Recently in Washington

Last week the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2055, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act for FY12, and H.R. 2112, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY12, which reduces funding by 13% below FY11 levels and 22% below the President’s request.  Congressman Simpson supported these bills.

Simpson Joins House Appropriators in Preventing Biased Anti-Potato Rule
USDA Proposed Rule would have limited potatoes, corn, green peas and lima beans to one cup per week, rule not based on science and made no economic sense
Last week the U.S. House of Representatives approved Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill, H.R. 2112.  Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the bill and was extremely pleased with several provisions, including one that will prevent the USDA from forcing schools to limit servings of potatoes and other similar foods to one cup per week at the estimated increased cost of $6.8 billion over five years.

 “The USDA proposed rule would have been another completely unnecessary, unfunded mandate by the federal government,” said Simpson. “A medium potato contains over 200 milligrams more potassium than a banana and has as much fiber as a similar serving of broccoli.  Serving potatoes, corn, and green peas to our children in school lunches is not causing the obesity epidemic in America. This USDA rule was senseless and, worse yet, it would have passed on the onerous costs to our schools who are trying desperately to make ends meet.”

Current school meal standards require that less than 30% of the calories be from fat, and less than 10% of the calories be from saturated fat. Potatoes are fat free, cholesterol free and low in calories.  Potatoes are sodium free, and low sodium diets help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. By eating one medium sized potato, you will receive 45% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C — a great antioxidant. Potatoes contain 18% of the recommended daily value of potassium — a great way to build stronger bones. The 3g of fiber in one medium-sized potato is 8% of the recommended daily value.

Background:
On January 13, 2011, USDA issued the proposed rule, “Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.”  This proposed rule would have mandated drastic changes to the school meal programs that would have incurred significant costs to all school districts. There would have been no federal funding provided for implementation of the rule, and USDA estimated that cost would have amounted to an increase of 50 cents per breakfast served and 14 cents for every lunch served, totaling $6.8 billion over five years.  According to the proposed rule, “small entities would incur roughly 80% of estimated costs.”  Due to the radical changes and extreme costs that would have been associated with the proposed rule, it is likely that considerable numbers of students and schools would have chosen not to participate in the school meal programs, especially school breakfast, had Congress allowed the rule to be implemented.  

The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee included report language in subcommittee report for H.R. 2112, the FY12 Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which directed USDA to issue a new proposed rule that will not incur increased costs. 

Honoring the Birth of the American Flag
By Congressman Mike Simpson
 “On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the American flag as an emblem of freedom and independence. John Adams proclaimed that, “the flag of the thirteen United States represents a new constellation.” Over 220 years after it was first embraced, Old Glory remains a symbol of the pride of our nation. 

“Recognizing the importance of this American treasure, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation in 1916 that established a National Flag Day. Following this act, in 1949, Congress by joint resolution designated June 14 of each year as a day to commemorate the adoption of the American Flag. The Stars and Stripes continue to majestically wave to us from “sea to shining sea” and stand as a symbol of the American spirit.

“The flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814 after the Battle of Baltimore that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner is the same flag that unites our nation today. This same flag still waves to us from the backs of American athletes taking a victory lap, from overseas reminding us of the resilience of our heroic sons and daughters serving in the Armed Forces, and from the porches of everyday Americans striving for a better tomorrow. Through tragedy and triumph, adversity and accomplishment, our flag endures as a declaration of our independence.

“On this Flag Day, the President has issued an annual proclamation for the observance of “National Flag Week” that traditionally takes place the week of June 14 and for the all Federal government buildings to display the flag. Today I join with Idahoans and Americans across the country in honoring the birth of the American flag.”

Committee Action

At 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee will mark up the House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for FY12.

At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing entitled “The Congressional Budget Office’s Long-Term Budget Outlook.”  Witnesses include CBO Director Douglas W. Elmendorf.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, JUNE 20TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. in Pro Forma session.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21ST
On Tuesday, 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. 1632 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5014 Gary Avenue in Lubbock, Texas, as the "Sergeant Chris Davis Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Randy Neugebauer / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

2) S. 349 - A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4865 Tallmadge Road in Rootstown, Ohio, as the "Marine Sgt. Jeremy E. Murray Post Office"(Sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

3) S. 655 - A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 95 Dogwood Street in Cary, Mississippi, as the "Spencer Byrd Powers, Jr. Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Thad Cochran / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

4) H.R. 771 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1081 Elbel Road in Schertz, Texas, as the "Schertz Veterans Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Henry Cuellar / Oversight and Government Reform)

5) H.R. 672 - Election Support Consolidation and Efficiency Act (Sponsored by Rep. Gregg Harper / House Administration / Science, Space, and Technology Committee)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22ND, 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 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes for the week are expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

H.R. 1249 - America Invents Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee / Budget Committee)

H.R. 2021 - Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Cory Gardner / Energy and Commerce Committee)

 H.R. 2219- Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2012 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Young / Appropriations Committee)

Possible Consideration of Legislation Related to H.R. 658 - FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act (Sponsored by Rep. John Mica / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee / Science and Technology Committee / Judiciary Committee)

In the News

Lawmaker irked by shifting energy policy
June 16, 2011, UPI.com
WASHINGTON, June 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy hasn't generated much success in managing the national energy sector, a lawmaker on an appropriations committee said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Energy and Water Development, told Department of Energy contractors he was frustrated with the department's performance.

"(The Energy Department) was formed in the 1970s because of the energy crisis and our reliance on foreign energy sources," he was quoted by the Platts news service as saying. "We are more reliant on foreign energy sources today than we were before. Is that a success story? I don't know. I don't think so."

Simpson noted he wasn't particularly critical of the department but said he was frustrated with oscillating energy policies that come with new presidential administrations.

The House subcommittee last week backed an appropriations bill for 2012 that would cut nearly $6 billion from a $29.5 billion request from U.S. President Barack Obama.

"It is not that I don't see results, it is that I don't know what I'm looking for because I don't see an overall policy that has been developed by Congress so that I know that money spent on certain things are going toward achieving those overall results," he said.

Republicans have pressured the White House to tap more domestic energy resources such as oil and natural gas.