Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 348, the Responsibly and Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015, by a vote of 233-170.  The bill amends the Administrative Procedure Act to streamline the permitting process for federally-funded and permitted infrastructure, energy and construction projects.  Congressman Simpson supported the passage of H.R. 348.

Wildfires are National Disasters

By Congressman Mike Simpson, Congressman Kurt Schrader, Congressman Ken Calvert, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum

The 2015 wildfire season has been brutal.  In mid-August the National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level was raised to the highest Level 5 and the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) mobilized active duty military personnel to fight wildfires for the first time in almost a decade.  Millions of acres are burning in the drought-plagued West—more than twice as many as last year—and the Forest Service anticipates that suppression costs will exceed the budget by nearly a half a billion dollars.

The severity of this fire season underscores the fact that our current wildfire suppression budget process simply does not work.  Twenty years ago wildfire suppression made up about 15% of the Forest Service budget.  This year it is over half.  This means that the Forest Service spends the majority of its time, funding, and staff resources putting out fires instead of managing our nation’s public lands. 

This situation has reached a crisis point.  This is why we have introduced H.R. 167, the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (WDFA).  The WDFA discards the old, broken model for wildfire suppression and replaces it with one that treats wildfires like the natural disasters they are.

Today wildfire suppression funding is based primarily on an historical average of suppression costs over the past ten years.  The ten-year average funding model worked when the cost of wildfire suppression was relatively stable.  But wildfire suppression costs have steadily grown over the past two decades.  Drought, invasive vegetation, and increasing development near wildland areas increase the risk of catastrophic fires.  Fire season is longer, fires are more severe, and suppression is more costly—and these trends are expected to continue.  And because suppression costs now routinely exceed the budget, agencies are continually forced to transfer funding from non-fire projects to pay them.

Our current path only leads to bigger, more expensive, and more devastating fires.  The WDFA changes directions by treating catastrophic wildfires like other natural disasters.  It continues to use the 10-year average funding model where it works—for routine wildfire suppression costs—but it makes those few but very expensive emergency fires eligible for the same disaster spending cap adjustment as other natural disasters.  Catastrophic fires represent only about 1% of all wildland fires but make up 30% of the costs. 

The WDFA allows us to finally budget responsibly for wildfire suppression in a way that ultimately decreases firefighting costs by mitigating fire risk.  It restores the Forest Service’s ability to effectively manage our forests, and with proper management forests will be more resilient to catastrophic fire, disease, and other threats.  And ending the destructive cycle of fire borrowing means that land management agencies will be more accountable to Congress’s direction.

The fires we experience out west are just as devastating as the hurricanes and tornadoes that strike the East Coast and Midwest and they should be funded as such. Westerners have been suffering from this fairness issue and it’s high time that all states be treated the same—with equal access to disaster funding.

As wildfires continue to blaze, Congress has a responsibility to act.  Today over 130 Members of Congress have cosponsored H.R. 167, and that number continues to grow.  The bill is supported by a broad coalition of over 300 organizations who all recognize that the status quo is unsustainable.  Fixing the wildfire budget is the critical first step in making our forests healthier and, ultimately, reducing the cost of wildfires in the future.

Congressman Mike Simpson represents Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District and serves as Chairman of the Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee and Vice-Chair of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.

Congressman Kurt Schrader has represented Oregon's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2009.

Congressman Ken Calvert represents California’s 42nd Congressional District and serves as Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum is the ranking Democratic member on the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.  She has represented Minnesota’s 4th Congressional District since 2001.

Simpson’s Statement on Sage-Grouse Decision

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson offered the following statement regarding the determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the Greater Sage-Grouse does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act:

“For years, state and federal partners have worked toward the not warranted listing that was issued today, and, given the impact that a listing decision would have on Idaho and the West, I am pleased with the Fish and Wildlife Service’s determination,” said Simpson.  “That being said, I recognize that this decision does not come without a price.  There has been widespread concern about the impact of the federal land management plans, especially from the states, which felt their recommendations in this process were disregarded.  Whether the price we pay for a not-warranted decision will be too high remains to be seen.  In the meantime, I will continue working with both federal and state agencies to see that the real threats to sage-grouse habitat, including wildfire, can be addressed.”

Simpson Introduces Resolution Recognizing Water Fluoridation as Effective Public Health Measure

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has introduced a resolution recognizing community water fluoridation as an effective and important public health measure. This year marks the 70th anniversary of communities utilizing fluoridated water which helps strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay.

“The oral health community is in steadfast agreement that water fluoridation is a vitally important public health measure,” said Simpson. “Communities who have chosen this proactive measure receive improved oral health benefits for people of all ages.”

The U.S. Public Health Service recommends adding fluoride to drinking water for its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay. The decision about whether to fluoridate public water supplies is always made at the local or state level.

“Twenty-two years of practicing dentistry showed me firsthand the value of good oral health and the consequences of neglect, especially among children,” said Simpson. “That is why improving access to oral health care has been a top priority for me since coming to Congress. This resolution sheds light on a cost-effective measure that has helped improve the health of millions of Americans.”

Community water fluoridation was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century. Water fluoridation has been proven to reduce tooth decay by 25% among children and adults, and school children on average have roughly 2 fewer decayed teeth compared with children who live in communities without fluoridated water. As of 2012, almost 75% of Americans who use public water supplies had access to optimally fluoridated water supplies.

Congressman Simpson, co-chair of the Oral Health Caucus and a former dentist, introduced the resolution with a bipartisan group of cosponsors including two former dentists.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH
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. 1624 - Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Brett Guthrie / Energy and Commerce Committee)

2) S. 136 - Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

3) H.R. 313 - Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Rep. Stephen Lynch / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

4) S.565 - Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Sen. Gary Peters / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

5) H.R. 3089 - Grants Oversight and New Efficiency (GONE) Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Tim Walberg / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

6) H.R. 3614 - Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Shuster / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

7) S. 139 - Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden / Ways and Means Committee)

8) H.R. 2061 - Equitable Access to Care and Health (EACH) Act (Sponsored by Rep. Rodney Davis / Ways and Means Committee)

9) H.R. 3594 - Higher Education Extension Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Bishop / Education and the Workforce Committee)

10) H.R. 2617 - To amend the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 to postpone a scheduled increase in the minimum wage applicable to American Samoa, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Amata Radewagen / Education and the Workforce Committee)

11) H.R. 2786 - Cross-Border Rail Security Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Rep. Filemon Vela / Homeland Security Committee)

12) H.R. 2835 - Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Martha McSally / Homeland Security Committee)

13) Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2051 - Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Conaway / Agriculture Committee)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH
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. 3596 - Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

2) H.R. 3595 - To extend the authorization to carry out the replacement of the existing medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Denver, Colorado, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

H.R. 3495 - Women’s Public Health and Safety Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Sean Duffy / Energy and Commerce Committee)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH 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. 

On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

On Friday, no votes are expected.

H.R. ___ - Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Patrick Meehan / Foreign Affairs Committee)

Consideration of legislation related to Continuing Government Funding for FY2016

Possible Consideration of the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1735 - National Defense Authorization Act for FY2016

In the News

Congressional budget leader optimistic on Hanford funding

By Annette Cary, Tri-City Herald, September 22, 2015

The Hanford nuclear reservation budget will be OK for the fiscal year that starts next week, predicted Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, who expects to enter negotiations with his Senate colleagues soon on the funding bill that includes the Department of Energy.

Simpson, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which has jurisdiction over Hanford, visited the Tri-Cities this week for updates on Hanford as the guest of Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash.

 “We have got to get this right,” Simpson said about Hanford cleanup. “I’ve told people for 20 years now if we end up contaminating the Columbia River, we can kiss nuclear power goodbye.”

Hanford produced plutonium for the nation’s nuclear weapons program at nine reactors during the Cold War.

Simpson is familiar with issues not only from past visits to Hanford, but also because his hometown of Idaho Falls has similar issues. The Tri-Cities and Idaho Falls are home to workers at both a DOE nuclear environmental cleanup project and a DOE national laboratory.

This week he met with members of a Hanford working group established by Newhouse, Hanford contractor officials and DOE Hanford officials about the challenges for Hanford in the budget.

In the spring, as the House debated its version of the DOE spending bill, Simpson told Newhouse on the floor of the House that he would work to ensure that the Hanford tank farms and vitrification plant had the money needed to move forward safely, efficiently and in a timely manner.

The proposed House budget would restore much of the cuts for Hanford work under the Richland Operations Office, but decrease the budget for the vit plant and tank farms in the wake of concerns that DOE was not providing enough information to Congress about unresolved technical issues.

Most cleanup sites need steady, reliable funding to keep the workforce stable and continue multi-year projects, Simpson said.

Although the possibility of a federal government shutdown remains if a spending measure is not passed, Simpson said the majority of Republicans will work to make sure that does not happen.

A government shutdown “is never good policy and never good politics,” he said.

He also discussed a recently released report requested by appropriations leaders looking at risk at DOE cleanup sites.

A recommendation that states be barred from filing lawsuits over cleanup goes beyond what was requested of the review, Simpson said. The state of Washington has two active Hanford lawsuits in federal court.

Lawsuits require money that could be spent on cleanup, but “you do not want to take away a state’s or a citizen’s right to have a say in how government manages projects,” Simpson said.