Recently in Washington

The House recently passed H.R. 3716, the Ensuring Terminated Providers are Removed from Medicaid and CHIP Act, by a vote of 406-0.  H.R. 3716 would require States and Medicaid managed care plans to report identifying information to Human Health and Services (HHS) for providers terminated due to reasons related to fraud, integrity, and quality from Medicare or the Medicaid of Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  The House also passed H.R. 4557, the Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2016, or the BRICK Act, by a vote of 238-163. H.R. 4557 would extend the compliance dates pending the completion of judicial review for the Brick Maximum Achievable Control Technology air quality rule issued by EPA that sets strict standards for brick industry emissions. Congressman Simpson supported both bills.

Simpson Votes to Slow Down EPA Regulation

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported H.R. 4557, the Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 238-163. The bill would extend the compliance dates pending the completion of judicial review for the Brick Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) air quality rule issued by EPA that sets strict standards for brick industry emissions.

“Like many EPA regulations, the Brick MACT rule is being challenged in the courts,” said Simpson. “At this point it is unfortunate – but not surprising – that the EPA is overreaching into yet another sector of our economy. In Idaho we know all too well about the EPA’s attempts to reach into our State regulated waters.”

In 2003, EPA promulgated standards for the brick industry that were later struck down by a federal court. However, brick manufacturers were already forced to comply with the standards before the legal status of the rule had been determined. The current rule was finalized last September and is being challenged in federal court.

“H.R. 4557 is common sense legislation that simply allows for the judicial vetting of a regulation before brick manufacturers are forced to comply with burdensome standards,” said Simpson.  “When you look at the thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impacts, the stakes are just too high to move forward without an appropriate review of the rule.”

The Brick MACT standards proposed by EPA are estimated to cost industry between $25-100 million per year to comply with the rule, and would put at risk 7,000 jobs the industry supports.

Simpson Questions BLM on Issues Facing Idaho

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson examined the President’s FY17 budget proposal during a House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee hearing with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Neil Kornze. Simpson, who is the vice-chair of the subcommittee, took the opportunity to question Kornze on important issues facing Idaho.

During the hearing Congressman Simpson raised the issue of the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer and the role BLM can play in helping the State of Idaho stabilize the ground water level in the aquifer. Congressman Simpson commented, “The State of Idaho would like to recharge the (Eastern Snake Plain) aquifer since the water level is going down substantially, and there are periods of time when we have excess water that we just flush down the river. It would be nice to recharge that aquifer and I would encourage your office to work with the State of Idaho and our office in developing a plan that might work.”

Simpson also commented on sage grouse management plans. After the hearing, Simpson said, “While it is a success the sage grouse was not listed under the Endangered Species Act, it is important to remember that the State of Idaho has concerns with the management plans. BLM needs to keep their door open to the state regarding the future of the management plans to ensure that their voices are heard in a truly collaborative process.”

The BLM hearing was one of 26 hearings held by House Appropriations Committee this week on the President’s budget request.

Simpson Reacts to Delisting of Yellowstone Grizzly

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announced the Greater Yellowstone Area Grizzly Bear is fully recovered and no longer warrants listing under the Endangered Species Act

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson offered the following statement regarding the announcement by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the Greater Yellowstone Area Grizzly Bear is fully recovered and no longer warrants listing under the Endangered Species Act:

“For more than three decades, local, state, and federal partners have worked together to revive the population of the Greater Yellowstone Area Grizzly Bear,” said Simpson. “I am pleased the Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed delisting the bear and returning management to state agencies. Today, the best scientific evidence proves the bear’s habitat and population have fully recovered and no longer warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. While this is a positive development, I will thoroughly review the agency’s full proposal and work with state and local partners to learn more about how the decision will impact Idaho.”

Committee Schedule

Tuesday

At 9:30 a.m., the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request. 

At 10:00 a.m., the House Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2017 budget request for the Department of Labor.

At 10:30 a.m., Chairman Simpson will host a House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the Office of Environmental Management’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request with Assistant Secretary Monica Regalbuto.  

Wednesday

At 9:30 a.m., the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the National Park Service’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget request. 

At 10:30 a.m., the House Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2017 budget request for the National Institutes of Health. 

At 1:30 p.m., House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Fiscal Year 2017 budget request. 

Thursday/Friday

At 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee will hold American Indian/Alaska Natives Public Witness hearings. 

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, MARCH 14TH
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. 2984 - Fair RATES Act (Sponsored by Rep. Joe Kennedy / Energy and Commerce Committee)

2) H.R. 1268 - Energy Efficient Government Technology Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Anna Eshoo / Energy and Commerce Committee)

3) H.R. 4427 - To amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Pompeo / Energy and Commerce Committee)

4) H.R. 2080 - To reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving Clark Canyon Dam (Sponsored by Rep. Ryan Zinke / Energy and Commerce Committee)

5) H.R. 2081 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Gibson Dam (Sponsored by Rep. Ryan Zinke / Energy and Commerce Committee)

6) H.R. 3447 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Virginia Foxx / Energy and Commerce Committee)

7) H.R. 4416 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project (Sponsored by Rep. David McKinley / Energy and Commerce Committee)

8) H.R. 4434 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Gibson / Energy and Commerce Committee)

9) H.R. 4411 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project (Sponsored by Rep. Morgan Griffith / Energy and Commerce Committee)

10) H.R. 4412 - To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project (Sponsored by Rep. Morgan Griffith / Energy and Commerce Committee)

11) H. Con. Res. 121 - Expressing the sense of the Congress condemning the gross violations of international law amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Government of Syria, its allies, and other parties to the conflict in Syria, and asking the President to direct his Ambassador at the United Nations to promote the establishment of a war crimes tribunal where these crimes could be addressed, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith / Foreign Affairs Committee)

12) H. Con. Res. 75 - Expressing the sense of Congress that the atrocities perpetrated by ISIL against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria include war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner / Foreign Affairs Committee)

13) S. 2426 - To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner / Foreign Affairs Committee)

14) H.R. 4721 - To amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Shuster / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

TUESDAY, MARCH 15TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 3797 - SENSE Act (Sponsored by Rep. Keith Rothfus / Energy and Committee)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH 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 in the House.

H.R. 4596 - Small Business Broadband Deployment Act (Sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden / Energy and Committee)

H. Res. ____ - Authorizing the Speaker to appear as amicus curiae on behalf of the House of Representatives in the matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al. (Sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan / Rules Committee)