Representative Mike Simpson

The Simpson Standard

December 17th, 2023

Dear [salutation],

It was a big week here in Washington - especially for dairy! This week, the House passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This bill gives schools flexibility to craft nutritious lunches for students participating in school meal programs by allowing whole and 2 percent milk options. I am a proud cosponsor of this bill, and I'm thrilled to see it pass.

I also met with the Idaho Dairymen's Association. It was great to discuss critical legislation - like the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act - and their priorities moving forward.

The House passed the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week. This legislation equips our troops with the resources they need, shows strong support for service members and their families, and deters foreign adversaries. Read more about the NDAA below!

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Passes House

For too long, whole and 2 percent milk has been kept out of school cafeterias. Students in Idaho and across our nation deserve access to milk’s 13 essential nutrients that children often lack. Simply put, we must restore access to these nutritious beverages in cafeterias nationwide.

Idaho is the third-largest milk-producing state, and I represent one of the most productive dairy districts in the country. As co-chair of the Congressional Dairy Caucus and a proud cosponsor of this bill, I am happy to see the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act pass the House and look forward to seeing more of Idaho’s high-quality dairy in schools nationwide.

You can learn more about this bill by clicking the link below.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

Idaho Dairymen's Association Meeting

Idaho dairy generates $10.7 billion in total sales and creates over 33,000 jobs in our state. Dairy is the backbone of Idaho.

It’s always a pleasure to meet with the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, who consistently work to protect and prioritize Idaho's dairy industry!

NDAA Passes the House

I am proud to support the FY24 NDAA. This legislation provides for the largest pay raise for our military in over 20 years, improves military readiness, and strengthens national security.

Highlights of the bill include:

Supports a 5.2% increase in servicemember basic pay, the largest pay raise in over 20 years.
Saves taxpayers $37 billion or 5% of current defense spending levels by cutting inefficient defense programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy.
Restores the focus of our military on lethality.
Fully funds deployment of National Guard troops in support of Border Patrol activities at the southwest border.

My full statement is below.