“The impact of the Farm Bill on Idaho’s farming and ranching families cannot be overestimated,” said Simpson. “Our ability to maintain a cheap, safe, and domestic supply of food in the United States is tied directly to the policies put forth in the Farm Bill. Too few people in our nation appreciate the complexities of maintaining a domestic supply of food while too many under appreciate the work, money, and emotion that goes into being a farmer or rancher. We have to do everything we can to keep our food grown right here in the United States and the hearing today helped move us in the right direction.” Read more »

The pro gun demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and the crowds gathered across the Potomac River in Virginia last week were a stark reminder of the passion with which Americans value their personal freedoms. These men and woman journeyed from across the country to remind their government that the Second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms, is a right guaranteed them as law abiding citizens and is as fundamental as the First Amendment, which allowed them to make their voices heard in the first place. Read more »

“This massive health care takeover will not save money nor create a better health care system. I cannot stress enough the damage that this bill will do. It will make our health care system weaker, not stronger, and it will damage our economy by adding more and more taxes that continue to stunt our economic growth. The public has the right to know what the true costs are of this legislation.” Read more »

“With job numbers at historic lows and the national debt at record highs, it would simply be unacceptable for Members of Congress to allow themselves any kind of personal pay raise.” said Simpson. “Most of my constituents won’t get a pay raise this year and I shouldn’t either.” Read more »

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families whose loved ones will be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are pleased that the Idaho National Guard will be providing family support training sessions to help prepare them for the deployment. We have always supported efforts to ensure our military men and women have the resources they need to carry out and complete their missions successfully. The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is home to some of the nation’s finest, and we know they are trained and prepared for their upcoming mission. We wish them success and look forward to welcoming each of them home.” Read more »

“Right now we have serious issues with drug and weapons trafficking across the southern border of the United States, which lead to crime problems in our own country and instability in Mexico, making it imperative we tackle the dangerous and growing problem of border security,” wrote Simpson. “Keeping drug dealers, human traffickers, and criminals, like the one who murdered Mr. Krentz, out of our country requires the cooperation of multiple federal agencies.” Read more »

Congressman Mike Simpson today came out in strong opposition to H.R. 5088, America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act. This legislation cedes authority over all waters in the United States to the federal government, including water currently regulated by states, and makes it subject to regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act. Read more »

“On Tax Day this year, many Americans are struggling to make ends meet and facing difficult economic realities that make their tax burdens feel even heavier,” said Simpson. “Providing families and businesses with permanent tax relief is the best way to jump-start our economy and put us on the path toward long-term financial security.” Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is advocating for continued access to recreation on public land, sending a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding the use of the Antiquities Act. The letter followed up to a recent hearing by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment where Simpson addressed concern that was raised over a Department of Interior internal planning document that identified 17 potential sites for new or expanded national monument designation in the western United States under the Antiquities Act. Read more »

“I strongly believe the democrats’ healthcare bill is the wrong direction our nation and may well be unconstitutional,” said Simpson. “I believe the best thing we could do is repeal the bill in its entirety and start over by passing smaller bills that enjoy bipartisan support and focus on bringing down costs for American healthcare consumers.” Read more »