Mike Crapo

Mike Crapo
Born	Michael Dean Crapo 20 5, 1951
Birthplace	Idaho Falls, Idaho, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Title	Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
Known for	Senior U.S. Senator from Idaho; Chair of the Senate Finance Committee
Education	Harvard Law School (J.D.)
Website	[https://www.crapo.senate.gov Official site]

Michael Dean Crapo (Template:IPAc-en; born May 20, 1951) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the senior United States senator from Idaho since 1999. A member of the Republican Party, Crapo has built one of the longest tenures in Idaho's modern political history, rising through the state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives before entering the Senate. Born and raised in Idaho Falls, he practiced law in his hometown before entering public life, and his political career has spanned more than four decades. In the Senate, Crapo has held significant leadership positions, including service as Chair of the Senate Banking Committee and, since January 2025, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. He has also served as Senate Republican Chief Deputy Whip since 2013. Crapo is the dean of Idaho's congressional delegation, having served longer than any other current member of the state's representation in Congress.

Early Life

Michael Dean Crapo was born on May 20, 1951, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He grew up in southeastern Idaho, a region characterized by its agricultural economy and strong ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Crapo's family had deep roots in Idaho politics; his brother Terry Crapo served as majority leader in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1968 to 1972, providing an early example of public service that would influence Mike Crapo's own career trajectory.

Crapo was raised in Idaho Falls and attended local schools before pursuing higher education. His upbringing in a politically engaged family and in a community with strong civic traditions shaped his interest in law and government from a relatively young age. Idaho Falls, the largest city in eastern Idaho, served as an economic and cultural hub for the surrounding region, and Crapo's ties to the community would remain a defining feature of his political identity throughout his career.

Education

Crapo attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, where he completed his undergraduate studies. He subsequently enrolled at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, earning his Juris Doctor degree. After completing his legal education at Harvard, Crapo returned to Idaho Falls, where he practiced law throughout the 1980s. His decision to return to his hometown after attending one of the nation's most prestigious law schools reflected a commitment to his community that would later become a recurring theme in his political campaigns. His legal practice provided him with experience in issues relevant to Idaho's economy and governance, laying the groundwork for his transition into public office in the mid-1980s.

Career

Idaho State Senate (1984–1992)

Crapo entered elected office in 1984 when he won a seat in the Idaho Senate. He quickly rose through the ranks of the state legislative body, earning the confidence of his Republican colleagues. By 1988, just four years after first being elected, Crapo was chosen to serve as president pro tempore of the Idaho Senate, a position he held from 1988 to 1992. The role of president pro tempore made Crapo one of the most influential figures in Idaho state government, responsible for presiding over Senate proceedings and playing a central role in shaping the legislative agenda. His tenure in this leadership position demonstrated an ability to build coalitions and manage legislative processes that would serve him in his subsequent career at the federal level.

During his time in the Idaho Senate, Crapo focused on issues of importance to his constituents in eastern Idaho, including land management, water rights, and the economic concerns of the state's agricultural and natural resource sectors. His eight years in the state legislature provided him with a thorough understanding of Idaho's political landscape and a network of relationships with Republican leaders across the state.

U.S. House of Representatives (1993–1999)

In 1992, Crapo was elected to represent Idaho's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The 2nd district encompasses the eastern and central portions of Idaho, including Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and other communities. Crapo won the seat and took office on January 3, 1993. He served three terms in the House, representing the district through the end of 1998.

During his time in the House, Crapo established himself as a reliable conservative voice, focusing on fiscal issues, natural resource policy, and matters affecting rural Western communities. His tenure in the House coincided with a period of significant change in Congress, including the Republican takeover of the House in the 1994 midterm elections under Newt Gingrich's Contract with America. As a member of the Republican caucus during this period, Crapo participated in efforts to reduce federal spending and reform government programs.

Crapo's three terms in the House allowed him to build a legislative record and national profile sufficient to mount a successful bid for the United States Senate. His consistent electoral performance in the 2nd district demonstrated strong support among Idaho voters and positioned him as a natural candidate for higher office.

U.S. Senate (1999–present)

Election and Reelection

Crapo was elected to the United States Senate in 1998, succeeding the retiring senator from Idaho. He took office on January 3, 1999, and has since been reelected four times — in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022 — each time winning by substantial margins that reflect his strong standing among Idaho's electorate. His repeated reelections have made him the senior senator from Idaho and the dean of the state's congressional delegation, a status that confers informal authority and institutional knowledge within the state's Washington representation.

Committee Assignments and Leadership

Throughout his Senate career, Crapo has held a number of significant committee assignments and leadership positions. He has served as Senate Republican Chief Deputy Whip since January 3, 2013, operating under the leadership of Senate Republican leaders Mitch McConnell and later John Thune. In this role, Crapo has been responsible for assisting in vote counting and coalition building within the Republican caucus, succeeding Richard Burr in the position.

Crapo served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, a position he held until February 3, 2021, when he was succeeded by Sherrod Brown following the shift in Senate control after the 2020 elections. In this capacity, Crapo oversaw legislative matters related to financial regulation, housing policy, community development, and monetary policy. His chairmanship of the Banking Committee placed him at the center of debates over the regulation of financial institutions, cryptocurrency, and housing finance reform.

Following the change in Senate majority, Crapo served as Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee from February 3, 2021, to January 3, 2025, succeeding Ron Wyden in the ranking member role. When Republicans regained the Senate majority in 2025, Crapo assumed the chairmanship of the Finance Committee, succeeding Wyden as chair. The Finance Committee is among the most powerful committees in the Senate, with jurisdiction over taxation, international trade, health care programs including Medicare and Medicaid, and Social Security.

Tax Policy and the Finance Committee

As Chair of the Senate Finance Committee beginning in January 2025, Crapo has taken a leading role in shaping Republican tax policy. In 2025, he advanced a legislative package known as the "Working Families Tax Cuts," which included provisions related to energy policy. According to statements from Crapo's office, the legislation promoted domestic energy production and sought to reduce reliance on foreign energy resources as part of broader tax reform efforts.

In June 2025, Crapo, together with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, issued a statement applauding the Trump administration for reaching an international tax agreement that they characterized as protecting American workers and businesses. The statement noted that congressional Republicans had for years raised concerns about international tax arrangements that they believed disadvantaged the United States.

Trade Policy

Crapo has also used his position as Finance Committee chairman to engage in trade policy matters. In 2025, he delivered remarks at a hearing examining the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trade agreement that replaced NAFTA. The Finance Committee's jurisdiction over trade gives its chair significant influence over the direction of U.S. trade relationships and the terms under which trade agreements are reviewed and implemented.

Community Development and Rural Issues

Throughout his Senate career, Crapo has emphasized issues related to rural communities and Idaho's economic interests. In October 2025, he led a bicameral effort with more than 100 members of Congress, including U.S. Representative Young Kim, to reaffirm support for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), a federal program that provides financial assistance to institutions serving underserved communities.

In December 2025, Crapo celebrated the passage of his legislation, S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Act, which restored funding for rural Idaho counties. The SRS program has been a significant source of revenue for rural counties in Idaho and other Western states that contain large amounts of federal land, compensating local governments for the loss of property tax revenue from federally owned land.

Gun Policy

Crapo's positions on gun policy have reflected the conservative views of his Idaho constituency. In 2013, he was among a group of Republican senators who indicated they would filibuster gun control legislation proposed in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The effort drew attention from media outlets including The Guardian. Analysis by FiveThirtyEight included Crapo in its modeling of the Senate's vote on gun control measures during this period.

In 2017, Crapo introduced the Hearing Protection Act, legislation that would have removed suppressors (silencers) from the regulatory requirements of the National Firearms Act. The National Rifle Association applauded Crapo's introduction of the bill. Following the 2017 Las Vegas shooting in October 2017, Crapo was among Idaho lawmakers who released public statements regarding the incident.

2016 Presidential Election

During the 2016 presidential election, Crapo's name appeared in coverage related to Republican responses to the release of a 2005 Access Hollywood tape in which presidential candidate Donald Trump made controversial remarks about women. CNN reported on the responses of various Republican officials, including Crapo, to the tape's release in October 2016.

Veterans Issues

Crapo has engaged in efforts to preserve and promote the stories of military veterans. In 2025, he wrote about the Veterans History Project (VHP), a growing collection maintained by the Library of Congress that preserves the personal accounts and reflections of veterans. Crapo highlighted the project's Idaho-related collections and a local use of World War II parachute materials as an example of community engagement with veterans' history.

Personal Life

Crapo was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and has maintained his residence in the community throughout his political career.

In December 2012, Crapo was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Alexandria, Virginia. The arrest received significant media attention, particularly because Crapo, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had publicly adhered to the church's teachings that discourage the consumption of alcohol. Crapo issued a public apology following the incident and pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge. The incident did not prevent his reelection in subsequent cycles; he was reelected in 2016 and 2022.

Recognition

Crapo's long tenure in federal office has earned him recognition within the Republican Party and among policy organizations focused on his areas of legislative interest. His service as Chair of two major Senate committees — the Banking Committee and the Finance Committee — places him among a relatively small group of senators who have led multiple standing committees. The Finance Committee chairmanship, which he assumed in January 2025, is considered one of the most influential positions in the Senate due to its jurisdiction over tax, trade, and entitlement programs.

As the dean of Idaho's congressional delegation, Crapo holds a position of informal seniority among the state's representatives and senators. His continuous service in Congress since 1993 — first in the House and then in the Senate — represents more than three decades of federal legislative experience.

Legacy

Mike Crapo's career in public office spans more than four decades, beginning with his election to the Idaho State Senate in 1984. His rise from the state legislature to the U.S. House and then to the U.S. Senate, combined with his ascension to the chairmanship of two major Senate committees, reflects a sustained record of legislative service. His focus on fiscal policy, financial regulation, trade, rural community development, and natural resource issues has been consistent throughout his career, and his legislative priorities have closely tracked the economic and policy concerns of Idaho's electorate.

His passage of the Secure Rural Schools legislation in 2025 and his bipartisan effort to support the CDFI Fund illustrate a willingness to engage across party lines on certain issues, even as his broader voting record has remained aligned with conservative Republican positions. His chairmanship of the Finance Committee during a period of significant tax policy debate places him at the center of federal fiscal policy during the late 2020s.

Crapo's career has also been marked by personal controversy, including the 2012 DUI arrest, but his subsequent reelections suggest that Idaho voters have continued to support his representation of the state. His tenure as Idaho's senior senator and as dean of the state's congressional delegation ensures his place as one of the most consequential political figures in modern Idaho history.