U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson - 2nd District of Idaho
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Recently in Washington

Last week, the House passed H.R. 1270, the Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015, by a vote of 243-164. This legislation incorporates the text of three bills to improve access to health care through health savings accounts and provide targeted relief from Obamacare. On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act, by a vote of 241-181. This legislation incorporates the text of seven bills focused on various good government reforms. The House also passed H.R. 5485, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2017 by a vote of 239-185. H.R. 5485 appropriates $21.7 billion in funding for the Treasury Department, the Judiciary, the Small Business Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other related agencies. The bill also provides $10.9 billion for the IRS, of which $2.1 billion is provided for Taxpayer Services and $290 million to improve customer service, fraud prevention, and cyber-security. 

On Friday, the House passed the Conference Report to S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, by a vote of 407-5. The Conference Report authorizes the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to address the national epidemics of addiction to heroin and prescription opioids, and make various other changes to Federal law to combat opioid addiction and abuse. Finally, the House passed a motion to go to Conference on S. 2943 the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, by a vote of 397-14. Congressman Simpson supported all of these bills.

 

Celebrating Independence with Thankful Hearts

By Congressman Mike Simpson

“Each year we have an opportunity to celebrate the 4th of July and remind ourselves of the sacrifices made on our behalf to secure our freedom and independence.  American history is filled with heroic and selfless acts made by men and women who have fought to defend our values and way of life.  Today we continue to witness bravery from those who selflessly serve and protect our country.  Giving them the proper tools and resources to fulfill their mission has always been a top priority of mine.  Equally important, we must also keep our promises to veterans.  Recent passage of the FY17 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill helps accomplish this in several ways.

“First, we were able to secure funding that maintains military base infrastructure.  This funding includes money for housing, training, and equipping military personnel, in addition to other services for military families.  Projects funded under this bill include new construction as well as renovations to dated military bases within the U.S. and around the world.  This allows us to keep our military bases safe and modernized to address new unique challenges. 

“In addition to meeting the infrastructure needs of our troops, we were able to add important funding for our veterans.  This bill provides the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with added resources that will be applied towards clearing out the national backlog of disability benefits claims.  With an increase in funds, the VA is now in a position to hire 242 new staff members who will work towards addressing issues related to disability benefits claims. 

“I am pleased to see that this legislation directs funds toward important medical services, allowing the VA to treat an estimated seven million patients this coming fiscal year.  This includes added funding in important areas such as mental health care services and suicide prevention efforts. 

“The FY17 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill also addresses mandatory funding requirements such as veteran disability compensation programs, education benefits that help over one million of our veterans, and also vocational rehabilitation and employment training.  These are all important services that give our returning military members the tools and resources they need to successfully enter the civilian workforce.

“Overall this appropriations bill allows us to meet important needs and support our troops and veterans.  We owe it to all of those who have sacrificed for our country, to keep our promises to those who are currently serving as well as our veterans.  It is my hope that this 4th of July we can take a moment to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of our forbearers, and look forward with continuing support to those who make those same selfless acts of service today.”

Committee Schedule

Tuesday

At 10:30 a.m., the House Appropriations Committee will markup the Fiscal Year 2017 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. 

Wednesday

At 10:00 a.m., the House Appropriations Committee will markup the Fiscal Year 2017 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, JULY 11TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 5322 - U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2016 (Sponsored by Rep. Nydia Velázquez / Financial Services Committee)

2)
H.R. 5421 - National Securities Exchange Regulatory Parity Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ed Royce / Financial Services Committee)

3)
H.R. 5469 - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to direct the United States Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund to support the capacity of the International Monetary Fund to prevent money laundering and financing of terrorism (Sponsored by Rep. Steve Pearce / Financial Services Committee)

4)
H.R. 5594 - National Strategy for Combating Terrorist, Underground, and Other Illicit Financing Act (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick / Financial Services Committee)

5)
H.R. 5606 - Anti-terrorism Information Sharing Is Strength Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Robert Pittenger / Financial Services Committee)

6)
H.R. 5607 - Enhancing Treasury’s Anti-Terror Tools Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Robert Pittenger / Financial Services Committee)

7)
H.R. 5602 - To amend title 31, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to include all funds when issuing certain geographic targeting orders, and for other purposes. (Sponsored by Rep. Stephen Lynch / Financial Services Committee)

8)
H.R. 4785 - DHS SAVE Act (Sponsored by Rep. Scott Perry / Homeland Security Committee)

9)
H.R. 5385 - Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Correction Act of 2016 (Sponsored by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman / Homeland Security Committee)

10)
H.R. 5056 - Airport Perimeter and Access Control Security Act of 2016 (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Keating / Homeland Security Committee)

11)
H.R. 4404 - Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Martha McSally / Homeland Security Committee)

12)
H.R. 5252 - To designate the United States Customs and Border Protection Port of Entry located at 1400 Lower Island Road in Tornillo, Texas, as the "Marcelino Serna Port of Entry" (Sponsored by Rep. Will Hurd / Ways and Means Committee)

13)
H.R. 5588 - Veterans’ Compensation COLA Act of 2016 (Sponsored by Rep. Ralph Abraham / Veterans Affairs Committee)

14)
H.Con.Res. 138 - Designating the George C. Marshall Museum and George C. Marshall Research Library in Lexington, Virginia, as the National George C. Marshall Museum and Library (Sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte / Education and the Workforce Committee)

15)
H.R. 5530 - HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act (Sponsored by Rep. Alma Adams / Education and the Workforce Committee)

16)
H.R. 3178 - Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Virginia Foxx / Education and the Workforce Committee)

17)
H.R. 3179 - Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act (Sponsored by Rep. Brett Guthrie / Education and the Workforce Committee)

18)
H.R. 5528 - Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act (Sponsored by Rep. Joe Heck / Education and the Workforce Committee)

19)
H.R. 5529 - Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act (Sponsored by Rep. Joe Heck / Education and the Workforce Committee)

20) 
H.R. ___ - Providing for Concurrence in the Senate Amendments to H.R. 636 with House Amendments (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Shuster / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

21)
H.R. 5639 - National Institute of Standards and Technology Improvement Act of 2016 (Sponsored by Rep. John Moolenaar / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)

22)
H.R. 5636 - National Institute of Standards and Technology Campus Security Act (Sponsored by Rep. Barry Loudermilk / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)

23)
H.R. 5640 - Electricity Storage Innovation Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)

24)
H.R. 5638 - Solar Fuels Innovation Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Steve Knight / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)

H.R. 4768 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016 (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. John Ratcliffe / Judiciary Committee)

TUESDAY, JULY 12TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 5658 - TALENT Act of 2016 (Sponsored by Rep. Kevin McCarthy / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

Begin Consideration of H.R. 5538 - Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert / Appropriations Committee)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

S. 304 - Conscience Protection Act of 2016, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Rep. Diane Black / Energy and Commerce Committee)

H.R. 5119 - No 2H2O from Iran Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Pompeo / Foreign Affairs Committee)

Complete Consideration of H.R. 5538 - Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert / Appropriations Committee)

H.R. 4992 - United States Financial System Protection Act of 2016 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Ed Royce / Financial Services Committee)

H.R. 5631 - To hold Iran accountable for its state sponsorship of terrorism and other threatening activities and for its human rights abuses, and for other purposes (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Kevin McCarthy / Foreign Affairs Committee)

Senate Amendment to the House Amendment to S. 764 - GMO Labeling Requirements (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Sen. Pat Roberts / Agriculture Committee)

** Additional Legislative Items are Possible **


In the News

Idaho wildfire season begins to build momentum

By Rocky Barker, Idaho Statesman, July 4, 2016

The Idaho fire season picked up momentum Wednesday, with the Buck Fire more than doubling and prompting the Forest Service to call in a national team to manage the blaze eight miles east of the Deadwood Reservoir.

The Type 2 incident management team includes specialists in all facets of firefighting. It allows the Forest Service to focus on initial attack and other fires on the Boise National Forest, where fire danger is high.

Last week’s 2,500-acre Table Rock Fire in the East Boise Foothills got state and federal land managers out, telling the public about rising risks for everything from fireworks to campfires as the region moves into the fire season when forests join rangelands in dry conditions. A changing climate has resulted in fire seasons that are longer and hotter, forcing agencies to prep earlier.

The Idaho Department of Lands, which set records for firefighting costs in 2015, has pre-placed fire equipment around the state. State Forester David Groeschl assured the Idaho Land Board last month his agency won’t hold back on the 6.3 million acres of state, private and federal lands it protects statewide.

“Our goal is to take strong aggressive action with new fire starts and keep fires to less than 10 acres on state-protected lands,” Groeschl said.

Idaho’s biggest fire last year, the Soda Fire in Owyhee County, burned 280,000 acres in Idaho and Oregon in August, including high-value sage grouse habitat. In Nevada last weekend, the Hot Pot Fire almost burned through the tiny Elko County community of Midas and has now grown to 123,000 acres.

Witnesses said they were amazed by the speed of the fire, as were Harris Ranch residents who described the June 31 Table Rock Fire.

Idaho saw forest fires beginning last month, including the 125-acre Banks Fire that was contained June 27.

Fires continue to burn in the Frank River of No Return Wilderness and near North Fork by Salmon. But the Buck Fire at 780 acres, is the biggest forest fire so far. The Forest Service has 150 firefighters, including five crews and six engines and the Boise Hotshots, fighting the fire. Several helicopters and air tankers are dropping retardant and evaluating the fire’s perimeter and containment.

The Forest Service has ordered more firefighters and equipment and issued a closure in the area. So far, no lives or property are threatened.

A firefighter who was flown to Boise after he was injured by a falling snag was released from the hospital after receiving medical treatment for minor injuries.

Meanwhile Congress continues to fight over how to fund wildfire costs. Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, have sponsored legislation to treat large wildfires like disasters, funding them separately so the Forest Service doesn’t have to use fire-prevention funds to fight fires. Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson has pushed similar legislation since 2012.

Others, including Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski, want to fund fires at the 10-year average, which has risen from $1.4 billion annually in the 1990s to nearly $4 billion today. She wants any leftover money from light fire years to go into fire-prevention projects like logging and thinning.

The House approved $3.9 billion in its appropriations budget, which Simpson said he supported. The Forest Service said it needs $490 million more.

“I have long advocated for treating catastrophic wildfires as we would any other natural disaster, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes,” Simpson said in June. “However, until those important reforms are made, we must ensure we have the proper funding to protect our precious lands and provide agencies access to the tools necessary to effectively mitigate and reduce the impact of destructive wildfires.”


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