Mike Crapo

Crapo, Risch Statement on the Detention of Stephen Hubbard, 2026 Hostage Week | U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the statement below commemorating 2026 Hostage Week and the urgent need to free Stephen Hubbard, a man with Idaho ties detained in Russia. “This Hostage Week, Americans across the country come together to send a unified message to those who are wrongfully detained around the world: we have not forgotten you and we never will. “In particular, we think this week of Stephen Hubbard, who is being detained without cause in a Russian prison. Stephen is 74, in declining health, and has a family who loves him back in Idaho. We will do everything in our power to ensure his release, including working alongside the Administration to punish Russia and other bad actors who take Americans hostage. Through penalties under the Countering Wrongful Detention Act, we will show these nations that Americans aren’t to be messed with abroad, used for hostage diplomacy, or any other evil cause. This practice must end. “We thank all hostage and wrongful detention advocates who took the time to visit Washington this week to advocate for their loved ones’ release. We stand with you. We look forward to shaking the hands of Mr. Hubbard and other wrongful detainees on that happy future day when they are released, but until then we will continue our work.”

Crapo Joins Cassidy and Risch to Introduce Legislation Protecting American Workers from Harmful Biden Heat Standards | U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho

Position: The senators oppose the Biden Administration's proposed federal heat safety rule for workers, arguing it is overly prescriptive, creates compliance burdens for small businesses, and should be replaced with existing federal law that allows state and local flexibility.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-Louisiana) introduced the Heat Workforce Standards Act to protect American workers from dangerous Biden-era heat standards that threaten jobs and create new safety risks. The bill comes on the heels of a letter sent by Crapo and 15 Republican Senators raising concerns about the proposed rule. “The Biden Administration’s proposed heat rule is overly prescriptive and lacks consideration for differences among industries and varying climates,” said Crapo. “Federal law already requires businesses to implement safety measures to protect workers from heat hazards. If implemented, this rule will only result in compliance hardships for small business and could increase risks to worker safety.” “One-size-fits-all federal heating standards prevent small businesses and farmers from appropriately protecting the people they employ,” said Risch. “The Heat Workforce Standards Act will stop the implementation of a disastrous rule that ignores vastly different workplace and regional conditions, and returns the ability to set heat standards back to state and local leaders.” “Protecting Louisiana workers is my top priority. The Democrats’ proposal puts workers at risk and threatens their livelihoods,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Any effort on worker safety should provide needed clarity and flexibility to ensure Louisianans can earn a paycheck in a safe working environment.” U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) are co-sponsors of the bill. In 2024, the Biden Administration proposed a new rule requiring all employers, including small businesses, to comply with burdensome mandates on staffing, recordkeeping and mandatory breaks tied to heat thresholds. These one-size-fits-all requirements create new safety risks on job sites that extend beyond heat-related injuries while making compliance nearly impossible for employers and workers. The rule would raise costs for small businesses, forcing them to eliminate jobs for hardworking Idahoans and Americans. Specifically, the Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 would prohibit the finalization, implementation or enforcement of the Biden-era proposed heat rule. The Republican legislation reflects current federal law that protects workers while giving clarity to workers and employers. This bill is supported by Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, The Independent Packaging Association, Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), American Bakers Association, American Building Materials Alliance, American Craft Spirits Association, American Lighting Association, American Pipeline Contractors Association, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), American Supply Association, Americans for Prosperity, Associated Equipment Distributors, Associated Industries of Florida, Brick Industry Association, Distribution Contractors Association, Family Business Coalition , Florida Attractions Association, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association, Gases and Welding Distributors Association, Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International, Independent Electrical Contractors, Indiana Farm Bureau, International Franchise Association, Mason Contractors Association of America, National Apartment Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Association of Manufacturers, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Energy & Fuels Institute, National Federation of Independent Business, National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Restaurant Association, National RV Dealers Association (RVDA), North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM), Pennsylvania Utility Contractors Association, Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), Plastics Pipe Institute, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), Power & Communication Contractors Association, PRINTING United Alliance, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA), Treated Wood Council, the and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association.

Working Families Tax Cuts Spur Investment and Innovation | U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho

Washington, D.C.—By preventing the largest tax hike in American history and providing stability in the tax code, the Working Families Tax Cuts crafted by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) are helping businesses innovate and invest with confidence. Among other pro-growth tax policies, the law permanently restores full expensing for domestic research and development, empowering business owners to make investments that benefit workers and consumers alike. “Since the enactment of the Working Families Tax Cuts, private sector R&D investment has increased, business investment in equipment and facilities has accelerated and wages have risen,” said Crapo. “Restoring and making permanent these pro-growth tax policies will fuel American innovation and investment for years to come.” “Based on what I am seeing in my own company, and what I'm hearing from my peers on the Chamber's Small Business Council, these reforms are translating into real, practical growth. What matters most to small business owners is certainty and the ability to invest, and the consistent message I hear is that permanency and immediate expensing reduce risk and unlock investment.” – U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council member Traci Tapani “The tax and investment incentives in [the Working Families Tax Cuts] amount to the most significant economic transformation in the history of our industry, serving as rocket fuel for manufacturers. Manufacturers’ optimism is on the rise, and they are ready to keep building, investing and leading…” – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons Click HERE to learn more about how the Working Families Tax Cuts encourage cutting-edge research and development. Click HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts.