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National Defense and Military

Idaho Delegation Announces Statewide Academy Day Series

| Posted in Press Releases

The Idaho Congressional Delegation is hosting a series of Academy Days to inform high school students about the opportunities at the U.S. Service Academies.  A total of seven events will be held across the state. Students and their parents can attend an event in the following cities: Boise, McCall, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Soda Springs, Idaho Falls, and Lewiston. Service Academies…

Simpson Supports DHS Funding Bill

| Posted in Press Releases

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted today in favor of legislation that will fully fund the Department of Homeland Security through the remainder of the 2015 fiscal year. At the same time, Simpson is urging his colleagues to allow efforts opposing the President’s executive actions on immigration to continue in the courts. Simpson made clear that while he strongly opposes President…

Simpson Touts Vital Idaho Priorities Included in Cromnibus

| Posted in Press Releases

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today applauded the release of H.R. 83, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations bill that included many important provisions for Idaho and Western States.  “This bill represents an important step for Congress toward fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to fund government operations through the regular…

Simpson Opposes Unilateral Action By President

| Posted in Press Releases

 Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today opposed H.R. 3979, The National Defense Authorization Act because of the authority it extends to the Administration to train and equip the Syrian rebels. “There are many essential provisions included in H.R. 3979 that I support.  However, I opposed the bill because I cannot in good conscience vote to extend additional authority to the Obama…

House Passes Energy & Water Appropriations Bill

| Posted in Press Releases

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced that the Fiscal Year 2015 Energy and Water Development Appropriations which passed the House of Representatives this evening, increases funding for critical programs at the Idaho National Laboratory. Simpson is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and had the…

Defense Bill Passes House, Includes Amendment Supporting A-10

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Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised the passage of the FY15 Defense Appropriations bill, which included an amendment offered by Representative Candice Miller (R-MI) to prohibit the Department of Defense from spending funds to divest, retire, transfer, or place in storage any A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, or to remove any units of the active or reserve component associated with such…

Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2015 Energy and Water Bill

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The House Appropriations Committee today released the fiscal year 2015 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation provides annual funding for national defense nuclear weapons activities, the Army Corps of Engineers, various programs under the Department of Energy, and other related agencies.…

Simpson joins Colleagues to Pay National Guard Service Members

| Posted in Press Releases

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today signed a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel asking that he use his authority to designate National Guard employees exempt status during the government shutdown to ensure they are paid.  Congress recently passed H.R. 3210, which ensured that members of the armed forces continue to receive their paychecks.  National Guard troops have…

House Passes Bill to Keep Government Open, Delays Obamacare

| Posted in Press Releases

 Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today voted in favor of legislation that would extend government funding at post-sequestration levels through December 15th and delay the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, for one year.  “Congress must do everything we can to avoid a government shutdown,” Simpson said.   “This…

Simpson Stresses Importance of A-10

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has signed a letter to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force expressing concern about recent reports that the Air Force is considering divesting itself of the A-10 Thunderbolt II.  The A-10 is currently operated at Gowen Field. The letter states, in part: The A-10 has provided the Air Force with decades of exemplary…