Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted against H.R. 1, the $819 billion stimulus package, today. The bill passed by a vote of 244-188. H.R. 1 will launch the United States into the largest deficit we have ever seen, tipping at $1.4 trillion. "A trillion dollars is hard for most people to grasp," said Simpson. "Ronald Reagan suggested imagining a crisp, new stack of $1,000 bills. If you… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson had two very important meetings about the upcoming economic stimulus package today.  First, he attended a House Budget Committee hearing, then he joined other GOP leaders in a meeting with President Obama to discuss why the President thinks the stimulus package is necessary. “Unemployment is rising, businesses are suffering, individuals are suffering, we… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined Republican and Democrat colleagues to disapprove providing additional funding for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The resolution was passed by a vote of 270-155.     “I am disgusted that, despite Congress’s explicit instructions, scrutiny and oversight of this massive program has been spotty at best and in some cases downright… Read more »

Today the U.S. House Appropriations Committee passed an $825 billion economic stimulus package. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the Committee, is appalled at the unprecedented spending contained in the economic stimulus package with very little guarantee of economic growth and voted against the measure.  “There is not a more bipartisan committee than the Appropriations… Read more »

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and Congressman Mike Simpson were disappointed to learn that Sgt. Evan Vela did not make the list of pardons that President Bush made during his final hours as President.  “My heart goes out to Sgt. Vela and his family,” said Simpson. “I know they worked hard to get this case in front of President Bush and had high hopes of receiving a Presidential Pardon. I… Read more »

Today the Idaho Congressional Delegation congratulated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their decision to remove the Northern Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf population from the federal list of endangered species.  “Today’s decision to delist the Gray Wolf is a testament to the great people in the State of Idaho, Montana and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working together to… Read more »

Congressman Mike Simpson today announced his appointment to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. This subcommittee has direct jurisdiction over many of Idaho’s interests, including the Idaho National Laboratory, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration.  Simpson is currently serving his fourth term as a member of… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is pleased to announce the following men and women as official nominees to the United States military academies.  “It is an honor to nominate Idaho students to the Military Academies,” said Simpson. “I am always impressed by the quality and character of our youth in Idaho. Each person is a fine example of what our state has to offer. They are bright,… Read more »

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Republican Jerry Lewis today announced the House Republican Steering Committee has approved Ranking Member assignments for the 12 Appropriations Subcommittees; among these recommendations is Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson. Simpson will be the Ranking Member for the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies for… Read more »

Idaho Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick today introduced the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA). The bill settles ongoing disputes over how to manage public land in Central Idaho by creating wilderness, releasing wilderness study areas, allowing for federal land transfers and providing for economic relief to residents in Custer and Blaine… Read more »