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House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee

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Learn more about my role as a member of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee.


My priorities on the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee:
As a member of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I have a unique opportunity to influence federal policies that directly impact Idaho.  The federal government owns nearly two-thirds of the land in our state, so Idahoans interact with agencies like the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on a daily basis.  Land management agencies need to be good neighbors, and in my position I am working to ensure that they are able to act effectively and efficiently on the public’s behalf.

At a time when budget deficits are threatening our economy and it is necessary to rein in federal spending, we must carefully scrutinize every taxpayer dollar that is spent.  Because land management policies and decisions have such an impact on Idahoans, I know that there are a number of programs, whether they are public grazing, recreation, or maintenance of our National Parks, that are very important to people throughout Idaho and the nation, and the budget crisis will force us all to make some very difficult decisions.  Throughout this process I am focused on ensuring that agencies under my subcommittee’s jurisdiction are focusing their resources on core mission programs while reining in unnecessary spending, duplication, and waste.  

While the Appropriations Committee oversees funding for federal agencies, authorizing committees, like the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee, have jurisdiction over policy issues.  I am working closely with my colleagues on various authorizing committees because, as we all recognize, at the end of the day agencies cannot implement policies without adequate funding.  I have held dozens of hearings in my subcommittee to carefully examine the programs on which agencies are spending taxpayer dollars, and as I begin writing the budget for these agencies for the coming fiscal year, I will consider decreasing or eliminating funding for programs that are not justified or where I don’t believe agencies have authority to act.

Throughout this process, it is crucial that I hear from Idahoans who are impacted by the actions of these agencies.  I value your thoughts and suggestions as we work to shape the budget of the Forest Service and Department of Interior for the coming year.


Recent subcommittee activity:
The House Appropriations Committee passed the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY15 on July 15, 2014.  Congressman Simpson authored a number of provisions in the bill including language delaying the decision to list the sage-grouse as an endangered species by one year. Read more here.

Simpson Defends Western Priorities in to Appropriations Committee July 15, 2014

Simpson Champions Idaho Priorities in House Interior Appropriations Bill July 9, 2014 

Interior Appropriations Bill Prevents EPA from Implementing Climate Change Agenda July 23, 2013

Interior Appropriations Bill Passes Subcommittee July 23, 2013

Simpson Vows Action to Limit Reach of Obama Regs June 27, 2013

Subcommittee jurisdiction:
The subcommittee engages in comprehensive oversight of and writes the annual budget for the following agencies: