Recently in Washington

The House of Representatives last week passed a series of bills intended to provide regulatory relief, including H.R. 4078, the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act.  H.R. 4078 is comprised of seven bills that cut the red tape that continues to burden small businesses.  The House also passed H.R. 6082, a bill to replace the President’s offshore drilling plan with a plan that will conduct additional oil and natural gas lease sales to increase offshore energy development.  The House also passed a bill to prevent a Department of Labor rule regarding youth agriculture employment and voted to audit the Federal Reserve.

Preserving America’s Family Farms Act Passes House
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4157, the Preserving America’s Family Farms Act.  Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a cosponsor of the bill, which prevents the Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary from reissuing a proposed rule that would limit farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to hire youth to work in agriculture.

“This DOL proposal was a misguided idea that threatened the ability of America’s youth to work on family farms and other agricultural operations,” said Simpson. “It would also restrict families in their efforts to pass on the generational knowledge and the hands-on learning that is critical to the survival of the agricultural industry.”

When H.R. 4157 was originally introduced, it explicitly prevented the Secretary of Labor from finalizing or enforcing the proposed child labor regulations that would have prohibited young people under the age of 16 from working on farms. The proposed rule was subsequently withdrawn in April, 2012, following objection from the agricultural community. Congressman Simpson was pleased when the DOL dropped the proposed rule that would have transformed the way of life for thousands of family farms and ranches across the country, and he cosponsored H.R. 4157 that would prevent this absurd and overreaching rule from being considered in the future.

The Preserving America’s Family Farms Act now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

House Takes Steps to Reduce Federal Regulations on Small Businesses
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praises legislation

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson last week supported legislation that will help reduce the uncertainty plaguing our economy as a result of the Obama Administration’s excessive regulatory rule writing.  H.R. 4078, the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act passed the House with a final vote of 245-172.

“I have been stunned by the volume of regulations promulgated by the current administration, and I am well aware of the economic impact these rules have on Idaho businesses,” said Simpson. “Our government needs to take a close look at the economic effects of federal mandates already being imposed, instead of saddling our job-creators and small businesses with even more burdensome and costly regulations.”

H.R. 4078 would freeze regulations that cost the economy $100 million or more until the unemployment rate stabilizes at or below six percent. It would also prevent a “lame duck” administration from issuing economically significant new rules.

• Require independent federal agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to comply with the same regulatory review requirements as other agencies and require increased transparency with respect to unfunded mandates that are imposed on state and local governments.
• Ensure that impacted parties have a right to intervene before federal agencies agree to binding legal settlements that require them to issue new regulations.  
• Create a streamlined process for consideration of federal permits for construction projects.
• Require both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to conduct more thorough cost-benefit analyses of proposed regulations.

The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.

Congressman Mike Simpson joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives and passed HR 459, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act

Congressman Mike Simpson joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives last week and passed HR 459, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. “Increasing the transparency and accountability of the Federal Reserve to Congress has become more critical in light of the expansion of the Federal Reserve's balance sheet since the financial crisis of 2008-2009,” Simpson said. “Decisions made by the Federal Reserve impact our nation’s economic health and I believe the American people should have greater access to information about these decisions.”

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, JULY 30TH
On Monday, the House will meet in Pro Forma session at 2:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 31ST
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. 828 - Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2011, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2) S. 679 - Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Sen. Chuck Schumer / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3) H.R. 4365 - To amend title 5, United States Code, to make clear that accounts in the Thrift Savings Funds are subject to certain Federal tax levies (Sponsored by Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4) S. 300 - Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2011, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
5) Concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1627 - Honoring American Veterans Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)
6) H.R. 4073 - To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to accept the quitclaim, disclaimer, and relinquishment of a railroad right of way within and adjacent to Pike National Forest in El Paso County, Colorado, originally granted to the Mt. Manitou Park and Incline Railway Company pursuant to the Act of March 3, 1875 (Sponsored by Rep. Doug Lamborn / Natural Resources Committee)
7) H.R. 4606 - To authorize the issuance of right-of-way permits for natural gas pipelines in Glacier National Park, and for other purpose (Sponsored by Rep. Denny Rehberg / Natural Resources Committee)
8) H.R. 3641 - Pinnacles National Park Act (Sponsored by Rep. Sam Farr / Natural Resources Committee)
9) H.R. 3706 - To create the Office of Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the Virgin Islands, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Del. Donna Christensen / Natural Resources Committee)
10) S. 270 - La Pine Land Conveyance Act (Sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden / Natural Resources Committee)
11) S. 271 - Wallowa Forest Service Compound Conveyance Act (Sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden / Natural Resources Committee)
12) H.R. 3803 - District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (Sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks / Judiciary Committee)
13) H.R. 1950 - To enact title 54, United States Code, “National Park System,” as positive law, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee)
14) H.R. 3120 - Student Visa Reform Act (Sponsored by Rep. Zoe Lofgren / Judiciary Committee)
15) H.R. 6029 - Foreign and Economic Espionage Penalty Enhancement Act of 2012  (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee)
16) H.R. 6063 - Child Protection Act of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee)
17) H.R. 4362 - STOP Identity Theft Act of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz / Judiciary Committee)
18) H.R. 3796 - Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act of 2012, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner / Judiciary Committee)
19) H.R. 6062 - Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Marino / Judiciary Committee)
20) H.R. 1550 - Federal Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Act of 2011, as amended (Sponsored by Del. Pedro Pierluisi / Judiciary Committee)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1ST AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday and 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 expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.Con.Res. 127 - Expressing the sense of Congress regarding actions to preserve and advance the multistakeholder governance model under which the Internet has thrived (Sponsored by Rep. Mary Bono Mack / Energy and Commerce Committee)
2) H.R. 4273 - Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Pete Olson / Energy and Commerce Committee)
3) H.R. 897 - Residential and Commuter Toll Fairness Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Grimm / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
4) H.R. 5797 - Mille Lacs Lake Freedom To Fish Act of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Chip Cravaack / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
5) H.R. 3158 - Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act (Sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
6) H.R. 1171 - Marine Debris Act Amendments of 2012 (Sponsored by Rep. Sam Farr / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)
7) H.R. 2446 - RESPA Home Warranty Clarification Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Judy Biggert / Financial Services Committee)
8) H.R. 2139 - Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Pete Roskam / Financial Services Committee)
9) H.R. 3187 - March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act of 2011, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Robert Dold / Financial Services Committee)
10) H.R. 4104 - Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Jim Renacci / Financial Services Committee)
11) S. 3363 - To provide for the use of National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin surcharges, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Sen. Saxby Chambliss / Financial Services Committee)

H.R. __ - To provide a one-year extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, with certain modifications and exceptions, to make supplemental agricultural disaster assistance available for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and for other purposes (Subject to a Rule)
(Sponsored by Rep. Frank Lucas / Agriculture Committee)

 H.R. 8- Job Protection and Recession Prevent Act of 2012 (Subject to a Rule)
(Sponsored by Rep. Dave Camp / Ways and Means Committee / Budget Committee)

H.R. 6169 - Pathway to Job Creation through a Simpler, Fairer Tax Code Act of 2012 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. David Dreier / Rules Committee)

In the News

Bill to audit Fed passes House with support of Reps. Labrador, Simpson
By Eric D. Dixon, July 25, 2012, IdahoReporter.com

Idaho Reps. Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson were among the 327 members of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, H.R. 459, on Tuesday, legislation aiming to audit the central banking system that has been introduced by Rep. Ron Paul of Texas each year since 2009. The two Idaho congressmen have been outspoken advocates of Paul’s legislation.

“Monetary policy decisions must be made in an open and transparent manner without regard to special interest groups and political influence,” Labrador said in a press release. “The Federal Reserve is officially an independent organization within the government. Decisions made by the Fed are not subject to approval by the president or Congress but the system is subject to congressional oversight. I believe it is our obligation and right to see what the Fed is up to with our nation’s money supply, particularly in such fragile economic times as these.”

Simpson shared similar thoughts in an entry on his blog Tuesday.

“Increasing the transparency and accountability of the Federal Reserve to Congress has become more critical in light of the expansion of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet since the financial crisis of 2008-2009,” Simpson said. “Decisions made by the Federal Reserve impact our nation’s economic health and I believe the American people should have greater access to information about these decisions.”

The legislation specifies that the comptroller general should complete an audit of the Federal Reserve banks and the system’s board of governors before the end of 2012. A companion bill, S. 202, has been introduced in the Senate by Paul’s son, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Although a Senate vote has not yet taken place, both of Idaho’s U.S. senators have signaled their support for the bill, both in public addresses and by serving as bill co-sponsors.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke argued last week in testimony before the House Financial Services Committee that he believes the system is already transparent.

“I agree absolutely with Dr. Paul that the Federal Reserve needs to be transparent and it needs to be accountable,” Bernanke was quoted as saying. “I would argue that at this point, we are quite transparent and accountable on monetary policy. Besides our statement, besides our testimonies, we issue minutes after three weeks. We have quarterly projections, I give a press conference four times a year, there’s quite a bit of information provided to help Congress evaluate monetary policy as well as the public.”

Paul, however, has insisted that the Federal Reserve’s ordinary disclosures are not enough.

“While the Fed has recently released an unprecedented amount of information on its activities, there is still much that remains unknown,” Paul wrote. “Predictably, every push towards transparency has been fought tooth and nail. It took disclosure requirements enacted within the Dodd-Frank Act to get the Fed to provide data on its emergency lending facilities. It took lawsuits filed by Bloomberg and Fox News to provide data on discount window lending during the worst parts of the financial crisis. And it will take further concerted action on the part of Congress, the media, and the public to keep up pressure on the Fed to become and remain transparent.”

How well the Senate version of the bill will fare, or whether it will even be considered, remains to be seen. ABC News has reported that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada “has vowed not to put it to a vote.”