Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released the following statement today after the final vote in the U.S. House on the $800 billion Economic Stimulus package. Simpson voted no on the final passage. "While I support a number of programs and ideas that are reflected in the package we voted on today, I can not support the astronomical amount of money that is being thrown at this problem… Read more »

Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and James E. Risch and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick today introduced the Idaho Efficient Vehicle Demonstration Act of 2009, legislation that calls for portions of Idaho’s interstate roadways to be included in an existing freight transport pilot project in the State. The State pilot project, created in 2003 by the Idaho State Legislature, allows… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson will attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.  The Ceremony will be held at 2 pm MST at the Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho. “Athletes, welcome to our home and thank you for touching our hearts. Idahoans are providing a first-class venue for these events and we are all lucky to have this happening in our home state,”… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted against H.R. 1, the $819 billion stimulus package, today. The bill passed by a vote of 244-188. H.R. 1 will launch the United States into the largest deficit we have ever seen, tipping at $1.4 trillion. "A trillion dollars is hard for most people to grasp," said Simpson. "Ronald Reagan suggested imagining a crisp, new stack of $1,000 bills. If you… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson had two very important meetings about the upcoming economic stimulus package today.  First, he attended a House Budget Committee hearing, then he joined other GOP leaders in a meeting with President Obama to discuss why the President thinks the stimulus package is necessary. “Unemployment is rising, businesses are suffering, individuals are suffering, we… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined Republican and Democrat colleagues to disapprove providing additional funding for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The resolution was passed by a vote of 270-155.     “I am disgusted that, despite Congress’s explicit instructions, scrutiny and oversight of this massive program has been spotty at best and in some cases downright… Read more »

Today the U.S. House Appropriations Committee passed an $825 billion economic stimulus package. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the Committee, is appalled at the unprecedented spending contained in the economic stimulus package with very little guarantee of economic growth and voted against the measure.  “There is not a more bipartisan committee than the Appropriations… Read more »

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson were disappointed to learn that Sgt. Evan Vela did not make the list of pardons that President Bush made during his final hours as President.  “My heart goes out to Sgt. Vela and his family,” said Simpson. “I know they worked hard to get this case in front of President Bush and had high hopes of receiving a Presidential Pardon. I… Read more »

Today the Idaho Congressional Delegation congratulated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their decision to remove the Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf population from the federal list of endangered species.  “Today’s decision to delist the Gray Wolf is a testament to the great people in the State of Idaho, Montana and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working together to… Read more »

Congressman Mike Simpson today announced his appointment to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. This subcommittee has direct jurisdiction over many of Idaho’s interests, including the Idaho National Laboratory, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration.  Simpson is currently serving his fourth term as a member of… Read more »