Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010, and H.R. 5486, the Small business Jobs Tax Relief Act.

Simpson Votes to Repeal Health Insurance Mandate
Congressman Mike Simpson voted last week in favor of a motion to repeal the individual mandate, which requires individuals to purchase health insurance. The Motion to Recommit was offered by Congressman Dave Camp from Michigan.

“There can be little doubt that the mandate to purchase health insurance in Obamacare is unconstitutional and needs to be removed,” said Congressman Mike Simpson.

Simpson also noted that supporters of Obamacare who compare the mandate in the bill to requirements on automobile liability insurance are misguided. “Supporters of Obamacare often say, ‘You have to purchase car insurance, what is the difference?’ What they are missing is the freedom of choice. Individuals choose to buy and drive vehicles; it is not a requirement of citizenship. By mandating that all Americans purchase health insurance, the government is taking away your freedom to choose. We must repeal this mandate.”

The Motion failed with a vote of 230-187. Congressman Simpson is also a cosponsor of H.R.4995 which would repeal individual and employer mandates enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Simpson Cosponsors Tax Relief Measure for Military Survivors
Congressman Mike Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 5529, the Children of Fallen Warriors AMT Relief Act.  This legislation would protect the surviving children and spouses of service members killed on active duty from facing a punitive tax on their survivor benefits.

“Our brave men and women in uniform stand in the gap between us and those who wish to do our country harm, and when they sacrifice their lives in the line of duty, it is our responsibility to ensure their families receive the treatment they deserve,” said Simpson.  “The last thing that the families of fallen servicemen and women need is to see their taxes skyrocket.”

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) was created in 1969 to close loopholes used by the super-rich to avoid paying taxes.  Unfortunately, because the current tax system classifies the survivor benefits as unearned income, the survivor benefits provided to some eligible children could be taxed under the significantly higher tax rates created by the AMT.  H.R. 5529 would reclassify these annuities as earned income, ensuring that they fall under normal tax regulations instead of the punitive AMT.

“The fact that the children and spouses of service members killed in action are being taxed under a system designed to keep multi-millionaires from itemizing their taxes away makes it abundantly clear that the AMT is one of the worst provisions of the current tax code,” said Simpson.  “Fundamental reform of our tax system is critical, and H.R. 5529 is a step in the right direction.”

Simpson Joins House Beef Caucus
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a member of the newly re-formed Congressional Caucus on Beef. The House Beef Caucus will elevate awareness of issues that impact the beef and cattle industry in order to better educate and inform members of the House and their staff about cattle and beef production in the United States.

“House caucuses are often bipartisan and are a great mechanism for bringing awareness to important issues,” said Simpson. “The U.S. cattle industry faces many challenges, and Congress needs to be better informed of their issues in order to make better decisions. I’m hopeful this caucus will help address these concerns.”

The U.S. beef industry faces a wide range of challenges, including international trade, animal health, food safety, environment, conservation, and economic viability. The House Beef Caucus will provide the opportunity to speak as a collective voice about the importance ranching plays in our country and will utilize opportunities in Congress to help ranchers succeed. 

Simpson Pushes EPA to Treat Biomass Energy Production Fairly
Congressman Mike Simpson joined Western colleagues in expressing concern about EPA’s efforts to regulate energy production from biomass combustion under the Clean Air Act.  Simpson signed a letter to EPA asking that the agency postpone implementing the rule while it reconsiders its decision.

The EPA recently released its final PSD Tailoring Rule outlining which stationary sources of carbon emissions will be subject to EPA’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions control regulations, which will be implemented beginning in January 2011.  Although the draft regulation did not propose regulating emissions from biomass combustion, the EPA reversed its decision in the final rule.  Both Congress and the Administration have consistently recognized biomass as a clean renewable energy resource.

“We are writing to express our deep disappointment and concern over the EPA’s decision in its final PSD Tailoring Rule to depart from the government’s consistent past practice of excluding biomass combustion emissions in calculating GHG emissions,” the letter states.  “This decision contracts federal precedent regarding the carbon neutrality of biomass combustion and will discourage the responsible development and utilization of renewable biomass that could and should play a more significant role in our nation’s energy policy.”

Simpson has long promoted biomass not only as a resource that provides clean, renewable energy, but also as a mechanism through which forests can be properly managed and the risk of catastrophic wildfires on public and private lands can be reduced.  Biomass energy product also puts to use a byproduct that would otherwise be wasted or burned in the open.

“There is enormous potential to generate renewable energy from waste products gathered on public and private lands,” the letter continues. “This includes byproducts of preventative treatments that are removed to reduce hazardous fuels, to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation, or to restore forest health…Further, this would help stimulate the economies of rural communities surrounded by federal lands by creating jobs.”

“In light of the EPA’s decision to reverse federal and international precedent and ignore clear Congressional intent regarding biomass utilization, we respectfully request a written detailed response explaining your plan to reconsider the treatment of emissions of biogenetic carbon dioxide under the PSD and Title V programs,” the letter concludes.

Committee Update
On Thursday at 1:00 p.m., the House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Appropriations is scheduled to mark up the FY2011 bill in subcommittee.

House Legislative Business This Week
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010
On Monday, the House will meet at 11:00 a.m. in pro forma session.

TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for Morning Hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:00 p.m.

Suspensions (5 Bills):
1) H.Con.Res. 288 - Supporting National Men's Health Week (Sponsored by Rep. Cummings / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2) H.Res. 546 - Recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future (Sponsored by Rep. Davis (IL) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3) H.Res. 1369 - Recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month (Sponsored by Rep. Lee (CA) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4) H.Res. 1407 - Supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week (Sponsored by Rep. Biggert / Science and Technology Committee)
5) H.Res. 1388 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week (Sponsored by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart / Science and Technology Committee)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 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, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (12 Bills):
1) H.R. 5551 - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to make a certification when making purchases under the Small Business Lending Fund Program (Sponsored by Reps. Kosmas/Driehaus / Financial Services Committee)
2) H.Res. 1434 - Recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Gary Miller / Financial Services Committee)
3) S. 2865 - Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act (Sponsored by Sen. Lieberman / Education and Labor Committee)
4) H.Con.Res. 285 - Supporting the goals and ideals of designating 2010 as the Year of the Father
(Sponsored by Rep. McMorris Rodgers / Education and Labor Committee)
5) H.Res. 1034 - Expressing support for designation of July 2010 as "Braille Literacy Month" (Sponsored by Rep. Sarbanes / Education and Labor Committee)
6) H.Res. 1373 - Expressing support for "National Physical Education and Sport Week" (Sponsored by Rep. Altmire / Education and Labor Committee)
7) H.R. 795 - Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (Sponsored by Rep. Towns / Education and Labor Committee)
8) H.R. 3993 - Calling Card Consumer Protection Act (Sponsored by Rep. Engel / Energy and Commerce Committee)
9) H.Res. 1359 - Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit held captive by Hamas (Sponsored by Rep. Ackerman / Foreign Affairs Committee)
10) H.Res. __ - Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and expressing appreciation to the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for enhancing peace, prosperity, and security in the Asia-Pacific region (Sponsored by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen / Foreign Affairs Committee)
11) H.Res. __ - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the one-year anniversary of the Government of Iran’s manipulation of Iranian elections, on the Government of Iran’s continued denial of human rights and democracy to the people of Iran, and on the Government of Iran’s continued pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability (Sponsored by Rep. Costa / Foreign Affairs Committee)
12) H.Res. 1350 - Recognizing June 20, 2010, as World Refugee Day (Sponsored by Rep. Watson / Foreign Affairs Committee)

H.R. 5175 - DISCLOSE Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Van Hollen / House Administration Committee)

Possible Further Action on H.R. 4899 - Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Obey / Appropriations Committee)

Possible Consideration of the Conference Report on H.R. 2194 - Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Berman / Foreign Affairs Committee)

In the News
Farm Bureau Report:  Potatoes to Mexico
David Sparks, aginfonet.com; http://www.aginfo.net/index.cfm/event/report/id/Farm-Bureau-Report-Voice-of-Idaho-Ag-News-16615

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined colleagues is sending a letter to Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa encouraging him to loosen trade restrictions on U.S. potatoes.  Calderon is currently visiting Washington, DC, and the letter was hand-delivered today during a meeting with lawmakers.

Mexico currently limits shipments of U.S. potatoes to areas within 26 kilometers of the border.  The Mexican government claims that these restrictions are necessary to ensure that pests from U.S. potatoes are not spread to Mexican crops, but U.S. potato producers exporting to Mexico are subject to the same requirements to manage risks of diseases and pests as domestic producers who ship their products throughout Mexico.  The letter calls on the Mexican government to provide the same treatment for U.S. potato imports that domestic potatoes get.