Recently in Washington
Simpson Pushes for Greater Market Access for Idaho Potatoes
Congressman Mike Simpson joined colleagues in sending a letter to Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa encouraging him to loosen trade restrictions on U.S. potatoes.  Calderon is currently visiting Washington, DC, and the letter was hand-delivered last week during a meeting with lawmakers.

“Giving U.S. potato growers full access to the market in Mexico would have a dramatically positive impact on the Idaho potato industry,” said Simpson.  “I am hopeful that President Calderon will recognize that reducing trade barriers would prove beneficial to both of our countries.”

Mexico currently limits shipments of U.S. potatoes to areas within 26 kilometers of the border.  The Mexican government claims that these restrictions are necessary to ensure that pests from U.S. potatoes are not spread to Mexican crops, but U.S. potato producers exporting to Mexico are subject to the same requirements to manage risks of diseases and pests as domestic producers who ship their products throughout Mexico.  The letter calls on the Mexican government to provide the same treatment for U.S. potato imports that domestic potatoes get.

“The supplies of fresh potatoes produced domestically in Mexico are not adequate in quantity to meet the needs of Mexican consumers and processors on a year round basis,” the letter reads.  “Access to high quality U.S. fresh potatoes at prices which are lower than domestically produced potatoes will improve the well being of Mexican consumers and the productivity of Mexican potato processors…Treating U.S. potato imports in a similar manner as potatoes produced in Mexico would be good for Mexican consumers and would encourage the mutually beneficial trade relationship we both seek.” 

Simpson Opposes Bail Outs to Greece, EU
Congressman Mike Simpson has cosponsored legislation to ensure that American taxpayers are not put at risk by international efforts to bail out Greece and other European Union nations.  H.R. 5299, the European Bailout Protection Act, would halt U.S. participation in the roughly $950 billion package recently announced by the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to assist nations facing financial crises. 

“There is no doubt that Greece’s serious debt crisis could have ramifications here at home, but I am deeply concerned about the long-term implications that bailing out other countries have for both the global economy and the U.S. economy,” Simpson said.  “Putting other nations at risk because one country overspent and racked up enormous amounts of debt is a dangerous precedent to set.”

In spite of the fact that the Treaty on European Union requires EU member states to stay below a government budget deficit ceiling of 3% of GDP, Greece currently has a budget deficit of over 13%.  In response to Greece’s financial crisis, the EU and the IMF, to which the United States is the largest global contributor, have taken unprecedented steps to bail out heavily indebted European governments.  H.R. 5299 would prohibit U.S. funding for efforts by the IMF to provide finance to any EU nation until all EU nations are in compliance with their own debt ratio requirements.

“Fiscal restraint is necessary for a healthy economy, and the international community should encourage responsibility, not reward reckless behavior,” said Simpson.  “Greece’s situation should sound an ominous warning about our own out-of-control federal deficit and the impact that it has on our nation’s economy and taxpayers, as well as future generations of Americans who will be expected to pay it down.  Getting our financial house in order is my top priority.”

Delegation Praises Areva Loan Guarantee
Federal backing will assist in the creation of thousands of new Idaho jobs

Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick last week praised a decision by the U.S. Department of Energy to provide federal loan guarantees for construction of the Eagle Rock Uranium Enrichment Plant near Idaho Falls.  AREVA officials say the project would create 400 permanent jobs near Idaho Falls, create another 1,000 construction jobs and result in the creation of up to 5,000 jobs in related services.

The Energy Department announced that AREVA’s U.S. subsidiary, AREVA Enrichment Services LLC, will obtain $2 billion in federal loan guarantees to assist in construction of the Idaho project.  All four members of the Idaho Delegation have supported the project in letters and phone calls and note that appropriate federal support will lead to the expansion of clean nuclear power.  They said the DOE Loan Guarantee Program is among the few policy tools immediately available to deliver market-ready innovative, clean energy technologies that will have economic and environmental impacts. 

“Developing new U.S.-based sources of uranium enrichment is critical to the country being able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieving energy independence, having a reliable supply for domestic power reactors and protecting our national security,” said Crapo.  “If we are going to have a chance at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a robust expansion of nuclear power is the only way to do it without tanking the economy.  The Eagle Rock plant will be one of Idaho’s contributions to this worthy and attainable goal.” 

“This loan guarantee from the Department of Energy is a crucial step in meeting the demand for a reliable, U.S.-based source of enriched uranium to fuel our nuclear power plants,” said Risch, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.  “It is also a great benefit to our local communities and the state for the positive economic impact the new construction and permanent operation jobs that will come about from this facility.”

“I want to congratulate AREVA and the people of Eastern Idaho who have worked so hard to secure this loan guarantee and bring the Eagle Rock facility to our state,” said Simpson, a member of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee which funds the Department of Energy and the Loan Guarantee program. “Nuclear energy must play a strong role in our nation’s energy future and the Eagle Rock facility’s contribution to that future will be enormous.”

"This project will have impact far beyond Idaho Falls,” said Minnick.  “Alternative energy solutions such as nuclear power and woody biomass are a crucial part of our work toward an economic recovery. This project will help Idaho businesses and universities do just that, and will help meet our shared goal of Idaho becoming a national leader in the new energy future."

Committee Update
On Thursday, the House Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment Appropriations is scheduled to hold a hearing entitled, “BP-Transocean Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster: Ongoing Response and Environmental Impacts.”  Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, MMS Director Liz Birnbaum, EPA Deputy Director Bob Perciasepe, Interior Assistant Secretary Tom Strickland, and USGS Director Marcia McNutt are scheduled to testify.

House Legislative Business This Week
MONDAY, MAY 24, 2010
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (13 Bills):

1. H.Res. 1258 - Expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month (Sponsored by Rep. Napolitano / Energy and Commerce Committee)
2. H.Res. 1382 - Expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident (Sponsored by Rep. Faleomavaega / Foreign Affairs Committee)
3. H.Res. 584 - Recognizing the importance of manufactured and modular housing in the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Donnelly / Financial Services Committee)
4. H.Con.Res. 137 - Expressing the sense of the Congress that the lack of adequate housing must be addressed as a barrier to effective HIV prevention, treatment, and care, and that the United States should make a commitment to providing adequate funding for developing housing as a response to the AIDS pandemic (Sponsored by Rep. Nadler / Financial Services Committee)
5. H.R. 5330 - Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Extension Act (Sponsored by Rep. Johnson (GA) / Judiciary Committee)
6. H.R. 1017 - Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act (Sponsored by Rep. Filner / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
7. H.Con.Res. 278 - Expressing the sense of Congress that a grateful Nation supports and salutes Sons and Daughters in Touch on its 20th Anniversary that is being held on Father's Day, 2010, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia (Sponsored by Rep. Halvorson / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
8. H.R. 3885 - Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act (Sponsored by Rep. Brown (SC) / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
9. H.R. 5145 - Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act (Sponsored by Rep. McNerney / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
10. H.Res. 1353 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student financial aid (Sponsored by Rep. Bishop (NY) / Education and Labor Committee)
11. H.Res. 1169 - Honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College (Sponsored by Rep. Grayson / Education and Labor Committee)
12. H.Res. 1161 - Honoring the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette University, the first Catholic university in the world to offer co-education as part of its regular undergraduate program (Sponsored by Rep. Moore (WI) / Education and Labor Committee)
13. H.Res. 1372 - Honoring the University of Georgia Graduate School on the occasion of its centennial (Sponsored by Rep. Broun / Education and Labor Committee)

TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2010 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (5 Bills):

1. H.R. 2711 - FBI Families of Fallen Heroes Act (Sponsored by Rep. Rogers (MI) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2. H.Res. 1172 - Recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg (Sponsored by Rep. Schauer / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3. H.Res. 1189 - Commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (Sponsored by Rep. Young (AK) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4. H.Res. 1316 - Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (Sponsored by Rep. Honda / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
5. H.Res. 1385 - Recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans (Sponsored by Rep. Skelton / Armed Services Committee)

Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment with a House Amendment to H.R. 4213 - The American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Sponsored by Rep. Levin / Ways and Means Committee)

H.R. 5136 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Skelton / Armed Services Committee)

Further Action on The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Gordon / Science and Technology Committee)

Possible Consideration of H.R. 5175 - Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Van Hollen / House Administration Committee)

In the News
Minnick, Simpson differ on $6 billion winterization program
By Jay Howell, May 20th, 2010
http://www.idahoreporter.com/2010/minnick-simpson-differ-on-6-billion-winterization-program/

Idaho’s two U.S. congressmen are split over whether the American people need another taxpayer-funded “cash for caulkers” plan, formally called the Home Star program.  1st District Rep. Walt Minnick voted “yes” earlier this month on HR 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, while 2nd District Rep. Mike Simpson voted against the bill.

HR 5019, which passed the House and has been sent to the Senate Finance Committee, would create another program to help homeowners winterize their homes using “green” products.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the so-called “stimulus”) already contains $5 billion for the same purpose.  The Home Star program, if the Senate approves the House bill, would carry an additional $6 billion price tag.

Aside from the cost, critics have many problems with the Home Star bill, among them the requirement that contractors be certified by one of three organizations, including the Laborers’ Union of North America.  On its website, Americans for Tax Relief (ATR) contends the restrictions on which contractors are authorized to perform the work are so restrictive as to ensure only union companies will be authorized.  “Union-only labor is not only discriminating, but is also much more expensive than non-union labor.  To truly make this bill fair and economically feasible, all contractors and workforces should be allowed to bid for contracts.”

ATR also points out that the Home Star program will come on the heels of the Department of Energy’s troubled Energy Star appliance program, which the New York Times exposed as having certified more than a dozen bogus products intentionally submitted by the Governmental Accounting Office (GAO).  Among those products were a gasoline-powered alarm clock and an electric hammer.

The Heritage Foundation is concerned about what it perceives as the “government knows best” mentality in the bill.  Reporter Nicolas Loris wrote, “It’s attempting to change Americans’ choices by footing a portion of the bill with taxpayer dollars.  Consumers are in a much better position to determine how to be energy efficient than the government and we as a country have become a much more energy efficient over time.”

The Home Star bill, if it becomes law, will create a new bureaucracy under the Department of Energy, which could employ as many as 30 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, with a top base pay level of GS-15.  According to the federal government’s 2010 General Schedule pay scale , GS-15 tops out at $129,517.

But perhaps the biggest criticism of the Home Star bill is that it’s not needed.  The “stimulus” bill contained $5 billion to make “green” upgrades and winterize 593,000 homes through 2012, but as Heritage points out, by the end of 2009, only 9,100 homes had undergone the process.  This was done at a cost of $522 million, or more than $57,000 per home.  An official with Citizens Against Government Waste, who asked not to be identified, said of the “stimulus” plan’s cash for caulkers provisions, “It’s become the poster child for wasteful and ridiculous spending.”

Rep. Simpson agreed.  “The government’s record is spotty at best when it comes to implementing the expensive weatherization program included in the 2009 stimulus bill, and spending another $6 billion on an unrealistic program like this is simply throwing money away at a time when we should be reining in out-of-control government spending.”