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Recently in Washington This week Congress passed H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 Simpson Joins Effort to Repeal Health Insurance Mandate “There can be little doubt that the mandate to purchase health insurance in Obamacare is unconstitutional and needs to be removed,” said Congressman Mike Simpson. “I simply cannot accept that our Founding Fathers would permit the federal government to compel the purchase of a private product as a condition of citizenship. It is unprecedented, unwarranted, and un-American.” Simpson went on to say that efforts among supporters of Obamacare to compare the mandate in the bill to requirements on automobile liability insurance are misguided. “Supporters of Obamacare often say, ‘You have to purchase car insurance, what is the difference?’ What they are missing is the freedom of choice. Individuals choose to buy and drive vehicles; it is not a requirement of citizenship. By mandating that all Americans purchase health insurance, the government is taking away your freedom to choose. We must repeal this mandate.” H.R.4995 would repeal individual and employer mandates enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In the U.S. House of Representatives last week, Congressman Mike Simpson recognized teachers across the United States for their critical role in shaping our nation’s future. This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. In a floor speech Simpson said, “As Congress considers education reform legislation, we must keep in mind the needs of educators, who have the most important job of all -- preparing our young people for the future.” Teacher quality has been proven to be the single most important factor influencing student learning and achievement. Studies have found that 40 to 90 percent of the difference in student test scores can be attributed to teacher quality. Simpson concluded his remarks with, “Teachers play a critical role in shaping our future. They touch the lives of children every day. They inspire, encourage, motivate, and educate the next generation. I applaud their efforts and thank them for their dedication.” Some researchers and policymakers estimate that school districts will have to hire about 200,000 teachers annually over the next decade to keep pace with rising student enrollments and teacher retirements, for a total of 2.2 million additional teachers. For a full copy of Congressman Simpson floor speech, visit his web site at https://simpson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=184322. WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 AND THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010 H.R. 5116 - America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Gordon / Science and Technology Committee) FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2010 NAMPA, ID - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson held a field hearing in Nampa, Idaho to review U.S. agriculture policy as the Committee begins the process of writing the 2012 Farm Bill. This is the second in a series of hearings "Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in Idaho produce a wide variety of agricultural products, and their experiences with so many of the programs authorized by the Farm Bill are essential as we move forward with a new Farm Bill," said Chairman Peterson. "I According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, Idaho ranks first in the nation among states growing potatoes and second in harvested vegetables for sale. More than 900,000 acres of land in Idaho are enrolled in USDA conservation programs. "We must make sure that our producers are equipped with an adequate safety net to provide Americans with the food and fiber they need," said Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma. "As we travel throughout the nation, the feedback we receive from our producers will give us a good sense of how current farm bill programs work in practice and what improvements need to be made." About 100 members of the community attended the hearing, including local agriculture producers and leaders. House Agriculture Committee Members attending the hearing included: Chairman Peterson, Ranking Member Lucas, Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota, Congressman Jim Costa of California, and Congressman Walt Minnick of Idaho. Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, also attended the hearing. "Idaho agriculture has long been innovative and at the forefront of the industry. I am pleased that our leaders had the opportunity to share their experiences and showcase the diversity of the Idaho agricultural community at today's hearing," Congressman Minnick said. "Our farmers are being recognized for their successes. It is important that the people who are impacted by the Farm Bill shape its future. Today, more than ever, our farmers face unprecedented pressures. Hearing from them early is critical to getting the next farm bill right." "Agriculture plays a critical role in our state's economy, and the Farm Bill significantly impacts the ability of Idaho farmers to succeed in the present and plan for the future," said Congressman Simpson. "I am hopeful that today's hearing provided the House Agriculture Committee with good insight into how these programs impact our state's potato, sugar, grain, dairy, and cattle industries, as well as Idaho's specialty crops. I have always appreciated Chairman Peterson's insistence that our nation's farm policy be developed in a bipartisan way, and I look forward to working with him to craft a Farm Bill that provides a firm footing for Idaho agriculture in the years to come." Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.
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