Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, by a vote of 277-147.  H.R. 4909 authorizes and prioritizes funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) and military activities and construction for Fiscal Year 2017.  The House also passed H.R. 5423, the Zika Response Appropriations Act of 2016, by a vote of 241-184. This bill appropriates $622.1 million for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, to strengthen public health activities in response to the Zika virus. These funds are made available through the rescission of previously appropriated amounts that are unobligated for Ebola response and preparedness and from the Nonrecurring Expense Fund of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Finally, the House passed H.R. 4974, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2017, by a vote of 295-129. The bill provides $81.6 billion in discretionary funding to house, train, and equip military personnel, provide housing and services to military families, help maintain base infrastructure, and fund veterans' benefits and programs.  Congressman Simpson supported all three bills.

Congressman Simpson Supports Funding for Veterans
The FY17 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill provides funding for programs to support veterans and military personnel

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported passage of the fiscal year 2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.  This bill provides funding to maintain military base infrastructure and to house, train, and equip military personnel, as well as other services for military families.  It also funds the medical care and benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“This legislation provides an increase in funding for medical care and benefits administered by the VA to address health care shortages and improve services for veterans,” Simpson said.  “Quality and timely care for veterans and providing the rightly earned benefits for the brave men and women that defend our nation are top concerns for me and my constituents. It’s our responsibility in Congress to fulfill our commitment to our veterans, our service members and their families.”

The FY17 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill (H.R.4974) passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan vote of 295-129.

Simpson Votes to Fund A-10s and Troops

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported passage of H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017.  This legislation fulfills the constitutional responsibility of Congress to provide for the common defense by funding the Department of Defense.

“I am very pleased to see the NDAA pass, and particularly for the recognition of the A-10’s importance in the bill and its unique and invaluable contributions to the armed forces,” said Simpson. “The fight against ISIS has once again shown the value of the A-10 in close air support missions and this bill ensures they remain available as a tool for our brave men and women in combat. There will be a time when they will need to be replaced.  However, until an appropriate replacement can be identified, it continues to merit our support.”

The FY17 NDAA contains language preventing the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, which currently operates at Gowen Field in Boise. Additionally, it prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from reducing A-10 squadrons until results from comparative testing and evaluation between the capabilities of the F-35 and A-10 are submitted to Congress.

The bill also provides for a 2.1% pay raise for over 1.3 million active-duty and 830,000 Guard and Reserve troops.

H.R. 4909 passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 277-147.

Simpson launches STEP Challenge, Encourages Public to Participate

Congressman will virtually walk from D.C. to Boise to promote health and fitness

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has announced he will virtually walk from Washington D.C. to Boise during the next year as part of the Idaho STEP Challenge. Since 2014, Simpson has lost nearly 70 pounds using an activity tracker to monitor his daily steps.

Simpson recently cosponsored H.R. 1218, the Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT Act) which aims to promote health and prevent obesity related diseases by allowing physical activity expenses to be reimbursed using pre-tax dollars.

The Idaho STEP Challenge was created by Simpson as a way to encourage residents to get fit and healthy using data captured on a wearable activity tracker or pedometer. Individuals wishing to participate will register on Simpson’s website, and then keep pace with the Congressman as he walks across America starting on June 1.

“Being more active is not only good for you and your family, it is good for our country,” said Simpson. “Health care costs are one of the largest expenses our nation faces and if we all work on increased awareness about our own health habits, we can reduce these expenses significantly while enjoying the many benefits of being healthier. I am very excited to begin the Idaho STEP Challenge and I hope this fun event can encourage Idahoans and others to take a personal interest in their fitness and health.”

Similar to a virtual race, residents can participate using their own activity tracker or pedometer to track the steps they accumulate through regular fitness or exercise routines. Each participant will report their weekly progress on Simpson’s website.

The route begins at the U.S. Capitol Building, and takes participants through several iconic American cities, national parks, and spacious heartlands, eventually ending on the steps of the Idaho State Capital Building.

The challenge is expected to last approximately 14 months, and cover nearly 3,000 miles.

Frequent challenge updates, fun facts about the towns and cities along the route, links to healthy recipes, tips on getting in your weekly steps, and other information will be posted to Simpson’s Facebook and Twitter feeds, and labeled with a #hikewithMike hashtag.

Constituents that complete the challenge will be invited to meet Simpson in Boise, Idaho next year for a walk and healthy reception. Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in recognition of their achievement.

The Idaho STEP Challenge is a non-partisan, non-political interactive event open to the public.

Committee Schedule

Tuesday

At 10:30 a.m., the House Appropriations Committee will markup the FY17 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill and the FY17 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. 

Wednesday

At 11:00 a.m., the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will markup the FY17 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, MAY 23RD
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. 4889 - Kelsey Smith Act (Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Yoder / Energy and Commerce Committee)

2) H.R. 4167 - Kari's Law Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert / Energy and Commerce Committee)

3) H.R. 3998 - Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone / Energy and Commerce Committee)

4) H.R. 2589 - To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to publish on its Internet website changes to the rules of the Commission not later than 24 hours after adoption (Sponsored by Rep. Renee Ellmers / Energy and Commerce Committee)

5) H.R. 496 - Alabama Hills National Scenic Area Establishment Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Paul Cook / Natural Resources Committee)

6) S. 184 - Native American Children's Safety Act (Sponsored by Sen. John Hoeven / Natural Resources Committee)

7) H.R. 5077 - The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Devin Nunes / Intelligence Committee)

8) H.R. 2121 - To amend the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to provide a temporary license for loan originators transitioning between employers, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Steve Stivers / Financial Services Committee)

9) H.R. 4139 - Fostering Innovation Act of 2015 (Sponsored by Rep. Kyrsten Sinema / Financial Services Committee)

10) H.R. 1762 - To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in The Dalles, Oregon, as the "Loren R. Kaufman Memorial Veterans' Clinic", as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

11) H.R. 960 - To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Newark, Ohio, as the “Daniel L. Kinnard Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic ", as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Pat Tiberi / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

12) H.R. 2460 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of adult day health care services for veterans (Sponsored by Rep. Lee Zeldin / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

13) H.R. 3715 - Final Farewell Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Corrine Brown / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

14) H.R. 3989 - Support Our Military Caregivers Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Elise Stefanik / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

15) H.R. 5229 - Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Mark Takano / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

16) H.R. 5286 - VA Construction and Lease Authorization, Health, and Benefits Enhancement Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

17) H.R. 3956 - VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Bost / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

18) H.R. 433 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 523 East Railroad Street in Knox, Pennsylvania, as the "Specialist Ross A. McGinnis Memorial Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. G.T. Thompson / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

19) H.R. 3931 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 620 Central Avenue Suite 1A in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, as the "Chief Petty Officer Adam Brown United States Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

20) H.R. 3953 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4122 Madison Street, Elfers, Florida, as the "Private First Class Felton Roger Fussell Memorial Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

21) H.R. 4747 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6691 Church Street in Riverdale, Georgia, as the "Major Gregory E. Barney Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. David Scott / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

22) H.R. 4877 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3130 Grants Lake Boulevard in Sugar Land, Texas, as the "LCpl Garrett W. Gamble, USMC Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Pete Olson / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

23) H.R. 4975 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5720 South 142nd Street in Omaha, Nebraska, as the "Petty Officer 1st Class Caleb A. Nelson Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Brad Ashford / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

24) H.R. 4987 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3957 2nd Avenue in Laurel Hill, Florida, as the "Sergeant First Class William 'Kelly' Lacey Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

25) H.R. 4761 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 61 South Baldwin Avenue in Sierra Madre, California, as the "Louis Van Iersel Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Judy Chu / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

26) H.R. 3218 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 836 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, California as the "Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis 'Lou' J. Langlais Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Lois Capps / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

27) H.R. 4425 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 East Powerhouse Road in Collegeville, Minnesota, as the "Eugene J. McCarthy Post Office” (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Emmer / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

28) H.R. 3969 - To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada, as the "Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic", as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Joe Heck / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

29) H.R. 4465 - Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Denham / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

30) H.R. 4487 - Public Buildings Reform and Savings Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lou Barletta / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

TUESDAY, MAY 24TH AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 p.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 in the House.

H.R. 897 - Zika Vector Control Act, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule (Sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 2576 - TSCA Modernization Act of 2015 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. John Shimkus / Energy and Commerce Committee)

H.R. 5233 - Clarifying Congressional Intent in Providing for DC Home Rule Act of 2016 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Mark Meadows / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

H.R. 5055 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Simpson / Appropriations Committee)

House Amendment to S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski / Energy and Commerce Committee / Natural Resources Committee)

Motion to Go to Conference on S. 2012, and Possible Democrat Motion to Instruct Conferees

In the News

68 pounds lighter, Idaho Rep. Simpson wants others to step it up

BY ROB HOTAKAINEN, Idaho Statesman Washington Bureau, May 22, 2016

WASHINGTON—Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson says he’s back in his size 40 pants after losing 68 pounds in 18 months, feeling healthier and energized.

“Let me put it this way: I’ve gone out of my fat suits. . . . I want to call Marie Osmond and say, ‘Fifty, that’s nothing,’” said Simpson, 65, a ninth-term congressman from Idaho Falls.

Aided by the Fitbit on his wrist, which is constantly measuring his steps, Simpson walks an average of 5 miles a day. In August, he’ll set his sights on something new and higher: climbing 11,815 feet to the top of Castle Peak, the highest point in Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains. After a 15-year effort, Simpson won passage of a wilderness bill for the White Clouds and other central Idaho mountain ranges last summer.

Simpson has dropped his weight from 275 to 207 pounds — though he jokes that he’s not counting. He wants to get down to 190, just five pounds more than he weighed in 1968 when he graduated from Blackfoot High School.

Encouraged by the results, Simpson wants more Idahoans to take up walking. On June 1, he’s launching a “Hike with Mike” Idaho Step Challenge, urging people to sign up to walk 2,963 miles in the next 12 to 15 months.

That’s roughly the distance from the Statehouse in Boise to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, through the Black Hills, St. Paul, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Participants can post their miles on a website that will show how far they’ve gone on the virtual walk. In the fall of 2017, those who signed up will be invited to join Simpson for a 5K event from the state Capitol in Boise to Julia Davis Park.

“A 5k walk — my hips don’t allow for jogging,” Simpson said. “We’re going to invite anybody in Idaho — or anybody anywhere, actually — to join us.”

Simpson, who stands 6 feet tall, said he’d gotten serious about losing weight when his doctor advised him to do it. He still smokes, though significantly less than in the past.

“I’m smart enough to know that I needed to lose some weight anyway,” Simpson said. “You know that you need to do it. It’s just a matter of getting it done. . . . I do feel better.”

In addition to exercising more, he said he was eating smaller portions and drinking more ice water, while not giving up any particular foods.

“I cut back on a lot of sugary stuff,” said Simpson, who represents Idaho sugar-beet growers and is a member of the House Sugar Caucus. “I have not changed what I eat, but I’m more conscious of it.”

THE SEDENTARY LIFE OF A CONGRESSMAN

No one’s prouder of the congressman’s achievement than his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years, Kathy Simpson.

“You know, the life of a member of Congress is not very conducive to a healthy diet,” she said. “It really raises havoc on eating healthy.”

She suggested that Simpson get a Fitbit in November 2014, shortly after Thanksgiving, “having no idea what his reaction would be.” But he quickly said yes.

“And the rest is basically history,” she said.

Simpson, who weighed 225 when he was elected to the U.S. House in 1998, blamed his weight gain on a sedentary lifestyle that accompanied his work.

“We’re in meetings all day, sitting behind desks, talking in hearings, all that kind of stuff,” he said in an interview in his Capitol Hill office. “I could go to breakfast, lunch and dinner every day with somebody. We have meetings around meals, so you end up eating a lot more than you need to. And when you get home, it’s really easy not to do anything.”

Simpson recalled how all members of his incoming class of freshmen in 1999 were told to schedule time for exercise, but he rejected the advice.

“Of course, when I came here I was 48,” Simpson said. “You know that’s good advice, but do you do it? I’ve never been in the House gym.”

Now Simpson’s favorite exercise is using his treadmill, often in the wee hours of the morning, since he gets by with an average of 4 to 4.5 hours of sleep each night.

During his first 15 years in Congress, he said, he always rode the underground tram from his House office building to the Capitol for votes.

That’s happened just three times since he got his Fitbit.

“I don’t want to lose 500 steps,” Simpson said.

When he’s outside, he plugs in his headphones and steps it up to music old and new: Bruno Mars, Adele, John Legend, Coldplay, the Beatles, the Beach Boys.

‘BEATING ALL THE KIDS’

Simpson’s wife and most of his staffers now have Fitbits, too, allowing them to monitor and compete with one each other’s performance.

“It’s very motivating,” said Emilee Henshaw, Simpson’s executive assistant and scheduler.

Kathy Simpson, who often walks with her husband, said the congressman thrives on the competition.

“He takes much pleasure out of being this 65-year-old guy that’s beating all the kids,” she said. “He’s at the top of the leader board almost every single week.”

Last month, the nonprofit American Council on Exercise honored Simpson and his staff after they placed second in a congressional fitness challenge, which drew 400 staffers and elected officials. Members of the Simpson team averaged 439,346 steps in the seven-week event, which sought to highlight the nation’s obesity epidemic.

Scott Goudeseune, the organization’s president and chief executive officer, said the event was designed to show “that a healthy, physically active life is within every American’s reach.”

GETTING TO A 38-INCH WAIST

In Idaho, 29 percent of the population is obese, with the state ranked 29th highest overall, according to a 2014 study by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health. The study said cases of obesity-related heart disease in Idaho were expected to approach nearly 400,000 in the next 15 years; that’s roughly four times the number of cases in 2010.

With 133 million Americans – 45 percent of the population – already suffering from at least one chronic disease, the exercise council noted that a solution to increasing physical activity and preventing disease can simply be walking more.

It seems to be paying off for Simpson. He said his resting heart rate was down dramatically, from the low 80s to the low 60s in beats per minute, and he’s hoping he can eventually stop using his cholesterol medication.

Simpson has been asked a few times if he’s sick, because he’s looking so much thinner these days. He joked that many people suspect that a man of his age who loses so much weight must be ill or having an affair. Neither, he said, is true.

After organizing his closet recently, Simpson donated his size 48 pants to Goodwill, along with the 46s, the 44s and the 42s.

“Now I’m down to where 40 is comfortable and it’s a little too big,” he said. “Soon it’s getting back to 38.”

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/article79136542.html#storylink=cpy