Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act, by a vote of 378-46.  Congressman Simpson was supportive of this bill, which extended a number of tax relief provisions that had expired over the last calendar year.  The House also passed H.R. 5759, the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act, by a vote of 219-197-3.  This measure prohibits the President from deferring removal of immigrants with unlawful immigration status.  Simpson also supported this bill.

Congressman Simpson opposed passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2015, which passed the House 300-119.  The bill authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and other national security agencies, authorizes funding for Overseas Contingency Operations, and extends the Obama Administration’s authority to train and equip Syrian rebels fighting ISIS and the Assad regime.

Simpson Opposes Unilateral Action by President
Insists that Congress hold hearings, debate, and vote on long- term Middle East strategy

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson last week opposed H.R. 3979, The National Defense Authorization Act because of the authority it extends to the Administration to train and equip the Syrian rebels.

“There are many essential provisions included in H.R. 3979 that I support.  However, I opposed the bill because I cannot in good conscience vote to extend additional authority to the Obama administration’s unilateral decision to train and equip Syrian rebel groups,” said Simpson. “A determination to continue to commit billions of dollars and countless other American resources to a new, and potentially years long conflict in the Middle East is too important for Congress to rubber stamp.  We need to hold hearings, have a debate and vote after we have a complete picture of what our long-term strategy will be in this conflict.  The actions we take now will have long lasting impacts on our national security, budget, and our economy, and I for one do not trust the President with making those decisions alone.”

H.R. 3979 passed with a final vote of 300-119 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

In the News

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. No votes are expected.

H.R. 5781 - California Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014 (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. David Valadao / Natural Resources Committee)

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 5385 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 55 Grasso Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri, as the "Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

2) H.R. 5794 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16105 Swingley Ridge Road in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the "Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

3) H.R. 4030 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 18640 NW 2nd Avenue in Miami, Florida, as the "Father Richard Marquess-Barry Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Frederica Wilson / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

4) H.R. 5562 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 West Ocean Avenue in Lompoc, California, as the "Federal Correctional Officer Scott J. Williams Memorial Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Lois Capps / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

5) H.R. 5687 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 East Market Street in Long Beach, California, as the "Juanita Millender-McDonald Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Janice Hahn / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

6) H.R. 579 - To designate the United States courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the "R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse" (Sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

7) H.R. 1378 - To designate the United States courthouse located at 333 West Broadway in San Diego, California, as the "James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse,” as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Scott Peters / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

8) H.R. 4926 - To designate the "James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway" and the "James L. Oberstar National Scenic Byway" in the State of Minnesota, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Rick Nolan / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

9) H.R. 5146 - To designate the United States courthouse located at 700 Grant Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the "Joseph F. Weis Jr. United States Courthouse" (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Doyle / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

10) S. 1434 - To designate the Junction City Community-Based Outpatient Clinic located at 715 Southwind Drive, Junction City, Kansas, as the "Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz Community-Based Outpatient Clinic" (Sponsored by Sen. Jerry Moran / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

11) S. 229 - Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Sen. Pat Toomey / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

12) S. 2921 - To designate the community based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 310 Home Boulevard in Galesburg, Illinois, as the "Lane A. Evans VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic" (Sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

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.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R 5086 - To amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail, and for other purposes, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry / Natural Resources Committee)

2) H.R 5699 - John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. George Miller / Natural Resources Committee)

3) H.R 5701 - Western Oregon Indian Tribal Lands Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Peter DeFazio / Natural Resources Committee)

4) S. 1000 - Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2014 (Sponsored by Sen. Mark Warner / Natural Resources Committee)

5) H.R. 5705 - Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act of 2014 (Sponsored by Rep. Bob Latta / Energy and Commerce Committee)

6) H.R. 5185 - EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2014, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz / Energy and Commerce Committee)

7) H.R. 5764 - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2014 (Sponsored by Rep. David Joyce / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

8) S. 2759 - To release the City of St. Clair, Missouri, from all restrictions, conditions, and limitations on the use, encumbrance, conveyance, and closure of the St. Clair Regional Airport (Sponsored by Sen. Claire McCaskill / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

9) H.R. 5059 - Clay Hunt SAV Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Tim Walz / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

10) H.R. 5656 - Global Food Security Act of 2014, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith / Foreign Affairs Committee)

11) H.R. 2901 - Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer / Foreign Affairs Committee)

12) S. 1683 - Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez / Foreign Affairs Committee)

13) S. 1691 - Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014 (Sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

Consideration of Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations, 2015

Consideration of legislation related to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act