“June 1, 2012, marks the 25th anniversary of the first permanent Department of Veterans Affairs-administered Montgomery GI Bill. Enacted in 1987, the landmark New GI Bill Continuation Act offered a life changing incentive for veterans returning from active duty to the workforce. By offering veterans access to higher education, it both strengthened our national defense and helped revitalize our economy. “The GI Bill has proved over the years to be a boon for many of our veterans. Veterans are able to return home with a plan for their future. The education they receive helps many enter the workf... Read More »
“Our national parks have been called our nation’s crown jewels, a title I believe is well-deserved. We have a rich collection of parks across this nation, from Gettysburg Battlefield to the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone National Park, that capture the beauty, diversity, and history of our country. For 275 million Americans each year, our national parks provide the opportunity to get outdoors and learn about the places and people of our great country. “Next week, April 21-29, is National Park Week, and we have the opportunity to celebrate our national parks—dubbed “America’s Best Idea”—with free ... Read More »
Participants of the Congressional Art Competition will be featured in an exhibit in the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho (300 S. Capitol Ave.) on Thursday, April 5, 2012. Congressman Mike Simpson invites all to attend a reception acknowledging participating students that will begin at 4:00 p.m. Simpson will recognize 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in both categories of Photography, and Painting, Pastel & Pencil. Many students will be in attendance and this event is open to the media and public. High School art students around the congressional district had the opportunity to create an artwork to en... Read More »
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson challenged the two arms of the government’s nuclear energy organizations, the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), when they came to testify before the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. The FY13 budget request for the Department of Energy decreases funding for the Office of Nuclear Energy by 10% while increasing many other accounts, such the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which the President proposes to increase by 25%. “I’m disappointed in the budget overall,” Simpson said. “The request, as you sai... Read More »
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement in response to the release of the president’s budget for FY 2013. “I will look over the President’s budget request over the next several weeks, and look forward to hearing from Administration officials on the specifics of their proposals. However, looking over it today I am discouraged that it does not appear to make a serious effort to reduce the debt and keep it at sustainable levels. We need more debt reduction than the President offers, and we need substantive mandatory spending reform. We need a determined effort from the Pres... Read More »
Today, members of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation expressed their grief at the unexpected death of Micron C.E.O. Steve Appleton this morning, offering their deepest condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of one of Idaho’s most influential businessmen. Senator Mike Crapo, Congressman Mike Simpson and Congressman Raùl Labrador issued the following joint statement on Mr. Appleton’s untimely passing: “Like the rest of Idaho, we are stunned and deeply saddened by the news of Steve Appleton’s sudden death, and we join his family and the Micron employees in mourning this huge loss,” the Me... Read More »
"Today we pay respect and remember those who gave their lives on 9/11, their memory will be forever in our hearts. While we honor and pray for the victims on that fateful day, we also pray for our soldiers in the field who have fought and continue to fight to protect our freedom. God Bless America." Read More »
While I am not surprised by Judge Molloy's decision, I am pleased the district court has upheld the constitutionality of my language and confident that wolves will remain delisted and under state management. Wolves are clearly a fully recovered species and anyone but the most unreasonable of activists knows their delisting is not just warranted, it is essential and legal. Read More »
House Interior and the Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson will hold a full committee markup on the FY 2012 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill on Tuesday, July 12, at 8:30 MST. The House Appropriations Committee will consider the bill and numerous amendments are expected to be offered. The markup will be live on a webcast that can be watched from the Appropriations Committee website. Currently the federal government borrows over 40 cents for each dollar it spends. In his bill, Chairman Simpson is taking necessary measures to reduce discreti... Read More »
“During the debt debate, as Congress and the President circle each other, make offers and counter offers, propose concessions, then refuse to compromise, the American people can’t help but think they have been to this dance before. They didn’t like what they saw during the government shutdown dispute and they don’t like this new version of the same old thing. “It’s no surprise, then, that only one out of five people approve of the job Congress is doing. One of five is a number that, quite frankly, seems high as I read the letters and hear the phone calls that come into my office every day from... Read More »
