“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 »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today voted in favor of H.Res. 72. The resolution directs ten House Committees to inventory and review existing, pending and proposed regulations, orders and other administrative actions or procedures by federal agencies within the committees’ jurisdiction. The committees include: Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Financial… Read more »

“Most of us don’t consider milk to be an environmental hazard,” said Simpson, who is Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees funding for the EPA. “Our nation’s dairy industry is already facing difficult challenges in this economic environment, and the last thing they need is to be saddled with burdensome regulations by an agency that is overreaching.” Read more »

“Cutting billions of dollars out of our subcommittee’s budget means that we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions, and funding decreases of this magnitude will certainly be felt in states like Idaho that have large percentages of federal land,” said Simpson. “I realize that many of these cuts will not be popular, but the simple truth is that you can’t spend money you don’t have. If we are serious about getting our deficit under control, we have to do what every family in America does every day: figure out what our priorities are and create a responsible budget that reflects those priorities.” 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 »

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who leads the Appropriations Committee subpanel that crafts Interior’s budget, said lawmakers could include language that prevents federal funding from being used to implement the program. Read more »

“Idaho Dairymen and their counterparts across the nation face unique challenges,” said Simpson. “Producers are facing fluctuating prices, growing input costs, increasingly onerous regulations, and changes in international trade policy that combine to create a very difficult business climate. Congress has enormous influence over many of these issues, and it is important that those of us who represent dairy producers have a forum in which we can come together to learn, listen, and lead." Read more »

“These young people are exemplary in the manner in which they choose to live their lives,” said Simpson. “I am proud of each of them and know they will enrich their lives and the lives of others through the service they provide, especially at such a young age.” Read more »

“Like many Members of Congress, I was surprised to learn that GAO’s authority is so limited,” said Simpson. “In light of the recent crisis facing our financial system and its continued impact our economy, I believe it is time that we look carefully at the Fed’s policies, its role in regulating financial institutions in this country, and the impact that its decisions have on our economy.” Read more »