House Appropriations Committee to Mark Up - FY 2012 Interior Appropriations Bill, Tuesday, July 12 10:30 EST/ 8:30 MST Read more »

“During the debt debate, as Congress and the President circle each other, make offers and counter offers, propose concessions, then refuse to compromise, the American people can’t help but think they have been to this dance before.  They didn’t like what they saw during the government shutdown dispute and they don’t like this new version of the same old thing.   “It’s no… Read more »

 “’When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel… Read more »

“Earlier this year, the USDA issued the proposed rule, “Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.”  This proposed rule would have forced schools to limit servings of potatoes, corn, green peas and lima beans. This drastic change to the school meal programs would have incurred significant costs to all school districts. Due to the radical changes… Read more »

 “On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the American flag as an emblem of freedom and independence. John Adams proclaimed that, “the flag of the thirteen United States represents a new constellation.” Over 220 years after it was first embraced, Old Glory remains a symbol of the pride of our nation.   “Recognizing the importance of this American treasure,… Read more »

“After seeing that House Republicans and Chairman Paul Ryan are responding to the call of the American people to get spending under control, President Obama has come late to the game and put forth a proposal that still doesn’t pass muster.  Unlike Chairman Ryan’s plan, which reduces the deficit by $4.4 trillion and reduces taxes, President Obama proposes to raise taxes on job… Read more »

“Most farmers and ranchers I talk to are scared to death about the possibility that the Environmental Protection Agency would be able to regulate their irrigation ditches, drainage ponds, and even groundwater, and I understand why,” said Simpson. “In the West, water is critical to our way of life. Allowing the federal government to claim jurisdiction over state waters would have a devastating impact on rural communities throughout our state and the food supply throughout our nation. For that reason and others, I have moved to insert language in the House Continuing Resolution that will prevent any attempt by the EPA to claim additional jurisdiction over state waters and increase its already excessive authority over Western farmers, families, and businesses.” Read more »

“It makes no sense to call wolves in Idaho and Montana an endangered species. Not only do wolf populations far exceed recovery goals, but without proper management those populations have grown to the point where they are adversely impacting other wildlife populations in the region and wreaking havoc for ranchers, hunters, and public land users in Idaho. The Fish and Wildlife Service made a sound and science-backed decision to delist wolves and have praised the management plan that was developed and successfully implemented by Governor Otter and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The Service and the state have successfully recovered the species to the point that it can be properly managed, and the law should reflect that.” Read more »

“It has become clear to me in talking to the job creators in this country that allowing these regulations to go into effect would prevent job creation and inhibit economic growth at a time when our economy is still struggling. It should be up to Congress, not the Administration, to determine whether and how to regulate greenhouse gases, and in attempting to do so without congressional authority, I’m concerned that EPA has overreached. It’s been an honor to collaborate on this language with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Upton and Subcommittee Chairman Whitfield. Including this provision in the CR will give their committee time to craft thoughtful, effective legislation to clarify EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act and provide certainty for job creators.” Read more »

“I have a long list of concerns about the Department of Interior’s ‘Wild Lands’ initiative, not the least of which is the fact that it was rolled out without giving the public an opportunity to comment on it and without the opportunity for congressional oversight. I’m concerned that this initiative will make it more difficult to make good land management decisions and result in increased litigation. The responsibility for making land management designations belongs to Congress, not the agency, and by including language in the CR to defund this initiative, I hope to force the Department to work with Congress on this issue.” Read more »