CRAPO NAMED RANKING MEMBER ON AGRICULTURE, HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEESAGRICULTURE, HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEES

Washington, DC - Issues of everyday concern to Idahoans such as transportation, tax issues, farm spending, and health care will be among the priorities that Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will handle as he has been named to several Senate subcommitteesâ??with leadership roles on two of them. Crapo has retained leadership roles on Senate Subcommittees dealing with forestry, rural revitalization, and housing issues. The subcommittee assignments are part of Crapo's role as a member of the Senate Agriculture, Banking, Finance, and Budget Committees. Subcommittee assignments were finalized last week. The Budget Committee has no subcommittees. "Writing the next farm bill will be under the jurisdiction of the Senate Agriculture Committee, on which I am privileged to serve," said Crapo, one of only two Northwest Senators on the committee. "On the Finance Committee, we have broad jurisdiction on tax issues ranging from comprehensive tax reform and simplification to targeted tax policy contained in legislation dealing with issues like agriculture, energy and education. My Banking subcommittee assignment has jurisdiction over urban mass transit and development, federal housing and transit issues, senior housing and nursing home construction, and rural and Indian housing. I will also review operations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and lenders like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Furthermore, these committee assignments enable me to address the looming issue of how America and Idaho compete in the global economy." The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee has jurisdiction over federal farm programs, as well as farm credit, food stamp and forestry programs. The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee has broad jurisdiction over our nation's financial institutions, housing and mass transit programs. The Senate Finance Committee assignment puts Crapo out front on major funding issues such as Social Security, health care issues like Medicare and Medicaid, tax reform, and international trade negotiations. Crapo serves on the following subcommittees during the 110th Congress: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and CreditMember, Subcommittee on Nutrition and Food Assistance, Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, and General LegislationMember, Subcommittee on Domestic and Foreign Marketing, Inspection, and Plant and Animal Health Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Member, Subcommittee on Financial InstitutionsMember, Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment Committee on Finance:Member, Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS OversightMember, Subcommittee on Natural ResourcesMember, Subcommittee on International Trade