Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today voted against H.R. 2647, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 because it included a provision concerning hate crimes. “I believe that every potential victim deserves protection,” said Simpson. “When any heinous crime is committed, perpetrators should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. All crimes are hateful and a violent crime committed to ANY person should be treated the same, regardless of their race, color, religion, or sexual orientation.” The hate crime language that was inserted in H.R 2647 creates special classes o... Read More »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development was appointed to House and Senate negotiations on a final Fiscal Year 2010 Subcommittee funding bill, today. Upon conclusion of the conference meeting, the House and Senate conferees will announce funding for the Idaho National Laboratory and the Idaho Cleanup Project as part of legislation funding the Department of Energy. Read More »

"Rep. Wilson has already apologized directly to President Obama and the President has accepted that apology. Speaker Pelosi’s insistence on seeking additional apologies has less to do with Rep. Wilson and more to do with her own attempts to undermine the arguments of those who oppose her health care agenda. I will strongly oppose her resolution attacking Rep. Wilson, believe it is entirely unnecessary, and call on her to move on to more important things.” Read More »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released the following statement concerning Idaho’s wolf hunt today, after meeting with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam Hamilton. “The judge’s decision to uphold Idaho’s wolf hunt was welcome news. In a conversation with Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sam Hamilton this morning, I again expressed my support for the decision to delist the wolves and put management in the hands of capable state agencies,” said Simpson. “Idaho’s hunters have acted responsibly and I want to commend them for doing so in the face of uninformed and undeserved criticism. I... Read More »

Yesterday, I spoke to the Boise City Club with my seatmate, Congressman Walt Minnick. It was a Q & A forum and we answered a variety of questions. Several media outlets covered the story and I’ve provided the links below if you would like to learn more. Boise State Radio Idaho Statesman, Dan Popkey Idaho Statesman, Our View Boise Weekly Read More »

When Congressional Democrats bring their healthcare reform legislation to the House floor, I will be voting NO and I want to take a few moments to explain why. Everyone agrees that our healthcare system needs to be reformed. Healthcare in America is too expensive and too many Idaho families are worried about losing or have already lost their health coverage. Businesses, small and large alike, are struggling to provide health insurance for their employees, and too many are being forced to ask employees to share the cost of higher premiums and co-payments in response. Regrettably, rather than wo... Read More »