Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 830, the FHA Refinance Program Termination Act, which eliminated a new program that was created under the Dodd/Frank Wall Street Reform Act, and H.R. 836, the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act, which ended a government program that used $8 billion in TARP funds.  Congressman Simpson supported both of these bills.

Simpson Questions Secretary Salazar on Wild Lands Policy
Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman examines Department of Interior’s FY12 budget request, policies
Congressman Mike Simpson, who chairs the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, questioned Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding domestic oil production, the cost of environmental litigation, and the Secretary’s controversial “Wild Lands” initiative.  Last week’s oversight hearing gave Chairman Simpson and other members of the subcommittee the opportunity to examine the President’s FY2012 budget request for the Department of the Interior.

Simpson again expressed deep concern about the Obama Administration’s Wild Lands initiative.  “It’s no secret that Western Members of both parties—including myself—have very strong objections to your Wild Lands Secretarial Order granting the BLM the authority to identify and manage lands in the West as wilderness,” said Chairman Simpson.  “Only Congress has the authority to designate wilderness, and I can guarantee you that any subcommittee bill this year will include a funding prohibition relating to the Wild Lands policy, whether it is included in the underlying bill or added on the floor with an amendment.”

Simpson included language in the recently-passed continuing resolution prohibiting the Department from using funding to implement the Wild Lands policy.  “You say that this is intended to reduce the number of lawsuits you face, but I’m afraid it’s only going to increase lawsuits,” he argued.  “We are already spending far too much taxpayer money in courts, money that we should be spending managing these lands so that they can be enjoyed by the public.”

During the hearing, Secretary Salazar also addressed questions regarding efforts to recover the Rocky Mountain wolf population.  He stated that it is the Department’s view that the Rocky Mountain wolf species has been recovered, and he commended Simpson’s efforts to return management of the species to states like Idaho with approved management plans.

To watch videos of Chairman Simpson at the hearing, visit his YouTube website.

Simpson Critiques BLM Budget that Robs Resource Management
Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman questions BLM budget decisions, policies
Congressman Mike Simpson, Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, questioned BLM Director Bob Abbey last week regarding a number of issues, including the Wild Horse and Burro program, grazing on public lands, and the Administration’s new “Wild Lands” policy.  Simpson’s subcommittee examined the President’s FY2012 budget request for the Bureau of Land Management.

One of Simpson’s biggest criticisms of the budget request is the fact that it diverts funding from land management accounts in order to fully fund land acquisition accounts.  “With the current budget crisis facing our country, I find it puzzling that the BLM requests $50 million for land acquisition and $1 billion for the new America’s Great Outdoors initiative when it has difficulty managing the land it already holds,” said Chairman Simpson. “I’m deeply concerned that this proposal will exacerbate an already out-of-control problem facing the BLM, and that is the increasing cost of litigation.  When you shift resources from land management to acquisitions, you are unable to provide the land managers in your field offices with the resources they need to make environmentally sound decisions, leaving the door wide open to groups looking for any opportunity to sue.”

Chairman Simpson also expressed concern about the fact that the BLM is unable to track payments that go out under the Equal Access to Justice Act, which allows those who win lawsuits against the government to recoup their legal costs.  “I find it incredible that these fees come out of your budget, but you can’t track them,” said Simpson. “How can you possibly operate responsibly when you have no idea how much money is coming out of your budget to pay for lawsuits?”

Simpson recently joined other Western members in requesting a study by the Government Accountability Office on payments under EAJA.

During the hearing, Simpson also spoke about his frustration about the ever-increasing costs of the BLM’s Wild Horses and Burros program.  The President’s budget request includes a $11 million increase over current funding, and Simpson questioned whether the agency would be able to put the program on a sustainable path in the future.

Simpson Examines Forest Service Budget Request
Congressman Mike Simpson, Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Committee, questioned Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell Friday regarding a major shift in priorities for the Forest Service.  The hearing gave Simpson and other subcommittee members the budgetary opportunity to examine President Obama’s budget request for the U.S. Forest Service for FY2012.

“I recognize the value of providing opportunities for people to connect with our forests, National Parks, and amazing natural resources, but it doesn’t make sense to me that we would dramatically increase land acquisition instead of focusing our limited resources on desperately needed efforts to improve forest health,” said Simpson.  “At a time when our forests are significantly overstocked and unhealthy, the Forest Service proposes reducing spending on hazardous fuels, forest health, grazing, and fire suppression.  Many of these programs support private jobs in rural communities—from ranching and forestry to recreation and wilderness management—and should be a priority.”

Chairman Simpson and Chief Tidwell discussed the value of responsible land use in the West to forest management and the impact of the President’s budget request on rural communities.  When Simpson expressed concern about the impact of closing grazing allotments in the Payette National Forest, the Chief pointed out that the livestock industry provides enormous benefits to wildlife habitat and ecosystem management.

Similarly, Simpson expressed appreciation that the Forest Service included funding for the Secure Rural Schools program in the FY12 budget request, but he was concerned that the Administration’s proposal robs from other accounts critical to rural communities in order to do so.  The program’s authorization expires on September 30.  “The Secure Rural Schools program is critical for many rural counties in the west,” said Simpson, “but I am concerned that this proposal moves this program from mandatory to discretionary spending, essentially taking funding away from fire and hazardous fuels reduction, upon which counties in Idaho also depend.”

During the hearing, Simpson also discussed his concern about the Forest Service’s cost recovery program, ongoing travel management planning, and efforts to consolidate budget line items.

Committee Action

TUESDAY, MARCH 15TH
At 10:00 a.m., the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the President’s FY2012 budget request for the Department of Energy.  Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu is scheduled to testify.

At 10:30 a.m., the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Pell Grants. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH
At 10:00 a.m., the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the President’s FY2012 Department of Energy Science budget request.  Dr. Steven Koonin, Under Secretary for Science, is scheduled to testify.

At 10:00 a.m., the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the President’s FY2012 budget request for the Department of Labor.  Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is scheduled to testify. 

At 1:00 p.m., Chairman Simpson will hold a hearing of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee on President Obama’s FY2012 budget request for the Fish and Wildlife Service.  FWS Deputy Director Dan Ashe is scheduled to testify.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17TH
At 9:30 a.m., Chairman Simpson will hold a hearing of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee on President Obama’s FY2012 budget request for the U.S. Geological Service.  USGS Director Marcia McNutt will testify.

At 10:00 a.m., the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on improper payments.  

At 10:00 a.m., the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing entitled “Fulfilling the Mission of Health and Retirement Security.”   Witnesses will include Alice M. Rivlin, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution; Charles P. Blahous, Research Fellow, Hoover Institution and Public Trustee for Social Security; James C. Capretta, Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center.

At 1:00 p.m., Chairman Simpson will hold a hearing of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee on President Obama’s FY2012 budget request for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE).  BOEMRE Director Michael Bromwich is scheduled to testify.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, MARCH 7TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 793 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12781 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Inverness, California, as the "Specialist Jake Robert Velloza Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Lynn Woolsey / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2) H.Con.Res. 27 - Providing for the acceptance of a statue of Gerald R. Ford from the people of Michigan for placement in the United States Capitol (Sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton / House Administration Committee)

TUESDAY, MARCH 15TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.J.Res. 48 - Further Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Hal Rogers / Appropriations Committee)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 839 - The HAMP Termination Act of 2011 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Patrick McHenry / Financial Services Committee)

H.R. 861 - The NSP Termination Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Gary Miller / Financial Services Committee)

THURSDAY, MARCH 17TH
On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes for the week are expected no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Consideration of legislation relating to the federal funding of NPR, in compliance with the House’s three-day notice requirement

H.Con.Res. 28 - Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan (Subject to a Rule or Unanimous Consent Agreement) (Sponsored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich / Foreign Affairs Committee)

FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH
On Friday, the House is not in session.