During the recent banking crisis, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo appeared on Fox Business alongside host Larry Kudlow as a fast-talking Washington insider. Crapo was there to defend what he considers one of his greatest legislative achievements: the Banking Deregulation Act passed in 2018 to help small and medium-sized banks.
Prezydent Joe Biden ma InternetBlame the failureFrom Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank on Crapo-backed regulatory reform in 2018. Biden described it as a Trump administration initiative, but in realityKonto Clapper- Although it should be noted that it was eventually replaced by atwo piecesA group of lawmakers, including some moderate Senate Democrats.
Crapo is not known to be irritable. He came from a family of farmers, and his father ran the local post office. He is known for his calmness.
But in his appearance on Kudlow's showMarchhis blood pressure rose.
"First of all, Larry, it's just the president who donates a dollar because he knows his policies are the cause of all this," Crapo said, pointing to the 16 Democrats who voted for his bill.
"The truth is that President Biden through all his spending in the last Congress ... pumped up inflation ... and when the Fed responded by raising interest rates, it triggered a liquidity crisis for both banks," Crapo said. "It happened. And then regulators, regulators, didn't pay enough attention to what happened to these banks."
It turns out that even an agitated Crapo resorts to arguing about politics.
If you cross an Idaho Jack with a Washington freak, you end up with Crapo. He seems to really enjoy talking about the details of politics. After years on the Senate Banking Committee, he is now a key member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee and is the 10th ranked senator.
Finally Crapo's is 2018Billbecome law. It passed the Senate in a 67-31 vote, and Crapo recently told the Deseret News that he believes the regulatory regime for community banks and credit unions is "just the right size."
Crapo was praised for his leadership of the financial reform bill by Randy Quarles, a like-minded former Fed vice chairman whom Crapo knew from his days at the Fed and sitting next to him on a flight from Washington to Salt Lake City.
"Even though the country was becoming increasingly polarized, and although there were a few key polarizers on his committee - like (Democratic Senators) Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown - he designed and passed a banking reform bill that has broad bipartisan support, as in the full Senate." Quarles told the Deseret News.
"This is a remarkable achievement, unlike anything else that has happened in the Senate over the past decade, and is a testament to his leadership, cunning and tenacity."
When we asked Crapo what he considers his greatest achievement in Congress, the Financial Regulation Review Bill was on the list, even though it is currently being scrutinized across the aisle as guerrillas point out that a banking crisis may still be looming.
But in three terms in the House and four in the Senate, Crapo has tried to analyze complex issues by focusing on bipartisanship - a process he says has become more pernicious as domestic polarization has become more damaging. more complicated.
"The political divisions in our country are widening and intensifying," Crapo said in an email correspondence with the Deseret News. “There is nothing wrong with intense debate and dialogue about how we should govern America. But collaboration is the most important way to build consensus on difficult public policy issues."
This year, Crapo celebrates its 30th seat in Congress. Crapo, however, remains one of the more complicated figures in American politics.
He is a Republican congressman whose reputation for civics and working across party lines has survived an era of sharp elbows and political boxing. Crapo was a religious man who served as a Latter-day Saint bishop in his 30s, but also publicly struggled with alcohol, leading to a DUI about 10 years ago. He was a country man of humble beginnings who had graduated from Harvard Law School.
We interviewed people who worked with Crapo to better understand how the humble boy from Idaho became one of the most powerful senior politicians in the United States after 30 years in Washington.

TJ Kirkpatrick, Desert News
tax leadership
Just months into his second year in Congress, Rep. Crapo stood on the floor of the house,his friend askedSupport what he believes are common sense measures that allow government agencies to apply basic business principles to their decision making.
"I am willing to work with everyone in this agency to find the most effective and best way to assess the risks and analyze the costs and benefits," said Crapo.
Now, 28 years later, Crapo is the Republicans' chief deputy whip in the Senate;senior Republican memberSenate Finance Committee, member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and member of the Senate Budget and Tax Committee.
"These leadership positions really say a lot about how other co-workers you work with see you," R-Idaho representative Mike Simpson told the Deseret News by phone, talking about Crapo. "He's just a hard worker and you can see how much respect he has in the US Senate from the trust that (Senate Minority Leader Mitch) McConnell has in him."
In the fight against the 2011 debt ceiling, Crapo's emergence, in the words of The New York Times, was "hero among dualistsAt the time, he was one of three Republican senators involved in the "Gang of Six", trying to devise a plan to reduce the deficit and avoid a debt crisis.
Past experience in debt ceiling talks makes Crapo the best choice for negotiatorsstuckBetween Biden and House Republicansraise the debt limit related to budget cuts.
"Ask the White House to sit down and negotiate is not an extremist demand," Crapo saidrecently written"Both sides have a duty to do their part in good faith to find a bilateral solution."
Unbridled federal spending has long been at the forefront of Crapo. its peakwebsiteReal-time tracking showing US National Debt. last,On bakeThe IRS commissioner questioned the organization's lack of transparency in spending the additional $80 billion in funds received by the agency. At the beginning of this year heproposed amendments to the US ConstitutionTo do this, the President and Congress must approve an annual balanced budget.
He has also recently raised the alarm about inflation and its impact on American households. He believes this is the source of problems in the banking system.
"Inflation is a bigger problem," Crapo told the Deseret News. “Continuing spending frenzy will continue to create inflationary pressures, which will require further action by the Fed to keep inflation under control.”
Crapo said the approach was based on his small-town background.

TJ Kirkpatrick, Desert News
Od Idaho Falls do Halls of Congress
"The people of Idaho strongly believe in the American Constitution, the free market economy and the rule of law," said Crapo. "I share these beliefs and work to uphold and protect them in Congress."
Crapo was born in Idaho Falls to a fourth-generation Idaho resident. He studied political science at Brigham Young University and law at Harvard Law School. During this time, Crapo married Susan Hasleton. They have five children. Crapo entered the world of electoral politics not long after his brother Terry died of leukemia in 1982. After 20 years, Crapo will continue his battle with prostate cancer.
Crapo's brother served as Majority Leader in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1968 to 1972. Two years after Terry's death in 1984, Crapo was elected Senator from Idaho and was subsequently appointed President of the Senate, including serving asActing Governor of Idaho12 hours.
In 1992, Crapo was elected to one of two congressional seats in the Idaho House of Representatives, and in 1998FirstJoin The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to represent Idaho in the Senate. In four consecutive elections, including the most recent in 2022, Crapo faced almost no electoral opposition in what is considered the most influential election.the safest Chairin the Senate.
But he had a habit of continuing his campaign by visiting urban and rural areas across the state. Crapo has said that he is most proud of his interactions with Idaho residents: "Visiting and meeting Idaho residents of all walks of life has been the pinnacle of my career."
Prior to the 2016 election, Crapo visited every incorporated city in Idaho and continues to work to visit every unincorporated city in the state. Tom Luna, former Idaho director of public education and former chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, called Crapo a "mentor" and praised him for helping turn Idaho into a solid red state.
But despite the senator's conservative history, Luna said the Idaho Republican Party is divided between those who recognize Crapo's contributions to Congress and those who believe he hasn't taken a tough enough stance on certain issues.
"There are other people in our party who think he cast a vote they disagreed with for the last 30 years and to them he's not really a Republican anymore. I just don't agree with it," Luna told Deseret News in a telephone interview.
zLegacy Action Scorecard, a measure of how "conservative" a member of Congress is, Crapo's lifetime score is 78 percent—the same as the average Senate Republican score. Although it doesn't moveconservative viewOn gun control and health care, Crapo has signaled a willingness to negotiate bipartisan government debt, environmental protection and medical research funding.
"The best ideas and achievements come from truly collaborative problem solving, where participants don't sacrifice principles, but work together to promote good, strong policy," Crapo said.
Luna understands why some might see Crapo's work with bipartisan lines as a weakness, but argues that Republicans should rally around "they have 80% in common" rather than "purge the party until everyone agrees on everything."
“I don't agree 100 percent with everything Mike has done in Congress. But I know its values," said Luna.

TJ Kirkpatrick, Desert News
How Congress changed and didn't change it
As a senator, Crapo personally experienced the crackswithin the Republican party.he isfirstThe current Republican senator withdrew his support for Donald Trump after he released the "Access Hollywood" tape weeks before the 2016 election. However CraporenewA few weeks later, his endorsement was that given a choice between Trump and Hillary Clinton, he would vote Republican.
Crapo has accepted Trump's "full and comprehensive" endorsement through 2021. "Mike was tough on crime, he was tough on the border, and he fought for our military and our veterans," Trump said in a statement of support. "He will continue to champion our Second Amendment. Idaho and America."
Crapo's principles were also challenged during his trialarrest for driving under the influence of alcohol2012. Pathetic ShitexplainAlcohol has become a stress-relieving habit. After he was arrestedApologisehis family, friends, constituents and colleaguesswear I'll stopEast Idaho resident Luci Willits, who served as an intern in Congress during Crapo's first term and has maintained friendly relations with him ever since, was surprised by the news of Crapo's arrest, but noted that his reaction was the same as her seeing the intern.
"He handled it well," said Willits. ' He admitted. He took the punishment and moved on. I think that's what a lot of people lack these days, who don't admit their mistakes and certainly don't try to be better.
Willits said that as a young Crapo student, she changed her view of how politicians behave in public and private life.
"I saw that you could be a man with integrity and survive the system," she said. "It's certainly not a story that existed 30 years ago, and it's certainly not a story that exists today."
When she was elected to Boise City Council in 2021, Willits said she received a handwritten congratulatory note from the senator. She said the gesture underscores why Crapo will be remembered for his efforts to connect with individual voters.
Reflecting on his conversation with Crapo on a flight between Washington and Salt Lake City, Quarles said their conversation would be about "the West and fly fishing and our children, not a lot of selfish talk in Washington." quality is appreciated.
"Mike Crapo is one of the most effective senators in an agency in our history, known for its great lawmakers," he said.
FAQs
Who is a famous Idaho politician? ›
Idaho Senators
McConnell, took office on December 18, 1890. Idaho's longest-serving senators include William E. Borah (1907-1940) and Frank Church (1957-1981). Among those who rose to leadership positions is James McClure, who served as Republican Conference chairman.
Simpson Applauds Passage of HALT Fentanyl Act Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today voted in favor of H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act. This legislation would permanently place fentanyl-related substance...
Who is one of Idaho's current US representatives? ›Member/Delegate | Years | District |
---|---|---|
Russ Fulcher | January 3, 2019 – present | 1st |
Thomas L. Glenn | March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1903 | At-large |
Abe Goff | January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1949 | 1st |
James Gunn | March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899 | At-large |
Idaho is best known for its potato production and is famously known as “The Gem State” for its rich source of gems. However, that is not all. Idaho is also home to a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife.
What are 3 famous people in Idaho? ›Lillian Disney, the wife of Walt Disney, is from Idaho. Academy Award-Winning Actor George Kennedy lives in Boise. NFL players Matt Paradis and A.J. Feeley call the Gem State home. And world and Olympic champion skier Picabo Street is from Triumph.
What country originally owned Idaho? ›During this time, the region which became Idaho was part of an unorganized territory known as Oregon Country, claimed by both the United States and Great Britain.
Did Abraham Lincoln make Idaho a state? ›Abraham Lincoln is inextricably tied to Idaho. In the early morning of March 4, 1863, Lincoln signed the act creating Idaho Territory.
When did Idaho split from Washington? ›THE CREATION OF THE TERRITORY OF IDAHO
For five years (from August 14, 1848 to March 2, 1853) it was included in Oregon Territory. Then it was divided between Washington Territory and Oregon Territory until February 14, 1859. Oregon then became a state, and the entire Idaho area was attached to Washington.
Idaho's current congressional delegation in the 118th Congress consists of its two senators and two representatives, all of whom are Republicans. The current dean of the Idaho delegation is Senator Mike Crapo, having served in the Senate since 1999 and in Congress since 1993.
Why is Idaho called the city of trees? ›BOISE, Idaho — The City of Trees became Boise's nickname before it was even a city. As the story goes, after trekking through the desert along the Oregon Trail, French fur trappers came upon the Boise River Valley and shouted "Les Bois, Les Bois," or "the trees, the trees," in French. The name soon caught on.
How many representatives does Idaho have in Washington? ›
Each congressional district sends one Representative to Washington, D.C., so that the opinions of people in Idaho are considered when the government makes a decision. This means that each Idahoan is represented by one Member of the House of Representatives and two Senators, which are elected state-wide.
Who is one of two United States senators who represent Idaho? ›The state was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, and its U.S. senators belong to Class 2 and Class 3. Idaho's current senators are Republicans Mike Crapo and Jim Risch.
Why do some states have more representatives than other states? ›The number of U.S. Representatives for each state depends on the population. Some states have more representatives because they have more people. If the state has a large population, there are more representatives.
How many representatives does Idaho have in the US House of Representatives? ›Current districts and representatives
List of members of the United States House delegation from Idaho, district boundary maps, and the district political ratings according to the CPVI. The delegation has a total of 2 members, both with the Republican party.
Idaho produces more potatoes and trout than any other state in the nation, and is known as the “Gem State” for the 72 types of precious and semi-precious stones it produces—some of which are exclusive to the state. Its state capital, Boise, is also its largest city with more than 200,000 residents.
Why is Idaho so popular now? ›For people looking for a safe place to call home, Idaho's low crime rate is a big draw. In conclusion, Idaho's population growth is driven by a combination of factors including a strong economy, natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, remote work opportunities, and a low crime rate.
What are 5 interesting facts about Idaho? ›Population | 1,839,106 (2020 US Census estimate) |
---|---|
State Fish | Cutthroat Trout |
State Gem | Star Garnet |
State Motto | “Esto Perpetua” from the Latin meaning “Be Eternal”. |
State Song | “Here We Have Idaho” - adopted in 1931. Verses by Albert J. Tompkins, chorus by McKinley Helm, music by Sallie Hume-Douglas. |
1. Aaron Paul. Aaron Paul was born Aaron Paul Sturtevant in Emmett, Idaho, to Darla (Haynes) and Robert Sturtevant, a retired Baptist minister. While growing up, Paul took part in church programs, and performed in plays.
How many people left Idaho? ›5,623 people moved from Idaho to Oregon in 2019, giving the state the third-place position. California state comes in fourth place, with 4,372 people moving there from Idaho during the year of the study. Arizona rounds out the top five, with 2,961 Idaho residents moving to the state in 2031.
Where is Idaho in relation to Canada? ›Idaho is a landlocked mountainous state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. At 45th parallel north, it shares a 72 km (44.7 mi) long border with the Canadian province of British Columbia.
Is Idaho in USA or Canada? ›
Idaho (/ˈaɪdəhoʊ/ ( listen) EYE-də-hoh) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia.
Which Native Americans lived in Idaho? ›Idaho Indian Peoples are divided into five distinct groups: the Kutenai (some times called Kootenai), Coeur d'Alene, and Nez Perce in the North, the Shoshoni and Northern Paiute in the south. The Kutenai-some sixty individuals living in Idaho near Bonners Ferry--are the smallest of the northern groups.
What is Abraham Lincoln's favorite state? ›Upon signing the Montana Organic Act, Lincoln remarked, “My favorite state has not yet been invented. It will be called Montana, and it will be perfect.” The territory of Montana remained so for twenty-five years: a territory.
What was Idaho called in 1861? ›Strangely enough, Senator Henry Wilson of Massachusetts sponsored the final choice of name in both cases: he got the 1861 territory redesignated "Colorado" (instead of "Idaho") because "Idaho" was not an Indian word.
What side was Idaho on in the Civil War? ›“Idaho had a pro-union and a territorial government and pro-Confederate territorial legislature,” says Shallat. Many of these symbols of Confederacy in Idaho and around the nation have been appropriated by different groups for different reasons.
Why Washingtonians are moving to Idaho? ›Although it is known for its world-renowned potatoes, Idaho has much more to offer than just its leading agricultural export. Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho offers beautiful scenery, plentiful rivers, mountain views, and sprawling farmland.
Who were the first white settlers in Idaho? ›The first permanent settlement of whites in Idaho country was the Mormon colony at Franklin in Cache Valley. But the first major wave of settlers was drawn by the lure of gold. Just three years after gold was discovered, the territory of Idaho was created, in 1863, consisting of ten counties.
What is the nickname of Idaho? ›Idaho has been nicknamed “the Gem State” since its territorial days. The name of the territory, however, was originally more hype than fact.
How many representatives does DC get when it becomes a state? ›Based on its population, the new state would get one representative in the House, and two Senators. The mayor of Washington would get the new title of governor. And the District Council would function as a state legislative body. Washington would be granted the same rights as any other state.
Does Washington DC have anyone in the House of Representatives? ›DC residents elect a non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives, two shadow Senators, and one shadow Representative whose task is to petition Congress for statehood. District residents have no voting representation in the House of Representatives.
What is Boise Idaho named after? ›
A French word meaning "wooded," Boise came into use early in the nineteenth century among French-Canadian fur hunters as a name for the Boise River. French trappers who started to use the name Boise apparently were translating an earlier English designation for the stream.
Why is Idaho French? ›Several names were derived from foreign languages: From French we have Nez Perce (pierced nose), Teton (woman's breast) and Boise (wooded), because most of the early fur trappers in Idaho were from French-speaking eastern Canada.
What city in Idaho is French named? ›Coeur d'Alene (/ˌkɔːr dəˈleɪn/ ( listen) KOR də-LAYN; French: Cœur d'Alène, lit. 'Heart of an Awl' French pronunciation: [kœʁ d‿a. lɛn]) is a city and the county seat of Kootenai County, Idaho, United States.
What is the only country named after a tree? ›The name Brazil is a shortened form of Terra do Brasil ("Land of Brazil"), a reference to the brazilwood tree.
How many US representatives are there in Washington state? ›U.S. House of Representatives
The delegation has a total of 10 members, including 8 Democrats and 2 Republicans.
However, in the House of Representatives, a state's representation is based on its population. For example, smaller states like Vermont and Delaware have one representative while large states like California have 53 representatives.
How many seats does Washington State have? ›Washington has 49 legislative districts, each of which elects a Senator and two Representatives. Senators serve four-year terms and Representatives serve two-year terms.
How much do Idaho senators make? ›Legislative compensation is established by a citizens' committee, subject to rejection by the full Legislature. Legislators receive $16,684 per year, plus expenses for housing and travel during the session, and a constituent service allowance of $2,250.
Does each US state have 2 senators? ›The Constitution prescribes that the Senate be composed of two senators from each State (therefore, the Senate currently has 100 Members) and that a senator must be at least thirty years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for nine years, and, when elected, be a resident of the State from which he or she ...
Which branch has 2 senators from each state? ›The U.S. Senate, together with the U.S. House of Representatives, makes up the U.S. Congress. The Senate holds certain unique powers and obligations. Its makeup is different too: two senators represent each state, and senators serve staggered six-year terms.
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? ›
To be sure that one branch does not become more powerful than the others, the Government has a system called checks and balances. Through this system, each branch is given power to check on the other two branches. The President has the power to veto a bill sent from Congress, which would stop it from becoming a law.
What are the six states with only one representative? ›4 Seven states have one Representative: Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Delaware. The total U.S. population cannot simply be divided by number of members (435) to determine apportionment.
Why does each state have equal representation in the Senate? ›The “Great Compromise of 1787” reconciled the demands of the large states with those of the small states by establishing proportional representation of states in the House of Representatives based on population, and equal representation in the Senate.
What is the difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate? ›Senators represent their entire states, but members of the House represent individual districts. The number of districts in each state is determined by a state's population. Each state has a minimum of one representative in Congress.
How many U.S. representatives are Democrats? ›Party Breakdown
House of Representatives: 222 Democrats (including 4 Delegates), 215 Republicans (including 1 Delegate and the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico), and 4 vacant seats. Senate: 50 Republicans, 47 Democrats, and 3 Independents,7 who all caucus with the Democrats.
Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state.
Who are the Republican senators from Idaho? ›CONGRESS | SENATOR | TERM ENDED |
---|---|---|
Class 2 | ||
93rd-101st | James A. McClure (R) | Jan. 3, 1991 |
102nd-110th | Larry E. Craig (R) | Jan. 3, 2009 |
111th- | Jim Risch (R) | Present |
According to the World Population Review website, "The Holding Family is the largest landowner in Idaho, with over 400,000 acres including the Sun Valley Ski Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho.
What billionaire lives in Idaho? ›Frank VanderSloot: Frank VanderSloot is the founder and CEO of Melaleuca, a wellness product manufacturer based in Idaho Falls. As of February 25, 2023, Forbes estimates his net worth to be $3.1 billion, making him the richest person in Idaho.
Which US state has the most celebrities? ›Most celebrities tend to gravitate to the coasts of the United States – making their home in California or New York. But despite the large concentration of stars who live in Beverly Hills or Manhattan, there are still some who choose to be somewhere else. Check out ten celebrities who live in unexpected places.
Does each U.S. state have 2 senators? ›
The Constitution prescribes that the Senate be composed of two senators from each State (therefore, the Senate currently has 100 Members) and that a senator must be at least thirty years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for nine years, and, when elected, be a resident of the State from which he or she ...
Who are the two U.S. state senators? ›State | Senator | Party |
---|---|---|
Arkansas | Tom Cotton | Republican |
California | Dianne Feinstein | Democratic |
Alex Padilla | Democratic | |
Colorado | Michael Bennet | Democratic |
Idaho State Senate | |
---|---|
Length of term | 2 years |
Authority | Article IV, Idaho Constitution |
Salary | $16,684/year + per diem |
Elections |
Michael Dean Crapo (/ˈkreɪpoʊ/ KRAY-poh; born May 20, 1951) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Idaho, a seat he has held since 1999.
How many counties are in Idaho? ›There are 44 counties in Idaho. Find the county clerk's information, online services, and more in the county pages below.
Does Bruce Willis own a home in Idaho? ›But many may not know that he hated it so much that in the '90s, he settled his growing family into a small town full of working-class people called Hailey, Idaho, and began making it his own. Willis may have only sold his 20-acre ranch in Hailey in 2018, but his roots in the town go back much farther.
Who owns the biggest Ranch in the US? ›The nation's largest private landowners are the Emmerson family in California who own over 2.4 million acres. The bulk of that land is dedicated to timber in Northern California. But the most headline-worthy transaction of 2022 was the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas.
How much land does the Mormon Church own in Idaho? ›The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owns nearly 60,000 acres of land in Idaho worth at least $128.4 million, according to a new set of data.