It’s no surprise that disputes over land use in central Idaho have gone unresolved for decades. This is a complex issue, involving those who depend on this land for their livelihoods and those who know the value of preserving it for future generations. The reality is that complex issues don’t always have simple solutions, and such is the case with CIEDRA. Read more »

“Frankly, I find it absolutely ridiculous that, in its zeal to respond to the crisis in the Gulf, the EPA has decided that milk is an environmental hazard,” said Simpson. “Our dairy industry has faced devastating losses in recent years, and having to comply with these unnecessary regulations would make it that much harder for Idaho dairy producers to weather the terrible economic storm they are in.” Read more »

“In the West, we know that if you don’t graze on public lands, you don’t graze at all,” said Simpson. “Creating a federal buyout program is a huge step toward ending grazing on public lands, which would have a devastating impact on local economies throughout the West and would have unintended consequences on the environment. Now is not the time to ignite another War on the West.” Read more »

Most areas affected by CIEDRA are existing federal lands that are currently designated as wilderness study areas. As such, the federal government already manages them as if they were wilderness, which means that land use in this area is significantly restricted right now. Because the federal government has complete discretion over this land today, federal agencies could further restrict access, or even designate the area as a national monument without any local input. Read more »

Congressman Mike Simpson has signed an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court” brief, in support of the State of Arizona, which has been sued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).  The suit challenges the state’s strict new immigration law, SB 1070, which helps law enforcement more effectively implement federal immigration laws. “The federal government should focus on coming up… Read more »

Right now most of this area is being managed by the federal government as though it is wilderness. If we do nothing, the federal government could at any time increase restrictions through management plans, court decisions, or presidential monument designations. Read more »

At today’s hearing, Congressman Mike Simpson said, “We all ought to be concerned about the debt we are incurring that we are putting on our children. We can point fingers at Republicans, at Democrats, it doesn’t matter, but everyone needs to be concerned about the debt we are piling on our children’s future, on our grandchildren’s future, and on our great-grandchildren’s future.” Read more »

I began this process ten years ago after a meeting with ranchers. They were under the constant threat of losing their livelihoods because of lawsuits filed against them. I agreed to bring together county commissioners, recreationists, and conservationists to find long-term stability for all interested parties in the face of serious land management conflicts in this area. Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, today announced the inclusion of funding for the Idaho National Laboratory and the Idaho Cleanup Project as part of legislation funding the Department of Energy in Fiscal Year 2011.  This legislation was approved today by the Subcommittee. This legislation provides $174 million for the… Read more »

“Today is another great day for supporters of the Second Amendment,” Congressman Simpson said. “Just like 2008 when the Court ruled that Washington, D.C.’s gun ban was unconstitutional, they have knocked down Chicago’s similar law.” Read more »