Recently in Washington 

This week Congress passed H.R. 5013, the IMPROVE Acquisition Act, which reforms the acquisition process at the Department of Defense.  The House also passed H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act.


Simpson Participates in Farm Bill Field Hearing
Congressman Mike Simpson assumed the temporary role of a House Agriculture Committee member during a field hearing in Nampa on Saturday that explored potential changes to legislation impacting our nation’s agriculture policies. The field hearing, held by the House Agriculture Committee, was attended by six members of the House of Representatives including Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK), and Idaho’s lone member on either the House or Senate Agriculture Committees Walt Minnick. Simpson was allowed to participate under an agreement between the House Agriculture Committee and the House Appropriations Committee.

“First and foremost, I want to commend each and every Idaho witness at the hearing today for their insight and outstanding testimony,” said Simpson. “Some of Idaho agriculture’s best advocates spoke today and provided the Committee with an idea of the strengths of the agriculture industry and some of its biggest challenges. I believe my colleagues heard some things today that will make them think very carefully about how we put together a new Farm Bill and how such a bill impacts the very people it is intended to help.”

In addition to Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Lucas, attendees included Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD) and Representative Jim Costa (D-CA), along with Minnick and Simpson.

Idaho witnesses at the hearing included Fred Brossy representing Idaho’s organic agriculture industry, Scott Brown representing the Idaho grain growers, Doug Gross representing Idaho potato growers, Kelly Henggeler representing Idaho fruit growers, Galen Lee representing Idaho sugar growers, Brian Kernohan representing Idaho forestry, Ron Bitner representing the Idaho winegrape industry, Charlie Lyons representing Idaho beef producers, Adrian Boer representing Idaho dairy producers, and Cindy Siddoway representing Idaho’s wool growers.

The hearing took direct testimony from each of the Idaho witnesses about the state of their industries and the impact federal farm legislation has on Idaho producers. The Committee is seeking testimony in several field hearings across the United States in preparation for consideration of a new Farm Bill beginning next year.

“The impact of the Farm Bill on Idaho’s farming and ranching families cannot be overestimated,” said Simpson. “Our ability to maintain a cheap, safe, and domestic supply of food in the United States is tied directly to the policies put forth in the Farm Bill. Too few people in our nation appreciate the complexities of maintaining a domestic supply of food while too many under appreciate the work, money, and emotion that goes into being a farmer or rancher. We have to do everything we can to keep our food grown right here in the United States and the hearing today helped move us in the right direction.”

“I want to commend Congressman Minnick for his leadership in bringing the Committee to Idaho and thank the Committee for allowing me to take part in the hearing,” said Simpson.

House Votes to Eliminate Member Pay Increase for 2011
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported passage of a bill that eliminates the automatic cost of living adjustment (COLA) Members of Congress were scheduled to receive for fiscal year 2011. This is the second year in a row that Members have not received a pay raise, after previously voting to eliminate the COLA for fiscal year 2010.

“With job numbers at historic lows and the national debt at record highs, it would simply be unacceptable for Members of Congress to allow themselves any kind of personal pay raise.” said Simpson. “Most of my constituents won’t get a pay raise this year and I shouldn’t either.”

The COLA is an annual adjustment in wages to offset a change, usually a loss, in purchasing power. Since 1989 the standard has been to adjust congressional pay on a regular basis by scheduling an annual adjustment, in part to promote consistency and in part to reflect comparable movement in private-sector pay. That adjustment has now been canceled for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

H.R. 5146 passed in the House of Representatives 402-15, with all Republicans voting in favor.

The Second Amendment is as Fundamental as the First Amendment
By Congressman Mike Simpson

“The pro gun demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and the crowds gathered across the Potomac River in Virginia last week were a stark reminder of the passion with which Americans value their personal freedoms.  These men and woman journeyed from across the country to remind their government that the Second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms, is a right guaranteed them as law abiding citizens and is as fundamental as the First Amendment, which allowed them to make their voices heard in the first place.

“Debate on the floor of the House last week about gun rights and congressional representation in the District of Columbia perfectly illustrated the flaw in anti-gun Members of Congress arguments. They speak eloquently about preserving the constitutional rights of residents of the District of Columbia by granting them a voting Member of Congress, and in the next breath deny them the constitutional right to peacefully keep and bear arms. These members want to pick and choose which constitutional rights they feel Americans deserve to keep.  This is a defective line of reasoning, and the American people are not buying it.

“The gatherings in Virginia themselves were a victory for gun rights supporters.  Even one year ago it was illegal to carry a firearm into a national park.  One year ago each demonstrator would have been fined or arrested, but last week they were allowed to carry out their peaceful demonstration without interference.  This victory is one of many, including the landmark Heller decision by the Supreme Court, that have shown a recent trend toward strengthening the Second Amendment in this country.  Indeed, 24 states loosened restrictions on firearms last year alone.

“That said, the right to bear arms remains under attack from interest groups and politicians, including many Members of Congress who want to erode the Second Amendment by enacting burdensome regulations.  There are even Members who would prefer to just eliminate gun rights all together, and abolish the Second Amendment, saying it is outdated and obsolete.  They say that the Framers only wrote it out of a distrust of standing armies, that they never intended it to be an individual right of every American.  They are wrong.  The ability of law abiding citizens to protect themselves, their families and their homes is a right that will never be unnecessary.  The right to collect historic firearms or to hunt will never be outdated.  These are rights upon which our country was built and maintained, and nothing could be more important.

“That is why I have once again cosponsored H.R. 5162, the Second Amendment Enforcement Act, which would restore the Second Amendment rights of D.C. residents, as the Supreme Court declared in the Heller case and as is required by the Constitution.

“Placing blame on a gun after an act of violence is akin to blaming a hammer after completion of a shoddily built home.  I will continue to push for stricter penalties for those who use firearms to commit crimes and I will continue to ensure law abiding citizens have the right to peacefully keep and bear arms.”

Simpson Requests Budget Hearing to Address Real Costs of Health Care
Congressman Mike Simpson joined Republican colleagues on the House Budget Committee in sending a letter to Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt requesting a hearing with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Chief Actuary. The Actuary recently released new information concerning the cost of the health care bill signed into law last month. 

“This massive health care takeover will not save money nor create a better health care system,” said Simpson. “I cannot stress enough the damage that this bill will do.  It will make our health care system weaker, not stronger, and it will damage our economy by adding more and more taxes that continue to stunt our economic growth. The public has the right to know what the true costs are of this legislation.”

This week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an analysis that estimates large tax increases will hit millions of Americans making well below $200,000 annually.
CMS also issued its own analysis demonstrating the new health care law will further drive costs upward, not downward, with national health expenditures increasing by an additional $311 billion above original projected costs. Additionally, the new law would adversely impact Medicare providers and reduce Medicare Advantage enrollees by 50%, according to the report.

“This is exactly why I and many of my Republican colleagues repeatedly asked Democrat leadership to slow down the process in Congress so we could find the real costs before passing the bill.” Simpson added, “Had these reports come out before the final vote, I believe the bill would not have passed.”

Both the CBO report and the CMS report can be found at https://simpson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=183195

Idaho Delegation Reacts to Idaho Guard Deployment
Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick issued the following statement last week concerning the announcement of the Idaho National Guard deployment:

 “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families whose loved ones will be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are pleased that the Idaho National Guard will be providing family support training sessions to help prepare them for the deployment. We have always supported efforts to ensure our military men and women have the resources they need to carry out and complete their missions successfully. The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is home to some of the nation’s finest, and we know they are trained and prepared for their upcoming mission. We wish them success and look forward to welcoming each of them home.”

Approximately 1,500 Idaho soldiers form the 116th Cavalry Brigade will be deployed to Iraq for the duration of 12 months beginning this September.  The Idaho Army National Guard is headquartered at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho.  Idaho National Guard units are dispersed throughout the state in 27 communities. The 116th Cavalry Brigade is the state’s largest unit. 


House Legislative Business This Week 

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010
The House will meet at 10:00 a.m. in pro forma session.

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for Morning Hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (7 Bills):

1. H.Res. 1307 - Honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation (Sponsored by Rep. Gordon / Science and Technology Committee)
2. H.Res. 1213 - Recognizing the need to improve the participation and performance of America's students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, supporting the ideals of National Lab Day (Sponsored by Rep. Fudge / Science and Technology Committee)
3. H.Res. 1310 - Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the laser (Sponsored by Rep. Ehlers / Science and Technology Committee)
4. H.Res. 1231 - Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United States Television Infrared Observation Satellite, the world's first meteorological satellite, launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on April 1, 1960, and fulfilling the promise of President Eisenhower to all nations of the world to promote the peaceful use of space for the benefit of all mankind (Sponsored by Rep. Holt / Science and Technology Committee)
5. H.Res. 1269 - Commemorating the 400th anniversary of the first use of the telescope for astronomical observation by the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei (Sponsored by Rep. Tiberi / Science and Technology Committee)
6. H.R. 24 - To redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps (Sponsored by Rep. Jones / Armed Services Committee)
7. H.Res. 1132 - Honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Heinrich / Armed Services Committee)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2010 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, there are no votes expected in the House.

Suspensions (13 Bills):

1. H.R. 5160 - Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Rangel / Ways and Means Committee)
2. H.Res. 1272 - Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 4, 1970, Kent State University shootings (Sponsored by Rep. Ryan (OH) / Education and Labor Committee)
3. H.Res. 1157 - Congratulating the National Urban League on its 100th year of service to the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Hastings (FL) / Education and Labor Committee)
4. H.Res. 1312 - Recognizing the roles and contributions of America's teachers to building and enhancing our Nation's civic, cultural, and economic well-being (Sponsored by Rep. Graves / Education and Labor Committee)
5. H.Res. 1149 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Charter School Week, to be held May 2 through May 8, 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Bishop (UT) / Education and Labor Committee)
6. H.R. 2421 - Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act (Sponsored by Rep. Capito / Financial Services Committee)
7. H.Res. 1295 - Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day (Sponsored by Rep. Fortenberry / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
8. H.Res. 1247 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 3 through 9, 2010, and throughout the year (Sponsored by Rep. Lynch / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
9. H.R. 1722 - Telework Improvements Act (Sponsored by Rep. Sarbanes / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
10. H.Res. 1301 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Train Day (Sponsored by Rep. Brown (FL) / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
11. H.Con.Res. 247 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby (Sponsored by Rep. Hoyer / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
12. H.Con.Res. 263 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (Sponsored by Del. Norton / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
13. H.Res. 1278 - In support and recognition of National Safe Digging Month, April, 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Shuster / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

H.R. 5019 - Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010(Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Welch / Energy and Commerce Committee)

In the News
Idaho officials wary of water bill as doubts loom over latest attempt to change Clean Water Act
By Nate Poppino - Times-News writer | Posted: Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A Minnesota congressman who helped draft the Clean Water Act in 1972 is continuing his attempt to reverse two U.S. Supreme Court cases he insists “handcuffed” the protection of America’s water quality.

Though U.S. Rep. James L. Oberstar, a Democrat, says new legislation introduced last week avoids past concerns about expanding government regulation, Idaho politicians and water users aren’t buying it.

Oberstar in 2007 proposed his Clean Water Restoration Act, which gathered 176 cosponsors but also intense criticism for doing away with the phrase “navigable waters” that defined what lakes, rivers and creeks the federal government could regulate.

His America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act, presented to the House on April 21, still ditches the “navigable” designation, which Oberstar argues even the Supreme Court can’t decide how to define. Instead, it allows federal control over “waters of the United States,” including lakes, streams, wetlands and “prairie potholes” that, if damaged, would affect interstate commerce or U.S. property. Specifically exempted are waste treatment lagoons and wetland areas converted to grow crops.

Materials presented on the website of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which Oberstar chairs, argue the bill wouldn’t make any changes beyond reversing the “turmoil, confusion and uncertainty” caused by the Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. Existing exemptions for farm or stock ponds, irrigation ditches and artificially irrigated areas wouldn’t be affected and the bill wouldn’t touch groundwater at all, according to the documents.

“Simply put, if it was not regulated before 2001, it will not be regulated with the enactment of this legislation,” Oberstar stated in a press release.

But in southern Idaho, where widespread agriculture relies on a system of irrigation canals and other temporary waters, those who have seen the bill say nothing’s changed.

U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, has vowed to amend the House bill that funds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to prevent it from expanding its jurisdiction. The ranking member of the appropriations subcommittee that handles that budget, he said he believes he stands a good chance of making the change there.

The text of the bill doesn’t back up Oberstar’s assurances, Simpson said, noting a move by the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases through the Clean Air Act as one example of what happens without specifics.

“What matters is what’s written, and that’s what a court is going to look at,” Simpson said.

Other past opponents of the legislation, from the American Farm Bureau to the Idaho Water Users Association, said the new version still reduces current exemptions and seems identical to its predecessors. Canal company and irrigation district heads such as Minidoka Irrigation District’s Bill Thompson and Twin Falls Canal Co.’s Brian Olmstead noted the work they already do to improve water quality in their systems. That work would be harder to do if canals fall under the Clean Water Act, Olmstead said.

“This bill does nothing to help deal with the uncertainty that’s been out there over the last few years,” said IWUA Executive Director Norm Semanko.

Oberstar stated he expects to start working on the bill in committee before June. A past Senate version is still held up in committee; U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, is still pledging to put a hold on it if it comes to the floor.