Crapo Committee Assignments Reflect Idaho Priorities

Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will gain a new committee assignment for the 108th Congress by serving on the Senate Budget Committee. He has also been named a Deputy Whip by Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky). Crapo will continue to serve on the following committees: Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Environment and Public Works; Agriculture; and Small Business. In addition, he will serve as the Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water. The committee assignments were finalized this morning in a Republican Conference meeting in Washington, D.C.; subcommittee assignments are expected to be completed later this month. â??These committee assignments will allow me to advocate for Idahoans on a number of fronts, including environment, financial, agriculture, and budget,â?? Crapo said. â??Since the Budget Committee sets the budget debated by Congress each year, I can be involved in exploring the best ways to revive our economy through tax policy and other budget mechanisms. Through continued service on the Banking and Agriculture Committees, I hope to implement policies that will keep our businesses and farmers competitive in international markets. The issues under the Environment and Public Works Committee are important in a rural state like Idaho, and I know that we will address many significant issues like the Endangered Species Act and salmon recovery during the current session. And small business is a vital force in Idahoâ??s economy and we must have policies that encourage and keep those businesses strong. I am also pleased to be able to serve as a Deputy Whip in the 108th Congress.â??Crapo has been a member of the Senate Banking Committee since becoming a Senator in 1999. The committee maintains jurisdiction over export and foreign trade promotion; export controls and financing; international economic policy; other international financial programs; securities and other financial investments; the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); accounting standards; insurance; financial exchanges and markets; oversight on banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions; deposit insurance; the Federal Home Loan Bank System; and regulatory activities of the Federal Reserve System.For the 108th Congress, Crapo will add the Senate Budget Committee. The Budget Committee is responsible for drafting Congressâ?? annual budget plan and monitoring action on that budget. In addition, it oversees the operation of the Congressional Budget Office.On the Senate Environment and Public Works, Crapo will help shape federal policy on numerous environmental issues including the Endangered Species Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, our interstate highway system, other fisheries and wildlife issues including salmon recovery and national wildlife refuges.Crapo served on the Senate Agriculture Committee during the 107th Congress and will continue to do so in the 108th. It holds jurisdiction over a variety of agriculture issues including foreign agricultural trade policy, rural development legislation, education and research, commodity programs, forestry policy, watershed and flood control programs, and others.The Senate Small Business, on which Crapo has served since coming to the Senate, maintains oversight over the programs operated by the Small Business Administration.# # #