Recently in Washington

Simpson Statement on the Death of Osama Bin Laden
Congressman Mike Simpson released the following statement regarding the news of the killing of Osama Bin Laden.

"It goes without saying that news of Bin Laden's death is welcome news here in the United States and across the globe and stands as a stark reminder to would-be terrorists that our nation will not rest until it brings to justice the many faces of terror. While we celebrate this news, it is important that we remember the victims of terrorism and offer our gratitude to the men and women of our nation who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms. It is also important that we remain vigilant against those who would do us harm and act prudently in the coming days, weeks, and months to guard against future acts of terrorism."

Simpson Joins Congressional Leaders in Protecting State Water Jurisdiction
Chairman over EPA funding signs letter with 169 other members expressing concern about federal attempts to usurp state authority over water
Congressman Mike Simpson has joined a large, bipartisan group of congressional leaders in expressing concern about guidance put out by the Environment Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that would change the definition of waters subject to the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act.  Simpson is Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the EPA.

Last week the EPA issued “Clean Water Protection Guidance.”  By the agency’s own admission, this “Guidance” will substantively change federal policy with respect to which waters fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act and significantly increase the scope of the federal government’s power to regulate waters.

“In the West, water is critical to our way of life.  Allowing the federal government to claim jurisdiction over state waters would have a devastating impact on rural communities throughout our state and the food supply throughout our nation,” said Simpson.  “The ‘Guidance’ substantively changes the policy of both the EPA and the Corps of Engineers and appears to short-circuit the legislative process, something that would have damaging impacts on communities, farms, ranches, and businesses throughout Idaho.” 

The letter, signed by the 170 Members of Congress, states, “By developing this ‘Guidance,’ the Agencies have ignored calls from state agencies and environmental groups, among others, to proceed through the normal rulemaking procedures, and have avoided consulting with the States, which are the Agencies’ partners in implementing the Clean Water Act.”

The entire letter can be viewed on Congressman Simpson’s website.

An Adult Conversation about the Budget
Op-Ed by Congressman Mike Simpson
 “Following on the heels of his election, President Obama claimed he wanted to begin a serious conversation with Republicans that could lead to bipartisan consensus on issues facing our nation. At the 2010 Republican retreat in Baltimore, he asked;

“At what point can we have a serious conversation about Medicare and its long-term liability, or a serious conversation about Social Security or a serious conversation about budget and debt where we’re not simply trying to position ourselves politically? That's what I'm committed to doing.”

“If only he had meant what he said. 

“After putting out an annual budget two months ago that did absolutely nothing to address the deficit threatening our nation’s future, on Thursday President Obama made a half-hearted attempt at a 180, putting forth an un-detailed deficit reduction plan in response to Chairman Paul Ryan’s FY2012 budget. He also completely reversed his previous commitment to finding bipartisan consensus, calling Mr. Ryan’s plan un-American and dishonest, and, incredibly, claiming that Republicans are committed not to deficit reduction but to pitting ‘children with autism or Down syndrome’ against ‘every millionaire and billionaire in our society.’

“Americans have grown tired of the constant bickering, politicking, and gridlock that have defined their government for the last several years. They know that the deficit is the greatest threat our nation faces, and they are ready to have an honest look at all possible solutions.

“We need to have this conversation now. Let’s ignore the politically divisive and patently false claims that one side wants to ‘throw the elderly or poor under the bus,’ or that the other side wants to ‘weaken our national defense and embolden terrorists.’ This debate is too important to get bogged down with that kind of rhetoric.

“That said, the differences between President Obama’s plan and House Republicans’ plan to tackle the debt are vast. 

“The House Republican plan reduces the deficit by $4.4 trillion by cutting $6.2 trillion over the next ten years and lays out a path to pay off the national debt.  President Obama’s plan postpones any spending cuts until after 2013, after his reelection campaign.

“The House Republican plan prevents President Obama’s pending tax increases and reforms our outdated and complicated tax code.  President Obama would raise taxes by more than $1 trillion.

“The House Republican plan reforms our ailing Medicare program so that it will be there for future generations without impacting the current benefits of anyone 55 or older. These programs are crucially important, but they are going bankrupt. They are also the main drivers of our debt.  President Obama’s plan offers no substantive solutions to this looming problem.

“The American people are demanding real solutions to our debt crisis, and we need a plan that offers more than partisan platitudes. While the Republican plan may not be perfect, it is a first step toward facing down our challenges.”

Committee Action

TUESDAY, MAY 3RD
At 9:30, Chairman Simpson will hold a hearing of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, taking public testimony from the Native American community.  The hearing will resume at 1:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH
At 9:30, Chairman Simpson will resume the Native American public witness hearing.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, MAY 2ND
Monday, the House will meet at 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. 1423 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 115 4th Avenue Southwest in Ardmore, Oklahoma, as the "Specialist Micheal E. Phillips Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Cole / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

2) H.R. 362 - To redesignate the Federal building and United States Courthouse located at 200 East Wall Street in Midland, Texas, as the "George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush United States Courthouse and George Mahon Federal Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Michael Conaway / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

TUESDAY, MAY 3RD
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 1213 - Repeal mandatory funding provided to States in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to establish American Health Benefit Exchanges (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton / Energy and Commerce Committee)

 H.R. 1214- Repeal mandatory funding for school-based health center construction (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Michael Burgess / Energy and Commerce Committee)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

 H.R. 3- No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith / Judiciary Committee / Ways and Means Committee)

THURSDAY, MAY 5TH
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.

H.R. 1230 - Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)

Possible Consideration of H.R. 1229 - Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)

FRIDAY, MAY 6TH
On Friday, the House is not in session.

In the News

Salazar during Boise visit: Changing nature of wildfires will clash with tight budgets
By Rocky Barker Copyright: © 2011 Idaho Statesman, 04/29/11
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is confident he has enough funding to meet the wildfire threats of 2011.

But Salazar warned that climate change and invasions of bark beetles and cheat grass could make larger, hotter fires in the future “the looming Katrina of the West.” Those fires will make balancing the protection of areas like the populated Boise Front and habitat for sage grouse — on the brink of listing as an endangered species — even harder.

“We have to get ahead of how climate change is affecting us,” he said during a tour of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise.

He said homeowners and communities will have to do more to protect themselves. Only through partnerships with local and state governments will the federal firefighting establishment be able to handle the growing fire problem, he said.

Salazar and his Bureau of Land Management director Bob Abbey said they expect a fierce fire season this year in the Great Basin where sage grouse listing was determined to be warranted but precluded. Since fire is considered one of the major threats to the survival of the bird, the BLM has a high priority for attacking fires in sage grouse strongholds.

But protecting areas around communities comes first. Right now there are more than enough resources for all of the fires burning mostly in southwest states.

But as the fire season gets busier, federal authorities are going to send the big air tankers that can quickly snuff out blazes to fires near homes and people first and sage grouse habitat second.

“That’s when these tough decisions have to be made,” said Idaho BLM state director Steve Ellis.

Rep. Mike Simpson, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, told 300 Interior employees gathered to hear Salazar that everything must be on the table for budget cuts to bring the federal budget back into balance. “We’re going to have to make priorities and obviously protecting lives and property is a priority,” Simpson said.

Salazar and Simpson joined members of the Boise BLM Great Basin smokejumpers in a practice jump near Idaho City Thursday morning. Salazar and Simpson stayed in the plane but Simpson, referring to limits he placed on Salazar’s “Wild Land” inventory program, joked he was concerned.

“I was afraid the secretary might push me out after seeing the budget,” Simpson said.
Both men praised the other, Simpson crediting Salazar for his work on the Gulf oil spill, and Salazar saying Simpson has a deep understanding of his agency.

Earlier Salazar met with Gov. Butch Otter and Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore to talk about wolves and concerns raised in Canyon County about the future of boating at Lake Lowell.

Salazar said he will have an announcement about wolves and the Endangered Species Act in a few weeks.

“You’ll be hearing from us on reform efforts,” he said.