Recently in Washington 

Simpson Cosponsors Healthcare Repeal Bill
Congressman Mike Simpson signed onto H.R. 4901, legislation that repeals the recently enacted Democrat healthcare overall. The bill, offered by Representative Jerry Moran (R-KS) would repeal the bill back to the date of enactment and restore underlying law.

“I strongly believe the Democrats’ healthcare bill is the wrong direction our nation and may well be unconstitutional,” said Simpson. “I believe the best thing we could do is repeal the bill in its entirety and start over by passing smaller bills that enjoy bipartisan support and focus on bringing down costs for American healthcare consumers.”

Simpson also stressed that while working toward a full-scale repeal, Republicans in Congress and in the states should work to change the law in any way possible. “The simple truth is that the prospects for full-scale repeal are slim as long as President Obama is in office and can veto any legislation we might be able to pass through Congress,” said Simpson. “So while we wait for the Presidential election of 2012, we should move forward with other measures that hold more near-term promise of blunting the impact of the Democrats bill. Those efforts include supporting Idaho’s Constitutional challenge to the Democrats bill, amending the bill to alter its most onerous provisions, and seeking limitations on funding of its implementation. Limiting the reach and impact of this bill must be a multi-pronged approach.”

Simpson and 70 of his colleagues have cosponsored H.R. 1086, the HEALTH Act. This bill would implement effective medical malpractice reform and put an end to junk lawsuits by placing caps on non-economic damages and limiting attorney fees. This bill would save as much as $120 billion in wasteful spending by stemming the practice of defensive medicine.

In addition, Simpson supports reforms to prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people because of pre-existing condition as well as reforms to make the purchase of health insurance for individuals tax-exempt like it is for employer-sponsored insurance.  He also supports association health plans to create larger purchasing pools and prescription drug re-importation, which would control prescription drug costs by allowing Americans to buy FDA-approved prescription drugs from places such as Canada and Europe where drugs are sold for much less money.

Simpson is also one of 67 Members of Congress to sign a pledge to support repeal of the Democrats healthcare reform legislation and passage of legislation that brings down the cost of healthcare without growing the involvement of government.

Congress Should Have Say in National Monument Designations
Congressman advocates for local input on public land decisions to ensure recreation opportunities remain in tact

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is advocating for continued access to recreation on public land, sending a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding the use of the Antiquities Act.  The letter followed up to a recent hearing by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment where Simpson addressed concern that was raised over a Department of Interior internal planning document that identified 17 potential sites for new or expanded national monument designation in the western United States under the Antiquities Act.

During the hearing, Salazar committed to Simpson, who is Ranking Republican Member of the Subcommittee, that the Department would not use the Antiquities Act to designate national monuments without consulting with Congress and local officials.  The Antiquities Act was passed in 1906 to give the President the authority to preserve prehistoric Native American cultural and archeological sites, but over the years has been used to set aside large areas for geological and cultural preservation. 

“I recognize the importance of preserving cultural, archeological, and geographic sites, but I am concerned that the Antiquities Act allows national monuments to be designated by executive order without any input from residents and local leaders,” wrote Simpson.  “If we decide that an area should be designated as a national monument, it should be done through the legislative process, the way they were originally intended, so that the Antiquities Act is used as a tool for collaboration instead of a hammer.”

Simpson has repeatedly raised the issue of public access to federal lands during subcommittee hearings, whether it is reiterating his support for snowmobiling and other recreation opportunities in our national parks, expressing concern about reduced funding for roads on Forest Service lands, or securing a commitment from the Administration to look at ways to improve the permit process for outfitters and guides.

Committee Update
At 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the House Interior and the Environment Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Art in America:  The National Endowment for the Arts FY 2011 Budget Request and National Arts Advocacy Day.”  Rocco Landesman, NEA Chairman, will testify, along with actor Kyle MacLachlan; actor Jeff Daniels; Brig. Gen. Nolen V. Bivens, US Army (ret), Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Terri Aldrich, Executive Director, Minot Area Council of the Arts (North Dakota); Charles Segars, CEO, Ovation TV; and Robert Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts.

At 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the House Interior and the Environment Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Maintaining National Cultural and Scientific Centers: FY 2011 Budget Request for the Smithsonian, National Gallery of Art, Kennedy Center, Presidio, Woodrow Wilson Center.”  Witnesses include:  Dr. G. Wayne Clough, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution; Lee Hamilton, Director, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Earl Powell, III, Director of the National Gallery of Art; Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Craig Middleton, Executive Director, The Presidio Trust.

At 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the FY2011 budget request for the Bureau of Reclamation.  Witnesses included BOR Commissioner Michael Conner and Assistant Secretary for Water and science Anne Castle.

At 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, the House Interior and the Environment Appropriations Subcommittee will continue a series of hearings entitled “Voices from Our Native American Communities,” at which representatives from tribes and Native American advocacy groups will testify.
 

House Legislative Business This Week 
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010
On Monday, the House will not be in session.

TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2010
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (6 Bills):

1. H.Res. 1222 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week (Sponsored by Rep. Ehlers / Education and Labor Committee)
2. H.Res. 1041 - Congratulating and commending the University of Idaho's football team (Sponsored by Rep. Minnick / Education and Labor Committee) 
3. H.Res. 1042 - Commending the Boise State University Broncos football team (Sponsored by Rep. Minnick / Education and Labor Committee)
4. H.Res. __ - Congratulating the Duke University men’s basketball team (Sponsored by Rep. Price (NC) / Education and Labor Committee) 
5. H.Res. 1198 - Congratulating Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania (Sponsored by Rep. Thompson (PA) / Education and Labor Committee)
6. H.Res. 1206 - Remembering the victims of the attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and supporting the goals and ideals of the National Week of Hope (Sponsored by Rep. Fallin / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
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 (14 Bills):

1. H.Res. __ - Honoring the coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine-South in Raleigh County, West Virginia, extending condolences to their families and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the mine disaster (Sponsored by Rep. Rahall / Natural Resources Committee) 
2. H.Res. __ - Honoring the life of Wilma Pearl Mankiller (Sponsored by Rep. Boren / Natural Resources Committee) 
3. H.R. 4954 - Providing recourse under the patent law for persons who suffer competitive injury as a result of false markings (Sponsored by Rep. Issa / Judiciary Committee) 
4. H.Con.Res. 222 - Recognizing the leadership and historical contributions of Dr. Hector Garcia (Sponsored by Rep. Ortiz / Judiciary Committee) 
5. S.J.Res. 25 - Granting the consent and approval of Congress to amendments made by the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact (Sponsored by Sen. Cardin / Judiciary Committee) 
6. H.R. 3506 - Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Act (Sponsored by Rep. Paulsen / Financial Services Committee) 
7. H.R. 1258 - Truth in Caller ID Act (Sponsored by Rep. Engel / Energy and Commerce Committee) 
8. H.R. 3125 - Radio Spectrum Inventory Act (Sponsored by Rep. Waxman / Energy and Commerce Committee) 
9. H.Res. 197 - To commend the American Sail Training Association (Sponsored by Rep. Kennedy / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee) 
10. H.R. 4275 - The "John C. Godbold United States Judicial Administration Building" Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Lewis (GA) / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee) 
11. H.Res. 1062 - Recognizing the Coast Guard Group Astoria's more than 60 years of service to the Pacific Northwest (Sponsored by Rep. Wu / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee) 
12. H.Con.Res. 243 - Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha (Sponsored by Rep. Hirono / House Administration Committee) 
13. H.Res. 1185 - Congratulating Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin on his tenth year of service as Chaplain of the House of Representatives (Sponsored by Rep. Lipinski / House Administration Committee) 
14. H.R. __ - Taxpayer Assistance Act (Sponsored by Rep. Lewis (GA) / Ways and Means Committee)

H.R. 4715 - Clean Estuaries Act of 2010 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Bishop (NY) / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

In the News
National Endowment for the Arts chairman cheers Boise
Rocco Landesman makes an impression while revealing his goals for the NEA.
By Dana Oland - doland@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2010 Idaho Statesman

The arts are a crucial part of recouping the nation's economy, and cities such as Boise will play a key role in that, National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman said Monday.

"The arts are an important part of economic recovery and urban renewal and development," Landesman told a gathering of Boise civic and arts leaders at the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy. "We're going to be making that point over and over again."

Since taking the reins of the NEA seven months ago, Landesman has been on his "Art Works" tour to investigate the state of the nation's arts.

The term "Art Works" has three meanings, he said. It refers to actual works of art. It refers to how the arts can transform people's lives, and to how the arts can generate economy.
Boise has great examples of all of those, he said.

"Boise is almost a poster child for what we've been talking about at the NEA," he said.
Landesman, who spent part of Sunday and all of Monday in Boise, said he was surprised to find such a thriving arts community here and looks forward to returning.

After a Basque breakfast with Mayor Dave Bieter, Landesman toured the Simplot academy, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater, then traveled with Congressman Mike Simpson to Jerome to watch a 50-minute, Cliff's Notes-style version of the classic tragedy "Othello" from ISF's Shakespearience educational tour.

"It was a long trip but totally worth it," Landesman said. "I'd never seen anything like that."
A success in the for-profit theater world as a Broadway producer, Landesman looked at ease earlier in the day in a room full of not-for-profit arts leaders including ISF, Trey McIntyre Project, Music Theatre of Idaho, Boise Philharmonic and Boise Art Museum, and supporters such as Kay Hardy and Esther Simplot.

He outlined his goals and strategies for growing the NEA's funding by developing creative partnerships with other federal departments such as transportation and housing and urban development.

It was the quiet voice of Simplot that elicited the strongest reaction from Landesman. She said that arts should be touted like football and expressed concerns about the movement toward letting the market dictate which arts receive financial support.
Landesman agreed. "The arts are important to our national character," he said. "To say we're going to leave that up to the marketplace is totally misguided."

"We need to have direct support for the art institutions and their work," Landesman said, signaling a change from the way the NEA currently funds the arts. "That to me is job one."
He said he would continue to support the current federal/state partnership that sends 40 percent of the NEA's budget to state arts agencies such as the Idaho Commission on the Arts.

That isn't what Landesman initially said when he took office.

"That's been an evolution in my thinking," Landesman said. "My first impulse was, my God, we've got to get some of that 40 percent back. But when I started learning more about it on trips like this, I started to see the real value of states' arts agencies."
Local arts leaders left the session feeling an encouragement tempered by experience, said Ballet Idaho Executive Director Julie Numbers Smith, who has more than 30 years working in non-profit arts.

"I've been around long enough to know several NEA chairs, and I get excited about them for different reasons," she said. "But I know these things take time to change, so I'm not expecting miracles."