U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson - 2nd District of Idaho
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Recently in Washington 

Last Monday, the House passed H.R. 1222, the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017, as amended, by a vote of 394 to 7.  The bill enhances research and surveillance at the CDC, awards grants to further study Congenital Heart Disease, and directs the NIH to report on their ongoing research efforts.  The House also passed legislation Congressman Simpson authored, H.R. 2422, the Action for Dental Health Act of 2017, by a vote of 387 to 13.  The bill reauthorizes CDC oral health promotion and disease prevention programs along with the Health Resources and Services Administration’s grants to states to support oral health workforce activities. Congressman Simpson supported both bills.
 
On Tuesday, passed H.R. 4296, a bill to place requirements on operational risk capital requirements for banking organizations established by an appropriate Federal banking agency, by a vote of 245 to 169.  The bill restricts banking regulators from establishing operational risk capital requirements (the amount of money and non-cash assets banks are required to hold in reserve) for banking organizations.  The House also passed H.R. 1865, the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017, by a vote of 388 to 25.  The bill enhances criminal penalties for websites that facilitate illegal prostitution or sex trafficking and provides sex trafficking victims with restitution. Congressman Simpson was supportive of both bills.


House Passes Bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act

Reps. Robin Kelly’s and Mike Simpson’s bill encourages early care in underserved communities

The House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act (H.R. 2422), co-authored by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), and Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID). It received 387 yes votes.

This legislation targets crucial federal dollars to organizations that provide oral health care to underserved populations, especially seniors, children and those living in rural and urban communities. Without spending additional dollars, the bill increases oral health care access by strengthening the impact of existing resources.

“Unfortunately, too many Americans lack access to oral health care because of cost or a lack of dentists in their area. This bill starts to change that by making oral health care more accessible,” Congresswoman Kelly said. “In a time of a deeply divided Congress, I’m glad that Congressman Simpson and I could put forward a bipartisan bill that would win the support of hundreds of our colleagues.”

“I am thrilled with the overwhelming bipartisan support for the Action for Dental Health Act,” Rep. Simpson said. “With House passage today, we are advancing a solution to better utilize resources to improve early diagnosis, intervention and preventive treatments which can stop the progress of oral diseases. I would like to thank Congresswoman Kelly for her work on this legislation and I look forward to seeing this advance in the Senate.”

In practice, the legislation will reduce the number of oral health emergency room visits, which are often expensive, not comprehensive and only address dental conditions in late stages. By increasing access to care, issues can be addressed more efficiently and before extensive damage to overall health.

The Action for Dental Health Act has received the endorsement of the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association and many other organizations. The legislation now advanced to the Senate.

Committee Schedule 

Tuesday

At 10:00 a.m., the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee on Appropriations will hold a hearing with Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta to discuss the agency’s FY19 budget request.

Constituent Corner

From the IRS Legislative Affairs Division:

Three Popular Tax Benefits Retroactively Renewed for 2017; IRS Ready to Accept Returns Claiming These Benefits; e-file for Fastest Refunds

The Internal Revenue Service said that it is ready to process tax year 2017 returns claiming three popular tax benefits recently renewed retroactively into law.

The Bipartisan Budget Act, enacted on Feb. 9, renewed for tax year 2017 a wide range of individual and business tax benefits that had expired at the end of 2016. The IRS has now reprogrammed its processing systems to handle the three benefits most likely to be claimed on returns filed early in the tax season.

As a result, taxpayers can now file returns claiming:

  • Exclusion from gross income of discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness (often, foreclosure-related debt forgiveness), claimed on Form 982,
  • Mortgage insurance premiums treated as qualified residence interest, generally claimed by low- and middle-income filers on Schedule A, and
  • Deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses claimed on Form 8917.

The IRS is working closely with tax professionals and the tax-preparation industry to ensure that their available software processes can now accommodate these new provisions. As always, filing electronically and choosing direct deposit is the fastest, most accurate and most convenient way to receive a tax refund. Last year, nearly 87 percent of individual returns were filed electronically and nearly 80 percent of refunds were direct deposited.

The IRS is continuing to update its systems to handle returns claiming the other tax benefits extended by the new law, enacted on Feb. 9. In general, these benefits affect a smaller number of taxpayers. Taxpayers eligible for these benefits can avoid delays or possibly needing to file an amended return later, by filing after IRS systems have been updated to reflect these changes. Check IRS.gov/Extenders for future updates.

Taxpayers who have already filed their 2017 federal tax return and now wish to claim one of these renewed tax benefits can do so by filing an amended return on Form 1040X. Amended returns cannot be filed electronically and can take up to 16 weeks to process. Visit IRS.gov for details.


Floor Schedule 

MONDAY, MARCH 5TH
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. 1209 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 901 N. Francisco Avenue, Mission, Texas, as the "Mission Veterans Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Henry Cuellar / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

2) H.R. 2673 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 514 Broadway Street in Pekin, Illinois, as the "Lance Corporal Jordan S. Bastean Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Cheri Bustos / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

3) H.R. 3183 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13683 James Madison Highway in Palmyra, Virginia, as the "U.S. Navy Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Garrett / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

4) H.R. 4406 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 99 Macombs Place in New York, New York, as the "Tuskegee Airman Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Adriano Espaillat / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

5) H.R. 4646 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1900 Corporate Drive in Birmingham, Alabama, as the "Lance Corporal Thomas E. Rivers, Jr. Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Gary Palmer / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

6) H.R. 4685 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 515 Hope Street in Bristol, Rhode Island, as the "First Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna Jr. Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

7) S. 831 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 West Pike Street in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, as the “Police Officer Scott Bashioum Post Office Building” (Sponsored by Sen. Pat Toomey / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

TUESDAY, MARCH 6TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 4607 - Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act, Rules Committee Print (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Barry Loudermilk / Financial Services Committee)

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 2226 - Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr / Financial Services Committee)

2) H.R. 4725 - Community Bank Reporting Relief Act (Sponsored by Rep. Randy Hultgren / Financial Services Committee)

3) H.R. 4768 - National Strategy for Combating the Financing of Transnational Criminal Organizations Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. David Kustoff / Financial Services Committee)

4) H.R. 4986 - RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Marsha Blackburn / Energy and Commerce Committee)

5) H.R. 1132 - Political Appointee Burrowing Prevention Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ken Buck / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

6) H.R. 3737 - Social Media Use in Clearance Investigations Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Ron DeSantis / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

7) H.R. 4043 - Whistleblower Protection Extension Act of 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Rod Blum / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

8) S. 188 - EGO Act, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7TH

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

H.R. 1917 - Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Johnson / Energy and Commerce Committee)

THURSDAY, MARCH 8TH

On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

H.R. 1119 - Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Keith Rothfus / Energy and Commerce Committee)

FRIDAY, MARCH 9TH

On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.

In the News

White Clouds wilderness could be renamed for former Governor Cecil Andrus
Feb 14, 2018

WASHINGTON D.C. (KIFI/KIDK) - By unanimous consent, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee has passed a bill sponsored by 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson. H.R. 4134 would rename the White Clouds Wilderness after former Idaho Governor and Interior Secretary Cecil D. Andrus.

"I am very grateful to Chairman Bishop and the Committee for passing legislation to honor the late Governor Andrus," said Simpson. "Governor Andrus meant so much, to so many in Idaho. So do the White Clouds. It is only fitting that this iconic land in Idaho is forever tied to the man who dedicated his public service to protecting it. Today is an important first step in renaming the White Clouds after Governor Andrus."

Simpson introduced the resolution in August, shortly after Andrus died. Simpson's Boulder White Clouds Wilderness Bill was signed into law just over two years ago.

The resolution now goes to the full House.

You can learn more about the White Clouds legislation here.


MEDIA CENTER


House Passes Bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act


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