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Recently in Washington
On Saturday, September 28th, the House passed H.J.Res 59, which amended the Senate amendment to the Continuing Resolution (CR). Congressman Simpson supported this bill, which delayed Obamacare, including all taxes, for one year, while keeping the government funded through December 15th. The bill also permanently repealed the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices. The House also passed H.R. 3210, the Pay Our Military Act, which would provide a direct appropriation to pay the salaries and allowances to members of the Armed Forces during any period in fiscal year (FY) 2014 should the federal government shut down. Simpson also supported this bill. Today, September 30, is the last day of FY 2013.
House Passes Bill to Keep Government Open, Delays Obamacare
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted on Saturday in favor of legislation that would extend government funding at post-sequestration levels through December 15th and delay the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, for one year.
“Congress must do everything we can to avoid a government shutdown,” Simpson said. “This bill meets our obligation to keep the government functioning, and to be responsive to our constituents, who have made it very clear that they do not want to see Obamacare go into effect on October 1st. I hope the Senate acts quickly—as the House has done—in order to meet those obligations as well.”
The House approved two amendments to the CR that it received from the Senate on Friday. The first adds a permanent repeal of the onerous 2.3% excise tax on medical devices like pacemakers, CT scan machines, and defibrillators and passed the House by a vote of 248-174. The second amendment adds a one-year delay of Obamacare, this passed the House by a vote of 231-192.
“The one year delay in Obamacare just makes sense,” said Simpson. “President Obama’s own administration has recommended delaying large portions of it already; acknowledging that full implementation now will be damaging to our economy.”
The House also passed, and Congressman Simpson supported, H.R. 3210, the Pay Our Military Act, which will ensure that members of the Armed Forces continue to receive their pay until enactment of a Continuing Resolution or regular appropriations bill providing for such payments is passed.
Simpson Stresses Importance of A-10
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has signed a letter to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force expressing concern about recent reports that the Air Force is considering divesting itself of the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The A-10 is currently operated at Gowan Field.
The letter states, in part:
The A-10 has provided the Air Force with decades of exemplary service with a new retrofit of the aiframe’s wing and electronics package, the A-10 can continue its close air support mission for decades to come. National security and the protection of our service members in combat areas must be paramount as we consider the needs of the Department of Defense. To deprive itself of such a combat-proven workhorse such as the A-10 would be a mistake and adversely impact the ability of the Air Force to support the warfighter on the ground.
Congressman Simpson added, “We all understand that forces are being drawn down in Afghanistan, and I applaud attempts to find efficiencies within the force structure, but it is important to remain fully capable, including maintaining the ability to provide close-air combat support for troops on the ground.”
The letter also requested that the Air Force provide the proposed funding decisions for the A-10 and its proposed future guidance.
A copy of the full letter can be found on Simpson’s website.
Time is Needed for Sage Grouse Efforts
By Congressman Mike Simpson
Shortly before Congress adjourned for the August District Work Period, the House Appropriations Committee began consideration of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY2014. As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I worked to ensure that western interests were protected in this bill, and I was disappointed that it was pulled from consideration before it could be passed out of Committee.
During my time in Congress, I have consistently worked to preserve responsible access to and use of public land. This is why I included language in the Interior Appropriations bill to delay the decision on whether to list the sage-grouse as an endangered species for a year.
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) must determine whether to list the sage-grouse by the end of FY2015, a deadline included in two large court settlements that dealt with 251 species and more than a dozen lawsuits. In advance of this decision, the BLM is currently under a court-imposed deadline to amend 68 resource management plans across the West to ensure that sage-grouse is protected under them. This decision is of paramount importance to Idaho, so agencies need adequate time to complete this work.
It’s important to note that this listing deadline was imposed by a judge, not based on science. Unfortunately, since the court set this arbitrary deadline, agency budgets have continued to decline, and BLM is stretched thin in its efforts to amend these plans. I continue to hear from many of the stakeholders involved who are concerned that the listing deadline has resulted in less collaboration and less effective conservation strategies. By delaying the listing decision for one year, we can provide the BLM and state land managers with the time they need to do the job right.
My bill includes these additional provisions regarding sage-grouse conservation efforts:
- Requested funding to the BLM for sage-grouse conservation and related resource management amendments;
- Directing the BLM to provide assistance to states for the implementation of state sage-grouse conservation plans and recognizing that states play a critical role in the success of this effort; and
- Directing the FWS and the USGS to make public data used in the listing decision, information which has not been made available.
The bill contains a number of other provisions important to the West, including:
- Full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program (PILT), which reimburses local and state governments for the lack of tax base due to the presence of federal lands;
- Language making permanent a long-standing provision to allow the BLM to extend expiring grazing permits while they complete the environmental work required for renewals;
- Language extending the length of grazing permits from the current 10 years to 20 years, allowing agencies to focus on areas that are the most environmentally sensitive;
- A provision making vacant grazing allotments available to grazing permittees adversely impacted by drought or wildfire;
- Language preventing the Forest Service from implementing new wilderness directives that would greatly expand the areas to be considered for wilderness; and,
- Language prohibiting the Forest Service and BLM from requesting or requiring that water rights be relinquished as a condition for initiating or renewing a permit.
In Idaho, our way of life has long depended on access to public lands, whether for recreation, agriculture, or the responsible use of natural resources. These provisions are important to our state’s culture and economy, and I hope that the House will act on this bill soon.
Floor Schedule
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First votes expected: not before 11:00 a.m. Last votes expected: TBD.
One Minute Speeches
Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 3174 - To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to obligate funds for emergency relief projects arising from damage caused by severe weather events in 2013, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Cory Gardner / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
2) S. 1348 - Congressional Award Act Program Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Sen. Thomas Carper / Education and the Workforce Committee)
Further consideration of H.J.Res. 59 - Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 (Sponsored by Rep. Harold Rogers / Appropriations Committee)
The schedule for the remainder of the week is yet to be determined.
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