Recently in Washington

Last week, the House passed H.R. 4641 by a vote of 412-4. This legislation requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a task force to review and modify best practices for the treatment of pain.  On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016, by a vote of 413-5. This legislation creates a comprehensive opioid abuse grant program at the Department of Justice for opioid abuse reduction programs. On Friday, the House passed H.Amdt. to S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, by a vote of 400-5. This legislation will establish programs and grants in the Department of Health and Human Services and in the Department of Justice to improve the treatment of individuals with substance abuse disorders.  Congressman Simpson supported all three bills.

Simpson Responds to Federal Judge’s Decision on Obamacare Lawsuit

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released the following statement after a federal judge ruled that the Obama administration unlawfully paid billions to Obamacare health insurers without congressional approval.

“Yesterday’s ruling confirms what many American’s already know, the President is acting unilaterally without consulting Congress,” said Congressman Simpson. “The President didn’t confer with Republicans when Obamacare passed on party line votes, and he continues to ignore Congress as a collective body by spending money without appropriations from the legislative branch. This ruling is important to protecting the balance of powers that are defined in the Constitution.” 

House Republicans approved a resolution in the 113th Congress that authorized the House to bring litigation against the Administration for unilateral actions under Obamacare.  In September, a federal judge ruled that the House has the right to pursue legal action against the Administration over billions of dollars in subsidies that were never approved by Congress in an effort to preserve its constitutional authority to control federal spending.

Simpson Co-Sponsors Banking Regulatory Reform

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 2896, the Taking Account of Institutions with Low Operation Risk (TAILOR) Act of 2015. The TAILOR Act would provide smaller community banks and credit unions with regulatory relief.

H.R. 2896 would require federal financial regulatory agencies to consider the risk profile and business models of financial institutions when taking regulatory action; and requires agencies to tailor regulations accordingly as appropriate and necessary.  Currently, small traditional banks and credit unions are subject to one-size-fits-all compliance regulations intended for much larger financial institutions.

“Idaho’s banks and credit unions provide vital, personalized service in our communities and should not be impeded by disproportionate and undue regulation.” Simpson said. “It’s critical that federal regulators focus the majority of their oversight efforts on the institutions with the highest risk instead of burdening our hometown banks with excessive regulation.”

H.R. 2896 is under consideration by the House Financial Services Committee. 

Committee Schedule

Tuesday

At 10:30 a.m., the House Appropriations Committee will hold a Full Committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill as well as the Fiscal Year 2017 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill. 

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, MAY 16TH
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) S. 1492 - To direct the Administrator of General Services, on behalf of the Archivist of the United States, to convey certain Federal property located in the State of Alaska to the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska (Sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

2) H.R. 3832 - Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Prevention Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jim Renacci / Ways and Means Committee)

3) S. 2143 - To provide for the authority for the successors and assigns of the Starr-Camargo Bridge Company to maintain and operate a toll bridge across the Rio Grande near Rio Grande City, Texas, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn / Foreign Affairs Committee)

4) H. Con. Res 88 - Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as cornerstones of United States–Taiwan relations, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot / Foreign Affairs Committee)

5) H.R. 1150 - Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith / Foreign Affairs Committee)

6) H.R. 1887 - To amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell Federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for other purposes, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lee Zeldin / Homeland Security Committee)

7) H.R. 4743 - National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Joaquin Castro / Homeland Security Committee)

8) H.R. 4780 - Department of Homeland Security Strategy for International Programs Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson / Homeland Security Committee)

9) H.R. 4407 - Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2016, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. John Katko / Homeland Security Committee)

TUESDAY, MAY 17TH 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.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 897 - Zika Vector Control Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs / Agriculture Committee)

Democrat Motion to Instruct Conferees on S. 524 - Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016

H.R. 4909 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Mac Thornberry / Armed Services Committee)

H.R. 4974 - Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Charlie Dent / Appropriations Committee)

H.R. 5243- Zika Response Appropriations Act, 2016 (Subject to a Rule)