Mike Simpson RSS Articles

Simpson’s Bill Addressing Idaho Wilderness Water Diversions Passes House

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Legislation authored by Congressman Mike Simpson addressing water issues in Idaho wilderness areas was passed by the House of Representatives today. H.R. 876, the Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act, authorizes and permits historical water diversions in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area that existed before the wilderness designations. Similar legislation sponsored by Congressman Simpson was passed by the House during the 111^th and 112^th Congresses.

“H.R. 876 fixes a long-standing problem that was brought to my attention during conversations with Idahoans,” said Simpson. “These water diversions, which are primarily used to support irrigation and minor hydropower generation, existed before the wilderness areas were designated, but the Acts creating those wilderness areas overlooked them. By going back and providing the appropriate authorization to these diversions, this legislation gives private land owners the ability to properly maintain them or fix them when they need repairs.”

H.R. 876 would authorize the Forest Service to issue special use permits for all qualifying historic water systems in the wilderness areas. Such authority will ensure that existing water diversions can be properly maintained and repaired when necessary and preserve beneficial use for private property owners who hold water rights under state law.

“This bill provides a simple and reasonable solution to a problem that should be solved. At some point in the future, each one of the 25 existing diversions will need maintenance or repair work done to ensure their integrity – passing this legislation will allow any needed work to begin without delay,” said Simpson. “I look forward to the Senate acting on this bill, which has passed the House multiple times.”

H.R. 876 passed 398-0 and is now awaiting action by the U.S. Senate.

To view Congressman Simpson’s floor speech on the bill visit his YouTube page.

Simpson’s Potato Amendment Passes Committee

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The House Appropriations Committee today passed the fiscal year 2014 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a member of the committee and once again offered an amendment to allow states to include fresh potatoes in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Simpson’s amendment passed by voice vote.

“Fresh potatoes have been excluded from the WIC program despite their widely known nutritional value,” said Simpson. “This amendment corrects the exclusion of fresh potatoes and allows participants to make wholesome food choices for their young families.”

Potatoes are currently excluded from the WIC program despite being nutrient dense, affordable, low in calories, and free of fat, cholesterol, and sodium. A medium-sized potato contains more potassium than a banana and is a good source of dietary fiber—both of which are “nutrients of concern,” meaning those nutrients most lacking in Americans’ diets, according to USDA’s current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The bill was approved by the full committee on a voice vote and now awaits consideration by the full House.

To view Congressman Simpson defending fresh potatoes in the House Appropriations Committee, visit his YouTube page.

For the text of the bill please visit: http://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/bills-113hr-sc-ap-fy2014-agriculture-subcommitteedraft.pdf and http://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hrpt-113-hr-2014-agriculture.pdf.

Simpson Announces Idaho Academy Appointments

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is pleased to announce the following men and women have been officially appointed to the United States service academies. Simpson nominated the students in December 2012 in order to be accepted to the academic year of 2013/14.

“It is an honor to nominate Idaho students to the service academies,” said Simpson. “I am always impressed by the quality and character of our youth in Idaho. Each person is a fine example of what our state has to offer. They are bright and articulate and I’m proud of these exceptional students who were selected to serve.”

Nominations were selected on the quality of their application, scholastic achievement, references and extra-curricular activities.

The following students from Idaho were appointed to either the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.; the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York; or the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

BOISE

· Julen Totorica – US Military Academy

· McCall Kerkman – US Naval Academy

· Grant Hruby – US Air Force Academy

· Nathanael Szuch – US Air Force Academy

· Adrianna Lutu – US Air Force Academy

· McCall Kerkman – US Air Force Academy

IDAHO FALLS

· Nathan Marshall – US Naval Academy

AMMON

· Samantha McCain – US Air Force Academy

FAIRFIELD

· Mickenzie Boggs – US Military Academy

RUPERT

· David Borden – US Naval Academy

SALMON

· Emily Taylor – US Air Force

Congressman Simpson is currently accepting applications for students who seek nomination for the 2014/15 academic year. Information about eligibility and answers to other common questions can be found under the student section on Simpson’s website: simpson.house.gov. The application is also online.

Simpson Supports Bill to Protect Students from Loan Cliff

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Idaho Congressman Simpson today supported H.R. 1911, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act. The bill would prevent interest rates on new federally subsidized undergraduate Stafford Loans from increasing to 6.8% from their current rate of 3.4%. It permanently moves the rate to a market-based rate, tied to the 10-year Treasury Note. The bill passed 221 to 198.

“I have always said that every student who wants to attend a college or university should be able to, and money should not be an impediment to higher education,” said Congressman Simpson. “It hurts our country if capable students don’t seek higher education because they can’t afford it.”

The bill would effectively take Congress out of the business of setting student loan interest rates by providing a permanent fix and tying rates to the market rate. On July 1^st rates go up to 6.8% as required by current law. If this bill becomes law it is estimated the rate will be 4.4%, and the rate would be reset once a year to keep to the 10-year Treasury Note. The bill is also estimated to save $3.7 billion over 10 years.

“The longer Congress fails to act and the closer we come to July 1^st, the more concerned students and families become that their rate will double,” added Simpson. “An increase of that size would be overwhelming for many students seeking a new federal loan in this economy.”

The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Meanwhile, the so-called “loan cliff” is barely more than a month away.

Keystone XL Pipeline Needed for Energy Independence

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Idaho Congressman Simpson today supported H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, which would put an end to years of bureaucratic delays and allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline project.

The Keystone XL pipeline would transport crude oil from the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, to refineries in the United States. Because the pipeline would connect the United States with a foreign country, it requires a Presidential Permit issued by the State Department. The State Department must find that the project would serve the national interest before it can issue the permit.

The first application to the U.S. State Department to build the pipeline was submitted in 2008, and after a thorough environmental review, in 2011 an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) found that the pipeline would have limited adverse environmental impacts during its construction and operation.

“Moving forward with the permitting of the Keystone XL pipeline would create jobs and reduce our dependence on unstable foreign sources of oil,” said Simpson, “I am disappointed that the President appears to be playing politics with our nation’s energy security.”

Canadian pipeline company TransCanada has estimated that it will invest $7 billion in the United States to build the pipeline, and that up to 20,000 jobs would be directly created by the pipeline’s construction. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the Keystone XL pipeline would be able to move 830,000 barrels of oil per day, which represents about half of the amount the U.S. imports from the Middle East.

“This project has broad bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, and it has been reviewed and studied for five years. Its economic implications for this country are too important to delay any longer,” Simpson said.

The Northern Route Approval Act would eliminate the need for a Presidential Permit, and finds that the Final Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Secretary of State on August 26, 2011, shall satisfy all environmental review requirements. It also addresses all other necessary federal permits and limits legal challenges that could serve as further delays to the advancement of the project.

The House passed H.R. 3 by a vote of 241-145. It will now move to the Senate for further consideration.

House Passes H.R. 258, the Stolen Valor Act of 2013

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 made it a crime for anyone to falsely claim to have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor or any other decoration or medal authorized by Congress for our Armed Forces. However, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the law went too far and ruled that simply lying about one’s military service and accomplishments qualifies as protected speech under the Constitution.

H.R. 258 resolves the constitutional issues by punishing those who fraudulently claim to be the recipient of valorous military decorations and awards, or to have served in combat, with the intention of obtaining money, property, of other tangible benefits.

“It is an outrage that imposters are lying about the receipt of military medals or honors in order to obtain benefits that they did not earn. This kind of deception is terribly disrespectful to our nation’s veterans.”

House Takes Action on Healthcare Bill

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported passage of H.R. 45, which fully repeals the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He was a cosponsor of this legislation, which passed the House of Representatives 229 to 195.

Today the House voted to repeal the ACA for the first time in the 113^th Congress following on the heels of a report compiled by the House Energy and Commerce Committee requesting an updated analysis of the costs of the ACA as estimated by the nation’s 17 largest health insurance companies.

“To be perfectly frank, Idahoans are well aware this is hardly the first time the House has voted to repeal the ACA,” said Congressman Simpson. “In fact, this is the 37^th time the House has voted to repeal part or all of the law since it was implemented. While it may sound like a poor use of Congress’ time, I believe it is a reflection of how deeply unpopular the law remains, not just in the House, but across the country and especially in Idaho.”

Among other things, this study found that Americans’ insurance premiums will increase at enormous rates. It found that consumers purchasing health insurance on the individual market will likely face premium increases of nearly 100% on average, with some increases of more than 400%. Small businesses can expect average premium increases for small group plans of about 50%, with potential for a 100% increase in some cases.

“The Obama Administration has finally admitted that there will be premium increases for Americans, but this study found that many people could see their premium double next year when the law is fully implemented. This is a far cry from what the Administration promised while the law was debated, in fact, they claimed the law would lower costs for families and businesses.” Simpson added, “I thought those claims were dubious at the time, but we now know they are simply untrue- in fact, the opposite is true, the cost of health insurance for most Americans is about to skyrocket.”

The bill will now move to the Senate, where it is unlikely to receive consideration by the Democratic majority.

Simpson Cosponsors Recreational Fishing & Hunting Bill

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1825, the Recreational Fishing & Hunting Heritage Opportunities Act of 2013. This legislation would ensure that public land managers facilitate access for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting on federal land managed by the BLM and Forest Service.

“Access to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities is one of the reasons Idahoans love where they live,” said Simpson. “Hunters and anglers have a long heritage of enjoying these activities on public lands, and this bill ensures that they continue to have access to traditional recreational activities, even as land management plans change.”

As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Simpson oversees funding for public lands agencies like the BLM and the Forest Service. Simpson strongly supports appropriate recreational activities, including hunting and fishing, on public lands.

Simpson to BLM: Efforts to Prevent Sage-Grouse Listing Must Work

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson examined the President’s budget proposal for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) during an appropriations subcommittee hearing yesterday. Simpson chairs the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the budget for the BLM and other land management agencies. During the hearing, Simpson questioned BLM Principle Deputy Director Neil Kornze on grazing, sage-grouse, and the impact of frivolous litigation on the agency.

In his opening statement, Simpson commended BLM, which is working to meet a court-imposed listing deadline, for its efforts on sage-grouse conservation. “That being said,” he continued, “I want to make sure this investment will actually improve sage-grouse habitat and prevent the species from being listed in 2015, which would be devastating across the west. Now more than ever we need to see a return on this investment, not just wasting this funding on planning exercises that don’t help us reach our goal.”

As Simpson continued, he criticized BLM’s focus on limiting existing uses of BLM land, like grazing and recreation, in order to protect sage-grouse, rather than focusing on the primary threats to the species. “As we all know after the last fire season, the greatest threat to sage grouse is wildfire,” Simpson continued. “Two million acres of priority sage grouse habitat burned in wildfires. But as BLM focuses on sage grouse, it seems that the agency is looking mostly at limiting existing uses rather than controlling invasives like cheat grass and preventing wildfires. In fact, your budget decreases funding for hazardous fuels removal. Last year’s fire season shows us that no matter how much we limit existing uses of public lands, wildfires could easily be the nail in the coffin for sage grouse listing. This is a top priority for me—and we need to work together on a real solution. ”

Simpson also raised his concerns about the cost of frivolous litigation to the taxpayer and the impact it has on the ability of the BLM to carry out its mission. “When I raised this issue with outgoing Interior Secretary Salazar a couple of months ago,” he said, “he responded that he was, at the time, the defendant in 3,000 lawsuits. Three thousand! That number alone tells you that we have a problem with frivolous lawsuits.”

The hearing also covered issues including renewable energy production on public lands, proposals to increase grazing fees, and invasive species.

Simpson Questions EPA Budget Priorities

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today questioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator regarding the President's FY14 budget proposal for the EPA. As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Simpson oversees the EPA's budget. During the hearing, Simpson focused on water infrastructure and the need to reduce federal spending.

Over the past two years that Simpson has chaired the subcommittee, he has cut the EPA’s budget by over 20 percent. In his opening statement, he responded to criticism of these cuts. “Let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture,” Simpson cautioned. “Between 2009 and 2010 the Interior bill increased by $4.6 billion and EPA’s budget increased by $2.65 billion. This was an unprecedented 35 percent increase in EPA’s budget in one year alone. With that in mind, the FY14 budget would still provide EPA with a half a billion dollar cushion.”

“I highlight this point to provide context for the ongoing discussion about the continued need to reduce Federal spending,” he continued. “It also exemplifies the degree to which unchecked spending was the norm in Washington just a few short years ago. And even with the targeted reductions to the Agency’s budget over the past three years, we still have yet to break even.”

Chairman Simpson also raised the issue of funding for water infrastructure. Earlier this year, he hosted an oversight hearing on this issue, looking at funds appropriated to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the infrastructure needs throughout the country. The State Revolving Funds start with federal seed money provided to state and local communities as loans with matching requirements.

“As I understand it, these funds were eventually supposed to be self-sustaining. Is there a point at which that happens so that these communities have access to the funds they need for their water systems? In the hearing we had on this issue, it was said that there was a $700 billion backlog, and doing this at $2 or $3 billion a year it'll take us almost 250 years to address all the needs out there,” said Simpson. “Unfortunately, the $2 billion we put into this each year puts huge pressure on the rest of our budget, but it doesn't address the problem. This is a huge problem and we need to come up with a solution. How do we get from point A to point B?”

In light of these concerns, Simpson criticized the agency’s budget priorities, particularly the choice to eliminate funding for the rural water technical assistance grants. “It's a tough budget year, so I assume that you reduced lower priority things and funded the higher priority things,” Simpson said. “So it seems like what you’re saying is that [a new EPA building in Las Vegas] and a new public outreach program are more important than the rural water technical assistance. I guess I’m questioning your priorities…At some point we need to ask ourselves whether we prefer to cut everything just a little bit in order to get the deficit under control -- and in doing so we fund all programs at a reduced rate which may help no one -- or do we decide to eliminate a few programs that have run their course.”

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