Yesterday, I opposed the health care reconciliation bill that came before the House Budget Committee. Last night’s late-night markup was the very first step in the health care reconciliation process, which will allow Senate Democrats to pass the bill with only 51 votes, rather than 60. Unfortunately, it was not a forum for any minority views to be included, but rather it was just one more ceremonial step that needed to be taken before Speaker Pelosi could ram the health care bill through Congress. The bill that the Committee marked-up was really a “Trojan horse” that provided nothing more than... Read More »
“The election of Scott Brown, a republican in a state that is among the most liberal states in the nation, demonstrates that the American people are rejecting the extreme agenda being pushed by this Administration and the Democrat Leaders in Congress,” said Congressman Simpson. “This election proves that Americans want bipartisanship. They want a government that works together to solve problems not one that creates them.” Read More »
As you may know, the 16-member U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently released new recommendations on mammograms. Their recommendations included raising the age to begin routine screening mammography from age 40 to age 50, moving from annual screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years to biennial screening, and no longer recommends screening mammography in women aged 75 and older. I am extremely concerned that these recommendations and new guidelines are designed more to control health spending than to improve the health of patients. I believe that all Americans should have acces... Read More »
Nancy Pelosi just introduced her new health reform bill, HR 3629, claiming that it is budget neutral and will allow Americans to get affordable access to health care. This argument is absurd and factually wrong. This bill will do nothing to make your health insurance cheaper. In fact it will accomplish the exact opposite. By increasing the number of government mandates, imposing new government regulations on insurance companies, and penalizing businesses and individuals who choose not to buy health insurance, your out-of-pocket costs will go up. And so will your taxes—because eventually we wil... Read More »
The House of Representatives is expected to pass bipartisan legislation this evening, introduced by Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, Congressman John Adler (D-NJ), and Congressman Paul Broun (R-GA), to help protect small businesses and small health care practices from overreaching federal regulations. The bill will exempt certain small businesses from the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) burdensome Red Flags Regulation, which would force them to develop and implement an unnecessary identity theft program. “It is obvious that physicians and dentists are not creditors, and they should not be forc... Read More »
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 »
