“Anyone who believed when wolves were reintroduced that we weren’t going to have to actively manage these species was living in a fantasy world.” – Congressman Mike Simpson
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Idaho Congressman Simpson today supported H.R. 2575, legislation to eliminate the language in Obamacare defining a full-time worker as someone who works more than 30-hours per week. The bill passed the House with a vote of 248 to 197. Congressman Simpson was a cosponsor of this legislation. The 30-hour work week language in Obamacare was apparently intended to prevent employers from skirting the employer mandate which says any company with more than 50 full-time workers must offer health insura...
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Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson hosted leaders of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in two hearings before the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee to discuss Fiscal Year 2015 budget issues. Simpson, who chairs the subcommittee, oversees the budgets for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. Testifying for the Army Corps of Engineers was Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and Chief of Engineers Lieut...
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Idaho Congressman demands to know why EPA releases rule prior to receiving conclusion of scientific results – says agency just fired the first shot over the bow
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Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson discussed the need to budget accurately for wildfire suppression costs and concerns about a possible sage-grouse listing with the Secretary of Interior. Secretary Sally Jewell testified before the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, on which Simpson sits, regarding the Department of Interior’s budget request for FY15. Simpson’s bill, the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, was a main topic of conversation during the hearing. The bill aims to end ...
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Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised the accomplishments of four Idaho schools that are advancing to the 2014 National Science Bowl Finals after winning their respective regional competitions. Idaho’s Second Congressional District is the only district to send four schools to the National Finals. The Idaho teams that won their regional qualifying competitions are: Mackay Junior-Senior High School (Middle School) Idaho Falls High School Boise High School Treasure Valley Math and Science Center (...
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Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today held his first two hearings as Chairman of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee to discuss budget issues with officials from the Department of Energy. The first hearing was focused on the Department of Energy’s Applied Energy Programs, with Assistant Secretaries from the Offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Nuclear Energy, Fossil Energy, and Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability testifying. The second hearing was fo...
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Idaho Congressman Simpson is pleased the Mexican government published its final rule allowing the importation of fresh potatoes from the United States. “Since the Market Access Agreement was signed by the U.S. and Mexico in 2003, I have consistently urged the USTR, USDA and White House to sustain efforts encouraging Mexico to meet its commitment and allow full market access for U.S. fresh potatoes,” said Simpson. “I am pleased the Mexican government has issued its final rule allowing full market...
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