Idaho

State Senators:

Mike Crapo (R)

Term Start: January 3, 1999

Full Name: Michael Dean Crapo
Date of Birth: May 20, 1951
Birthplace: Idaho Falls, Idaho, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Mike Crapo was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and raised in a family with deep roots in Idaho. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1969. Crapo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1973. He went on to receive a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School in 1977.

Personal Life: Mike Crapo is married to Susan Crapo, and they have five children. The family resides in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Crapo is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served in various leadership positions within the church. He is also a cancer survivor, having successfully battled prostate cancer in the late 1990s.

Early Career: After graduating from Harvard, Crapo returned to Idaho to practice law. He joined his brother Terry’s law firm (Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo) in Idaho Falls, focusing on business and natural resources law. He gained prominence in his legal career and became active in local politics. He served as a law clerk for Judge James M. Carter of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Political Career:

Idaho State Senate: Elected in 1984 and served until 1992, serving as Senate President Pro Tempore from 1988 to 1992. He was known for his work on economic development and education issues.
U.S. House of Representatives: Represented Idaho’s 2nd congressional district from 1993 to 1999. During his time in the House, he focused on issues such as agriculture, water rights, and natural resources.
U.S. Senate: Elected in 1998, succeeding Dirk Kempthorne. Re-elected in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022. As a senator, Crapo has been a strong advocate for fiscal conservatism, tax reform, and economic growth. He has also focused on issues such as healthcare, veterans’ affairs, and energy policy.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee on Finance (Ranking)
Committee on the Budget
Joint Committee on Taxation

Political Positions and Legislative Work:

Fiscal Responsibility: Advocates for reducing the national debt and promoting pro-growth tax policies.
Healthcare: Supports expanding access to affordable healthcare and addressing prescription drug shortages.
Energy Policy: Promotes energy innovation, including nuclear energy infrastructure.
Second Amendment: Strong advocate for protecting Second Amendment rights.
Veterans: Committed to ensuring veterans receive the care and services they deserve.
Environmental and Public Lands: Supports locally-driven collaboration to address environmental and public land issues.

Senator Crapo is known for his commitment to fiscal responsibility and has championed tax reform efforts. He played a significant role in the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. He is also a proponent of regulatory reform, aiming to reduce the burden on businesses and promote economic growth. Crapo has worked on bipartisan legislation to improve healthcare access, support veterans, and address environmental issues, particularly those affecting the western United States

Overall, Senator Crapo is known for his conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, healthcare access, energy innovation, and veterans’ services. His extensive experience in both state and federal government has made him a prominent figure in Idaho and national politics.

Committees

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee ensures that the banking system is safe, housing is accessible, urban areas are well-developed, and consumers are protected in financial matters.

Finance: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the economic direction of a country or region by influencing fiscal and monetary policies that impact individuals, businesses, and governments.

Budget: Committee plays a central role in shaping the nation’s fiscal policy, ensuring that government spending and revenue collection are managed responsibly and align with economic priorities.

Joint Committee on Taxation: The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) is a nonpartisan committee of the United States Congress. It plays a critical role in the legislative process related to tax legislation.

Voting patterns

Senator Crapo has a voting record that aligns with his conservative principles, particularly in areas such as fiscal policy, environmental regulation, and social issues.

Key Voting Patterns:

Fiscal Policy: Senator Crapo consistently advocates for reducing government spending and promoting economic growth through free market policies. He has supported tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate the economy and opposed large spending bills that increase the national debt. Crapo voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which aimed to reduce taxes for individuals and businesses.
Environmental Regulation: Crapo’s voting record on environmental issues is characterized by a preference for reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. He has often voted against measures aimed at increasing environmental protections, such as those addressing climate change and promoting clean energy. His lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters is 7%, indicating a low level of support for pro-environment legislation. He has opposed bills that would impose stricter regulations on fossil fuels and has supported measures that favor energy independence and resource development.
Social Issues: On social issues, Senator Crapo has taken a conservative stance. He has voted to protect Second Amendment rights and has opposed gun control measures, including expanded background checks for gun buyers. He has also supported legislation to restrict abortion and enhance protections for the unborn. Additionally, Crapo has advocated for stronger immigration controls and has voted against measures that would provide pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Full Name: James Elroy Risch
Date of Birth: May 3, 1943
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Jim Risch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in Idaho. He attended the University of Idaho, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry in 1965. He continued his education at the University of Idaho College of Law, earning a Juris Doctor degree in 1968. During his time in law school, Risch served as the editor of the Idaho Law Review and was involved in the university’s ROTC program.

Personal Life: Jim Risch is married to Vicki Risch, and they have three children. The family resides in Boise, Idaho. Risch is known for his dedication to public service and his commitment to representing the interests of Idahoans in the U.S. Senate.

Early Career: After graduating from law school, Risch began his career in public service as the Ada County Prosecutor in 1970. He quickly gained a reputation for his strong work ethic and dedication to law enforcement. He then entered private practice as a senior partner in the Risch Goss Insinger Gustavel law firm, where he specialized in business and natural resources law.

James Risch (R)

Term Start: January 3, 2009

Political Career:

Idaho State Senate: Elected in 1974, served until 2002 with a brief hiatus. Held leadership positions including Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore. He was known for his work on fiscal responsibility and natural resources issues.
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho: Served from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2009.
Governor of Idaho: Served from May 2006 to January 2007 following the resignation of Governor Dirk Kempthorne. During his time as governor, Risch focused on tax reform and education initiatives.
U.S. Senate: Elected in 2008, re-elected in 2014 and 2020. Currently serving his third term. In the Senate, Risch has been a strong advocate for national security, energy policy, and fiscal conservatism. He is known for his expertise in foreign relations and has played a significant role in shaping U.S. policy on international affairs.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Committee on Foreign Relations (Ranking)
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Select Committee on Ethics
Select Committee on Intelligence
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control

Legislative Achievements:

National Security: Risch is a strong advocate for national security and military readiness. As a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, he focuses on foreign policy issues and strengthening U.S. alliances.
Economic Policies: Risch supports free-market economic policies, tax cuts, and deregulation. He advocates for reducing the regulatory burden on businesses to promote economic growth and job creation.
Energy Development: Representing an energy-rich state, Risch supports policies that promote the development of natural resources, including oil, gas, and renewable energy sources. He advocates for energy independence and reducing regulatory barriers to energy production.
Small Business: As a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Risch champions policies that support small businesses, including access to capital, reducing regulatory burdens, and promoting entrepreneurship.

In summary, Risch has focused on a wide range of issues during his Senate career. He is a strong proponent of national security and has been actively involved in foreign policy matters, particularly concerning the Middle East and U.S.-Russia relations. He has also worked on energy policy, advocating for increased domestic energy production and the development of renewable energy sources. Additionally, Risch has supported small businesses through various legislative efforts aimed at reducing regulatory burdens and promoting economic growth

Senator Risch is recognized for his conservative values, strong stance on fiscal responsibility, and commitment to energy innovation. His extensive experience in both state and federal government positions him as a key player in national and international policy discussions.

Committees

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee plays a role in shaping national policies related to energy security, environmental protection, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Foreign Relations: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, providing a check on the executive branch’s conduct of international relations, and ensuring that America’s global engagements reflect the values and interests of its citizens

Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee plays a crucial role in advocating for the needs of small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating an environment conducive to small business success and economic growth.

Select Committee on Ethics: Committee plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the Senate by ensuring that all members and staff adhere to the highest ethical standards. It operates with a bipartisan approach to uphold the ethical principles and accountability of the legislative body.

Select Committee on Intelligence: Committee plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between national security needs and the protection of civil liberties by ensuring that intelligence operations are conducted lawfully and effectively.

United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control: Committee plays a role in shaping U.S. drug policy and enhancing efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse on both national and international levels.

Voting patterns

Senator Risch has a voting record that reflects his conservative stance on various key issues, including fiscal policy, environmental regulation, and national security.

Key Voting Patterns

National Security:

Defense Spending: Risch is a strong advocate for robust defense spending to ensure military readiness and national security. He consistently votes for the National Defense Authorization Act and other defense-related bills.
Foreign Policy: As a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Risch supports a proactive foreign policy. He votes for measures that strengthen U.S. alliances, counter adversaries like China and Russia, and promote human rights worldwide.

Economic Policies:

Tax Cuts and Deregulation: Risch supports tax cuts and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses to stimulate economic growth. He voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which aimed to reduce taxes for individuals and businesses.
Free Market Principles: Risch advocates for free-market economic policies and often votes against measures he perceives as increasing government intervention in the economy.

Energy Development:

Fossil Fuels and Renewables: Representing an energy-rich state, Risch supports policies that promote the development of both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. He votes for measures that reduce regulatory barriers to energy production and promote energy independence.
Environmental Regulations: While supporting energy development, Risch often votes against stringent environmental regulations that he believes hinder economic growth and energy production.

Healthcare:

Affordable Care Act (ACA): Risch is a critic of the ACA and has voted to repeal and replace it. He supports market-based healthcare reforms that increase competition and reduce costs.
Healthcare Costs: Risch supports measures to reduce healthcare costs, including efforts to lower prescription drug prices and increase transparency in healthcare pricing.

Social Issues:

Gun Rights: Risch is a strong proponent of Second Amendment rights and consistently votes against measures that would impose additional restrictions on gun ownership.
Abortion: Risch identifies as pro-life and supports restrictions on abortion. He votes for measures to defund organizations that provide abortion services and supports legislation that protects the rights of the unborn.

Fiscal Responsibility:

Balanced Budget: Risch advocates for fiscal responsibility and often votes for measures aimed at reducing government spending and balancing the federal budget.
Debt and Deficit: He supports efforts to address the national debt and reduce the federal deficit through spending cuts and budget reforms.

Overall, Senator Risch’s voting patterns reflect his commitment to conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal restraint, reduced environmental regulations, and a strong national defense.