Mike Crapo facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Mike Crapo
Official portrait, 2019

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
United States Senator from Idaho
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1999 Serving with Jim Risch
Preceded by	Dirk Kempthorne
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)

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

Crapo was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He studied at Brigham Young University and Harvard Law School. In the 1980s, he worked as a lawyer in his hometown. He also became active in local politics. His brother, Terry Crapo, was an important political figure in Idaho. After his brother passed away, Mike Crapo was elected to the Idaho Senate in 1984. He later served as the Senate president pro tempore from 1988 to 1992.

In 1992, Crapo was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He served three terms there. In 1998, he ran for the U.S. Senate and won with a large majority of the votes. He was the first member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to represent Idaho in the Senate. He has been reelected several times, including in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022.

Early Life and Education
Beginning His Political Journey
Serving in the U.S. Senate
Political Views and Stances
Personal Life
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Mike Crapo was born on May 20, 1951, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. His parents were Melba and George Crapo. When he was 15, in 1966, he became an Eagle Scout.

He went to Brigham Young University and earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in political science in 1973. He graduated with high honors. Later, he attended Harvard Law School and received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1977. This degree allows someone to practice law.

Beginning His Political Journey

Crapo in 1993, during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives.

After law school, Crapo worked for a judge for one year. He then returned to Idaho to practice law with his brother's firm in Idaho Falls. In the 1980s, he became very involved in the Republican Party in Idaho.

His brother, Terry Crapo, was also a politician and a leader in the Idaho House of Representatives. After Terry's death in 1982, Mike Crapo decided to run for an open seat in the Idaho Senate. He was elected in 1984 and served there until 1992. From 1988 to 1992, his fellow senators chose him to be the Senate president pro tempore. This is a leader who helps run the Senate.

On January 27, 1989, Mike Crapo even served as acting governor of Idaho for 12 hours. This happened because 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. After that, he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 1998.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

Mike Crapo was first elected to the United States 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), meaning "Cray-poe."

He has been reelected multiple times:

In 2004, he won with 99.2% of the vote.
In 2010, he was reelected for his third term with 71% of the vote.
In 2016, he won his fourth term with 66% of the vote.
In 2022, he was reelected for his fifth term with 60.6% of the vote.

Key Roles and Committees

Senator Crapo in 2009.

As a U.S. Senator, Mike Crapo has served on several important committees. These committees study different topics and help create new laws.

In the 111th Congress (2009-2011), he was on committees like:

Banking, Housing and Urban Development
Budget
Environment and Public Works
Indian Affairs
Finance

He also helps lead special groups called caucuses. These groups focus on specific issues, such as nuclear energy, U.S.-Canada relations, and health conditions like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

Since January 3, 2009, Crapo has been Idaho's senior senator. This means he has served longer in the Senate than the other senator from Idaho.

Important Votes and Actions

Senator Crapo has taken part in many important votes and discussions.

In 1999, he was one of the senators who 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, he voted against a bill that would have expanded background checks for all gun buyers.

In 2017, Crapo was one of 22 senators who asked President Donald Trump to remove the United States from the Paris Agreement, which is an international agreement about climate change.

His views on approving Supreme Court judges have changed over time. In 2006, he said that President George W. Bush's nominee, Samuel Alito, deserved a vote. However, in 2016, he said that President Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, should wait until the next president was elected.

In September 2020, he supported a quick Senate vote on President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away.

In January 2021, when the U.S. Capitol was attacked, Crapo said that those responsible should be punished. He did not support removing President Trump from office at that time, saying it would make the country more divided.

In October 2023, Senator Crapo visited China as part of a group of senators. They met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials. Crapo said he would discuss concerns about trade and business for American companies.

Current Committee Assignments

For the 118th Congress (2023-2025), Senator Crapo serves on these committees:

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 (He is the Ranking Member, which means he is the top Republican on this committee.)
Joint Committee on Taxation

Groups He Belongs To

Senator Crapo is also a member of several caucuses, which are groups of lawmakers who share common interests:

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 and Stances

Crapo with Brigadier General Carmelo Burgio in Afghanistan, 2010.

Mike Crapo is known for his conservative political views.

Energy Policy

Crapo supports nuclear energy. He has worked on bills that help nuclear energy projects, especially at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). These bills aim to encourage new ideas and developments in nuclear energy.

Gun Laws

Crapo believes that more gun control laws will not stop violence in the United States. He thinks it's more important to improve access to mental health care.

He has received high ratings from the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA) because of his support for gun rights. He has also supported laws that make it easier to carry guns openly in places like National Parks. In 2017, he introduced a bill to make it easier to get gun silencers.

Veterans' Affairs

In August 2022, Crapo was one of 11 senators who voted against the PACT Act. This bill aimed to expand health care and benefits for veterans who were exposed to harmful substances during their service.

Personal Life

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

In 1999, Crapo was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had surgery in 2000 and recovered fully. In 2005, the cancer returned, and he had radiation treatments. He now actively encourages people to get early tests for cancer and other diseases. He has also pushed for a federal office focused on men's health.

Crapo earned the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2000, which is a special honor for Eagle Scouts who have achieved great things in their lives.