Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 1090, the Retail Investor Protection Act, by a vote of 244-186.  H.R. 1090 prohibits the Secretary of Labor from finalizing a rule to define the circumstances under which an individual is considered a fiduciary until certain conditions are met. The House also passed H.R. 597, the Reform Exports and Expand the American Economy Act, by a vote of 313-118.  H.R. 597 reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank of the United States through fiscal year (FY) 2019.  On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, by a vote of 266-167.  H.R. 1314 encompasses a two-year bipartisan, bicameral, budget agreement with the Administration to secure long-term savings through structural entitlement reforms, protect the economy by ensuring the country does not default on its debt, strengthen national security and protect U.S. Armed Forces, bring certainty to the congressional appropriations process, and protect more people from the President's health care law, without raising taxes and by offsetting additional spending with mandatory spending cuts and other savings. Congressman Simpson supported all three bills.

Simpson Works to Prevent Implementation of EPA Water Rule

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has cosponsored a resolution intended to stop the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from implementing the Obama Administration’s controversial Clean Water Rule.  In spite of widespread opposition in Congress and among the public, in June the Administration implemented a new rule broadly expanding its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.  H.J.Res. 59 would use the Congressional Review Act to prevent the rule from being enacted and bring the agency’s actions back in line with congressional intent.  The resolution comes at the same time that a federal appeals court has put implementation of the rule on hold.

“The EPA continues marching down a path of issuing one onerous federal regulation after another without regard for public opinion or the impact that these regulations have on the states and on farmers and ranchers,” said Simpson.  “I have continually joined a majority of the House of Representatives in expressing my concern about this rule, and so it’s no surprise that I support utilizing the Congressional Review Act, which guards against federal agencies imposing economically burdensome regulations, to prevent this harmful rule from going into effect.”

Simpson added, “I’m also encouraged by the court’s decision to put a hold on the nationwide implementation of this rule.  There are real problems with the way the EPA has claimed jurisdiction over state-regulated waters, and this rule will have a devastating impact on Idaho if it is allowed to move forward.  That is why I will continue working to prevent it from taking effect.”

Simpson is the Chairman of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the Corps of Engineers’ budget.  He also sits on the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the budget of the EPA.

Simpson Votes to Support Idaho Farms and Business

House Reforms and Reauthorizes Ex-Im Bank to Protect Taxpayers and American Companies

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported passage of H.R. 597, the Reform Exports and Expand the American Economy Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank through 2019, while making key reforms to limit taxpayers’ liability and increase the Bank’s focus on small businesses.  The Ex-Im Bank is the official export credit agency of the U.S., with a mission to finance and promote exports of U.S. manufactured goods and services.  H.R. 597 passed by a vote of 313-118.

“I strongly believe that Idaho’s farmers and businesses can compete and win on a level playing field,” said Simpson.  “Why would we want to put American companies at a disadvantage against their foreign competitors?  That is exactly what has occurred since the Bank’s charter expired on July 1st.  Since then, the U.S. has not been able to finance exports, leaving American companies to lose out on business to their foreign competitors.”

More than 80% of trade worldwide requires financing, and most countries that we trade with have established export credit agencies, which often support their companies much more generously than the Ex-Im Bank has ever done.  China alone has provided its exporters with at least $670 billion in export financing over the last two years.  In comparison, the Ex-Im Bank has provided about $590 billion in financing since its inception—81 years ago. 

“Numerous American businesses have told me that allowing the Ex-Im Bank to expire would be tantamount to unilateral trade disarmament, conceding billions of dollars in orders to other nations that maintain their own export credit agencies,” said Simpson.

According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, U.S. nuclear energy suppliers compete against international rivals that are supported by their governments, and the availability of export credit agency support is almost always a bidding requirement for nuclear power plant tenders. 

“For 70 years, the Ex-Im Bank has been reauthorized without issue,” said Simpson.  “In fact, since I have been in Congress, the Ex-Im Bank has been brought up for reauthorization 25 times and has passed with overwhelming support, including mine, each time.  However, many are now arguing that the Ex-Im Bank serves as “corporate welfare,” puts taxpayers at risk, and only benefits big businesses.  This cannot be further from the truth.” 

Last year, fees and interest collected by the Bank brought in a total $675 million to the U.S. Treasury.  The Bank itself has credit assessment procedures that are more rigorous than commercial banks and, as of March 2015, a historical default rate of below 1%. Large companies do use the Ex-Im Bank to finance exports and make up 40% of its balance sheet.  However, 90% of the service products provided by the Bank are made to support small businesses.  From 2009-2014, the Ex-Im Bank has supported $169 million in exports from Idaho, with 71% of support going to small businesses. 

“The economic growth of our state depends on the ability of our high tech and manufacturing sectors to ship their products globally, and I will not support threatening the competitiveness of these American companies by dismantling the Ex-Im Bank,” said Simpson.  “Not only does the Bank level the playing field, but it also supports job growth, capital investment and helps reduce the national debt.  It is a win-win for Idaho.”

Simpson Casts Responsible Vote on Bipartisan Budget Agreement

Bill Reduces Deficit, Protects our Military, and Prevents Catastrophic Default

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted to support H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015.  In addition to preventing a catastrophic national default, this agreement achieves long-term savings through entitlement reform, delivers predictability and certainty to the appropriations process and the funding of our national defense, and repeals an onerous mandate put in place by Obamacare.   H.R. 1314 is fully offset and does not increase taxes. 

“It is imperative that we act in the best interest of our nation by preventing a default on our national credit,” said Simpson.  “To allow that to happen would be irresponsible at best and catastrophic at worst.  I supported this legislation because it maintains the budget cuts put in place by sequestration, while also protecting our military and domestic programs from the sequester’s mindless cuts by replacing them with meaningful reforms in mandatory spending and other savings.  This agreement reduces the deficit by nearly $80 billion over 10 years—which means that it keeps us on track to save taxpayers more than $2 TRILLION, as mandated by the original Budget Control Act.  Recognizing that we have a responsibility to act on this issue, I believe this is a fiscally responsible agreement.”

Among other provisions, the agreement would do the following:

-Puts in place budget caps that are $56 billion below the Ryan budget for FY16 and $70 billion below the Ryan budget for FY17; 

-Ensures that the Social Security Disability Trust Fund—currently scheduled for a 20% reduction across the board at the end of next year—will be able to continue to pay full benefits;

-Includes structural entitlement reforms to strengthen the long-term solvency of the Social Security program;

-Replaces sequestration’s arbitrary, across-the-board cuts with more rational deficit reduction;

-Eliminates Obamacare’s mandate that employees must enroll into their company’s health care plan;

-Prevents a dramatic spike in Medicare Part B premiums for millions of seniors.

“This bill isn’t perfect, and like others, I have concerns about the crop insurance provisions and the Medicare cuts to hospitals,” said Simpson.  “But I realize that this agreement is necessary for the health and stability of our economy.  This country has big problems, and the American people expect more from their elected officials than to sit on the sidelines and criticize everything that does not meet their ideologically pure standards.  That’s easy.  Solving problems—also known as governing—is hard work.”

Despite the passage of this constructive agreement, Simpson believes Congress has considerable work ahead of it in further reducing the budget and eliminating the deficit. He remains a strong proponent of a Balanced Budget Amendment and is a leading advocate in Congress for reforming the tax code and entitlement programs to achieve real progress toward smaller, more efficient federal government.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, NOVEMEBER 2ND
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. 3361 - Department of Homeland Security Insider Threat and Mitigation Act of 2015, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Peter King / Homeland Security Committee)

2) H.R. 3505 - Department of Homeland Security Clearance Management and Administration Act (Sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson / Homeland Security Committee)

3) H.R. 3598 - Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2015, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lou Barletta / Homeland Security Committee)

4) H.R. 3144 - Partners for Aviation Security Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Donald Payne / Homeland Security Committee)

5) H.R. 3503 - Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Martha McSally / Homeland Security Committee)

6) H.R. 2494 - Global Anti-Poaching Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ed Royce / Foreign Affairs Committee)

7) H.R. 1853 - To direct the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Matt Salmon / Foreign Affairs Committee)

8) H. Res. 293 - Expressing concern over anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement within the Palestinian Authority, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen / Foreign Affairs Committee)

9) H. Res. 354 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the safety and security of Jewish communities in Europe, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith / Foreign Affairs Committee)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday and 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.

Consideration of Legislation Related to the Highway Trust Fund

Consideration of Legislation Related to the National Defense Authorization Act

**Additional Legislative Items are Possible**