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U.S. Senator Mike Crapo discussed several key issues, including the delay in judicial nominations, attributing it to stalling tactics and filibusters by Democrats. He noted that while there are hundreds of nominations pending, the process is moving as quickly as possible despite procedural delays. The conversation then shifted to the $42.9 million in federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for Idaho, which compensates local governments for the inability to tax federal lands. Crapo also commented on emerging evidence suggesting former President Obama’s administration crafted the Russia collusion narrative, stating he has long believed this to be the case and is eager to see the declassified documents.

Senator Crapo also praised recent trade deals secured by the Trump administration with Japan and Indonesia, highlighting them as significant wins for American markets. He explained that these agreements open foreign markets to U.S. products by reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, while the U.S. maintains some tariffs to address trade imbalances. Finally, Crapo addressed the ongoing effort to split the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He cited the court’s liberal leaning and large size as reasons for the proposed reorganization but acknowledged that political opposition, particularly from California, has so far prevented the split.