Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today held his first two hearings as Chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee to discuss budget issues with officials from the Department of Energy. The first hearing was focused on the Department of Energy’s Applied Energy Programs, with Assistant Secretaries from the Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Simpson is pleased the Mexican government published its final rule allowing the importation of fresh potatoes from the United States.  “Since the Market Access Agreement was signed by the U.S. and Mexico in 2003, I have consistently urged the USTR, USDA and White House to sustain efforts encouraging Mexico to meet its commitment and allow full market access for… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Simpson is the Republican lead on a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing disapproval of the USDA decision to continue the exclusion of potatoes in the final WIC rule.  Today 67 bipartisan members of Congress signed Simpson’s letter expressing disappointment with the Obama Administration’s disregard for the very clear direction from Congress to… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today supported legislation passed by the House of Representatives to protect water rights against overreach by the federal government.  Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 3189, the Water Rights Protection Act, which prohibits agencies from requiring the transfer of privately-held water rights to the federal government in order to obtain a permit to use… Read more »

 Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today cosponsored legislation to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from releasing personal data on livestock producers to the public.  The bill responds to an incident last year in which EPA released personal data, including names, telephone numbers, and email addresses, on a number of agricultural operations when responding to a… Read more »

Today the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4138, the “Executive Needs to Faithfully Oversee and Respect Congressional Enactments,” known as the ENFORCE the Law Act of 2014.  This legislation authorizes the House or Senate to sue the administration for failing to enforce federal law.  Idaho Congressman Simpson supported this legislation, which passed the House by a vote… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today supported legislation to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations.  H.R. 3826, the Electricity Security and Affordability Act, would provide guidance to the EPA on its proposed GHG emissions regulations to ensure that any new regulations are reasonably achievable and economically… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported H.R. 4118, the SIMPLE Fairness Act, which would eliminate the Obamacare individual mandate penalty tax for 2014. The Obama Administration has already unilaterally delayed the employee mandate, so it is only fair to extend relief to all Americans. The bill passed the House this week 250 to 160, with 27 Democrats joining the majority.  “We… Read more »

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its final rule today excluding fresh, white potatoes from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson plans to use every available tool in order to reverse the ban of potatoes in the program. “I am deeply disappointed in the USDA’s decision to ignore legislation that directed the agency… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today introduced legislation to prevent the U.S. Attorney General from arbitrarily blocking the importation of commonly owned and used firearms by American citizens.   The “Firearm Importation Fairness Act of 2014” clarifies the standard required for the importation of sporting arms into the United States.  “For years Americans have been… Read more »