Last week the House passed H.R. 1892, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, as well as a resolution, H.Res. 391, relating to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.

Simpson Statement on President Obama's Address
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement after President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress.

"I was pleased to see the president put forth a plan to address the jobs crisis facing our country. He said a number of things with which I agree and which I have long been saying. I have said for years that fundamental tax reform is crucial to getting our economy back on track and that we must reform programs like Medicare if we want them to be around for our children and grandchildren.

"Unfortunately, it appears that the president's jobs plan doesn't address these very real issues. Instead he offers the same solutions that have already proven unsuccessful--more spending and small, temporary steps where fundamental reform is needed. If the president really wants to get the economy going again, he needs to provide long-term certainty that allows job creators--both big and small--to invest in their companies, hire new workers, and grow our economy. This doesn't mean passing short-term bandaids for our broken tax code or throwing more taxpayer money into the hole created by the 2009 stimulus package. It means reducing unnecessary regulations, fundamentally reforming our tax code, and getting serious about paying down the debt we are leaving to our children and grandchildren."

Simpson Takes Lead on Dairy Reform
Simpson works with Rep. Peterson on reform proposals
U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., last month announced that Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, has joined efforts to reform dairy programs. Simpson is the lead Republican proponent of discussion draft legislation released by Peterson in August. The draft language is based on reform proposals put forward by the dairy industry.

“I look forward to working with members of the Idaho dairy industry and Representative Peterson to prevent another economic disaster like the dairy industry suffered in 2009.  I believe we can do better for Idaho dairy farmers,” said Simpson. “This legislation starts a conversation, that I intend to help lead, on how to build a more effective economic safety net for the U.S. dairy industry.”

“Reforming dairy programs now will ensure producers have a strong safety net in place during tough times. Current programs are not working and if we have another dairy crisis like we had in 2009 the outcome could be devastating. Rep. Simpson’s support allows us to continue to develop legislation in a bipartisan way and ensure Americans continue to have access to a safe and abundant supply of fresh milk. I appreciate the feedback we’ve received from the dairy industry thus far and look forward to continuing that dialogue as we move ahead,” Peterson said.

The reform proposal consists of three main components – a margin protection program, a Dairy Market Stabilization Program and reforms to the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. These proposals would provide a safety net based on margin protection, rather than price; and replace both the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP) and the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program.

Recently in Idaho

Simpson to Open Primitive-Access Wheelchair Trail on Thursday
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to take place Thursday, August 18
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined Erik Schultz, Executive Director of the Arthur B. Schultz Foundation, and Ed Cannady, Recreation Technician for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, in opening the Murdock Creek Trail on August 18. The Murdock Creek trail is a primitive-access wheelchair trail that is designed to maintain the character of wilderness while providing a greatly enhanced level of access for a wide variety of individuals with mobility limitations.

“It is an honor to be part of this historic event,” said Simpson. “I’ve had the great opportunity to work with Erik Schultz so that individuals with mobility limitations can access our state’s beautiful backcountry areas. The Murdock Creek Trail is the first of its kind in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and one of the first of its kind in the Nation. In addition, I look forward to the completion of the Phyllis Lake Trail upgrades as they will provide those with mobility limitations an incredible opportunity to enjoy a primitive high mountain lake experience.”

Recently the first mile of the Murdock Creek trail in the SNRA was upgraded to a “primitive-access” standard.  Primitive-access trails provide an enhanced level of backcountry/wilderness access for individuals with mobility limitations, including wheelchair users. However, primitive-access trails are not designed or required to satisfy guidelines for public access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “The Murdock Creek trail now provides better backcountry access for a wider range of individuals with disabilities while remaining in harmony with the wilderness resource,” said Schultz.

“The Murdock Creek and Phyllis Lake trails add a real backcountry access component to the already impressive diversity of adaptive outdoor recreation opportunities available in the Wood River Valley and SNRA,” said Cannady. “Collectively they make the region a truly world-class destination for outdoor enthusiasts with mobility limitations.”

The primitive-access upgrades of the Murdock Creek and Phyllis Lake trails were made possible by federal funding secured by Representative Simpson. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area administered all trail construction, with funding for the initial Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Murdock Creek project provided by the Arthur B. Schultz Foundation, a charitable foundation based in Ketchum. 

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011
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. 2076 - Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2011(Sponsored by Rep. Trey Gowdy / Judiciary Committee)
2) H.R. 2633 - Appeal Time Clarification Act of 2011(Sponsored by Rep. Howard Coble / Judiciary Committee)
3) H.R. 1059 - To protect the safety of judges by extending the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact sensitive information contained in their financial disclosure reports, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. John Conyers / Judiciary Committee)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

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.

On Friday, the House is not in session.

Legislation related to expiring authority for the nation's FAA and surface transportation programs

Complete Consideration of H.R. 2218 - Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act
(Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Duncan Hunter / Education and the Workforce Committee)
The rule provides for no further general or amendment debate.
Postponed Amendment Votes:
    Rep. Rush Holt Amendment
    Rep. Steve King Amendment

 H.R. 2867- United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2011 (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf / Foreign Affairs Committee)

 H.J.Res. 77- Resolution of Disapproval (Privileged Resolution, Two Hours of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Reed / Ways and Means Committee)

 H.R. 2587- Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Tim Scott / Education and the Workforce Committee)

In the News

National Parks Are Truly Our National Treasures
By Congressman Mike Simpson
“From Yellowstone National Park to the Everglades and Acadia National Park to Yosemite, our national parks are among our nation’s most treasured national assets and have been rightly called our nation’s “crown jewels.”  Not only do our national parks drive the economies of gateway communities like many in Idaho, but they provide more than 275 million Americans each year with the opportunity to get outdoors and learn about the places and people of our great country.

“As our economy struggles to recover and gas prices have made it more cost prohibitive to travel overseas, we are gaining a greater appreciation for what we have here at home.  In 2009 visitation at national parks reached almost record levels, with Yellowstone, America’s first national park, seeing its highest visitation ever.  People who grew up spending summers camping, hiking, or fishing in national parks are now taking their own families there to recreate those memories.  A new generation of Americans is discovering the history, culture, and natural world that make up this great country.

“In Idaho, we tend to think of our national parks in terms of great outdoor experiences.  I spent many of my childhood summers at Yellowstone, and other Idahoans travel every year to go camping at Craters of the Moon, hiking at Glacier National Park in Montana, or rock climbing at City of Rocks.  But our parks and national historic sites are as diverse as our population.  This year Americans are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War by visiting battle sites like Gettysburg and Manassas.  Students from all over the country travel to Washington, DC, each year, visiting sites that commemorate events like World War II and influential Americans like George Washington on the National Mall. 

“I am a lifelong supporter of our national parks.  As the Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the National Park Service, I recognize that there are a number of challenges facing our parks, not the least of which is that we have a tendency to love our parks to death.  As we approach the centennial celebration of the National Park Service in 2016, we must set careful priorities and do more with limited resources to restore and maintain our beautiful parks so that future generations can enjoy them.  Doing so will require the support and partnership of the Americans who visit them to experience our country and create lasting memories for their families.  I encourage you to visit a national park—or three or four—this summer.  It will undoubtedly be an experience that your family will cherish for years to come.”