url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-announces-2017-military-academy-nominations,Crapo Announces 2017 Military Academy Nominations,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2016 Crapo Announces 2017 Military Academy Nominations Washington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced his nomination of 54 Idaho students to the nation's military academies. The students' applications are now being considered by four of the U.S. service academies, where final selections will be made. ""The skills and academic achievements of these students sets them apart as leaders across Idaho communities,"" said Crapo. ""By pursuing a higher education through one of our military service academies, they demonstrate their commitment to service and country. I congratulate each of them on their nomination and have every confidence they will continue to represent the best of Idaho for years to come."" Each year, U.S. Senators and Representatives make nominations to four of the service academies. The academies then select from the students nominated. Crapo made nominations to the following US. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. To be eligible for nominations, each student submitted an application and references and met certain scholastic requirements under a deadline. A nomination does not guarantee acceptance. Those wishing to apply for future nominations should contact Karen Roetter in Crapo's North Idaho Office in Coeur d'Alene at (208) 664-5490. U.S. Senator Mike Crapo's 2017 Academy Nominations follow: U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY) 1. Joseph Diehl, Boise 2. Morgan Farrington, Meridian 3. Stephen Harr, Kuna 4. Tasi Lloyd, Caldwell 5. Mitchell McHugh, Post Falls 6. Corey Nielson, Eagle 7. Cheyenne Quilter, Boise 8. Sidney Sandburg, Kuna 9. Gorka Walter, Boise 10.Ella Whitfield, Eagle U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD) 1. Dusten Ault, Twin Falls 2. Thomas Burchfield, Boise 3. Slade Castle, Moscow 4. Casey Cobb, Nampa 5. Bryce Craig, Meridian 6. Anna Drapeau, Coeur d'Alene 7. Coleman Edwards, Kimberly 8. Stephen Harr, Kuna 9. Jack Hurty, Boise 10.Jacob Huston, Chubbuck 11.James Love, Star 12.Anthony Lund, Rathdrum 13.Samuel Nate, Rexburg 14.Christopher Salcido, Idaho Falls 15.Alysia Santa Cruz-Cernick, Boise 16.Bailey Schieve, Boise 17.Hunter Whipple, St. Maries 18.Trey Widmier, Rupert 19.Larry Wineman, Boise 20.Dawson Zebarth, Boise U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO) 1. Brook Chilton, Inkom 2. Bryce Craig, Meridian 3. Abigail Elliott, Boise 4. Matthew Evans, Pollock 5. Nicolas Herman, Boise 6. Jack Hurty, Boise 7. Chris Jeon, Boise 8. Sara Johnson, Nampa 9. Keegan Kerkman, Boise 10.Connor Lofthus, Boise 11.Jett Lopez, Pocatello 12.Anthony Lund, Rathdrum 13.Ty Miller, Boise 14.Zachary Nelson, Hailey 15.Thomas O'Brien, Meridian 16.Brenden Patton, Boise 17.Ted Reed, Pinehurst 18.Christopher Salcido, Idaho Falls 19.Mark Schell, Athol 20.Ella Whitfield, Eagle U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY) 1. Chris Jeon, Boise 2. Anthony Lund, Rathdrum 3. Cheyenne Quilter, Boise 4. Dawson Zebarth, Boise",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362992,Crapo Announces 2017 Military Academy Nominations,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 22, 2016 Crapo Announces 2017 Military Academy Nominations Washington, D.C.-Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced his nomination of 54 Idaho students to the nation's military academies.  The students' applications are now being considered by four of the U.S. service academies, where final selections will be made. ""The skills and academic achievements of these students sets them apart as leaders across Idaho communities,"" said Crapo.  ""By pursuing a higher education through one of our military service academies, they demonstrate their commitment to service and country.  I congratulate each of them on their nomination and have every confidence they will continue to represent the best of Idaho for years to come."" Each year, U.S. Senators and Representatives make nominations to four of the service academies.  The academies then select from the students nominated.  Crapo made nominations to the following US. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy.  To be eligible for nominations, each student submitted an application and references and met certain scholastic requirements under a deadline.  A nomination does not guarantee acceptance.  Those wishing to apply for future nominations should contact Karen Roetter in Crapo's North Idaho Office in Coeur d'Alene at (208) 664-5490. U.S. Senator Mike Crapo's 2017 Academy Nominations follow: U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY) 1.    Joseph Diehl, Boise 2.    Morgan Farrington, Meridian 3.    Stephen Harr, Kuna 4.    Tasi Lloyd, Caldwell 5.    Mitchell McHugh, Post Falls 6.    Corey Nielson, Eagle 7.    Cheyenne Quilter, Boise 8.    Sidney Sandburg, Kuna 9.    Gorka Walter, Boise 10.Ella Whitfield, Eagle U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD) 1.    Dusten Ault, Twin Falls 2.    Thomas Burchfield, Boise 3.    Slade Castle, Moscow 4.    Casey Cobb, Nampa 5.    Bryce Craig, Meridian 6.    Anna Drapeau, Coeur d'Alene 7.    Coleman Edwards, Kimberly 8.    Stephen Harr, Kuna 9.    Jack Hurty, Boise 10.Jacob Huston, Chubbuck 11.James Love, Star 12.Anthony Lund, Rathdrum 13.Samuel Nate, Rexburg 14.Christopher Salcido, Idaho Falls 15.Alysia Santa Cruz-Cernick, Boise 16.Bailey Schieve, Boise 17.Hunter Whipple, St. Maries 18.Trey Widmier, Rupert 19.Larry Wineman, Boise 20.Dawson Zebarth, Boise U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO) 1.    Brook Chilton, Inkom 2.    Bryce Craig, Meridian 3.    Abigail Elliott, Boise 4.    Matthew Evans, Pollock 5.    Nicolas Herman, Boise 6.    Jack Hurty, Boise 7.    Chris Jeon, Boise 8.    Sara Johnson, Nampa 9.    Keegan Kerkman, Boise 10.Connor Lofthus, Boise 11.Jett Lopez, Pocatello 12.Anthony Lund, Rathdrum 13.Ty Miller, Boise 14.Zachary Nelson, Hailey 15.Thomas O'Brien, Meridian 16.Brenden Patton, Boise 17.Ted Reed, Pinehurst 18.Christopher Salcido, Idaho Falls 19.Mark Schell, Athol 20.Ella Whitfield, Eagle U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY) 1.    Chris Jeon, Boise 2.    Anthony Lund, Rathdrum 3.    Cheyenne Quilter, Boise 4.    Dawson Zebarth, Boise",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1069,Labrador Announces Military Academy Nominations,2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Raúl Labrador,L000573,labrador.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tuesday | Dec. 20, 2016 Dan Popkey – 208-800-1565   LABRADOR ANNOUNCES MILITARY ACADEMY NOMINATIONS MERIDIAN– Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, today announced his office’s nominations to the United States service academies. “It is a distinct honor to nominate these extraordinary young Idahoans to the four service academies,” Rep. Labrador said. “These fine young men and women meet high standards to earn their nominations. I offer my congratulations to every one of them. They have earned our support and respect as they stand up to serve our country. I am confident they will make their families, communities and the state of Idaho proud.” Acceptance offers from the four institutions are expected this spring. Those interested in applying for future nominations to the academies can find details by clicking here or by contacting Judy Morbeck in the Coeur d’Alene office at (208) 667-0127. The nominees follow: U.S. Military Academy Tyler Diehl, Boise, Timberline H.S. Morgan Farrington, Meridian, Rocky Mountain H.S. Tasi Lloyd,Caldwell, readmittance after LDS Mission  Mitch McHugh, Post Falls, Preparatory Academy New Mexico Military Institute Corey Nielson, Eagle, readmittance after LDS Mission Cheyenne Quilter, Boise, Renaissance Magnet Public Charter H.S. Quinton Reese, Post Falls, active duty Sidney Sandburg, Kuna, USMA Preparatory School Mark Schell, Athol, Timberlake H.S. Elisabeth Whitfield, Eagle, Eagle H.SU.S. Naval Academy Casey Cobb, Nampa, readmittance after LDS Mission Bryce Craig, Meridian, Meridian H.S. Tyler Diehl, Boise, Timberline H.S. Stephan Harr, Kuna, Borah H.S. Sara Johnson, Nampa, Boise State U., Northwest Nazarene U., College of Western Idaho Sarah Kladar, Hayden, Naval Academy Preparatory School James Love, Star, Eagle H.S. Anthony Lund, Rathdrum, Immaculate Conception Academy Thomas O’Brien, Meridian, Bishop Kelly H.S. Hunter Whipple, St. Maries, Kootenai H.S. and North Idaho College U.S. Air Force Academy Slade Castle, Moscow, Log Castle Academy Homeshool Bryce Craig, Meridian, Meridian H.S. Anna Drapeau, Coeur d’Alene, Lake City H.S. Matthew Evans, Pollock, Salmon River H.S.    Stephan Harr, Kuna, Borah H.S.    Nicolas Herman, Boise, Cole Valley Christian School Sara Johnson, Nampa, Boise State U., Northwest Nazarene U., College of Western Idaho Connor Loftus, Boise, Skyview H.S. James Love, Star, Eagle H.S. Thomas O’Brien, Meridian, Bishop Kelley H.S.                     Brenden Patton, Boise, Centennial H.S. Cheyenne Quilter, Boise, Renaissance Magnet Public Charter H.S. Ted Reed, Pinehurst, Kellogg H.S. Mark Schell, Athol, Timberlake H.S.       Elisabeth Whitfield, Eagle, Eagle H.S U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Tyler Diehl, Boise, Timberline H.S. Anthony Lund, Rathdrum, Immaculate Conception Academy Cheyenne Quilter, Boise, Renaissance Magnet Public Charter H.S.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398558,Simpson and Welch Leads Bipartisan Effort to Stop the Illegal Branding of Fake Milk as Real Milk,2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Mike Simpson,S001148,simpson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT ) along with 30 other members of Congress, today urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to exercise its legal authority to investigate and take action against the manufacturers of products they falsely claim to be milk. Dairy farmers continue to be buffeted by extreme financial hardships.  Since 2014, milk prices have plunged 40 percent. During that same time, there has been a surge in the mislabeling of imitation “milk” products, including beverages produced from almond, soy, and rice. In a bipartisan letter to the FDA, the coalition objected to the mislabeling of imitation plant-based products that do not have the unique attributes and nutritional value of milk, yet are marketed as milk. “While consumers are entitled to choose imitation products, it is misleading and illegal for manufacturers of these items to profit from the “milk” name,” said the members. “These products should be allowed on the market only when accurately labeled. We urge FDA to enforce this matter by requiring plant-based products to adopt a more appropriate name that does not include the word ‘milk’.” “While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery; dairy imitators do not naturally provide the same level of nutrition to the people buying them as milk does,” President and CEO of International Dairy Foods Association Michael Dykes said. “Non-dairy beverages can mislead people into thinking that these products are comparable replacements for milk when in fact most are nutritionally inferior.” “You haven’t ‘got milk’ if it comes from a seed, nut or bean,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation. “In the many years since we first raised concerns about the misbranding of these products, we’ve seen an explosion of imitators attaching the word ‘milk’ to everything from hemp to peas to algae. We don’t need new regulations on this issue, we just need FDA to enforce those that have been on the books for years.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2DD29A9F-FED5-4CBC-B4CC-5CE771D90782,"ICYMI: Senator Risch Appears on CNN with Wolf Blitzer to Discuss Russian Hacking, Presidential Transition",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: SENATOR RISCH APPEARS ON CNN’S “THE SITUATION ROOM” WITH WOLF BLITZER Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) yesterday appeared live on CNN’s “The Situation Room” to discuss the transition of power between President Obama and President-elect Trump, and Russian hacking. Video of the full interview can be found on the Senator’s YouTube page or downloaded via FTP link.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E1384F39-0B7E-41FB-AC90-AB1169B90F71,"Gowen Field In Boise Among Five Finalists For F-35 Mission, Idaho Delegation Welcomes News",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Air Force plans to narrow the list of candidates for F-35 bases in Spring 2017   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Idaho congressional delegation welcomed the news that Gowen Field in Boise is among five candidates to become the home to a new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The decision by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James was announced Wednesday.   Gowen Field and the Idaho Air National Guard ranked highly among 18 candidates, based on factors including weather, training infrastructure, cost, facilities and environment.   The other four finalists are Dannelly Field Air Guard Station in Alabama, Jacksonville Air Guard Station in Florida, Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan and Truax Field Air Guard Station in Wisconsin. Two Air Guard stations will be selected to support 18 to 24 aircraft.   The Air Force will conduct two-week site visits to each of the five candidates in the coming months and plans to select two “preferred” and two “reasonable” alternatives in the Spring of 2017. Those four bases will receive a complete Environmental Impact Analysis before the Secretary issues a final decision, expected in Spring 2019.   Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: “Today’s announcement confirms Gowen Field is an premier location for operations of the U.S. Air Force’s next generation fighter. Our state has a long and proud tradition of supporting our military and contributing to the nation’s defense, and we have the capabilities and air space optimal for a F-35 flying unit. As the Air Force moves ahead with the basing selection process, I look forward to continuing to offer my unwavering support for Idaho’s Air National Guard.”   Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said: “I am pleased that Gowen Field is a candidate for the Air Force’s new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Idaho Air National Guard would be a strong choice for the new F-35 due to Idaho’s world class ranges, available airspace for training, and the unparalleled support throughout the community. Idaho has been home to a range of cutting-edge aircraft and I look forward to continuing this tradition.”   Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, said: “I am delighted by the selection of Gowen Field as a candidate base for the next generation of aircraft -- the F-35 fighter. Idaho has a proud history of supporting the National Guard, and I have the utmost confidence Gowen Field would continue this tradition as a steward of the F-35. I look forward to working with the delegation and the Idaho National Guard to ensure that Gowen Field’s first-class airspace and unparalleled facilities will be recognized as a perfect fit for this mission.”   Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, said: “I’m thrilled that Gowen Field was selected as a finalist. I’m pleased that Secretary James recognized that our Air Guard Station is one of our military’s greatest assets. I look forward to working with the delegation as well as the Idaho National Guard to ensure that Gowen Field is given full and fair consideration in the final basing decision.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1068,"Gowen Field in Boise Among Five Finalists for F-35 Mission, Idaho Delegation Welcomes News",2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Raúl Labrador,L000573,labrador.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 7, 2016   FOR MORE INFORMATION: Lindsay Nothern (Crapo)208-334-1776 Kaylin Minton (Risch)202-224-2752 Nikki Wallace (Simpson)208-334-1953   Dan Popkey (Labrador) 208-800-1565   GOWEN FIELD IN BOISE AMONG FIVE FINALISTS FOR F-35 MISSION, IDAHO DELEGATION WELCOMES NEWS Air Force plans to narrow the list of candidates for F-35 bases in Spring 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Idaho congressional delegation welcomed the news that Gowen Field in Boise is among five candidates to become the home to a new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The decision by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James was announced Wednesday. Gowen Field and the Idaho Air National Guard ranked highly among 18 candidates, based on factors including weather, training infrastructure, cost, facilities and environment. The other four finalists are Dannelly Field Air Guard Station in Alabama, Jacksonville Air Guard Station in Florida, Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan and Truax Field Air Guard Station in Wisconsin. Two Air Guard stations will be selected to support 18 to 24 aircraft. The Air Force will conduct two-week site visits to each of the five candidates in the coming months and plans to select two “preferred” and two “reasonable” alternatives in the Spring of 2017. Those four bases will receive a complete Environmental Impact Analysis before the Secretary issues a final decision, expected in Spring 2019. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: “Today’s announcement confirms Gowen Field is an premier location for operations of the U.S. Air Force’s next generation fighter. Our state has a long and proud tradition of supporting our military and contributing to the nation’s defense, and we have the capabilities and air space optimal for a F-35 flying unit. As the Air Force moves ahead with the basing selection process, I look forward to continuing to offer my unwavering support for Idaho’s Air National Guard.” Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said: “I am pleased that Gowen Field is a candidate for the Air Force’s new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Idaho Air National Guard would be a strong choice for the new F-35 due to Idaho’s world class ranges, available airspace for training, and the unparalleled support throughout the community. Idaho has been home to a range of cutting-edge aircraft and I look forward to continuing this tradition.” Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, said: “I am delighted by the selection of Gowen Field as a candidate base for the next generation of aircraft -- the F-35 fighter. Idaho has a proud history of supporting the National Guard, and I have the utmost confidence Gowen Field would continue this tradition as a steward of the F-35. I look forward to working with the delegation and the Idaho National Guard to ensure that Gowen Field’s first-class airspace and unparalleled facilities will be recognized as a perfect fit for this mission.” Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho,said: “I’m thrilled that Gowen Field was selected as a finalist. I’m pleased that Secretary James recognized that our Air Guard Station is one of our military’s greatest assets. I look forward to working with the delegation as well as the Idaho National Guard to ensure that Gowen Field is given full and fair consideration in the final basing decision.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/gowen-field-in-boise-among-five-finalists-for-f-35-mission-idaho-delegation-welcomes-news,"Gowen Field in Boise Among Five Finalists for F-35 Mission, Idaho Delegation Welcomes News",2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2016 Gowen Field in Boise Among Five Finalists for F-35 Mission, Idaho Delegation Welcomes News Air Force plans to narrow the list of candidates for F-35 bases in Spring 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Idaho congressional delegation welcomed the news that Gowen Field in Boise is among five candidates to become the home to a new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The decision by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James was announced Wednesday. Gowen Field and the Idaho Air National Guard ranked highly among 18 candidates, based on factors including weather, training infrastructure, cost, facilities and environment. The other four finalists are Dannelly Field Air Guard Station in Alabama, Jacksonville Air Guard Station in Florida, Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan and Truax Field Air Guard Station in Wisconsin. Two Air Guard stations will be selected to support 18 to 24 aircraft. The Air Force will conduct two-week site visits to each of the five candidates in the coming months and plans to select two ""preferred"" and two ""reasonable"" alternatives in the Spring of 2017. Those four bases will receive a complete Environmental Impact Analysis before the Secretary issues a final decision, expected in Spring 2019. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: ""Today's announcement confirms Gowen Field is an premier location for operations of the U.S. Air Force's next generation fighter.Our state has a long and proud tradition of supporting our military and contributing to the nation's defense, and we have the capabilities and air space optimal for an F-35 flying unit.As the Air Force moves ahead with the basing selection process, I look forward to continuing to offer my unwavering support for Idaho's Air National Guard."" Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said: ""I am pleased that Gowen Field is a candidate for the Air Force's new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Idaho Air National Guard would be a strong choice for the new F-35 due to Idaho's world class ranges, available airspace for training, and the unparalleled support throughout the community. Idaho has been home to a range of cutting-edge aircraft and I look forward to continuing this tradition."" Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, said: ""I am delighted by the selection of Gowen Field as a candidate base for the next generation of aircraft -- the F-35 fighter.Idaho has a proud history of supporting the National Guard, and I have the utmost confidence Gowen Field would continue this tradition as a steward of the F-35.I look forward to working with the delegation and the Idaho National Guard to ensure that Gowen Field's first-class airspace and unparalleled facilities will be recognized as a perfect fit for this mission."" Rep. Ral Labrador, R-Idaho,said:""I'm thrilled that Gowen Field was selected as a finalist. I'm pleased that Secretary James recognized that our Air Guard Station is one of our military's greatest assets. I look forward to working with the delegation as well as the Idaho National Guard to ensure that Gowen Field is given full and fair consideration in the final basing decision."" # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362989,"Gowen Field in Boise Among Five Finalists for F-35 Mission, Idaho Delegation Welcomes News",2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"December 07, 2016 Gowen Field in Boise Among Five Finalists for F-35 Mission, Idaho Delegation Welcomes News Air Force plans to narrow the list of candidates for F-35 bases in Spring 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Idaho congressional delegation welcomed the news that Gowen Field in Boise is among five candidates to become the home to a new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter squadron. The decision by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James was announced Wednesday. Gowen Field and the Idaho Air National Guard ranked highly among 18 candidates, based on factors including weather, training infrastructure, cost, facilities and environment. The other four finalists are Dannelly Field Air Guard Station in Alabama, Jacksonville Air Guard Station in Florida, Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan and Truax Field Air Guard Station in Wisconsin. Two Air Guard stations will be selected to support 18 to 24 aircraft. The Air Force will conduct two-week site visits to each of the five candidates in the coming months and plans to select two ""preferred"" and two ""reasonable"" alternatives in the Spring of 2017. Those four bases will receive a complete Environmental Impact Analysis before the Secretary issues a final decision, expected in Spring 2019. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said: ""Today's announcement confirms Gowen Field is an premier location for operations of the U.S. Air Force's next generation fighter. Our state has a long and proud tradition of supporting our military and contributing to the nation's defense, and we have the capabilities and air space optimal for an F-35 flying unit. As the Air Force moves ahead with the basing selection process, I look forward to continuing to offer my unwavering support for Idaho's Air National Guard."" Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said: ""I am pleased that Gowen Field is a candidate for the Air Force's new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The Idaho Air National Guard would be a strong choice for the new F-35 due to Idaho's world class ranges, available airspace for training, and the unparalleled support throughout the community. Idaho has been home to a range of cutting-edge aircraft and I look forward to continuing this tradition."" Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, said: ""I am delighted by the selection of Gowen Field as a candidate base for the next generation of aircraft -- the F-35 fighter. Idaho has a proud history of supporting the National Guard, and I have the utmost confidence Gowen Field would continue this tradition as a steward of the F-35. I look forward to working with the delegation and the Idaho National Guard to ensure that Gowen Field's first-class airspace and unparalleled facilities will be recognized as a perfect fit for this mission."" Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho,said: ""I'm thrilled that Gowen Field was selected as a finalist. I'm pleased that Secretary James recognized that our Air Guard Station is one of our military's greatest assets. I look forward to working with the delegation as well as the Idaho National Guard to ensure that Gowen Field is given full and fair consideration in the final basing decision.""   # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398556,Simpson Supports Legislation to Advance Biomedical Research,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Mike Simpson,S001148,simpson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised House passage of the 21st Century Cures Act which would fund vital biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as important funding and policy provisions related to drug approval, mental health, and opioid abuse prevention. The 21st Century Cures Act passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 392-26. “Having previously supported many of the provisions in the bill we passed today, I was thrilled to see all of them incorporated into a package that will likely be signed into law,” said Simpson. “I have been a longtime supporter of NIH funding, but this legislation goes a step further to improve mental health treatments, opioid abuse, and the drug approval process which will safely and efficiently get lifesaving drugs to the patients that need them.” Specifically, the legislation would: Provide $4.8 billion over 10 years to NIH for many cutting edge research initiatives; Provide $500 million to the Food and Drug Administration over 10 years to advance new drug approval and medical devices for patients; Provide $1 billion over 2 years for grants to states to supplement opioid abuse prevention efforts; Provide offsets to ensure the legislation is paid for on a year to year basis.  The bill also includes provisions to improve the nation’s mental health treatment system that would reauthorize important programs and grants to improve access to mental health treatment. Congressman Simpson was a cosponsor of this legislation and supported the bill when it passed the House in July. The legislation is expected to be considered by the Senate and signed by the President before the end of the 114th Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/wednesday-deadline-to-request-tickets-to-the-58th-presidential-inauguration,Wednesday Deadline to Request Tickets to the 58th Presidential Inauguration,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 21, 2016 Wednesday Deadline to Request Tickets to the 58th Presidential Inauguration Requests must made through Senator Crapo??s website by 5:00 PM Mountain Time Wednesday, November 23 Washington, D.C. - The deadline for Idahoans to request tickets to attend the presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony is Wednesday, November 23 at 5:00 PM Mountain time. The Inauguration swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will take place Friday, January 20, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. For the 58 th Presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony, members of Congress are provided with a limited number of tickets. As it has for previous ceremonies, the Idaho Congressional Delegation is joining together to maximize accessibility to the Inauguration swearing-in ceremony for Idahoans.Tickets for the presidential Inauguration may be requested from websites of Senator Crapo, Senator Risch, Congressman Simpson, or Congressman Labrador. As the Congressional Delegation is collaborating on ticket distribution, it is not necessary to make more than one request from an office. Ticket requests will be accepted through 5:00 PM Mountain Time, Wednesday, November 23, 2016. Any requests made after that deadline will be placed on a waiting list. This deadline has been set to allow Idahoans who wish to attend the ceremony enough planning time for travel and accommodation arrangements. The Idaho Congressional Delegation will make every effort to distribute the tickets made available to Idahoans on a ""first-come, first-served"" basis and preference will be given to Idaho residents. Those who wish to request tickets for the but are not from Idaho should contact their respective member of Congress. While additional information on the ceremony itself can be found on the website for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, below are a few quick tips for Idahoans to keep in mind: Tickets to attend the presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony and parade are free and distributed through congressional offices. Idahoans should not purchase tickets to these events from other, possibly unreliable sources. Due to anticipated demand and the limited number of tickets to the event, each request will be limited to four per request. If a party requires more than four tickets, an additional request may be submitted. Tickets to the Inauguration swearing-in ceremony are required for every person, including children and infants in arms. Full names and ages must be provided on the request form; make sure to include yourself (or the requesting individual) on the request form. The majority of tickets are standing-room only and are only for the swearing-in ceremony and cannot be used for any Inaugural balls or other events. Tickets are not necessary to view the Inauguration swearing-in ceremony; the tickets simply allow access to specific sections of the Capitol Grounds. There will be large sections of the National Mall that will be accessible to the general public; typically jumbo viewing screens are set up throughout the National Mall. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362986,Wednesday Deadline to Request Tickets to the 58th Presidential Inauguration,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 21, 2016 Wednesday Deadline to Request Tickets to the 58th Presidential Inauguration Requests must made through Senator Crapoâ??s website by 5:00 PM Mountain Time Wednesday, November 23 Washington, D.C. - The deadline for Idahoans to request tickets to attend the presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony is Wednesday, November 23 at 5:00 PM Mountain time.  The Inauguration swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will take place Friday, January 20, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. For the 58 th Presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony, members of Congress are provided with a limited number of tickets.  As it has for previous ceremonies, the Idaho Congressional Delegation is joining together to maximize accessibility to the Inauguration swearing-in ceremony for Idahoans. Tickets for the presidential Inauguration may be requested from websites of Senator Crapo, Senator Risch, Congressman Simpson, or Congressman Labrador.  As the Congressional Delegation is collaborating on ticket distribution, it is not necessary to make more than one request from an office. Ticket requests will be accepted through 5:00 PM Mountain Time, Wednesday, November 23, 2016.  Any requests made after that deadline will be placed on a waiting list.  This deadline has been set to allow Idahoans who wish to attend the ceremony enough planning time for travel and accommodation arrangements. The Idaho Congressional Delegation will make every effort to distribute the tickets made available to Idahoans on a ""first-come, first-served"" basis and preference will be given to Idaho residents.  Those who wish to request tickets for the but are not from Idaho should contact their respective member of Congress. While additional information on the ceremony itself can be found on the website for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, below are a few quick tips for Idahoans to keep in mind: Tickets to attend the presidential Inauguration swearing-in ceremony and parade are free and distributed through congressional offices.  Idahoans should not purchase tickets to these events from other, possibly unreliable sources. Due to anticipated demand and the limited number of tickets to the event, each request will be limited to four per request.  If a party requires more than four tickets, an additional request may be submitted.   Tickets to the Inauguration swearing-in ceremony are required for every person, including children and infants in arms.  Full names and ages must be provided on the request form; make sure to include yourself (or the requesting individual) on the request form. The majority of tickets are standing-room only and are only for the swearing-in ceremony and cannot be used for any Inaugural balls or other events. Tickets are not necessary to view the Inauguration swearing-in ceremony; the tickets simply allow access to specific sections of the Capitol Grounds.  There will be large sections of the National Mall that will be accessible to the general public; typically jumbo viewing screens are set up throughout the National Mall.   # # #   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F6598418-40EE-4E26-AA6A-A2955F5AC4D7,"Crapo, Risch Recognize Idaho Ranking Fifth in Nation for Volunteer Service",2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington – A new study from the Corporation for Community and National Service concludes that Idaho ranks fifth in the nation for volunteer service.  In Idaho, this translates to 382,200 individual volunteers and 53.42 million hours of volunteer service with an estimated value of service of $1.1 billion.  The fifth place ranking puts Idaho behind Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota, respectively. The annual Volunteering and Civic Life in America report concluded that one in four Americans volunteered through a formal organization and that more than 138 million American citizens, an impressive 62.5 percent, also volunteered informally within their communities.  This translated to nearly 7.8 billion hours of service with an estimated value of $184 billion.  The estimates of the value of volunteer service is based on the Independent Sector’s estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour. “This report confirms what I and many others have known all our lives: Idahoans are generous and value strong, supportive relationships that improve and strengthen our communities,” said Crapo.  “This week, my staff and I honored many volunteers who serve the Idaho veterans community through the Spirit of Freedom awards, recognizing those who continue to answer the call to service and support our veterans across Idaho.  Our neighborhood volunteers should take great pride that our state is leading in the area of service to others.” ""All Idahoans should be proud of their hard work that earned this recognition. I am deeply thankful to those across our state who have given back to our communities and set a fine example for our nation to follow"" said Risch. The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve.  Additional information on the report can be found on the Corporation’s website.   # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-recognize-idaho-ranking-5th-in-nation-for-volunteer-service,"Crapo, Risch Recognize Idaho Ranking 5th in Nation for Volunteer Service",2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 18, 2016 Crapo, Risch Recognize Idaho Ranking 5th in Nation for Volunteer Service Washington - A new study from the Corporation for Community and National Service concludes that Idaho ranks fifth in the nation for volunteer service. In Idaho, this translates to 382,200 individual volunteers and 53.42 million hours of volunteer service with an estimated value of service of $1.1 billion. The fifth place ranking puts Idaho behind Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota, respectively. The annual Volunteering and Civic Life in America report concluded that one in four Americans volunteered through a formal organization and that more than 138 million American citizens, an impressive 62.5 percent, also volunteered informally within their communities. This translated to nearly 7.8 billion hours of service with an estimated value of $184 billion. The estimates of the value of volunteer service is based on the Independent Sector's estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour. ""This report confirms what I and many others have known all our lives: Idahoans are generous and value strong, supportive relationships that improve and strengthen our communities,"" said Crapo. ""This week, my staff and I honored many volunteers who serve the Idaho veterans community through the Spirit of Freedom awards, recognizing those who continue to answer the call to service and support our veterans across Idaho. Our neighborhood volunteers should take great pride that our state is leading in the area of service to others."" ""All Idahoans should be proud of their hard work that earned this recognition. I am deeply thankful to those across our state who have given back to our communities and set a fine example for our nation to follow"" said Risch. The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. Additional information on the report can be found on the Corporation's website. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362984,"Crapo, Risch Recognize Idaho Ranking 5th in Nation for Volunteer Service",2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 18, 2016 Crapo, Risch Recognize Idaho Ranking 5th in Nation for Volunteer Service Washington - A new study from the Corporation for Community and National Service concludes that Idaho ranks fifth in the nation for volunteer service.  In Idaho, this translates to 382,200 individual volunteers and 53.42 million hours of volunteer service with an estimated value of service of $1.1 billion.  The fifth place ranking puts Idaho behind Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota, respectively. The annual Volunteering and Civic Life in America report concluded that one in four Americans volunteered through a formal organization and that more than 138 million American citizens, an impressive 62.5 percent, also volunteered informally within their communities.  This translated to nearly 7.8 billion hours of service with an estimated value of $184 billion.  The estimates of the value of volunteer service is based on the Independent Sector's estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour. ""This report confirms what I and many others have known all our lives: Idahoans are generous and value strong, supportive relationships that improve and strengthen our communities,"" said Crapo.  ""This week, my staff and I honored many volunteers who serve the Idaho veterans community through the Spirit of Freedom awards, recognizing those who continue to answer the call to service and support our veterans across Idaho.  Our neighborhood volunteers should take great pride that our state is leading in the area of service to others."" ""All Idahoans should be proud of their hard work that earned this recognition. I am deeply thankful to those across our state who have given back to our communities and set a fine example for our nation to follow"" said Risch. The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve.  Additional information on the report can be found on the Corporation's website.   # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5572BAD9-DFE3-4BCC-B22D-91C04A1579E6,Risch: We Must Care For Our Veterans Every Day,2016-11-11,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) issued the following statement on Veterans Day: “Today, Vicki and I pause to honor and to thank our veterans and their families for their service to America. Our nation has a moral and legal obligation to care for our veterans every day, and to ensure all promises made to them by the federal government are fully honored. I remain committed to those goals. Please join me today in celebrating our American veterans, particularly the Idahoans who have served with honor and courage.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-to-attend-rexburg-veterans-day-event,Crapo to Attend Rexburg Veterans Day Event,2016-11-10,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 10, 2016 Crapo to Attend Rexburg Veterans Day Event Idaho Falls - To honor the service of Idaho's veterans community, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will travel to Rexburg and address attendees during a Veterans Day ceremony. The annual event is hosted by the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce and the Rexburg Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3012. For this year's event, organizers plan to kick-off the event with a fly-over of historic aircraft from the Legacy Flight Museum over downtown Rexburg. In addition to remarks from Senator Crapo, the program will recognize local veterans representing each of our country's wars. ""We are blessed in Idaho to have many veterans in our communities who continue to lead through their examples of extraordinary service,"" said Crapo in advance of Friday's ceremony. ""One of the ways America pays tribute to this service is through the celebration of Veterans Day."" Details of the event follow: Rexburg Senator Crapo to deliver remarks at Veterans Day ceremony Rexburg Tabernacle, 25 N. Center Street Noon # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362982,Crapo to Attend Rexburg Veterans Day Event,2016-11-10,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 10, 2016 Crapo to Attend Rexburg Veterans Day Event Idaho Falls - To honor the service of Idaho's veterans community, Idaho  Senator Mike Crapo will travel to Rexburg and address attendees during a Veterans Day ceremony.  The annual event is hosted by the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce and the Rexburg Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3012. For this year's event, organizers plan to kick-off the event with a fly-over of historic aircraft from the Legacy Flight Museum over downtown Rexburg.  In addition to remarks from Senator Crapo, the program will recognize local veterans representing each of our country's wars.    ""We are blessed in Idaho to have many veterans in our communities who continue to lead through their examples of extraordinary service,"" said Crapo in advance of Friday's ceremony. ""One of the ways America pays tribute to this service is through the celebration of Veterans Day.""                 Details of the event follow: Rexburg Senator Crapo to deliver remarks at Veterans Day ceremony Rexburg  Tabernacle, 25 N. Center Street Noon # # #   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1067,"Labrador Congratulates President-elect Trump, Calls for Change in Washington",2016-11-09,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Raúl Labrador,L000573,labrador.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   FOR MORE INFORMATION: Wednesday | Nov. 9, 2016 Dan Popkey – 208-800-1565   LABRADOR CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP, CALLS FOR CHANGE IN WASHINGTON MERIDIAN – Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement:  “I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump for his historic victory that brings Americans the new leadership they’ve long demanded. This election was a ringing call for change and I am eager to work with the President-elect to repair a broken system in Washington, D.C. “Many issues require our immediate attention, starting with reviving our sluggish economy. We can begin by repealing and replacing Obamacare, rolling back excessive federal regulations and enacting equitable tax reform. I also expect to find common ground with the President-elect on securing our borders and reforming our criminal justice system. “The American people have given us an opportunity to do the right thing. Now we must seize the moment.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/veterans-volunteers-honored-with-crapos-spirit-of-freedom-award,"Veterans, Volunteers Honored with Crapo's Spirit of Freedom Award",2016-11-09,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 09, 2016 Veterans, Volunteers Honored with Crapo's Spirit of Freedom Award Crapo to present award in Shelley Boise - Twelve Idaho veterans and seven volunteers serving Idaho's veterans will be honored on Veterans Day, this Friday, with Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's Spirit of Freedom Award. Crapo created the Spirit of Freedom Award to acknowledge the contributions, patriotism, service and sacrifice of Idaho's veterans and service-oriented volunteer leaders. He has worked with Idaho's veterans community to present the awards during Veterans Day ceremonies in Idaho. Details of this year's Spirit of Freedom awards ceremonies follow: Spirit of Freedom Ceremony, Thursday, November 10: Shelley 10:00 AM , Firth High School, 329 Lincoln Street (Crapo presents to Brett Waters) Spirit of Freedom Ceremonies planned for Friday, November 11 th: Boise 11:00 AM, Idaho State Veterans Home, 320 Collins Road Pocatello 2:30 PM, Idaho State Veterans Home, 1957 Alvin Ricken Drive Lewiston 2:00 PM, Red Lion Hotel, 621 21st Street Here is the list of the 2016 Spirit of Freedom Awards to veterans and volunteers: Veterans: Lloyd Kent Brown , Garden City: Colonel Brown was nominated by the Boise VA Medical Center. Born in Pocatello, he served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, and as staff for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon. He was a professor of Government and Economics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned several medals for his service that included serving in Vietnam. Henry W. Clark , Boise: ""Hank"" Clark, has served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, he served aboard the U.S.S. Tripoli, off the coast of Vietnam and today continues to honor his fellow veterans as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. Charlie A. Hollenbeck , Lewiston: A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Hollenbeck was nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston and earned the rank of Corporal serving in the 358 th Infantry in World War II. He earned many medals and fondly recalls meeting General Patton after the Battle of the Bulge, and his unit liberated the Flossenberg Concentration Camp. Bud Kelly , Pocatello: A native of Rockland who joined the U.S. Army out of high school, Kelly was nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello. He served in the U.S. Army 513 th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge during which he was taken as a prisoner of war, and as he explained,nearly froze and starved to death. After being liberated, he returned to the U.S., and he earned a number of honors for his service. These include the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Purple Heart, POW Medal and Bronze Star. Timothy James McBride , Fruitland: The Military Order of the Purple Heart nominated McBride for serving in the U.S. Army in Germany and in Vietnam. He achievedmany awards for his service, and later applied his experiences to work as a machinist, teacher, college instructor, miner, computer system analyst, electronics engineer and publisher. Ned Mickelsen , Pocatello: A Blackfoot area native, Michelsen was nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944, served on the front lines in Iwo Jima in World War II and earned numerous recognitions for his service. He has spoken many times to students at area schools about his service and patriotism. Jacob D. Sattler , Boise: ""Jake"" Sattler was nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise because of his 30 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, but also for his service at the Veterans Home. He earned many medals for his combat service. Erin Smith , Boise: Sergeant 1st Class Smith, of the Idaho Army National Guard was recognized for breaking new ground for women in the military as the first female armor enlisted soldier in the nation to graduate from the U.S. Army's M1 Armor Crewman School and the nation's first female armor enlisted soldier. She served in deployments to Bosnia and Iraq. Crapo presented Sgt. 1st Class Smith with her Spirit of Freedom Award during a visit to Gowen Field. John A. Spurny, Mountain Home: The Idaho Military Division nominated Spurny for his service in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years. He earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and was deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Provide Comfort and the First Gulf War, serving in the aircraft maintenance career field as a squadron first sergeant and family support program superintendent, named in 1983 as Tactical Air Command's Aircraft Maintenance Professional of the Year. He has several medals and served for eight years as one of Governor Butch Otter's Veterans Affairs Commissioners. Irving Tyrrell, Jr. , Boise: The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, where Captain Irving, known as ""Irv,"" has volunteered,nominated him for his service in the U.S. Air Force for nine years with assignments in Germany and appointment to the Operations and Intelligence, Director of Operations Staff of Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe. He earned several medals and had a long career with Hewlett-Packard Company in Boiseafter his military service. Douglas E. Welch , Lewiston: The Lewis-Clark Valley Veterans Council nominated Captain Welch, who served in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Idaho National Guard. During his 41-years of military service, Welch served many missions, including as Deputy Medical Advisor to NATO Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command in the Netherlands and as the Director of the United States Nothern Command's Joint Regional Medical Plans & Operations Division where his duties included leading the division of 17 Army, Navy, Air Force and Air National Guard Joint Regional Medical Plans and Operations Officers and coordinating and deploying medical relief and evacuation operations for hurricanes, earthquake, fire and other natural and man-made disasters. Joseph H. Whilden , Nampa: The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Idaho State Council nominated ""Joe"" Whilden for his honorable service in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the grade of Airman Second Class. Following his military service, Joe continued his service as a Peace Officer in Idaho for 30 years and led fundraising efforts to support the Idaho Special Olympics. Joe is recognized for his instrumental role in the completion and Memorial Day 2016 dedication of the Vietnam Veterans memorial located in Veterans Memorial Park in Boise. Volunteers: Barbara Gehring , Pocatello: The Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello nominated Barbara Gehring for this honor for her committed service on behalf of veterans. As a wife and mother of veterans, Barbara has a profound understanding of service and love for veterans and our country. She has officially assisted at the veterans home's canteen for three years, but previously spent many years visiting veterans. In addition to assisting at the home, Barbara has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #3 for 13 years and has held many leadership positionsin the organization. William A. Hamilton , Nampa: The Department of Idaho Military Order of the Purple Heart nominated William Hamilton for this honor for the dedicated assistance he provides fellow veterans. William served in the U.S. Army with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Air Cavalry Troop, in the Vietnam War. As a Vietnam Veteran, William expresses a sense of duty to make certain that we never again allow a veteran returning from a combat zone to receive the same treatment he and other Vietnam Veterans received. He has volunteered extensively with veterans groups and directly assisting veterans. Boyd L. Pedersen , Lewiston: The Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston nominated Boyd Pedersen for this award for his service as an outstanding veteran volunteer. Boyd served our country for more than forty-one years from 1951 to 1992. His last assignment was serving as State of Idaho Command Sergeant Major for the Idaho Army National Guard from 1988-1992. His other major duty assignments include serving in the Korean War. Sergeant Major Pedersen has not only devoted considerable time to serving our nation, but also he has continued to serve the veterans community through his leadership roles in veterans organizations and his assistance to fellow veterans. Wayne Sall, Boise: The Boise VA Medical Center nominated Wayne Sall, as Wayne served our nation in the U.S. Navy and continues to serve his fellow veterans and the Boise community Wayne has been assisting veterans at the medical center since he filled in for a friend 18 years ago, and his way of connecting with patients and putting them at ease is recognized as one of his shared gifts. Brett Waters , Shelley: The Vietnam Veterans of America Idaho State Council nominated Brett Waters for the for the support he has given veterans. Brett has been instrumental in founding and supporting the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 972 Wheel Chair Program, which locates and refurbishes powered wheelchairs, and distributes them to veterans and family members of veterans. Brettand his family have been recognized foralways stepping in to help veterans by repairing, restoring, and delivering them. Rita Weber , Boise: The Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise nominated Rita Weber for this award, as she is a long-time, outstanding volunteer. At the veterans home, she is credited with helping to develop outstanding one-on-one programs. Rita has also volunteered for years with schools, the YMCA and various other activities assisting childrenand others Jim White, Lewiston: The Lewis-Clark Valley Veterans Council nominated Jim White for this award in recognition of his more than 13 years he has spent assisting veterans. Jim served our nation for more than 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned many recognitions for his distinguished service. This includes receiving the Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, letters of appreciation, recognition and commendation and more. He has devoted unmeasurable hours over the past 12 years to leading the council's ""Toys for Tots"" program, and he helps with the 50 to 100 veterans funerals the council assists with each year. He also assists with fishing trips for veterans and helps with many other veterans activities with the Marine Corps League. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362981,"Veterans, Volunteers Honored with Crapo's Spirit of Freedom Award",2016-11-09,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 09, 2016 Veterans, Volunteers Honored with Crapo's Spirit of Freedom Award Crapo to present award in Shelley Boise - Twelve Idaho veterans and seven volunteers serving Idaho's veterans will be honored on Veterans Day, this Friday, with Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's Spirit of Freedom Award.  Crapo created the Spirit of Freedom Award to acknowledge the contributions, patriotism, service and sacrifice of Idaho's veterans and service-oriented volunteer leaders.  He has worked with Idaho's veterans community to present the awards during Veterans Day ceremonies in Idaho. Details of this year's Spirit of Freedom awards ceremonies follow: Spirit of Freedom Ceremony, Thursday, November 10: Shelley      10:00 AM , Firth High School, 329 Lincoln Street (Crapo presents to Brett Waters) Spirit of Freedom Ceremonies planned for Friday, November 11 th: Boise         11:00 AM, Idaho State Veterans Home, 320 Collins Road Pocatello    2:30 PM, Idaho State Veterans Home, 1957 Alvin Ricken Drive Lewiston    2:00 PM, Red Lion Hotel, 621 21st Street Here is the list of the 2016 Spirit of Freedom Awards to veterans and volunteers: Veterans: Lloyd Kent Brown , Garden City:  Colonel Brown was nominated by the Boise VA Medical Center.  Born in Pocatello, he served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, and as staff for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon.  He was a professor of Government and Economics at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned several medals for his service that included serving  in Vietnam.   Henry W. Clark , Boise:  ""Hank"" Clark, has served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps.  Nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, he served aboard the U.S.S. Tripoli, off the coast of Vietnam and today continues to honor his fellow veterans as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.   Charlie A. Hollenbeck , Lewiston:  A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Hollenbeck was nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston and earned the rank of Corporal serving in the 358 th Infantry in World War II.  He earned many medals and fondly recalls meeting General Patton after the Battle of the Bulge, and his unit liberated the Flossenberg Concentration Camp.   Bud Kelly , Pocatello:  A native of Rockland who joined the U.S. Army out of high school, Kelly was nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello.  He served in the U.S. Army 513 th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge during which he was taken as a prisoner of war, and as he explained,nearly froze and starved to death.  After being liberated, he returned to the U.S., and he earned a number of honors for his service.  These include the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Purple Heart, POW Medal and Bronze Star.   Timothy James McBride , Fruitland:  The Military Order of the Purple Heart nominated McBride for serving in the U.S. Army in Germany and in Vietnam.  He achievedmany awards for his service, and later applied his experiences to work as a machinist, teacher, college instructor, miner, computer system analyst, electronics engineer and publisher.    Ned Mickelsen , Pocatello:  A Blackfoot area native, Michelsen was nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944, served on the front lines in Iwo Jima in World War II and earned numerous recognitions for his service.  He has spoken many times to students at area schools about his service and patriotism.     Jacob D. Sattler , Boise:  ""Jake"" Sattler was nominated by the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise because of his 30 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, but also for his service at the Veterans Home.  He earned many medals for his combat service.    Erin Smith , Boise:  Sergeant 1st Class Smith, of the Idaho Army National Guard was recognized for breaking new ground for women in the military as the first female armor enlisted soldier in the nation to graduate from the U.S. Army's M1 Armor Crewman School and the nation's first female armor enlisted soldier.  She served in deployments to Bosnia and Iraq.  Crapo presented Sgt. 1st Class Smith with her Spirit of Freedom Award during a visit to Gowen Field.    John A. Spurny, Mountain Home:  The Idaho Military Division nominated Spurny for his service in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years.  He earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and was deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Provide Comfort and the First Gulf War, serving in the aircraft maintenance career field as a squadron first sergeant and family support program superintendent, named in 1983 as Tactical Air Command's Aircraft Maintenance Professional of the Year.  He has several medals and served for eight years as one of Governor Butch Otter's Veterans Affairs Commissioners.   Irving Tyrrell, Jr. , Boise:  The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, where Captain Irving, known as ""Irv,"" has volunteered,nominated him for his service in the U.S. Air Force for nine years with assignments in Germany and appointment to the Operations and Intelligence, Director of Operations Staff of Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe.  He earned several medals and had a long career with Hewlett-Packard Company in Boiseafter his military service.   Douglas E. Welch , Lewiston:  The Lewis-Clark Valley Veterans Council nominated Captain Welch, who served in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Idaho National Guard.  During his 41-years of military service, Welch served many missions, including as Deputy Medical Advisor to NATO Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command in the Netherlands and as the Director of the United States Nothern Command's Joint Regional Medical Plans & Operations Division where his duties included leading the division of 17 Army, Navy, Air Force and Air National Guard Joint Regional Medical Plans and Operations Officers and coordinating and deploying medical relief and evacuation operations for hurricanes, earthquake, fire and other natural and man-made disasters.   Joseph H. Whilden , Nampa:  The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Idaho State Council nominated ""Joe"" Whilden for his honorable service in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the grade of Airman Second Class.  Following his military service, Joe continued his service as a Peace Officer in Idaho for 30 years and led fundraising efforts to support the Idaho Special Olympics.  Joe is recognized for his instrumental role in the completion and Memorial Day 2016 dedication of the Vietnam Veterans memorial located in Veterans Memorial Park in Boise.  Volunteers:  Barbara Gehring , Pocatello:  The Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello nominated Barbara Gehring for this honor for her committed service on behalf of veterans.  As a wife and mother of veterans, Barbara has a profound understanding of service and love for veterans and our country.  She has officially assisted at the veterans home's canteen for three years, but previously spent many years visiting veterans.  In addition to assisting at the home, Barbara has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #3 for 13 years and has held many leadership positionsin the organization.   William A. Hamilton , Nampa:  The Department of Idaho Military Order of the Purple Heart nominated William Hamilton for this honor for the dedicated assistance he provides fellow veterans.  William served in the U.S. Army with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Air Cavalry Troop, in the Vietnam War.  As a Vietnam Veteran, William expresses a sense of duty to make certain that we never again allow a veteran returning from a combat zone to receive the same treatment he and other Vietnam Veterans received.  He has volunteered extensively with veterans groups and directly assisting veterans.    Boyd L. Pedersen , Lewiston:  The Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston nominated Boyd Pedersen for this award for his service as an outstanding veteran volunteer.  Boyd served our country for more than forty-one years from 1951 to 1992.  His last assignment was serving as State of Idaho Command Sergeant Major for the Idaho Army National Guard from 1988-1992.  His other major duty assignments include serving in the Korean War.  Sergeant Major Pedersen has not only devoted considerable time to serving our nation, but also he has continued to serve the veterans community through his leadership roles in veterans organizations and his assistance to fellow veterans.  Wayne Sall, Boise:  The Boise VA Medical Center nominated Wayne Sall, as Wayne served our nation in the U.S. Navy and continues to serve his fellow veterans and the Boise community  Wayne has been assisting veterans at the medical center since he filled in for a friend 18 years ago, and his way of connecting with patients and putting them at ease is recognized as one of his shared gifts.    Brett Waters , Shelley:  The Vietnam Veterans of America Idaho State Council nominated Brett Waters for the for the support he has given veterans.  Brett has been instrumental in founding and supporting the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 972 Wheel Chair Program, which locates and refurbishes powered wheelchairs, and distributes them to veterans and family members of veterans.  Brettand his family have been recognized foralways stepping in to help veterans by repairing, restoring, and delivering them.    Rita Weber , Boise:  The Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise nominated Rita Weber for this award, as she is a long-time, outstanding volunteer.  At the veterans home, she is credited with helping to develop outstanding one-on-one programs. Rita has also volunteered for years with schools, the YMCA and various other activities assisting childrenand others   Jim White, Lewiston:  The Lewis-Clark Valley Veterans Council nominated Jim White for this award in recognition of his more than 13 years he has spent assisting veterans.  Jim served our nation for more than 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned many recognitions for his distinguished service.  This includes receiving the Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, letters of appreciation, recognition and commendation and more.  He has devoted unmeasurable hours over the past 12 years to leading the council's ""Toys for Tots"" program, and he helps with the 50 to 100 veterans funerals the council assists with each year.  He also assists with fishing trips for veterans and helps with many other veterans activities with the Marine Corps League.    # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-to-help-amalgamated-sugar-celebrate-100th-sugarbeet-campaign,Crapo To Help Amalgamated Sugar Celebrate 100th Sugarbeet Campaign,2016-11-03,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 03, 2016 Crapo To Help Amalgamated Sugar Celebrate 100th Sugarbeet Campaign Presents Congressional Record Statement at Twin Falls Factory Twin Falls - The nation's second-largest producer of sugar from sugar beets is celebrating its' 100 th sugarbeet campaign in the Magic Valley this year. On Friday Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will present Amalgamated Sugar a copy of a Congressional Record Statement that he and Senator Jim Risch introduced into the Senate Record honoring Amalgamated Sugar's achievements over the past 100 years of sugar production in Idaho. The ceremony is planned at the Twin Falls Amalgamated facility at 10:00AM. Crapo will meet with Amalgamated President and CEO John McCreedy, Amalgamated's factory and research employees, local sugarbeet growers and area civic, business and political leaders. Amalgamated has plants in Twin Falls, Nampa and Paul and offices in Boise. In its early days, Amalgamaged began filling just under one million 100-pound bags of sugar. Today, that number tops 21-million 100-pound bags. The cooperative's accomplishments result from the teamwork of its approximately 750 growers and more than 1,600 Idaho employees who produce quality sugarbeets, transport them from the fields to the factories and refine high quality sugar products, nutritional supplements and animal-feed products.Amalgamated Sugar contributes about $800 million in revenues to Idaho's economy. Congressional Record Presentation to Amalgamated Sugar Company: Friday, November 4 10:00 AM Amalgamated Sugar 2531 Orchard Drive East Twin Falls # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362979,Crapo To Help Amalgamated Sugar Celebrate 100th Sugarbeet Campaign,2016-11-03,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 03, 2016 Crapo To Help Amalgamated Sugar Celebrate 100th Sugarbeet Campaign Presents Congressional Record Statement at Twin Falls Factory Twin Falls - The nation's second-largest producer of sugar from sugar beets is celebrating its' 100 th sugarbeet campaign in the Magic Valley this year.  On Friday Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will present Amalgamated Sugar a copy of a Congressional Record Statement that he and Senator Jim Risch introduced into the Senate Record honoring Amalgamated Sugar's achievements over the past 100 years of sugar production in Idaho. The ceremony is planned at the Twin Falls Amalgamated facility at 10:00AM.  Crapo will meet with Amalgamated President and CEO John McCreedy, Amalgamated's factory and research employees, local sugarbeet growers and area civic, business and political leaders.  Amalgamated has plants in Twin Falls, Nampa and Paul and offices in Boise. In its early days, Amalgamaged began filling just under one million 100-pound bags of sugar.  Today, that number tops 21-million 100-pound bags. The cooperative's accomplishments result from the teamwork of its approximately 750 growers and more than 1,600 Idaho employees who produce quality sugarbeets, transport them from the fields to the factories and refine high quality sugar products, nutritional supplements and animal-feed products.Amalgamated Sugar contributes about $800 million in revenues to Idaho's economy. Congressional Record Presentation to Amalgamated Sugar Company: Friday, November 4 10:00 AM Amalgamated Sugar 2531 Orchard Drive East Twin Falls # # #  Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-to-address-idaho-hispanic-chamber-donate-books-at-wilder-elementary-school,Crapo to Address Idaho Hispanic Chamber; Donate Books at Wilder Elementary School,2016-11-02,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 02, 2016 Crapo to Address Idaho Hispanic Chamber; Donate Books at Wilder Elementary School Partners with CCI, Commission on Hispanic Affairs Nampa - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will visit the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho tomorrow to speak to members of the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Crapo will speak on economic and tax issues and answer questions from the business group during the luncheon event. Following the Chamber address, Crapo travels to Wilder to make a book donation at Wilder Elementary School. Crapo is partnering with the Community Council of Idaho (CCI), the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and the Idaho Education for the Association of Young Children to donate nearly 1500 books, in English and Spanish languages, to the elementary school students. The books are made available at no charge through the Library of Congress and encourage reading among America's youth. Thursday, November 3: 11:30 AM Nampa Speaks to the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho,315 Stampede Street 1:30 PM Wilder Donates books and speaks to students at Wilder Elementary School, 210 A Avenue Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362978,"Crapo to Address Idaho Hispanic Chamber; Donate Books at Wilder Elementary School",2016-11-02,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 02, 2016 Crapo to Address Idaho Hispanic Chamber; Donate Books at Wilder Elementary School Partners with CCI, Commission on Hispanic Affairs Nampa - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will visit the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho tomorrow to speak to members of the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  Crapo will speak on economic and tax issues and answer questions from the business group during the luncheon event.   Following the Chamber address, Crapo travels to Wilder to make a book donation at Wilder Elementary School.  Crapo is partnering with the Community Council of Idaho (CCI), the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and the Idaho Education for the Association of Young Children to donate nearly 1500 books, in English and Spanish languages, to the elementary school students.  The books are made available at no charge through the Library of Congress and encourage reading among America's youth.      Thursday, November 3:   11:30 AM     Nampa         Speaks to the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho,  315 Stampede Street   1:30 PM       Wilder          Donates books and speaks to students at Wilder Elementary School, 210 A Avenue     Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1065,"U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to be Cut Wednesday Near McCall, Tour Idaho Through Nov. 14",2016-11-01,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Raúl Labrador,L000573,labrador.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tuesday | Nov. 1, 2016 Dan Popkey – 208-800-1565   U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE TO BE CUT WEDNESDAY NEAR McCALL, TOUR IDAHO THROUGH NOV. 14 Labrador to take part in celebration Monday at Idaho State Capitol in Boise   MERIDIAN – Idahoans are invited to watch Wednesday as U.S. Forest Service workers using a traditional crosscut saw fell an 80-foot Engelmann Spruce to begin its journey to Washington, D.C., for the lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The ceremony is set for 11 a.m. at the Little Ski Hill, just west of McCall on Idaho 55. The public is asked to arrive early to help limit traffic congestion. Hundreds are expected to attend. The ceremony will be broadcast live on KTVB-Channel 7. Isabella Gerard of Boise will help throw the switch when the tree is lit. C-SPAN will cover the Dec. 6 tree lighting at 3 p.m. MST, 2 p.m. PST. “I am so proud that Idaho’s First Congressional District is providing this amazing tree to highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Capitol, and I’ll be honored to represent Idahoans at the tree-lighting ceremony,” Labrador said. Meanwhile, the tree will make 15 stops in Idaho, including Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. “Idahoans have a great opportunity to enjoy some early Christmas spirit as the tree tours our beautiful state,” Labrador said. “I invite them to join me in the celebration Monday at the Statehouse.” The tree from the Payette National Forest is the second U.S. Capitol Christmas tree to come from Idaho. It was chosen from among four finalists that met specifications set by the Architect of the Capitol. Idahoans created 18,000 ornaments to decorate the big tree and companion trees from Idaho that will grace many sites in Washington including the offices of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation. The tree also will stop in Utah, Colorado, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and Maryland before reaching the Capitol. To learn more, visit the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website. Below is the schedule for the tree’s stops in Idaho: McCall: Saturday, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., 1000 2nd St. Cascade: Sunday,  10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Kelly’s Whitewater Park, East Mill St. Horseshoe Bend: Sunday, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Horseshoe Bend School District, 398 School Dr. Boise: Sunday, 4 p.m. – 6  p.m., Cabela’s, 8109 W. Franklin Road Boise: Monday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Idaho State Capitol, 700 W. Jefferson St. Weiser: Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Main St. Council: Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., 202 Michigan Ave. New Meadows: Nov. 9, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., 101 Virginia St. Grangeville: Nov. 9, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Grangeville Air Center, 111 Airport Road Lapwai: Nov. 10, 10 a.m. – noon, Nez Perce National Historic Park, 39063 U.S. Highway 95 Moscow: Nov. 10, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., University of Idaho, 709 S.Deakin St. Coeur d’Alene: Nov. 11, 10 a.m. – noon, Sherman Avenue, between 1st and 2nd Streets Salmon: Nov. 12, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., 204 Main St. Idaho Falls: Nov. 14,  9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Alturas Academy, 3950 S. Yellowstone Hwy. Twin Falls: Nov. 14, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., 4th/5th and Shoshone Street East",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-to-meet-with-coeur-dalene-diabetes-advocates,Crapo to Meet with Coeur d'Alene Diabetes Advocates,2016-11-01,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 01, 2016 Crapo to Meet with Coeur d'Alene Diabetes Advocates Supports Continued Type-1 Diabetes Research at National Institutes of Health Coeur d'Alene - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will join Coeur d'Alene advocates to discuss efforts to support continued research on Type 1 Diabetes at the National Institutes of Health. Local advocate Carson Magee has worked with Crapo, a member of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, to support efforts that maintain funding for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) at NIH. For almost twenty years, SDP has worked to improve the lives of the more than 29 million Americans who have diabetes. The program - comprised of the Special Diabetes Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians - has provided a solid return on a modest federal investment. As diabetes continues to be one of the most costly diseases to the nation - both in human and economic terms - the SDP funds research that is leading directly to new insights and therapies that are improving the lives of those with diabetes and accelerating progress towards curing and preventing the disease. The program is also making a tremendous difference in the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives, who are disproportionately burdened with Type 2 diabetes at nearly three times the rate of the national average. Along with Magee, Crapo will lead a discussion on the importance of maintaining this program in future budget discussions coming before Congress in the coming months. Wednesday, November 2: Group Discussion 11:00 AM Senator Crapo, and local diabetes advocates led my Carson Magee Senator Crapo's Coeur d'Alene office 610 Hubbard Street, Suite 209 Coeur d'Alene Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362977,Crapo to Meet with Coeur d'Alene Diabetes Advocates,2016-11-01,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"November 01, 2016 Crapo to Meet with Coeur d'Alene Diabetes Advocates Supports Continued Type-1 Diabetes Research at National Institutes of Health Coeur d'Alene - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will join Coeur d'Alene advocates to discuss efforts to support continued research on Type 1 Diabetes at the National Institutes of Health.  Local advocate Carson Magee has worked with Crapo, a member of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, to support efforts that maintain funding for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) at NIH.   For almost twenty years, SDP has worked to improve the lives of the more than 29 million Americans who have diabetes.  The program - comprised of the Special Diabetes Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research and the  Special Diabetes Program for Indians -  has provided a solid return on a modest federal investment.  As diabetes continues to be one of the most costly diseases to the nation - both in human and economic terms - the SDP funds research that is leading directly to new insights and therapies that are improving the lives of those with diabetes and accelerating progress towards curing and preventing the disease. The program is also making a tremendous difference in the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives, who are disproportionately burdened with Type 2 diabetes at nearly three times the rate of the national average.   Along with Magee, Crapo will lead a discussion on the importance of maintaining this program in future budget discussions coming before Congress in the coming months.   Wednesday, November 2:   Group Discussion 11:00 AM Senator Crapo, and local diabetes advocates led my Carson Magee Senator Crapo's Coeur d'Alene office 610 Hubbard Street, Suite 209 Coeur d'Alene   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=4144A476-3964-4016-B81E-53727F73E7E8,Risch Receives Recognition for Outstanding Work on Behalf of Idahoans,2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"National Taxpayers Union (NTU), Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE), American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and American Energy Alliance (AEA) honor Risch Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) was recently honored by four nonpartisan organizations - the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE), the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), and the American Energy Alliance (AEA) - for his outstanding work in the 114 th Congress on behalf of Idahoans. Information about the recognitions is available below. ""I am proud to receive these awards, which truly reflect the Idahoans who have placed great trust in me to represent their values in Washington,” said Senator Risch. “I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to advance common sense, affordable solutions to our most urgent priorities.” About the awards: Taxpayer’s Friend Award: NTU awarded Risch for responsibly voting for legislation related to spending, debt and changes on taxes. According to NTU’s website, Members who receive an “A” rating have been the strongest supporters of sound tax and spending policies. Click here to learn more. Champion of Small Business and Entrepreneurs Award: SBE awarded Risch for his support of small businesses and the issues that enable their growth and success, including tax relief and reform, affordable health coverage, intellectual property (IP) protection, access to capital, regulatory relief and more. Click here to learn more. Friend of Farm Bureau Award: The Idaho Farm Bureau will soon present an award to Risch for his leadership on issues of importance to the Farm Bureau. “The members of our congressional delegation understand the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy and to our nation’s security,” said Idaho Farm Bureau President Bryan Searle. American Energy Champion Award: AEA awarded Risch for his commitment to pro-growth policies that will lead to more affordable energy for American families. Click here to learn more.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-joins-pocatello-event-marking-domestic-violence-awareness-month,Crapo Joins Pocatello Event Marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month,2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 28, 2016 Crapo Joins Pocatello Event Marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month Led Congressional effort on stopping violence, helping victims Pocatello - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will join community leaders, including Idaho State University President Dr. Arthur Vailas, to mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month next week. The event-""It Shouldn't Be Scary To Be In A Relationship""-is set for Halloween. The news conference and following program will serve as reminders that help is available for those who are affected by domestic and sexual violence. National statistics reveal that one in four women face the threat of violence and assault; for teens, it is one in three. Joining President Vailas and Crapo are Stacey Gibson of Idaho State University, Sarah O'Banion of the Family Services Alliance and Audrey Jim of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes. Crapo was the lead Republican sponsor in the Congress on renewing authorization for programs to help victims through the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act. Monday, October 31: News Conference 11:30 AM Idaho State University, Rendezvous Complex Conference Rooms Pocatello Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362974,Crapo Joins Pocatello Event Marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month,2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 28, 2016 Crapo Joins Pocatello Event Marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month Led Congressional effort on stopping violence, helping victims Pocatello - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will join community leaders, including Idaho State University President Dr. Arthur Vailas, to mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month next week.  The event-""It Shouldn't Be Scary To Be In A Relationship""-is set for Halloween. The news conference and following program will serve as reminders that help is available for those who are affected by domestic and sexual violence. National statistics reveal that one in four women face the threat of violence and assault; for teens, it is one in three.   Joining President Vailas and Crapo are Stacey Gibson of Idaho State University, Sarah O'Banion of the Family Services Alliance and Audrey Jim of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes.   Crapo was the lead Republican sponsor in the Congress on renewing authorization for programs to help victims through the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act.   Monday, October 31:   News Conference 11:30 AM Idaho State University, Rendezvous Complex Conference Rooms Pocatello   Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E39F81A0-0EA4-4752-A39C-1A78DE167454,Risch: Obamacare is Unworkable and Unaffordable,2016-10-26,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SENATOR RISCH STATEMENT ON OBAMACARE PREMIUM INCREASE Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) issued the following statement about the Obama Administration's announcement that premiums for Obamacare health plans will sharply increase in 2017: “Every day we see more and more problems associated with Obamacare. The White House's latest announcement regarding substantial and unacceptable premium increases is further, irrefutable evidence that this one-size-fits-all approach to health care is unworkable and unaffordable. As I have said since the beginning, we must replace this abomination before it inflicts even greater pain on Idahoans.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-earns-a-rating-from-national-taxpayers-union,"Crapo Earns ""A"" Rating from National Taxpayers Union",2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 25, 2016 Crapo Earns ""A"" Rating from National Taxpayers Union ??Taxpayers Friend Award?? Received for Supporting Conservative Tax Polices and Reduced Spending In recognition of his record to support conservative tax policies and reduce federal spending, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has earned the ""Taxpayers' Friend Award"" with an A rating from the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) for 2015. For its 2015 rating, the NTU analyzed 141 Senate votes affecting fiscal policy including measures to reduce federal spending, lower taxes, pay down the federal debt and reduce burdensome regulation. Crapo was only one of 14 Senators to earn an A rating from the NTU. Issuing rankings since 1979, the NTU annual rating has been referred to as the gold standard for fiscal scorecards. As it encompasses all votes that affect taxpayers, the NTU ranking is a benchmark for fiscal accountability. As a testament to his consistently conservative and fiscally-responsible voting record, Crapo has now earned five A ratings and one B+ over the last six years. ""My 200 town meetings all opened with a conversation about our near $20 trillion national debt and the explosion of spending and government regulation. We cannot continue down this unsustainable path that is restricting growth and preventing our nation from addressing other, equally serious priorities such as defense and infrastructure,"" said Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees tax policy; the Senate Budget Committee, and the ""Gang of Six,"" which sought bipartisan approval for elements of the Simpson-Bowles federal deficit reduction plan. ""It is unfortunate that more members of the Senate have not taken the responsible votes needed to reform and address this critical issue."" ""Winning the Taxpayers' Friend Award is no easy feat. It takes a daily commitment to cast principled votes that put the Americans who pay government's bills first. Senator Crapo has proven he has what it takes to help make Washington work for taxpayers again,"" said Pete Sepp, President of the NTU. The NTU is a nonprofit and nonpartisan citizen group dedicated to lower taxes, limited government and economic freedom. The group issues annual ratings for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and individual members of both chambers. The 2015 scorecard can be found here on the NTU's website. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/volunteers-rebuilding-after-idaho-fire-to-receive-award-wednesday-in-kamiah,Volunteers Rebuilding After Idaho Fire to Receive Award Wednesday in Kamiah,2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 25, 2016 Volunteers Rebuilding After Idaho Fire to Receive Award Wednesday in Kamiah Crapo to present Spirit of Idaho Award after veteran event Lewiston - Volunteers, concerned citizens and residents in Idaho's Clearwater, Lewis and Idaho counties will be honored tomorrow during a ceremony at the Kamiah City Hall. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will present his Spirit of Idaho Award to those going above and beyond the call in rebuilding the homes of resident who lost their homes to wildfire last summer. A series of fires last August forced more than 9,000 residents to evacuate and 78 homes in the three counties were destroyed or damaged by fire. Some of the homes have been rebuilt and plans are in the works for other assistance. Crapo will meet with volunteers, county commissioners, Red Cross leaders and members of the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) who are assisting property owners. The Wildfire Unmet Needs Committee is now serving as a clearing house for fire assistance. Earlier in the day tomorrow, Crapo will conclude his two-day series of meetings with Idaho veterans regarding his new federal legislation to improve the VA health care system. Wednesday, October 26: 11:00 AM Orofino Meets with veterans and media to discuss VA health care reform, Orofino VFW Post, 330 Michigan Avenue 1:30 PM Kamiah Presents Spirit of Idaho Award to volunteers assisting with fire recovery efforts, Kamiah City Hall, 507 Main Street. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362972,"Crapo Earns ""A"" Rating from National Taxpayers Union",2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 25, 2016 Crapo Earns ""A"" Rating from National Taxpayers Union â??Taxpayers Friend Awardâ?? Received for Supporting Conservative Tax Polices and Reduced Spending In recognition of his record to support conservative tax policies and reduce federal spending, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has earned the ""Taxpayers' Friend Award"" with an A rating from the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) for 2015. For its 2015 rating, the NTU analyzed 141 Senate votes affecting fiscal policy including measures to reduce federal spending, lower taxes, pay down the federal debt and reduce burdensome regulation.  Crapo was only one of 14 Senators to earn an A rating from the NTU.  Issuing rankings since 1979, the NTU annual rating has been referred to as the gold standard for fiscal scorecards.  As it encompasses all votes that affect taxpayers, the NTU ranking is a benchmark for fiscal accountability.  As a testament to his consistently conservative and fiscally-responsible voting record, Crapo has now earned five A ratings and one B+ over the last six years. ""My 200 town meetings all opened with a conversation about our near $20 trillion national debt and the explosion of spending and government regulation.  We cannot continue down this unsustainable path that is restricting growth and preventing our nation from addressing other, equally serious priorities such as defense and infrastructure,"" said Crapo, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees tax policy; the Senate Budget Committee, and the ""Gang of Six,"" which sought bipartisan approval for elements of the Simpson-Bowles federal deficit reduction plan.  ""It is unfortunate that more members of the Senate have not taken the responsible votes needed to reform and address this critical issue."" ""Winning the Taxpayers' Friend Award is no easy feat. It takes a daily commitment to cast principled votes that put the Americans who pay government's bills first.  Senator Crapo has proven he has what it takes to help make Washington work for taxpayers again,"" said Pete Sepp, President of the NTU. The NTU is a nonprofit and nonpartisan citizen group dedicated to lower taxes, limited government and economic freedom.  The group issues annual ratings for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and individual members of both chambers.  The 2015 scorecard can be found here on the NTU's website. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362973,Volunteers Rebuilding After Idaho Fire to Receive Award Wednesday in Kamiah,2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 25, 2016 Volunteers Rebuilding After Idaho Fire to Receive Award Wednesday in Kamiah Crapo to present Spirit of Idaho Award after veteran event Lewiston - Volunteers, concerned citizens and residents in Idaho's Clearwater, Lewis and Idaho counties will be honored tomorrow during a ceremony at the Kamiah City Hall.  Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will present his Spirit of Idaho Award to those going above and beyond the call in rebuilding the homes of resident who lost their homes to wildfire last summer.   A series of fires last August forced more than 9,000 residents to evacuate and 78 homes in the three counties were destroyed or damaged by fire.  Some of the homes have been rebuilt and plans are in the works for other assistance.  Crapo will meet with volunteers, county commissioners, Red Cross leaders and members of the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) who are assisting property owners.  The Wildfire Unmet Needs Committee is now serving as a clearing house for fire assistance.   Earlier in the day tomorrow, Crapo will conclude his two-day series of meetings with Idaho veterans regarding his new federal legislation to improve the VA health care system.     Wednesday, October 26:   11:00 AM     Orofino       Meets with veterans and media to discuss VA health care reform, Orofino VFW Post, 330 Michigan Avenue   1:30 PM       Kamiah       Presents Spirit of Idaho Award to volunteers assisting with fire recovery efforts, Kamiah City Hall, 507 Main Street.       Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-federal-policy-key-to-continued-jobs-in-the-idaho-ammunition-industry,Crapo: Federal Policy Key to Continued Jobs in the Idaho Ammunition Industry,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 24, 2016 Crapo: Federal Policy Key to Continued Jobs in the Idaho Ammunition Industry Visits with Vista Outdoor in Lewiston Lewiston - Idaho's ammunition manufacturing industry is expanding, but the new jobs being created may be dependent on federal policies that Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says must stay consistent with the rights of Americans under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Crapo visited last week with representatives of Vista Outdoors, which recently announced plans to expand its ammunition manufacturing operations in Idaho, creating more than 130 new jobs in the Lewiston area. Presently, one out of every five jobs in Lewiston is related to ammunition manufacturing. ""Governor Otter, the State of Idaho, Nez Perce County and Valley Vision are all to be commended for creating the business-friendly environment that encourages Vista Outdoor to expand in Idaho,"" Crapo said. ""But we can't sustain that expansion if some federal agencies and officials continue to try to wrongfully restrict the right to bear arms, an effort opposed by many Idahoans and Americans alike."" Crapo noted letters from federal agencies sent to try to stop veterans from owning a firearm if they have suffered a head wound and another effort by Social Security to report beneficiaries to the National Instant Criminal Background (NCIS) List if the agency deems them ""mentally incompetent."" Such a designation could come simply from having a spouse help with a beneficiary'spaperwork. Crapo has introduced legislation to stop the Social SecurityAdministration's plannedNCIS designations. ""Any discussion about restricting the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans deserves, at minimum, a full public debate in Congress,"" Crapo added. ""The Second Amendment reads: 'A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.' I firmly believe this provision prohibits the federal government from denying citizens this right."" Crapo is also co-sponsor of the Mental Health and Safe Communities Act, which would repair the existing background check system, increase the use of treatment-based alternatives for mentally-ill offenders and improve crisis response training for local officials. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-statement-on-double-digit-increases-in-obamacare-premiums,Crapo Statement on Double Digit Increases in Obamacare Premiums,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 24, 2016 Crapo Statement on Double Digit Increases in Obamacare Premiums Reports Indicates Premiums Will Increase an Average of 25 Percent Nationwide; 24 Percent in Idaho WASHINGTON - Following reports that premiums for Obamacare health plans will increase on average of 25 percent nationally and by 24 percent in Idaho in 2017 , Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee issued the following statement: ""Once again, Idahoans are seeing that Obamacare is not solving the issues or providing the solutions it was supposed to achieve. From reduced plan options, to costly deductibles to a lack of choice in doctors, patients are now being saddled with a premium increase of nearly 25 percent. While titled the 'Affordable Care Act,' Obamacare has failed to control costs for patients and offer the choices promised by President Obama. Now, in its implementation, we are seeing the weight of the law collapse at the expense of working families. In Idaho families will see an increase of more than 24 percent in their premiums and while there are five plans providing coverage in Idaho, reports indicate that for 2017, not all carriers or plans may be available across the state."" According to data released today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Obamacare premiums will increase, on average, 25 percent for benchmark plans on the federal exchange. When accounting for both federal and state exchanges, benchmark plans are forecasted to rise by an average of percent. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-to-meet-with-veterans-to-discuss-va-health-care-reform-bill,Crapo to Meet With Veterans to Discuss VA Health Care Reform Bill,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 24, 2016 Crapo to Meet With Veterans to Discuss VA Health Care Reform Bill Coeur d'Alene - New federal legislation to cut red tape for veterans will be Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's topic this week as he meets with Idaho veterans and veteran leadership. He will discuss major reform legislation affecting health care and other veterans' services offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Crapo has introduced the ""Improving Veterans Care in the Community Act,"" S. 3401. The bill makes it easier for veterans to obtain local health care by consolidating existing, competing programs and working to address concerns raised by Idaho's veterans and private health care providers. ""These changes are the result of a three-year effort we have undertaken to hear directly from Idaho veterans on how we can improve their health care,"" said Crapo. ""This bill enhances the VA's ability to send veterans into the community for care when they need it. This plan makes it easier for the VA to manage its Care in the Community program while making it easier for veterans to use. I am grateful for the advice and feedback folks in the veterans' community are providing me. I can take this bill to my colleagues in Congress and tell them that I know this is what Idaho veterans want;I understand their needs and I'm prepared to fight for them."" Crapo will discuss the bill and meet with veterans and local media. Tuesday, October 25: Post Falls 10:00 AM, American Legion Post 143, 1138 E. Poleline Avenue Lewiston 2:00 PM, VFW Sourdough Post 11043, 1104 Warner Avenue Wednesday, October 26: Orofino Orofino VFW, 330 Michigan Avenue The legislation is a reaction to problems with the original Veterans Choice Program that Crapoheard about though his statewide veterans' surveys and during his more than 200 town meetings held statewide. The Choice program was originally created in the aftermath of the 2014 wait time manipulation scandal at the Phoenix VA. The Choice program was supposed to make it easier for veterans to get health care if they faced excessive wait times or long travel distance to VA facilities. The program allows veterans living more than 40 miles from a VA facility to schedule private care through the Choice Program. Unfortunately, many veterans in Idaho still have to travel long distances for care. Those veterans fortunate enough to live near a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) still face long distances if their CBOC does not offer the medical service the veterans need. Crapo's bill would change the program to make these veterans eligible for the new Care in the Community Program. Crapo noted that, while well-intended when created by Congress, the Choice program has run into problems for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the 90-days the VA had to implement the program. As a result, Crapo's billwould set up a two-year rollout of a consolidated program, where one entity replaces the as many as eight separate programs that offer non-VA care services. It also would require the Government Accounting Office (GAO) and an independent commission to study veterans' services and report directly to Congress. ""This bill, if implemented correctly, would improve wait times, scheduling of appointments, improve timeliness of provider reimbursement and offer better access for veterans with questions or problems,"" Crapo added. ""Importantly, the bill would also require the VA to educate veterans about the new Care in the Community Program, what's available to them, and how it would work. Again, I thank the many veterans, family members, volunteers and service organizations that have worked with us on these improvements and we will continue our surveys and town meetings to make sure these improvements are working, once we get them approved by Congress. These brave men and women put their lives on the line for our freedom. They deserve better than the existing status quo."" Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362968,Crapo to Meet With Veterans to Discuss VA Health Care Reform Bill,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 24, 2016 Crapo to Meet With Veterans to Discuss VA Health Care Reform Bill Coeur d'Alene - New federal legislation to cut red tape for veterans will be Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's topic this week as he meets with Idaho veterans and veteran leadership. He will discuss major reform legislation affecting health care and other veterans' services offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  Crapo has introduced the ""Improving Veterans Care in the Community Act,"" S. 3401. The bill makes it easier for veterans to obtain local health care by consolidating existing, competing programs and working to address concerns raised by Idaho's veterans and private health care providers.     ""These changes are the result of a three-year effort we have undertaken to hear directly from Idaho veterans on how we can improve their health care,"" said Crapo.  ""This bill enhances the VA's ability to send veterans into the community for care when they need it.  This plan makes it easier for the VA to manage its Care in the Community program while making it easier for veterans to use.  I am grateful for the advice and feedback folks in the veterans' community are providing me.  I can take this bill to my colleagues in Congress and tell them that I know this is what Idaho veterans want; I understand their needs and I'm prepared to fight for them.""   Crapo will discuss the bill and meet with veterans and local media.    Tuesday, October 25:   Post Falls 10:00 AM, American Legion Post 143, 1138 E. Poleline Avenue   Lewiston 2:00 PM, VFW Sourdough Post 11043, 1104 Warner Avenue   Wednesday, October 26:   Orofino Orofino VFW, 330 Michigan Avenue   The legislation is a reaction to problems with the original Veterans Choice Program that Crapoheard about though his statewide veterans' surveys and during his more than 200 town meetings held statewide. The Choice program was originally created in the aftermath of the 2014 wait time manipulation scandal at the Phoenix VA.  The Choice program was supposed to make it easier for veterans to get health care if they faced excessive wait times or long travel distance to VA facilities.   The program allows veterans living more than 40 miles from a VA facility to schedule private care through the Choice Program.   Unfortunately, many veterans in Idaho still have to travel long distances for care.  Those veterans fortunate enough to live near a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) still face long distances if their CBOC does not offer the medical service the veterans need.   Crapo's bill would change the program to make these veterans eligible for the new Care in the Community Program.  Crapo noted that, while well-intended when created by Congress, the Choice program has run into problems for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the 90-days the VA had to implement the program.  As a result, Crapo's bill would set up a two-year rollout of a consolidated program, where one entity replaces the as many as eight separate programs that offer non-VA care services.  It also would require the Government Accounting Office (GAO) and an independent commission to study veterans' services and report directly to Congress.      ""This bill, if implemented correctly, would improve wait times, scheduling of appointments, improve timeliness of provider reimbursement and offer better access for veterans with questions or problems,"" Crapo added.  ""Importantly, the bill would also require the VA to educate veterans about the new Care in the Community Program, what's available to them, and how it would work.  Again, I thank the many veterans, family members, volunteers and service organizations that have worked with us on these improvements and we will continue our surveys and town meetings to make sure these improvements are working, once we get them approved by Congress.  These brave men and women put their lives on the line for our freedom.  They deserve better than the existing status quo."" Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362969,Crapo: Federal Policy Key to Continued Jobs in the Idaho Ammunition Industry,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 24, 2016 Crapo: Federal Policy Key to Continued Jobs in the Idaho Ammunition Industry Visits with Vista Outdoor in Lewiston Lewiston - Idaho's ammunition manufacturing industry is expanding, but the new jobs being created may be dependent on federal policies that Idaho Senator Mike Crapo says must stay consistent with the rights of Americans under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  Crapo visited last week with representatives of Vista Outdoors, which recently announced plans to expand its ammunition manufacturing operations in Idaho, creating more than 130 new jobs in the Lewiston area.  Presently, one out of every five jobs in Lewiston is related to ammunition manufacturing.    ""Governor Otter, the State of Idaho, Nez Perce County and Valley Vision are all to be commended for creating the business-friendly environment that encourages Vista Outdoor to expand in Idaho,"" Crapo said.  ""But we can't sustain that expansion if some federal agencies and officials continue to try to wrongfully restrict the right to bear arms, an effort opposed by many Idahoans and Americans alike.""   Crapo noted letters from federal agencies sent to try to stop veterans from owning a firearm if they have suffered a head wound and another effort by Social Security to report beneficiaries to the National Instant Criminal Background (NCIS) List if the agency deems them ""mentally incompetent.""  Such a designation could come simply from having a spouse help with a beneficiary'spaperwork.  Crapo has introduced legislation to stop the Social SecurityAdministration's plannedNCIS designations.   ""Any discussion about restricting the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans deserves, at minimum, a full public debate in Congress,"" Crapo added.  ""The Second Amendment reads: 'A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'  I firmly believe this provision prohibits the federal government from denying citizens this right.""     Crapo is also co-sponsor of the Mental Health and Safe Communities Act, which would repair the existing background check system, increase the use of treatment-based alternatives for mentally-ill offenders and improve crisis response training for local officials.  Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362970,Crapo Statement on Double Digit Increases in Obamacare Premiums,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 24, 2016 Crapo Statement on Double Digit Increases in Obamacare Premiums Reports Indicates Premiums Will Increase an Average of 25 Percent Nationwide; 24 Percent in Idaho WASHINGTON - Following reports that premiums for Obamacare health plans will increase on average of 25 percent nationally and by 24 percent in Idaho in 2017 , Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee issued the following statement:   ""Once again, Idahoans are seeing that Obamacare is not solving the issues or providing the solutions it was supposed to achieve. From reduced plan options, to costly deductibles to a lack of choice in doctors, patients are now being saddled with a premium increase of nearly 25 percent.  While titled the 'Affordable Care Act,' Obamacare has failed to control costs for patients and offer the choices promised by President Obama.  Now, in its implementation, we are seeing the weight of the law collapse at the expense of working families.  In Idaho families will see an increase of more than 24 percent in their premiums and while there are five plans providing coverage in Idaho, reports indicate that for 2017, not all carriers or plans may be available across the state.""   According to  data  released today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Obamacare premiums will increase, on average, 25 percent for benchmark plans on the federal exchange. When accounting for both federal and state exchanges, benchmark plans are forecasted to rise by an average of percent.   # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7759364D-3853-4E4D-BB16-D14F29449238,"Risch, Crapo, Wyden Call for Fairness for U.S. Jobs and Rural Communities in Softwood Lumber Deal",2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON -- In a letter sent to President Barack Obama today, Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo along with Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and 21 other Senators called for any new softwood lumber agreement with Canada to protect U.S. timber jobs and communities. “Hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and thousands of U.S. rural communities depend on fairness in trade in softwood lumber.  That is why we will continue to urge you, and any future Administration, to seek a fair, effective, and sustainable agreement with Canada on softwood lumber trade, and in the absence of such an agreement, to fully enforce U.S. trade laws,” the senators wrote. Canada’s latest proposals have fallen short of the shared goals announced by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minster Trudeau earlier this year. “We are concerned … the Canadian government has been unwilling to put forth or seriously consider proposals consistent with that statement,” the senators wrote. “In contrast, we understand that the U.S. government has submitted detailed proposals to the Canadian government that would establish an agreement consistent with the terms of the Joint Statement. These proposals are designed to ensure that Canadian lumber imports would enter the U.S. market at or below an agreed U.S. market share and to provide appropriate flexibility for the Canadian government to administer such a program.”  In July, Wyden, Risch and Crapo led a coalition of 25 senators who called on any new softwood lumber agreement with Canada to include strong protections for American lumber jobs and mills. Read the full letter here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-wyden-call-for-fairness-for-us-jobs-and-rural-communities-in-softwood-lumber-deal,"Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Fairness for U.S. Jobs and Rural Communities in Softwood Lumber Deal",2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 21, 2016 Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Fairness for U.S. Jobs and Rural Communities in Softwood Lumber Deal Senators Say Canada Must Live Up to Commitments, Limit Canadian Lumber Imports to United States WASHINGTON -- In a letter sent to President Barack Obama today, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch along with Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and 21 other Senators called for any new softwood lumber agreement with Canada to protect U.S. timber jobs and communities. ""Hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and thousands of U.S. rural communities depend on fairness in trade in softwood lumber. That is why we will continue to urge you, and any future Administration, to seek a fair, effective, and sustainable agreement with Canada on softwood lumber trade, and in the absence of such an agreement, to fully enforce U.S. trade laws,"" the senators wrote. Canada's latest proposals have fallen short of the shared goals announced by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minster Trudeau earlier this year. ""We are concerned the Canadian government has been unwilling to put forth or seriously consider proposals consistent with that statement,"" the senators wrote. ""In contrast, we understand that the U.S. government has submitted detailed proposals to the Canadian government that would establish an agreement consistent with the terms of the Joint Statement. These proposals are designed to ensure that Canadian lumber imports would enter the U.S. market at or below an agreed U.S. market share and to provide appropriate flexibility for the Canadian government to administer such a program."" In July, Wyden, Risch and Crapo led a coalition of 25 senators who called on any new softwood lumber agreement with Canada to include strong protections for American lumber jobs and mills. Read the full letter here. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/idaho-fifth-grader-isabella-gerard-selected-to-light-capitol-christmas-tree,Idaho Fifth Grader Isabella Gerard Selected to Light Capitol Christmas Tree,2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 21, 2016 Idaho Fifth Grader Isabella Gerard Selected to Light Capitol Christmas Tree Crapo Made Surprise Announcement Thursday at Boise??s St. Mary??s Parish School BOISE - St. Mary's Parish School Fifth Grader Isabella Gerard has been selected as Idaho's student representative to help light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo made the announcement, a surprise to Isabella, during an assembly Thursday before the student body at St. Mary's Parish School in Boise. Isabella submitted a poem titled ""Pristine Idaho Mountains"", which was selected at random from more than 200 entries from students across Idaho to a contest held by Crapo and fellow Idaho Senator Jim Risch. As the contest winner, Isabella will be flown to Washington D.C. to join Crapo and House Speaker Paul Ryan to push the button to light the national tree. Isabella will be accompanied by her parents, Annalyn and Josh Gerard of Boise. This year's U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be cut from Idaho's Payette National Forest. The tree will travel to Washington and be placed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and will be lit Tuesday, December 6. Tradition holds that one youth from the state providing the tree serve as a Tree Lighting Helper during the ceremony to illuminate it formally. ""The theme for this year's Christmas tree is ""An Idaho Mountain Gem"", and I received more than 200 entries from creative students across Idaho expressing that theme and the importance of our national forests,"" said Crapo. ""I thank all the students who submitted entries for this contest and congratulate Isabella on being selected to help light our Capitol Christmas Tree. She will serve as an excellent ambassador of Idaho's youth during the lighting to be held in December."" Included here is Isabella's poem. Pristine Idaho Mountains, By Isabella Gerard Idaho is blessed with beautiful mountains and immense forests. In the winter the mountains and forests are covered with snow, making the landscape look like never ending clouds with skyscrapers covered in snow. Big tall trees. Beautiful to look at. Amazing to see. Pristine mountains. As I sit in the forest I find peace. As the wind blows through the tall ponderosa pines I feel a sense of solitude and peacefulness. To someone that has never been in an Idaho forest, it is hard to understand the size and beauty. If only you could be here looking at these beautiful Idaho scenes. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is organized by Choose Outdoors, a national nonprofit that assists the U.S. Forest Service by developing partnerships and coordinating events throughout the year culminating with the tree's illumination in December. This year's sponsors of the Capitol Christmas Tree include several Idaho companies. No taxpayer funds are used for the Tree Lighting Helper contest. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362965,Idaho Fifth Grader Isabella Gerard Selected to Light Capitol Christmas Tree,2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 21, 2016 Idaho Fifth Grader Isabella Gerard Selected to Light Capitol Christmas Tree Crapo Made Surprise Announcement Thursday at Boiseâ??s St. Maryâ??s Parish School BOISE - St. Mary's Parish School Fifth Grader Isabella Gerard has been selected as Idaho's student representative to help light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington D.C.   Idaho Senator Mike Crapo made the announcement, a surprise to Isabella, during an assembly Thursday before the student body at St. Mary's Parish School in Boise. Isabella submitted a poem titled ""Pristine Idaho Mountains"", which was selected at random from more than 200 entries from students across Idaho to a contest held by Crapo and fellow Idaho Senator Jim Risch.  As the contest winner, Isabella will be flown to Washington D.C. to join Crapo and House Speaker Paul Ryan to push the button to light the national tree.  Isabella will be accompanied by her parents, Annalyn and Josh Gerard of Boise.  This year's U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be cut from Idaho's Payette National Forest.  The tree will travel to Washington and be placed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and will be lit Tuesday, December 6.  Tradition holds that one youth from the state providing the tree serve as a Tree Lighting Helper during the ceremony to illuminate it formally. ""The theme for this year's Christmas tree is ""An Idaho Mountain Gem"", and I received more than 200 entries from creative students across Idaho expressing that theme and the importance of our national forests,"" said Crapo.  ""I thank all the students who submitted entries for this contest and congratulate Isabella on being selected to help light our Capitol Christmas Tree.  She will serve as an excellent ambassador of Idaho's youth during the lighting to be held in December."" Included here is Isabella's poem. Pristine Idaho Mountains, By Isabella Gerard Idaho is blessed with beautiful mountains and immense forests. In the winter the mountains and forests are covered with snow, making the landscape look like never ending clouds with skyscrapers covered in snow. Big tall trees. Beautiful to look at. Amazing to see. Pristine mountains. As I sit in the forest I find peace. As the wind blows through the tall ponderosa pines I feel a sense of solitude and peacefulness. To someone that has never been in an Idaho forest, it is hard to understand the size and beauty. If only you could be here looking at these beautiful Idaho scenes.   The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is organized by Choose Outdoors, a national nonprofit that assists the U.S. Forest Service by developing partnerships and coordinating events throughout the year culminating with the tree's illumination in December.  This year's sponsors of the Capitol Christmas Tree include several Idaho companies.  No taxpayer funds are used for the Tree Lighting Helper contest. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362966,"Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Fairness for U.S. Jobs and Rural Communities in Softwood Lumber Deal",2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 21, 2016 Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Fairness for U.S. Jobs and Rural Communities in Softwood Lumber Deal Senators Say Canada Must Live Up to Commitments, Limit Canadian Lumber Imports to United States WASHINGTON -- In a letter sent to President Barack Obama today, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch along with Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and 21 other Senators called for any new softwood lumber agreement with Canada to protect U.S. timber jobs and communities. ""Hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and thousands of U.S. rural communities depend on fairness in trade in softwood lumber.  That is why we will continue to urge you, and any future Administration, to seek a fair, effective, and sustainable agreement with Canada on softwood lumber trade, and in the absence of such an agreement, to fully enforce U.S. trade laws,"" the senators wrote. Canada's latest proposals have fallen short of the shared goals announced by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minster Trudeau earlier this year. ""We are concerned … the Canadian government has been unwilling to put forth or seriously consider proposals consistent with that statement,"" the senators wrote. ""In contrast, we understand that the U.S. government has submitted detailed proposals to the Canadian government that would establish an agreement consistent with the terms of the Joint Statement. These proposals are designed to ensure that Canadian lumber imports would enter the U.S. market at or below an agreed U.S. market share and to provide appropriate flexibility for the Canadian government to administer such a program.""  In July, Wyden, Risch and Crapo led a coalition of 25 senators who called on any new softwood lumber agreement with Canada to include strong protections for American lumber jobs and mills. Read the full letter here. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5735E6F1-9721-47DC-A9A1-F5659588BCF4,"Crapo, Risch Honor INL Researchers in the Congressional Record",2016-10-18,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Idaho Falls – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have honored two researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory that have been singled out for excellence by the American Nuclear Society (ANS).  Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart were honored as Fellows, the highest honor by the ANS.  Dr. Todd’s focus has been on spent nuclear fuel recycling and chemical separation applications; Dr. DeHart has been noted for his work with reactor physics analysis and reactor physics modeling and simulation. The senators’Congressional Record Statement for the two INL researcher’s reads as follows: HONORING IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY RESEARCHERS TERRY TODD AND MARK DEHART      Mr. CRAPO.  Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in honoring Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart, researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).  The American Nuclear Society (ANS) recently recognized both as Fellows, which is the highest honor ANS bestows on an individual.  These two world-class researchers are being recognized for their outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments and service to the profession.      Dr. Terry Todd is the INL Fuel Cycle Science & Technology Director and an INL Laboratory Fellow.  Terry’s primary focus is directing research and development of advanced technologies for spent nuclear fuel recycling and other chemical separation applications.  Dr. Todd holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Montana State University, and a Ph.D. in radiochemical engineering from Khlopin Radium Institute in St. Petersburg Russia.  Terry has 33 years of experience in chemical separation technologies involving spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, holds 23 U.S. and six Russian patents, and has published more than 180 journal articles, reports and conference proceedings.      Dr. Mark DeHart is a distinguished R&D nuclear engineer in the INL’s Reactor Physics Analysis and Design Department, and he also serves as deputy director for Reactor Physics Modeling and Simulation.  Mark is the principal investigator and research director for development and validation of a modeling and simulation capability for the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) under the U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation program (NEAMS).  Dr. DeHart came to the INL in 2010 from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and he has extensive experience in reactor physics, criticality safety, depletion and spent fuel characterization, cross-section processing, and computer code verification and validation.  Mark holds bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University, and is the current chair of the Idaho Section of the ANS.  Dr. DeHart has more than 100 publications in journals, conference proceedings and national laboratory reports related to computational methods and other fields.     Congratulating Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart for receiving this prestigious recognition is a great honor and a reminder of the many talented Idahoans working at the INL.   The men and women who do exceptional research, development and testing at the Idaho National Laboratory are greatly deserving of recognition.  Thank you, Terry and Mark, for your hard work, and congratulations on your many accomplishments.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-honor-inl-researchers-in-the-congressional-record,"Crapo, Risch Honor INL Researchers in the Congressional Record",2016-10-18,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 18, 2016 Crapo, Risch Honor INL Researchers in the Congressional Record Idaho Falls - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have honored two researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory that have been singled out for excellence by the American Nuclear Society (ANS). Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart were honored as Fellows, the highest honor by the ANS. Dr. Todd's focus has been on spent nuclear fuel recycling and chemical separation applications; Dr. DeHart has been noted for his work with reactor physics analysis and reactor physics modeling and simulation. The senators'Congressional Record Statement for the two INL researcher's reads as follows: HONORING IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY RESEARCHERS TERRY TODD AND MARK DEHART Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in honoring Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart, researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The American Nuclear Society (ANS) recently recognized both as Fellows, which is the highest honor ANS bestows on an individual. These two world-class researchers are being recognized for their outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments and service to the profession. Dr. Terry Todd is the INL Fuel Cycle Science & Technology Director and an INL Laboratory Fellow. Terry's primary focus is directing research and development of advanced technologies for spent nuclear fuel recycling and other chemical separation applications. Dr. Todd holds bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering from Montana State University, and a Ph.D. in radiochemical engineering from Khlopin Radium Institute in St. Petersburg Russia. Terry has 33 years of experience in chemical separation technologies involving spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, holds 23 U.S. and six Russian patents, and has published more than 180 journal articles, reports and conference proceedings. Dr. Mark DeHart is a distinguished R&D nuclear engineer in the INL's Reactor Physics Analysis and Design Department, and he also serves as deputy director for Reactor Physics Modeling and Simulation. Mark is the principal investigator and research director for development and validation of a modeling and simulation capability for the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) under the U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation program (NEAMS). Dr. DeHart came to the INL in 2010 from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and he has extensive experience in reactor physics, criticality safety, depletion and spent fuel characterization, cross-section processing, and computer code verification and validation. Mark holds bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University, and is the current chair of the Idaho Section of the ANS. Dr. DeHart has more than 100 publications in journals, conference proceedings and national laboratory reports related to computational methods and other fields. Congratulating Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart for receiving this prestigious recognition is a great honor and a reminder of the many talented Idahoans working at the INL. The men and women who do exceptional research, development and testing at the Idaho National Laboratory are greatly deserving of recognition. Thank you, Terry and Mark, for your hard work, and congratulations on your many accomplishments. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/watco-crapo-eye-major-rail-expansion-project,"Watco, Crapo Eye Major Rail Expansion Project",2016-10-18,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 18, 2016 Watco, Crapo Eye Major Rail Expansion Project Burley, Pocatello, Idaho Falls benefit under short line rail investment Burley - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined executives from Watco Companies, LLC; Burley Mayor Merlin Smedley, and other local officials today in Burley to announce a major expansion of short line railroad service that will bring jobs and expanded economic activity to south-central and eastern Idaho. The rail shipment and storage facilities being established by Watco Companies LLC, a Kansas-based firm, could quadruple the amount of commodities and other products shipped out of Idaho via short line rail. Federal tax incentive legislation introduced and passed by Crapo is credited in part for the rail expansion project, whose effects will be felt from Burley to Pocatello, to Idaho Falls, Twin Falls and Boise. Crapo is now working with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and others to make this change in the tax code permanent. The bipartisan measure is one of the most co-sponsored bills in the Senate. Watco purchased the former Keystone RV manufacturing facility and will use the 156,000 square-foot facility to establish a new warehouse and distribution facility taking agricultural and other products to market by rail. The company estimates it may increase by five times the short line shipping of commodities in the immediate region through efficient use of climate controlled facilities and state-of-the-art faster rail loading facilities. Another 100 acres surrounding the project can house future businesses related to rail shipping. ""Project Perishable: Idaho's Agricultural Gateway to the Nation's Markets"" is being established in a partnership among Watco Companies, LLC,; Union Pacific and other class one rail operations, and Idaho producers and commodity distributors. The new plan vastly reduces turnaround time for shipping and loading of rail cars to get products to markets across the U.S. Crapo, as a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, has been a lead sponsor for federal legislation to improve investment tax credits for short line railroads. The 50-percent tax credit on investment in rail improvements for short line operations Crapo introduced in 2009 and later passed has led to improvements and expansions on short line track and assisted with the Burley-Pocatello operation. Crapo is presently working with fellow Finance Committee member Wyden on the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act. This legislation is targeted at long-term rail improvements by providing certainly to rail operators making use of critical tax credits for infrastructure improvements. The BRACE Act would make permanent a critical tax credit used to repair and upgrade short line railroad operations. Since 2006, Congress has acted periodically to extend the credit, often retroactively and often almost a year after expiration. The uncertainty can cause private investment to decline, limits investments in safety and customer service and provides uncertainty to businesses, farmers and employers that cannot be globally competitive without freight rail. ""Short line railroads are proven to be extremely efficient at moving Idaho goods to customers worldwide and the vision Watco demonstrates with this endeavor will make it an example for many other rail operations,"" Crapo said.""Watco and its rail partners employ more than 150 Idahoans. We know that number will increase with the added shipments and storage sure to be realized under Project Perishable."" ""We appreciate the strong support Senator Crapo has given to our agricultural shippers in the Magic Valley,"" said Ed McKechnie, Watco's Executive Vice President for Global Strategy. ""Investments in rail infrastructure allow us to connect Idaho farmers to east coast consumers of Idaho products and the 45G Tax Credit certainty helps with those investments. Senator Crapo has been a terrific leader for Idaho agriculture and transportation needs and we appreciate his leadership."" Crapo toured the new Burley facility today, accompanied by Owen Zidar, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Customer Development for Watco Companies, with Mayor Smedley, members of the Burley City Council, Cassia County Commissioners, and Idaho State Senator Kelly Anthon. Watco chose southern Idaho as the starting point for ""Project Perishable"" in part because of the robust potato market and Idaho's reputation worldwide for quality potatoes. Watco says the shipping and storage facilities will include operations in Pocatello and they expect to expand into the Idaho Falls area in the coming months. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362962,"Crapo, Risch Honor INL Researchers in the Congressional Record",2016-10-18,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 18, 2016 Crapo, Risch Honor INL Researchers in the Congressional Record Idaho Falls - Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have honored two researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory that have been singled out for excellence by the American Nuclear Society (ANS).  Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart were honored as Fellows, the highest honor by the ANS.  Dr. Todd's focus has been on spent nuclear fuel recycling and chemical separation applications; Dr. DeHart has been noted for his work with reactor physics analysis and reactor physics modeling and simulation. The senators'Congressional Record Statement for the two INL researcher's reads as follows: HONORING IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY RESEARCHERS TERRY TODD AND MARK DEHART      Mr. CRAPO.  Mr. President, my colleague Senator Jim Risch joins me today in honoring Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart, researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).  The American Nuclear Society (ANS) recently recognized both as Fellows, which is the highest honor ANS bestows on an individual.  These two world-class researchers are being recognized for their outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments and service to the profession.      Dr. Terry Todd is the INL Fuel Cycle Science & Technology Director and an INL Laboratory Fellow.  Terry's primary focus is directing research and development of advanced technologies for spent nuclear fuel recycling and other chemical separation applications.  Dr. Todd holds bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering from Montana State University, and a Ph.D. in radiochemical engineering from Khlopin Radium Institute in St. Petersburg Russia.  Terry has 33 years of experience in chemical separation technologies involving spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, holds 23 U.S. and six Russian patents, and has published more than 180 journal articles, reports and conference proceedings.      Dr. Mark DeHart is a distinguished R&D nuclear engineer in the INL's Reactor Physics Analysis and Design Department, and he also serves as deputy director for Reactor Physics Modeling and Simulation.  Mark is the principal investigator and research director for development and validation of a modeling and simulation capability for the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) under the U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation program (NEAMS).  Dr. DeHart came to the INL in 2010 from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and he has extensive experience in reactor physics, criticality safety, depletion and spent fuel characterization, cross-section processing, and computer code verification and validation.  Mark holds bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degrees in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University, and is the current chair of the Idaho Section of the ANS.  Dr. DeHart has more than 100 publications in journals, conference proceedings and national laboratory reports related to computational methods and other fields.     Congratulating Dr. Terry Todd and Dr. Mark DeHart for receiving this prestigious recognition is a great honor and a reminder of the many talented Idahoans working at the INL.   The men and women who do exceptional research, development and testing at the Idaho National Laboratory are greatly deserving of recognition.  Thank you, Terry and Mark, for your hard work, and congratulations on your many accomplishments. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362964,"Watco, Crapo Eye Major Rail Expansion Project",2016-10-18,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 18, 2016 Watco, Crapo Eye Major Rail Expansion Project Burley, Pocatello, Idaho Falls benefit under short line rail investment Burley - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo joined executives from Watco Companies, LLC; Burley Mayor Merlin Smedley, and other local officials today in Burley to announce a major expansion of short line railroad service that will bring jobs and expanded economic activity to south-central and eastern Idaho.  The rail shipment and storage facilities being established by Watco Companies LLC, a Kansas-based firm, could quadruple the amount of commodities and other products shipped out of Idaho via short line rail.     Federal tax incentive legislation introduced and passed by Crapo is credited in part for the rail expansion project, whose effects will be felt from Burley to Pocatello, to Idaho Falls, Twin Falls and Boise.  Crapo is now working with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and others to make this change in the tax code permanent.  The bipartisan measure is one of the most co-sponsored bills in the Senate.    Watco purchased the former Keystone RV manufacturing facility and will use the 156,000 square-foot facility to establish a new warehouse and distribution facility taking agricultural and other products to market by rail.  The company estimates it may increase by five times the short line shipping of commodities in the immediate region through efficient use of climate controlled facilities and state-of-the-art faster rail loading facilities.  Another 100 acres surrounding the project can house future businesses related to rail shipping.   ""Project Perishable:  Idaho's Agricultural Gateway to the Nation's Markets"" is being established in a partnership among Watco Companies, LLC,; Union Pacific and other class one rail operations, and Idaho producers and commodity distributors.  The new plan vastly reduces turnaround time for shipping and loading of rail cars to get products to markets across the U.S.   Crapo, as a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, has been a lead sponsor for federal legislation to improve investment tax credits for short line railroads.  The 50-percent tax credit on investment in rail improvements for short line operations Crapo introduced in 2009 and later passed has led to improvements and expansions on short line track and assisted with the Burley-Pocatello operation.  Crapo is presently working with fellow Finance Committee member Wyden on the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act.  This legislation is targeted at long-term rail improvements by providing certainly to rail operators making use of critical tax credits for infrastructure improvements.  The BRACE Act would make permanent a critical tax credit used to repair and upgrade short line railroad operations.  Since 2006, Congress has acted periodically to extend the credit, often retroactively and often almost a year after expiration.  The uncertainty can cause private investment to decline, limits investments in safety and customer service and provides uncertainty to businesses, farmers and employers that cannot be globally competitive without freight rail.    ""Short line railroads are proven to be extremely efficient at moving Idaho goods to customers worldwide and the vision Watco demonstrates with this endeavor will make it an example for many other rail operations,"" Crapo said. ""Watco and its rail partners employ more than 150 Idahoans.  We know that number will increase with the added shipments and storage sure to be realized under Project Perishable.""   ""We appreciate the strong support Senator Crapo has given to our agricultural shippers in the Magic Valley,"" said Ed McKechnie, Watco's Executive Vice President for Global Strategy.  ""Investments in rail infrastructure allow us to connect Idaho farmers to east coast consumers of Idaho products and the 45G Tax Credit certainty helps with those investments.  Senator Crapo has been a terrific leader for Idaho agriculture and transportation needs and we appreciate his leadership.""     Crapo toured the new Burley facility today, accompanied by Owen Zidar, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Customer Development for Watco Companies, with Mayor Smedley, members of the Burley City Council, Cassia County Commissioners, and Idaho State Senator Kelly Anthon.   Watco chose southern Idaho as the starting point for ""Project Perishable"" in part because of the robust potato market and Idaho's reputation worldwide for quality potatoes.  Watco says the shipping and storage facilities will include operations in Pocatello and they expect to expand into the Idaho Falls area in the coming months. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1063,Labrador Issues Statement on Presidential Race,2016-10-11,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Raúl Labrador,L000573,labrador.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tuesday | Oct. 11, 2016 Dan Popkey – 208-800-1565   LABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON PRESIDENTIAL RACE   MERIDIAN – Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement:  “Despite his many flaws, Donald Trump represents the best chance to change the way Washington works. This campaign has never been about Donald Trump; it has been about the millions of people hungering and thirsting for new leadership. During his campaign, Trump has given a voice to countless Americans who believe that neither party represents them in Washington, D.C., people who feel that the government of these United States works only for the politically connected. “As a father of a daughter who I adore and four sons who I have raised to be men of honor, a husband who has treated my wife with dignity and respect for 25 years and the son of a wonderful mother who endured sexual harassment in the workplace, I find Donald Trump’s statements about women indefensible. No man should speak that way about any woman, and no woman should be subjected to such lewd attention. Similarly no woman should ever be abused, tarnished and discredited, as Bill and Hillary Clinton did to so many during the past four decades.   “Right now Hillary Clinton is a greater threat to our national well-being than Donald Trump. Throughout her time in politics, she has shown terrible judgment and little regard for the truth. Recently, she has exhibited zero respect for classified documents. Clinton will pick Supreme Court justices who will take this country further away from our founding principles. She will also continue Obama's foreign policy mistakes that have made us weaker and the economic policies that have led to the slowest recovery since the 1940s. In this race, Donald Trump is a better choice for America than Hillary Clinton.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-introduces-veterans-health-care-reform-bill,Crapo Introduces Veterans Health Care Reform Bill,2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 03, 2016 Crapo Introduces Veterans Health Care Reform Bill ??Care in the Community Act?? cuts red tape by consolidating access to care, benefits Boise - Federal legislation to cut the red tape for veterans seeking local health care has been introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, as part of his continuing commitment to Idaho's vets. The ""Improving Veterans Care in the Community Act,"" S. 3401, would make it easier for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to send veterans to local communities for health care. The bill would consolidate existing, competing programs and work to address concerns raised by Idaho's veterans and private health care providers. ""These changes are the result of a three-year effort we have undertaken to hear directly from Idaho veterans on how to improve their health care,"" said Crapo. ""This bill would enhance the VA's ability to have veterans receive health care in their own communities. This will make it easier for the VA to manage its Care in the Community program while making it easier for veterans to use. The advice and feedback from folks in the veterans community was invaluable and helped shape this bill into something that can really make a difference for our veterans. I can take this bill to my colleagues in Congress and tell them that I know this is what Idaho veterans want;I understand their needs and I'm prepared to fight for them."" The changes are a reaction to problems with the original Veterans Choice Program that Crapoheard about though his statewide veterans' surveys and during his more than 200 town meetings held statewide. The Choice program was originally created in the aftermath of the 2014 wait time manipulation scandal at the Phoenix VA. The Choice program was supposed to make it easier for veterans to get health care if they faced excessive wait times or long travel distance to VA facilities. The program allows veterans living more than 40 miles from a VA facility to schedule private care through the Choice Program. Unfortunately, many veterans in Idaho still have to travel long distances for care. Those veterans fortunate enough to live near a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) still face long distances if their CBOC does not offer the medical service the veterans' need. Crapo's bill would change the program to make these veterans eligible for the new Care in the Community Program. Crapo noted that, while well-intended when created by Congress, the Choice program has run into problems for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the 90-days the VA had to implement the program. As a result, Crapo's billwould set up a two-year rollout of a consolidated program, where one entity replaces the as many as eight separate programs that offer non-VA care services. It also would require the Government Accounting Office (GAO) and an independent commission to study veterans' services and report directly to Congress. ""This bill, if implemented correctly, would improve wait times, scheduling of appointments, improve timeliness of provider reimbursement and offer better access for veterans with questions or problems,"" Crapo added. ""Importantly, the bill would also require the VA to educate veterans about the new Care in the Community Program, what's available to them, and how it would work. Again, I thank the many veterans, family members, volunteers and service organizations that have worked with us on these improvements and we will continue our surveys and town meetings to make sure these improvements are working, once we get them approved by Congress. These brave men and women put their lives on the line for our freedom. They deserve better than the existing status quo."" # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362959,Crapo Introduces Veterans Health Care Reform Bill,2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"October 03, 2016 Crapo Introduces Veterans Health Care Reform Bill â??Care in the Community Actâ?? cuts red tape by consolidating access to care, benefits Boise - Federal legislation to cut the red tape for veterans seeking local health care has been introduced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, as part of his continuing commitment to Idaho's vets.  The ""Improving Veterans Care in the Community Act,"" S. 3401, would make it easier for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to send veterans to local communities for health care.  The bill would consolidate existing, competing programs and work to address concerns raised by Idaho's veterans and private health care providers.   ""These changes are the result of a three-year effort we have undertaken to hear directly from Idaho veterans on how to improve their health care,"" said Crapo.  ""This bill would enhance the VA's ability to have veterans receive health care in their own communities.  This will make it easier for the VA to manage its Care in the Community program while making it easier for veterans to use.  The advice and feedback from folks in the veterans community was invaluable and helped shape this bill into something that can really make a difference for our veterans.  I can take this bill to my colleagues in Congress and tell them that I know this is what Idaho veterans want; I understand their needs and I'm prepared to fight for them."" The changes are a reaction to problems with the original Veterans Choice Program that Crapoheard about though his statewide veterans' surveys and during his more than 200 town meetings held statewide. The Choice program was originally created in the aftermath of the 2014 wait time manipulation scandal at the Phoenix VA.  The Choice program was supposed to make it easier for veterans to get health care if they faced excessive wait times or long travel distance to VA facilities. The program allows veterans living more than 40 miles from a VA facility to schedule private care through the Choice Program.   Unfortunately, many veterans in Idaho still have to travel long distances for care.  Those veterans fortunate enough to live near a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) still face long distances if their CBOC does not offer the medical service the veterans' need. Crapo's bill would change the program to make these veterans eligible for the new Care in the Community Program.  Crapo noted that, while well-intended when created by Congress, the Choice program has run into problems for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the 90-days the VA had to implement the program.  As a result, Crapo's bill would set up a two-year rollout of a consolidated program, where one entity replaces the as many as eight separate programs that offer non-VA care services.  It also would require the Government Accounting Office (GAO) and an independent commission to study veterans' services and report directly to Congress.    ""This bill, if implemented correctly, would improve wait times, scheduling of appointments, improve timeliness of provider reimbursement and offer better access for veterans with questions or problems,"" Crapo added.  ""Importantly, the bill would also require the VA to educate veterans about the new Care in the Community Program, what's available to them, and how it would work.  Again, I thank the many veterans, family members, volunteers and service organizations that have worked with us on these improvements and we will continue our surveys and town meetings to make sure these improvements are working, once we get them approved by Congress.  These brave men and women put their lives on the line for our freedom.  They deserve better than the existing status quo."" # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F7EB3F90-ED8D-49B6-BDBD-826DB6A41AD1,Risch Statement on Passing of Mark Ricks,2016-09-30,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"RISCH STATEMENT ON PASSING OF FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MARK RICKS BOISE, ID – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Lieutenant Governor Mark Ricks: ""Vicki and I were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our good friend Mark Ricks. In the years we served together in the Idaho Senate, I came to know Mark as a man of great character and a loyal friend. When I became Governor I was required to appoint a Lieutenant Governor who would succeed me should I be unable to serve. I could think of no better person than Mark to fulfill that obligation. Mark was a gentleman and a statesman and his reputation for trustworthiness was legendary. He was more than a friend; he was a trusted confidant and advisor to me. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-meets-with-veterans-to-announce-health-reform-legislation-joins-students-to-celebrate-idahos-role-in-healthy-school-lunches,Crapo Meets With Veterans to Announce Health Reform Legislation; Joins Students to Celebrate Idaho's Role In Healthy School Lunches,2016-09-30,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 30, 2016 Crapo Meets With Veterans to Announce Health Reform Legislation; Joins Students to Celebrate Idaho's Role In Healthy School Lunches Boise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will meet Monday at the Idaho Statehouse with Idaho veterans and veteran leadership to announce major reform legislation affecting health care and other veterans' services offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Crapo is introducing the ""Improving Veterans Care in the Community Act,"" S. 3401, which would make it easier for the federal agency to send veterans into their local communities for health care. The bill consolidates existing, competing programs and works to address concerns raised by Idaho's veterans and private health care providers. ""These changes are the result of a three-year effort we have undertaken to hear directly from Idaho veterans on how we can improve their health care,"" said Crapo. ""This bill enhances the VA's ability to send veterans into the community for care when they need it. This plan makes it easier for the VA to manage its Care in the Community program while making it easier for veterans to use. I am grateful for the advice and feedback folks in the veterans community provided me. I can take this bill to my colleagues in Congress and tell them that I know this is what Idaho veterans want;I understand their needs and I'm prepared to fight for them."" Later Monday, Crapo will travel to Twin Falls, where he will join 100 elementary students and leaders from Idaho's dairy industries and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss the need for healthy, nutritional school food programs in advance of National School Lunch Week. Crapo has been the lead Senate Republican in efforts to include Idaho agricultural products like Greek yogurt, peas, lentils and chickpeas in the national school lunch program guidelines. He will join students at Pillar Falls Elementary to sample nutritious Idaho products and speak about nutrition with leaders from the USDA, United Dairymen of Idaho, Glanbia, Chobani and the Twin Falls School District. Crapo's schedule includes these events: Monday, October 3: Boise 11:00 AM Announces veterans' health care reform legislation, IdahoStatehouse, West Wing, Lower Level, Room WW55. Meets with veterans afterward. Twin Falls 2:30 PM Joins 100 students from Twin Falls and leaders from the USDA,United Dairymen of Idaho, Glanbia andChobanito discuss Idaho'srole in supplying nutritious offerings for Idaho students. At Pillar Falls Elementary School, 3105 Stadium Boulevard. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362958,Crapo Meets With Veterans to Announce Health Reform Legislation; Joins Students to Celebrate Idaho's Role In Healthy School Lunches,2016-09-30,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 30, 2016 Crapo Meets With Veterans to Announce Health Reform Legislation; Joins Students to Celebrate Idaho's Role In Healthy School Lunches Boise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will meet Monday at the Idaho Statehouse with Idaho veterans and veteran leadership to announce major reform legislation affecting health care and other veterans' services offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  Crapo is introducing the ""Improving Veterans Care in the Community Act,"" S. 3401, which would make it easier for the federal agency to send veterans into their local communities for health care.  The bill consolidates existing, competing programs and works to address concerns raised by Idaho's veterans and private health care providers.    ""These changes are the result of a three-year effort we have undertaken to hear directly from Idaho veterans on how we can improve their health care,"" said Crapo.  ""This bill enhances the VA's ability to send veterans into the community for care when they need it.  This plan makes it easier for the VA to manage its Care in the Community program while making it easier for veterans to use.  I am grateful for the advice and feedback folks in the veterans community provided me.  I can take this bill to my colleagues in Congress and tell them that I know this is what Idaho veterans want; I understand their needs and I'm prepared to fight for them.""  Later Monday, Crapo will travel to Twin Falls, where he will join 100 elementary students and leaders from Idaho's dairy industries and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss the need for healthy, nutritional school food programs in advance of National School Lunch Week.  Crapo has been the lead Senate Republican in efforts to include Idaho agricultural products like Greek yogurt, peas, lentils and chickpeas in the national school lunch program guidelines.  He will join students at Pillar Falls Elementary to sample nutritious Idaho products and speak about nutrition with leaders from the USDA, United Dairymen of Idaho, Glanbia, Chobani and the Twin Falls School District.  Crapo's schedule includes these events:  Monday, October 3: Boise         11:00 AM     Announces veterans' health care reform legislation, Idaho  Statehouse, West Wing, Lower Level, Room WW55.                                           Meets with veterans afterward.   Twin Falls   2:30 PM       Joins 100 students from Twin Falls and leaders from the USDA,  United Dairymen of Idaho,                                            Glanbia and  Chobani to discuss Idaho's role in supplying nutritious offerings for Idaho students.                                             At Pillar Falls Elementary School, 3105 Stadium Boulevard.         Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398549,Simpson Supports House Continuing Resolution with Full Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Funding,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Mike Simpson,S001148,simpson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Idaho Congressman Simpson praised the strong passage of legislation to provide funding for veterans this week by a vote of 342-85.  H.R. 5325 also continues funding for all federal government operations at current levels through December 9, 2016.  H.R. 5325 includes the full year Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations bill that passed the House of Representatives on May 19, 2016 with bipartisan support. “Funding provided by this legislation is necessary to keep the government operating and provides critical resources and certainty for our service members and veterans,” Simpson said.  “This bill is needed to increase the speed, efficiency and effectiveness of VA services to veterans.  It is the responsibility of Congress to ensure the VA receives the resources it needs to provide our veterans with the quality care they deserve.” The funding in H.R. 5325 will continue to house, train, and equip military personnel, provide housing and services to military families, and maintain base infrastructure.  The CR also includes funding to address management problems and health care shortages in the national VA system.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398550,Simpson Advocates for Full Funding of PILT and SRS,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Mike Simpson,S001148,simpson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined 94 colleagues in urging House leadership to secure full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. In a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Simpson and others urged the federal government to fulfill its responsibility to counties with tax-exempt federal land by fully funding both programs. “Last year’s Omnibus spending bill was critical in preserving funding for PILT at levels that keep up with the needs of communities across Idaho,” said Simpson. “If Congress doesn’t act again this year, then counties are strapped with the uncertainty of how they will pay for essential services. I am committed to making sure that Congress does its job and honors the commitments to counties with large percentages of federal land.” Congressman Simpson also signed a letter to House leadership advocating for an extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) program. In 2015, Congress enacted a two-year extension of the SRS program which, similar to PILT, provides an alternative source of education funding for counties with a high percentage of national forests.  This program also fulfills the federal government’s responsibility to counties with tax-exempt federal lands. The bipartisan coalition of 52 Members of Congress wrote that, “the SRS program continues to be a critical safety net for forest counties…We stand ready to work with you in support of this important program.” Congressman Simpson has been a long-time advocate for PILT, ensuring full funding was provided for the program when he chaired the House Interior and Environment subcommittee. In July, he supported the fiscal year 2017 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill which passed the House of Representatives and included full funding for PILT. “While I would prefer a long-term solution to both PILT and SRS, I support immediate and necessary funding for both programs,” said Simpson.  Both letters were delivered to House leadership in the last week.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1061,Labrador Issues Statement on Passing of Resolution Continuing Unsustainable Spending,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Raúl Labrador,L000573,labrador.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   FOR MORE INFORMATION: Wednesday | Sept. 28, 2016 Dan Popkey – 208-800-1565   LABRADOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON RESOLUTION CONTINUING UNSUSTAINABLE SPENDING WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, issued the following statement after the House passed a Continuing Resolution extending spending at current levels until December: “Establishment Republicans have once again partnered with Democrats to ignore our fiscal crisis, rather than join conservatives determined to restore fiscal sanity. Both parties have proven they have no intention of balancing our budget or slowing the growth of our crushing debt. A year ago, our new Republican leadership vowed to complete the regular appropriations process, passing the 12 bills that fulfill the duty of Congress to take good care in spending taxpayer dollars. Today, they punted, refusing to tackle the hard choices that must be made to preserve American prosperity. “The broken promise leaves me both saddened and angry. I’m saddened because we had made progress in the last five years, trimming annual deficits by nearly 70 percent, from $1.4 trillion to $439 billion. The positive trajectory was reversed this year, with the deficit projected to reach $590 billion. According to the latest projections from the Congressional Budget Office, we’re in for a decade of anemic economic growth and the return of trillion-dollar annual deficits. “I’m angry because we weren’t permitted to do our work. Rather than complete our most basic job – passing spending bills – leadership sent us out on a seven-week summer recess. Congress should have stayed to meet its responsibilities, but now we’re taking another extended break. “We appear headed for more of the same when we return in December for a lame duck session,where the unholy alliance will continue to blow through the limits in the 2011 Budget Control Act in order to increase both military and domestic spending. If we don’t mend our ways, our legacy to our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be economic ruin.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9D5E8ECF-5FE7-4F70-A8F6-739329E4D831,Risch Joins Colleagues in Encouraging Administration to Abandon Proposed Estate Tax Regulations,2016-09-27,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) recently joined 41 Senate Republicans in writing to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew encouraging the Treasury Department to abandon proposed regulations that would significantly increase the estate tax burden on family farms and businesses. The proposed regulations, if finalized, would contradict long-standing legal precedent and greatly discourage families from continuing to operate and grow their farms and businesses for eventual transfer to future generations.  “Treasury should pursue policies that encourage the creation and growth of family businesses and not propose regulatory changes that make it more difficult and costly for families to transfer ownership to future generations,” the senators wrote. “We thus request that Treasury withdraw the proposed regulations and ask that any regulations that Treasury may issue in the future more directly target perceived abuses in the valuation of transferred interests in family businesses.” In addition to Thune and Hatch, who led the letter, the letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), David Vitter (R-La.), and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.). Full text of the letter can be found below.   The Honorable Jacob Lew United States Treasury Secretary U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary Lew: We write to express our serious concerns over proposed regulations (REG-163113-02) published on August 4, 2016, under Internal Revenue Code section 2704 (“proposed regulations”) that, if finalized in their current form, will significantly increase the estate tax burden on family businesses. The proposed regulations eliminate or greatly reduce the discounts for lack of control and lack of marketability for family farms and businesses and will thus discourage families from continuing to operate and build their businesses. We ask that the proposed regulations not be finalized in their current form as they directly contradict long-standing legal precedent, create new uncertainty for taxpayers, and put family-owned businesses at a disadvantage relative to other types of businesses. In an October 3, 2014, letter, a number of us communicated to the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service our strong opposition to any regulatory effort that would artificially inflate the valuation of estates and eliminate the benefits of estate tax relief legislation that was enacted on a bipartisan basis by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. By raising taxes on family farms and businesses, the proposed regulations represent a step back from the recently enacted permanent estate tax relief. Treasury should pursue policies that encourage the creation and growth of family businesses and not propose regulatory changes that make it more difficult and costly for families to transfer ownership to future generations. We thus request that Treasury withdraw the proposed regulations and ask that any regulations that Treasury may issue in the future more directly target perceived abuses in the valuation of transferred interests in family businesses. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=416D877C-D245-4380-803B-2919F9D51751,"Risch Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter to HHS Secretary Opposing Proposed Title X Rule",2016-09-23,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"“Rarely do the American people benefit when the federal government attempts to substitute its judgment for that of state or local governments – particularly when the criteria used to inform that judgment are unclear, and that judgment is not supported by coherent and impartial facts.”   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) joined a bipartisan, bicameral letter, led by Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Congressman Diane Black (R-TN), to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell expressing opposition to the Department’s new proposed rule to amend regulations implementing the Title X Family Planning Program.  In the letter to Secretary Burwell, the lawmakers stated, “If HHS cannot clearly define an ‘effective’ or ‘high quality’ provider, it is unclear to us how state and local project grantees are supposed to do so in order to comply with this proposed rule. It is also therefore unclear how HHS will be able to determine in every case whether state or local project recipients – who are generally closer to and more familiar with subrecipients and the patient base in their geographical region – have considered inappropriate criteria in evaluating subrecipients. Rarely do the American people benefit when the federal government attempts to substitute its judgment for that of state or local governments – particularly when the criteria used to inform that judgment are unclear, and that judgment is not supported by coherent and impartial facts.” The letter was also sent by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Boozman (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Deb Fischer (R-NE), James Inhofe (R-OK), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), David Vitter (R-LA). In addition, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Rick Allen (R-GA), Brian Babin (R-TX), Lou Barletta (R-PA), Andy Barr (R-KY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Charles Boustany, Jr. (R-LA), Kevin Brady (R-TX), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Tom Cole (R-OK), Chris Collins (R-NY), Doug Collins (R-GA), Mike Conaway (R-TX), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), Stephen Fincher (R-TN), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), John Fleming, (R-LA), Bill Flores (R-TX), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Tom Graves (R-GA), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Andy Harris (R-MD), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Jody Hice (R-GA), Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Sam Johnson (R-TX), Walter Jones (R-NC), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Trent Kelly (R-MS), Steve King (R-IA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Robert E. Latta (R-OH), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Mia Love (R-UT), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Kenny Marchant (R-TX), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), Pete Olson (R-TX), Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Gary Palmer (AL), Steve Pearce (R-NM), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Robert Pittenger (R-NC), Joe Pitts (R-PA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Bill Posey (R-FL), Tom Price (R-GA), John Ratcliffe (R-TX), Martha Roby (R-AL), Phil Roe (R-TN), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Keith Rothfus (R-PA), David Rouzer (R-NC), Steve Scalise (R-LA), Austin Scott (R-GA), James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI), Pete Sessions (R-TX), John Shimkus (R-IL), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Randy Weber (R-TX), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Kevin Yoder (R-KS), and Ted Yoho (R-FL) signed the letter. Read the full letter below or by clicking here.   The Honorable Sylvia Mathews Burwell Secretary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201   Dear Secretary Burwell,              We write to express our strong opposition to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) September 7, 2016, notice of proposed rulemaking titled “Compliance with Title X Requirements by Project Recipients in Selecting Subrecipients.” Although we appreciate the Department’s intent to follow proper regulatory procedure pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, HHS’s purpose for engaging in the rulemaking appears on its face to be an attempt to subvert the will of elected representatives.              Moreover, apart from the Department’s impetus for the notice of proposed rulemaking, we also question whether the Department’s stated rationale adequately supports its conclusion that providers with a reproductive health focus are more “effective” than other health providers that offer comprehensive care for women and men. Nowhere in the proposed notice of rulemaking does HHS clearly define what it means to provide Title X services in an “effective” manner. It does appear to assert that a number of factors – such as the range of contraceptive methods on-site, the number of clients in need of publicly funded family planning services served, and the availability of preconception care – distinguish providers with a reproductive health focus as more “effective” and “high quality” than other types of providers. However, that list of factors falls far short of all of the attributes and recommendations included in the Centers for Disease Control and Office of Population Affairs report entitled “Providing Quality Family Planning Services: Recommendations of CDC and the US Office of Population Affairs.”              To further complicate the argument about quality and effectiveness, the data cited in the notice of proposed rulemaking is not adequate for determining patient outcomes. The Department relies heavily on utilization and demographic statistics, but appears to lack hard data regarding actual patient outcomes and need, as the Department does not require grantees to track patients or verify their income. As you know, the issue of inadequate data has previously been raised by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), after the HHS Office of Family Planning in 2007 asked IOM to provide a critical review of the Title X Family Planning Program. In addition to finding “no clear, evidence-based process for establishing or revising program priorities and guidelines,” IOM stated the following in its May 2009 Report Brief:   “The committee concludes that the program does not collect all the data needed to monitor and evaluate its impact. Therefore, the committee proposes a comprehensive framework to evaluate the program and assess how well clinics meet the family planning needs of the program’s clients. The committee concludes that additional data will be needed in the areas of client needs, structure, process, and outcomes in order to assess the program’s overall progress.”              We welcome evidence that this recommendation has been fully adopted, but are unaware of any clear evidence confirming that to be the case. If HHS cannot clearly define an “effective” or “high quality” provider, it is unclear to us how state and local project grantees are supposed to do so in order to comply with this proposed rule. It is also therefore unclear how HHS will be able to accurately determine in every case whether state or local project recipients – who are generally closer to and more familiar with subrecipients and the patient base in their geographical region – have considered inappropriate criteria in evaluating subrecipients. Rarely do the American people benefit when the federal government attempts to substitute its judgment for that of state or local governments – particularly when the criteria used to inform that judgment are unclear, and that judgment is not supported by coherent and impartial facts.              Finally, if HHS is going to assert the authority to adapt its rules in order to address changing circumstances, we implore HHS to consider the recent general shift in health care policy toward comprehensive care. As HHS states on its website, in addition to assisting individuals and couples in planning and spacing births, part of the mission of Title X is to contribute to “improved health for women and infants.” HHS’s suggestion that subrecipients like federally qualified health centers – which provide greater preventive and primary health care services than providers with a reproductive health focus – are per se less “effective” than providers with a reproductive health focus does not comport with that stated mission.              We urge HHS to reconsider this overreaching and ill-supported rule. We will continue to closely monitor this proposed rulemaking, and intend to submit this letter as a formal comment. We look forward to a detailed response from your Department.                        Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=B10042CA-A685-4355-A1AA-604DC1AE28C9,"Risch, Crapo Urge Leadership to Fully Fund PILT Payments Critical for County Budgets",2016-09-23,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Citing the critical role that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program plays on many rural county budgets, Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo Thursday sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid urging them to work together to ensure that the PILT program is fully funded in any year-end legislation likely to be signed into law.  The letter to McConnell and Reid was led by Crapo and Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado). The PILT program compensates rural counties for federal lands that are managed by the U.S. Department of Interior that cannot be taxed.  Such lands include parks, forests, Bureau of Land Management lands and wildlife refuges. PILT provides 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.  Such payments are essential for counties across the country and are used to fund services such as police, fire protection, and emergency response.  Funding for each county is determined by a formula and is based on the number of acres of federal land within each county or jurisdiction and the population of that county or jurisdiction.  Noting that the federal government is the majority landowner in many Idaho counties, Senator Risch said: “PILT provides payments to counties to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal land within their boundaries. Reauthorizing PILT is necessary to avoid severe cuts in our county budgets.” “PILT funding is an important resource for many counties in Idaho and other rural and western communities,” said Crapo.  “The strong showing of bipartisan senators on this letter is evidence that PILT payments are critical to communities nationwide.  I will work with my colleagues to secure funding for this important program in a fiscally-responsible manner.” The text of the full letter signed by Crapo and Risch is also included below:   Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Reid, We urge you to work in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion to ensure the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program is fully funded for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 and is offset in a responsible manner.  For more than 40 years, the PILT program has played a critical role in supporting our local communities by providing 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.  For FY 2017, the U.S. Department of the Interior has estimated that $480 million dollars will be necessary to fully fund PILT.  If Congress fails to fully fund the PILT program by the end of the year, public lands counties across the nation will be unable to provide essential public services such as law enforcement, search and rescue, public health and critical transportation infrastructure.  Without the certainty of full PILT funding for FY 2017, we risk severely crippling counties’ ability to provide essential services for their residents and public lands visitors alike. Moving forward, we hope Congress can work together to enact a fiscally responsible, long-term and sustainable solution to fully fund PILT in FY 2017 and beyond. As counties across the United States work to balance their budgets, it is essential that Congress act to reaffirm the federal government’s long-standing commitment to public lands counties by fully funding PILT.  We look forward to working with you to end the financial uncertainty facing thousands of counties nationwide, and we thank you for your attention to this critical issue.   # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-urge-leadership-to-fully-fund-pilt-payments-critical-for-county-budgets,"Crapo, Risch Urge Leadership to Fully Fund PILT Payments Critical for County Budgets",2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 22, 2016 Crapo, Risch Urge Leadership to Fully Fund PILT Payments Critical for County Budgets Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on Leaders to Fund Payment in Lieu of Taxes for Fiscal Year 2017 Washington, DC - Citing the critical role that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program plays on many rural county budgets, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch Thursday sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid urging them to work together to ensure that the PILT program is fully funded in any year-end legislation likely to be signed into law. The letter to McConnell and Reid was led by Crapo and Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado). The PILT program compensates rural counties for federal lands that are managed by the U.S. Department of Interior that cannot be taxed. Such lands include parks, forests, Bureau of Land Management lands and wildlife refuges. PILT provides 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. Such payments are essential for counties across the country and are used to fund services such as police, fire protection, and emergency response. Funding for each county is determined by a formula and is based on the number of acres of federal land within each county or jurisdiction and the population of that county or jurisdiction. ""PILT funding is an important resource for many counties in Idaho and other rural and western communities,"" said Crapo. ""The strong showing of bipartisan senators on this letter is evidence that PILT payments are critical to communities nationwide. I will work with my colleagues to secure funding for this important program in a fiscally-responsible manner."" Noting that the federal government is the majority landowner in many Idaho counties, Senator Risch said: ""PILT provides payments to counties to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal land within their boundaries. Reauthorizing PILT is necessary to avoid severe cuts in our county budgets."" The text of the full letter signed by Crapo and Risch is also included below: Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Reid, We urge you to work in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion to ensure the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program is fully funded for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 and is offset in a responsible manner. For more than 40 years, the PILT program has played a critical role in supporting our local communities by providing 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. For FY 2017, the U.S. Department of the Interior has estimated that $480 million dollars will be necessary to fully fund PILT. If Congress fails to fully fund the PILT program by the end of the year, public lands counties across the nation will be unable to provide essential public services such as law enforcement, search and rescue, public health and critical transportation infrastructure. Without the certainty of full PILT funding for FY 2017, we risk severely crippling counties' ability to provide essential services for their residents and public lands visitors alike. Moving forward, we hope Congress can work together to enact a fiscally responsible, long-term and sustainable solution to fully fund PILT in FY 2017 and beyond. As counties across the United States work to balance their budgets, it is essential that Congress act to reaffirm the federal government's long-standing commitment to public lands counties by fully funding PILT. We look forward to working with you to end the financial uncertainty facing thousands of counties nationwide, and we thank you for your attention to this critical issue. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362956,"Crapo, Risch Urge Leadership to Fully Fund PILT Payments Critical for County Budgets",2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 22, 2016 Crapo, Risch Urge Leadership to Fully Fund PILT Payments Critical for County Budgets Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on Leaders to Fund Payment in Lieu of Taxes for Fiscal Year 2017 Washington, DC - Citing the critical role that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program plays on many rural county budgets, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch Thursday sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid urging them to work together to ensure that the PILT program is fully funded in any year-end legislation likely to be signed into law.  The letter to McConnell and Reid was led by Crapo and Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado). The PILT program compensates rural counties for federal lands that are managed by the U.S. Department of Interior that cannot be taxed.  Such lands include parks, forests, Bureau of Land Management lands and wildlife refuges. PILT provides 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.  Such payments are essential for counties across the country and are used to fund services such as police, fire protection, and emergency response.  Funding for each county is determined by a formula and is based on the number of acres of federal land within each county or jurisdiction and the population of that county or jurisdiction.  ""PILT funding is an important resource for many counties in Idaho and other rural and western communities,"" said Crapo.  ""The strong showing of bipartisan senators on this letter is evidence that PILT payments are critical to communities nationwide.  I will work with my colleagues to secure funding for this important program in a fiscally-responsible manner."" Noting that the federal government is the majority landowner in many Idaho counties, Senator Risch said: ""PILT provides payments to counties to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal land within their boundaries. Reauthorizing PILT is necessary to avoid severe cuts in our county budgets."" The text of the full letter signed by Crapo and Risch is also included below:   Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Reid, We urge you to work in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion to ensure the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program is fully funded for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 and is offset in a responsible manner.  For more than 40 years, the PILT program has played a critical role in supporting our local communities by providing 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.  For FY 2017, the U.S. Department of the Interior has estimated that $480 million dollars will be necessary to fully fund PILT.  If Congress fails to fully fund the PILT program by the end of the year, public lands counties across the nation will be unable to provide essential public services such as law enforcement, search and rescue, public health and critical transportation infrastructure.  Without the certainty of full PILT funding for FY 2017, we risk severely crippling counties' ability to provide essential services for their residents and public lands visitors alike. Moving forward, we hope Congress can work together to enact a fiscally responsible, long-term and sustainable solution to fully fund PILT in FY 2017 and beyond. As counties across the United States work to balance their budgets, it is essential that Congress act to reaffirm the federal government's long-standing commitment to public lands counties by fully funding PILT.  We look forward to working with you to end the financial uncertainty facing thousands of counties nationwide, and we thank you for your attention to this critical issue.   # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=4E30DAC9-66C1-4E82-BD78-249815231FBD,"RISCH, CRAPO, WYDEN CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON COUNTY PAYMENT FUNDING",2016-09-20,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan Coalition of 29 Senators Call on Leaders to Reauthorize Secure Rural Schools Program   WASHINGTON – Citing the drain on many rural county budgets, Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, along with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) have sent a bipartisan letter to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) calling for the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRS) in any year-end legislation likely to be signed into law.  The letter to McConnell and Reid was led by Crapo and Montana Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana). SRS payments are vital to many rural budgets as these payments often pay for school programs and personnel like nurses, and for other education services.  The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015 and final payments were received by schools in March of 2016.  As a result of these stopped payments, county budgets being stretched thin among competing priorities. “The federal government has an obligation to pay counties for tax-exempt, federally-managed lands within their jurisdictions,” said Crapo.  “Without reauthorization of SRS, counties across the nation will be without funding for local schools, roads, bridges, forest management projects and public safety priorities.” “Until we see a significant increase in active forest management on our national forests, the federal government must uphold its commitment to support our rural counties and schools who rely on the SRS program,” said Senator Risch.  “SRS is a critical lifeline for our rural places,” Wyden said. “It provides counties with resources on the front lines for all kinds of services communities just can’t do without - from education to first responders  to law enforcement and libraries. I’m working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide these vital resources to our counties as soon as possible.” The letter is also signed by Senators Risch (R-Idaho), Daines (R-Montana), Wyden (D-Oregon), Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Bennet (D-Colorado), Warner (D-Virginia), Boxer (D-California), Cantwell (D-Washington), Donnelly (D-Indiana), Feinstein (D-California), Franken (D-Minnesota), Gardner (R-Colorado), Udall (D-New Mexico), Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Thune (R-South Dakota), Sullivan (R-Alaska), Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), McCain (R-Arizona), McCaskill (D-Missouri), Merkley (D-Oregon), Stabenow (D-Michigan), Murray (D-Washington), Nelson (D-Florida), Peters (Michigan), Rounds (R-South Dakota), Sanders (D-Vermont), and Boozman (R-Arkansas).   A copy of the letter is attached.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-risch-wyden-call-for-immediate-action-on-county-payment-funding,"Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Immediate Action on County Payment Funding",2016-09-20,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 20, 2016 Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Immediate Action on County Payment Funding Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Immediate Action on County Payment Funding WASHINGTON - Citing the drain on many rural county budgets, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) have sent a bipartisan letter to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) calling for the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRS) in any year-end legislation likely to be signed into law. The letter to McConnell and Reid was led by Crapo and Montana Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana). SRS payments are vital to many rural budgets as these payments often pay for school programs and personnel like nurses, and for other education services. The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015 and final payments were received by schools in March of 2016. As a result of these stopped payments, county budgets being stretched thin among competing priorities. ""The federal government has an obligation to pay counties for tax-exempt, federally-managed lands within their jurisdictions,"" said Crapo. ""Without reauthorization of SRS, counties across the nation will be without funding for local schools, roads, bridges, forest management projects and public safety priorities."" ""Until we see a significant increase in active forest management on our national forests, the federal government must uphold its commitment to support our rural counties and schools who rely on the SRS program,"" said Senator Risch. ""SRS is a critical lifeline for our rural places,"" Wyden said. ""It provides counties with resources on the front lines for all kinds of services communities just can't do without - from education to first responders to law enforcement and libraries. I'm working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide these vital resources to our counties as soon as possible."" The letter is also signed by Senators Risch (R-Idaho), Daines (R-Montana), Wyden (D-Oregon), Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Bennet (D-Colorado), Warner (D-Virginia), Boxer (D-California), Cantwell (D-Washington), Donnelly (D-Indiana), Feinstein (D-California), Franken (D-Minnesota), Gardner (R-Colorado), Udall (D-New Mexico), Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Thune (R-South Dakota), Sullivan (R-Alaska), Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), McCain (R-Arizona), McCaskill (D-Missouri), Merkley (D-Oregon), Stabenow (D-Michigan), Murray (D-Washington), Nelson (D-Florida), Peters (Michigan), Rounds (R-South Dakota), Sanders (D-Vermont), and Boozman (R-Arkansas). Text of the letter to Senator's McConnell and Reid follows: The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader United States Senate U.S Capitol Building, Room: S-230 Washington , DC 20510 The Honorable Harry Reid Minority Leader United States Senate U.S. Capitol Building, Room: S-221 Washington , DC 20510 Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Reid, As the 114th Congress comes to an end, counties and school districts across the United States are reducing their budgets and facing significant shortfalls because the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRS) has not been reauthorized. Accordingly, it is critical that a retroactive extension of this important program be included in an appropriate legislative vehicle likely to be signed into law before the end of the year. The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015 and in March of 2016 the last authorized payments to forest counties and schools under SRS were distributed by the federal government. School districts across the country are beginning this school year with fewer school nurses, and reduced arts, music and other student educational services. Counties are reducing road and county service budgets. This affects the health and welfare of everyone who lives in or visits these counties. Today, we write to express our deep hope that SRS will be reauthorized for FY 2016 and beyond and to express our willingness to support efforts to do so. The SRS program provides crucial support to forest counties, local schools, transportation infrastructure, law enforcement, fire and safety, and other county services in more than 720 counties and 4,000 school districts, impacting nine million students in 41 states. According to the National Association of Counties, when the authorization for SRS lapsed in FY 2014, forest payments to counties decreased by over 80 percent. Counties and school districts nationwide faced dramatic budgetary shortfalls. Many began preparations to halt infrastructure projects, terminate employees, cancel teacher contracts, and reduce numerous other critical local services. In that instance, Congress reauthorized the SRS program retroactively. However, in many cases services had already been impacted in counties and school districts. The SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies. We urge you to work in a bipartisan fashion to reauthorize the SRS program for FY 2016 and into the future. We stand ready to work with you in support of this important program. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362955,"Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Immediate Action on County Payment Funding",2016-09-20,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 20, 2016 Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Immediate Action on County Payment Funding Crapo, Risch, Wyden Call for Immediate Action on County Payment Funding WASHINGTON - Citing the drain on many rural county budgets, Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) have sent a bipartisan letter to Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) calling for the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRS) in any year-end legislation likely to be signed into law.  The letter to McConnell and Reid was led by Crapo and Montana Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana). SRS payments are vital to many rural budgets as these payments often pay for school programs and personnel like nurses, and for other education services.  The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015 and final payments were received by schools in March of 2016.  As a result of these stopped payments, county budgets being stretched thin among competing priorities. ""The federal government has an obligation to pay counties for tax-exempt, federally-managed lands within their jurisdictions,"" said Crapo.  ""Without reauthorization of SRS, counties across the nation will be without funding for local schools, roads, bridges, forest management projects and public safety priorities."" ""Until we see a significant increase in active forest management on our national forests, the federal government must uphold its commitment to support our rural counties and schools who rely on the SRS program,"" said Senator Risch.  ""SRS is a critical lifeline for our rural places,"" Wyden said. ""It provides counties with resources on the front lines for all kinds of services communities just can't do without - from education to first responders  to law enforcement and libraries. I'm working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide these vital resources to our counties as soon as possible."" The letter is also signed by Senators Risch (R-Idaho), Daines (R-Montana), Wyden (D-Oregon), Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Bennet (D-Colorado), Warner (D-Virginia), Boxer (D-California), Cantwell (D-Washington), Donnelly (D-Indiana), Feinstein (D-California), Franken (D-Minnesota), Gardner (R-Colorado), Udall (D-New Mexico), Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Thune (R-South Dakota), Sullivan (R-Alaska), Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), McCain (R-Arizona), McCaskill (D-Missouri), Merkley (D-Oregon), Stabenow (D-Michigan), Murray (D-Washington), Nelson (D-Florida), Peters (Michigan), Rounds (R-South Dakota), Sanders (D-Vermont), and Boozman (R-Arkansas).   Text of the letter to Senator's McConnell and Reid follows: The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader United  States Senate U.S Capitol Building, Room: S-230 Washington , DC 20510 The Honorable Harry Reid Minority Leader United States Senate U.S. Capitol Building, Room: S-221 Washington , DC 20510 Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Reid, As the 114th Congress comes to an end, counties and school districts across the United States are reducing their budgets and facing significant shortfalls because the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (SRS) has not been reauthorized.  Accordingly, it is critical that a retroactive extension of this important program be included in an appropriate legislative vehicle likely to be signed into law before the end of the year. The SRS program expired on September 30, 2015 and in March of 2016 the last authorized payments to forest counties and schools under SRS were distributed by the federal government.  School districts across the country are beginning this school year with fewer school nurses, and reduced arts, music and other student educational services.  Counties are reducing road and county service budgets. This affects the health and welfare of everyone who lives in or visits these counties. Today, we write to express our deep hope that SRS will be reauthorized for FY 2016 and beyond and to express our willingness to support efforts to do so.  The SRS program provides crucial support to forest counties, local schools, transportation infrastructure, law enforcement, fire and safety, and other county services in more than 720 counties and 4,000 school districts, impacting nine million students in 41 states.  According to the National Association of Counties, when the authorization for SRS lapsed in FY 2014, forest payments to counties decreased by over 80 percent.  Counties and school districts nationwide faced dramatic budgetary shortfalls. Many began preparations to halt infrastructure projects, terminate employees, cancel teacher contracts, and reduce numerous other critical local services.  In that instance, Congress reauthorized the SRS program retroactively.  However, in many cases services had already been impacted in counties and school districts. The SRS program continues to be a critical safety-net for forest counties as we work to diversify rural economies, improve forest management and forest health, strengthen historic forest revenue sharing with local governments and ensure that our forests provide a range of values such as clean water, jobs, and wood fiber for local economies.  We urge you to work in a bipartisan fashion to reauthorize the SRS program for FY 2016 and into the future.  We stand ready to work with you in support of this important program.   # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-welcomes-idaho-high-school-student-to-serve-as-us-senate-page,Crapo Welcomes Idaho High School Student to Serve as U.S. Senate Page,2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 19, 2016 Crapo Welcomes Idaho High School Student to Serve as U.S. Senate Page Emmett teen Emily Fleming to serve during fall semester in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. - Emmett, Idaho, student Emily Fleming has been sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to serve as a United States Senate Page for the fall semester. As a Senate Page, Fleming will work with Senate floor staff in executing the everyday functions of the Senate chamber floor. Her appointment will run through the end of January 2017. Emily is a junior at Emmett High School where she maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is active in the Emmett community. She recently helped organize a Rotary Interact Club for Emmett and served as the Club's founding president. Emily, who enjoys classic literature, said she hopes to visit the Library of Congress during her time in Washington. ""Serving as a Page to the Senate, Emily will have the unique opportunity to participate in the Chamber's day-to-day operations and be part of the team that keeps the Senate operating smoothly,"" said Crapo. ""In addition, she will have a front-row seat to debates on policy and interact with Senators from across the nation."" Pages have served the Senate since 1829 and have come from all 50 states through history, with the first female pages being appointed in 1971. According to the description of the Senate Page Program, pages meet some of the nation's ""most prominent leaders and witness firsthand the political debates of the United States Senate."" Pages must be juniors in high school and be at least 16 years old. Their duties include delivering correspondence and legislative materials within the U.S. Capitol Complex, and assisting the floor staff during roll call votes and other functions. In addition to working whenever the Senate is in session, Pages also attend school early each morning so as to maintain their academic obligations while in Washington.Crapo does not hold a permanent Senate page appointment, but occasionally has the opportunity to select a qualified Idaho student to serve a term in the program. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362954,Crapo Welcomes Idaho High School Student to Serve as U.S. Senate Page,2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 19, 2016 Crapo Welcomes Idaho High School Student to Serve as U.S. Senate Page Emmett teen Emily Fleming to serve during fall semester in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. - Emmett, Idaho, student Emily Fleming has been sponsored by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to serve as a United States Senate Page for the fall semester.  As a Senate Page, Fleming will work with Senate floor staff in executing the everyday functions of the Senate chamber floor. Her appointment will run through the end of January 2017. Emily is a junior at Emmett High School where she maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is active in the Emmett community.  She recently helped organize a Rotary Interact Club for Emmett and served as the Club's founding president.  Emily, who enjoys classic literature, said she hopes to visit the Library of Congress during her time in Washington. ""Serving as a Page to the Senate, Emily will have the unique opportunity to participate in the Chamber's day-to-day operations and be part of the team that keeps the Senate operating smoothly,"" said Crapo.  ""In addition, she will have a front-row seat to debates on policy and interact with Senators from across the nation."" Pages have served the Senate since 1829 and have come from all 50 states through history, with the first female pages being appointed in 1971.  According to the description of the Senate Page Program, pages meet some of the nation's ""most prominent leaders and witness firsthand the political debates of the United States Senate."" Pages must be juniors in high school and be at least 16 years old.  Their duties include delivering correspondence and legislative materials within the U.S. Capitol Complex, and assisting the floor staff during roll call votes and other functions.  In addition to working whenever the Senate is in session, Pages also attend school early each morning so as to maintain their academic obligations while in Washington. Crapo does not hold a permanent Senate page appointment, but occasionally has the opportunity to select a qualified Idaho student to serve a term in the program. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A6F74A2C-CDB9-489C-BB57-E441A4212D37,"Risch Applauds Passage of WRDA, Including Idaho Water Projects",2016-09-15,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) supported, and the U.S. Senate passed, S.2848, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The bill, which authorizes critical water infrastructure projects across the country, included language to streamline the water resources process in Idaho. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. “Small communities across Idaho will benefit from this common-sense legislation,” said Senator Risch, who has been a vocal advocate in the Senate for solutions to Idaho’s most pressing water resource priorities. “This legislation takes important steps that will improve Idaho’s water infrastructure and prevent future flood damage.” WRDA authorizes 25 critical Army Corps of Engineers projects, which will help strengthen our nation’s infrastructure to protect lives and property, restore vital ecosystems to preserve our natural heritage, and maintain navigation routes for commerce and the movement of goods to keep us competitive in the global marketplace. If signed by the President, language advocated for by Risch would address important Idaho concerns on dam operations to ensure that current infrastructure is being fully utilized for multiuse purposes, and would provide assistance for water recycling projects and water supplies for needed aquifer depletion issues. Further, it would redirect funding from the annual Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to small ports, and help mitigate effects of drought and drought-stricken watersheds. Risch added: “I am pleased that these projects were included to protect Idaho and enhance our waterways.” Click here for a summary of the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7E891033-423D-47BB-BE14-E74021D74373,"Risch Meets with DHS, INL About Cyber Security Technology",2016-09-14,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), who introduced the bipartisan Securing our Energy Infrastructure Act, today met with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Under Secretary Suzanne Spaulding and Idaho National Lab (INL) Associate Lab Director Brent Stacey to discuss a new technology that will help protect America’s electric grid from cyber-attacks.  “While the rapid advancement of digital technologies has created many benefits, it has also introduced cyber vulnerabilities to our nation’s critical infrastructure,” said Senator Risch, a member of both the Senate Intelligence and Energy Committees. “Now is the time to proactively address this threat and strengthen our defenses. I share DHS’ and INL’s commitment towards that goal and appreciate the important steps they have already taken.”   Risch, along with U.S. Senators Angus King, Susan Collins, and Martin Heinrich, introduced bipartisan legislation to safeguard the U.S. from potentially catastrophic cyber threats. The Securing Energy Infrastructure Act would launch a coordinated effort to help protect U.S. infrastructure from the vulnerabilities inherent in a connected and highly interdependent world. In doing so, it seeks to identify better ways to protect the country’s critical control systems – those systems that support some of the most important energy sector processes. Click here to learn more about the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9043CEEA-EDC4-4B3E-9A6B-784815D00131,Risch Applauds INL's Work at National Lab Day,2016-09-14,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) today welcomed Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz for National Lab Day on Capitol Hill. Through demonstrations and exhibits, energy industry leaders from across the country highlighted best practices for environmental management and stewardship - the theme of today’s lab day. Risch, co-founder and co-chair of the Senate National Laboratory Caucus, toured the national lab exhibits and spoke about the innovative work being performed at the Idaho National Laboratory, such as developing accident tolerant fuels, re-designing nuclear fuel transportation casks, and exploring industrial water treatment technologies. Further, he discussed the importance of collaboration between all national labs to ensure a secure and sustainable energy future for generations to come. Idaho National Lab Director Dr. Mark Peters joined Risch at National Lab Day to showcase demonstration projects across four theme areas - advancing the science of safety for cleanup, enabling a sustainable future and understanding Earth systems, coping with emergencies, and national labs as a network. The full text of Risch’s remarks at National Lab Day is available below. Click here to view the video or here to view more photos. “In 2014, Senator Durbin and I joined together to kick off National Lab Day on Capitol Hill, and on that same day announced the formation of the Senate National Laboratory Caucus. Secretary Moniz, I want to thank you for attending each and every one of these [events] that we have had and for being an excellent supporter and participant. “From a personal standpoint … I want to thank you for what you have done as Secretary. Particularly, on behalf of the State of Idaho, I have found you to be a great partner to work with through the challenges as well as the great progress that we have had in Idaho and at the rest of the laboratories – so thank you. “Today we are highlighting as the theme for this particular lab day environmental management and stewardship. … I think it is really appropriate that we have focused on this today. Certainly, every single one of the national laboratories has bragging rights when it comes to environmental management and stewardship. … But I can’t help but brag on the Idaho National Lab, which is heavily engaged in what our focus is today as they deal with water treatment technologies and re-configuring nuclear fuel transportation casks to safely transport fuel to a future repository - among many other things. I look forward to many more of these National Lab Days. It’s also great to see so many students involved. They [young Americans] are 20% of our population, but they are 100% of our future. Without them we won’t be able to carry on the legacy that each of you – the great scientists who operate the laboratories – have done over the years. “Secretary Moniz, thank you so much for participating today and thank each of you for all you do for the advancement of science in America.”     ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://labrador.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&itemid=1059,Judiciary Chairman Calls for Vote on Labrador Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act,2016-09-14,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Raúl Labrador,L000573,labrador.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2016                           CONTACT: Kathryn Rexrodeor Jessica Collins, (202) 225-3951   Goodlatte Statement on Obama Administration’s FY 2017 Refugee Resettlement Plans   Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement after meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry and learning that the Obama Administration plans to set the refugee ceiling for Fiscal Year 2017 at 110,000 and bring in more Syrian refugees this coming year:   “Every year it becomes increasingly clear that our nation’s refugee resettlement program is in need of reform. For generations, the United States has been a safe haven for people fleeing persecution. We must remain compassionate toward refugees but we also need to make sure that we use commonsense. Unfortunately, President Obama unilaterally increases the number of refugees resettled in the United States each year and gives little thought as to how it will impact local communities. The President also continues to ignore warnings from his own national security officials and plans to bring in even more Syrian refugees over the next year.   “The House Judiciary Committee has approved the Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act to make meaningful reforms that curb fraud, strengthen national security and public safety, and restore integrity to the program. The bill sets the annual refugee resettlement ceiling so that the People’s duly elected representatives in Congress, not the President, decide what that number should be. It also empowers state and local governments to decide whether or not refugee resettlement is best for their communities. Given that the Obama Administration continues to tune out the American people’s concerns on this issue, it’s time for Congress to take up this legislation so that the refugee program works in their best interest.”   Background: ·         In March 2016, the House Judiciary Committee approvedthe Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act (H.R. 4731). This bill, authored by Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Vice Chairman Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) and Chairman Bob Goodlatte, reforms the refugee program by curbing fraud and strengthening public safety and national security. It also provides state and local governments the power to decide if refugees are to be resettled within their communities and gives Congress, not the President, the authority to set the overall refugee ceiling for each year.   ·         In November 2015, the House passedthe American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015. The bill requires comprehensive background checks of every refugee from Iraq or Syria before they can be admitted into the United States and certification that each does not pose a threat. Senate Democrats blockedit from passing.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=AF741048-79A0-4C6B-B7BF-55EB8CB455E6,The Hill: New Thinking on Old Tech for a Secure Future,2016-09-13,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Hill By: Senators James E. Risch and Angus S. King Date: September 13, 2016  In the 2015 novel Ghost Fleet, the U.S. is challenged in a future war by a technologically savvy enemy. The enemy exploits the cyber vulnerabilities in a U.S. military that has grown overly reliant on highly networked and computer-dependent weapons platforms. Left nearly defenseless, the U.S. comes to realize it must rely on long-retired, technologically simpler, and ultimately more dependable weapon systems to fight back.  Although P.W. Singer and August Cole’s story is fiction, the potential threats described are cause for real concern. And the military is not the only sector that might make an attractive target. In fact, our most critical energy systems in the U.S. are connected through complex digital technologies as well. Increasingly automated and complex control systems are essential to the infrastructure that provides everything from the basic necessities of modern life, including communication, navigation, and manufacturing, to critical functions of national security. Protecting these systems is one of our most pressing security challenges. In short, while the rapid, worldwide adoption of digital automation technologies has created many benefits, it has also introduced significant cyber vulnerabilities to critical infrastructure that must be addressed. To that end, we recently introduced bipartisan legislation along with Senators Susan Collins and Martin Heinrich to safeguard the U.S. from these potentially catastrophic threats. The Securing Energy Infrastructure Act would launch a coordinated effort to help protect U.S. infrastructure from the vulnerabilities inherent in a connected and highly interdependent world. In doing so, it seeks to identify better ways to protect the country’s critical control systems – those systems that support some of the most important energy sector processes. As members of both the Intelligence and Energy committees, a principal goal of the pilot program established by our bill is to identify ways to reduce some of the digital complexity in our critical infrastructure, thereby limiting opportunities for cyber-attacks and improving our ability to defend those systems. For example, by replacing certain portions of digital and technologically advanced operating systems that are vulnerable to exploitation with far simpler analog devices or manual processes and procedures, we can hinder sophisticated cyber-enemies. This will require that our nation shift from simple applications of complex technologies to applying new thinking on simple, but more secure and robust solutions.  One of the benefits of less dependence on automation and digital technology in critical infrastructure was revealed in a December 2015 cyber-attack against Ukraine’s power grid. The sophisticated cyber-attack left more than 225,000 people without power for several hours. Subsequent investigations suggest Ukraine was saved from a much greater impact by operating its grid in manual modes when digital systems could not be trusted. We are proud that the solutions to many of these security challenges are being developed at our National Laboratories, including the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Our National Labs are unique assets and their expertise will help drive the innovations this legislation aims to achieve. By encouraging this research, we are working to ensure the U.S. never faces a day when our reliance on highly networked technology leaves us vulnerable to attack.  While Ghost Fleet may be a thrilling novel, its lesson rings true; the U.S. must be prepared to defend ourselves -- and our most critical infrastructure --  from attacks by our increasingly sophisticated, technologically advanced, adversaries. Link to article.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9BBEE11B-62D4-4E5D-B822-5DD8C7A342C2,"ICYMI: Senator Risch, Justice Kagan Discuss Hunting, Second Amendment",2016-09-09,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"“Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, told her that hunting was important to his constituents and questioned whether she could see that importance.”    Justice Elena Kagan talks about her warm relationship with her late colleague Antonin Scalia Arizona Daily StarAugust 31, 2016By: Elizabeth Eaton Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan reminisced Wednesday night about the late Justice Antonin Scalia during an appearance at the University of Arizona’s law school — not with tears, but with laughter. … The confirmation process led to her friendship with Scalia, she said, because of an odd promise to an Idaho senator. Before her confirmation, Kagan met with dozens of members of Congress, many of whom questioned her about her stance on the Second Amendment. Kagan, who grew up in New York City, said she had never shot or held a gun. Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, told her that hunting was important to his constituents and questioned whether she could see that importance. He spoke in length about his ranch where he often hunted, Kagan remembered. She said she understood where he was coming from and offered to join him on a hunting trip if he wanted to invite her. After her proposition, a ""look of abject horror"" passed over the senator's face, she said. So instead, she made a promise. ""If I’m lucky enough to be appointed, I’ll ask Justice Scalia to take me hunting,"" she told Risch. And she did. After she was sworn in, Kagan told Scalia about how she had invited herself to one of his hunting trips . ""He thought it was so funny, he was on the floor laughing,"" she remembered. Scalia took Kagan to his gun club and began teaching her gun safety and how to shoot. After he declared her ready, the two began taking hunting trips together, which is when they began to bond.  Birds in Virginia, deer in Wyoming, duck in Mississippi — over the years, the justices traveled, hunted and got to know each other better. … Link to full article.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/idaho-youth-sought-to-light-us-capitol-christmas-tree-in-washington,Idaho Youth Sought to Light U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington,2016-09-09,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 09, 2016 Idaho Youth Sought to Light U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington Crapo, Risch Announce ??An Idaho Mountain Gem?? Multimedia Contest to Select Winner WASHINGTON - Through a statewide contest, one Idaho youth will be selected by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to assist in turning on the power to light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in December. Tradition holds that one youth from the state providing the tree serve as the Tree Lighting Helper during a ceremony to formally illuminate it along with the Speaker of the House and other officials. Idaho's Payette National Forest will provide this year's tree which will be placed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and will be lit the week of December 5. Idaho students who would like to participate in the contest to be selected as the Tree Lighting Helper are invited to submit an entry. The multimedia contest, which keeps the theme of the Capitol Christmas Tree-""An Idaho Mountain Gem""-- is open to Idaho students in grades 1 through 6 and is running from September 9-September 30, 2016. The entry must be original and capture the theme of this year's celebration while also highlighting the importance of our national forests. Submissions may be any form of multimedia such as an essay or poem of up to 100 words, a two-minute song or video, or an original piece of artwork such as a drawing, painting, photograph, ornament, sculpture or 3-D object. Specific rules and entry forms are available at the Capitol Christmas Tree website. All submissions will be reviewed, and the Tree Lighting Helper will be selected at random from the entries. The selected student will flown to Washington, DC, to join the lighting ceremony on the lawn of the US Capitol. ""This is an exciting opportunity for Idaho youth to be part of lighting the Capitol Christmas Tree that will be cut from Idaho's own Payette National Forest,"" said Crapo. ""This contest will challenge Idaho's youth to express their creativity in how they capture and convey the spirit of this year's theme and the important role of our national forests. I look forward to seeing the submissions."" ""It's such an honor to have this year's Capitol Christmas Tree come from Idaho's Payette National Forest,"" said Senator Jim Risch, a graduate of the University of Idaho's College of Forestry. ""This contest provides a unique opportunity for Idaho students to foster their creativity. I look forward to seeing a piece of Idaho in Washington, D.C. this Christmas season."" Additional details on the contest as well as how to submit entries may be found at www.capitolchristmastree.com. Taxpayer funds are not used to fly the winner to Washington. # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362951,Idaho Youth Sought to Light U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington,2016-09-09,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"September 09, 2016 Idaho Youth Sought to Light U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington Crapo, Risch Announce â??An Idaho Mountain Gemâ?? Multimedia Contest to Select Winner WASHINGTON - Through a statewide contest, one Idaho youth will be selected by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo to assist in turning on the power to light the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in December.  Tradition holds that one youth from the state providing the tree serve as the Tree Lighting Helper during a ceremony to formally illuminate it along with the Speaker of the House and other officials.  Idaho's Payette National Forest will provide this year's tree which will be placed on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and will be lit the week of December 5. Idaho students who would like to participate in the contest to be selected as the Tree Lighting Helper are invited to submit an entry. The multimedia contest, which keeps the theme of the Capitol Christmas Tree-""An Idaho Mountain Gem""-- is open to Idaho students in grades 1 through 6 and is running from September 9-September 30, 2016.  The entry must be original and capture the theme of this year's celebration while also highlighting the importance of our national forests.  Submissions may be any form of multimedia such as an essay or poem of up to 100 words, a two-minute song or video, or an original piece of artwork such as a drawing, painting, photograph, ornament, sculpture or 3-D object.  Specific rules and entry forms are available at the Capitol Christmas Tree website. All submissions will be reviewed, and the Tree Lighting Helper will be selected at random from the entries. The selected student will flown to Washington, DC, to join the lighting ceremony on the lawn of the US Capitol. ""This is an exciting opportunity for Idaho youth to be part of lighting the Capitol Christmas Tree that will be cut from Idaho's own Payette National Forest,"" said Crapo.  ""This contest will challenge Idaho's youth to express their creativity in how they capture and convey the spirit of this year's theme and the important role of our national forests.  I look forward to seeing the submissions."" ""It's such an honor to have this year's Capitol Christmas Tree come from Idaho's Payette National Forest,"" said Senator Jim Risch, a graduate of the University of Idaho's College of Forestry. ""This contest provides a unique opportunity for Idaho students to foster their creativity. I look forward to seeing a piece of Idaho in Washington, D.C. this Christmas season."" Additional details on the contest as well as how to submit entries may be found at www.capitolchristmastree.com.  Taxpayer funds are not used to fly the winner to Washington.   # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-to-finish-200-town-meeting-schedule,Crapo To Finish 200 Town Meeting Schedule,2016-08-29,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 29, 2016 Crapo To Finish 200 Town Meeting Schedule Boise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will finish holding a town meeting in every incorporated city in Idaho when he visits Wardner City Hall, this coming Thursday in the Silver Valley of north Idaho. The Wardner town meeting, number 200, will be preceded by meetings in State Line, Onaway and Smelterville. Crapo announced his intention to hold a town meeting in every incorporated city in Idaho about 22 months ago. Over the last two years, he has started every town meeting with a presentation about the rising federal debt, which has grown from nearly $18 trillion to nearly $20 trillion during that same time period. The meetings began October 8, 2014, in Moyie Springs at the Idaho Forest Products sawmill. Between then and now, Crapo has crisscrossed the state, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles and has even been greeted with handmade signs, as was seen in White Bird. In Clayton, more people came out than the population of the town. Close to 4,000 Idahoans attended the town meetings, which included a few unincorporated towns, too. At meetings held in Shoshone and Bellevue, local Boy Scouts provided the flag ceremonies. ""The Idahoans I have encountered during these town meetings reinforced my belief that the best solutions for good governing come from the ground up,"" Crapo said. ""The common sense we have in Idaho is what is needed back in Washington, DC."" Crapo's town meeting schedule for next week: Wednesday, August 31: 10:30 AM State Line State Line Subs & Pizza, 6891 Seltice Way 1:00 PM Onaway Onaway City Park, Corner 2 nd Street & Onaway Road Thursday, September 1: 10:00 AM Smelterville Smelterville City Hall, 501 Main Street 11:30 AM Wardner Wardner City Hall, 649 Main Street # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362948,Crapo To Finish 200 Town Meeting Schedule,2016-08-29,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 29, 2016 Crapo To Finish 200 Town Meeting Schedule Boise - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will finish holding a town meeting in every incorporated city in Idaho when he visits Wardner City Hall, this coming Thursday in the Silver Valley of north Idaho.  The Wardner town meeting, number 200, will be preceded by meetings in State Line, Onaway and Smelterville.  Crapo announced his intention to hold a town meeting in every incorporated city in Idaho about 22 months ago.  Over the last two years, he has started every town meeting with a presentation about the rising federal debt, which has grown from nearly $18 trillion to nearly $20 trillion during that same time period.  The meetings began October 8, 2014, in Moyie Springs at the Idaho Forest Products sawmill.  Between then and now, Crapo has crisscrossed the state, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles and has even been greeted with handmade signs, as was seen in White Bird.  In Clayton, more people came out than the population of the town. Close to 4,000 Idahoans attended the town meetings, which included a few unincorporated towns, too.  At meetings held in Shoshone and Bellevue, local Boy Scouts provided the flag ceremonies. ""The Idahoans I have encountered during these town meetings reinforced my belief that the best solutions for good governing come from the ground up,"" Crapo said.  ""The common sense we have in Idaho is what is needed back in Washington, DC.""  Crapo's town meeting schedule for next week: Wednesday, August 31: 10:30 AM      State Line     State Line Subs & Pizza, 6891 Seltice Way 1:00 PM         Onaway         Onaway City Park, Corner 2 nd Street & Onaway Road Thursday, September 1: 10:00 AM      Smelterville  Smelterville City Hall, 501 Main Street 11:30 AM       Wardner        Wardner City Hall, 649 Main Street # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/idaho-leaders-taking-steps-to-keep-campuses-safe,Idaho Leaders Taking Steps to Keep Campuses Safe,2016-08-24,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 24, 2016 Idaho Leaders Taking Steps to Keep Campuses Safe Nationally one in five women can be victims Boise - Political and educational leaders and professionals observing national statistics about assaults on college and university campuses will gather Friday at Boise State University's Student Union Building to discuss ways to keep Idaho students safe. Idaho officials say the start of a new school year is an appropriate time to remind potential victims that help and prevention efforts are available and ongoing. National criminal statistics show one in five women are sexually assaulted while in college; more than 90% do not report the crime. Additionally, twenty-three percent of undergraduate females experience rape or sexual assault through physical force or violence.The forum on Friday brings together Idaho professionals to discuss ways to keep students on Idaho campuses safe through reducing the sexual violence. Friday, August 26, 2016: 10:30 AM News Conference At the Boise State Student Union Building, Simplot B Ballroom U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, Co-Lead Sponsor, Violence Against Women Act Kelly Miller, Executive Director, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence Bea Black, Executive Director, Woman and Children's Alliance, Boise Annie Kerrick, Boise State University Title IX Coordinator Adriane Bang, Boise State University Gender Equity Center Director 11:00 AM Forum on Relationship and Sexual Violence: Support and prevention networks on campus and in our community , Simplot B Ballroom, Boise State University Student Union Building Learn about how groups within Boise State University and around Boise are fighting sexual and domestic violence in Idaho and about the support networks in place for survivors. Senator Mike Crapo will introduce a panel discussion including the above participants moderated by Dean of Students Christian Wuthruch. : Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362947,Idaho Leaders Taking Steps to Keep Campuses Safe,2016-08-24,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 24, 2016 Idaho Leaders Taking Steps to Keep Campuses Safe Nationally one in five women can be victims Boise - Political and educational leaders and professionals observing national statistics about assaults on college and university campuses will gather Friday at Boise State University's Student Union Building to discuss ways to keep Idaho students safe.  Idaho officials say the start of a new school year is an appropriate time to remind potential victims that help and prevention efforts are available and ongoing. National criminal statistics show one in five women are sexually assaulted while in college; more than 90% do not report the crime.  Additionally, twenty-three percent of undergraduate females experience rape or sexual assault through physical force or violence. The forum on Friday brings together Idaho professionals to discuss ways to keep students on Idaho campuses safe through reducing the sexual violence. Friday, August 26, 2016: 10:30 AM News Conference At the Boise State Student Union Building, Simplot B Ballroom U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, Co-Lead Sponsor, Violence Against Women Act Kelly Miller, Executive Director, Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence Bea Black, Executive Director, Woman and Children's Alliance, Boise Annie Kerrick, Boise State University Title IX Coordinator Adriane Bang, Boise State University Gender Equity Center Director 11:00 AM Forum on Relationship and Sexual Violence: Support and prevention networks on campus and in our community , Simplot B Ballroom, Boise State University Student Union Building Learn about how groups within Boise State University and around Boise are fighting sexual and domestic violence in Idaho and about the support networks in place for survivors. Senator Mike Crapo will introduce a panel discussion including the above participants moderated by Dean of Students Christian Wuthruch.  : Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-plans-sun-valley-town-meeting,Crapo Plans Sun Valley Town Meeting,2016-08-16,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 16, 2016 Crapo Plans Sun Valley Town Meeting Senator Mike Crapo will hold a town meeting today in Sun Valley. He will meet with Idahoans at 2:00 PM at the Sun Valley City Hall, 81 Elkhorn Road. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362944,Crapo Plans Sun Valley Town Meeting,2016-08-16,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 16, 2016 Crapo Plans Sun Valley Town Meeting Senator Mike Crapo will hold a town meeting today in Sun Valley.  He will meet with Idahoans at 2:00 PM at the Sun Valley City Hall, 81 Elkhorn Road. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398546,"Simpson Celebrates STEP Challenge Success, Plans Boise Walk",2016-08-15,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Mike Simpson,S001148,simpson.house.gov,,,legacy,"After two and a half months on the road, Congressman Mike Simpson will celebrate the success of the Idaho STEP Challenge by holding a team walk in Boise this evening. In partnership with the Saint Alphonsus Health System, Simpson will participate alongside dozens of Meet Me Monday athletes for a walk around downtown Boise. Beginning at 5:15 p.m., the free event will start at Bandanna Running and Walking, located at the intersection of 5th and Main Street. The event is open to the public.   After logging 700 virtual miles, the Idaho STEP Challenge is off to a fast and fun start. With 300 individuals and 27 teams participating, the virtual walk across America has ventured from the nation’s capital, up the eastern seaboard, and into the Great Lakes region of the Midwest. Participants are currently trekking across the state of Indiana. “When I launched the Idaho STEP Challenge this summer, I wasn’t exactly sure how people would react to the event,” said Simpson. “It’s been thrilling to see so many people join with me on this walk across America, and I’m really looking forward to meeting some of the challenge participants in person during the Meet Me Monday event.”   Meet Me Monday is a free weekly fitness walk and run event held every Monday year-round. Participants sign a participation waiver the first time they attend, and each time after that, they initial their name on a participant roster allowing them to earn athletic gear as they accumulate attendance points. On average, more than 80 people attend the weekly walk as a way to improve their health of mind, body and spirit; spend time with family and friends; and support the community through active engagement. “Meet Me Monday and Saint Alphonsus are thrilled to have Congressman Simpson join us for our walk today to highlight the Step Challenge, and the tremendous impact we can have on our personal health by just taking a walk each day and tracking our steps,” said Corey Surber, Director of Advocacy at Saint Alphonsus. “We applaud Congressman Simpson for his leadership in promoting physical activity, and using social support and encouragement to keep people engaged.” Since 2014, Simpson has lost more than 70 pounds using a wearable activity tracker to monitor and record his daily steps. Based on his success, he created the non-partisan, non-political Idaho STEP Challenge to promote health and fitness, and prevent obesity related diseases. Similar to a virtual race, the challenge allows participants to record their individual miles using their own activity tracker or pedometer and report their progress on Simpson’s website. The 3,000 mile virtual route weaves through several iconic American cities, national parks, and spacious heartlands, and is expected to end on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol Building next summer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-announces-town-meetings-for-august-22,Crapo Announces Town Meetings for August 22,2016-08-15,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 15, 2016 Crapo Announces Town Meetings for August 22 BOISE - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is continuing his town meeting schedule during the August state work period with meetings scheduled in Hamer, Spencer, Dubois and Mud Lake on Monday, August 22. Crapo has opened many of his town meetings with a discussion about the federal government's debt, which has surpassed $19 trillion, and he will field questions from Idahoans in attendance. He will also discuss initiatives to help Idaho veterans with health care and other service issues. Crapo's schedule for his August 22 town meetings follows: Monday, August 22: 10:00 AM Hamer Hamer Fire Building, Old Butte Highway 11:30 AM Spencer Opal Country Caf and Gift Shop, 27 Opal Avenue 1:30 PM Dubois City Hall, 332 W. Main Street 3:30 PM Mud Lake West Jefferson School District, 1272 E. 1500 N., Terreton # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362943,Crapo Announces Town Meetings for August 22,2016-08-15,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 15, 2016 Crapo Announces Town Meetings for August 22 BOISE - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is continuing his town meeting schedule during the August state work period with meetings scheduled in Hamer, Spencer, Dubois and Mud Lake on Monday, August 22. Crapo has opened many of his town meetings with a discussion about the federal government's debt, which has surpassed $19 trillion, and he will field questions from Idahoans in attendance. He will also discuss initiatives to help Idaho veterans with health care and other service issues.    Crapo's schedule for his August 22 town meetings follows: Monday, August 22: 10:00 AM     Hamer                  Hamer Fire Building, Old Butte Highway 11:30 AM     Spencer                Opal Country Café and Gift Shop, 27 Opal Avenue 1:30 PM       Dubois                  City Hall, 332 W. Main Street 3:30 PM       Mud Lake              West Jefferson School District, 1272 E. 1500 N., Terreton    # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-to-speak-at-energy-summit-present-spirit-of-idaho-award,"Crapo to Speak at Energy Summit, Present Spirit of Idaho Award",2016-08-08,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 08, 2016 Crapo to Speak at Energy Summit, Present Spirit of Idaho Award Idaho Falls - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will participate in the Intermountain Energy Summit Tuesday in Idaho Falls, where hewill discuss nuclear energy research and innovation proposals he has introduced in the Senate during a morning panel discussion. During visits in Twin Falls, Crapo will present his Spirit of Idaho Award to Madison Miller, a student of Xavier High School. For her senior project, Madison organized the first-ever Homeless Stand-down in Twin Falls which took place on March 16, 2016. The event served 80 or more homeless and vulnerable individuals in the Twin Falls area. Participants were offered lunch, a haircut, coats, sleeping bags, backpacks, socks and other items. The event also offered a number of booths that had information about services residents could access in the community. Crapo will also visit Gooding to present vision-impaired books gathered through the Library of Congress' Surplus Book Program to the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind. He will add a town meeting in Warm River to the town meetings already scheduled next week across southeast Idaho. Crapo's schedule includes the following events and town meetings: Monday, August 8: 9:30 AM Warm River Three Rivers Ranch B & B, 1662 State Highway 47 10:30 AM Drummond Drummond City Building, 7 Main Street Noon Tetonia Tetonia Elementary School, 6175 South 5 th Street 2:00 PM DriggsDriggs City Council Chambers, 60 S. Main 3:30 PM Victor Victor City Hall, 32 Elm Street Tuesday, August 9: 10:00 AM Idaho Falls Joins panel discussion at the Intermountain Energy Summit, Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Boulevard Wednesday, August 10: 1:00 PM Twin Falls Presents Spirit of Idaho Award to Madison Miller for organizing the Homeless Standown. At the Salvation Army, 348 4 th Avenue North 3:00 PM Gooding Presents reading-impaired books at the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, 1450 Main Street Thursday, August 11: 10:00 AM Downey Marsh Valley Senior Center, 21 South Main 1:00 PM Bloomington Bloomington City Office, 100 W. 45 N. 2:30 PM St. Charles St. Charles City Hall, 25 North Main 4:00 PM ParisParis City Hall, 62 South Main Street 5:30 PM Montpelier Montpelier City Hall, 534 Washington Street Friday, August 12: 9:30 AM Georgetown Georgetown City Hall, 382 Main Street 11:00 AM Soda Springs Soda Springs City Hall, 9 W. 2 nd South 2:00 PM GraceGrace City Hall, 108 E. Center 3:30 PM Bancroft Bancroft City Hall, 95 S. Main Street 5:00 PM Lava Hot Springs Community Building, 150 N. Center",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362940,"Crapo to Speak at Energy Summit, Present Spirit of Idaho Award",2016-08-08,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 08, 2016 Crapo to Speak at Energy Summit, Present Spirit of Idaho Award Idaho Falls - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will participate in the Intermountain Energy Summit Tuesday in Idaho Falls, where he will discuss nuclear energy research and innovation proposals he has introduced in the Senate during a morning panel discussion.   During visits in Twin Falls, Crapo will present his Spirit of Idaho Award to Madison Miller, a student of Xavier High School.  For her senior project, Madison organized the first-ever Homeless Stand-down in Twin Falls which took place on March 16, 2016. The event served 80 or more homeless and vulnerable individuals in the Twin Falls area. Participants were offered lunch, a haircut, coats, sleeping bags, backpacks, socks and other items. The event also offered a number of booths that had information about services residents could access in the community.   Crapo will also visit Gooding to present vision-impaired books gathered through the Library of Congress' Surplus Book Program to the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind.   He will add a town meeting in Warm River to the town meetings already scheduled next week across southeast Idaho.      Crapo's schedule includes the following events and town meetings:   Monday, August 8:   9:30 AM         Warm River              Three Rivers Ranch B & B, 1662 State Highway 47   10:30 AM     Drummond                 Drummond City Building, 7 Main Street   Noon           Tetonia                      Tetonia Elementary School, 6175 South 5 th Street   2:00 PM       Driggs                       Driggs City Council Chambers, 60 S. Main   3:30 PM       Victor                         Victor City Hall, 32 Elm Street   Tuesday, August 9:   10:00 AM       Idaho Falls               Joins panel discussion at the Intermountain Energy Summit,                                                            Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Boulevard   Wednesday, August 10:   1:00 PM         Twin Falls                 Presents Spirit of Idaho Award to Madison Miller for organizing the                                                            Homeless Standown.  At the Salvation Army, 348 4 th Avenue North   3:00 PM         Gooding                    Presents reading-impaired books at the Idaho School for the                                                            Deaf and Blind, 1450 Main Street   Thursday, August 11:   10:00 AM     Downey                      Marsh Valley Senior Center, 21 South Main                                                   1:00 PM       Bloomington            Bloomington City Office, 100 W. 45 N.   2:30 PM       St. Charles                St. Charles City Hall, 25 North Main   4:00 PM       Paris                          Paris City Hall, 62 South Main Street   5:30 PM       Montpelier                 Montpelier City Hall, 534 Washington Street   Friday, August 12:   9:30 AM      Georgetown               Georgetown City Hall, 382 Main Street   11:00 AM     Soda Springs           Soda Springs City Hall, 9 W. 2 nd South   2:00 PM       Grace                        Grace City Hall, 108 E. Center   3:30 PM       Bancroft                    Bancroft City Hall, 95 S. Main Street   5:00 PM       Lava Hot Springs     Community Building, 150 N. Center",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-recognizes-summer-interns,Crapo Recognizes Summer Interns,2016-08-05,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 05, 2016 Crapo Recognizes Summer Interns Students Wrap-Up Summer work in Boise, Twin Falls and Washington WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo recognized the service of his summer interns in his Boise, Twin Falls and Washington, D.C., offices. The interns have had the opportunity to work on legislative issues before the federal government, while also assisting with constituent services and the Senator's communications team. ""As an intern in the U.S. Senate, each individual has gained hands-on experience working in the legislative branch, with the unique opportunity to see how the needs and views of Idahoans are considered before Congress,"" said Crapo. ""They have represented Idaho well, and I wish them continued success."" Two students are interning in the Boise office: Liam Stokes, a Boise native, currently attends Gonzaga University, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science and has ambitions to later attend law school. Liam studied abroad in Florence, Italy, for a semester. An avid sports and political enthusiast, Liam is a founding father of Kappa Sigma ""Tau Epsilon"" chapter and hopes to make a positive impact on his community in Idaho. Susannah Sass, an Oregon native, currently attends Boise State University (BSU), where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science. Upon completion of her degree, Susannah hopes to attend law school or the accelerated master's program for political science at BSU. One student is interning in the Twin Falls office: Kynzi Williamson, a Jerome native, is currently pursuing an associate's degree in American Sign Language Studies at the College of Southern Idaho. Upon completion of her degree, Kynzi plans to attend Idaho State University in Meridian to obtain a bachelor's degree in ASL/English Interpretation. Kynzi has done volunteer work to assist deaf members of her community, tutor children, and work at her mother's daycare. Four students are interning in the Washington, D.C., office: Haley Gardner, a Boise native, currently attends BSU where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Political and Military Science with an emphasis in International Relations and Comparative Politics. At BSU, Haley serves as an ambassador for the United States Peace Corps as well as the President and Founder of the Boise State Women's Rugby Club. Haley is also a contracted cadet in the Army ROTC program. In her spare time, Haley volunteers with St. Luke's Hospice, City of Light Men's Shelter, and Children's Hope Home. Hannah Coad, a Coeur d'Alene native, attends BSU's Master of Business Administration program and has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Hannah works for the College of Business and Economics at BSU and will pursue a law degree upon her graduation. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys skiing in the mountains of the northwest. Brock Cherry, a Rigby native, is currently pursuing his master's degree in Bioregional Planning and Community Design at the University of Idaho and previously earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University Idaho. Brock is also the student representative for the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association. After his time in D.C., Brock hopes to return home to finish his schooling and begin a career where he can help ensure the growth and success of Idaho. Bill Boger, a Virginia native, currently attends Radford University, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in marketing. Bill is the treasurer for his Fraternity, Pi Lambda Phi, and a member of the Radford American Marketing Association. Bill volunteers at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, primarily with the youth groups. In his free time, Bill likes to build computers and tinkering with technology. Crapo hosts interns in his D.C. office as well in the various regional offices throughout Idaho. Students interested in positions for the spring, summer or fall semesters can find more information about the application process, internship expectations, and deadlines for applying on the Senator's official website at https://www.crapo.senate.gov/services/interns.cfm. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362939,Crapo Recognizes Summer Interns,2016-08-05,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 05, 2016 Crapo Recognizes Summer Interns Students Wrap-Up Summer work in Boise, Twin Falls and Washington WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo recognized the service of his summer interns in his Boise, Twin Falls and Washington, D.C., offices.  The interns have had the opportunity to work on legislative issues before the federal government, while also assisting with constituent services and the Senator's communications team. ""As an intern in the U.S. Senate, each individual has gained hands-on experience working in the legislative branch, with the unique opportunity to see how the needs and views of Idahoans are considered before Congress,"" said Crapo. ""They have represented Idaho well, and I wish them continued success."" Two students are interning in the Boise office: Liam Stokes, a Boise native, currently attends Gonzaga University, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science and has ambitions to later attend law school.  Liam studied abroad in Florence, Italy, for a semester.  An avid sports and political enthusiast, Liam is a founding father of Kappa Sigma ""Tau Epsilon"" chapter and hopes to make a positive impact on his community in Idaho. Susannah Sass, an Oregon native, currently attends Boise State University (BSU), where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science.  Upon completion of her degree, Susannah hopes to attend law school or the accelerated master's program for political science at BSU. One student is interning in the Twin Falls office: Kynzi Williamson, a Jerome native, is currently pursuing an associate's degree in American Sign Language Studies at the College of Southern Idaho.  Upon completion of her degree, Kynzi plans to attend Idaho State University in Meridian to obtain a bachelor's degree in ASL/English Interpretation.  Kynzi has done volunteer work to assist deaf members of her community, tutor children, and work at her mother's daycare. Four students are interning in the Washington, D.C., office: Haley Gardner, a Boise native, currently attends BSU where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Political and Military Science with an emphasis in International Relations and Comparative Politics.  At BSU, Haley serves as an ambassador for the United States Peace Corps as well as the President and Founder of the Boise State Women's Rugby Club.  Haley is also a contracted cadet in the Army ROTC program.  In her spare time, Haley volunteers with St. Luke's Hospice, City of Light Men's Shelter, and Children's Hope Home. Hannah Coad, a Coeur d'Alene native, attends BSU's Master of Business Administration program and has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Grove City College in Pennsylvania.  Hannah works for the College of Business and Economics at BSU and will pursue a law degree upon her graduation.  In her spare time, Hannah enjoys skiing in the mountains of the northwest. Brock Cherry, a Rigby native, is currently pursuing his master's degree in Bioregional Planning and Community Design at the University of Idaho and previously earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University Idaho.  Brock is also the student representative for the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association.  After his time in D.C., Brock hopes to return home to finish his schooling and begin a career where he can help ensure the growth and success of Idaho. Bill Boger, a Virginia native, currently attends Radford University, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in marketing.  Bill is the treasurer for his Fraternity, Pi Lambda Phi, and a member of the Radford American Marketing Association.  Bill volunteers at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, primarily with the youth groups.  In his free time, Bill likes to build computers and tinkering with technology. Crapo hosts interns in his D.C. office as well in the various regional offices throughout Idaho.  Students interested in positions for the spring, summer or fall semesters can find more information about the application process, internship expectations, and deadlines for applying on the Senator's official website at https://www.crapo.senate.gov/services/interns.cfm. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-announces-additional-town-meetings,Crapo Announces Additional Town Meetings,2016-08-01,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 01, 2016 Crapo Announces Additional Town Meetings Discusses federal debt, veterans issues during summer events Washington - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is continuing his town meeting schedule during the August state work period. Crapo has opened many of his town meetings with a discussion about the federal government's debt, which has surpassed $19 trillion, and he will field questions from Idahoans in attendance. He will also discuss initiatives to help Idaho veterans with health care and other service issues. Crapo's schedule includes the following town meetings: Monday, August 8: 10:30 AM Drummond Drummond City Building, 7 Main Street Noon Tetonia Tetonia Elementary School, 6175 South 5 th Street 2:00 PM Driggs Driggs City Council Chambers, 60 S. Main 3:30 PM Victor Victor City Hall, 32 Elm Street Thursday, August 11: 10:00 AM Downey Marsh Valley Senior Center, 21 South Main 1:00 PM Bloomington Bloomington City Office, 100 W. 45 N. 2:30 PM St. Charles St. Charles City Hall, 25 North Main 4:00 PM Paris Paris City Hall, 62 South Main Street 5:30 PM Montpelier Montpelier City Hall, 534 Washington Street Friday, August 12: 9:30 AM Georgetown Georgetown City Hall, 382 Main Street 11:00 AM Soda Springs Soda Springs City Hall, 9 W. 2 nd South 2:00 PM Grace Grace City Hall, 108 E. Center 3:30 PM Bancroft Bancroft City Hall, 95 S. Main Street 5:00 PM Lava Hot Springs Community Building, 150 N. Center # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-plans-veterans-events-town-meeting-fire-discussion-in-north-idaho,"Crapo Plans Veterans Events, Town Meeting, Fire Discussion in North Idaho",2016-08-01,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 01, 2016 Crapo Plans Veterans Events, Town Meeting, Fire Discussion in North Idaho Will Posthumously Award Female WWII Veteran with Earned Service Medals Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will continue his outreach to veterans with visits to service groups in Post Falls and Lewiston this week. Crapo will also continue his town meeting schedule with a stop in Ferdinand, and discuss fire planning in Orofino. On Tuesday, Crapo will posthumously honor the service of Marilyn Jean Campbell, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II. Campbell entered the Navy in October of 1943 and served at Pearl Harbor before being honorably discharged in July of 1946. Following her discharge, Marilyn's service went unrecognized. Senator Crapo was able to obtain the delayed honors earned by Marilyn and will present her daughter Jill with the medals in recognition of Marilyn's service. Crapo will also speak to the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce. Crapo's schedule includes the following events: Monday, August 1: 11:00 AM Post Falls Veterans meeting, Idaho Dept. of Labor, 600 N. Thornton Tuesday, August 2: 9:00 AM Coeur d'Alene Speaks to the International Sweetener Symposium Coeur d'Alene Resort, 115 S. 2 nd Street Noon Coeur d'Alene Speaks to the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Wednesday, August 3: 11:00 AM Lewiston Veterans meeting, Crapo Lewiston Office, 313 D Street Noon Lewiston Speaks to Lewiston Rotary, Red Lion Hotel, 621 21 st Street 1:30 PM Lewiston Medal ceremony with Jill Eckberg to posthumously honor her mother, WWII veteran Marilyn Campbell 4:00 PM Ferdinand Town meeting, Ferdinand Community Hall, 240 Front Street Thursday, August 4 : 11:00 AM Orofino Roundtable discussion with North Central Idaho Forest Restoration Group Orofino Forest Service Offices, 12730 U.S. Highway 12 # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362936,"Crapo Plans Veterans Events, Town Meeting, Fire Discussion in North Idaho",2016-08-01,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 01, 2016 Crapo Plans Veterans Events, Town Meeting, Fire Discussion in North Idaho Will Posthumously Award Female WWII Veteran with Earned Service Medals Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will continue his outreach to veterans with visits to service groups in Post Falls and Lewiston this week.  Crapo will also continue his town meeting schedule with a stop in Ferdinand, and discuss fire planning in Orofino. On Tuesday, Crapo will posthumously honor the service of Marilyn Jean Campbell, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II.  Campbell entered the Navy in October of 1943 and served at Pearl Harbor before being honorably discharged in July of 1946.  Following her discharge, Marilyn's service went unrecognized.  Senator Crapo was able to obtain the delayed honors earned by Marilyn and will present her daughter Jill with the medals in recognition of Marilyn's service. Crapo will also speak to the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce. Crapo's schedule includes the following events: Monday, August 1: 11:00 AM     Post Falls                     Veterans meeting, Idaho Dept. of Labor, 600 N. Thornton Tuesday, August 2: 9:00 AM      Coeur d'Alene              Speaks to the International Sweetener Symposium                                                               Coeur d'Alene Resort, 115 S. 2 nd Street Noon           Coeur d'Alene               Speaks to the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce                                                                Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Wednesday, August 3: 11:00 AM     Lewiston                       Veterans meeting, Crapo Lewiston Office, 313 D Street Noon           Lewiston                        Speaks to Lewiston Rotary, Red Lion Hotel, 621 21 st Street 1:30 PM       Lewiston                       Medal ceremony with Jill Eckberg to posthumously honor her mother, WWII veteran Marilyn Campbell 4:00 PM       Ferdinand                      Town meeting, Ferdinand Community Hall, 240 Front Street Thursday, August 4 : 11:00 AM     Orofino                          Roundtable discussion with North Central Idaho Forest  Restoration Group                                                               Orofino Forest Service Offices, 12730 U.S. Highway 12 # # #                      Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362937,Crapo Announces Additional Town Meetings,2016-08-01,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"August 01, 2016 Crapo Announces Additional Town Meetings Discusses federal debt, veterans issues during summer events Washington - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is continuing his town meeting schedule during the August state work period.  Crapo has opened many of his town meetings with a discussion about the federal government's debt, which has surpassed $19 trillion, and he will field questions from Idahoans in attendance. He will also discuss initiatives to help Idaho veterans with health care and other service issues.                 Crapo's schedule includes the following town meetings: Monday, August 8: 10:30 AM     Drummond               Drummond City Building, 7 Main Street Noon           Tetonia                       Tetonia Elementary School, 6175 South 5 th Street 2:00 PM       Driggs                        Driggs City Council Chambers, 60 S. Main 3:30 PM       Victor                          Victor City Hall, 32 Elm Street Thursday, August 11: 10:00 AM     Downey                      Marsh Valley Senior Center, 21 South Main                                                  1:00 PM       Bloomington            Bloomington City Office, 100 W. 45 N. 2:30 PM       St. Charles                St. Charles City Hall, 25 North Main 4:00 PM       Paris                           Paris City Hall, 62 South Main Street 5:30 PM       Montpelier                 Montpelier City Hall, 534 Washington Street Friday, August 12: 9:30 AM      Georgetown               Georgetown City Hall, 382 Main Street 11:00 AM     Soda Springs           Soda Springs City Hall, 9 W. 2 nd South 2:00 PM       Grace                          Grace City Hall, 108 E. Center 3:30 PM       Bancroft                     Bancroft City Hall, 95 S. Main Street 5:00 PM       Lava Hot Springs    Community Building, 150 N. Center  # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov//media/newsreleases/crapo-announces-new-town-meetings,Crapo Announces New Town Meetings,2016-07-26,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"July 26, 2016 Crapo Announces New Town Meetings Discusses federal debt, veterans issues during summer events Idaho Falls - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is continuing his town meeting schedule during the July and August state work period. Starting this week, Crapo will kick off his series of meetings in Eastern and Northern Idaho. Crapo has opened many of his town meetings with a discussion about the federal government's debt, which has surpassed $19 trillion, and he will field questions from Idahoans in attendance. He will also discuss initiatives to help Idaho veterans with health care and other service issues. Crapo's schedule includes the following town meetings: Thursday, July 28: 5:30 PM Basalt Basalt City Hall, 824 North 675 East Friday, July 29 : Noon Mackay Mackay High School, 400 Spruce Street 2:00 PM Moore Valley Community Center 3:30 PM Atomic City Atomic City Trailer, 2654 W. 1760 N. Wednesday, August 3: 4:00 PM Ferdinand Ferdinand Community Hall, 240 Front Street # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362935,Crapo Announces New Town Meetings,2016-07-26,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,ID,Michael Crapo,C000880,www.crapo.senate.gov,,,legacy,"July 26, 2016 Crapo Announces New Town Meetings Discusses federal debt, veterans issues during summer events Idaho Falls - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is continuing his town meeting schedule during the July and August state work period.  Starting this week, Crapo will kick off his series of meetings in Eastern and Northern Idaho. Crapo has opened many of his town meetings with a discussion about the federal government's debt, which has surpassed $19 trillion, and he will field questions from Idahoans in attendance. He will also discuss initiatives to help Idaho veterans with health care and other service issues.    Crapo's schedule includes the following town meetings:   Thursday, July 28:  5:30 PM       Basalt              Basalt City Hall, 824 North 675 East    Friday, July 29 : Noon           Mackay            Mackay High School, 400 Spruce Street 2:00 PM       Moore              Valley Community Center                                                   3:30 PM       Atomic City     Atomic City Trailer, 2654 W. 1760 N.   Wednesday, August 3: 4:00 PM       Ferdinand        Ferdinand Community Hall, 240 Front Street # # # Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5319F999-C216-4663-AF0A-90B32A9A0C8F,Risch Recognizes Summer Interns,2016-07-19,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,ID,Jim Risch,R000584,www.risch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch selected three college students from the state of Idaho to serve as 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. “Interning in the U.S. Senate is an excellent way to learn about the legislative branch of government and to see where much of our nation’s early history took place,” said Risch. “This group has served Idaho well during their internship and each has a bright future ahead.” The interns are: Erin Bamer, a native of Boise, is a senior at the University of Idaho in pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcasting and digital media, with a minor in communications studies. She is the daughter of Jeff and Gail Bamer. Erin is a member of UI’s Student Media department and will work as the news editor of the school newspaper and associate editor of the school’s magazine during her final year. Nathan Fisher of Boise will enter his final year this fall at the University of Idaho, studying for a Bachelor of Science dual degree in agricultural economics and political science. He is the son of Nate Fisher, Sr. and Jean Fisher. Nate has served as the UI student body president from May 2014-15 and also as the UI student lobbyist to the state legislature from May 2015-16. Brennan Summers, a native of Idaho Falls and a junior at Utah State University, is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and communications. He is the son of Shayne Summers and Nancy Summers. Brennan currently serves as a Utah State University Ambassador and previously served as an intern in Senator Risch’s Idaho Falls office when he was a senior in high school. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398545,Interior Funding Bill Passes House,2016-07-15,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,ID,Mike Simpson,S001148,simpson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017 which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 231-196. Included in the legislation are policies important to western states such as full funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), a vital program in the west that ensures communities are adequately compensated for the lack of tax revenue due to the presence of federal land. “Every county in Idaho depends on the federal government meeting its obligations through Payments in Lieu of Taxes,” said Simpson.  “PILT is essentially the government’s property tax on the federal land it owns, and it needs to be paid fully and on time.  I’m pleased that full funding was included in this bill, and I am also committed to fulfilling the promises made to public lands counties in the long-term and will continue working to provide permanent certainty for Idaho’s counties.” The Interior bill also includes a number of provisions championed by Simpson that benefit Idaho, including: • Language that prevents a future listing of the sage-grouse as an endangered species while prohibiting any changes to resource management plans that are inconsistent with state management plans. The language also prohibits the withdrawal of mineral rights in sage-grouse focal areas; • Full funding for wildfire suppression at the ten-year average of $3.9 billion for the Department of Interior and the Forest Service; • A $78.5 million funding increase for the National Park Service targeted at park operations and maintenance to help reduce the maintenance backlog and will address other priorities related to the Park Service’s centennial anniversary; • More than $400 million in cuts to the EPA below the President’s budget request for fiscal year 2017. EPA funding has been reduced by $2.4 billion, or roughly 23 percent, since Republicans regained control of the House in 2010; • Language that prohibits the EPA from implementing new greenhouse gas regulations for new and existing power plants, and the elimination of funding for greenhouse gas “New Source Performance Standards; • Language preventing the EPA from dramatically expanding its jurisdiction over state and local water under the Clean Water Act by changing the definition of “navigable waters”; • Language that directs the Fish and Wildlife Service to reissue two final rules removing recovered wolves in Wyoming and in the Western Great Lakes from the endangered species list; • Language that prohibits a ban on recreational shooting and hunting on federal and public lands; • Language that prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from implementing their proposed “Planning 2.0” regulation until the agency provides additional time for public comment; • Language that encourages the BLM to work with the State of Idaho on future aquifer recharge projects. “When you look at the critical funding and key provisions in this bill, you immediately recognize why this legislation is so important to Idaho,” said Congressman Simpson. “Whether it is blocking the EPA’s overreaching rule that seeks to drastically expand their jurisdiction over state waters or providing the Forest Service with the resources it needs to fight wildfires in Idaho and across the west, I am so pleased that Members of Congress advanced the Interior Appropriations bill.”  The House Interior Appropriations bill is the fifth appropriations bill passed by the House of Representatives for fiscal year 2017.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z