Recently in Washington

Western Members Introduce Bill to Delist Gray Wolf
Last week eight Members of the Congressional Western Caucus joined together to introduce the State Sovereignty Wildlife Management Act.  The legislation returns management authority of gray wolves to the states and removes the gray wolf from the endangered species list respectively. 

Unmanaged wolf populations pose a serious threat to key wildlife species throughout the West. Wildlife officials in many states have attributed declines in their big game herds to the unchecked growth of wolf packs.  The State Sovereignty Wildlife Management Act would improve the balance of both wolf and prey populations by allowing individual states to develop management plans that address their unique needs.

In states where gray wolves exist, wildlife resource agencies and their personnel will develop successful management programs that will ensure the long-term health and vitality of wildlife populations throughout the West.   However, in order to implement these programs, the wolf must be delisted as an endangered or threatened species.

“State and local wildlife management agencies and their personnel have proven capable of managing and preserving gray wolf populations.  In fact, thanks to their efforts, the gray wolf is thriving throughout the West,” said Western Caucus Chairman Rob Bishop.  “The federal government needs to get out of the way and allow the knowledgeable experts to begin implementation of programs designed to meet the unique and individual needs of their state’s wildlife. I have the utmost confidence that, with this legislation, states will be able to successfully manage each wolf population and ensure their long-term health and viability.”

“The Fish and Wildlife Service’s goal to recover wolves in Wyoming was met long ago. Wolves are thriving, but Wyoming’s ranchers and large game herds are taking a hit – the Gros Ventre moose herd, for example, has been decimated. All the while Washington stands idly by, and activist courts continually move the goal posts. Instead of waiting for Washington to fulfill its end of the bargain by delisting the wolf, it’s time the states take things into their own hands. Our experts in Wyoming are best suited to manage wolves in our state,” said Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis.

“Returning wolf management to the states isn’t a partisan issue that pits Republicans against Democrats.  It’s about state’s rights.  After holding hearings in Montana and reading thousands of comments, it’s clear that folks in Western states like Montana are sick and tired of powerful environmental interest groups funded out of places like San Francisco and New York telling us how to manage our lands, resources and wildlife,” said Congressman Denny Rehberg.

“State wildlife agencies are in the best position to manage wildlife, not judges.  They know the geography, habitat, and what it takes for native wildlife populations to thrive.  Allowing extreme environmentalists to dictate wildlife management and abuse the Endangered Species Act is bad for wildlife, property rights, and people.  State wildlife agencies should not be prevented by activist judges or Washington bureaucrats from doing their job,” said Congressman Dean Heller.

“Judge Malloy’s decision to put wolves back on the endangered species list is wreaking havoc in Idaho,” said Congressman Mike Simpson.  “It is frustrating to me that some people persist in acting as though the end goal in this process is to simply keep wolves on the endangered species list instead of to recover the species so that it can be properly managed by the states.  It is clear that wolf recovery has exceeded goals and expectations and that Idaho’s state management plan has proven effective, and we need to act now to restore the states’ authority to manage these animals.”

“The federal government must allow states to manage wolf populations.  Recent court rulings signal judicial support for state management plans,” said Congressman Jason Chaffetz. “Now is the time for Congress to act.  Wolf populations have grown significantly since first receiving protection under the Endangered Species Act.  It is appropriate to have the wolf delisted at this time.  The states are better equipped to manage and maintain recovered wolf populations.”

Simpson Urges Quick Action on Estate Tax
Congressman Simpson last week signed a letter urging congressional leadership to act promptly to prevent a dramatic increase in the estate tax.  Without congressional action, the estate tax, which has been phased out over the past nine years, will come back in full force on January 1, 2011.  As a result, families who want to pass down the family farm, ranch, or small business will face a crippling tax.

In January, the estate taxes are set to be reinstated at a $1 million exemption with a top rate of 55 percent.  The letter, which was signed by members of the Congressional Caucus on Beef, urges leaders to act quickly to ensure that any estate tax that is reinstated next year will have a higher exemption level that is indexed for inflation and a lower tax rate.  The members also advocate for a tax deferral for land that stays in agriculture production.

“In many cases, families are forced to sell assets in order to pay the estate tax,” the letter states.  “Families have been left guessing on the ever-changing rules when attempting to make plans for the future of their businesses. We believe that clear policy direction is needed to ensure that farmers and ranchers around the nation are able to make sound planning decisions for the future.”

Simpson is a cosponsor of legislation to make permanent the repeal of the death tax.

From the Blog:  Congress must act to prevent huge tax increases
Posted by on November 30, 2010

As the end of the 2010 tax year gets nearer, we are rapidly approaching a traffic jam of expiring tax provisions, uncertainty about the AMT, and a sluggish economy.  Congress has a lot of work to do in the coming months, as I believe that the hard work of balancing our budget will require us to do the hard work of fundamental tax reform.  In the meantime, however, Congress must act swiftly to prevent the huge tax increases looming over American families from crashing down on them on January first. 

Although no clear path forward on the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts was agreed to during today’s meeting between the President and congressional leaders, I am pleased that the President has shown an interest in moving ahead on the conversation.  It is clear to congressional leaders in both parties and to the President that allowing a huge tax increase to hit American taxpayers is not the best way to stimulate our economy or encourage small businesses to grow.

To read and comment on Congressman Simpson’s blog, visit https://simpson.house.gov/Blog/

House Legislative Business This Week

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2010
On Monday, the House is not in session.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 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 (13 Bills):
1) H.Res. 1687 - Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month (Sponsored by Rep. Biggert / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
2) H.R. 6400 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the "Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Clay / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3) H.Res. 1642 - Recognizing the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia and supporting the goals and ideals of a City of Lilburn Day (Sponsored by Rep. Johnson (GA) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4) H.Res. 1264 - Expressing support for the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month (Sponsored by Rep. Moore (KS) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
5) H.Res. 1531 - Expressing support for designation of 2011 as "World Veterinary Year" to bring attention to and show appreciation for the veterinary profession on its 250th anniversary (Sponsored by Rep. Schrader / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
6) H.Res. 1727 - Recognizing Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world and commending members on their dedication to the mission and principles of their organization (Sponsored by Rep. Smith (TX) / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
7) H.Res. 1704 - Honoring the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon (Sponsored by Rep. McGovern / Foreign Affairs Committee)
8) H.Res. 1402 - Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors, and expressing support for designation of February 16, 2011, as "Citizen Diplomacy Day" (Sponsored by Rep. Moran (VA) / Foreign Affairs Committee)
9) H.Res. 1717 - Congratulating imprisoned Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo on the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize (Sponsored by Rep. Smith (NJ) / Foreign Affairs Committee)
10) S. 3987 - Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Sen. Thune / Financial Services Committee)
11) H.Res. 1540 - Supporting the goal of eradicating illicit marijuana cultivation on Federal lands and calling on the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop a coordinated strategy to permanently dismantle Mexican drug trafficking organizations operating on Federal lands (Sponsored by Rep. Herger / Judiciary Committee)
12) H.R. 3353 - To provide for American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas to be treated as States for certain criminal justice programs (Sponsored by Rep. Sablan / Judiciary Committee)
13) H.R. 6412 - Access to Criminal History Records for State Sentencing Commissions Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Scott (VA) / Judiciary Committee)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 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, no votes are expected in the House.

Suspensions (6 Bills):
1) H.R. 5012 - Weekends Without Hunger Act (Sponsored by Rep. Titus / Education and Labor Committee)
2) H.Res. 1746 - Recognizing and supporting the efforts of Welcome Back Veterans to augment the services provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans' Affairs in providing timely and world-class care for veterans and members of the Armed Forces suffering from PTSD and related psychiatric disorders (Sponsored by Rep. Israel / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
3) H.R. 5470 - To exclude an external power supply for certain security or life safety alarms and surveillance system components from the application of certain energy efficiency standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Pallone / Energy and Commerce Committee)
4) H.R. 4501 - Guarantee of a Legitimate Deal Act (Sponsored by Rep. Weiner / Energy and Commerce Committee)
5) S. 3789 - Social Security Number Protection Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Sen. Feinstein / Ways and Means Committee)
6) H.R. 5987 - Seniors Protection Act of 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Pomeroy / Ways and Means Committee)

Further Action on Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Obey / Appropriations Committee)

Possible Further Action on the Food Safety Enhancement Act

In the News

Rep. Mike Simpson gears up to take on EPA
The Idaho Republican could chair the panel that decides the agency’s funding.

By Erika Bolstad, December 1, 2010 -  © 2010 Idaho Statesman

WASHINGTON — Over the past year, Rep. Mike Simpson has singled out the Environmental Protection Agency for sharp criticism, and that’s unlikely to change as he assumes new power over the top federal agency on the GOP hit list.

“As I go around the state of Idaho ... when I’m talking to businesses — large businesses, small businesses ... the conversation inevitably turns to the EPA, and the impact they are having on a company’s ability or uncertainly in creating new jobs. That’s something we have to look at,” Simpson said.

Simpson will in January begin his seventh term as Idaho’s 2nd District congressman.  Although committee assignments won’t be definite until January, Simpson has been the top Republican on the Interior and Environment subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. That puts him in line to lead the subcommittee, which oversees budgeting for the EPA, the Forest Service and Interior Department.

He recently decried the agency’s increased efforts to curtail the dust raised by livestock and grain milling. His concern extends to what he called the EPA’s “bloated” long-term plan for environmental cleanup of the Silver Valley, and even the agency’s oversight of the methane released by cattle.

SOME STANDARDS ARE TOO ONEROUS
In some cases, Simpson said, it appears as though the EPA has a “need to regulate something simply because they can measure it.”

In particular this year, Simpson has complained the agency’s wastewater standards are too onerous for small communities, telling EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson that some cities are so frustrated they’re “prepared to hand EPA the keys to the city.”

Jackson countered that “oftentimes in America we want everything. We want clean water, but we don’t want (it to) cost too much.”

The EPA had no further comment on Simpson’s possible move to lead the committee.  Simpson said it’s possible his committee will use its ability to set budgets as a way to wrest back some Republican control of the agency from the Obama administration’s agenda.

ENERGY LOBBYISTS WATCHING
Lobbyists also are watching closely — especially those who represent energy companies and other industries regulated by the EPA.

“I think there will also be efforts to try to rein in what some people see as overly aggressive regulatory authority,” said Jeff Holmstead, who was an assistant administrator for air and radiation at the EPA during the Bush administration and now represents clients including the CSX railroad, Arch Coal, Duke Energy and Progress Energy.

Simpson, along with some Democrats from energy-producing states, is concerned about the EPA’s move to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in the absence of comprehensive climate-change legislation from Congress.

The EPA has been working on regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions as part of its compliance with a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision.

The Senate, led by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, failed this summer to enact a disapproval resolution that would have essentially kept the federal agency from writing greenhouse gas regulations that would curtail emissions from power plants, factories and other large polluters.