Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed the conference report for H.R. 2669, the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2010, as well as H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009.

Simpson Influence Clear In House Interior Funding Bill

Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has secured funding to help Idaho communities meet Clean Water Act standards and for efforts to recover sage-grouse as part of the final Fiscal Year 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill.  Simpson is the Ranking Republican member on the Interior and Environment Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the Department of Interior, the Forest Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and helped lead a conference committee meeting that worked out differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill.

“In my opinion, one of the most important provisions contained in this bill is the reform of the way we fund wildfires every year,” said Simpson. “The inclusion of a wildfire suppression reserve fund in this bill was one of my highest priorities for this fiscal year. This legislation will give our nation’s fire fighters and land management agencies the predictability and stability they need to fight wildfires without doing irreparable harm to other important aspects of their budgets.”

Among the provisions which were included in the final bill at Simpson’s urging were the following:

• The provisions of legislation known as the FLAME Act.  The bill creates a FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund to ensure a dedicated, steady, and predictable funding stream for wildfire suppression activities.  The reforms are intended to reverse years of inefficient wildfire funding practices in which agencies have to take funds from other critical needs in order to meet increasing wildfire demands.
• The highest level of funding ever for hazardous fuels reduction, a total of $556 million -- an increase of $25 million over last year. With the inclusion of the FLAME Fund in the bill, this funding will be used specifically for fuels reduction instead of being funneled into suppression as in previous years.
• Language to prohibit funds from being used to implement EPA rules requiring mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock manure.  This language will protect farmers and ranchers from burdensome, unnecessary regulations at a time when the agriculture industry is struggling.
• $1 million for a new Wolf Livestock Predation Program, which provides states like Idaho with funding to reimburse ranchers for livestock depredation caused by the state’s wolf population.
• $1 million for the State of Idaho’s Sage-Grouse Management Plan and efforts to conserve sage-grouse across the State of Idaho and prevent a listing of the species under the Endangered Species Act.
• $750,000 for the City of Buhl Wastewater Systems Improvement.  The EPA and Idaho DEQ have mandated that the city build a new wastewater treatment center, and the funding would enable the city to meet Clean Water Act requirements, improving water quality for the citizens of Buhl.

“I am also pleased that the bill contains important funding for Idaho livestock producers to help the State of Idaho conserve sage-grouse and a new program to reimburse ranchers for livestock losses due to wolf depredation,” said Simpson. “Finally, I strongly support the inclusion in the bill of funding to assist the City of Buhl with the construction of its wastewater system improvements. Cities like Buhl are struggling to meet federal water standards, and I believe the federal government has a responsibility to assist small communities.”

The bill also includes funding for the following Idaho projects:

• $1,200,000 for trail construction and maintenance in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area;
• $400,000 to acquire property for a bike trail in the SNRA;
• $300,000 for the City of American Falls Wastewater System Improvements;
• $150,000 for state stabilization of the Old Idaho State Penitentiary.
• Reprogramming of existing funding in the Land and Water Conservation Fund to the Upper Snake/South Fork of the Snake River ACEC.

The House is passed the conference report on October 29, and it was signed into law by President Obama last Friday.


Simpson Offers Motion to Help America’s Farmers

Congressman Mike Simpson, Ranking Member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, offered a motion on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to protect farmers from greenhouse gas reporting requirements put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Simpson’s motion instructed conferees who worked out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for FY2010 to include a provision that was included in the House-passed bill. The provision prohibits funds in the bill from being used to implement any rule requiring mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock manure.

“The livestock industry is being hammered by the downturn in our national economy,” said Simpson. “Frozen credit markets have left farmers and ranchers without the credit they need to run their day-to-day operations, and many have been forced to sell their land or declare bankruptcy. Now is not the time to pile the regulatory burden onto these operations, forcing even more of them to fail.”

According to the EPA, livestock manure management systems account for less than one percent of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., yet the cost to producers of regulating these emissions is extremely expensive and burdensome.  The EPA currently only exempts manure management systems that emit less than 25,000 metric tons of greenhouse gasses annually. 

“Right now, farmers and ranchers are hanging on by a thread,” Simpson said. “If we doom too many American farmers to failure through overzealous regulation, we will quickly find ourselves dependent on other countries’ farmers to meet our needs.”

Simpson’s motion passed overwhelmingly, and a one-year prohibition on funds being used to require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems was included in the conference report, which was signed into law last week.

VIDEO AVAILABLE:  To view video of Congressman Simpson debating his Motion to Instruct for this bill, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/CongMikeSimpson#p/a  or go to Simpson’s website: www.simpson.house.gov and click on the You Tube link located at the bottom right.


Simpson Supports Passage of Small Business Bill

Congressman Mike Simpson supported passage of a bill to assist small businesses. H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, is made up of eight individual bills that deal with a variety of small business loan programs. 

“Although Republicans and Democrats unfortunately find little to agree on these days, we all agree that small businesses play an absolutely crucial role in our economy,” said Simpson. “They enhance innovation, enrich communities, provide jobs, and will lead the way out of this recession.”

Among other things, the bill strengthens the Small Business Association’s (SBA) ability to help credit worthy small businesses access capital through loans. It increases the amount lenders can provide, streamlines the loan process, and makes loan guarantees to small health care firms purchasing health information technology. According to the bill’s sponsors, it could create and sustain as many as 1.3 million new jobs.

H.R. 3854 specifically directs the SBA to further support small businesses in rural areas, in low-income areas, businesses in the renewable-energy industry, businesses owned by veterans and those owned by young people. “Many small businesses are being turned away by lenders because of the current economic climate,” Simpson said. “This bill will make sources of financing more accessible.”

House Legislative Business This Week 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2009
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for Morning Hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (16 Bills):

1. S. 475 - A bill to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee the equity of spouses of military personnel with regard to matters of residency (Sponsored by Sen. Burr / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
2. H.Res. 773 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the United States Submarine Force (Sponsored by Rep. Boozman / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
3. H.R. 1168 - Veterans Retraining Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Boozman / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
4. H.Res. 828 - To recognize October 24, 2009, the 20th chartered flight of World War II veterans through Louisiana HonorAir, as "Louisiana HonorAir Day," and to honor the invaluable service and dedication of the World War II veterans to our Nation (Sponsored by Rep. Cao / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
5. H.R. 3949 - Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Filner / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
6. H.Res. 398 - Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift's success (Sponsored by Rep. Fortenberry / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
7. H.Res. 291 - Recognizing the crucial role of assistance dogs in helping wounded veterans live more independent lives, expressing gratitude to The Tower of Hope, and supporting the goals and ideals of creating a Tower of Hope Day. (Sponsored by Rep. Hastings (FL) / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
8. H.Res. 866 - Expressing support for designation of a National Veterans History Project Week to encourage public participation in a nationwide project that collects and preserves the stories of the men and women who served our nation in times of war and conflict (Sponsored by Rep. Kind / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
9. H.Res. 461 - Honoring Sentinels of Freedom and commending the dedication, commitment, and extraordinary work of the organization (Sponsored by Rep. McNerney / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
10. S. 509 - A bill to authorize a major medical facility project at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington (Sponsored by Sen. Murray / Veterans' Affairs Commitee)
11. H.R. 3157 - To name the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota, as the "Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic" (Sponsored by Rep. Peterson / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
12. H.R. 174 - To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region (Sponsored by Rep. Salazar / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
13. H.Res. 89 - Supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year (Sponsored by Rep. Baca / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
14. H.Res. 780 - Recognizing the celebration of Filipino American History Month in October (Sponsored by Rep. Filner / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
15. H.Res. 159 - Honoring the New Hampshire State Senate for becoming the 1st statewide legislative body with a majority of women in the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Hodes / Oversight and Government Reform Committee) 
16. H.Res. 736 - Honoring President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address on "Dedication Day", November 19, 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Platts / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On On Tuesday, the House will meet at 8:00 a.m. for Morning Hour debate. The House will then meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business and recess immediately. The House will reconvene at approximately 10:00 a.m. in a Joint Meeting with the Senate to receive Her Excellency, Doctor Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (14 Bills):

1. H.Res. 868 - Honoring and recognizing the service and achievements of current and former female members of the Armed Forces (Sponsored by Rep. Davis (CA) / Armed Services Committee)
2. H.Con.Res. 139 - Congratulating the first graduating class of the United States Air Force Academy on their 50th graduation anniversary and recognizing their contributions to the Nation (Sponsored by Rep. Lamborn / Armed Services Committee)
3. H.Res. 856 - Recognizing the Commissioning of the USS New York LPD 21 (Sponsored by Rep. Nadler / Armed Services Committee)
4. H.Res. 880 - Recognizing the efforts of career and technical colleges to educate and train workers for positions in high-demand industries (Sponsored by Rep. Cassidy / Education and Labor Committee)
5. H.R. 2136 - Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act (Sponsored by Rep. Fudge / Education and Labor Committee)
6. H.Res. 752 - Recognizing the tragic loss of life that occurred at the Cherry Mine in Cherry, Illinois, on its 100th anniversary and the contributions to worker and mine safety that resulted from this and other disasters (Sponsored by Rep. Halvorson / Education and Labor Committee)
7. H.Res. 878 - Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Family Literacy Day (Sponsored by Rep. Platts / Education and Labor Committee)
8. H.R. 3276 - American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Markey (MA) / Energy and Commerce Committee)
9. H.Res. 858 - Congratulating the Inter-American Foundation on its 40th anniversary and recognizing its significant accomplishments and contributions (Sponsored by Rep. Engel / Foreign Affairs Committee)
10. H.Res. 839 - Condemning the illegal extraction of Madagascar's natural resources (Sponsored by Rep. Blumenauer / Foreign Affairs Committee)
11. H.Res. 711 - Calling on the United States Government and the international community to address the human rights and humanitarian needs of Sri Lanka's Tamil internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently living in government-run camps by supporting the release of such IDPs, implementing and facilitating an independent oversight of the process of release and resettlement, and allowing foreign aid groups to provide relief and resources to such IDPs (Sponsored by Rep. Davis (IL) / Foreign Affairs Committee)
12. H.Res. 641 - Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Sponsored by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen / Foreign Affairs Committee)
13. H.Res. 863 - Recognizing the scourge of pneumonia, urging the United States and the world to mobilize cooperation and prioritize resources to fight pneumonia and save children's lives, and recognizing November 2 as World Pneumonia Day (Sponsored by Rep. Shea-Porter / Foreign Affairs Committee)
14. H.Res. 867 - Calling on the President and the Secretary of State to oppose unequivocally any endorsement or further consideration of the "Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict" in multilateral fora (Sponsored by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen / Foreign Affairs Committee)

H.R. 3639 - Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Maloney / Financial Services Committee)

H.R. 2868 - Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Thompson (MS) / Homeland Security Committee)

H.R. 3962 - Affordable Health Care for America Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Dingell / Energy and Commerce/Ways and Means/Education and Labor Committees)

In the News

Mountain Home AFB, Gowen Field Both on F-35 Short List http://www.kivitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11410476

Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick have notified commanders at both the Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Idaho Air National Guard at Gowen Field they have both qualified as top five locations, in their respective categories, under consideration for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. 

The two locations are not competing against each other as Mountain Home Air Force Base is under consideration for the operation of up to three squadrons of the F-35, while Gowen Field is being considered for training and support missions through the Idaho Air National Guard.

"The Air Force clearly recognizes the excellent facilities, training range, community support and future contributions for Idaho in nominating Mountain Home Air Force Base and Boise Air National Guard to host our next generation fighters," Crapo said.  "Over the past year, I have met with Air Force leaders and personally expressed my support for these missions to the Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz.  This is exciting news, and the first step to securing the future missions for Idaho that will lead to an increased investment in jobs, aircraft and infrastructure in Idaho.  I will follow closely the Air Force's consideration as we move ahead in this vetting process."

 "Having two sites qualify in the top five reflects the first-rate facilities, training and support our military men and women receive in Idaho," said Risch.  "As the public process now begins, I encourage Idahoans to play a supportive role in these important siting decisions."

"It is great news that the Air Force has chosen both the Boise Air National Guard and Mountain Home Air Force Base as candidate sites for the Joint Strike Fighter. Idaho has excellent training facilities, top notch military personnel, and outstanding community support. I look forward to working with the Air Force as they continue with their assessments," said Simpson.

 "To be part of this final group is testament to the excellent, hardworking folks in the Boise Air National Guard and the crews at Mountain Home Air Force Base," Minnick said.  "I will continue working with the Idaho Delegation and the Air Force to make the case that our state offers the best candidates to house the Joint Strike Fighters."

The Air Force considered 205 bases in this initial selection round on various factors including: airspace, flight training ranges, weather, support facilities, runways, taxi ramps, environmental concerns and cost.  Military efficiencies, operational plans and building partnerships were also weighed.

The next step in the base selection process includes a formal environmental analysis, site surveys and public meetings.  Senior Air Force officials will then evaluate that and other data before announcing their preferred locations in late spring of 2010 and a record of decision by early 2011.

Initial deployment of the F-35 begins in 2013, with 250-300 aircraft projected for delivery by 2017.  Sites not selected in the initial deployment will continue to be evaluated as potential homes for the 1,763 total aircraft slated for purchase by 2035.