On Tuesday, the House passed H.R. 2219, the End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2018, as amended, by a vote of 408 to 2. The bill seeks to choke off human traffickers’ access to the financial system by enhancing the financial industry’s efforts to detect and deter money laundering related to human trafficking and by encouraging foreign governments to have in effect a framework to prevent financial transactions involving the proceeds of severe forms of trafficking.

The House also passed H.R. 4203, the Combat Online Predators Act, as amended, by a vote of 409 to 2.  The bill amends the federal criminal code to increase the maximum prison term for a stalking offense by 5 additional years, if the victim is under 18 years of age. It also requires the Attorney General to issue a report on best practices on the enforcement of state, local, tribal, and Federal stalking laws.

On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 4061, the Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2017, by a vote of 297 to 121.  The bill enhances transparency and procedural fairness of the nonbank systemically important financial institution (SIFI) designation process.  The House also passed H.R. 4293, the Stress Test Improvement Act of 2017, by a vote of 245 to 174.  The bill improves the administration of Federal Reserve stress tests on bank holding companies to lessen regulatory burdens while maintaining stability in the financial markets.

On Thursday, the House rejected a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.J. Res. 2, a joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States, by a vote of 233 to 184.  The joint resolution would amend the U.S. Constitution to require that Congress not spend more than it receives in revenue.

On Friday, the House passed H.R. 4790, the Volcker Rule Regulatory Harmonization Act, by a vote of 300 to 104.  The bill streamlines regulatory authority over the Volcker Rule, offers increased regulatory clarity, and provides community banks much needed relief from the rule’s burdensome compliance obligations.  

Federal Legislation Delivers Big Wins for Idaho Agriculture

By Congressman Mike Simpson

“Idaho’s history of agriculture excellence is critical to our economy, accounting for 20% the state’s gross state product. With over 25,000 farms and ranches and 185 different commodities, it isn’t just Idaho that we are feeding – it is the world.

“No doubt that ideal climate conditions, irrigation systems, and generations of family farmers are responsible for this agriculture dominance. However, the state also needs cutting edge research and fair cooperation on reasonable rules and regulations for farmers and ranchers to succeed. The recently passed appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018 included big wins for Idaho agriculture. I was proud to champion many of these efforts so Idaho can continue to lead in agriculture production.   

“We don’t have to look any farther than our license plates to know the potatoes are world famous. The key to continuing this tradition is ensuring adequate funding for research that protects Idaho crops from disease. Included in the agriculture section of the appropriations bill is targeted funding to accomplish just that. Specifically there is increased funding for potato breeding research, plus additional money for a geneticist that accelerates the process for finding resistant potato varieties to combat some of the worst diseases that threaten not only annual harvests, but trade access with global partners.

“The bill also contains money for advancing wheat research that will assist farmers in updating the falling numbers test that has cost growers millions of dollars in discounts. The research will help us better understand the various causes of low falling numbers and how it impacts end-use products that almost every Idaho consumer buys at the grocery store.

“The livestock industry is also well represented through a vitally important bipartisan provision that exempts ranchers and dairy farmers from EPA reporting requirements. The provision clarifies that Congress did not intend for a law aimed at regulating toxic waste and superfund sites, to apply to agriculture operations. The bill also recognizes challenges livestock farmers and ranchers face through money to compensate losses due to livestock killed by wolves.

“Idaho’s dairy farmers also benefit from this bill through language that directs the FDA to develop a standard identity for dairy based products. The language is a good first step to solving the recent surge in mislabeled imitation products and compliments legislation I support known as the DAIRY Pride Act, which also has the backing of Idaho Senators Risch and Crapo.

“This is just a snapshot of the benefits to Idaho, but these provisions are important and helpful to Idaho’s agriculture future.”

Committee Schedule

Tuesday

At 10:00 a.m., the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee on Appropriations will hold a hearing with Indian Health Service Acting Director Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee regarding the Indian Health Service’s FY19 budget request.   

Wednesday

At 9:00 a.m., the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations will hold a Member witness hearing for Members of Congress to discuss the FY19 budget request for the programs within the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction. 

At 10:00 a.m., the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee on Appropriations will hold an oversight hearing on Biodefense issues with the Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the National Institutes of Health Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Diseases, and the Center for Disease Control’s Director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. 

Thursday

At 9:00 a.m., Chairman Simpson will host a House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee Member witness hearing for Members of Congress to discuss the FY19 budget request for the programs within the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction. 

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, APRIL 16TH
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. 3607 - To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish fees for medical services provided in units of the National Park System, and for other purposes, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Tom McClintock / Natural Resources Committee)

2) H.R. 4609 - West Fork Fire Station Act of 2017 (Sponsored by Rep. Scott Tipton / Natural Resources Committee)

3) H.R. 3961 - Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2018, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Darren Soto / Natural Resources Committee)

4) H.R. 146 - Eastern Band Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Chuck Fleischmann / Natural Resources Committee)

5) H.R. 443 - James K. Polk Presidential Home Study Act (Sponsored by Rep. Scott DesJarlais / Natural Resources Committee)

6) S. 167 - National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act (Sponsored by Sen. Jerry Moran / Natural Resources Committee)

TUESDAY, APRIL 17TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 2905 - Justice for Victims of IRS Scams and Identity Theft Act of 2018, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. David Young / Judiciary Committee)

2) H.R. 4403 - Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Denham / Ways and Means Committee)

3) H.R. 5440 - To require notice from the Secretary of the Treasury in the case of any closure of a Taxpayer Assistance Center. (Sponsored by Rep. Karen Handel / Ways and Means Committee)

4) H.R. 5446 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restrict the immediate sale of seized property by the Secretary of the Treasury to perishable goods, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Drew Ferguson / Ways and Means Committee)

5) H.R. 5438 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury to provide to taxpayers information regarding low-income taxpayer clinics, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. George Holding / Ways and Means Committee)

6) H.R. 5437 - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for the issuance of identity protection personal identification numbers, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Erik Paulsen / Ways and Means Committee)

7) H.R. 5439 - To provide for a single point of contact at the Internal Revenue Service for the taxpayers who are victims of tax-related identity theft, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jim Renacci / Ways and Means Committee)

8) H.R. 5443 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require electronic filing of the annual returns of exempt organizations and provide for making such returns available for public inspection, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Kelly / Ways and Means Committee)

9) H.R. 2901 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent Volunteer Income Tax Assistance matching grant program (Sponsored by Rep. Carlos Curbelo / Ways and Means Committee)

10) H.R. 1512 - Social Security Child Protection Act of 2018, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Kenny Marchant / Ways and Means Committee)

H.R. 5192 - Protecting Children from Identity Theft Act, as amended (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Carlos Curbelo / Ways and Means Committee)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18TH 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. 5444 - Taxpayer First Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Lynn Jenkins / Ways and Means Committee)

H.R. 5445 - 21st Century IRS Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Bishop / Ways and Means Committee)

In the News

Simpson applauds appropriations bill

KIFI/KIDK, March 22, 2018
WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. House headed home Thursday after sending the "Consolidated Appropriations Act" to the Senate for approval.

Idaho 2nd District Congressman Mike Simpson thinks the bill is good for Idaho. "This is a comprehensive and responsible package that contains so many important provisions for Idaho and Western States," said Simpson. "It is the product of this past year's worth of thoughtful deliberation and line-by-line analysis of every program in the federal budget."

As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, Simpson had a key role in deciding funding for the Department of Energy and Department of Interior.

Simpson said the appropriations bill makes critical investments in advanced reactor and nuclear fuel research and development programs at the Idaho National Laboratory. It also makes significant investments in grid security programs.

The Office of Nuclear Energy was funded at $1.2 billion, an increase of $188 million above fiscal year 2017. The bill includes:

• The Idaho Facilities Management account, which covers infrastructure maintenance and improvement at INL, is funded at $294 million – an increase of $56.3 million above fiscal year 2017 and $90 million above the budget request.  

• INL's Safeguards and Security Program is funded at $133 million – an increase of $3.7 million over fiscal year 2017.

• The Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies program is funded at $159 million – an increase of $44 million above fiscal year 2017.  

• The Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration account is funded at $237 million – an increase of $105 million above last year. Within the overall $237 million level for this account, $30 million is allocated to fuel qualification for the High Temperature Gas Reactor, and $60 million is for a solicitation to support technical, first-of-its-kind engineering and design and regulatory development of next generation light water and non-light water reactor technologies, including small modular reactors.  

• The Light Water Reactor Sustainability program, which is managed by INL and promotes the continued safe operation of America's existing nuclear reactors, is funded at $47 million – an increase of $7 million over last year.

• Within the Fuel Cycle Research and Development program, the Advanced Fuels program is funded at $125 million—a $57 million increase from fiscal year 2017; and Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition research and development is funded at $86.4 million.

The bill includes $85.5 million for the Advanced Test Reactor, $198 million for the spent fuel handling recapitalization project, $10 million to complete development of the electric grid test bed, $25 million for energy efficient mobility systems, $15 million for bio-energy and $9 million for integrated energy systems. 

The measure also includes $434 million for the Idaho Cleanup Project and Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project. That is an increase of $52 million over fiscal year 2017. 

"The Interior portion of the Omnibus contains provisions that are critical to Idaho," said Simpson. "I am thrilled to see a fix to fire borrowing included. I have been working on this issue since 2013 and it is long past due that fires are treated like other natural disasters. I am also pleased to see vital funding for PILT and SRS which our rural counties need. Notably, this bill recognizes the late Governor Andrus by naming the White Clouds Wilderness after him. A well-deserved honor for a man who dedicate his life to public service."

The bill also provides a $185 million increase for the National Park Service to help reduce the deferred maintenance backlog.  

The bill continues language written by Simpson in last year's appropriation bill blocking the President's proposed closure of the U.S. Sheep Experimental Station in Dubois. 

The measure includes $1.41 billion for Impact Aid, which supports education programs that benefit Idaho schools and counties.