Recently in Washington 

Last week the House passed H.R. 4626, the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act, as well as the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009.  The House also passed H.R. 2701, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, and legislation extending a number of expiring government programs.

Simpson Concerned about EPA’s Lack of Response to Climate-gate
Congressman Simpson expressed concern that the Obama Administration remains reluctant to slow down implementation of greenhouse gas regulations in light of concerns about the legitimacy of climate change science.  Last week, Simpson had the opportunity to question EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson when she testified before the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, of which Simpson is the Ranking Republican Member.

“EPA’s public response to the so-called ‘Climate-gate’ issue is unsatisfactory at best,” said Simpson.  “Idahoans are frustrated that we are basing major, far-reaching policy changes and significant funding increases on scientific data that has been called into question, but their concerns are being summarily dismissed by the EPA, which simply claims that ‘the science is sound.’”

In December, the EPA announced an endangerment finding regarding greenhouse gases, effectively giving the EPA authority to regulate all greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.  Recently, 16 separate court petitions were filed by three states, 13 House lawmakers, and various advocacy groups and think tanks challenging EPA’s finding.  Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 4572, legislation that would amend the Clean Air Act to clarify that it does not allow for regulation of greenhouse gases on the basis of global climate change.

“President Obama has committed to basing decisions on science, not politics, and to have a ‘more transparent and open government,’” said Simpson.  “Now instead of stepping back and asking, ‘Okay, what do the facts really say and how should we respond accordingly?’ the Administration is ignoring legitimate concerns and is continuing to push through new regulations that are extremely damaging to our economy.”

Simpson Grills EPA Administrator on Clean Water Act Regulations
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, who is Ranking Member on the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, grilled EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on the unfunded mandate placed on cities under the Clean Water Act.  Recently Congressman Simpson met with mayors and community leaders throughout Idaho, many of whom expressed their frustration with the EPA’s unreasonable clean water standards that they are struggling to meet.  Simpson forcefully communicated these concerns to Administrator Jackson during Interior Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the EPA budget for FY11.

“One thing I heard time and time again when I was home was the dramatic impact EPA is having on Idaho communities,” said Simpson.  “Mayors throughout our state are at their wit’s end trying to meet EPA’s standards under the Clean Water Act and are forced to make difficult and even impossible budget decisions to do so.  Some cities are so frustrated that they are prepared to hand EPA the keys to the city.  No agency should have this kind of control over local governments.”

Simpson also had the opportunity to meet with EPA Region X Administrator Dennis McLerran to share with him the concerns he has heard from local leaders in Idaho.  During the meeting they discussed struggles that Boise and other Treasure Valley communities face in meeting federal phosphorus requirements.  In spite of the cities’ willingness to find innovative solutions to address this issue, the EPA continues to insist on outrageously expensive measures to reduce phosphorus discharges into the Boise River. 

“Regarding the phosphorus issue specifically, do you believe results are the primary goal of the EPA in its enforcement measures,” asked Simpson, “or are you equally interested in forcing communities to meet standards in the EPA’s preferred method instead of using innovative or unique methods for meeting goals?”

“I understand that the EPA has laws and regulations to enforce, but it seems to me that this is getting to a point of ridiculousness,” Simpson vented to Administrator Jackson during the hearing.  “Here we have small, rural communities where the cost of complying with EPA’s standards is forcing citizens to pay 20% of their income for water and sewer, and the EPA is insisting that they spend tens of millions of dollars to reduce arsenic levels from eleven parts per billion to ten.  Administrator, have we ever heard of a cost-benefit analysis?  Idaho communities have simply run out of options.”

Simpson is working on legislation that would allow small communities opt out of federal arsenic standards.  To watch Congressman Simpson’s comments during the hearing, click http://www.youtube.com/CongMikeSimpson#p/a/u/0/WDws86byq68.

Simpson Advocates for Idaho with Forest Service Chief
Congressman Mike Simpson shared an Idaho perspective when Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell testified at the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee regarding the FY2011 Forest Service Budget request.  Simpson is Ranking Member of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the Forest Service. 

During the hearing Simpson raised a number of concerns he has heard from his constituents, including opposition to a controversial proposal to raise fees on senior citizens and physically disabled citizens seeking recreational access to U.S. Forest Service lands.  “It’s no secret that the recession has had a considerable impact on these groups because of high health care costs and depleted retirement savings,” said Simpson. 

Simpson also provided an important local point of view when committee members questioned the Chief regarding reduced funding for roads on Forest Service lands.  “When you decide to decommission roads, Chief Tidwell, there really needs to be a good reason for making that decision and then it really needs to be explained to the public and they need an opportunity to be part of the process,” Simpson said.  “I often hear from Idahoans who are concerned that their access to public lands is suddenly limited without explanation.”

Simpson advocated for continued access to recreation on public lands, asking Chief Tidwell about how the Forest Service manages recreation on Recommended Wilderness Areas and securing a commitment from the Chief to look at ways to improve the permit process for outfitters and guides.  This was the second hearing on the President’s FY11 budget request held by the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.

Simpson Reacts to Health Care Summit
Government run health care should be off the table and reasonable reforms should be looked at first
Congressman Mike Simpson offered his reaction to President Obama’s latest health care proposal and the bi-partisan health care summit.

“Unfortunately, my fears about this summit were realized: rather than a substantive discussion about health care reform, the President’s summit was just for show,” said Congressman Mike Simpson. “It seems the Democrats were more interested in selling the American people the bills they have supported in the House and Senate rather than working together to accomplish health care reform that we can all agree on.”

While Democrats have been trying to dub Republicans as the party of “no” when it comes to working on health care reform, the fact is the GOP has several reforms they have been touting for months. To learn more about these reforms, visit www.gop.gov/solutions/healthcare.

“There is no doubt we need health care reform,” said Simpson. “It comes down to different approaches and philosophies. I support proposals that would allow individuals to purchase health care insurance across state lines, enact meaningful medical malpractice reform, allow for prescription drug re-importation, and extend coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions. These are common sense reforms that will lower overall costs and increase access without enacting a government takeover of health care.”

Committee Update
At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the DOE Weapons Activities and Naval Reactors FY2011 Budget.  Witnesses will include Thomas P. D’Agostino, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of National Nuclear Security Administration and Admiral H. Donald Kirkland, Deputy Administrator, Naval Reactors .

At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing on the Department of Defense budget for FY2011.  The Honorable William J. Lyn, III, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and the Honorable Robert F. Hale, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), Department of Defense, are scheduled to testify.

At 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Strengthening Native American Communities:  Trust Resources and the Bureau of Indian Affairs FY2011.”  Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry EchoHawk and Acting Special Trustee for American Indians Donna Erwin are schedule to testify.

House Legislative Business This Week 

MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010
On Monday, the House is not in session.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (10 Bills):

1. H.Res. 1097 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week (Sponsored by Rep. Lipinski / Science and Technology Committee)
2. H.R. 3820 - Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Wu / Science and Technology Committee)
3. H.Res. 747 - Congratulating the United States Military Academy at West Point on being named by Forbes magazine as America's Best College for 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Hall (NY) / Armed Services Committee)
4. H.Res. 699 - Expressing the appreciation of Congress for the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard (Sponsored by Rep. Graves / Armed Services Cost)
5. H.Res. 812 - Recognizing the significant contributions of the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program to the United States Armed Forces (Sponsored by Rep. Lance / Armed Services Committee)
6. H.Res. 1072 - Recognizing Louisiana State University for 150 years of service and excellence in higher education (Sponsored by Rep. Cassidy / Education and Labor Committee)
7. H.Res. 1117 - Commending and congratulating the California State University system on the occasion of its 50th anniversary (Sponsored by Rep. Lofgren / Education and Labor Committee)
8. H.Res. 1111 - Designating March 2, 2010, as "Read Across America Day" (Sponsored by Rep. Markey (CO) / Education and Labor Committee)
9. H.Res. 1112 - Congratulating the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital (Sponsored by Rep. Thompson (PA) / Education and Labor Committee)
10. H.Res. 362 - Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the goals and ideals of the National School Lunch Program (Sponsored by Rep. Watson / Education and Labor Committee)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010, AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, there are no votes are expected in the House.

Suspensions (6 Bills):

1. H.Res. 1096 - Encouraging individuals across the United States to participate in the 2010 Census to ensure an accurate and complete count beginning April 1, 2010, and expressing support for designation of March 2010 as Census Awareness Month (Sponsored by Rep. Reyes / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2. H.Res. 1079 - Congratulating the National Football League Champion New Orleans Saints for winning Super Bowl XLIV and for bringing New Orleans its first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history (Sponsored by Rep. Cao / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3. H.Res. 1082 - Supporting the goals and ideals of the fourth annual America Saves Week (Sponsored by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson / Financial Services Committee)
4. H.R. 2554 - National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Scott (GA) / Financial Services Committee)
5. H.Con.Res. 239 - Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (Sponsored by Rep. Davis (CA) / House Administration Committee)
6. H.Con.Res. 236 - Permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust (Sponsored by Rep. Klein / House Administration Committee)

H.R. 4247 - Keeping All Students Safe Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. George Miller / Education and Labor Committee)

Further Action on “Jobs” Legislation

In the News

Simpson holds round table with local leaders

By Jay Michaels, originally printed at http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/84826212.html 02/19/10

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson says that county commissioners, city councilmen, and mayors know what's going on in their cities and towns better than he does. That’s why almost a dozen mayors from cities across the Magic Valley including Burley, Buhl, and Gooding met for a roundtable discussion with Idaho congressman Friday.

Lee Heider, City of Twin Falls Vice-Mayor said, “He wasn't nearly so aware of what the EPA's done to us relative to arsenic standards, so we gave him an earful. But all the cities around this valley have a problem with the arsenic standard. So he's going to carry that back to Washington and see what he can do to help us on the unfunded mandates from Washington.

Heider says Simpson is a great example of what representative government is all about, when a congressman from Washington D.C. travels to the magic valley to talk to local people.

Randy Hall, Mayor of Ketchum said, “Our issues up north are a little bit different. But today, just wanted to get Mike's insight on the economy, stimulus dollars, and how they're being spent. And if there's any way Ketchum and our community can get in line for some of those dollars.”

Hall says Simpson has been a great advocate for the State of Idaho, and that he's concerned enough about the issues that affect Magic Valley and southern Idaho to stay connected to the needs of the people who live here.

Simpson said, “It's good for me to sit down, talk to them and find out what those issues are, how we might be able to help, what's affecting them. Because then we'll hold hearings before all the different agencies when they come in for their budgets. And I'll be able to say how are you doing this? And this is what I'm hearing out in Idaho and what can we do to fix it.