CRAPO TO CHAIR TWO SENATE SUBCOMMITTEES

Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will chair two U.S. Senate subcommittees during the 109th Congress. Crapo retains his chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization. He also takes over as Chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance. Crapo will serve on eight subcommittees in total, related to his assignments on the Senate Finance Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Banking Committee. The list of subcommittees was finalized today. â??Striving to create a level playing field in world trade, continuing our work in regulatory reform, overseeing the wise use of our environmental resources, and rural revitalization are all issues critical to Idaho and I look forward to pursuing an aggressive agenda as we work with limited resources in the 109th Congress,â?? Crapo said. â??From computer chips to russets, trade is increasingly critical in our interconnected world and these chairmanships will give Idahoans more leverage in all of these critical areas.â?? Crapoâ??s eight subcommittee assignments include three on the powerful Finance Committee. He will serve on subcommittees dealing with Social Security and Family Policy, International Trade, and Tax Policyâ??all critical issues before the new Congress. In addition to chairing the Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization, Crapo will also serve on the Agriculture Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition, and General Legislation. Crapoâ??s Banking Committee assignments include chairing the International Trade and Finance Subcommittee and serving on the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Subcommittee on Securities. Crapo will also serve on the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in the 109th Congress, which do not have subcommittees. Crapo is also working with Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee Chairman Lincoln Chaffee and House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo on a bipartisan, bicameral bill to improve and upgrade the Endangered Species Act. # # #