Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 5114, the Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act of 2010, and H.R. 1722, the Telework Improvement Act of 2010.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development also marked up the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for FY2011.

CIEDRA:  A Solution We Can’t Do Without
By Congressman Mike Simpson
“For nearly a decade I have worked with Idahoans to solve land management issues in central Idaho.  In ten years, it’s easy for the facts to become distorted and the issues that prompted action in the first place to be overlooked. 

“So let’s look at the facts.  CIEDRA is an Idaho solution crafted by Idahoans, not federal bureaucrats or outside interests—right down to compromising on which trails to close and which to keep open. 

“For decades, Idaho’s congressional delegation has tried—and failed—to find a solution to the complicated issues in central Idaho because passions run high when it comes to deciding how to manage this land.  But eventually, lawsuits, ESA restrictions, and other conflicts forced all parties to reconsider the need to compromise.

“I began this process ten years ago after a meeting with ranchers.  They were under the constant threat of losing their livelihoods because of lawsuits filed against them.  I agreed to bring together county commissioners, recreationists, and conservationists to find long-term stability for all interested parties in the face of serious land management conflicts in this area.

“After working closely with the wide range of stakeholders for a decade, I feel more strongly than ever that the problems caused by the current status of the Boulder-White Clouds must be addressed.  If we leave things as they are, we give federal agencies free rein to cut off existing access or change land use policies at any time.  There is a real risk that the Obama Administration could unilaterally designate this area as a national monument, giving Idahoans no input into how the land on which they live and recreate is managed.

“The stakeholders know these challenges can’t be ignored, and they’ve crafted an Idaho solution.  Each group has had to compromise, but they are standing behind this bill and the solutions it proposes. 

“They have struck a delicate balance to solve complex issues, including conservation, recreation, and community development, and they have given the East Fork ranchers hope for the future.  Most importantly, they make sure that Idahoans have a say in land use decisions in our back yard.

“Extremists on both sides of this issue may refuse to find middle ground, but for most Idahoans, this solution is one we can’t do without.

“To learn more about CIEDRA, visit my website at www.simpson.house.gov/ciedra.”
 

Committee Update

On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to hold a full committee markup on the Transportation and HUD Appropriations Act for FY2011 and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for FY2011. 

House Legislative Business This Week

MONDAY, JULY 19, 2010
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for Morning Hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:00 p.m.

Suspensions (5 Bills):
1) H.Res. 1472 - Expressing support for designation of the week of September 13, 2010, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (Sponsored by Rep. Polis / Education and Labor Committee)
2) H.Con.Res. 126 - Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Title VI international education programs within the Department of Education (Sponsored by Rep. Watson / Education and Labor Committee)
3) H.Res. 1219 - Expressing support for designation of September as National Child Awareness Month (Sponsored by Rep. Calvert / Education and Labor Committee)
4) H.Res. 1491 - Congratulating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on winning the 2010 NCAA Division I College World Series (Sponsored by Rep. Wilson (SC) / Education and Labor Committee)
5) H.R. 1855 - SECTORS Act (Sponsored by Rep. Loebsack / Education and Labor Committee)

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2010 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for Morning Hour debate 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 (24 Bills):
1) H.R. 5266 - National Commission on Children and Disasters Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Brown (FL) / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
2) H.R. 5545 - To deauthorize a portion of the project for navigation, Potomac River, Washington Channel, District of Columbia (Sponsored by Del. Norton / Transportation and Infrastructure Committtee)
3) H.Res. 1463 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Railroad Retirement Day (Sponsored by Rep. Perriello / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
4) H.R. 5604 - Surface Transportation Savings Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Perriello / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
5) H.R. 5301 - To extend the period during which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and States are prohibited from requiring a permit under section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for certain discharges that are incidental to normal operation of vessels (Sponsored by Rep. LoBiondo / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
6) H.R. 4842 - Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Clarke / Homeland Security Committee)
7) H.Res. 1516 - Recognizing the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II, honoring the service members who fought in World War II and their families, and honoring the service members who are currently serving in combat operations (Sponsored by Rep. Skelton / Armed Services Committee)
8) H.Res. 1411 - Honoring the service and commitment of the 111th Fighter Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. (Sponsored by Rep. Schwartz / Armed Services Committee)
9) H.Res. 1483 - Recognizing the exemplary service and sacrifice of the soldiers of the 14th Armored Division of the United States Army, known as the Liberators, during World War II (Sponsored by Rep. Gingrey / Armed Services Committee)
10) H.R. 5341 - The "Joyce Rogers Post Office Building" Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Dingell / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
11) H.Res. 1513 - Congratulating the Saratoga Race Course (Sponsored by Rep. Murphy (NY) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
12) H.R. 4684 - National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal Act (Sponsored by Rep. Nadler / Financial Services Committee)
13) H.R. 5283 - Help HAITI Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Fortenberry / Judiciary Committee)
14) H.R. 5532 - International Adoption Harmonization Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Lofgren / Judiciary Committee)
15) H.Res. 1470 - Honoring the life of Chief Justice William S. Richardson (Sponsored by Rep. Djou / Judiciary Committee)
16) H.R. 5566 - Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act (Sponsored by Rep. Gallegly / Judiciary Committee)
17) S. 1749 - Cell Phone Contraband Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Sen. Feinstein / Judiciary Committee)
18) H.R. 1469 - Child Protection Improvements Act of 2009 (Sponsored by Rep. Schiff / Judiciary Committee)
19) Senate Amendments to H.R. 725 - Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act (Sponsored by Rep. Pastor / Natural Resources Committee)
20) S. 1053 - To amend the National Law Enforcement Museum Act to extend the termination date (Sponsored by Sen. Murkowski / Natural Resources Committee)
21) H.R. 5716 - Safer Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Technology Research and Development Act (Sponsored by Rep. Gordon / Science and Technology Committee)
22) H.R. 2693 - Federal Oil Spill Research Program Act (Sponsored by Rep. Woolsey / Science and Technology Committee)
23) H.Con.Res. 292 - Supporting the goals of National Aerospace Week (Sponsored by Rep. Ehlers / Science and Technology Committee)
24) H.R. 4380 - U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Levin / Ways and Means Committee)

H.R. 1264 - Multiple Peril Insurance Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Taylor / Financial Services Committee)

Further Action on H.R. 4213 - Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Levin / Ways and Means Committee)

In the News

Farm Bureau Report, Voice of Idaho Ag News:  Simpson on Beef
David Sparks, July 13, 2010
http://www.aginfo.net/index.cfm/event/report/id/Farm-Bureau-Report-Voice-of-Idaho-Ag-News-16837

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a member of the newly re-formed Congressional Caucus on Beef. The House Beef Caucus will elevate awareness of issues that impact the beef and cattle industry in order to better educate and inform members of the House and their staff about cattle and beef production in the United States. Simpson feels that House caucuses are often bipartisan and are a great mechanism for bringing awareness to important issues and that the U.S. cattle industry faces many challenges. Congress needs to be better informed of their issues in order to make better decisions. Here’s congressman Simpson spokesperson Niki Watts: “He’s been working with the Idaho cattlemen for 12 years while he’s been in congress and has a very good grasp of the issues they’re facing.

The U.S. beef industry faces a wide range of challenges, including international trade, animal health, food safety, environment, conservation, and economic viability. The House Beef Caucus will provide the opportunity to speak as a collective voice about the importance ranching plays in our country and will utilize opportunities in Congress to help ranchers succeed.