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| Congressman Simpson's Weekly Update March 2, 2020 |
Simpson, Fulcher and Colleagues Cosponsor Resolution Supporting the A-10 Thunderbolt II
“Idaho is the proud home of the 124th Fighter Wing which flies the A-10 aircraft out of Gowen Field in Boise,” said Simpson. “Our Idaho Air National Guardsmen provide a vital service on the battlefield: close air support for ground troops in combat. The A-10 has proven itself to be a reliable workhorse of American airpower, and I am pleased that Congress continues to recognize the A-10’s critical mission and the Airmen who support it.” “Troops on the ground tell me that hearing the A-10 gives them a sense of security when confronted by the enemy,” said Fulcher. “This plane protects our people when they are in danger. It is vital to America’s defense. The A-10 has a home here at Gowen. I will do what I can to ensure that mission continues.” Operated in part by the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing, the A-10 Thunderbolt II is a close air support, straight wing jet first introduced by the U.S. Air Force in October 1977. Since that time, it has distinguished itself through its ground-support capabilities in Operation Desert Storm and more recently against ISIS and over Afghanistan. Its durable frame and short takeoff and landing area make the A-10 Thunderbolt II an essential tool in facilitating the movement of ground troops and a key component of military operations. The 124th Fighter Wing will deploy more than 400 personnel later this year to several locations throughout Southwest Asia in support of combat operations, performing the close air support mission. “The U.S. Air Force’s A-10 mission directly supports the 2018 National Defense Strategy objectives of defending the homeland and sustaining joint force advantages,” Simpson said, adding, “I am extremely proud of the Idaho National Guard’s key role in supporting this mission.” If passed, the resolution will underscore the sense in Congress that the A-10 Thunderbolt II program is critical to U.S. military functions. It will be under considered by the House Armed Services Committee. Text of the resolution can be found here.
Idaho Delegation Announces Service Academy Days The Idaho Delegation announces several Service Academy Days around the state. Students who are interested in learning more about the U.S. Academies should come and listen to Academy liaisons, cadets, and midshipmen discuss the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Airforce Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Students will learn about the application process and how to achieve a Congressional nomination.
Central Idaho March 5, 2020 6pm-8pm Lewiston High School 1114 9th Ave. Lewiston, ID 83501
North Idaho March 12, 2020 6pm-8pm North Idaho College Edminster Student Union Bldg. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
South Idaho April 4, 2020 1pm-3pm Gowen Field, MG Kane Aud. Readiness Ctr., Bldg. #440 Boise, ID 83705
East Idaho April 18, 2020 1pm-3pm Idaho National Guard Armory 10714 Fairgrounds Road Pocatello, ID 83202 For more information on any of these events or to learn more about the Academies contact: Senator James Risch’s office: Frances Hasenoehrl at (208) 743-0792 Senator Mike Crapo’s office: Karen Roetter at (208) 664-5490 Congressman Mike Simpson’s office: Craig Quarterman at (208) 334-1953 Congressman Russ Fulcher’s office: Tori Shockey at (208) 888-3188
Committee Schedule Tuesday At 2:00 p.m., the House Energy and Water Development Subcommittee on Appropriations will hold a fiscal year 2021 budget hearing on the Department of Energy’s Applied Energy programs.
Wednesday At 10:00 a.m., the House Interior and Environment Subcommittee on Appropriations will hold a fiscal year 2021 budget hearing with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. At 2:00 p.m., the House Energy and Water Development Subcommittee on Appropriations will hold a fiscal year 2021 budget hearing on the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.
Floor Schedule MONDAY, MARCH 2ND Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.R. 5931 - Improving FHA Support for Small Dollar Mortgages Act of 2020, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. William Lacy Clay / Financial Services Committee) 2) H.R. 5003 - Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Madeleine Dean / Financial Services Committee) 3) H.R. 5932 - Ensuring Chinese Debt Transparency Act of 2020, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. French Hill / Financial Services Committee) 4) H.R. 4351 - Yes In My Backyard Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Denny Heck / Financial Services Committee) TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules: 1) H.Res. 387 - Condemning continued violence against civilians by armed groups in the Central African Republic and supporting efforts to achieve a lasting political solution to the conflict, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline / Foreign Affairs Committee) 2) H.R. 4508 - Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries / Foreign Affairs Committee) 3) S. 1678 - Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner / Foreign Affairs Committee) 4) H.Res. 230 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States condemns all forms of violence against children globally and recognizes the harmful impacts of violence against children, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jim McGovern / Foreign Affairs Committee) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House. H.R. 1140 - Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson / Homeland Security Committee) Possible Consideration of Emergency Supplemental Funding Related to the Coronavirus
Potato Council organizes rally for labor bill outside of U.S. Capitol building By John O’Connell, February 29, 2020, Post Register
Potato industry leaders from throughout the country led a rally outside of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, urging the Senate to take action on a comprehensive farm labor reform bill. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, and leaders from the U.S. Apple Association and the Agricultural Workforce Coalition also spoke in support of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act during the event, organized by the National Potato Council. The House of Representatives has already passed the bill, which speakers at the rally said was drafted based on nine months of intensive meetings and compromise. Participants in the rally urged the Senate to pass the legislation this session for President Donald Trump to sign into law. Advocates touted the bill as critical for keeping U.S. farms in business. A large Idaho contingent attended the rally, supporting what they hope will become the first comprehensive labor reform since 1986. “Passing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (in the House) was a great step forward toward solving the labor crisis,” Simpson said. “Just yesterday we saw a new access for potatoes in China. That was great news. Now we need the labor to take up that demand.” Simpson considers the legislation to be a good bill that would address an issue that’s lingered throughout his two decades in Congress. “We feed the world, and if we hope to continue we need to solve this issue,” Simpson said. NPC President Britt Raybould, a St. Anthony potato farmer, said the bill would result in “long-term labor solutions” and she commended lawmakers who supported it for reaching across party lines. “Doing what’s right is not always easy,” Raybould said. The NPC is the lobbying arm of the potato industry. R.J. Andrus, an NPC Executive Committee member from Idaho Falls who works for Idahoan Foods, said under the status quo, an immigration raid at the wrong time could destroy a year’s worth of farm production. The bill would provide stability to thousands of agricultural workers and their employers, he said. “Reform is critical. As we have seen with the H-2A program, the current system can’t provide the workforce our farms need,” Andrus said. The bill would streamline the process of obtaining H-2A visas for foreign workers, also reforming H-2A wages to better reflect actual market rates while protecting employers from sudden wage increases that disrupt their planning. The bill would also heighten standards for worker housing, accommodate the need for year-round agricultural workers, establish a merit-based visa program, implement background checks for applicants and their children and provide a process for farm laborers to seek temporary Certified Agricultural Worker status. “We want a legal workforce in the United States of America, and this bill provides us the capacity to do so,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California, who is the bill’s author. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-California, who is a rice farmer, said conservatives should understand the bill wouldn’t “give away the store” to undocumented farm workers. “Agriculture has needed and begged for a stable ag labor workforce. That’s what this bill is about. It’s about ag labor. It’s not about amnesty; it’s not about immigration,” LaMalfa said. LaMalfa hopes the bill will also lead to the end of the “coyote system” of undocumented workers sneaking across the southern border. “Most of these folks do good, honest work, and by and large these are good, honest people who have been doing the work in the U.S. for decades anyway,” LaMalfa said.
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