Congressional members from Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana sent a letter today to the Director of the National Park Service, encouraging her to continue to allow winter public access to Yellowstone National Park by the means of snowmobile use.   “As residents of the Intermountain West we share a love of the outdoors and the beautiful lands our region offers,” the Delegations wrote in the… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives today that would transfer four federally-owned parcels of land in the Auger Falls area for the creation of a community park and recreation area. Simpson has been working with the City for several years to secure federal funding and support for the creation of the park.   Simpson’s legislation… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted today against H.R. 3996, the Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007, a bill that raises taxes by $70 billion to temporarily fix the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) for one year. Despite strong opposition from Congressman Simpson and other Republicans, the legislation was able to pass the House of Representatives with a vote of 216-193.    “Our nation’s tax… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined colleagues and voted in favor of Omnibus Conference Report on H.R. 3043 -- 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations that passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 269-142 late last night. The bill provides federal funding for several Idaho Projects including Mt. Home Air Force Base Logistics Readiness Center.… Read more »

Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Congressman Mike Simpson have secured a total of $8 million for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho on the final version of legislation funding the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The $8 million total brings federal funding for the Idaho-held Games in line with that received by other States in previous years.… Read more »

Congressman Mike Simpson today announced the introduction of HR 3825, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007. This act will improve the newborn screening process. Newborn screening in the United States is not uniform. In fact, more than 1,000 babies are born each year with a detectable and treatable disorder that goes unscreened. And unfortunately, too often inadequate follow-up… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined colleagues in requesting improvements to outdated retirement benefits for members of the National Guard and Reserve. Simpson signed a bipartisan letter addressed to leadership of the House Armed Services Committee pointing out the central role that our National Guard and Reserve troops play in national defense and asking them to modernize their… Read more »

In today’s rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world, Americans must constantly look for ways to make our country stronger. For decades, we have been the world’s clear superpower. Suddenly, countries such as China, India and Russia are emerging as major players on the global economic scene, forcing us to sit up and take notice. We are not guaranteed our status as a world… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson met with Director Jim Nussle of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today to urge the White House's cooperation in reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.   The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, which expired in 2006, provided an alternative source of education funding for communities… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today announced his co-sponsorship of H.R. 3779, the Andrew Larochelle God, Family, and Country Act of 2007. The legislation would codify a policy allowing inclusion of religious references on flag certificates for flags flown over the U.S. Capitol.    “I was dismayed to learn about a policy of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol that prohibits the… Read more »