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

On Wednesday, the House passed H.J. Res. 38, by a vote of 228-194. H.J. Res. 38 disapproves of the Stream Protection Rule, which rewrites more than 400 regulations threatening one-third of the nation's coal mining workforce.  Also on Wednesday, the House also passed H.J. Res. 41, by a vote of 235-187. H.J. Res. 41 nullifies a rule that was issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which requires public companies engaged in the commercial development of natural gas, minerals, or oil to disclose propriety information that can be used by their global competitors. On Thursday, the House passed H.J. Res. 40, by a vote of 235-180. H.J. Res. 40 disapproves of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration (SSA) announcing it will share information with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) on individuals who receive Disability Insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments and meet five defined criteria.  The House also passed H.J. Res. 37, by a vote of 236-187. H.J. Res. 37 would disapprove and nullify the rule to require prospective federal contractors to disclose labor law violations and alleged violations and create labor compliance advisers to direct agencies about how to consider labor violations when awarding federal contracts. On Friday, the House passed H.J. Res 36, by a vote of 221-191. H.J. Res. 36 nullifies a rule that requires operators to take various actions to reduce waste of gas lost during oil and gas production activities through venting or flaring of the gas, and through equipment leaks. Congressman Simpson supported all of the resolutions. 

Simpson Supports the Second Amendment Rights of Social Security Beneficiaries

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported H.J. Res. 40, a resolution disapproving an 11th hour Obama Administration rule requiring the Social Security Administration (SSA) to submit the names of certain beneficiaries to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, denying them of their Second Amendment rights.

On December 19, 2016, the SSA published the final rule for the criteria to report certain Social Security recipients to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).  This database is used to prevent the sale of firearms to individuals that have committed felonies, are drug addicts, fugitives and illegal immigrants.  This rule restricts Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Income benefit recipients that have been deemed incompetent to handle their own affairs from owning firearms. 

“This is another example of the Obama Administration forcing policy that is not supported by the American people,” said Simpson. “The president couldn’t restrict gun rights through legislation so he had to use to rulemaking process.”

For a beneficiary to appeal the firearm prohibition, they will have to provide to the SSA written statements from the past five years from the individual’s mental health provider, assessing their mental status; and must provide written character statements from others stating that the individual is not a danger to himself/herself or others. Aside from determining that a beneficiary cannot handle their own affairs, the Social Security Administration requires very limited information to transfer the beneficiaries’ information to the NICS.

“Bureaucrats shouldn’t have the ability to take away someone’s constitutionally protected rights,” said Simpson.

H.J. Res. 40 was adopted in the House of Representatives by a vote of 235-180.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH
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. 618 - Crags, Colorado Land Exchange Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Doug Lamborn / Natural Resources Committee)

2)
H.R. 698 - Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Scott Tipton / Natural Resources Committee)

3)
H.R. 688 - Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Jared Polis / Natural Resources Committee)

4)
H.R. 689 - Bolts Ditch Access and Use Act (Sponsored by Rep. Jared Polis / Natural Resources Committee)

5)
H.R. 337 - Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act (Sponsored by Rep. Kristi Noem / Natural Resources Committee)

6)
H.R. 494 - Fort Frederica National Monument Boundary Expansion Act (Sponsored by Rep. Buddy Carter / Natural Resources Committee)

7)
H.R. 387 - Email Privacy Act (Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Yoder / Judiciary Committee)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.J.Res. 44 - Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior relating to Bureau of Land Management regulations that establish the procedures used to prepare, revise, or amend land use plans pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Liz Cheney / Natural Resources Committee)

H.J.Res. 58- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to teacher preparation issues (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Brett Guthrie / Education and the Workforce Committee)

H.J.Res. 57 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to accountability and State plans under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Todd Rokita / Education and the Workforce Committee)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday no votes are expected in the House.


MEDIA CENTER


Give Kids a Smile event providing free oral health screenings for kids 



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