Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson authored language passed by the House of Representatives today to keep the National Parks opened while Congress works to pass an overall budget.  The measure, which failed under a required two-thirds vote last night after Democrats opposed it, would provide immediate funding at current sequestered levels for National Park Service operations and for the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Art, and the U.S. Holocaust Museum.  Today the House passed H.J.Res. 70, the Open Our Nation’s Parks and Museums Act, by a vote of 252-173.

To watch Congressman Simpson's floor speech visit his YouTube page.

“With each passing day, we hear of more and more impacts resulting from Congress’s inability to pass a budget,” said Simpson.  “While we work to break through this budget impasse, let’s at least take steps to reduce the impact on those who have planned to visit our national parks and museums.  This is a common sense measure that should receive bipartisan support, and I’m disappointed that my Democratic colleagues have chosen instead to keep these national treasures closed to the public.”

Simpson, who chairs the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, oversees the budget for the National Park Service, the Smithsonian, national museums and the U.S. Holocaust Museum.  Simpson reiterated the need to find an overall solution to the current budget stalemate.  “Failing to fund day-to-day government operations is an abdication of Congress’s constitutional responsibility, and I urge the Senate to begin negotiating with the House to get our government back up and running.”

H.J.Res. 70 now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.