is also an American Legion member and volunteer, serves in the Honor Guard for the North Idaho Veterans Chapter.\r\n\r\n  Howard J. Bigelow, Sagle (U.S. Navy)\r\n\r\nHoward was nominated by the Vietnam Veterans of America. He volunteers at the Veterans of Foreign Wars and is the service officer for five local veterans' organizations. He is known as the driving force who brought Veterans Stand Down to Sandpoint, helping more than 3,000 veterans and their families.\r\n\r\n  Terry G. Glassinger, Meridian (U.S. Air Force)\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, where Terry has volunteered for more than a year, nominated Terry for this award. The cemetery considers Terry to be a vital part of the cemetery's operations to provide the highest honor and dignity to memorialize the service of veterans and their loved ones.\r\n\r\n  Wayne Goetz, Kimberly (U.S. Navy)\r\n\r\nNominated by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2136, Wayne has served as Commander of the Magic Valley Honor Guard and Commander of the Twin Falls Veterans Health Commission, and he maintains his local Veterans Cemetery.\r\n\r\n  Jack Kremer, Pocatello (U.S. Army Air Corps)\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello nominated Jack for this award for his commitment to community. Following his service to the nation, Jack worked in emergency preparedness in California, helping to protect communities from wildfires, floods and mudslides. Later, he relocated to Pocatello to be closer to his children.\r\n\r\n  James Lawson, Boise (U.S. Navy)\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise, where James has been a volunteer for many years, nominated him for this award. He is responsible for the home's library, helps with outings and assists the activity staff. He also sounds Taps for all veterans who pass at the home and he gives freely of his time, volunteering 560 hours so far this year alone.\r\n\r\n  Ascension Martinez, Boise (U.S. Air Force)\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, where he has volunteered since its establishment in 2004, nominated Ascension, known as \"Marty.\" He is a respected volunteer who provides mentorship to his peers and staff and has earned a reputation for being a dependable volunteer who is consistent and unwavering in volunteering his time and knowledge from years of experience.\r\n\r\n  Rolf Simonsen, Lewiston (U.S. Army)\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston nominated Rolf for this honor. After his military service, Rolf worked as a carpenter, later working for both the Montana Department of Fish and Wildlife and for Idaho Fish and Game.\r\n\r\n  Russell Smith, Pocatello (U.S. Army, U.S. Army Air Corps)\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello nominated Russell for this award for his admirable service to our nation. Russell, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, trained in demolition and explosives while stationed in Italy and was part of the U.S. force which stormed the beach at Normandy on D-Day. He received many honors for his distinguished service including receiving three purple hearts, and April 23 is proclaimed \"Russell Smith Day\" in Burley, his birthplace.\r\n\r\n  Boyd Whitworth, Pocatello (U.S. Army)\r\n\r\nBoyd Whitworth, who was born and raised in Firth, served four years in the U.S. Army as a combat medic in the South Pacific and the Philippines during World War II. The Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello nominated him for this award. Boyd has led a life of service, helping his neighbors, serving his nation and backing causes in his community where he saw a need. He helped start Dawn Enterprises, a company serving those with physical and intellectual disabilities.\r\n\r\n  Marvin L. Wolfe, Boise (U.S. Navy)\r\n\r\nThe Boise VA Medical Center nominated Marvin for this award, as he continues to serve his fellow veterans and the Boise community. Marvin was a VA Voluntary Service Representative for the Masonic Service Association of North America for many years and has spent 3,500 hours visiting veterans at the Boise VA Medical Center over the past 26 years. His other volunteer service includes coordinating a Boy Scout Color Guard, serving as a Scout Leader for more than 60 years, and serving as training commissioner for the Ore-Ida Council. His exemplary leadership has been recognized through many honors including Scouting's Silver Beaver award in 1994. \r\n\r\n  \r\n    Volunteers to be Honored\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  Connie Evans, Nampa\r\n\r\nThe Boise VA Medical Center nominated Connie for this award for her long-standing devotion to veterans and their well-being. Connie is recognized for never shying away from leading with her commitment to the American Legion Auxiliary and the Boise VA Medical Center. Connie was inspired to volunteer her time serving veterans because her husband, Dale, is U.S. Air Force Veteran. She has been volunteering to serve veterans since 1975. She has served in a number of roles at the medical center, including American legion Auxiliary Deputy Representative, Representative for the VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) Committee and Chairwoman for the VAVS Executive Committee.\r\n\r\n  Deborah Foley, Chubbock\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello, where Deborah has volunteered for four years, nominated her for this award. Deborah plays many instruments, including the piano, saxophone and harp and shares her gift of music with residents. Deborah is known for going the extra mile to serve others and makes her performances special by playing residents' song requests, inviting residents to sing along and invoking memories through playing music from many different eras.\r\n\r\n  Cynthia Gentry\r\n  , Lenore\r\n\r\nOver the past four years, Cynthia, known for her kind heart and caring nature, has devoted more than 1,200 hours of service to veterans. The Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston, where she works in the library and reads newspapers and stories to residents, nominated her for this award. \r\n\r\n  Sylvia Goetz\r\n  , Kimberly\r\n\r\nSylvia Goetz is being honored for her efforts to assist veterans for more than seven years. Sylvia is coordinator for the Magic Valley Honor Guard and the Veterans Health Commission. The Veterans of Foreign War Post 2136 nominated Sylvia for this award. She has crocheted more than 200 afghans and hats for residents of the Boise VA Medical Center and gives generously of her time and abilities to brighten the lives of veterans and their families.\r\n\r\n  Ron Gray\r\n  , Clarkston, WA (U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Merchant Marine)\r\n\r\nThe Marine Corps League nominated Ron Gray for this award, as he is extremely active assisting veterans in the Lewiston area. Ron has been the President of the Lewis & Clark Valley Veterans Council and volunteers at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston. Ron has been active for 10 years with the Marine Corps League. Some of the efforts he has been instrumental in include assisting with Toys for Tots and heading up the rifle detail and color guard for 80 to 100 veterans' funerals per year.\r\n\r\n  Suzanne Millbach\r\n  , Hayden\r\n\r\nSuzanne Millbach is known for never tiring from helping those around her. The VFW Auxiliary 889 nominated her for this award noting her passion for helping veterans. The list of activities Suzanne has been involved with to help veterans is long and includes fixing up homes for homeless veterans, serving in leadership roles for many veterans organizations and leading a community garden effort to provide veterans with fresh vegetables. \r\n\r\n  Stewart Portela\r\n  , Firth\r\n\r\nThe Vietnam Veterans of America Idaho State Council nominated Stewart Portela for the 2015 Spirit of Freedom Award for his more than 20 years of service to his fellow veterans. He is acknowledged for organizing outstanding Veterans Day programs and making sure that every veteran is recognized for their service. He has written books about U.S. wars, maintains a \"Veterans Photo Wall\" at the Firth High School and volunteers to read the names of those who served at ceremonies honoring veterans. Stewart is a teacher at Firth High School and has taught his students to have a great respect for all veterans.\r\n\r\n  Gordon \"Gordy\" Shroll, Chubbuck (U.S. Air Force)\r\n\r\nFor the past four years, Gordy Shroll, a U.S. Air Force veteran, has volunteered at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello, which nominated him for this award. Each month, Gordy assists with outings, swim exercise, special events and resident visits. A fond memory of some of the joy he brought to others was when he surprised a resident, who also loved motorcycles, with a ride on Gordy's motorcycle for the resident's birthday.\r\n\r\n  Laurie Weatherby\r\n  , Kuna\r\n\r\nThe Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise nominated Laurie for this honor for long-time assistance to veterans. She is a Junior U.S. History and Senior Government teacher at Kuna High School. Laurie has volunteered at the home for more than 8 years, helping with the home's Veterans Day program and Winter Ball. For more than 10 years, she has also organized a Veterans Day assemblies at Emmett and Kuna High Schools.\r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361809", "Crapo to Discuss Veterans Survey, Spirit of Freedom Awards Wednesday", "2015-11-09", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 09, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo to Discuss Veterans Survey, Spirit of Freedom Awards Wednesday \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 Presses VA and IRS on Second Amendment issues \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBoise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will hold a news conference Wednesday, Veterans Day, to discuss results of his recently-completed survey of almost a thousand Idaho veterans and their families, plus preview his Spirit of Freedom ceremony at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise and highlight Second Amendment concerns stemming from initiatives from the Veterans Administration and the Internal Revenue Service against veterans.\r\n\r\nCrapo will meet with local veteran Karl Johnston to present him the Spirit of Freedom Award before joining state, local and veterans group leaders inside the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise for the formal Spirit of Freedom Award presentations.\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    News conference: veterans survey, Spirit of Freedom Awards, Second Amendment issues:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day\r\n\r\n\r\n  10:15 - 10:45 AM\r\n\r\n\r\n  Idaho State Veterans Home Memorial\r\n\r\n\r\n  Corner of Collins Road and South VA Hospital Loop (next to Idaho State Veterans Home)\r\n\r\n\r\n  320 Collins Road\r\n\r\n\r\n  Boise\r\n\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361811", "Idaho Falls Veteran to Receive Service Medals Tomorrow", "2015-11-09", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 09, 2015\n\t\t\t Idaho Falls Veteran to Receive Service Medals Tomorrow \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 American Legion to present medals obtained by Senator Crapo \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAmmon - Idaho Falls veteran Larry Watson will receive long-awaited medals for his military service tomorrow during a special ceremony in Ammon. Watson will receive the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal during the ceremony at Hillcrest High School's Performing Arts Center. Captain Robert Skinner, USN Retired, will present the medals.\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Medal Ceremony for Larry Watson:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  Tuesday, November 10, 2015\r\n\r\n\r\n  6:30 PM\r\n\r\n\r\n  Hillcrest High School Performing Arts Center\r\n\r\n\r\n  2800 Owen Street\r\n\r\n\r\n  Ammon\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361810", "Crapo Calls Administrations Disapproval of Keystone XL Pipeline Project \r\nUnacceptable", "2015-11-06", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 06, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Calls Administration??s Disapproval of Keystone XL Pipeline Project Unacceptable \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\"It is unacceptable for the President to walk away from a commonsense project that would provide energy from a stable, allied trading partner while also creating much-need jobs domestically,\" said Crapo. \"It should come as no surprise that after seven years of unnecessary delays, the President has again failed to exercise true leadership. During that time, five environmental impact studies were completed that all found no significant impact on the environment would result from the Keystone proposal. Instead, the President opted to exercise no leadership and lectured Congress that if we really want to create jobs, we should do so through embracing his preferred sources of energy for the nation. We need a strong, balanced energy portfolio that keeps energy costs from rising for those who can least afford it. This project would have been a critically important component in helping our nation achieve that balance. Given the potential benefits of this proposal, the President and his Administration today\r\nchose to abandon the American people by not seizing an opportunity to further bolster the nation's economic recovery.\"\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=709dc26a-fda9-44e2-8c47-0dfd41a74876", "Risch Pushes for State Management of Grizzlies", "2015-11-05", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch today met with Dan Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to discuss the dramatic increase of the grizzly bear population in and around Yellowstone National Park in recent years. This increase has caused the number of human and grizzly bear conflicts to rise dramatically.\r\nThe increase in the grizzly bear population in recent years has led to more grizzly bears being in close proximity to homes, and worse, more bear and human interactions, said Risch. The Fish and Wildlife Service can and should make the necessary changes to keep humans safe and responsibly manage the grizzly bear population. Ashe has heard, loud and clear, that Idahoans have major concerns with grizzlies in our backyards.\r\nRisch urged Ashe to pursue the process of removing grizzlies from the endangered species list with due diligence, and pushed for more flexibility for the State of Idaho to remove problem bears. Risch also pressed Ashe to develop a stricter protocol for informing state and federal agencies, as well as residents, when grizzly bears are relocated.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1003", "Labrador to host Nov. 11 town hall in Meridian, speak at Veterans Day event in Caldwell", "2015-11-04", "2015", "2015-11", "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\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 | Nov. 3, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR TO HOST TOWN HALL IN MERIDIAN NEXT WEEK, SPEAK AT VETERANS DAY EVENT IN CALDWELL\r\n\r\n\tQ & A set for Meridian City Hall\r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, will field questions from the audience at a 90-minute town hall on Nov. 11 in Meridian. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n\tThe public is invited to meet with Labrador in the Meridian City Council Chamberat City Hall, 33 E. Broadway Ave.\r\n\r\n\tBefore the town hall begins, Labrador will be available to the media. Reporters may meet him at 6:30 p.m. in his office atCity Hall, Suite 251.\r\n\r\n\tEarlier in the day at 11 a.m., Labrador will help celebrate Veterans Day with remarks at the Caldwell Veterans Memorial Hall. The hall is housed in the historic Carnegie Library, at 1101 Cleveland Blvd. The building is undergoing extensive renovations, overseen by the Caldwell Veterans Council.Following the ceremony and until 3 p.m., the public is invited to tour the facility and view displays from veterans service organizations.\r\n\r\n\tOwned by the city of Caldwell, the building has been vacant for a decade. The Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion have a 100-year lease to occupy the building and improve services for veterans on the western side of the Treasure Valley. Of approximately 124,000 veterans in Idaho, about 15,000 live in Canyon County.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=361808", "Crapo: Water War Will Continue", "2015-11-04", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 04, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo: Water War Will Continue \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 Senate uses Congressional Review Act to block EPA rule \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo voted today to stop a federal rule seizing control over water, known as the \"Waters of the U.S.\" rule. Crapo voted with the majority as the Senate utilized the Congressional Review Act to pass a resolution stopping the water rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The effort needed just a simple majority and was passed on a vote of 53 to 44 That vote against the WOTUS rule came after a similar measure fell just short of the 60 votes needed to clear a procedural hurdle.\r\nCrapo, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with jurisdiction over the EPA, invited Idahoans to testify on the bill last year. He said that despite today's vote, the fight against the federal rule will likely continue because the president can veto the resolution.\r\n\"There was bipartisan support today to reject this extreme example of federal overreach, because it removes state's rights over water and the private property rights of individuals,\" Crapo said. \"For the federal government to try and manage every puddle and seasonal stream in Idaho clearly violates the constitutional rights of Idahoans. The Clean Water Act-and subsequent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court-make it clear that 'navigable' waters can be regulated. Temporary puddles, ditches and groundwater are not 'navigable\" waters.\r\n\"The EPA is engaged in what I consider to be nothing short of a federal government power grab and seizure of water rights,\" Crapo added. \"This rule, which will effectively give the federal government jurisdiction over and control of all water in the United States is against the will of Congress. The legislation under which it is being promulgated violates the time-honored principal that jurisdiction over the management, allocation, and use of water is a states rights' issue. We are hearing unprecedented opposition to this rule from 31 states, including Idaho, agriculture, business and individuals. This fight is far from over in Congress. Fortunately, two federal courts have issued a temporary injunction against this unjust rule.\"\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1002", "ICYMI: Noted scholar says Freedom Caucus keeping faith with voters to reform Congress", "2015-11-03", "2015", "2015-11", "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\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 | Nov. 3, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIN CASE YOU MISSED IT:\r\n\r\n\tNoted scholar says Freedom Caucus keeping faith with voters to reform Congress\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Ross K. Baker, a congressional scholar at Rutgers, provides clear-eyed analysis of the goals of the House Freedom Caucus: ending \"the stench of backroom deals, secrecy and insider dealings\" on Capitol Hill.\r\n\r\n\t\"The rebels who dethroned (Speaker John) Boehner campaigned openly to end business as usual in Washington,\" writes Baker in a column in USA Today. \"We can hardly object when they keep faith with the voters who sent them to Congress.\"\r\n\r\n\tBaker has written extensively about Congress and has a forthcoming book, \"Is Bipartisanship Dead?\" A member of the Board of Contributors at USA Today, Baker has worked for Sens. Frank Church of Idaho, Walter Mondale of Minnesota, Birch Bayh of Indiana, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Patrick Leahy of Vermont. He is a frequent commentator on National Public Radio and has twice been Scholar-in-Residence in the Office of the Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate.\r\n\r\n\tRead Baker's column in USA Today and learn more about Baker.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360806", "Crapo Opposes Debt Ceiling Deal", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Opposes Debt Ceiling Deal \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 Deal Diverts From Balanced Budget Path Established in Budget Resolution \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will vote against a measure currently being considered by the Senate that will raise federal spending caps, as well as the debt ceiling. Final passage of the measure is expected in the early morning hours Friday.\r\n\"This bill does almost nothing to establish long-term fiscal restraints necessary to balance the nation's budget,\" said Crapo. \"Instead, this measure will enable continued, irresponsible government spending for the next two years, remove budget caps previously agreed to by the President and both houses of Congress, and use budgetary gimmicks to promise future savings in exchange for more spending today. Congress once again missed an opportunity to negotiate and enact real, responsible, fiscal reforms.\"\r\nThe measure, titled the \"Bipartisan Budget Act\" (H.R. 1317) will raise the federal debt ceiling through March of 2017, while at the same time, increasing federal spending by more than $80 billion over the same two-year period.\r\n\"As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I've expressed my continuing frustration about the inability of Congress to get to the second year of any budget it passes. Finally, earlier this year, after so many years without a budget under the previous Senate leadership, I welcomed the opportunity to vote for the budget resolution approved by this Congress, \" Crapo added. \"Not only was this the first time Congress approved a budget resolution in five years, it was a budget that put us on a path to balance, without raising taxes, within 10 years. Regrettably, this measure being considered by the Senate will ensure that we fail to execute on that previously passed budget resolution. We cannot continue to fund our government through budgetary methods that mask the true picture of our fiscal reality while failing to enact real, meaningful spending and budget reforms.\"\r\nThe measure passed the House of Representatives Wednesday with a vote of 267-167, and is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed by the President.\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398486", "Simpson Works to Prevent Implementation of EPA Water Rule", "2015-10-28", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has cosponsored a resolution intended to stop the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from implementing the Obama Administrations controversial Clean Water Rule. In spite of widespread opposition in Congress and among the public, in June the Administration implemented a new rule broadly expanding its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. H.J.Res. 59 would use the Congressional Review Act to prevent the rule from being enacted and bring the agencys actions back in line with congressional intent. The resolution comes at the same time that a federal appeals court has put implementation of the rule on hold.\r\nThe EPA continues marching down a path of issuing one onerous federal regulation after another without regard for public opinion or the impact that these regulations have on the states and on farmers and ranchers, said Simpson. I have continually joined a majority of the House of Representatives in expressing my concern about this rule, and so its no surprise that I support utilizing the Congressional Review Act, which guards against federal agencies imposing economically burdensome regulations, to prevent this harmful rule from going into effect.\r\nSimpson added, Im also encouraged by the courts decision to put a hold on the nationwide implementation of this rule. There are real problems with the way the EPA has claimed jurisdiction over state-regulated waters, and this rule will have a devastating impact on Idaho if it is allowed to move forward. That is why I will continue working to prevent it from taking effect.\r\nSimpson is the Chairman of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the Corps of Engineers budget. He also sits on the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the budget of the EPA.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398488", "Simpson Casts Responsible Vote on Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2015-10-28", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today voted to support H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015. In addition to preventing a catastrophic national default, this agreement achieves long-term savings through entitlement reform, delivers predictability and certainty to the appropriations process and the funding of our national defense, and repeals an onerous mandate put in place by Obamacare. H.R. 1314 is fully offset and does not increase taxes. \r\nIt is imperative that we act in the best interest of our nation by preventing a default on our national credit, said Simpson. To allow that to happen would be irresponsible at best and catastrophic at worst. Given that reality, Im pleased that House and Senate leadership have reached an agreement that protects the budget cuts put in place by the sequester, but protects our military and domestic programs from its mindless cuts by replacing it with meaningful reforms in mandatory spending and other savings. This agreement reduces the deficit by nearly $80 billion over 10 yearswhich means that budget it keeps us on track to save taxpayers more than $2 TRILLION, as mandated by the original Budget Control Act. Recognizing that we have a responsibility to act on this issue, I believe this is a fiscally responsible agreement.\r\nAmong other provisions, the agreement would do the following: \r\n \r\n    \r\n    Puts in place budget caps that are $56 billion below the Ryan budget for FY16 and $70 billion below the Ryan budget for FY17. \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Ensures that the Social Security Disability Trust Fundcurrently scheduled for a 20% reduction across the board at the end of next yearwill be able to continue to pay full benefits;\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Includes structural entitlement reforms to strengthen the long-term solvency of the Social Security program; \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Replaces sequestrations arbitrary, across-the-board cuts with more rational deficit reduction;\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Eliminates Obamacares mandate that employees must enroll into their companys health care plan;\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    Prevents a dramatic spike in Medicare Part B premiums for millions of seniors.\r\n    \r\n \r\nThis bill isnt perfect, and like others, I have concerns about the crop insurance provisions and the Medicare cuts to hospitals, said Simpson. But I realize that this agreement is necessary for the health and stability of our economy. This country has big problems, and the American people expect more from their elected officials than to sit on the sidelines and criticize everything that does not meet their ideologically pure standards. Thats easy. Solving problemsalso known as governingis hard work. \r\nDespite the passage of this constructive agreement, Simpson believes Congress has considerable work ahead of it in further reducing the budget and eliminating the deficit. He remains a strong proponent of a Balanced Budget Amendment and is a leading advocate in Congress for reforming the tax code and entitlement programs to achieve real progress toward smaller, more efficient federal government.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=a1601755-062a-4163-a068-3280f147a3b4", "Risch Welcomes New Director of Naval Reactor Program", "2015-10-28", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch today met with Admiral James Caldwell, Director of the Naval Reactors Program for the United States Navy, to welcome him to the role and express the importance of the Naval Reactors Facility to the Idaho National Lab.\r\nThe Naval Reactors Facility at the INL is vital to the future of our nuclear Navy and our national security overall, said Risch. After meeting with Admiral Caldwell today in Washington I am confident that the future of the program is in very capable hands.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1001", "ICYMI: Idaho Falls Post Register highlights Labrador's 'central role' in bipartisan sentencing reform", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "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\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 | Oct. 27, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIN CASE YOU MISSED IT:\r\n\r\n\tIdaho Falls Post Register highlights Labradors central role in bipartisan sentencing reform\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  A lengthy story by Bryan Clark in todays Idaho Falls Post Register notes the efforts of Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, as part of a broad coalition making significant progress on sentencing reform.\r\n\r\n\tIn a story titled, Land of the locked up, Clark explores how Labradors experience as a young, conservative lawyer influenced him to advocate for judicial discretion rather than mandatory sentences. Labrador has been working on the issue since shortly after he took office in 2011.\r\n\r\n\tPost Register subscribers mayclick here to read the article. The newspaper also granted permission to republish the story, which follows:\r\n\r\n\tBy BRYAN CLARK\r\n\r\n\tbclark@postregister.com\r\n\r\n\tThe United States of America is known as the Land of the Free.\r\n\r\n\tBut more people are behind bars here than in any other country  many, many more.\r\n\r\n\tAn American is roughly 1.6 times more likely to be in jail or prison than a Russian, six times more likely than a Chinese, seven times more likely than a Canadian and nine times more likely than a German, according to the Institute for Criminal Policy Research.\r\n\r\n\tAbout one of every five prisoners worldwide is in an American jail or prison.\r\n\r\n\tIts a weird thing to (consider) the most repressive regimes you can think of, and know that we have a higher incarceration rate than they do, said Kevin Ring, director of strategic initiatives for Families Against Mandatory Minimums.\r\n\r\n\tThe USA is the land of the lockedup.\r\n\r\n\tBut theres a movement afoot to change that, and Idaho Rep. Ral Labrador has played a central role within it. Many say the tide has turned against the tough-on-crime policies enacted in the 1980s that have helped the federal prison population explode from about 25,000 in 1980 to about 220,000 at its 2013 peak.\r\n\r\n\tA bill before the U.S. House would reduce the number of defendants who are subject to mandatory minimum sentences  sentencing floors for certain types of crimes which a judge cant go below. And a second bill before the U.S. Senate would reduce the length of several mandatory minimums.\r\n\r\n\tThe reform movement has gotten support from both the left and right. Crucially, the chairmen of both the House and Senate judiciary committees are on board, making legislative change increasingly likely.\r\n\r\n\tA young, conservative lawyer\r\n\r\n\tLabrador worked as an immigration and criminal defense attorney prior to entering politics. When he went to law school, he didnt have much sympathy for criminals.\r\n\r\n\tI started out as a young, conservative lawyer thinking to myself, I could never represent a criminal defendant, he said.\r\n\r\n\tBut as he learned about the criminal justice system, he concluded that conservative principles of limited government ought to apply to matters of crime and punishment.\r\n\r\n\tIf youre a conservative, you believe the government should have limited power and authority to take away your property, your liberty and your freedom, he said.\r\n\r\n\tThat doesnt mean the guilty shouldnt be punished, Labrador said. Its about applying the proper level of punishment to a given crime.\r\n\r\n\tThe current system locks up too many who arent particularly dangerous for far too long, he said. And that can turn them into dangerous people.\r\n\r\n\tIn a lot of these cases youre talking about nonviolent drug offenders, who can be better treated in many cases through rehabilitation, drug programs or very small sentences, Labrador said. Instead, theyre getting caught up in a system where they enter as low-level criminals and because they have these long sentences they come out of prison as more violent, high-level criminals.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador began introducing federal sentencing reform bills soon after assumed his House seat in 2011.\r\n\r\n\tThere were a lot of Democrats who had been working on it for many years, but what you saw was people like Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and myself bring together a coalition of conservatives who got behind the sentencing reform push, he said. And that has changed dramatically what has been happening in both the House and Senate.\r\n\r\n\tAnd while many of Labradors proposed reforms were more sweeping than those now before Congress, some of his ideas have been incorporated into them.\r\n\r\n\tThe bills\r\n\r\n\tThe Houses Safe, Accountable, Fair, Effective Justice Act would take a variety of steps to soften the blow of federal mandatory minimum sentences.\r\n\r\n\tIt would limit drug mandatory minimums to high-level drug ring leaders.\r\n\r\n\tIt would expand an safety valve that would allow nonviolent drug offenders without many prior offenses to avoid mandatory minimums if they plead guilty.\r\n\r\n\tIt would create new safety valves for nonviolent drug offenses committed because of mental illness or addiction.\r\n\r\n\tA related Senate bill would reduce the length of a variety of mandatory minimum sentences. A life without parole sentence for a third-offense drug crime would be reduced to 25 years, for example.\r\n\r\n\tMany of the reductions are retroactive, meaning some prisoners serving under mandatory minimums could apply to have their sentences reduced or to be released.\r\n\r\n\tBoth bills apply the Fair Sentencing Act retroactively. That 2010 legislation reduced the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine from 100-to-1 to 18-to-1.\r\n\r\n\tSo it could mean that many in federal prison for crack cocaine-related offenses could apply for release. Ring said it could mean around federal prisoners 6,000 could be freed sooner.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador had backed that provision in previous sentencing reform bills he wrote.\r\n\r\n\tCurtis Smith, an Idaho Falls attorney who does federal criminal defense work, said he thinks the reforms are important for Idahoans who find themselves facing federal charges.\r\n\r\n\tMandatory minimums often lead to unfair sentences, he said. A client may be an addict who played a peripheral role in a drug deal and was cooperative with police, for example, but if they face conspiracy charges they can be in for a long sentence regardless of the specific circumstances of the crime.\r\n\r\n\tMandatory minimums take too much discretion away from judges, he said.\r\n\r\n\tBipartisanship\r\n\r\n\tThe bills managed to unite the left and right. The House version has 28 Democratic and 27 Republican co-sponsors. The Senate version has 10 Democrats and seven Republicans. Labrador is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the House bill.\r\n\r\n\tThe Senate bill passed through the Judiciary Committee last week by a wide 15-5 margin.\r\n\r\n\tSome pockets of resistance remain, mainly from federal law enforcement and federal prosecutors.\r\n\r\n\tSteven Cook, president of the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, told the Senate Judiciary Committee the bills seriously weaken the very tools that federal prosecutors  have used to keep our communities safe.\r\n\r\n\tBut the reform efforts have brought together such unlikely allies as the American Civil Liberties Union and GOP super-donors Koch Industries. ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero and Koch General Counsel Mark V. Holden co-wrote a scorching critique of the sentencing system for Politico backing the reforms.\r\n\r\n\tSpending on the federal prison system has exploded from $970 million in 1980 to $6.7 billion in 2013, they noted, accelerating at more than twice the rate of inflation.\r\n\r\n\tWhile we have a good handle on how much taxpayers money weve wasted on over-criminalization and mass incarceration, the cost in human lives is incalculable, they wrote. Almost every single federal prisoner serving life without parole for nonviolent offenses has one thing in common: a drug offense that resulted in a de facto death sentence.\r\n\r\n\tIts hard to tell how many sentences could be reduced, or how many people who are currently in prison could be released by retroactive sentencing reductions, Ring said. Either way, its unlikely the mandatory minimum reforms would bump the U.S. from its position as the worlds leading incarcerator, fivethirtyeight.com found.\r\n\r\n\tYoung Turks\r\n\r\n\tRing said the push for reform represents a sea change within the Republican party as well as within the political climate more broadly.\r\n\r\n\tIn the 1980s there was a bi-partisan pig pile backing tougher sentences, he said. And thats when the problem began.\r\n\r\n\tThe federal prison population was flat for a couple hundred years until the 1980s, and then it shot up, he said.\r\n\r\n\tBut Ring said there has been a generational shift within the GOP, and many young senators and representatives are working with Democrats to cut sentences.\r\n\r\n\tI think its the biggest moment in a generation, Ring said. The direction has shifted. We dont know how far it will go, but for 30 years Congress has been ratcheting up sentences. And now for the first time theyre re-evaluating that direction.\r\n\r\n\tTheres no better example of that than Labrador, Ring said.\r\n\r\n\r\n\tReporter Bryan Clark can be reached at 542-6751.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398483", "Simpson Votes to End Harmful Obamacare Policies", "2015-10-23", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act today. The legislation repeals the most onerous Obamacare provisions through a mechanism known as reconciliation, which is a budgeting process that allows Congress to align the priorities outlined in the current years budget resolution with existing law. \r\nEven though Obamacare was signed into law five years ago, I still hear from Idahoans every single day about the laws negative impacts, said Simpson. A major issue with Obamacare since day one has been limiting the freedom of choice for beneficiaries. H.R. 3762 directly addresses this by repealing the major barriers that are impeding Americans ability to make choices about their healthcare plans. \r\nSpecifically, H.R. 3762 would address key problems with Obamacare including:\r\n \r\n    Repeal the individual mandate  Currently, Americans who do not purchase a health insurance plan through an exchange, receive insurance through Medicaid, or receive employer sponsored coverage, are subject to a penalty; \r\n    Repeal the employer mandate  Employers with 100 or more employees who do not offer health insurance are subject to penalties that range from $2,000-$3,000;\r\n    Repeal the Medical Device Tax  the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices is currently being passed on to consumers;\r\n    Repeal the Cadillac Tax  40% excise tax of the value of employer sponsored health coverage that exceeds certain benefit thresholds;\r\n    Repeal Prevention and Public Health Fund  Referred to as the Obamacare slush fund that gives Secretary of Health and Human Services billions of dollars annually to spend with limited accountability;\r\n    Repeal Auto-Enrollment Mandate  Requires large employers to auto-enroll employees in their medical plans.\r\n \r\nThe reconciliation package passed by the House eliminates burdensome government mandates and repeals Obamacare taxes that are responsible for driving up the cost of healthcare for families, patients, and doctors. As the broken promises of Obamacare continue to pile on the backs of Americans I will continue to support legislation that protects individuals and families from the most harmful impacts of the law.\r\nIn addition to repealing sections of Obamacare, H.R. 3762 would place a one year freeze on certain abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood while redirecting those funds to community health centers. The bill also addresses our national debt by reducing budget deficits by $136.8 billion over 10 years. \r\nH.R. 3762 was passed by a vote of 240 to 189 and will now head to the Senate for consideration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398485", "Simpson Supports Domestic Mineral Development", "2015-10-23", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported H.R. 1937, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act when it came before the House of Representatives this week. The legislation would ensure the availability of domestic minerals and mineral materials that are essential for national security, technological innovation, and economic growth by streamlining the permitting process for mineral exploration and development projects. Simpson is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1937.\r\nThe United States is increasingly dependent on mineral materials for everything from technology to national security and defense, said Simpson. In spite of this, the permitting process has become more and more difficult to navigate, and today we are almost completely reliant on countries like China for the rare earth minerals we need for energy production, national security, and communication technology. I dont like the idea that we are subject to the legal and political whims of other nations for strategic minerals, which is why I cosponsored H.R. 1937 and am pleased that the House has taken it up. \r\nH.R. 1937 was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 254-177.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360804", "Crapo Says President's Veto of the National Defense Authorization Act Will \r\nWeaken National Defense", "2015-10-22", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 22, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Says President's Veto of the National Defense Authorization Act Will Weaken National Defense \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo said today that President Obama's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will weaken America's defense and deny the military the certainty it needs to prepare for, and respond to, unfolding events around the world.\r\n\"The President's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act is a disservice to the men and women who honorably serve at Idaho's Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho's National Guard, and around the world,\" said Crapo. \"This measure authorizes programs and operations that are important for our troops, their families and the security of our nation.\"\r\nLast week, the Senate passed the measure with the support of 70 senators. The legislation, which President Obama vetoed this afternoon, would have authorized Congress to appropriate funds for the U.S. Department of Defense.\r\n\"This measure, which received broad support, authorizes funding for the Department of Defense at the budget levels the President himself requested, while also providing needed policy guidance from Congress,\" added Crapo. \"With the increasing number of global threats around the world, the President's veto of this bill denies our military the stability and certainty it needs to develop and execute the programs essential for our national defense.\"\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398482", "Simpson Pushes for Better Federal Land Management", "2015-10-21", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has signed onto legislation to give federal land managers better tools to improve sage-grouse habitat. H.R. 1793, the Sage-Grouse and Mule Deer Habitat Conservation and Restoration Act of 2015, would create a categorical exclusion from the NEPA process in order to remove pinyon-juniper from sage-grouse and mule deer habitat.\r\nSome of the major threats to sage-grouse habitat are wildfire and invasive species, and controlling these threats requires good, active land management practices, said Simpson. Unfortunately, the environmental review process has grown so cumbersome for the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management that it has gotten in the way of their efforts to conserve the species. H.R. 1793 addresses this problem by providing the agencies with the tools they need to remove pinyon-juniper on sage-grouse and mule deer habitat throughout the west.\r\nH.R. 1793 is currently under consideration by the House Natural Resources Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=f0db5b86-bfb3-4230-b06f-d0d5575e8d33", "Risch Praises INL at National Lab Day on Capitol Hill", "2015-10-21", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senator Jim Risch today welcomed Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and new Idaho National Lab Director Mark Peters to National Lab Day on Capitol Hill. Risch, a cofounder of the Senate National Laboratory Caucus, gave opening remarks at the annual event after touring the lab exhibitions alongside Moniz and other members of the National Laboratory Caucus.\r\nMy home state of Idaho is fortunate to have the Idaho National Laboratory located in Idaho Falls, said Risch. The INL has a rich history dating from the dawn of commercial nuclear power and the launching of the nuclear Navy. Today, the INL is the nation's lead nuclear laboratory as well as a world leader in securing the ever-growing cyber network. The valuable work done at the Idaho National Laboratory lays the groundwork for extending the life of the nuclear fleet, fortifying the grid and wireless networks, and developing advanced battery storage capabilities  which are just a few among many, many other missions. Most senators are not fortunate to have a national lab in their state, so events like National Lab Day are a valuable tool to share the good work being done at the labs.\r\nThe Idaho National Lab played a 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 under the umbrella of national security  homeland security, cyber security and protection of U.S. space assets, emergency response, U.S. nuclear nonproliferation goals, and the U.S. nuclear deterrent.\r\nThe Senate National Laboratory Caucus was founded in 2014 by Risch and Senator Dick Durban (D-IL). The bipartisan, bicameral caucus 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 nations most pressing challenges.\r\nHigh resolution versions of these photos can be found on Senator RischsFlickr page.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1000", "ICYMI: Rolling Stone reporter explores 'really effective' reform efforts of the House Freedom Caucus in NPR interview", "2015-10-21", "2015", "2015-10", "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\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 | Oct. 20, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tIN CASE YOU MISSED IT:\r\n\r\n\tRolling Stone reporter explores really effective reform efforts of the House Freedom Caucus in NPR interview \r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  In a lengthy radio interview, Rolling Stones Tim Dickinson says Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, and his conservative colleagues have enjoyed extraordinary success, including extracting $2 trillion in federal spending cuts.\r\n\r\n\tDickinson describes Labrador and other members of the House Freedom Caucus as smart, principled, committed conservatives who put constituents ahead of party in fighting for major change in Congress. Labrador helped found the Freedom Caucus in January.\r\n\r\n\tDickinson, national affairs correspondent for Rolling Stone, appeared on NPRs Fresh Air last week to discuss his article, Meet the Right-Wing Rebels Who Overthrew John Boehner. In the 36-minute interview Dickinson elaborates on his story, published online and in the Oct. 22 print edition of Rolling Stone.\r\n\r\n\tHighlights of the radio interview follow. To view a transcript, click here.\r\n\r\n\tAnd if you get inside their heads a little bit, they see that America is going off a cliff eventually, that our spending is out of control, that we have no budget discipline in Washington, that something dramatic needs to change. And so they're willing to bring short-term pain now in part, as they see it, to prevent an even greater catastrophe down the line, if we keep spending the way that we are. And to be honest, I mean, we talk about how obstructionist they've been, but they've also been really effective. I mean, under a Democratic president, conservatives have extracted $2 trillion in avoided spending over the next 10 years, which is really quite extraordinary. I mean, this is - this is $2 trillion of spending - government spending that's not going to happen because of the kind of obstructionism that we've been talking about.\r\n\r\n\tso we think about the tea party crazies, and even some of their colleagues call them that. And these guys are not like that....These are very smart guys who are very principled.These guys are committed. And so theres  you know, you meet them, and theyre some of the nicest people Ive met in Washington, frankly. And theyre easy to talk to because they are very at ease with their principles and with what theyre doing. They are just committed conservatives.\r\n\r\n\tThese are Republican fightersthese guys are really voting their constituents.And they see themselves as being sent to Washington not to get along and not to climb the ranks, but to sort of throw themselves on the gears of government and bring things to a halt and start to bring change by any means necessary.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Raul Labrador from Idaho is sort of the informal spokesperson for the House Freedom Caucus. And I spoke with him at length in his office earlier this summer. And he said he didn't, you know, care to be labeled an obstructionist because he wasn't there to vote his party. He was there to vote his constituents and spoke openly about how he thought Nancy Pelosi was a smarter leader than John Boehner or Kevin McCarthy.\r\n\r\n\tI think you need to understand, too, that it's not just these 40 guys. There's a larger orbit of folks who are sympathetic to them or at least responsive to the same forces that they are. And so when these House conservatives, these 40 naysayers, these obstructionists, make a move, it's very difficult for about another hundred or so House Republicans to disobey that, to get out of step with that because these folks have the mantle of true conservatism. These folks have the mantle of being most responsive to the voters.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398480", "Ex-Im Bank levels the playing field, supports job growth, and helps reduce the national debt", "2015-10-09", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idahos economy, both urban and rural, is inextricably tied to our ability to export the products and commodities we produce. Whether it be by our high tech industry, which is the largest Idaho export to the world, or our agricultural products, which help support thousands of jobs. \r\nI strongly believe that Idahos farmers and businesses can compete and win on a level playing field and this is where the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank plays an important role. The Ex-Im Bank is the official export credit agency of the U.S., with a mission to finance and promote exports of U.S. manufactured goods and services. More than 80% of trade worldwide requires financing, and most countries that we trade with have established export credit agencies, which often support their companies much more generously than the Bank has ever done. China alone has provided its exporters with at least $670 billion in export financing over the last two years. To put that in context, the Ex-Im Bank has provided about $590 billion in financing since its inception81 years ago. \r\nWhy would we want to put American companies at a disadvantage against their Chinese competitors? That is exactly what we have done since July 1st, when the charter of the Ex-Im bank expired. Since then, the U.S. has not been able to finance exports, leaving American companies to lose out on business to other countries. With 95% of the worlds consumers living outside the U.S., now is not the time to surrender this important job growing tool.\r\nAccording to the Nuclear Energy Institute, U.S. nuclear energy suppliers compete against international rivals that are supported by their governments, and the availability of export credit agency support is almost always a bidding requirement for nuclear power plant tenders. Numerous American businesses have said that allowing the Ex-Im Bank to expire would be tantamount to unilateral trade disarmament, conceding billions of dollars in orders to other nations that maintain their own export credit agencies. \r\nFor 70 years, the Ex-Im Bank has been reauthorized without issue. In fact, since I have been in Congress the Bank has been brought up for reauthorization 25 times and has passed with overwhelming support, including mine, each time. However, many are now arguing that the Bank serves as corporate welfare. They claim it puts taxpayers at risk, and only benefits big businesses. \r\nThis cannot be further from the truth. Last year, fees and interest collected by the Bank brought in a total $675 million to the U.S. Treasury. The Bank itself has credit assessment procedures that are more rigorous than commercial banks and, as of March 2015, a historical default rate of below 1%.\r\nLarge companies do use the Ex-Im Bank to finance exports and make up 40% of the Banks balance sheet. However, 90% of the service products provided by the Ex-Im Bank are made to support small businesses. From 2009-2014, the Bank has supported $169 million in exports from Idaho, with 71% of support going to small businesses. \r\nThe economic growth of our state depends on the ability of our high tech and manufacturing sectors to ship their products globally, and I will not support threatening the competitiveness of these American companies by dismantling the Ex-Im Bank. Not only does the Bank level the playing field, but it also supports job growth, capital investment and helps reduce the national debt. It is a win-win for Idaho.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=999", "Labrador leads on new bipartisan sentencing reform bill", "2015-10-08", "2015", "2015-10", "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\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 | Oct. 8, 2015\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\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\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t \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\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\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\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR LEADS ON NEW BIPARTISAN SENTENCING REFORM BILL \r\n\r\n\tMomentum builds for comprehensive criminal justice reforms \r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Ral Labrador today joined House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and Ranking Member John Conyers, D-Mich., in introducing the Sentencing Reform Act of 2015, one of several criminal justice reform initiatives backed by the Idaho Republican.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the bill, which is companion legislation to sentencing provisions in a bill introduced last week by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.\r\n\r\n\tAfter five years of working for common-sense reforms, Im gratified to see our efforts bear fruit as support builds for historic change, Labrador said after a news conference with Goodlatte, Conyers and other sponsors. Our bill provides tough punishment for the most serious offenders, while reducing sentences for those worthy of a second chance. These reforms promise a more just society and I am proud join the effort.\r\n\r\n\tLabradors bipartisan bills in the 114th Congress also include: co-authorship of the Smarter Sentencing Act; lead Republican co-sponsorship of the Safe, Accountable, Fair and Effective Justice Act; and co-sponsorship of the Recidivism Risk Reduction Act.\r\n\r\n\tOur first obligation is to ensure public safety, Labrador said. But as a conservative, I am troubled by the fact that with 5 percent of the worlds population, the U.S. incarcerates 25 percent of the worlds inmates. We must be mindful of our Constitutional principles that guard against government depriving us of our liberty.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Criminal Justice and Public Safety Caucus. In February, he was among 16 key lawmakers invited to the White House to discuss justice reform. At that meeting, President Obama expressed support for the Smarter Sentencing Act.\r\n\r\n\tIn the 113th Congress, Labrador was a member of the House Judiciary Committees Overcriminalization Task Force, which held 10 hearings over 18 months, collecting examples of state reforms that protect public safety while containing costs. Since 1980, the federal imprisonment rate has increased 518 percent, while spending has jumped 595 percent. Meanwhile, 32 states have reduced both crime and imprisonment rates over the past five years.\r\n\r\n\tStates are the laboratories of democracy and we are wise to learn from their successes, Labrador said.\r\n\r\n\tAn attorney before his election to Congress in 2010, Labrador also pressed for reforms during his four years in the Idaho Legislature.\r\n\r\n\tClick here to review the key provisions in the Sentencing Reform Act and here for a section-by-section summary of the bill.\r\n\r\n\tTo learn more, visit the Judiciary Committees criminal justice reform page.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360800", "Idaho Delegation Backs Kotek Nomination to Lead DOE Nuclear Initiatives", "2015-10-05", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "October 05, 2015\n\t\t\t Idaho Delegation Backs Kotek Nomination to Lead DOE Nuclear Initiatives \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with Idaho Representatives Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, issued the following statement on President Obama's nomination of John Kotek of Idaho to be Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).\r\n\"We congratulate John on his nomination to be the permanent Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, a position he has been holding on an interim basis for several months,\" the delegation said in a joint statement. \"In addition to his deep Idaho roots, John's service as a deputy manager for DOE in Idaho has solidified his understanding and appreciation of the research being conducted at Idaho National Laboratory-the nation's lead nuclear research facility. We have enjoyed a strong working relationship with John over many years and he is extremely qualified for this position.\"\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398478", "Simpson Supports Legislation to Fund A-10s and Troops", "2015-10-01", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House of Representatives today passed the conference report to H.R. 1735, - the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the legislation which authorizes many important programs that support our military, including a pay increase and benefits to military members and their families. \r\nThe conference report includes important Idaho priorities such as a provision which prevents retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, a squadron of which currently operates at Gowen Field in Boise and it also authorizes funding for the aircraft to continue operating. \r\nBy ensuring the A-10 remains available for close air support, we are responding to the needs of the service members that operate them and to the brave men and women on the ground that rely on them, said Simpson. While I certainly acknowledge that the Air Force must make difficult decisions in this time of reduced budgets, the A-10s low operating costs and unique capabilities merit our continued support until an appropriate replacement can be identified. I am pleased todays conference report recognizes the unique importance and contributions of the A-10.\r\nThe conference report also delays the transfer of AH-64 Apache helicopters from the Army National Guard to active duty Army through June 30th of fiscal year 2016. The Apache helicopters also operate at Gowen Field.\r\nThe conference report to H.R. 1735 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 270-156.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=998", "LABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON SPEAKER BOEHNER", "2015-09-25", "2015", "2015-09", "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\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 | Sept. 25, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON SPEAKER BOEHNER \r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement in response to todays news that House Speaker John Boehner will resign next month:\r\n\r\n\tThough I differed with Speaker Boehner on the pace of reform, I respect and admire him. He served Ohio and the House with distinction and grace. I wish him the very best.\r\n\r\n\tAs for succession, today is not the day for such talk. But I am committed to supporting leaders who will keep our promise to the American people to fight for real change in Washington.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360798", "Calling All Idaho Students: Senator Crapos Office Seeking Interns", "2015-09-23", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 23, 2015\n\t\t\t Calling All Idaho Students: Senator Crapo??s Office Seeking Interns \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 for spring semester is October 15 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWashington, D.C.-The deadline is rapidly approaching for Idaho's students to apply for upcoming internship opportunities in U.S. Senator Mike Crapo's Washington, D.C., office, or one of his six \r\nregional offices throughout Idaho. Students have until October 15 to submit an application to be considered for an internship position for the spring semester.\r\nThe internship experience provides Idaho students a unique opportunity to learn about Congress and the legislative process firsthand. Interns assist the Senator and his staff with legislative research, constituent services and communications operations. Additionally, for interns serving in Washington, D.C., opportunities to attend congressional hearings and provide tours of the U.S. Capitol to visiting Idahoans and industry leaders are made available.\r\nTo learn more about internships offered through Crapo's office and access application materials, please visit the intern section of the Senator's website at \r\nhttps://www.crapo.senate.gov/services/interns.cfm. 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. Students seeking a position within Crapo's D.C. should address their applications to the attention of Katie Amacio, Internship Coordinator, and emailed to \r\nKathleen_amacio@crapo.senate.gov. For students wishing to intern in one of Crapo's six regional offices in Idaho, applications should be addressed to the attention of Courtney Lehosit, Internship Coordinator, and emailed to \r\nCourtney_lehosit@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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=82d63e56-1ca7-4e6f-a52e-c831faf88f8e", "Risch, Crapo Skeptical of Sage-Grouse Decision", "2015-09-22", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo issued comments reacting to news that the Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, has announced that placing the greater sage-grouse on the Endangered Species List is not warranted. The Record of Decision for the Land Use Plan Amendments has already been signed.\r\nWhile I am pleased Secretary Jewell has acknowledged the greater sage-grouse population is on the rebound, I am concerned the regulations generated by the Department of the Interior to reach this decision will do little to continue the recent population rebound in Idaho, said Risch. We had pressed DOI early on to rely on a locally-driven, collaborative process to conserve the sage-grouse, but this process changed when it came to Washington, D.C. The two main threats to the greater sage-grouse in Idaho are fire and invasive species. The Secretary adopts a plan that relies heavily on regulation of the mining, oil, and gas industries when it should focus more heavily on fire control. Todays announcement serves as political cover for another top-down mandate that will not be the best prescription for sage-grouse in Idaho.\r\nWhile a not warranted decision is better than a listing determination under the Endangered Species Act, the Department of Interiors reliance on heavy-handed land-use management plans to arrive at this decision is unacceptable, said Crapo. The Department ignored much of what the Idaho Sage Grouse Task Force recommended and, instead, opted to move forward with top-down federal lands-use management plans. While the agency cited collaboration as the basis for its decision, the move to abandon the states planning process that adequately addressed true threats to the bird--namely the impact of wildfires and invasive species on sagebrush habitat--will ultimately lead to greater uncertainty for sage grouse populations in the future.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=996", "LABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON DECISION NOT TO LIST SAGE GROUSE", "2015-09-22", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  \r\n\tFOR MORE INFORMATION:  \r\n\tTuesday | Sept. 22, 2015 Dan Popkey  208-800-1565\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tLABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON DECISION NOT TO LIST SAGE GROUSE\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement in response to todays decision by the Obama Administration on the greater sage grouse:\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tI welcome the Administrations decision against listing the greater sage grouse. A listing would have immediately wreaked economic havoc across the West. However, the accompanying imposition of new federal management plans undermines much of the good work done at the state level.\r\n\r\n\t  \r\n\tGovernors, private property owners and other stakeholders have spent years crafting plans that protect habitat while allowing the development of natural resources, sustainable use of rangeland and recreational access. Unless an overreaching federal government respects the wisdom of state-level conservation efforts, the sage grouse wont recover and the new federal restrictions will undermine local economies.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360796", "Crapo Calls on VA to Improve New Veterans Choice Program", "2015-09-22", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 22, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Calls on VA to Improve New Veterans Choice Program \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 outlines concerns of Idaho??s veterans following two statewide surveys; invites VA Secretary to Idaho \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -After hearing from hundreds of Idaho's veterans about their experiences with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is seeking to drive meaningful change within the agency. In a letter to the head of the VA, Crapo calls upon the Secretary to pay special attention to Idahoans as the VA works to improve the beleaguered Veterans Choice Program (VCP). He is calling on the agency to report to Congress on how it plans to streamline the program and improve access to services for veterans. Crapo's questions force the VA to focus on issues of importance to Idahoans as the agency follows Congressional guidance to report on its ability to streamline the VCP with its other non-VA care programs. The Senator also invited VA Secretary Robert McDonald to Idaho to hear firsthand from Idaho's veterans.\r\nThe letter comes as Crapo concludes his second statewide \r\nVeterans Survey at the end of September. In conjunction with his town meeting tour, Crapo has sought to learn more about the experiences and needs of Idaho's veterans community by having current and former servicemembers and those active in the veteran communityprovide feedback through a survey. The \r\nsurveyisavailable on the Senator's website and also can be taken by telephone or in person at any one of the Senator's six regional offices throughout Idaho. Crapo says Idahoans' willingness to participate in the survey is encouraging and critical to guiding meaningful reforms.\r\n\"While some progress has been made, ensuring timely, high-quality veterans care is an ongoing effort,\" said Crapo. \"Idaho veterans and their loved ones know best what is working and not working for veterans utilizing VA services.Constant communication with the VA is key to keeping the VA accountable and seeing results. We need lasting solutions close to home, not short-term, top-down attempts that fail to take into account the needs of local veterans. I encourage the Secretaryto visit Idaho and hear from Idaho's veterans directly.\" \r\nCrapo says Idahoans who have not yet had the opportunity to provide feedback about their experiences with the VA through the survey still can. The survey will remain open until September 31, and can be taken online \r\nhere, or by calling or visiting one of Crapo's \r\nregional offices.\r\nThe full text of the letter is below.\r\nSeptember 22, 2015\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Robert McDonald\r\nSecretary\r\nU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs\r\n810 Vermont Avenue, NW\r\nWashington, D.C. 20420\r\nDear Secretary McDonald:\r\nThe 2014 revelations about wait time manipulations within the health care system of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was the catalyst for significant changes at the VA and Congressional oversight. To understand better the impact on veterans, I reached out to Idahoans to ask for their input on how they would like the VA to function. Two state-wide surveys of the veterans' community and more than 150 town meetings across Idaho have revealed important unmet needs and concerns of Idaho's veterans.\r\nFor many veterans, the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) is not working as it should, and many Idahoans would like to see the department reinvigorate other non-VA care programs providing individual treatment outside the VA system. Some recommend that the VA directly hire more health care providers to address unmet care delivery needs. I understand the VA cannot adequately fill vacant positions because of nationwide provider shortages. This challenge clearly requires a robust complementary outside care program to exist in tandem with the Veterans Health Administration network.\r\nThe Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act requires the VA to \"develop a plan to consolidate all non-Department provider programs by establishing a new, single program.\" As you develop a plan to consolidate the non-VA care programs, please pay special attention to the needs and experiences of Idaho's veterans.\r\nAs this work continues, please provide me with an overview of your work. Additionally, I would like to know the following:\r\n What steps will the VA take to address the special needs of rural and highly rural communities?\r\n How will veterans' individual insurance plans be affected by the non-VA care program consolidation?\r\n How will the consolidated non-VA program interface with TRICARE?\r\n How will the VA ensure timely and accurate reimbursement of providers?\r\n How will the VA ensure third-party administrators (TPAs) are reimbursing providers in a timely and accurate manner?\r\n What role will TPAs serve in a consolidated program?\r\n Many Idahoans have expressed concerns after having difficulty reaching the TPAs. How will the VA ensure its TPAs are providing timely assistance to veterans?\r\n Will the VA ensure that veterans have another means to schedule care if the TPA is untimely?\r\n What training will VA staff and TPAs have to understand and administer the new consolidated program?\r\nAs Congress and the VA work to improve the VCP and veterans' access to care, these issues must be properly addressed to ensure future program revisions work for Idaho's veterans. The state-wide surveys show VCP failures can be attributed to the following problems:\r\n1) Many veterans have a hard time working with the TPAs. Complaints include that the TPAs take too long to schedule appointments, frequently outside the veterans' preferred 30-day window. Other veterans have shared stories of poorly-trained staff and long telephone wait times.\r\n2) Idahoans indicate the VCP reimbursement rate is lower than the negotiated rate for several of the other non-VA care programs. This has the effect of discouraging provider participation. Veterans once able to use an alternative non-VA care program through certain providers must now travel long distances because the same providers will not participate in the VCP. Further, the VA has directed VISNs to use the VCP before using any of the other non-VA care programs. This direction further compounds the problem.\r\nPlease consider these problems as the Department moves forward in the non-VA care program consolidation process.\r\nIn order to fully understand the needs of Idaho's veterans and servicemembers, I invite you to visit our great state. Please suggest a few dates that work for your schedule. Your presence in Idaho will mean a great deal to the veterans and servicemembers I represent.\r\nThank you in advance for your response and for your efforts to address the needs of Idaho's veterans.\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360797", "Crapo, Risch Skeptical of Sage-Grouse Decision", "2015-09-22", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 22, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Skeptical of Sage-Grouse Decision \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch issued comments reacting to news that the Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, has announced that placing the greater sage-grouse on the Endangered Species List is \"not warranted\". The Record of Decision for the Land Use Plan Amendments has already been signed.\r\n\"While a 'not warranted' decision is better than a listing determination under the Endangered Species Act, the Department of Interior's reliance on heavy-handed land-use management plans to arrive at this decision is unacceptable,\" said \r\nCrapo. \"The Department ignored much of what the Idaho Sage Grouse Task Force recommended and, instead, opted to move forward with top-down federal lands-use management plans. While the agency cited collaboration as the basis for its decision, the move to abandon the state's planning process that adequately addressed true threats to the bird--namely the impact of wildfires and invasive species on sagebrush habitat--will ultimately lead to greater uncertainty for sage grouse populations in the future.\"\r\n\"While I am pleased Secretary Jewell has acknowledged the greater sage-grouse population is on the rebound, I am concerned the regulations generated by the Department of the Interior to reach this decision will do little to continue the recent population rebound in Idaho,\" said \r\nRisch. \"We had pressed DOI early on to rely on a locally-driven, collaborative process to conserve the sage-grouse, but this process changed when it came to Washington, D.C. The two main threats to the greater sage-grouse in Idaho are fire and invasive species. The Secretary adopts a plan that relies heavily on regulation of the mining, oil, and gas industries when it should focus more heavily on fire control. Today's announcement serves as political cover for another top-down mandate that will not be the best prescription for sage-grouse in Idaho.\"\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398476", "Wildfires are National Disasters", "2015-09-17", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The 2015 wildfire season has been brutal. In mid-August the National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level was raised to the highest Level 5 and the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) mobilized active duty military personnel to fight wildfires for the first time in almost a decade. Millions of acres are burning in the drought-plagued Westmore than twice as many as last yearand the Forest Service anticipates that suppression costs will exceed the budget by nearly a half a billion dollars.\r\nThe severity of this fire season underscores the fact that our current wildfire suppression budget process simply does not work. Twenty years ago wildfire suppression made up about 15% of the Forest Service budget. This year it is over half. This means that the Forest Service spends the majority of its time, funding, and staff resources putting out fires instead of managing our nations public lands. \r\nThis situation has reached a crisis point. This is why we have introduced H.R. 167, the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (WDFA). The WDFA discards the old, broken model for wildfire suppression and replaces it with one that treats wildfires like the natural disasters they are.\r\nToday wildfire suppression funding is based primarily on an historical average of suppression costs over the past ten years. The ten-year average funding model worked when the cost of wildfire suppression was relatively stable. But wildfire suppression costs have steadily grown over the past two decades. Drought, invasive vegetation, and increasing development near wildland areas increase the risk of catastrophic fires. Fire season is longer, fires are more severe, and suppression is more costlyand these trends are expected to continue. And because suppression costs now routinely exceed the budget, agencies are continually forced to transfer funding from non-fire projects to pay them.\r\nOur current path only leads to bigger, more expensive, and more devastating fires. The WDFA changes directions by treating catastrophic wildfires like other natural disasters. It continues to use the 10-year average funding model where it worksfor routine wildfire suppression costsbut it makes those few but very expensive emergency fires eligible for the same disaster spending cap adjustment as other natural disasters. Catastrophic fires represent only about 1% of all wildland fires but make up 30% of the costs. \r\nThe WDFA allows us to finally budget responsibly for wildfire suppression in a way that ultimately decreases firefighting costs by mitigating fire risk. It restores the Forest Services ability to effectively manage our forests, and with proper management forests will be more resilient to catastrophic fire, disease, and other threats. And ending the destructive cycle of fire borrowing means that land management agencies will be more accountable to Congresss direction.\r\nThe fires we experience out west are just as devastating as the hurricanes and tornadoes that strike the East Coast and Midwest and they should be funded as such. Westerners have been suffering from this fairness issue and its high time that all states be treated the samewith equal access to disaster funding.\r\nAs wildfires continue to blaze, Congress has a responsibility to act. Today over 130 Members of Congress have cosponsored H.R. 167, and that number continues to grow. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of over 300 organizations who all recognize that the status quo is unsustainable. Fixing the wildfire budget is the critical first step in making our forests healthier and, ultimately, reducing the cost of wildfires in the future.\r\nCongressman Mike Simpson represents Idahos 2nd Congressional District and serves as Chairman of the Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice-Chair of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.\r\nCongressman Kurt Schrader has represented Oregon's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2009.\r\nCongressman Ken Calvert represents Californias 42nd Congressional District and serves as Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.\r\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum is the ranking Democratic member on the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. She has represented Minnesotas 4th Congressional District since 2001.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=539640aa-38e5-4c62-baf8-f95dce56888b", "Risch Votes to Reject Obama Agreement with Iran", "2015-09-17", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch released the following statement after he voted once again for cloture to disapprove of President Obamas nuclear agreement with Iran:\r\nSenate Democrats have successfully mounted a filibuster to protect President Obama from having to face the reality of this disastrously imperfect agreement. A majority of Americans know this is a very bad deal. The Iranians will now have the resources they desire to fund terrorism, attack Israel, and foster instability across the Middle East, while the president and his administration stand by and call this a good deal.\r\nThe deal gives Iran a path forward, permission, and a timetable to develop and industrialize its nuclear industry so it can build a nuclear weapon. The agreement also lifts the conventional arms embargo on Iran and permits them to develop, build, and test an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.\r\nThis agreement is indefensible, but President Obama will not have to defend it. In addition, even with all the pressure we could assert the administration left behind the American prisoners being held in Iran, including Idahoan Pastor Saeed Abedini.\r\nCloture failed with a partisan vote of 56-42, meaning that the disapproval failed.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360794", "Crapo: President's Iran Deal Bad for America and Idaho", "2015-09-17", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 17, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo: President's Iran Deal Bad for America and 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 Says the deal weakens America??s foreign policy posture \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted for a second time to consider a resolution rejecting President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran:\r\n\"The President's executive nuclear agreement legitimizes Iran's nuclear weapons program and directly threatens our national security and regional allies. This agreement releases billions of dollars to Tehran, a portion of which even the administration acknowledges will wind up in the hands of terror groups,\" Crapo said. \"As I travel throughout the state, Idahoans have echoed many of my concerns with this agreement-it contains unseen \"side deals\" and depends on a questionable verification process. Furthermore, Idahoans are shocked at the negotiators' failure to secure the release of Americans long detained in Iran, including Boise Pastor Saeed Abedini.\"\r\n\"The Administration's flawed negotiations repeatedly provided concessions to Iran, weakening our bargaining and foreign policy positions throughout the process. The American people widely disapprove of the agreement, which is reflected in the overwhelming and bipartisan Congressional opposition to it. The President's decision to go forward with the agreement is unacceptable, and gives the Iranian regime a green light to continue its export of violence-posing a very real threat to the United States, Idaho and the world.\"\r\nThe Senate failed to pass the resolution to reject the President's nuclear deal with Iran by a vote of 56-42, failing to invoke cloture on the measure. \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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360793", "Crapo Blasts Weak Iran Deal on Senate Floor", "2015-09-16", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "September 16, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Blasts Weak Iran Deal on Senate Floor \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 agreement does not stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapon, lacks adequate inspection and verification measures \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo took to the Senate Floor this afternoon to outline his strong opposition to the President's nuclear agreement with Iran. Crapo says the deal does not stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and will all but guarantee Iran is able to continue its aggression in the middle east and beyond. The Senator also made note during his remarks of the Administration's failure to secure the release of Boise Pastor Saeed Abedini and other Americans being held prisoner in Iran from the outset of the negotiations.\r\n\r\n  \"We cannot forget that Iran is a regime with a history of sponsoring terrorism against Americans and our allies and a regime which continues to threaten the existence of Israel,\" said Crapo during his remarks on the Senate Floor. \"This agreement changes the United States policy toward Iran, but does very little, if anything, to change Iran's aggressive nature. Iranian leaders have already renewed their threats to Israel and continue to call the United States the 'Great Satan' and have rejected the Administration's hope publicly that the agreement will lead to better cooperation with IranThis agreement is dangerous. It is dangerous to the security interests of the United States. It is dangerous to the security interests of the world. It is destabilizing in the Middle East and it contains very, very serious potential consequences for the future security of all Americans and, frankly, for people throughout the world.\"\r\n\r\nVideo of the full speech can be found on the Senator's \r\n\r\n  YouTube\r\n channel.\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398475", "Simpson Introduces Resolution Recognizing Water Fluoridation as Effective Public Health Measure", "2015-09-10", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has introduced a resolution recognizing community water fluoridation as an effective and important public health measure. This year marks the 70th anniversary of communities utilizing fluoridated water which helps strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay.\r\nThe oral health community is in steadfast agreement that water fluoridation is a vitally important public health measure, said Simpson. Communities who have chosen this proactive measure receive improved oral health benefits for people of all ages.\r\nThe U.S. Public Health Service recommends adding fluoride to drinking water for its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay. The decision about whether to fluoridate public water supplies is always made at the local or state level. \r\nTwenty-two years of practicing dentistry showed me firsthand the value of good oral health and the consequences of neglect, especially among children, said Simpson. That is why improving access to oral health care has been a top priority for me since coming to Congress. This resolution sheds light on a cost-effective measure that has helped improve the health of millions of Americans.\r\nCommunity water fluoridation was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. Water fluoridation has been proven to reduce tooth decay by 25% among children and adults, and school children on average have roughly 2 fewer decayed teeth compared with children who live in communities without fluoridated water. As of 2012, almost 75% of Americans who use public water supplies had access to optimally fluoridated water supplies. \r\nCongressman Simpson, co-chair of the Oral Health Caucus and a former dentist, introduced the resolution with a bipartisan group of cosponsors including two former dentists.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=995", "LABRADOR TO OPPOSE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL", "2015-09-01", "2015", "2015-09", "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\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 | Sept. 1, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR TO OPPOSE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL \r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN  Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, will vote to disapprove President Obamas nuclear agreement with Iran. Under the Iran Nuclear Review Act of 2015, Congress has the authority to review the July 14 agreement and block the lifting of sanctions. The vote is expected this month.\r\n\r\n\tLabrador issued the following statement:\r\n\r\n\tI was initially skeptical of the nuclear talks because Iran has long proven unworthy of our trust. But I kept an open mind because diplomacy is an important tool to prevent global conflicts.\r\n\r\n\tHaving carefully studied President Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran, I will vote against the agreement because it threatens our national security and clears the way for a rogue nation to secretly develop nuclear weapons. It would free about $120 billion in frozen assets that the Obama Administration admits could be used by the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism to finance more attacks on innocents.\r\n\r\n\tThe Administrations interest in a foreign policy legacy has produced a misbegotten deal that escalates risk. The one-sided document is riddled with loopholes, including a 24-day delay before inspectors may access undeclared nuclear sites. The recent revelation of a secret side deal allowing Iran to conduct its own inspections of the military site at Parchin is proof that the U.S. is placing far too much trust in one of historys most dubious and dangerous regimes.\r\n\r\n\tThe agreement fails to make the world safer. Instead, it gives Iran access to sophisticated nuclear technology that could allow advancement of a weapons program, lifts bans on Irans import and export of conventional weapons and development of ballistic missiles, and risks stimulating a Middle East arms race. It also lifts sanctions on Iranians responsible for killing Americans.\r\n\r\n\tWe must not invest our confidence in a country that continues to wrongfully imprison Americans, including Boise Pastor Saeed Abedini. Congress should reject this risky deal, continue sanctions, keep all our options on the table and encourage the President to resume negotiations on a stronger agreement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=994", "LABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON RULING BY FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKING FEDERAL WATER GRAB", "2015-08-28", "2015", "2015-08", "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\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 | Aug. 28, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON FEDERAL JUDGE'S RULINGBLOCKING FEDERAL WATER GRAB \r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN  On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson issued a temporary injunction blocking a controversial Obama Administration rule that would vastly expand federal jurisdiction by rewriting the four-decade-old definition of navigable watersunder the Clean Water Act. The waters of the United States rule was scheduled to take effect today. The judge said the rule posed an imminent risk of irreparable harm to 13 states, including Idaho, which sought the injunction.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, who has been working on a legislative solution since the rule was proposed in 2014, issued the following statement:\r\n\r\n\t\"Thursdays injunction will temporarily stop the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers from implementing one of the worst water grabs in American history, a rule that could require Idahoans to obtain a federal permit to dig a ditch or till their land.\r\n\r\n\tThe Obama Administration seems determined to usurp state authority. The administration ignored states opposition and didnt take the hint to revise the rule after a bill opposing the regulation passed the House with bipartisan support in May.\r\n\r\n\tMy hope is that the courts will permanently strike down this executive branch overreach, which Judge Erickson called exceptionally expansive. Meanwhile, I will continue to work with my colleagues on a legislative remedy that protects the rights of the states and ordinary Americans trying to make a living.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360790", "Crapo Statement on Courts Decision to Temporarily Block EPA Water Grab", "2015-08-28", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 28, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Statement on Court??s Decision to Temporarily Block EPA Water Grab \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - Late yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Erickson issued a temporary injunction blocking the controversial U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's \"Waters of the United States\" rule, which had been set to go into effect today. Under the preliminary injunction, the 13 states, including Idaho, that were parties in the suit against the regulations will temporarily be exempted. Crapo, who has repeatedly pushed back on the rule since its proposal in 2014, released the following statement:\r\n\"The states, not the federal government, have always had primary jurisdiction over the allocation, management and use of water,\" said Crapo. \"This blatant overreach by the Administration, which goes far beyond the legal scope of what Congress intended in the Clean Water Act, sets a dangerous precedent and significantly expands federal authority by allowing the EPA to regulate nearly every stream, ditch, pond and puddle on both state and local lands, as well as private property. The court's decision to halt the rule for the time being comes as no surprise as the Supreme Court has repeatedly rebuked similar efforts. While this is a short-term victory, I will continue to work with my colleagues on a legislative fix to permanently block this harmful rule.\"\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360788", "Crapo Full Town Meeting Schedule", "2015-08-21", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 21, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Full Town Meeting Schedule \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nCRAPO TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Visits cities in southern Idaho during August, September\r\n  \r\n\r\nBoise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is ramping up his town meeting schedule in Idaho during the August and September state work period. Crapo opens his town meetings with a discussion about the federal government's federal debt that is nearing $19 trillion, then takes questions from Idahoans in attendance. He plans an additional 58 Idaho town meetings during August and September. \r\n\r\nCrapo's schedule includes the following town meetings:\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 10:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n9:00 AM Wendell   Wendell City Hall, 375 1\r\nst Avenue East\r\n\r\n10:30 AM \r\nGooding   Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind,Multipurpose Room, 1450 Main\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nFairfield  Camas County Senior & Community Center,129 Willow Avenue West\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nCareyCarey City Hall, 20482 Main Street\r\n\r\n4:30 PM \r\nRichfield  Richfield Senior Center, 130 South Main Street\r\n\r\n6:30 PM \r\nDietrich Dietrich City Park, 620 North Main Avenue\r\n\r\n\r\n  Tuesday. August 11:\r\n\r\n\r\n9:00 AM \r\nFiler   Filer City Hall, 300 Main Street\r\n10:30 AM \r\nHollister Grange Hall, 2340 Main Street\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nCastleford Castleford Community Center, 475 Main Street\r\n\r\n2:00 PM \r\nBuhl  Buhl City Hall, 230 Broadway Avenue N.\r\n\r\n4:00 PM \r\nHagerman  Hagerman City Hall, 191 State Street North\r\n\r\n5:30 PM \r\nBliss  Bliss Fire District, 120 U.S. Highway 30\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 12:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nBoise  Fire briefing and news conference,National Interagency Fire Center.\r\n\r\n\r\n  Thursday, August 13:\r\n\r\n\r\n11:00 AM \r\nMiddleton Middleton Fire Station, 302 E. Main Street\r\n1:00 PM  \r\nNew Plymouth VFW Hall, 114 S. Plymouth\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 17:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nBoise Participates in Congressional Awards Ceremony,Idaho Statehouse\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, August 18:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\nNoon \r\nIdaho Falls Speaks at the Intermountain Energy Summit,Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Boulevard\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 24:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n9:30 AM \r\nMinidoka Minidoka City Hall, 402 Cherry Street\r\n\r\n11:00 AM \r\nAcequia Acequia Elementary School Library,360 North 350 East\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nRupert Wilson Theater, 610 Fremont Street\r\n\r\n2:00 PM \r\nPaul Paul City Hall, 152 South 600 West\r\n\r\n4:00 PM \r\nHazelton Pizza Cache, 375 Main Street\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, August 25:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nPayette Payette Public Library, 24 S. 10\r\nth Street\r\n\r\nNoon \r\nMidvale Veterans Memorial Hall, Off U.S. 95\r\n\r\n1:30 PM \r\nCambridge Cambridge Senior Center, 40 Superior Street\r\n\r\n3:30 PM \r\nCouncil Council Senior Center, 103 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 26:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nOakley Oakley Fire Department, Community Room, 315 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nDeclo Declo City Hall & Fire Station, 8 N. Clark Street\r\n\r\n4:00 PM \r\nAlbion Albion Civic Center, 124 South Main\r\n\r\n6:00 PM \r\nMalta Raft River High School Auditorium, 55 1\r\nst West\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, August 27:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n11:00 AM \r\nArimo Arimo City Hall, 115 Henderson Avenue\r\n\r\n1:30 PM \r\nPreston Preston City Hall, 70 W. Onida Street\r\n\r\n3:00 PM \r\nFranklin Franklin City Hall, 128 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n5:00 PM \r\nDowney Marsh Valley Senior Center, 21 S. Main\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Friday, August 28:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n8:30 AMC\r\nhubbuck Chubbuck City Hall, 5160 Yellowstone\r\n\r\n10:30 AM  \r\nRockland  Rockland City Hall, 135 South Main\r\n\r\n1:00 PM \r\nMalad City Malad City Hall, 59 Bannock\r\n\r\n3:00 PM \r\nMcCammon McCammon City Hall, 802 Front\r\n\r\n4:30 PM \r\nInkom  Inkom City Hall, 365 N. Rapid Creek Road\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Saturday, August 29:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n11:00 AM \r\nOxford Oxford Community Pavilion, 8950 N. WestsideHighway\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nClifton Moyle Community Center, 175 W. Center Street\r\n\r\n2:00 PM \r\nDayton Beutler Middle School, Dahle Community Center,626 N. Westside Highway\r\n\r\n3:30 PM \r\nWeston Weston City Hall, 15 E. Depot Street\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 31:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nRirie Ririe City Hall, 464 Main Street\r\n\r\nNoon \r\nIrwin Swan Valley Outpost, 3427 Swan Valley Highway\r\n\r\n1:30PM \r\nSwan Valley American Legion Hall, 157 Stoltenberg Lane\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, September 1:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:30 AM \r\nKimberly  Kimberly City Hall, 242 Highway 30 East\r\n\r\nNoon \r\nEden  Silver and Gold Senior Center, 210 E. Wilson\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nGlenns Ferry Glenns Ferry City Hall, 110 E. Second Street\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, September 2:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n9:00 AM \r\nBoise Addresses attendees at the Zions BankSmall BusinessConference,  Boise Centre on the Grove, 850 W. Front Street\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nNampa Presents Idahoan Joe Bell with the Spirit of IdahoAward for his work documenting public access at Lake Lowell, Nampa City Hall, 411 3\r\nrd Street S. \r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, September 3:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nStanley Stanley Community Building, 510 Eva FallsAvenue\r\n\r\n12:30 AM \r\nClayton Clayton Museum, Highway 75\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nChallis Challis Community Event Center, 411 Clinic Road\r\n5:00 PM\r\n Salmon Sacajawea Center, 2700 East Main\r\n\r\n\r\n  Friday, September 4:\r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nLeadore Leadore School, 119 3\r\nrd Street\r\n\r\n1:00 PM \r\nButte City Corner of Highway 26 and 8\r\nth Street\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nArco Arco Butte Business Incubation Center,159 North Idaho Street\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Saturday, September 5:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n11:30 AM \r\nPlacerville  The Plaza, Placerville", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360786", "Crapo Measure to Explore 'Test-Bed' Concept at DOE Labs Adopted \r\nBy Senate Energy Panel", "2015-08-18", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Measure to Explore 'Test-Bed' Concept at DOE Labs Adopted By Senate Energy Panel \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 speak at Intermountain Energy Summit in Idaho Falls today \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.- Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will be speaking at the Intermountain Energy Summit today in Idaho Falls. The event comes on the heels of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's recently unveiled \r\nEnergy Policy Modernization Act (EPMA), which includes three measures supported Crapo. The EMPA includes a Crapo measure (S. 1363) that fosters innovation in the nuclear energy industry by requiring the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to report on its ability to on its ability to authorize, host and oversee privately-funded fusion and fission reactor prototypes at DOE-owned sites, such as the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The measure also includes language from a Crapo-supported (S. 822) measure that would allow the Department of Interior to award noncompetitive leases on federal land for geothermal development. Finally, the EPMA will include a Warren-Crapo energy efficiency measure (S. 1342). The full bill could see possible floor consideration this fall.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Promoting nuclear research and investment in the United States\r\n  \r\n\r\nCrapo is a strong advocate of encouraging research and investment in nuclear energy, especially as the United States continues to lag behind in developing new nuclear technologies. He previously introduced the \r\nNuclear Energy Innovation Act as a standalone bill. The measure would direct the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal agencies (such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission) to assess their capabilities to authorize and host privately-funded reactor prototypes at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) labs, such as the Idaho National Laboratory.\r\n\r\n\"The United States must regain its leadership in nuclear technology\" said Crapo. \"Nuclear energy is a key component of the kind of long-term, diversified energy plan our country needs. As other nations continue to make strides toward developing new technologies, we must encourage innovation and investment here at home. Currently, nuclear energy innovators and scientists are unable to test their proposed technologies, which makes it difficult to prove the principles behind their work. The inclusion of this measure is an important first step in bringing about a nuclear technology demonstration facility. Ideally, such a facility will \r\nfoster greater collaboration between the government and private sector to reduce the risk of deploying new nuclear technologies.\"\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Request for DOE study on energy efficiency technology cost savings\r\n  \r\n\r\nAn amendment based on bipartisan legislation Crapo introduced with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren was adopted by the committee by a voice vote. This measure would direct the DOE to conduct a study quantifying the cost savings from operational energy efficiency technologies. The study in turn would help building owners and manufacturers continuously monitor their energy use and keep their facilities and industrial processes operating at optimal efficiency-saving both energy and money in the process.\r\n\r\n  \"Increasing our nation's energy efficiency must remain a priority,\" said Crapo. \"This measure, without creating any new programs or spending any new federal dollars, would encourage the public and private adoption of energy efficiency technologies, saving money for both the federal government and the private sector.\"\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Schedule details\r\n  \r\n\r\n12:00 PM\r\nCrapo to Speak at Intermountain Energy Summit\r\nShilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Blvd.\r\nIdaho Falls\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360787", "Crapo Announces Change in Town Meeting Schedule", "2015-08-18", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 18, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Announces Change in Town Meeting Schedule \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 Some meetings moved to the Magic Valley August 31 and September 1 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBoise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is announcing a change in his Idaho town meeting schedule for August 31 and September 1. Meetings previously scheduled in Victor, Basalt, Blackfoot and Aberdeen are being postponed because of travel issues. They will be rescheduled. New meetings in Kimberly, Eden and Glenns Ferry are being added.\r\n\r\nCrapo's revised town meeting schedule for August 31 and September 1:\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 31:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nRirie Ririe City Hall, 464 Main Street\r\n\r\nNoon \r\nIrwin South Fork Inn & Grill, 3427 Swan Valley Highway\r\n\r\n1:30 PM \r\nSwan Valley American Legion Hall, 157 Stoltenberg Lane\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, September 1:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n10:30 AM \r\nKimberly  City Hall, 242 Highway 30 East\r\n\r\nNoon  \r\nEden  Silver and Gold Senior Center, 210 E. Wilson\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nGlenns Ferry City Hall, 110 E. Second Street\r\n\r\n\r\nCrapo's original full schedule can be found on his official website at: \r\nhttps://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360778\r\n\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360782", "Crapo, Wyden, Risch Visit Interagency Fire Center; Discuss Growing Support \r\nfor Wildfire Funding Solution", "2015-08-10", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo, Wyden, Risch Visit Interagency Fire Center; Discuss Growing Support for Wildfire Funding Solution \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 WYDEN-CRAPO WILDFIRE DISASTER FUNDING ACT HAS 16 SENATE COSPONSORS, SUPPORT OF MORE THAN 250 ORGANIZATIONS \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n  Boise\r\n - Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden, (D-Oregon) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) will visit the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise Wednesday to receive a briefing on the nation's wildfire situation to date and discuss growing support for their legislation to fix the broken system for funding wildfires. The senators have secured commitment from nine other senators from both parties to work together on a precedent-setting bipartisan solution to funding wildfires when the Senate resumes regular business in September.\r\nLed by Sen. Mike Enzi, (R-Wyoming)., Wyden and Crapo submitted a statement for the Congressional Record on the need to work together to find a solution to address budget concerns surrounding wildfire funding and fire suppression. They were joined by Sens. Lisa Murkowski, (R-Alaska), Maria Cantwell, (D-Washington), John McCain, (R-Arizona)., Jeff Flake, (R-Arizona)., John Barrasso, (R-Wyoming)., Jeff Merkley, (D-Oregon)., Steve Daines, (R-Montana)., and Jon Tester, (D-Montana). Enzi is the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, where the Crapo-Wyden Wildfire Disaster Funding Act was referred for consideration. Language similar to the Crapo-Wyden proposal has also been included in the FY16 Interior Appropriations Bill.\r\nCrapo and Wyden reintroduced the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act in January to end the cycle of underfunding fire suppression, which currently forces federal agencies to steal from fire prevention funding just to fight fires. Instead, Wyden and Crapo's bill will end this so-called \"fire borrowing\" by funding the largest wildfires from a similar disaster account used to fund other natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes. The Interior Department and the Forest Service estimate these fires - about 1 percent - consume 30 percent of firefighting budgets.\r\nA \r\nreport from the U.S. Forest Servicereleased Wednesday showed that the agency's budget for fire suppression has more than tripled over the past two decades. The current system has underfunded fire suppression seven out of the last 10 years, forcing the agencies to take funds from other accounts to fight fires.\r\nIn March, Wyden and Crapo successfully \r\nattached languageto the Senate budget that sets the stage for passing their funding solution. The language in the Senate budget adjusts a funding cap that has prevented agencies from treating wildfires as natural disasters under the federal budget.\r\n\r\n\"Oregon is on fire and the Forest Service tells me that with current fire seasons getting longer and current budgetary constraints the days of spending over 50 percent of their budget on suppressing fires is here to stay,\" Wyden said.\r\n\"The time for talking is coming to an end and the time to negotiate a fix to this very serious problem is at hand. We are going to work together this summer, with the fires in the West literally fueling our motivation to take meaningful steps this fall to end fire borrowing and to ensure that the federal agencies have the resources they need to prevent these infernos from igniting in the first place.\"\r\n\r\n\"We know that wildfires are going to continue to be a threat, and we can better prepare for the increasing costs of wildland fire management by making needed changes that will support the preparation of firefighters and land managers,\" Crapo said in the Congressional Record statement.\r\n\"That is why I partnered with Senator Ron Wyden in introducing legislation, the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, to provide for more efficient and effective fire management. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the West, and in the Senate Budget Committee in particular, on legislation that would better budget for our nation's fire suppression activities.\r\nThe Wildfire Disaster Funding Act would move any fire suppression spending above 70 percent of the 10-year average to a disaster funding account that is separate from Forest Service and Interior budgets. The bill now has 16 bipartisan cosponsors and the support of more than \r\n250 organizations.\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    News Conference: Senators Crapo, Wyden, Risch at the National Interagency Fire Center\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    3833 Development Avenue, Boise - Jack Wilson Building\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 12\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  Main Level Multipurpose Conference Room, adjacent to the main lobby\r\n\r\n\r\n  1:00 PM - 1:30 PM\r\n\r\n\r\n  The senators will be joined by Will Whelan of the Nature Conservancy.\r\n\r\n\r\n  Audio and phone hookups available by contacting Lindsay Nothern, (208) 870-1800.\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360784", "Crapo Leads Effort to Stop Social Security Administrations Backdoor Gun Grab", "2015-08-10", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 10, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Leads Effort to Stop Social Security Administration??s Backdoor Gun Grab \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 old age or disability not grounds to revoke Americans?? constitutional rights \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is leading a group of 25 senators in calling on the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to halt its plan to unfairly target the Second Amendment rights of millions of Social Security beneficiaries. In a letter to the SSA Acting Administrator, the senators call into question the Administration's recently announced plan to begin reporting millions of Social Security beneficiaries to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Crapo says that flagging these individuals in the NICS database -a database designed to prevent gun sales to felons, drug addicts, illegal or unlawful immigrants and others-is unnecessary and misguided.\r\n\"Automatically labeling millions of seniors and entering them into a system designed to prevent the sale of guns to bad actors is not the solution to stopping violence in society,\" said Crapo. \"This misguided effort is a severe overreach by the Administration and one that is at odds with Americans' constitutional rights. The Social Security Administration should cease any action designed to move this proposed policy forward. \"\r\nNews reports have indicated that the Administration is preparing to begin providing the names of Social Security beneficiaries who utilize the representative payee system within the program and have a designated \"payee\" to the NICS. If an individual is reported to the NICS, they are instantly prohibited from purchasing a firearm from a Federal Firearm Licensee. If finalized, the unprecedented move by the Administration could arbitrarily deny millions of Americans their Second Amendment rights. According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report, over 8 million inviduals had a representative payee in 2013.\r\nIn the letter, the senators point to the Administration's seemingly improper assumption that these individuals are a danger to themselves or society merely because they participate in SSA's representative payee system, saying \"Old age or a disability does not make someone a threat to society. Having a representative payee should not be grounds to revoke constitutional rights.\"\r\nCrapo also noted the lack of protocol in place for appealing such decisions once these inviduals have been entered into the NICS database. \"Even more alarming is the fact that there is no real established process in place to have their names removed from the system once entered. The Administration's apparent lack of regard for due process is unacceptable.\"\r\nJoining Crapo on the letter are Senators Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Dean Heller (R-Nevada), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Dan Coats (R-Indiana), Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), David Vitter (R-Louisiana), Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), Cory Gardner (R-Colorado), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Steve Daines (R-Montana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).\r\nClick \r\nhere to view the signed copy of the letter or find the full text below.\r\n\r\nAugust 6, 2015\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Carolyn Colvin\r\nActing Commissioner of Social Security\r\nSocial Security Administration\r\n6401 Security Boulevard\r\nWoodlawn, MD 21207\r\n\r\nDear Acting Commissioner Colvin:\r\nWe were disappointed to learn, through press reports rather than direct contact from the Social Security Administration (SSA) with Congress, that SSA is currently in the planning stages of implementing a new policy to report certain Social Security beneficiaries to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) used by the government to prevent gun sales to individuals who are felons, drug addicts, illegal or unlawful immigrants, and others. \r\nAs far as we know, nothing in the NICS presupposes adverse risk associated with individuals who are recipients of Social Security benefits and who also utilize representative payees. Yet, SSA's intention to implement screening of all such individuals seems to improperly presume that such a risk exists. It is not at all clear how this misguided intention is intended to be carried out or how SSA will serve as adjudicator of risks posed by beneficiaries utilizing its representative payee system. \r\nThe representative payee system is vital for beneficiaries who need assistance managing their own finances. Millions of responsible seniors and people with disabilities rely on a representative payee. As SSA explains to beneficiaries: \"There can be many reasons why Social Security decides someone needs a payee. However, it is usually because we have information that indicated you need help managing your money and meeting your current needs.\" This description does not seem to suggest that beneficiaries using representative payees are deemed to be a danger to others or to themselves. Indeed, it would be inappropriately presumptive to decide that such dangers exist merely because an individual participates in the representative payee system, even when participation is based on mental-health related reasons. Mental health conditions are varied, and SSA's intentions to report beneficiaries utilizing the representative payee system runs the risk of increasing stigma for beneficiaries with mental health\r\nconditions and unfairly judging them to be unfit to avail themselves of their Second Amendment rights. \r\nIn light of SSA's perennial complaints about lack of funding to administer its programs, it is disappointing to learn that allegedly scarce administrative resources are being devoted to an effort to deny certain beneficiaries of their rights. Those resources would more effectively be used improving service for Social Security beneficiaries, updating Social Security's dated criteria for administering its Disability Insurance program, reducing numerous service backlogs, or even improving the workings of the representative payee system currently in place, which the Government Accountability Office recently identified as \"a major SSA management challenge.\"  \r\nWe urge you to suspend further efforts to develop your plan to report old-age and disability benefit recipients in Social Security programs to NICS and to provide a detailed report to us on the basis for SSA's intention to develop such a plan.\r\nOld age or a disability does not make someone a threat to society. Having a representative payee should not be grounds to revoke constitutional rights. We strongly urge you to halt any steps to provide information on Social Security beneficiaries or Supplemental Security Income recipients to the NICS.\r\nWe look forward to your prompt response.\r\n\r\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398472", "Simpsons Boulder White Clouds Bill Signed by President", "2015-08-07", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Simpsons Boulder White Clouds Bill Signed by President \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      President Barack Obama signs legislation into law \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        August 7, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      U.S. President Barack Obama today signed into law Congressman Mike Simpsons legislation creating three new Wilderness areas in Idaho. The legislation, The Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act (H.R. 1138), was signed earlier today in a signing ceremony at the White House.\r\nI am grateful to President Obama for his signature on this important legislation and humbled by the tireless work of countless Idahoans that led to its passage, said Simpson. The Boulder White Clouds area is now protected, in perpetuity, by the gold standard of preservation designations. I am proud that this was accomplished through a truly collaborative process that produced an Idaho solution to decades of conflict and debate. Without the work of our many partners in this process, and especially the tireless efforts of Senator Jim Risch, todays signing would not have been possible.\r\nSpecifically Simpsons legislation will do the following:\r\n \r\n    Sawtooth National Recreation Area: The Sawtooth National Forest would remain as the principle administrative body and the current management would remain intact under the existing SNRA law (PL 92-400) and the existing SNRA management and travel plans. The Challis BLM would remain the managers of the East Fork BLM and Salmon-Challis National Forest areas.\r\n    Wilderness: Three new wilderness areas would be created totaling 275,665 acres.They are the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness (88,079 acres), the White Clouds Wilderness (90,841 acres) and theJim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness (117,040). The total wilderness acreage would be reduced by 36,968 acres from the original CIEDRA bill that would have created 332,928 acres.\r\n    Multiple Use: Four wilderness study areas would be released back to multiple use: the Jerry Peak Wilderness Study Area, the Jerry Peak West Wilderness Study Area, the Corral-Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area, the Boulder Creek Wilderness Study Area and any USFS recommended wilderness not made wilderness totaling 155,003 acres.This is up 23,333 acres released from the original CIEDRA bill which totaled 131,670.\r\n    Motorized Use: No roads that are currently open to vehicles, or trails that are currently open to two wheeled motorized use would be closed. The Grand Prize and Germania trails (including the ridge in between) and the Frog Lake Loop would be excluded from wilderness and remain open to two wheeled motorized use under the existing SNRA travel plan. The following higher elevation snowmobiling areas would remain open as allowed under the existing SNRA travel plan: 4th of July Basin, Washington Basin, Phyllis Lake Basin, Champion Lakes and Warm Springs Meadows.\r\n    Mountain Bikes: All areas currently open to mountain bikes outside of the proposed wilderness will remain open. Under CIEDRA, the 4th of July trail would have been closed to mountain bikes and will now remain open. This allows the Pole Creek/Washington Basin/4th of July loops to remain open. The Germania/Grand Prize Corridor trails and all trails outside of the wilderness would remain open to mountain bikes subject to the SNRA travel plan.\r\n    Grazing: Grazing plays an important role in the heritage and economies of rural Idaho and Custer County. Along the East Fork of the Salmon River, generational ranching families provide significant benefits in maintaining the historic character and nature of East Fork while providing significant conservation benefits to the land, including sustaining the wide, open spaces and un-fragmented landscapes of the East Fork valley. In order to provide another tool for these families to maintain their livelihoods, a provision has been included to provide permittees within and adjacent to the proposed wilderness areas with a way to help them remain viable with as little disruption as possible. Permittees with allotments within the boundaries of the Boulder White Clouds Grazing Area Map would be allowed to voluntarily retire their grazing permits and be eligible for compensation from a third party conservation group. With this compensation, it is hoped that the ranching families will be able to create more secure and certain opportunities for future generations.\r\n    Support to Counties: Over $5 million in grants have been provided to Custer County and the surrounding Boulder-White Clouds communities for a community center, a county health clinic and EMT support, and improvements to Trail Creek Highway. Individual parcels of land will be conveyed to Custer and Blaine counties, and rural communities for public purposes the per latest CIEDRA bill.\r\n    Recreation Support: Over $1.5 million in grants have been provided to the SNRA for trail maintenance and improvements, including maintenance and improvements to existing motorized trails and two existing trails to provide primitive wheelchair access, and for acquiring the land to build a mechanized bike/snowmobile access trail between Redfish Lake and Stanley.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360781", "Crapo, Bennet Reintroduce Bill to Increase Resources for Wildfire Mitigation", "2015-08-06", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 06, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo, Bennet Reintroduce Bill to Increase Resources for Wildfire Mitigation \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 Would Reduce Future Spending for Wildfire Suppression \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWashington, DC -U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) reintroduced a bill to provide targeted investments for wildfire mitigation. The bill would help save future costs related to wildfire response efforts and the damage to property and land without adding to the deficit.\r\n\"FEMA directs a substantial portion of its resources every year to helping communities at risk of natural disasters prepare for such events by providing aid for things like flood preparation for hurricanes or modification to houses in Tornado Alley,\" \r\nsaid Crapo. \"However, it provides very few resources to communities at risk of being impacted by wildfires, which, those in the west know all too well, can be devastating to homeowners and communities. This bill seeks to address that disparity.\"\r\n\"Colorado has experienced catastrophic wildfires that have caused immeasurable damage,\" \r\nBennet said. \"We need to do more to prepare for these disasters to help save lives and protect property. This bill targets investments at mitigation efforts to help reduce the size and scope of fires and in some cases prevent them from occurring altogether.\"\r\nThe \r\nPrepare, Ready, Equip, and Prevent Areas at-Risk of Emergency (PREPARE) Wildfires Act directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a funding stream specifically for wildfire mitigation. The bill would authorize $20 to $30 million per year for a five year wildfire mitigation pilot program, as part of agency's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund. States and local governments would provide matching funds, leveraging federal dollars for maximum efficiency. The bill would also allow the President to provide post-wildfire mitigation assistance to States that have received Fire Management Assistance Grants. This change, which was originally championed by Senator Mark Udall, was included as a one-year provision in the Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security appropriations bill and will expire on September 30\r\nth. The bill also requires the President to consider post-fire flooding when making \"major disaster\" declarations and requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create a post-fire funding guide for communities.\r\nThe Forest Service reported yesterday that it will spend more than half of its budget just to help fight wildfires around the country. Additionally, in a \r\nnew report the Forest Service released, the agency estimates that within a decade it will spend more than two-thirds of its budget to battle the increasing threat of wildfires. This makes it even more important that we invest in cost-saving mitigation efforts.\r\nStudies have shown that targeted investments in mitigation will prevent and reduce large-scale wildfires and save money in the long run. A 2007 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) study of FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program found that a very small share of the agency's mitigation funding went to wildfires. Yet, in the same report, CBO concluded that these infrequently funded fire mitigation projects have one of the highest returns on investment out of all the different FEMA mitigation categories, saving more than $5 in future disaster losses through every $1 in mitigation funding.\r\nBennet and Crapo teamed up in 2013 to \r\nsecure a provision in the Senate Homeland Security appropriations bill directing FEMA to detail its efforts to mitigate wildfires and identify any funding obstacles for current mitigation programs.\r\nThroughout his career in Congress, Crapo has worked to reduce the risk and severity of large-scale wildfires. In the U.S. Senate in particular, Crapo helped enact legislation, including the Healthy Forest Restoration Act and the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act, that have provided land managers with more tools to counter unhealthy conditions in our nation's forests and other lands to reduce the fire threat. Crapo recently joined a bipartisan group of senators in urging President Obama not to reduce timber sales on Forest Service lands, as he called for in his 2014 budget. The letter stressed the serious consequences reductions could have on communities across the nation and the need for increased timber harvests to help mitigate raging wildfires and help create jobs in our forests.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, Bennet has workedtirelesslyto attract criticalfederal resources to help combat wildfires and mitigate their effects. Bennet has called for themodernizationof our air tanker fleetto fight wildfires, led efforts tosecure Emergency Watershed Protection resources to help Colorado communities recover from the Waldo Canyon and High Park fires,authored key forest health and wildfire prevention provisions in the Senate Farm Billandurged the President toexpedite a request from Colorado Governor John Hickenlooperto issue federal major disaster declarations in response to the Black Forest and Royal Gorge fires.He led efforts to bring federal assistance to Colorado following the High Park and Waldo Canyon fires, includingorganizing a letter of support urgingthe President to support Governor Hickenlooper's disaster declaration request.Bennet is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Wildfire Disaster Funding Act of 2015, which would end \"fire borrowing\" and the cycle of underfunding fire\r\nsuppression.\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=f1e93452-2d33-41cc-a9b5-2b02dfe306ae", "Risch Recognizes Summer Interns", "2015-08-05", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch selected three college students from around the state of Idaho to serve as summer interns in his Washington, D.C. office this summer. The interns have had the opportunity to engage at the national level of government while assisting with constituent services and legislative research.\r\nInterning in the U.S. Senate is an excellent way to learn about the legislative branch of government and to see where much of our nations early history took place, said Risch. This group of interns has served Idaho well and shown great promise.\r\nThe interns are:\r\nKaitlin Wallis is a junior at Hillsdale College and native of Sandpoint. She is studying Financial Management with a minor in Politics. Kaitlin is the daughter of Karen and Bert Wallis.\r\nPorter Chelson, a native of St. Anthony, is a senior at Brigham Young University studying Communications with an emphasis in Journalism and Digital Media. He is the son of Gary and Shannon Chelson. Porter has worked previously for the BYU Athletics Marketing Department and also as a campus tour guide.\r\nAndrew Roan is a graduate of Colby College and a native of Boise, with a major in Government with an emphasis in Middle Eastern Politics and Islamic Law. He is the son of Dr. Peter Roan and Dr. Cari Coleman. Andrew has worked on several of Governor Butch Otters gubernatorial campaigns and at Cascade Raft and Kayak.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360780", "Crapo Regulatory Relief Bill Clears Committee", "2015-08-05", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 05, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Regulatory Relief Bill Clears Committee \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 Measure to repeal redundant and costly EPA regulation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's legislation to eliminate a duplicative and costly U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation affecting Idaho's farmers took center stage at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing today. Crapo said providing regulatory relief to not only farmers, but ranchers, state and local governments, forest managers, water users and others impacted is long overdue. If enacted, the Sensible Environmental Protection Act will lift the burden placed on pesticide users after a 2009 court ruling imposed an additional layer of needless red tape under the Clean Water Act. After an unscheduled recess delayed the Committee's consideration of the bill, the measure was adopted by voice vote at a later meeting.\r\n\"This bipartisan legislation would fix a critical issue resulting from a federal court decision that up-ended decades of federal regulatory interpretation,\" Crapo added in a statement after the hearing. \"This court decision has not provided meaningful environmental protections, but has created tremendous paperwork, compliance and litigation costs on regulated entities, including local governments, farmers, ranchers and other water users. The bottom line is, pesticide applications in or near water were already federally regulated prior to the Sixth Circuit's 2009 ruling, and S. 1500 seeks to codify the EPA's previous interpretation of this issue and ensure that pesticide users do not have to comply with multiple regulatory burdens.\"\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Background\r\n  \r\n\r\nFor more than 30 years, the EPA has implemented a comprehensive and rigorous regulatory structure for pesticide applications under what is commonly known as FIFRA, or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. FIFRA governs the sale, distribution and use of pesticides, with the goal of protecting human health and environment. The statute requires pesticides to be evaluated (undergoing more than 100 tests) and registered with EPA, and for users to comply with agency-approved, uniform labeling standards. Unfortunately, despite this federal regulatory framework already in place, a 2009 court decision forced EPA to begin requiring Clean Water Act (CWA) permits for certain applications of pesticides in or near water. This duplicative regulatory requirement went into effect in 2011.\r\n\r\nS. 1500, the Sensible Environmental Protection Act, clarifies that CWA permits are not required for pesticide applications in or near water. The bill also requires EPA to report back to Congress on whether the FIFRA process can be improved to better protect human health and the environment.\r\nAs a result of this dual regulation, EPA has estimated an additional 365,000 pesticide users-including farmers, ranchers, state agencies, cities, counties mosquito control districts, water districts, pesticide applicators and forest managers that perform 5.6 million pesticide applications annually-are required to obtain CWA permits. This is nearly double the number of entities previously subjected to permitting requirements, costing more than $50 million a year.\r\nSenator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) teamed up with Senator Crapo to introduce S. 1500. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Tom Carper (D-Delaware), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota), Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) and David Vitter (R-Louisiana) are all co-sponsors of themeasure.\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398468", "Simpsons Boulder White Clouds Passes Senate", "2015-08-04", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Simpsons Boulder White Clouds Passes Senate \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      Bill now heads to the Presidents Desk \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        August 4, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n         The passage of this bill is a huge victory for Idahoans whove worked for over 15 years to create a land management plan for the Boulder White Clouds, said Simpson. I am grateful for each and every person who participated in crafting this solution over the years and I am especially grateful to Senator Jim Risch who worked relentlessly to see this pass the U.S. Senate today.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Idaho Congressman Mike Simpsons legislation H.R. 1138, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act, today passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent.\r\nThe passage of this bill is a huge victory for Idahoans whove worked for over 15 years to create a land management plan for the Boulder White Clouds, said Simpson. I am grateful for each and every person who participated in crafting this solution over the years and I am especially grateful to Senator Jim Risch who worked relentlessly to see this pass the U.S. Senate today.\r\nSpecifically Simpsons legislation will do the following:\r\n \r\n    Sawtooth National Recreation Area: The Sawtooth National Forest would remain as the principle administrative body and the current management would remain intact under the existing SNRA law (PL 92-400) and the existing SNRA management and travel plans. The Challis BLM would remain the managers of the East Fork BLM and Salmon-Challis National Forest areas.\r\n    Wilderness: Three new wilderness areas would be created totaling 275,665 acres.They are the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness (88,079 acres), the White Clouds Wilderness (90,841 acres) and theJim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness (117,040). The total wilderness acreage would be reduced by 36,968 acres from the original CIEDRA bill that would have created 332,928 acres.\r\n    Multiple Use: Four wilderness study areas would be released back to multiple use: the Jerry Peak Wilderness Study Area, the Jerry Peak West Wilderness Study Area, the Corral-Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area, the Boulder Creek Wilderness Study Area and any USFS recommended wilderness not made wilderness totaling 155,003 acres.This is up 23,333 acres released from the original CIEDRA bill which totaled 131,670.\r\n    Motorized Use: No roads that are currently open to vehicles, or trails that are currently open to two wheeled motorized use would be closed. The Grand Prize and Germania trails (including the ridge in between) and the Frog Lake Loop would be excluded from wilderness and remain open to two wheeled motorized use under the existing SNRA travel plan. The following higher elevation snowmobiling areas would remain open as allowed under the existing SNRA travel plan: 4th of July Basin, Washington Basin, Phyllis Lake Basin, Champion Lakes and Warm Springs Meadows.\r\n    Mountain Bikes: All areas currently open to mountain bikes outside of the proposed wilderness will remain open. Under CIEDRA, the 4th of July trail would have been closed to mountain bikes and will now remain open. This allows the Pole Creek/Washington Basin/4th of July loops to remain open. The Germania/Grand Prize Corridor trails and all trails outside of the wilderness would remain open to mountain bikes subject to the SNRA travel plan.\r\n    Grazing: Grazing plays an important role in the heritage and economies of rural Idaho and Custer County. Along the East Fork of the Salmon River, generational ranching families provide significant benefits in maintaining the historic character and nature of East Fork while providing significant conservation benefits to the land, including sustaining the wide, open spaces and un-fragmented landscapes of the East Fork valley. In order to provide another tool for these families to maintain their livelihoods, a provision has been included to provide permittees within and adjacent to the proposed wilderness areas with a way to help them remain viable with as little disruption as possible. Permittees with allotments within the boundaries of the Boulder White Clouds Grazing Area Map would be allowed to voluntarily retire their grazing permits and be eligible for compensation from a third party conservation group. With this compensation, it is hoped that the ranching families will be able to create more secure and certain opportunities for future generations.\r\n    Support to Counties: Over $5 million in grants have been provided to Custer County and the surrounding Boulder-White Clouds communities for a community center, a county health clinic and EMT support, and improvements to Trail Creek Highway. Individual parcels of land will be conveyed to Custer and Blaine counties, and rural communities for public purposes the per latest CIEDRA bill.\r\n    Recreation Support: Over $1.5 million in grants have been provided to the SNRA for trail maintenance and improvements, including maintenance and improvements to existing motorized trails and two existing trails to provide primitive wheelchair access, and for acquiring the land to build a mechanized bike/snowmobile access trail between Redfish Lake and Stanley.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=a7f0e171-7fb6-42e2-bba8-7661363d2d4a", "Senate Unanimously Passes Boulder-White Clouds Bill", "2015-08-04", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch today obtained the passage of H.R. 1138, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act. This bill, commonly known as the Boulder-White Clouds wilderness bill, was authored by Congressman Mike Simpson in the House of Representatives. The Senate passed this legislation unanimously.\r\nThrough a collaborative effort, Congressman Simpson crafted this legislation that is truly an Idaho bill, said Risch. Regardless of where people are on this issue there isnt anyone who would disagree that the heart of this area is one of the most remarkable places in the world. The bill identifies that land for management as well as wilderness and releases 153,000 acres from de facto wilderness. Importantly, a vast and diverse coalition of the land users and preservationists came together as a result of Congressman Simpsons work and created an Idaho solution. I am glad to see that every one of my Senate colleagues agreed and supported this Idaho bill.\r\nVideo of Senator Rischs floor speech and the vote can be found on the Senators YouTube page or downloaded via FTP link.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360778", "Crapo Plans New Round of Town Meetings", "2015-08-04", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "August 04, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Plans New Round of Town Meetings \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 travel across southern Idaho during August, September \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBoise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is ramping up his town meeting schedule in Idaho during the August and September state work period. Crapo opens his town meetings with a discussion about the federal government's federal debt that is nearing $19 trillion, then takes questions from Idahoans in attendance. He plans an additional 58 Idaho town meetings during August and September.\r\n\r\nIn Boise, Crapo will receive a briefing on the Northwest fire situation at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. Crapo and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) have introduced legislation to ensure forest restoration efforts are not stopped by so-called federal \"fire borrowing\" efforts to pay for catastrophic wildfires. Crapo will also speak during the Intermountain Energy Summit in Idaho Falls and he will present his Spirit of Idaho Award to Joe Bell for his efforts to document public access at Lake Lowell on the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge south of Nampa. Crapo will also participate in the Idaho Congressional Awards ceremony at the Idaho Statehouse.\r\n\r\n\r\n  Crapo's schedule includes the following town meetings; all times are for town meetings except where noted:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 10:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n9:00 AM Wendell  Wendell City Hall, 375 1\r\nst Avenue East\r\n\r\n\r\n10:30 AM \r\nGooding   Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, Multipurpose Room, 1450 Main, Enter in back\r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nFairfield  Camas County Senior & Community Center, 129 Willow Avenue West\r\n\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nCarey  Carey City Hall, 20482 Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n4:30 PM \r\nRichfield  Richfield Senior Center, 130 South Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n6:30 PM \r\nDietrich Dietrich City Park, 620 North Main Avenue\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday. August 11:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n9:00 AM \r\nFiler    Filer City Hall, 300 Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n10:30 AM  Hollister  Grange Hall, 2340 Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nCastleford Castleford Community Center, 475 Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n2:00 PM \r\nBuhl  Buhl City Hall, 230 Broadway Avenue N.\r\n\r\n\r\n4:00 PM \r\nHagerman  Hagerman City Hall, 191 State Street North\r\n\r\n\r\n5:30 PM \r\nBliss Bliss Fire District, 120 U.S. Highway 30\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 12:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nBoise  Fire briefing and news conference, National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 Development.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, August 13:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n11:00 AM \r\nMiddleton Middleton Fire Station, 302 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n1:00 PM \r\nNew Plymouth VFW Hall, 114 S. Plymouth\r\n\r\n\r\n3:00 PM \r\nHomedale Homedale Senior Center, 224. W. Idaho Avenue\r\n\r\n\r\n4:30 PM \r\nMarsing  Marsing Senior Center, 218 Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n6:30 PM \r\nMurphy Owyhee County Museum, 17085 Basey Street\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 17:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nBoise Participates in Congressional Awards Ceremony, Idaho Statehouse, Senate Auditorium\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, August 18:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNoon \r\nIdaho Falls Speaks at the Intermountain Energy Summit, Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Boulevard\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 24:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n9:30 AM \r\nMinidoka Minidoka City Hall, 402 Cherry Street\r\n\r\n\r\n11:00 AM \r\nAcequia Acequia Elementary School Library, 360 North 350 East\r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nRupert Wilson Theater, 610 Fremont Street\r\n\r\n\r\n2:00 PM \r\nPaul Paul City Hall, 152 South 600 West\r\n\r\n\r\n4:00 PM \r\nHazelton Pizza Cache, 375 Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, August 25:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nPayette Payette Public Library, 24 S. 10\r\nth Street\r\n\r\n\r\nNoon \r\nMidvale Veterans Memorial Hall, Off U.S. 95\r\n\r\n\r\n1:30 PM \r\nCambridge Cambridge Senior Center, 40 Superior Street\r\n\r\n\r\n3:30 PM \r\nCouncil Council Senior Center, 103 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, August 26:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nOakley Oakley Fire Department, Community Room, 315 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nDeclo Declo City Hall & Fire Station, 8 N. Clark Street\r\n\r\n\r\n4:00 PM \r\nAlbion Albion Civic Center, 124 South Main\r\n\r\n\r\n6:00 PM \r\nMalta Raft River High School Auditorium, 55 1\r\nst West\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, August 27:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n11:00 AM \r\nArimo Arimo City Hall, 115 Henderson Avenue\r\n\r\n\r\n1:30 PM \r\nPreston Preston City Hall, 70 W. Onida Street\r\n\r\n\r\n3:00 PM \r\nFranklin Franklin City Hall, 128 E. Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\n5:00 PM \r\nDowney Marsh Valley Senior Center, 21 S. Main\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Friday, August 28:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n8:30 AM \r\nChubbuck Chubbuck City Hall, 5160 Yellowstone\r\n\r\n\r\n10:30 AM  \r\nRockland  Rockland City Hall, 135 South Main\r\n\r\n\r\n1:00 PM \r\nMalad City Malad City Hall, 59 Bannock\r\n\r\n\r\n3:00 PM \r\nMcCammon McCammon City Hall, 802 Front\r\n\r\n\r\n4:30 PM \r\nInkom Inkom City Hall, 365 N. Rapid Creek Road\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Saturday, August 29:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n11:00 AM \r\nOxford Oxford Community Pavilion, 8950 N. Westside Highway\r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nClifton Moyle Community Center, 175 W. Center Street\r\n\r\n\r\n2:00 PM \r\nDayton Beutler Middle School, Dahle Community Center, 626 N. Westside Highway\r\n\r\n\r\n3:30 PM \r\nWeston Weston City Hall, 15 E. Depot Street\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Monday, August 31:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nRirie Ririe City Hall, 464 Main Street\r\n\r\n\r\nNoon \r\nIrwin Swan Valley Outpost, 3427 Swan Valley Highway\r\n\r\n\r\n1:30PM \r\nSwan Valley  American Legion Hall, 157 Stoltenberg Lane\r\n\r\n\r\n3:30 PM \r\nVictor Victor City Hall, 32 Elm Street\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Tuesday, September 1:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nBasalt Basalt City Hall, 824 North 675 East\r\n\r\n\r\n11:30 AM \r\nBlackfoot Blackfoot City Hall, 157 N. Broadway\r\n\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nAberdeen Aberdeen City Hall, 33 N. Main\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Wednesday, September 2:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n9:00 AM \r\nBoise Addresses attendees at the Zions Bank Small Business Conference,Boise Centre on the Grove, 850 W. Front Street\r\n\r\n\r\n2:15 PM \r\nNampa Presents Idahoan Joe Bell with the Spirit of Idaho Award for his work documenting public access at Lake Lowell,Nampa City Hall, 411 3\r\nrd Street S.\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Thursday, September 3:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nStanley Stanley Community Building, 510 Eva Falls Avenue\r\n\r\n\r\n12:30 PM \r\nClayton Clayton Museum, Highway 75\r\n\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nChallis Challis Community Event Center, 411 Clinic Road\r\n\r\n\r\n5:00 PM \r\nSalmon Sacajawea Center, 2700 East Main\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Friday, September 4:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n10:00 AM \r\nLeadore Leadore School, 119 3\r\nrd Street\r\n\r\n\r\n1:00 PM \r\nButte City Corner of Highway 26 and 8\r\nth Street\r\n\r\n\r\n2:30 PM \r\nArco Arco Butte Business Incubation Center, 59 North Idaho Street\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n    Saturday, September 5:\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n11:30 AM \r\nPlacerville  The Plaza, Placerville", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=992", "LABRADOR, OTHER OFFICIALS TO ATTEND IDAHO COUNTY GUN RANGE CEREMONY", "2015-08-03", "2015", "2015-08", "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\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\tMonday | August 3, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR, OTHER OFFICIALS TO ATTEND IDAHO COUNTY GUN RANGE CEREMONY\r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, will help cut the ribbon to celebrate the transfer of 31 acres of Bureau of Land Management land to Idaho County for use as a shooting range. The event is set for 10 a.m. PDT Aug. 12, near Riggins. The public is invited to attend.\r\n\r\n\tAlso expected to attend are Idaho BLM Director Tim Murphy, Idaho County Commissioner Skip Brandt, Idaho County Sheriff Doug Giddings, Will Runnoe, manager of the BLMs Cottonwood field office and staff from the offices of Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch.\r\n\r\n\tThe Idaho County Commission will manage the shooting range, in cooperation with law enforcement. The county is working with the Salmon River Gun Club to develop the site, raise funds and hopes to open the range in the near future.\r\n\r\n\tThose wishing to attend should park at the state weigh station on U.S. 95 about 1.5 miles north of the Time Zone Bridge, north of Riggins. Due to limited parking, participants will carpool to the range, about a half-mile south of the weigh station.\r\n\r\n\tThe site was transferred thanks to Rep. Labradors legislation, the Idaho County Shooting Range Land Conveyance Act, whichbecame law in December. For years, Idaho County commissioners 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.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360777", "Crapo, Finance Republicans Press CMS \r\nNominee on Obamacare Enrollment \r\nSafeguards", "2015-07-29", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "July 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo, Finance Republicans Press CMS Nominee on Obamacare Enrollment Safeguards \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 Letter follows GAO??s findings that Obamacare Marketplace approving subsidies for fake applicants \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is seeking answers from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) after a recent \r\nreport revealed that an alarming number of fake applicants were reenrolled for health coverage for 2015 through the federal Obamacare exchange, known as \r\nHealthcare.gov. In a letter to the acting administrator, Crapo, along with his Republican colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee, questioned the agency's ability to verify and authenticate information used to enroll invidividals in the Obamacare Marketplace.\r\nThe letter follows this month's Senate Finance Committee hearingon the continued probe by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GOA)into the federal marketplace. Last summer, the watchdog agency announced that it had conducted a \"secret shopper\" investigation and created 12 fictitious applicants in an attempt to enroll them in coverage through \r\nHealthcare.gov. Of those 12 fake enrollees, 11 applicants were approved for health coverage andtogether qualified for nearly $30,000 in taxpayer funded subsides. Even more alarming, a new follow-up report by GOA released earlier this month shows that those very same 11 fake enrollees had their coverage automatically extended for 2015. The marketplace did later flag and temporarily cease coverage for 6 of the 11 phony enrollees, but GOA was able to reinstate coverage for 5 of those enrollees by simply calling the \r\nHealthcare.gov call center.\r\n\r\n\r\n\"\r\nThe GAO findings show that there has been a rise in major problems with enrollment controls, with little to no improvement. The findings highlight CMS's conscious decision to downplay program integrity in order to focus on mass enrollment,\"the Senators wrote.\r\nJoining Crapo on the letter are Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-South Dakota.), Richard Burr (R-North Carolina.), Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania.), Dan Coats (R-Indiana.), Dean Heller (R-Nevada), and Tim Scott (R-South Carolina).\r\nThe text of the letter is below and a signed copy can be found \r\nhere.\r\nJuly 28, 2015\r\nThe Honorable Andrew M. Slavitt\r\nActing Administrator\r\nCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services\r\n200 Independence Ave, S.W.\r\nWashington, D.C. 20201\r\n\r\nDear Mr. Slavitt,\r\nOn July 16, 2015, the Senate Committee on Finance held its second hearing on the United States Government Accountability Office's (GAO) ongoing investigation into the federal Health Insurance Marketplace's enrollment controls. Last week, GAO submitted testimony before the Finance Committee entitled \"Observations on 18 Undercover Tests of Enrollment Controls for Health-Care Coverage and Consumer Subsidies Provided under the Act.\" Seto J. Bagdoyan, Director of Forensic Audits and Investigative Service, served as GAO's witness in explaining their findings to the Committee. Mr. Bagdoyan's testimony, both at the hearing and in his written statement, show that problems persist, including those that GAO raised a year ago at the Finance Committee's first hearing on the Marketplace's enrollment controls.\r\nTo better assess the enrollment controls of the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, GAO conducted 18 undercover tests using fictitious applicants. Of GAO's 18 fictitious applicants, 6 sought to apply in person and 12 applied online or via telephone. Of these 12, 11 were approved by the Marketplace for coverage and subsidies in 2014. In early 2015, six of the fake applicants were terminated. However, GAO was able to have five of the six reinstated very easily without any additional documentation \r\nand with greater subsidy amounts. GAO attempted to sign up the other six fictitious applicants for tax credits with in-person assisters. In five out of six cases, both Navigators and non-Navigator assistance personnel failed to offer any assistance.\r\nAlthough GAO was careful to note that the results of its tests cannot be generalized to the full population of applicants or enrollees, these findings are very troubling. The GAO findings show that there has been a rise in major problems with enrollment controls, with little to no improvement. The findings highlight CMS's conscious decision to downplay program integrity in order to focus on mass enrollment. The Administration had spent over $120 million on the Navigator program for the 2014 and 2015 open enrollment periods. These enrollment assistance programs cannot be allowed to use hard-earned taxpayer dollars for expenses that are either wasted or untracked in terms of their use. Moreover, given the operational challenges of the Marketplace nationwide, the use of federal funds should support programs that efficiently and consistently help American citizens, rather than leaving them dumbfounded.\r\nWhen applicant information does not match information available from Marketplace verification sources, these inconsistencies should raise red flags for CMS. Instead, GAO reports that, according to CMS officials, the Marketplace did not terminate any coverage for several types of inconsistencies. We are concerned by these findings. Accordingly, we request the following information by no later than Monday, August 31, 2015:\r\n1. When did GAO first notify CMS of issues with the federal exchange's enrollment controls?\r\n2. What steps, if any, did CMS take in response to GAO's findings? If CMS did not take steps in response to GAO's findings, why not?\r\n3. How does the federal exchange verify identity, citizenship, and salary information? When answering, please address the following questions:\r\na. Does the federal exchange use different methods of verification for online, telephone, or in-person applications? If so, why?\r\nb. Does the federal exchange use different methods of verification for identity, citizenship, and salary information? If so, why?\r\nc. For verification purposes, are identity, citizenship, and salary information of equal importance?\r\n4. What, if any, internal controls were in place when the federal exchanges were first opened, including controls for online, telephone, and in-person applications? What, if any, additional controls have been added since that time? Were these controls sufficient?\r\n5. Does CMS have the ability to track how many individuals were actually declined and prevented from receiving subsidies?\r\n6. Please describe how CMS assesses the effectiveness of the federal exchange's enrollment controls, including controls for online, telephone, and in-person applications. Has CMS identified any other weaknesses in the federal exchange's enrollment controls that GAO did not identify? If so, what weaknesses?\r\n7. It has come to our attention that the federal exchange has been employing a good faith policy, or good faith exemption, as part of its verification process, specifically with respect to applicants' submission of documents.\r\na. What is the good faith policy? Please explain in detail.\r\nb. Why does CMS think that this is the appropriate verification standard for identity, citizenship, and salary information?\r\nc. Does the good faith policy extend beyond verification of identity, citizenship, and salary information?\r\n8. Over $120 million has been spent on the Navigator program.\r\na. Please provide an itemized breakdown of federal funds directed to the Navigator and non-navigator programs or grants.\r\nb. What criteria does CMS employ to assess the effectiveness, including responsiveness to potential applicants, of both Navigators and non-navigator in-person assisters?\r\n9. CMS did not provide GAO with access to certain data, which was needed for GAO's investigation, in a timely manner.\r\na. When did you first become aware of GAO's difficulties obtaining access to data related to its investigation?\r\nb. What steps did you take to ensure that GAO obtained access to the data it requested?\r\nc. How long did it take CMS to provide GAO access to the data it requested?\r\n10. As part of the technical surge team brought to CMS to rescue the federal exchange, and in light of GAO's findings, what controls do you think would improve the integrity of the federal exchange's enrollment process? Do you have plans to implement these controls? If not, why not?\r\n11. How will CMS address the issues that GAO has identified going forward?\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter and we would appreciate receiving a response by August 21, 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398466", "House Passes Simpsons Boulder White Clouds Bill", "2015-07-27", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpsons legislation H.R. 1138, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act, today passed the U.S. House of Representatives without objection.\r\nTodays action by the U.S. House of Representatives is a great accomplishment for the thousands of Idahoans working to solve the Boulder White Clouds land management issue, said Simpson. I am extremely optimistic that we will continue to move this legislation forward to become law. \r\nH.R. 1138 will establish certain wilderness areas in central Idaho and authorize various land conveyances involving the National Forest System land and Bureau of Land Management land in central Idaho. \r\nSpecifically Simpsons legislation will do the following:\r\n \r\n    Sawtooth National Recreation Area: The Sawtooth National Forest would remain as the principle administrative body and the current management would remain intact under the existing SNRA law (PL 92-400) and the existing SNRA management and travel plans. The Challis BLM would remain the managers of the East Fork BLM and Salmon-Challis National Forest areas.\r\n    Wilderness: Three new wilderness areas would be created totaling275,665 acres.They are the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness (88,079 acres), the White Clouds Wilderness (90,841 acres) and theJim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness (117,040). The total wilderness acreage would be reduced by 36,968 acres from the original CIEDRA bill that would have created 332,928 acres.\r\n    Multiple Use: Four wilderness study areas would be released back to multiple use: the Jerry Peak Wilderness Study Area, the Jerry Peak West Wilderness Study Area, the Corral-Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area, the Boulder Creek Wilderness Study Area and any USFS recommended wilderness not made wilderness totaling 155,003 acres.This is up 23,333 acres released from the original CIEDRA bill which totaled 131,670.\r\n    Motorized Use: No roads that are currently open to vehicles, or trails that are currently open to two wheeled motorized use would be closed. The Grand Prize and Germania trails (including the ridge in between) and the Frog Lake Loop would be excluded from wilderness and remain open to two wheeled motorized use under the existing SNRA travel plan. The following higher elevation snowmobiling areas would remain open as allowed under the existing SNRA travel plan: 4th of July Basin, Washington Basin, Phyllis Lake Basin, Champion Lakes and Warm Springs Meadows.\r\n    Mountain Bikes: All areas currently open to mountain bikes outside of the proposed wilderness will remain open. Under CIEDRA, the 4th of July trail would have been closed to mountain bikes and will now remain open. This allows the Pole Creek/Washington Basin/4th of July loops to remain open. The Germania/Grand Prize Corridor trails and all trails outside of the wilderness would remain open to mountain bikes subject to the SNRA travel plan.\r\n    Grazing: Grazing plays an important role in the heritage and economies of rural Idaho and Custer County. Along the East Fork of the Salmon River, generational ranching families provide significant benefits in maintaining the historic character and nature of East Fork while providing significant conservation benefits to the land, including sustaining the wide, open spaces and un-fragmented landscapes of the East Fork valley. In order to provide another tool for these families to maintain their livelihoods, a provision has been included to provide permittees within and adjacent to the proposed wilderness areas with a way to help them remain viable with as little disruption as possible. Permittees with allotments within the boundaries of the Boulder White Clouds Grazing Area Map would be allowed to voluntarily retire their grazing permits and be eligible for compensation from a third party conservation group. With this compensation, it is hoped that the ranching families will be able to create more secure and certain opportunities for future generations.\r\n    Support to Counties: Over $5 million in grants have been provided to Custer County and the surrounding Boulder-White Clouds communities for a community center, a county health clinic and EMT support, and improvements to Trail Creek Highway. Individual parcels of land will be conveyed to Custer and Blaine counties, and rural communities for public purposes the per latest CIEDRA bill.\r\n    Recreation Support: Over $1.5 million in grants have been provided to the SNRA for trail maintenance and improvements, including maintenance and improvements to existing motorized trails and two existing trails to provide primitive wheelchair access, and for acquiring the land to build a mechanized bike/snowmobile access trail between Redfish Lake and Stanley. \r\n \r\nSenator Jim Risch has sponsored the bill (S. 538) in the U.S. Senate. Risch successfully held a hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining on May 21, 2015. The Senate version will be marked up in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1fe8eb34-af08-4a08-ad88-cdc61d36f3af", "Senators Call for Hearing on RECA", "2015-07-27", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  A bipartisan coalition of five U.S. senators from Idaho, New Mexico and Colorado have asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing into legislative efforts to assist Americans who have suffered health issues as a result of nuclear arms testing in the western U.S. during the Cold War period of the 1950s and 1960s. S. 331, the Radiation Exposure and Compensation Act of 2015, introduced by Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) and Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) would extend benefits under the existing Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to victims who can demonstrate health issues related to the weapons testing.\r\nAs the United States government built up its Cold War nuclear testing program during the mid-20th century, many Americans paid the price with their health, the senators wrote in a letter to Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont). Considering the importance of RECA to many of our constituents, we respectfully request that you move quickly to hold a hearing to bring to light existing deficiencies in the compensation program and to review our legislation.\r\nThe RECA program was originally created to assist workers in the uranium mining industry who were exposed to harmful radiation levels in the course of assisting the national defense. But the legislation stopped short of helping citizens exposed to airborne radiation from bomb testing in Nevada, New Mexico, Guam and testing locations in the Pacific Ocean.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360774", "Crapo, Risch Join Group of 50 Senators Raising Concerns with Planned \r\nParenthood Practices", "2015-07-24", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "July 24, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo, Risch Join Group of 50 Senators Raising Concerns with Planned Parenthood Practices \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 on HHS Secretary to comply with investigations, conduct assessment to facilitate congressional review \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. -Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch this week joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling on Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to get to the bottom of what has been going on at Planned Parenthood. In a letter to the Secretary, the Senators draw attention to the legal, ethical and policy issues raised by the recent video footage released by the Center for Medical Progress depicting senior Planned Parenthood Federation of America executives discussing in gruesome detail the organization's role in the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies. \r\n\"\r\nThe footage raises a number of questions about the practices of the organization, including whether they are in compliance with federal laws regulating both the use of fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions,\" the senators wrote. \"\r\nIn addition to questions about Planned Parenthood's compliance with applicable federal law and medical ethics, we believe the footage prompts important policy questions surrounding the issue of abortions permitted so late in a pregnancy - sometimes even later than 5 months - that an unborn baby's organs can be identified and harvested.\"\r\nThe senators also requested that the Secretary confirm the commencement or immediate initiation of \r\n\"a thorough internal review of the compliance of the Department and Planned Parenthood - one of the Department's grantees - with all relevant and applicable federal statutes, regulations, and other requirements.\"\r\nThe full text of the senators' letter can be found \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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360775", "Senators Call For Hearing on RECA", "2015-07-24", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "July 24, 2015\n\t\t\t Senators Call For Hearing on RECA \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 Crapo, Risch, Udall, Heinrich, Bennet seek to help downwinders \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C. - A bipartisan coalition of five U.S. senators from Idaho, New Mexico and Colorado have asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing into legislative efforts to assist Americans who have suffered health issues as a result of nuclear arms testing in the western U.S. during the Cold War period of the 1950s and 1960s. S. 331, the Radiation Exposure and Compensation Act of 2015, introduced by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) and Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) would extend benefits under the existing Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to victims who can demonstrate health issues related to the weapons testing.\r\n\"As the United States government built up its Cold War nuclear testing program during the mid-20\r\nth century, many Americans paid the price with their health,\" the senators wrote in a letter to Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont). \"Considering the importance of RECA to many of our constituents, we respectfully request that you move quickly to hold a hearing to bring to light existing deficiencies in the compensation program and to review our legislation.\"\r\nThe RECA program was originally created to assist workers in the uranium mining industry who were exposed to harmful radiation levels in the course of assisting the national defense. But the legislation stopped short of helping citizens exposed to airborne radiation from bomb testing in Nevada, Guam and testing locations in the Pacific Ocean.\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398465", "Simpson Votes to Protect States Rights from EPA", "2015-07-23", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted this week for legislation to bring certainty under EPAs recently finalized coal ash regulations. H.R. 1734, the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015, would put states in charge of implementing coal ash regulation in order to ensure that public health and the environment are protected while states rights are preserved. The bill passed by a vote of 258-166.\r\nCoal ash is the byproduct of coal combustion and is used to create roads, bridges, and buildings. It is also regularly recycled and used in construction materials. The EPA finalized a rule to regulate coal ash in April. Under H.R. 1734, states would have the authority to implement a coal ash permit program, with EPA implementing a permit program for states that choose not to establish their own. \r\nWhile I am concerned about the practical implementation of EPAs final rule, I do believe that reasonable regulations should be in place regarding coal ash, said Simpson. This legislation ensures that human health and the environment are protected without creating a new and unneeded regulatory system, leaving regulation and permitting to the states, where it belongs.\r\nThe bill is now under consideration by the U.S. Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=a6dd2a16-66ef-4f54-8855-337709b44f91", "Crapo, Risch Join Group of 50 Senators Raising Concerns with Planned Parenthood Practices", "2015-07-23", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senators call on HHS Secretary to comply with investigations, conduct assessment to facilitate congressional review \r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch this week joined a bipartisan group of senators in calling on Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to get to the bottom of what has been going on at Planned Parenthood. In a letter to the Secretary, the Senators draw attention to the legal, ethical and policy issues raised by the recent video footage released by the Center for Medical Progress depicting senior Planned Parenthood Federation of America executives discussing in gruesome detail the organizations role in the harvesting of the organs of unborn babies. \r\nThe footage raises a number of questions about the practices of the organization, including whether they are in compliance with federal laws regulating both the use of fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions, the senators wrote. In addition to questions about Planned Parenthoods compliance with applicable federal law and medical ethics, we believe the footage prompts important policy questions surrounding the issue of abortions permitted so late in a pregnancy  sometimes even later than 5 months  that an unborn babys organs can be identified and harvested.\r\nThe senators also requested that the Secretary confirm the commencement or immediate initiation of a thorough internal review of the compliance of the Department and Planned Parenthood  one of the Departments grantees  with all relevant and applicable federal statutes, regulations, and other requirements.\r\nThe full text of the senators letter can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=cf9429cb-e3dc-4c8b-8368-c53d83a99d8d", "Risch, King Celebrate the Semiconductor Industry, Launch the Semiconductor Caucus", "2015-07-21", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Angus King (I-ME) today welcomed the Semiconductor Industry Association and its members to the Capitol to launch the Semiconductor Caucus. The Semiconductor Caucus aims to increase awareness of the semiconductor industry and the vast scope of products that contain semiconductors.\r\nAs building blocks of modern technology, semiconductors have played a key role in improving the lives of every American, said Risch. Idaho, in particular, has seen the incredibly positive direct and indirect impacts that the industry has on this country. I am honored to co-chair the Semiconductor Caucus and look forward to highlighting the many good things this industry contributes to our economy.\r\nSemiconductors  like those manufactured by several companies in Maine  play an enormous role in our day-to-day lives, helping to power smartphones, cars, computers, medical devices, and a seemingly endless list of other products, said Senator King. As a founding member of the Semiconductor Caucus, I will work to shine light on this important industry here in Congress, and promote innovation and cooperation that can help this already-thriving sector continue to grow and create jobs in Maine and around the country. \r\nSemiconductors are the building blocks of integrated circuits that are present in nearly every electronic device, and therefore this technology directly or indirectly enables most of the economic activity in a wide range of sectors. The semiconductor industry employs nearly 250,000 Americans and semiconductors are a top U.S. export. The industry spends more than $30 billion on research and development each year and nearly 64 billion semiconductors are sold in the U.S. annually.\r\nThe launch event for the Semiconductor Caucus will be held this evening at 6 p.m. in the Senate Visitors Center of the U.S. Capitol Building. The Semiconductor Caucus is also co-chaired by Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=990", "LABRADOR DISGUSTED BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTIONS AND COMMENTS", "2015-07-21", "2015", "2015-07", "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\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 21, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR DISGUSTED BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTIONS AND COMMENTS\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, issued this statement after watching videos showing Planned Parenthood officials negotiating the sale of fetal organs:\r\n\r\n\tI am sickened and disgusted by the inhumane attitude Planned Parenthood officials displayed as they discussed the sale of aborted fetuses over lunch. Their attitude towards human life should be condemned.I believe that all life is sacred, and should not be for sale.The fact that these officials view aborted fetuses as mere commodities is a sad commentary on our society.\r\n\r\n\tAs a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I will participate in a vigorous investigation into whether Planned Parenthood is illegally profiting from the sale of organs and body parts from aborted babies. Nothing is more sacred than human life. Indifference to these grotesque practices demeans every American, regardless of their view on abortion.\r\n\r\n\tThese videos pull back the curtain on the horrors of the abortion industry. Today I am joining as a cosponsor of a new bill, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, to place a one-year moratorium on any federal funding of Planned Parenthood. I also urge the Senate to schedule a vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support in May.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=989", "LABRADOR TO DISCUSS IMMIGRATON ON 'MEET THE PRESS'", "2015-07-17", "2015", "2015-07", "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\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 | July 17, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR TO DISCUSS IMMIGRATON ON MEET THE PRESS \r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tMERIDIAN Congressman Ral Labrador will appear on Meet the Press with Chuck Todd on Sunday to discuss immigration reform.\r\n\r\n\tA leader on the issue since his election in 2010, Labrador will appear with Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas.\r\n\r\n\tMeet the Press airs in Boise on KTVB-TV, at 8 a.m. MDT; in Spokane on KHQ-TV in Spokane, at 8 a.m. PDT; in Twin Falls on KTFT-TV, at 8 a.m. MDT; and in Idaho Falls on KPVI-TV, at 8 a.m. MDT.\r\n\r\n\tThe program also is rebroadcast Sunday on radio in Boise on 670 KBOI, at 1 p.m. MDT; and twice in Spokane, on 790 KJRB at noon PDT, and 1510 KGA at 3 p.m. PDT.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7ec3e8f1-7a22-42e6-8ba4-d48b718a16bc", "Risch Statement on Nuclear Deal with Iran", "2015-07-14", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch made the following statement today regarding news of a nuclear deal with Iran:\r\n\"From the start, Congress was told by President Obama and Secretary Kerry there would be clear red lines for any deal with Iran. This deal violates every priority the administration initially laid out and crosses every red line that was initially drawn, from complete access to Iran's facilities and scientists to a robust inspection and verification regime.\r\n\"This deal allows Iran to accelerate its nuclear weapons development program and will provide international legitimacy to their program within a limited number of years. It also provides Iran with billions of dollars it will certainly use to fuel terrorism and instability in the world, just as it has done with the limited funds it had under the current sanctions regime.\r\n\"In addition, the deal shreds the legacy of arms control and nonproliferation that the United States has championed for decades- it will spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that will be impossible to contain.\r\n\"This deal falls disastrously short of what the Obama Administration originally promised and gives the Iranian government what it desires. The West will have to live with a nuclear Iran and will abandon our closest ally, Israel, under this horribly flawed agreement.\r\nIn addition, the failure of the administration to secure the release of Pastor Saeed Abedini, which should have been a simple task, even at the outset of negotiations, has been ignored despite the chorus of pleas to achieve this goal.\"\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=987", "NEWS RELEASE: LABRADOR TO CO-CHAIR BIPARTISAN HOUSE CAUCUS AIMED AT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM", "2015-07-14", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Ra\u00fal Labrador", "L000573", "labrador.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PRESS RELEASE -July 14, 2015\r\n\r\n\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\r\n\r\n\tBIPARTISAN HOUSE COALITION LAUNCHES CAUCUS AIMED AT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. In the midst of growing bipartisan recognition that America must confront our overcriminalization problem, a group of Democratic and Republican members of Congress have launched an effort to comprehensively address public safety and our broken criminal justice system.\r\n\r\n\tU.S. Representatives Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Raul Labrador (R-ID), Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) will serve as co-chairs of the newly-formed Congressional Criminal Justice and Public Safety Caucus, a bipartisan membership organization dedicated to educating the public and Members of Congress on crime mitigation, rehabilitation, community collaboration, reform of the prison system, and the advancement of safety and justice in the United States.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Chaffetz said: \"The price of maintaining the largest inmate population in the world is high, both for our communities and for our pocketbooks. Working together across the aisle, I believe we can find common ground on proven strategies to administer justice, rehabilitate offenders, reduce recidivism, and cut costs.\"\r\n\r\n\tRep. Labrador said: Since I took office, Ive made it a top priority to improve our criminal justice system. This new caucus will accelerate bipartisan momentum for comprehensive reform. Working with colleagues in Congress, the White House and advocates of reform spanning the political spectrum, I believe we have an excellent chance of passing historic legislation in the 114th Congress.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Richmond said: The time has long since come to fix our badly broken criminal justice system. We have spent hundreds of billions of dollars and ruined millions of lives with no clear indication that were more safe as a result. Members on both sides of the aisle have come together to end the era of mass incarceration. This caucus will continue that spirit of bipartisanship and work to develop and advance real solutions to how justice is served in this country.\r\n\r\n\tRep. Jeffries said: Americas criminal justice system wastes taxpayer dollars, hurts our economic productivity and has unnecessarily devastated countless families. Fixing our badly broken system is an urgent challenge this Congress must confront. The bipartisan caucus will be an important vehicle to generate legislative action that saves money, makes us safer and leads to more equitable criminal justice policies. \r\n\r\n\tThe bipartisan caucus will work with experts and policy makers from the Administration, the judiciary, advocates from throughout the ideological spectrum and community stakeholders in order to facilitate more informed debate and legislative action on criminal justice and public safety issues. It will also seek to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community in ways that benefit all parties, including by increasing training and promoting positive policing interactions.\r\n\r\n\tAt the outset of the 114th Congress, the four chairmen introduced the Recidivism Risk Reduction Act, a bill designed use risk assessment tools to reduce recidivism, lower the crime rate and reduce the amount of money spent on the federal prison system. Reps. Chaffetz and Jeffries also introduced HR 760, the Bureau of Corrections Renaming Act, legislation that would simply rename the Bureau of Prisons  under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice  the Bureau of Corrections.\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tContact: MJ Henshaw [Chaffetz]: (202) 225-5074\r\n\r\n\t Dan Popkey [Labrador]: (208) 888-3188\r\n\r\n\t Brandon Gassaway [Richmond]: (202) 225-6636\r\n\r\n\t Michael Hardaway [Jeffries]: (202) 679-1439\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=988", "LABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL", "2015-07-14", "2015", "2015-07", "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\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 14, 2015\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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\tLABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL \r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho, issued this statement following todays announcement in Vienna of an agreement with Iran:\r\n\r\n\tI will carefully review the proposed agreement and decide whether it is a prudent replacement for the long-established sanctions aimed at blocking Irans attempt to build nuclear weapons. The Iranian government claims to want constructive engagement with the world.Yet, Iran refuses to free Boise Pastor Saeed Abedini, imprisoned since 2012.\r\n\r\n\tLast month the House unanimously called for the release of the U.S. citizens held in Iran, as well as information on any Americans who have disappeared. That these men remain captive is deeply disturbing and raises foundational questions of trust that should have been addressed before striking any deal with Iran.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360770", "Crapo Statement on Iran Nuclear Deal", "2015-07-14", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "July 14, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Statement on Iran Nuclear Deal \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today released the following statement after it was announced that the United States and five other nations reached a nuclear deal with Iran:\r\n\"I am deeply disappointed by the failure of the Administration to secure the release of Boise Pastor Saeed Abedini and other Americans being held prisoner in Iran, \" said Crapo. \"Their release should have been a prerequisite to beginning any negotiations in the first place, let alone a final agreement. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that no deal was better than a bad deal before a joint session of Congress, he was right. Though I will fully scrutinize the deal in further detail as Congress begins the review process, initial reports indicate that the agreement is just that-a bad deal. The Administration has repeatedly provided concessions to Iran and weakened our bargaining position with little, if any, assurances they will abandon their nuclear ambitions. The consequences of an agreement that leaves Iran's nuclear program intact and allows the country to continue its aggression in the Middle East are monumental and pose a very real threat to the United States and the world.\"\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360771", "Crapo Staff in Glenns Ferry July 20", "2015-07-14", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "July 14, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Staff in Glenns Ferry July 20 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBoise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's staff will be on hand July 20\r\nth in Glenns Ferry to assist Idahoans with issues with federal agencies. Crapo staff members regularly hold \"remote office hours\" to move staff from regional offices to smaller communities to meet directly with Idaho constituents on issues ranging from veterans care to questions about the IRS or Social Security.\r\nBryan Ricker, Crapo's regional director in the Boise office, will be in Glenns Ferry to meet with Idahoans:\r\n\r\n\r\n  Crapo Staff Remote Office Hours\r\n\r\n\r\nMonday, July 20, 2015\r\n\r\n  2:00 PM - 5:30 PM\r\n\r\n\r\n  Glenns Ferry City Hall\r\n\r\n\r\n  105 East First Street\r\n\r\n\r\n  Glenns Ferry\r\n\r\n\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398462", "Simpsons Boulder White Clouds Bill Surges Ahead", "2015-07-09", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpsons legislation H.R. 1138, Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act, today passed the U.S. House Resources Committee by unanimous consent. \r\nTo say I am pleased about the BWC bill moving forward would be an understatement, said Simpson. For more than a decade, Idahoans of all walks of life have worked tirelessly on this legislation. It is because of their dedication that we are one step closer to achieving our goal  creating an Idaho solution for managing the Boulder White Clouds. \r\nH.R. 1138, which will establish certain wilderness areas in central Idaho and to authorize various land conveyances involving National Forest System land and Bureau of Land Management land in central Idaho, and for other purposes. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act will now be considered by the House of Representatives for final passage.\r\nSenator Jim Risch has sponsored the bill in the U.S. Senate, S. 538. Risch successfully held a hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining on May 21, 2015. The senate bill is waiting to be considered in Senate Resources Committee for final mark-up.\r\nI greatly appreciate the hard work that Senator Risch and his staff have done to move this legislation through the Senate. Its been a great effort on both sides to keep the BWC bill moving forward, said Simpson.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398464", "Simpson Supports Healthy Forest Bill", "2015-07-09", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted today for legislation to promote healthier forests and more effective forest management. H.R. 2647, the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015, addresses the land management crisis created by catastrophic wildfires, promotes collaborative management projects, and modernizes the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Simpson is a cosponsor of the legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 262-167.\r\nThe Forest Service faces a number of very real challenges when it comes to active land management, and Im pleased with a number of steps that this bill takes to respond to those issues, said Simpson. Frivolous lawsuits paralyze federal land management agencies and put management decisions into the hands of the court rather than land managers. This legislation addresses several issues at the heart of this problem.\r\nAnother major problem, added Simpson, is the cost of catastrophic wildfires.Addressing this issue is one of my top legislative priorities, and while this bill takes steps toward that goal, Im going to continue working on my comprehensive solution to funding catastrophic wildfires.\r\nSimpson has introduced H.R. 167, the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, which is bipartisan legislation with broad support intended to fix the budgeting process for wildfire suppression. His bill would treat catastrophic wildfires like similar natural disasters and would end the disastrous process known as fire borrowing. When fire suppression costs exceed the budget, the Forest Service is forced to rob from other non-fire accountsincluding projects intended to reduce hazardous fuels and make forests less susceptible to firein order to keep fighting the fires.Fire borrowing was intended as an extraordinary measure, but as wildfires have grown more costly, it has become standard procedurein fact, fire borrowing has been necessary in 7 of the past 10 years. H.R. 2647 includes language that would allow FEMA to transfer limited funds to the Forest Service and the BLM for fire suppression when the budget has been exhausted.\r\nUntil we address the problem of fire borrowing, funds intended for forest management, including hazardous fuels removal, timber harvest, and trail maintenance, will continue to pay to fire suppression, said Simpson.While I believe that Congress should take up the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act in order to fix a number of wildfire budgeting problems, Im glad that this bill acknowledges these issues and begins to address them.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=c6a0d5ad-f38d-4221-8c82-84646c518cfa", "Risch Highlights INL at National Lab Day on Capitol Hill", "2015-07-09", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Jim Risch today joined Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Deputy Secretary of Energy, Franklin (Lynn) Orr, Under Secretary for Science and Energy, Vice Admiral John J. Grossenbacher, Director of the Idaho National Laboratory, and other leaders and scientists from Americas National Laboratories at the Department of Energys annual National Lab Day on Capitol Hill. Americas National Laboratories, including the Idaho National Lab, were in Washington, D.C. to highlight their respective contributions to the National Laboratory system supporting Americas infrastructure.\r\nToday the Idaho National Lab joined Americas National Laboratories in coming to Capitol Hill to share the great work that they contribute to our country and the National Laboratory System, said Risch. I am so proud of the INL and their incredible team of scientists and experts who make Idaho proud by being a leader in supporting Americas energy infrastructure and collaborating with the other labs in the process. It is a real honor to share with my colleagues the work INL is doing as our country's lead nuclear lab, as well as the important research they are doing in alternative energy systems, and their many contributions to national security, cyber security, and environmental clean-up. I cannot stress enough how important the great work that they do is for all of America.\r\nHigh resolution versions of these photos can be found on Senator Rischs Flickr page.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398461", "Simpson Language Keeps Sheep Station Open", "2015-07-08", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Mike Simpson", "S001148", "simpson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today praised the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees decision to preserve ARS research programs including those at the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station (USSES) in Dubois, Idaho. Simpson, who requested the language in the FY16 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, is working with other western representatives to support the USSES. \r\nI was disappointed when USDA attempted to close USSES last year and failed to provide prior notice to Congress and the sheep industry, said Simpson. I am very pleased this appropriations bill includes language that maintains the mission at Dubois. Because of its location and expertise, staff at the Dubois station are working on unique issues, including research on the domestic-wildlife interface that is vital to the sheep industrys future.\r\nCongressman Simpson has worked closely with USDA, University of Idaho, and members of the sheep industry throughout the process to ensure the long-term viability of the USSES and the economic activity it generates in the area. \r\nAfter the committee meeting Simpson said, The bill passed out of committee today recognizes the stations valuable work and is an important step towards ensuring the stakeholders and ARS come together to work on a viable, long-term future for USSES.\r\nThe Agriculture Appropriations bill was passed by the House Appropriations Committee on a voice vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=66dbfaa0-5ec3-4879-8846-4b545da1598e", "Risch, Heinrich Introduce Bill to Reduce Federal Government Energy Use", "2015-07-07", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today introduced the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act in an effort to reduce the federal governments energy consumption and save taxpayer dollars. The bipartisan legislation would require the federal government to develop plans to reduce energy consumption at federal data centers.\r\n\"Every private business has to look at ways to save energy and costs at their facilities and the federal government should do the same, said Risch. Federal data centers use a tremendous amount of energy and by focusing efficiency efforts there, we will see a great deal of savings for taxpayers. I am pleased to work with Senator Heinrich in introducing legislation that will reduce unnecessary spending.\"\r\nThis common sense approach will improve energy efficiency at federal data centers across the country, whilesaving taxpayer dollars at the same time, said Heinrich. Finding innovative ways to reduce our energy needsdoesnt only make fiscal sense, it also cutscarbon emissionsthat harm public health.My home state of New Mexico is already capitalizing on a diversified but rapidly transforming energy sector and stands to benefit from leveraging investments in efficiency projects and innovative technologies.\r\nThis legislation has strong support from the Information Technology Industry Council and Hewlett-Packard.\r\nThe federal government is one of the biggest operators of data centers and is also the single largest energy user in the U.S., said Chris Hankin, ITI senior director for environment and sustainability. The EEGTA bill would make the federal government smarter and more efficient at no additional cost to the U.S. taxpayer simply by using the latest energy-efficient and energy-saving technologies our companies have pioneered for the marketplace.\r\nWe applaud the leadership of Senators Jim Risch and Martin Heinrich in addressing our nations immediate need to harness next-generation technologies to cut costs and increase productivity while reducing energy usage and improving efficiency at federal data centers,\" said Maria Cino, vice president, Corporate Affairs, HP.In an era of lower budgets, constrained resources, and increased concern for the environment, the Energy Efficient Government Technology Act, or EEGTA, is a common-sense solution which would save money, cut energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emission, and provide support for emerging technologies by replacing and consolidating larger, energy-hogging data centers with smaller, next-generation facilities.\r\nFederal data centers, managed by the Office of Management and Budget, currently consume more than six billion kilowatt-hours of energy every year  the equivalent of powering more than 530,000 households. The total cost to supply federal data centers with this much energy is more than $600 million per year, meaning that this legislation has the potential to save hundreds of millions of dollars in reduced energy costs.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360768", "Crapo Launches Second Statewide Veterans Survey", "2015-07-01", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "July 01, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo Launches Second Statewide 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 Says continuous feedback from Idahoans key to seeing results and improving VA services for veterans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBOISE-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is launching his second statewide \r\nVeterans Survey today and is encouraging Idaho's veterans to participate as he makes stops throughout southern Idaho as a part of his continued town meeting tour. Last year, Crapo received feedback from more than 1,000 Idahoans about their experiences with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Crapo says this year he hopes to double that number in an effort to hear from more veterans.\r\n\"Throughout my travels across Idaho, I have heard loud and clear the frustration many veterans feel while trying to access the services they deserve,\" said Crapo. \"I share that frustration and am committed to getting it right for veterans, which is why I am conducting a second Veterans Survey.\" \r\nCrapo noted that this year's survey builds on the previous year's by incorporating feedback from Idaho's veterans community. The 2015 Veterans Survey asks more comprehensive questions about the VA benefits and services Idahoans use. \"Improving the VA is a continuous process that requires constant communication with the VA and frequent feedback from veterans to ensure Idahoans are seeing results,\" Crapo added. \"As we have seen, the solution to 'fixing' the VA is not necessarily based on broad, top-down reforms and increased federal dollars alone. Feedback from Idaho's veterans community is critical. This information helps me evaluate what is working and what is not working for the VA. Based on the information Idahoans share, I can approach the VA with specific, precise information about which programs and policies are failing and why they are failing. The survey helps me communicate with the VA about successful initiatives as well, and is an important tool to help me hear directly from Idahoans.\"<\r\n/p>\r\n Since the last survey, Crapo has supported a number of measures aimed at improving the lives of Idaho's veterans. Such measures include a bill that would improve access to care under the Veterans Choice Program, particularly for specialty care and for veterans living in rural areas; a bill to address the effects of exposure to toxic substances on veterans and their families; and a measure to remove the unfair offset in survivor benefits and Dependency and Indemnity Compensations-all of these issues were raised in the survey or in subsequent communications with Idahoans.\r\nAdditionally, veterans or their loved ones in need of specific assistance in dealing with the VA or other federal agencies may contact Crapo's office for further assistance through the survey. Many of the 2014 survey participants requested assistance with VA issues, resulting in a 160 percent increase in veterans casework and Idaho's veterans receiving more than $723,000 in retroactive benefits. Crapo hopes to expand that reach with the 2015 Veterans Survey and make contact with even more of Idaho's veterans who are in need of assistance.\r\nThe 2015 Veterans Survey can be taken on Crapo's official website, \r\n\r\n  https://www.crapo.senate.gov\r\n,or by clicking \r\n\r\nhere. Idahoans can also stop by one of the Senator's \r\n\r\n  offices\r\nor call to have a staff member administer the survey: 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.\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=360766", "Crapo: Supreme Court Right to Consider Consumers in Ruling Against EPA", "2015-06-29", "2015", "2015-06", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Michael Crapo", "C000880", "www.crapo.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "June 29, 2015\n\t\t\t Crapo: Supreme Court Right to Consider Consumers in Ruling Against EPA \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBoise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said the U.S. Supreme Court ruled correctly today when it ruled against the Environmental Protection Agency and in favor of consumers, state, and industry in striking down unreasonable rules against power plants.\r\n\"The economic costs to consumers paying for energy must be considered when the government seeks to regulate energy production, be they from coal, oil or other sources,\" Crapo said. \"The Supreme Court ruled wisely in recognizing that Americans pay for the energy decisions made by federal agencies like the EPA. Whether it is water or energy, the economic damage to Americans must be recognized.\"\r\nCrapo noted that while Congress debates ways to diversify the nation's energy portfolio, it should take into account what the costs are for consumers and make any moves in a measured way. The nation's high court ruled today that the EPA must take into account federal regulations that could cost billions a year---increases that will be seen in the energy bills of power customers.\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\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 285, "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, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "ID", "p1": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=ID&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 285, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ID&year=2015&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=ID&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 285, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ID&year=2015&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=ID&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "ID", "label": "ID", "count": 285, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=ID&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 285, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ID", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-06-29,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecrapo~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fnewsreleases~2Frelease_full~2Ecfm~3Fid~3D360766", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ID&year=2015&_next=2015-06-29%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecrapo~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fnewsreleases~2Frelease_full~2Ecfm~3Fid~3D360766&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 107.2062780149281, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}