Recently in Washington

The Shut Down Strategy and Obamacare – Idahoans Deserve the Truth

By Congressman Mike Simpson

You may be hearing more and more from people in Idaho and some in Washington D.C. who would like you to believe that I support Obamacare.  They are attempting to reinvent my longstanding position opposed to the law, and are painting my vote to end the government shutdown as implicit support for a law I have consistently opposed.  They should be held accountable for those comments.

This is a sad distraction. You deserve honesty from your elected officials.

The simple fact is the only disagreement between Republicans over the last few weeks has been over strategy, not policy. Every Republican is united in opposition to government run health care.  I ultimately opposed the strategy of shutting down the government and threatening the U.S. credit to continue a fight without a possible resolution.

For these people now labeling me inconsistent, it wasn’t about winning, it was about the fight.

It isn’t about putting up a fight, because in the end we lost this fight. It is about winning. I want to win. I want Obamacare repealed, forever. The truth is the only way to get rid of Obamacare is to win elections.  And shutting down the government and alienating voters will not help repeal Obamacare.  Not surprisingly, Republican support in almost every national poll has shown a significant decline in recent weeks.

Idahoans expect their elected officials to do more than throw political bombs and tear down their opponents. They want to hear realistic solutions to the problems facing the country. The health care crisis is real, and more than that, health care is not just an economic issue, it is a personal issue. It impacts all of our lives.  Unfortunately, we have seen a shift in this country away from patient centered care, toward government controlled care that limits our options.

I’ve laid out my vision for a health care system many times. It starts with full repeal of Obamacare.  Idahoans won’t be fooled by attempts to paint me as supportive of something I have voted to repeal or reform 42 times. Once Obamacare is gone we will spur competition by allowing the purchase of insurance across state lines and pooling of plans by small businesses, reform medical malpractice laws – also known as tort reform, protect those with pre-existing conditions, and expand Health Savings Accounts. 

The simple fact is Obamacare will remain as long as President Obama is in office or Harry Reid holds the Senate.  Now is not the time to play politics with health care. Now is not the time to eat our own, now is the time to come together to lay out a vision for more accessible, affordable, and personalized health care. Let’s get to work.

Critical Water Resources Legislation Passes House

Simpson Cosponsored Amendment on Aquatic Invasive Species Included in final bill

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted last week for H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013.  H.R. 3080 authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out its mission to develop, maintain, and support the Nation’s vital port and waterways infrastructure needs, and support effective and targeted flood protection and environmental restoration needs. 

“Navigation improvement is particularly important in Idaho, where the Snake River feeds the lower Columbia River international gateway and annually moves about six million tons of grain, paper products, petroleum products, and general container cargo produced by Idahoans,” Simpson said.

Historically, Congress has passed legislation every two years to provide clear direction on such projects to the Administration and the Corps, but no bill has been signed into law since 2007.  Highlights of H.R. 3080 include requirements to streamline environmental reviews to accelerate project delivery, deauthorization of $12 billion of old, inactive projects to pay for new activities, and the establishment of a new, transparent process for the submission of future projects for review that will prioritize water resources development activities with strong Congressional oversight. 

Congressman Simpson also cosponsored an amendment that would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an assessment on the impacts of aquatic invasive species on federal assets and current federal spending on aquatic invasive species prevention.  The amendment was included in the bill. 

“Aquatic invasive species, like the quagga mussel, can have devastating effects on our water infrastructure, and both prevention and mitigation of that damage is very costly,” Simpson said.  “When we respond to this damage, we must make sure we are being as effective as we can be with taxpayer dollars. This report will identify where our current resources are dedicated so that agencies can coordinate more efficiently with each other and the States to ensure there is no duplication of activities.”

H.R. 3080 passed by a vote of 417-3, and will now move to the Senate for further review and action. 

Simpson Protects Water Rights against Federal Overreach

Cosponsors bill to prevent agencies from taking private water rights as condition of land use permit

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has cosponsored legislation to ensure that the federal government can’t hold private water rights hostage as a condition for a land use permit.  H.R. 3189, the Water Rights Protection Act, prohibits agencies from requiring the transfer of privately held water rights to the federal government in order to obtain a permit to use federal land.  Simpson, who oversees the budget of the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service as chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, included a similar provision in the House Interior Appropriations bill for FY14.

“In the West, we know water is the key to our economy, and threatening water rights is tantamount to an attack on our way of life,” said Simpson.  “It is ridiculous that the Forest Service, or any other agency, would try and force someone to hand over privately held water rights—which are regulated by the state and not the federal government—in order to obtain a land use permit.”

States have jurisdiction over water rights.  Unfortunately, in a number of cases, the U.S. Forest Service has attempted to circumvent state water law by requiring those applying for a Forest Service permit to turn over privately held water rights to the federal government.  H.R. 3189 would prohibit federal water takings and protect both privately held water rights and state water laws.

“If there was ever an argument for the supremacy of state water law, this is it,” said Simpson.  “When we’re dealing with an issue that is so central to our economy and way of life, it is crucial that state and local officials—those who are familiar with the people and local issues—are the ones to make decisions about how water is used.  No federal agency should be able to hijack water rights as a condition for issuing a permit.  This legislation makes it clear that the government cannot conduct business in this manner.”

H.R. 3189 is currently under consideration by the House Agriculture Committee. 

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH
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. 3304 - To authorize and request the President to award the Medal of Honor to Bennie G. Adkins and Donald P. Sloat of the United States Army for acts of valor during the Vietnam Conflict and to authorize the award of the Medal of Honor to certain other veterans who were previously recommended for award of the Medal of Honor (Sponsored by Rep. Ted Deutch / Armed Services Committee)

2) H.R. 1742 - Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Rep. Joseph Heck / Financial Services Committee)

3) H.R. 2189 - To establish a commission or task force to evaluate the backlog of disability claims of the Department of Veterans Affairs (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

4) H.R. 2481 - Veterans Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Flores / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

5) H.R. 1405 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include an appeals form in any notice of decision issued for the denial of a benefit sought (Sponsored by Rep. Dina Titus / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

6) H.R. 2011 - Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act (Sponsored by Rep. John Delaney / Veterans’ Affairs Committee)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH
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. 2640 - Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act (Sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden / Natural Resources Committee)

2) H.R. 623 - Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act (Sponsored by Rep. Don Young / Natural Resources Committee)

3) H.R. 330 - Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act (Sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert / Natural Resources Committee)

4) H.R. 2337 - Lake Hill Administrative Site Affordable Housing Act (Sponsored by Rep. Jared Polis / Natural Resources Committee)

H.R. 2374 - Retail Investor Protection Act, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Ann Wagner / Financial Services Committee)

H.J.Res. __ - Relating to the disapproval of the President's exercise of authority to suspend                       the debt limit, as submitted under section 1002(b) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 on October 17, 2013 (Sponsored by Ways and Means Committee)

WENDESDAY, OCTOBER 30TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 992 - Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Randy Hultgren / Financial Services Committee)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31ST AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST
On Thursday and Friday, no votes are expected.