Recently in Washington

Simpson Puts Idaho Businesses, Jobs First

“There has to be a way to address our nation’s fiscal problems without making them worse in the process,” says Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson last week voted to re-open the federal government, avoid default on our nation’s debt, and preserve the historic spending cuts Republicans have won in Congress over the last three years.

While acknowledging his vote in favor of the bill might be unpopular with some of his constituents, Simpson said the potential economic consequences of continued stalemate outweighed any political consideration.

“The easiest, most politically expedient thing for me to do would have been to vote NO and protect my political right flank,” said Simpson. “Doing so, however, would have been the wrong thing to do for my constituents and our economy. My vote today was about the thousands of people facing layoffs at INL, the multitude of businesses across Idaho that have told me their livelihoods are at stake, and the millions of folks across the country who can’t afford the devastating impacts of default on their investments and retirements. There has to be a way to address our nation’s fiscal problems without making them worse in the process. That is the result I will continue working toward during the time we’ve afforded ourselves with today’s agreement.”

Simpson also suggested that he doesn’t expect the ongoing controversy over the implementation of Obamacare to subside with this agreement.

“The fight over Obamacare may now move to another venue, but the fight is far from over,” said Simpson. “While I strongly believe we should continue working to delay the entire law for one year, I also tend to believe that Obamacare may collapse of its own weight. I don’t think it will work. I don’t believe it will contain costs. I don’t believe it will improve access. And I certainly don’t believe that it can survive the scrutiny it is sure to receive once it is fully implemented and its impacts are fully realized. At that point, Republicans may have a much stronger hand.”

Simpson made clear in his reaction to the vote that while the compromise bill was far from ideal, the consequences of a continued stalemate were costing Idahoans their jobs and putting an unnecessary strain on our economy.  He also stressed that Congress must now turn its focus to a more long-term solution to our nation’s budget crisis.

“This bill, while far from perfect, preserves the progress Republicans have made in reducing spending and moving toward a balanced budget. This bill, while far from perfect, ensures thousands of people in eastern Idaho won’t lose their jobs at INL. This bill, while far from perfect, ends the uncertainty for Idaho businesses that have been impacted by the shutdown and are terrified of default. This bill, while far from perfect, gives Congress the time to approach our budget challenges in an honest, collaborative, comprehensive, and enduring way over the next few months. I am deeply hopeful that we will now look toward a grand bargain, or ‘big’ solution that includes spending cuts, tax reform, and entitlement reform. The American people understand that doing so will require tough decisions, difficult sacrifices, and political courage. I am ready to face those tough decisions and I hope a majority of my colleagues in the House and Senate are ready to do so as well,” said Simpson.

Simpson Secures Wildfire Funding

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson ensured that critical wildfire suppression funding was included in must-pass legislation to avert a potential debt default and end the federal government shutdown.  H.R. 2775 included vital funding—$600 million for the Forest Service and $36 million for the Department of the Interior—to restore wildfire suppression accounts that were emptied during the devastating 2013 fire season.  Simpson oversees the budget for these agencies in his role as Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.

The funding in H.R. 2775 helps to address what is referred to as “fire borrowing.”  When budgeted fire suppression funding is depleted, agencies are forced to take money from other non-fire accounts in order to continue fighting fires. 

“Funding to restore budgets that have been drained through fire borrowing is a critical piece of this legislation,” said Simpson.  “Not only does this bill reopen all operations at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise and ensure that land managers can contain catastrophic fires that would otherwise put lives and property in peril, but it means that they can do the restoration work and hazardous fuels removal needed to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires next year.”

Simpson has been working to get this critical funding on the ground for months; his Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for FY14, which was stalled in committee this summer, included a similar provision.

H.R. 2775 was passed by both Houses of Congress on Wednesday, October 16, and signed into law.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
On Monday, the House is not in session.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND
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. 185 - To designate the United States courthouse located at 101 East Pecan Street in Sherman, Texas, as the “Paul Brown United States Courthouse” (Sponsored by Rep. Ralph Hall / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

2) H.R. 2083 - Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. George Miller / Education and Workforce Committee)

3) H.R. 3205 - Promoting Adoption and Legal Guardianship for Children in Foster Care Act (Sponsored by Rep. Dave Camp / Ways and Means Committee)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 3080 - Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013, Rules Committee Print
(Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Bill Shuster / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee / Budget Committee / Ways and Means Committee / Natural Resources Committee)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24^TH AND FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH
No votes are expected.