Mike Crapo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mike Crapo
Crapo in 2019
United States Senator from Idaho
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1999 Serving with Jim Risch
Preceded by	Dirk Kempthorne
Committee positions Chair of the Senate Finance Committee Incumbent Assumed office January 3, 2025 Preceded by Ron Wyden Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by Ron Wyden Succeeded by Ron Wyden Chair of the Senate Banking Committee In office January 3, 2017 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Richard Shelby Succeeded by Sherrod Brown
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by	Richard H. Stallings
Succeeded by	Mike Simpson
37th President pro tempore of the Idaho Senate
In office 1988–1992
Preceded by	Jim Risch
Succeeded by	Jerry Twiggs
Member of the Idaho Senate from the 32nd district
In office December 1, 1984 – December 1, 1992
Succeeded by	Mel Richardson
Personal details
Born	Michael Dean Crapo (1951-05-20) May 20, 1951 (age 74) Idaho Falls, Idaho, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Susan Hasleton ​ (m. 1974)​
Children	5
Education	Brigham Young University (BA) Harvard University (JD)
Website

Michael Dean Crapo (pronounced KRAY-poh; born May 20, 1951) is an American politician and lawyer. He has been a U.S. Senator for Idaho since 1999. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming a senator, Crapo was a U.S. Representative for Idaho's 2nd congressional district from 1993 to 1999.

Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Crapo studied at Brigham Young University and Harvard Law School. He worked as a lawyer in his hometown during the 1980s. His brother, Terry Crapo, was a leader in the Idaho House of Representatives. Mike Crapo was elected to the Idaho Senate in 1984. He served as the Senate's president pro tempore from 1988 to 1992. He was elected to the U.S. House in 1992 and served three terms. In 1998, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He has been reelected several times since then.

Crapo is currently the most senior member of Idaho's congressional team.

Early Life and Education

Crapo was born on May 20, 1951, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. His parents were Melba and George Crapo. He became an Eagle Scout in 1966.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors in political science from Brigham Young University in 1973. Later, he received a law degree with honors from Harvard Law School in 1977.

Beginning His Political Journey

Crapo in 1993

After law school, Crapo worked for a judge for one year. Then, he returned to Idaho to practice law with his brother's firm. In the 1980s, he became involved in the Republican Party. His brother, Terry, was a well-known figure in Idaho politics. After Terry's passing in 1982, Mike ran for a seat in the Idaho Senate.

He was elected to the State Senate in 1984 and served there until 1992. In 1988, his colleagues chose him to be the Senate president pro tempore. He held this leadership role until 1992.

In 1989, Crapo briefly served as acting governor of Idaho for 12 hours. This happened when the governor and lieutenant governor were both out of the state.

In 1992, Crapo was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Idaho's 2nd congressional district. He served three terms, from 1993 to 1999. In 1998, he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

Crapo was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998. He took over the seat from fellow Republican Dirk Kempthorne. To help people pronounce his name correctly, his campaign signs often showed a special mark over the "a" in Crapo (Crāpo), indicating the "Cray-poe" sound.

He has been reelected multiple times: in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022. In 2009, Crapo became Idaho's senior senator. This means he has served longer than the other senator from Idaho.

Key Roles and Committees

As a senator, Crapo has served on important committees. These include the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Development Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Finance Committee. He has also co-chaired several groups, such as the Senate Nuclear Caucus and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.

In the 116th Congress, he was the chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.

Important Votes and Actions

Crapo during the 111th Congress

In 1999, Crapo voted to remove President Bill Clinton from office during his impeachment trial.

He opposed President Barack Obama's health care reform law, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He voted against it in 2009 and 2010.

In 2013, Crapo voted against a bill that would have expanded background checks for all gun buyers. He was one of 46 senators who voted against it.

In 2017, Crapo was one of 22 senators who asked President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. This agreement is about fighting climate change.

Crapo's view on how the Senate should handle Supreme Court nominees has changed over time. In 2006, he said that all presidential nominees should get a vote. However, in 2016, he stated that the Senate could choose to delay a vote on a nominee. He believed the next president should choose the new Supreme Court justice.

In 2020, Crapo supported an immediate Senate vote on President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away.

On January 6, 2021, Crapo was at the U.S. Capitol when it was attacked. He called for those responsible to be punished. He did not support removing President Trump from office at that time, saying the country was too divided.

In October 2023, Crapo visited China as part of a group of senators. They met with Chinese leaders to discuss important issues, including trade.

Committee Assignments (Current)

• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection
  • Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
  • Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment
• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Finance (Chairman)
• Joint Committee on Taxation

Groups He Belongs To

• International Conservation Caucus
• Senate Diabetes Caucus
• Senate Nuclear Cleanup Caucus (co-chair)
• Senate Renewables and Energy Efficiency Caucus (co-chair)
• Sportsmen's Caucus (co-chair)
• Western Water Caucus
• Zero Capital Gains Tax Caucus
• Senate Republican Conference

Political Views

Crapo with Brigadier General Carmelo Burgio of Carabinieri in Afghanistan, 2010

Mike Crapo is known for his conservative political views.

Views on Energy

Crapo supports nuclear energy. He has worked on bills to help nuclear energy projects, especially at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). One bill helped create the National Reactor Innovation Center at the INL.

Views on Gun Laws

Crapo believes that more gun control laws would not stop violence in the United States. He supports efforts to improve mental health access instead. He has received high ratings from the NRA Political Victory Fund for his support of gun rights. He also supported making open carry legal in National Parks.

In 2017, he introduced a bill called the Hearing Protection Act. This bill would have made it easier to get gun silencers.

Views on Money and Taxes

In 2024, Crapo stated that proposed Republican tax cuts do not need to be balanced by other measures to prevent them from adding to the national debt. He supports ending a free tax filing service offered by the IRS.

Views on Veterans

In 2022, Crapo was one of 11 senators who voted against the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. This bill would have provided funding for research and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service.

Personal Life

Mike Crapo married Susan Diane Hasleton in June 1974. They have five children. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Crapo was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999. He had surgery in 2000 and recovered fully. The cancer returned in 2005, and he received radiation treatments. He actively promotes early detection tests for cancer and other diseases. He has also worked to create a federal Office of Men's Health.

He earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1966. In 2000, he received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

Images for kids

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  Crapo in 1993

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  Crapo during the 111th Congress

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  Crapo with Brigadier General Carmelo Burgio of Carabinieri in Afghanistan, 2010

See also

In Spanish: Mike Crapo para niños