By Sen. Mike Crapo
Continuing the Fight for Affordable Housing
Idahoans, like fellow Americans across the country, have faced a stressful, unforgiving housing market. Cutting unnecessary red tape to increase housing supply is one of my top priorities, and I have worked with my congressional colleagues to advance legislation to address this issue. On March 12, 2026, the Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by a vote of 89-10. This bill would address overregulation contributing to excessive costs and delays, modernizing federal housing programs without generating new government spending. As a senior member of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, I fought to include provisions that would benefit our nation’s veterans and rural communities, ensuring all Americans have increased access to affordable housing.
Additionally, I joined Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) in introducing the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 (NAHASDA). This bipartisan legislation would modernize federal housing programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, expanding housing assistance through 2033. I am proud of Idaho’s rich history of Native American culture, and will continue to advocate for safe, affordable housing opportunities.
I wrote about this topic in a recent opinion piece in the Post Register, which is also accessible on my website, at www.crapo.senate.gov. You can also read more about these bills on my website through the following links:
- U.S. Senate Passes 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
- Crapo, Murkowski, Schatz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand and Modernize Native Housing Programs
Curbing Veteran Overdoses with the End Veterans Overdose Act
The U.S.’s opioid epidemic has had alarming impacts on our nation’s veterans. Unfortunately, many servicemembers have transitioned from prescription pain medications to potent synthetic opioids in order to manage their chronic conditions following their service. This has led to increased risks of overdose within the veteran population.
In response, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) and I are working together to combat the ongoing substance use disorder crisis among veterans. The bipartisan End Veteran Overdose Act would remove barriers to accessing opioid reversal medications for veterans and their caregivers, ensuring equal opportunity for veterans in need of lifesaving care.
You can read more about the End Veterans Overdose Act on my website HERE.
Advocating for Second Amendment Rights
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees Americans the right to bear arms lawfully without federal infringement. Throughout my time in Congress, I have continuously advocated for gun owners and firearm businesses to continue purchasing and selling guns without fear of criminalization. I am a co-sponsor of the Protecting Americans Right to Silence (PARTS) Act that would modernize the outdated definition of a suppressor to align with current technologies and practices, providing much-needed clarity for manufacturers, retailers and consumers.
Moreover, legislation such as the GRIP Act would protect American privacy and Second Amendment rights by strengthening existing federal law to ensure that federal tax dollars are not used to compile and store sensitive personal information about legal firearm purchases.Continuing these efforts, I have joined 10 of my Senate colleagues in supporting the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. This bill would allow active and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase retired service weapons and firearms. Millions of taxpayer dollars are wasted each year destroying retired federal service firearms, and I am committed to promoting common-sense firearm policy and cost saving measures.
About Mike Crapo
Senator Mike Crapo has represented Idaho in the Senate since 1999, following three terms in the U.S. House and eight years in the Idaho State Senate. A lifelong Idahoan, he currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
