Asked how things are going on finding a replacement for U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge, who took senior status July 3 but has been in a just-concluded terrorism trial ever since, with no replacement in sight, Sen. Mike Crapo told Eye on Boise, “They are proceeding.”

Crapo said he’s heard the speculation that he and fellow Republican Sen. Jim Risch are stalling the process to wait until a newly elected Republican president can make the appointment. “That’s simply not true,” Crapo said. “We are working very aggressively and trying to move forward the process. The Senate advises and consents, the president nominates. We are in that process of advising and working with the White House.”