Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today supported H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act (the “Farm Bill”). The Farm Bill reauthorizes many important farm and nutrition programs for five years. H.R. 2 passed by a vote of 213-211. “We need to show rural America we have their back, and the Farm Bill is the perfect vehicle to demonstrate our support,” said Simpson. “In Idaho, this bill will provide certainty for our ranchers and farmers and signature commodities like potatoes, dairy, grain, and sug... Read more

"The certainty a farm bill provides to Idaho's farmers and rural communities is critical," said Simpson. "I am disappointed by today's developments and hope that Congress can take steps toward passing a farm bill sooner rather than later. I am pleased H.R. 2 protected the no cost sugar program, which is vital for sugar beet growers in Idaho. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to find a path forward to assembling a final Farm Bill that works for rural America.” Read more

Washington, DC – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced that the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill protects funding for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, and cleanup activities in Idaho. Simpson is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which passed the bill through the full House Appropriations Committee this week, and had the lead role in deciding funding for a... 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, irrigation systems, and generations of family farmers are responsible for this agriculture dominance. Ho... 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 line-by-line analysis of every program in the federal budget. Funding our government through short t... Read more

On Thursday, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported passage of full year fiscal year 2018 funding. While a continuing resolution funds the government until December 2017, full year appropriations must still be passed for the remainder of the fiscal year. The bill was passed by a vote of 211-198 and includes legislation previously passed by the House including Chairman Simpson’s Energy and Water bill which has critical funding for Idaho National Laboratory. “Today’s legislation is an important ... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today announced that the Fiscal Year 2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill protects funding for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, and cleanup activities in Idaho. Simpson is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which passed the bill through the full House Appropriations Committee today, and had the lead role in deciding funding for all Department o... Read more

On Thursday, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson discussed important Idaho issues with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell during a hearing held by the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. The topics ranged from ongoing litigation that prevents the Forest Service from managing public lands, to treating wildfire funding like other natural disasters. “How do you maintain the public’s right to have a say in how their publ... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today applauded the House passage of H.R. 244, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, which included many important provisions for Idaho and Western States. “This is a comprehensive and responsible package that contains many significant wins for Idaho and Western States, and will avoid a government shut down,” said Simpson. “It is the product of this past year’s worth of thoughtful deliberation and line-by-line analysis of every program in the federal budget. F... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT ) along with 30 other members of Congress, today urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to exercise its legal authority to investigate and take action against the manufacturers of products they falsely claim to be milk. Dairy farmers continue to be buffeted by extreme financial hardships. Since 2014, milk prices have plunged 40 percent. During that same time, there has been a surge in the mislabeling of imitation ... Read more