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Obamacare is NOT Ready and Should be Delayed
Simpson cosponsors bill to delay implementation of national healthcare plan

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 3359, known as the “Delay Until Fully Functional Act,” offered by Rep. Trey Radel in the House and Sen. Marco Rubio in the Senate. The bill would delay the individual health insurance mandate in Obamacare until six months after the Government Accountability Office confirms that the exchange website is functioning properly.

“We all know that the healthcare.gov rollout has been an abject failure, and with little information coming out of the administration, it appears the website may be inoperable for some time,” said Simpson. “That being said, let’s not focus on celebrating its failure. Instead, let’s work to ensure that as few Americans are impacted by this debacle as possible.”

Despite having three years and hundreds of millions of dollars to build the site, it still is not working a month after it was supposed to come online. This comes on top of recent confirmation that millions of Americans are being booted off their health insurance plans despite repeated statements from the White House that this would not happen.

“The Obamacare website’s flaws illustrate the inherent problems with government run healthcare,” said Simpson. “Obviously, Americans should not be forced to sign up for a program that is simply not ready. This bill guarantees all Americans will have enough time to find out what their new options and costs are before they have to make a decision about their insurance. I believe the entire law should be repealed, but until that time comes, I will look for ways to fix its biggest problems and protect as many Americans as possible.”

Simpson Joined Colleagues in Sending Letter to White House Opposing Arms Trade Treaty

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson recently joined 180 Members of Congress by sending a letter to President Obama opposing the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

The Obama administration recently signed the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) concerning the trade of conventional weapons. While the treaty is intended to rein in unregulated weapons around the world, Simpson is concerned that such a treaty may put Second Amendment rights at risk. 

“I oppose any effort by the administration to implement or enforce this treaty though executive action.  For this reason, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama opposing the treaty and declaring that I will not support any implementing legislation or funding for this treaty,” said Simpson.

Simpson previously signed a similar letter to President Obama and Secretary Kerry on May 30, 2013, urging them to reject the treaty.  He is also a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 23, a bipartisan concurrent resolution expressing opposition to the treaty.

“The Second Amendment should not be compromised or threatened by any international treaty and I will strongly oppose any treaty that would impact civilian ownership of firearms, expose the records of America’s gun owners to foreign governments, challenge the authority of Congress to regulate firearms within the United States, or call for an international gun registry,” said Simpson.

Any international treaty requires a two-thirds approval in the Senate before it is considered in effect in the United States.

 
Floor Schedule

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH
On Monday, the House is not in session.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) S. 252 - PREEMIE Reauthorization Act, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander / Energy and Commerce Committee)

2) S. 330 - HIV Organ Policy Equity Act (Sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer / Energy and Commerce Committee)

3) S. 893 - Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Sen. Bernard Sanders / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

4) H.R. 2922 - To extend the authority of the Supreme Court Police to protect court officials away from the Supreme Court grounds (Sponsored by Rep. George Holding / Judiciary Committee)

5) H.Res. 196 - Supporting the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the right to counsel, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Ted Deutch / Judiciary Committee)

6) H.R. 2871 - To amend title 28, United States Code, to modify the composition of the southern judicial district of Mississippi to improve judicial efficiency, and for other purposes
(Sponsored by Rep. Howard Coble / Judiciary Committee)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business.

H.R. 982 - Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Blake Farenthold / Judiciary Committee)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH
On Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and noon for legislative business.

H.R. 2655 - Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH
On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

H.R. 3350 - Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton / Energy and Commerce Committee / Ways and Means Committee)