The House Appropriations Committee released FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill last night. This legislation includes funding for the 12 annual Appropriations bills through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2016.

Many provisions that are critical to Idaho are included in the legislation. Chairman Simpson secured increased funding for operations and research at the INL, funding for the A-10 at Gowen Field, and full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. Simpson’s language allowing trucks weighs up to 129,000 pounds on Idaho Interstates is also in the bill. Along with these provisions for Idaho, the legislation includes numerous important policy items that increase transparency and accountability to federal agencies and stop the administrative overreach.

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, released the following statement:

“I applaud Chairman Rogers and Speaker Ryan for their hard work in assembling this comprehensive and responsible package that will keep the government open through the rest of this fiscal year,” said Simpson.  “This bill contains many critical provisions for Idaho and Western States, including increased funding for operations and research at the INL, continued funding for the A-10 at Gowen Field, and full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, on which rural counties throughout Idaho depend.  I was also very pleased to see my language allowing trucks weighing up to 129,000 pounds on Idaho Interstates.  This is something I have been seeking for years on behalf of Idaho Transportation Department, and it will be a major generator of economic activity in Idaho. 

“This bill avoids the inefficient and negligent practice of funding the government through continuing resolutions,” continued Simpson, “and is instead the product of this past year’s worth of thoughtful deliberation and line-by-line analysis of our budget.  It is an important step back toward regular order, it contains many provisions that support conservative priorities, and I look forward to its swift passage.”