On Monday, the U.S. Forest Service announced Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payment distributions, which is critically important for Idaho’s rural counties. SRS funding fulfills the federal government’s responsibility to counties with tax-exempt federal lands, specifically counties with high percentages of national forests. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, which passed in March and was sig... Read more »

Statement on the Passing of Former First Lady Barbara Bush Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement: “Kathy and I send our love and prayers to the Bush family. Barbara Bush was a leader, a grandmother, a mother, a wife, and one of the most important figures in modern American history. Her strong presence inspired a family of public servants, and her own serv... Read more »

Federal Legislation Delivers Big Wins for Idaho Agriculture By Congressman Mike Simpson Washington, D.C. – “Idaho’s history of agriculture excellence is critical to our economy, accounting for 20% the state’s gross state product. With over 25,000 farms and ranches and 185 different commodities, it isn’t just Idaho that we are feeding – it is the world. “No doubt that ideal climate conditions, irri... Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today applauded the House passage of H.R. 1625, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which included monumental benefits for Idaho and Western States. “This is a comprehensive and responsible package that contains so many important provisions for Idaho and Western States,” said Simpson. “It is the product of this past year’s worth of thoughtful deliberation and ... Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson applauded inclusion of a fire borrowing fix and forestry reforms in the Omnibus Appropriations bill. Simpson has long championed a fix to fire borrowing having authored the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act which would treat wildfires like other natural disasters. The Omnibus includes the core principles of this bill by addressing the rising cost of fire suppression and ... Read more »

A group of eight senators and two representatives introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will use revenues from energy production on federal lands to help pay for the over $11 billion maintenance backlog at our national parks. The senators – U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Angus King (I-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) Joe Man... Read more »

Last night, the House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act (H.R. 2422), co-authored by Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust Chair, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Congressman and dentist Mike Simpson (R-ID). It received 387 yes votes. This legislation targets crucial federal dollars to organizations that provide oral health care to underserved population... Read more »

The Idaho Congressional Delegation today announced its 2018 Service Academy Days across Idaho. Each Service Academy Day session offers students, parents, and counselors the opportunity to meet with liaisons, cadets, and midshipmen from each of the nation’s respective service academies and provides an opportunity for questions. Staff from Idaho’s four Congressional delegation offices will be on ha... Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 4134 by unanimous consent. The bill would name the White Clouds Wilderness after former Idaho Governor and Secretary of the Interior, Cecil D. Andrus. “I am very grateful to Chairman Bishop and the Committee for passing legislation to honor the late Governor Andrus,” said Simpson... Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement after President Trump’s State of the Union. “In today’s divided political climate it may seem difficult to find consensus. However, it is undisputable that the American economy is strong and on the rise. President Trump signed into law the largest tax reform policy in more than three decades and the results have been overwhelming. Busin... Read more »