Recently in Washington
Last week the House passed H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2011, as well as H.R. 4312, the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act and H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Act.

Simpson Praises Effort to Give Citizens a Voice
Congressman Mike Simpson applauded last week’s roll-out of the America Speaks Out project.  America Speaks Out is a new Republican effort to seek feedback from the American people on current and future policy ideas and initiatives.  The project is intended to give Americans the opportunity to have a say about the direction the government should take on issues facing our country today.

“Over the past year, Idahoans have expressed to me how frustrated they are that Washington is not listening to them.  It’s long past time to bring government back to the people,” said Simpson. “America Speaks Out gives them an opportunity to take back the reins from those who believe that government, not the people government represents, knows best, and I’m excited to have the chance to dialog with the Idahoans who participate.”

To learn more about America Speaking Out, please visit http://republicanleader.house.gov/UploadedFiles/ASO_One_Pager.pdf.  Congressman Simpson invites Idahoans who are interested in voicing their views through this initiative to visit his website at https://simpson.house.gov/AmericaSpeakingOut/

In the News
U.S. presses Mexico on spud trade
By Dave Wilkins, Capital Press Thursday, May 27, 2010 10:29 AM
http://www.capitalpress.com/print/dw-mexican-spud-trade-052810
Potato industry allies on Capitol Hill appealed to Mexican President Felipe Calderon to loosen trade restrictions.

Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., hand delivered a letter from 10 members of Congress May 21 during Calderon's visit to Washington, D.C.

The letter requested that Mexico work out a solution to a trade impasse that has limited U.S. potato shipments to a 26-kilometer area inside Mexico.

U.S. potato growers have tried to gain full market access to Mexico for nearly 10 years.
Mexico doesn't produce enough potatoes to fully supply its own market. Periodic shortages leave snack and potato chip processing plants idle for "months at a time and workers without work or paychecks," the lawmakers told Calderon in the letter.

Signers included Reps. Walt Minnick, D-Idaho; Mike Simpson, R-Idaho; Rick Larsen, D-Wash.; Doc Hastings, R-Wash.; Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.; Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; and Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.

The Mexican government has insisted that phytosanitary concerns are the reason behind the trade restriction.

But the U.S. potato industry and their congressional allies said those concerns have been dealt with.

The real issue is one of fairness, Salazar said.

In 2008, Mexico exported $8 billion worth of horticultural and tropical products to the U.S., while the U.S. exported $2 billion in similar products to Mexico.

Expanding the potato market would help correct that trade imbalance, he said.

"President Calderon assured me that he would personally take a look at this issue," Salazar said in a press release. "All I'm after is fairness."

Even with the 26-kilometer restriction in place, shipments of U.S. table stock potatoes to Mexico hit a record high 56,127 metric tons in 2009.

"It just shows you how big the potential market is," John Keeling, executive vice president of the National Potato Council, said in an interview.

Industry officials estimate that the Mexican market would be worth about $150 million annually within five years if potato growers had full access.