Representative Mike Simpson

The Simpson Standard

September 22nd, 2024

Dear [salutation],

Throughout my time in Congress, I have never seen an administration neglect and mishandle the southern border as the Biden-Harris administration has. Since President Biden and VP Harris took office, there have been OVER 10 MILLION illegal immigrant encounters nationwide. This week, House Republicans brought legislation to the floor to reverse the failed open border policies that have left communities nationwide less safe.

This week, I cosponsored the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act (JUDGES Act). This legislation would add critically needed federal judgeships to resolve currently understaffed and backlogged courts—including an additional federal district judgeship in Idaho.

Also, this week, I joined the Idaho Delegation in urging the Department of Interior to adopt the "No-Action Alternative" on the out-of-touch Lava Ridge Wind Project following the termination of Section 106 consultation with both the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Read more about this letter below.

Border Security IS National Security

This week, the House passed two critical bills that work to address the deadly Biden-Harris border crisis and stop incentivizing the flood of illegal immigration. I was proud to support this legislation on the House floor.

Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act
- This bill would establish a new ground of inadmissibility for several domestic violence-related offenses and make an illegal immigrant inadmissible to or deportable from the U.S. if that person was convicted of sex offenses or other crimes involving stalking, child abuse, and neglect.
No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act
- This bill would prevent sanctuary cities from receiving federal funding that would benefit illegal immigrants—including the provision of food, shelter, healthcare services, legal services, and transportation—and bailout sanctuary cities from the crisis they created.

Adding a Third Federal Judge for Idaho

As Idaho's population grows, so does the number of court cases. Adding a third district judgeship will reduce backlogs and ensure Idahoans have their cases addressed in a reasonable and timely manner. It is long overdue for Idaho to have a third district judge to meet these needs, and I look forward to seeing this critical legislation get across the finish line.

Read more about this legislation here.

Photo of the U.S. District Court, Idaho's federal courthouse in Boise

NO to Lava Ridge

The out-of-touch Lava Ridge Wind Project is widely opposed and has no place in our state. I was proud to join my Idaho colleagues in urging the Department of Interior to adopt the “No-Action Alternative” for this project.

As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain committed to standing with the people of Idaho. The full letter is available here.