Quantcast

East Idaho Times

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Data points

Latest News

  • Local Government

    Rep. Simpson Cosponsors Bill to Support Idaho State Veterans Homes

    "WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has cosponsored the Waiving Arbitrary and Inconsistent Veteran Home Requirements (WAIVER) Act, a bill aimed at supporting Idaho State Veterans Homes. The legislation would compel the United States Veterans Administration (VA) to issue waivers for veterans’ health and housing facilities that were approved prior to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA).In a statement, Rep. Simpson emphasized the importance of the VA honoring its waiver commitment to fulfill promises made to veterans: "It’s important for the VA to follow...

  • Local Government

    Rep. Simpson Secures Funding for Butte County Buildings

    WASHINGTON—Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has successfully secured $1,852,000 for the Butte County Buildings Infrastructure Project in Butte County, Idaho. The funding was included at his request through Community Project Funding (CPF) in the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.In response to criticisms about CPF projects, Congressman Simpson emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating that they allow Members of Congress to allocate funds back to their respective states...

  • Local Government

    Crapo, Wyden Call for Swift Passage of Bipartisan PBM Reforms

    U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Chair Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) are urging for the swift passage of bipartisan legislation aimed at reforming pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their practices that contribute to the rising costs of prescription drugs and threaten the existence of pharmacies nationwide.In a joint effort, Senators Crapo and Wyden emphasized the need for PBM reform during a press conference, where they were supported by pharmacy and patient advocates. Crapo highlighted the urgency by stating, "Congress must pass our...

  • Local Government

    Rep. Simpson Secures Funding for Stanley Workforce Housing

    Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has successfully secured $4,000,000 for the Stanley Workforce Housing Economic Development Initiative in Stanley, Idaho. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill at his request through Community Project Funding (CPF).In response to criticisms of CPF projects as "wasteful earmarks," Congressman Simpson emphasized the importance of bringing Idaho tax dollars back home for Idaho priorities. He stated, "These projects fill a clear and present need in communities...

  • Local Government

    Crapo Joins Bill Blocking Biden’s Misguided Forestry Plan

    U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho has joined his colleagues in introducing a bill aimed at ensuring that state and local land managers have a say in protecting the country's old growth forests. The legislation is designed to block a U.S. Forest Service policy that has been criticized for hindering local and state forestry initiatives without taking into account the specific conditions of forests nationwide.Crapo expressed his concern about the U.S. Forest Service's proposed Old Growth Plan Amendment, stating that it was developed without adequate input from state or local...

  • Local Government

    Crapo Criticizes HHS Budget for Failing to Address Key Healthcare Concerns

    Washington, D.C.--At a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing, Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) expressed disappointment with the President's fiscal year 2025 Health and Human Services (HHS) budget for not addressing crucial healthcare issues affecting Americans. Crapo raised concerns about the absence of bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing healthcare costs for seniors with chronic conditions and generating taxpayer savings.During the hearing with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Crapo highlighted the importance of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, improving...

  • Local Government

    Crapo Statement at Hearing on HHS FY 2025 Budget

    Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo delivered a comprehensive statement at a hearing on the President’s fiscal year 2025 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.Crapo commended the bipartisan efforts of the Finance Committee over the past year in addressing various health care challenges. He highlighted the Committee's initiatives, such as pharmacy benefit manager reforms and mental health proposals, which aimed at improving access to critical services for patients, particularly...

  • Local Government

    Crapo, Risch, Budd, Britt Introduce Laken Riley Act

    U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch, Ted Budd, and Katie Britt have introduced the Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at addressing illegal alien crimes in the United States. The legislation, named after 22-year-old Laken Riley who was tragically murdered by an illegal alien, seeks to hold accountable those who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses.Crapo expressed frustration, stating, “It is infuriating that Laken’s death was preventable if not for the lax immigration and crime policies of the Biden Administration.”Risch highlighted the impact of open...

  • Local Government

    Rep. Simpson Champions Idaho Agriculture Priorities

    Rep. Mike Simpson, representing Idaho, recently voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, emphasizing the importance of supporting Idaho's agriculture sector. In a statement, Rep. Simpson expressed his dedication to advocating for Idaho's agricultural priorities, stating, "Agriculture represents 20% of Idaho’s economy, and I consider it my duty to champion important Idaho priorities to ensure our state’s farmers and ranchers can thrive now and in the future."The legislation, which includes the Agriculture, Rural Development Food and Drug...

  • Local Government

    Crapo, Thune, Boozman Lead Colleagues in Demanding the Biden Administration Increase Agricultural Exports

    Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Finance Committee member John Thune (R-South Dakota), and U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Arkansas) have spearheaded a call for the Biden Administration to boost agricultural exports from the United States.In a letter signed by 18 senators, including Marsha Blackburn, Ted Budd, and Chuck Grassley, the lawmakers expressed their concerns over the decline in U.S. agricultural exports. They attributed this trend to an ineffective U.S. trade...

News