Recently in Washington

During the week of January 9^th, the House passed H.R. 79, the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act, by a vote of 344-73. This legislation amends the Securities Act of 1933 to clarify rules on certain SEC investment solicitation bans.  On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 5, the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017, by a vote of 238-183. This legislation combines six previously passed reform minded bills to eliminate overly burdensome red tape and regulations in order to lift unnecessary burdens on hardworking Americans and to promote jobs, innovation, and economic growth.  On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 78, the SEC Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017, by a vote of 243-184. The bill requires the SEC to review existing regulations within one year of the bill’s enactment, and every five years thereafter, to determine the sufficiency, effectiveness, and burdens associated with its regulations.

On Thursday, the House also passed H.R. 238, the Commodity End-User Relief Act, by a vote of 239-182. This legislation authorizes appropriations to operate the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) through 2021 and make changes in some of the agency’s operating procedures. On Friday, the House passed S. Con. Res. 3, the fiscal year 2017 Budget Resolution, by a vote of 227-198. This resolution provides for reconciliation instructions to facilitate action on the repeal of Obamacare.  On Friday, the House also passed S. 84, To Provide for an Exception to a Limitation Against Appointment of Persons as Secretary of Defense within Seven Years of Relief from Active Duty as a Regular Commissioned Officer of the Armed Forces, by a vote of 268-151-1. This legislation would provide a one-time exception to the law that prohibits the President from appointing a Secretary of Defense who served as a military officer within the last seven years, which permits President-elect Trump to appoint General Mattis as Secretary of Defense.

Simpson Supports First Step to Repeal Obamacare
Budget resolution provides Congress with tools to enact patient-centered healthcare

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported passage of the fiscal year 2017 budget resolution which was approved by the House of Representatives. This is the most significant Obamacare repeal legislation to pass the House since the law was enacted six years ago. Passage of the resolution unlocks a legislative mechanism known as “reconciliation” which provides Congress with the ability to repeal and ultimately replace Obamacare.

“It is no secret that Obamacare has not lived up to the promises made six years ago,” said Congressman Simpson. “Obamacare has led to higher premiums, higher deductibles, and fewer choices – and this is before the most egregious tax hikes have gone into effect. I hear from Idahoans daily about the struggles associated with this law, and today’s legislation represents an important step in replacing Obamacare with real healthcare reform that puts decisions back into the hands of families, patients, and doctors.”

The resolution was agreed to by a vote of 227-198 and was agreed to by the Senate earlier in the week. 

Simpson Retains Energy and Water Appropriations Gavel

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has been re-appointed as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.  The Subcommittee funds all functions of the U.S. Department of Energy, including the Idaho National Laboratory’s research and cleanup operations.  Congressman Simpson has held this position since November 2013.

“Given the importance of this Subcommittee to Idaho and its daily impact on my constituents, I am honored and pleased to have the opportunity to continue as its Chairman,” said Simpson. “We have made great progress in the last few years in making strategic investments to enhance our national security, maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research and development, and to fulfill cleanup commitments to states, and I look forward to building on that work this coming year.”

The Subcommittee’s primary jurisdiction includes the following federal agencies:

-Department of Energy, including Idaho National Laboratory and Bonneville Power Administration

-National Nuclear Security Administration

-U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

-Bureau of Reclamation

-Nuclear Regulatory Commission

-Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

-Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

Other areas of jurisdiction include the Central Utah Project, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Delta Regional Authority, the Denali Commission, the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Southern Crescent Regional Commission, and the Tennessee Valley Authority

“Whether it’s the cleanup of sites like INL, the maintenance of our nation’s nuclear weapons, or the many vital water projects across the Western United States, the Energy and Water Subcommittee’s work touches almost every community in Idaho and across the country,” said Simpson. “I look forward to working with Governor Perry as the new Secretary of Energy to continue our critical work.”

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, JANUARY 23RD
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. 511 - Power And Security Systems (PASS) Act (Sponsored by Rep. Peter Welch / Energy and Commerce Committee)

2) H.R. 587 - Fair RATES Act (Sponsored by Rep. Joseph Kennedy / Energy and Commerce Committee)

3) H.R. 590 - Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Bob Latta / Energy and Commerce Committee)

4) H.R. 518 - EPS Improvement Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette / Energy and Commerce Committee)

5) H.R. 290 - Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden / Energy and Commerce Committee)

6) H.R. 423 - Anti-Spoofing Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Grace Meng / Energy and Commerce Committee)

7) H.R. 588 - Securing Access to Networks in Disaster Act (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone / Energy and Commerce Committee)

8) H.R. 555 - Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Adam Kinzinger / Energy and Commerce Committee)

9) H.R. 460 - Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. David Young / Energy and Commerce Committee)

10) H.R. ___ - Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise / Energy and Commerce Committee)

11) H.R. 582 - Kari's Law Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert / Energy and Commerce Committee)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

H.R. 7 - No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith / Energy and Commerce Committee)

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 589 - Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)

2) H.R. ___ - Digital GAP Act (Sponsored by Rep. Ed Royce / Foreign Affairs Committee)

3) H.R. ___ - READ Act (Sponsored by Rep. Nita Lowey / Foreign Affairs Committee)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, no votes are expected in the House.