Recently in Washington

Last week the House of Representatives passed H.Res. 72, a resolution which directs House committees to inventory and review existing, pending, and proposed regulations and orders from agencies of the Federal Government with respect to their effect on jobs and economic growth.

Simpson Cuts EPA, Interior Budget by $4.5 Billion
Continuing resolution filed tonight reduces federal spending by $100 billion
Congressman Mike Simpson put out a statement supporting H.R. 1, the continuing resolution for fiscal year 2011.  H.R. 1 cuts federal spending by $100 billion for the current year, the largest spending reduction in the nation’s history, in an effort to rein in out-of-control government spending and take the first steps toward reducing the national debt. 

“For years I have been saying that the fiscal crisis facing our nation threatens our national economy and the economic stability of American families, farmers, and businesses, and the spending spree of the past two years is having alarming consequences,” said Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Given the enormity of this crisis, Republicans are stepping up to the plate and starting to make the tough decisions necessary to get our fiscal house back in order.  We cannot afford to continue spending at current rates and borrowing money to pay for it.”

As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Simpson has reduced his subcommittee’s budget by over $4.5 billion, 14% below the President’s FY11 budget request.  Cuts to the EPA comprise 69% of the bill-wide cut below current levels.  The bill terminates 27 programs within the subcommittee’s jurisdiction.

“Cutting billions of dollars out of our subcommittee’s budget means that we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions, and funding decreases of this magnitude will certainly be felt in states like Idaho that have large percentages of federal land,” said Simpson.  “I realize that many of these cuts will not be popular, but the simple truth is that you can’t spend money you don’t have.  If we are serious about getting our deficit under control, we have to do what every family in America does every day:  figure out what our priorities are and create a responsible budget that reflects those priorities.”

Compared to the President’s FY11 budget request, H.R. 1 would:
• Reduce funding for the EPA by 30%;
• Reduce federal land acquisition by $532 million, 90% below the FY11 request;
• Cut climate change funding across agencies within the subcommittee’s jurisdiction by 41%.

H.R. 1 was filed with the House Rules Committee on Friday, February 11th.  The House of Representatives will consider it on the floor this week.

Simpson Issues the Following Statement on Provision to Defund DOI’s Wild Lands Initiative
Congressman Mike Simpson, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, issued the following statement about language included in H.R. 1, the FY11 Continuing Resolution, to prohibit the use of funding for the Department of Interior’s new “Wild Lands” policy:

“I have a long list of concerns about the Department of Interior’s ‘Wild Lands’ initiative, not the least of which is the fact that it was rolled out without giving the public an opportunity to comment on it and without the opportunity for congressional oversight.  I’m concerned that this initiative will make it more difficult to make good land management decisions and result in increased litigation.  The responsibility for making land management designations belongs to Congress, not the agency, and by including language in the CR to defund this initiative, I hope to force the Department to work with Congress on this issue.”

Simpson Issues Statement on Language in CR to Block Greenhouse Gas Regulations
Congressman Mike Simpson, who chairs the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement after putting language into H.R. 1, the FY2011 Continuing Resolution, prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using funds to implement climate change regulations scheduled to go into effect later this year.

“It has become clear to me in talking to the job creators in this country that allowing these regulations to go into effect would prevent job creation and inhibit economic growth at a time when our economy is still struggling.  It should be up to Congress, not the Administration, to determine whether and how to regulate greenhouse gases, and in attempting to do so without congressional authority, I’m concerned that EPA has overreached.  It’s been an honor to collaborate on this language with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Upton and Subcommittee Chairman Whitfield.  Including this provision in the CR will give their committee time to craft thoughtful, effective legislation to clarify EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act and provide certainty for job creators.”

Simpson Includes Language in CR to Delist Wolves in Idaho and Montana
Congressman Mike Simpson put out the following statement regarding language included in the continuing resolution to reinstate the 2009 decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the gray wolf in Idaho and Montana.

“It makes no sense to call wolves in Idaho and Montana an endangered species. Not only do wolf populations far exceed recovery goals, but without proper management those populations have grown to the point where they are adversely impacting other wildlife populations in the region and wreaking havoc for ranchers, hunters, and public land users in Idaho. The Fish and Wildlife Service made a sound and science-backed decision to delist wolves and have praised the management plan that was developed and successfully implemented by Governor Otter and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The Service and the state have successfully recovered the species to the point that it can be properly managed, and the law should reflect that.”

Simpson Votes for Review of Government Regulations
Resolution requires House Committees to conduct complete review of federal regulations
Congressman Mike Simpson last week voted in favor of H.Res. 72. The resolution directs ten House Committees to inventory and review existing, pending and proposed regulations, orders and other administrative actions or procedures by federal agencies within the committees’ jurisdiction. The committees include: Agriculture, Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, Oversight and Government Reform, Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means.

“This resolution is the first step in the process toward building a more transparent and fair system,” said Congressman Simpson. “I have talked to countless Idahoans who have told me that the burdensome regulations handed down from executive agencies and put into effect without the consent of Congress are making it hard for them to create jobs and help the economy grow.  We simply cannot let one branch of government run rough-shod without any system of checks and balances.  There are numerous regulations that create uncertainty and increase costs for small business owners, farmers and ranchers, and Congress must have the ability to stop or reverse them.”

H.Res. 72 passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a final vote of 391-28.

In addition to supporting this resolution, Congressman Simpson is also a cosponsor of H.R. 10, the Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny Act, commonly referred to as the REINS Act. This legislation would require Congress to approve major regulations by federal agencies, including any regulation that has an impact of more than $100 million. The bill was included in the Republican Pledge to America.

There have been estimates that the total costs of all regulations from federal agencies is more than $1 trillion annually, or more than $10,000 per household per year. “Each year, federal agencies issue thousands of new regulations affecting the entire American economy, thus negatively impacting job growth,” said Simpson. “Congress needs to reestablish its authority to oversee these rules and act upon them in order to reduce the burden on all businesses in order to stimulate real job growth.”

H.R. 10 is currently under consideration in both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Rules Committee.

Milk: Environmental Hazard? Simpson Says No
Feb. 11th celebrates National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
Congressman Mike Simpson joined several of his colleagues in sending a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson last week urging the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize a rule exempting milk storage facilities from the agency’s Spill, Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations. Under the EPA’s current rule, milk is subject to EPA’s oil spill regulations, and if dairy producers do not comply with the EPA’s rule they will be subject to punitive damages.

“Most of us don’t consider milk to be an environmental hazard,” said Simpson, who is Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees funding for the EPA.  “Our nation’s dairy industry is already facing difficult challenges in this economic environment, and the last thing they need is to be saddled with burdensome regulations by an agency that is overreaching.”

Last year, the EPA announced a one-year compliance extension specifically to address requirements for milk and milk product containers within EPA’s Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure program, which directs producers to have an oil spill prevention plan by November 10, 2011.  While EPA has indicated that it intends to address this issue, to date a finalized rule exempting milk has not been made. In the letter to EPA, Simpson and other members strongly urge the agency to exempting milk storage facilities from this regulation.  Simpson is also a cosponsor of H.R. 681, legislation that would require EPA to finalize a rule tailoring the requirements for the dairy industry.

Below is the text of the letter to the EPA:

February 11, 2011

Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460
RE: EPA-HQ-OPA-2008-0821

Dear Administrator Jackson:
We write to you today to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize a rule exempting milk storage facilities from Spill, Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations.

As you know, EPA is granted authority to administer the SPCC program in efforts to prevent oil discharges into U.S. waterways. SPCC regulations require facilities that store or use significant quantities of oil or fuel develop a prevention plan in order to prevent and contain any potential spills on site. While the lessons of the Gulf oil spill and other incidents have proven that more preventative action is needed, unfortunately, under the definition set forth by the SPCC program, milk is classified in the same category as petroleum due to its animal fat content. While this issue has been brought up before, it has failed to come to a close, and continues to loom over the heads of dairy producers who are already under economic duress.

Enacted in 1995, the Edible Oil Regulatory Reform Act was intended to correct this misclassification. This legislation mandated that all federal agencies differentiate between oils, animal fats, and grease in its regulations. However, 15 years later, the issue that this law was intended to rectify still exists, exemplified by the classification of milk in the same category as oil.

On January 15, 2009, EPA announced its proposed rulemaking for exempting milk containers from SPCC requirements. While the EPA has extended the compliance deadline specifically to address SPCC requirement for milk and milk product containers, the agency has failed to finalize the suggested exemption over the last two years. This lack of clarity has created great concern and uncertainty within the dairy industry, whom all the while have been regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

It is evident that extending SPCC regulations to the dairy industry is excessive, overreaching, and unnecessary. We ask that EPA move immediately to finalize the proposed rule that would permanently exempt certain milk containers and associated piping and appurtenance from the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure program.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request, and we look forward to your response.

Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10)
Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-3)
Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5)
Congressman Jeff Denham (CA-19
Congressman Sam Graves (MO-6)
Congressman Mike Simpson (ID-2)
Congressman Bill Owens (NY-23)
Congressman Bob Gibbs (OH-18)
Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2)
Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-2)
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (MD-6)
Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-21)
Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-2)
Congressman Tim Holden (PA-17)
Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9)
Congressman Tom Petri (WI-6)
Congressman John Carter (TX-31)

Simpson Joins Bipartisan Congressional Dairy Caucus
Congressman Mike Simpson last week announced his membership in the bipartisan Congressional Dairy Farmer Caucus for the 112th Congress in order to provide a forum for members and staff to meet with policy makers, organizations, and industry leaders that impact dairy farmers.
 
“Idaho Dairymen and their counterparts across the nation face unique challenges,” said Simpson. “Producers are facing fluctuating prices, growing input costs, increasingly onerous regulations, and changes in international trade policy that combine to create a very difficult business climate. Congress has enormous influence over many of these issues, and it is important that those of us who represent dairy producers have a forum in which we can come together to learn, listen, and lead.”
 
America’s dairy industry supports over one million full-time jobs and generates approximately $140 billion in economic activity.  The American dairy industry is an integral component of our national and local economies; it is undeniably the foundation of many of the rural communities in Idaho and across the country.
 
“I hope we can grow the membership of this caucus and its influence over federal agriculture, tax, and regulatory policy in a way that is positive for rural America," said Simpson. "I look forward to sharing the stories and recommendations of Idaho dairy producers with my caucus colleagues in the coming weeks and months.”

Simpson Cosponsors Legislation to Audit the Federal Reserve
Bill would open the Fed’s credit facilities, securities purchases, and quantitative easing activities to congressional oversight
Congressman Mike Simpson has once again cosponsored H.R. 459, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act.  Currently the Government Accountability Office (GAO) can audit non-monetary policy functions of the Federal Reserve (Fed), but in the 1970’s Congress limited its ability to audit the Fed’s monetary policies. This bill would eliminate restrictions on GAO audits of the Federal Reserve, thus opening Federal Reserve operations to enhanced scrutiny.

“Like many Members of Congress, I was surprised to learn that GAO’s authority is so limited,” said Simpson. “In light of the recent crisis facing our financial system and its continued impact our economy, I believe it is time that we look carefully at the Fed’s policies, its role in regulating financial institutions in this country, and the impact that its decisions have on our economy.”

The GAO is restricted from conducting audits on transactions with foreign banks and governments, decisions and actions on monetary matters, and transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee. By opening all Fed operations to a GAO audit and calling for such an audit to be completed by the end of 2012, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act would achieve much-needed transparency of the Federal Reserve.

Committee Schedule

At 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget request.  Jacob Lew, Director of OMB, is scheduled to testify.

At 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing on the Department of the Treasury’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget request.  Timothy Geithner, Secretary of the Treasury, is scheduled to testify.

House Legislative Business This Week

Monday, February 14
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.

H.R. 514 - To extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011 (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner / Judiciary Committee / Permanent Select Intelligence Committee)

Tuesday, February 15th
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

Begin Consideration of H.R. 1 - Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Hal Rogers / Appropriations Committee)

Wednesday, February 16th
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

Continue Consideration of H.R. 1 - Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Hal Rogers / Appropriations Committee)

Thursday, February 17th
On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

Complete Consideration of H.R. 1 - Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Hal Rogers / Appropriations Committee)

Friday, February 18th
On Friday, the House is not in session.

In the News

Kids Just Want to Ride Act gaining momentum
 
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Some 37 federal lawmakers have declared their support for H.R. 412, the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

Attracting bi-partisan attention, the bill was introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.). It seeks to exempt kids' off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 -- also known as the lead law -- that imposes a de facto ban on the sale of those vehicles at the end of the year.

The CPSIA took effect Feb. 10, 2009 but the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the federal agency responsible for implementing the law, has delayed enforcement of key portions until the end of 2011.

"The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is an important law with many provisions that help protect our children against toys with lead they may put in their mouth or ingest," said Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), who is among those who recently signed on to support H.R. 412. "However, the law did not create a necessary exemption for youth-model motorcycles and ATVs, which do contain some lead in the engines and battery compartments and which children are highly unlikely to put in their mouths.

"This small change to the law will help ensure youth-model motorcycles and ATVs are not pulled from the shelves and remain available to the parents of children who wish to ride appropriately sized vehicles designed just for them that already meet government safety guidelines," Ross said.

Ed Moreland, AMA senior vice president for government relations, noted that it's very important for lawmakers to cosponsor the legislation to increase its chances of passage.

"It's been proven that lawmakers listen to the voices of AMA members and members of the AMA's sister organization, the All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA)," Moreland said. "It's critical that everyone who supports responsible motorized outdoor recreation for children contact their lawmakers to support this legislation so that we can stop the ban."

The easiest way to contact lawmakers is through the Rights section of the AMA website at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

The CPSIA bans the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under that contains more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part. It also requires all children's products undergo periodic testing by independent laboratories approved by the CPSC.

The CPSC has delayed enforcing key portions of the law until after the end of the year. Unless the CPSIA is changed by then, the sale of child-sized dirtbikes and ATVs will effectively be banned.

Among others cosponsoring the Kids Just Want to Ride bill are Reps. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va.).

"The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CSPIA) law is overreaching its initial intent, which was to prevent children from ingesting lead contained in toys, jewelry and similar harmful items, not to keep children off of OHVs that contain small amounts of lead in certain mechanical components," Simpson said. "Parents must be aware of the dangers that lead exposure poses for children, and young OHV users must be made aware of these dangers just as they are made aware of the dangers of using an OHV in the first place.
 
"I will continue to strongly support robust consumer protections on any product that comes into contact with children, but an outright ban of children's OHVs is not the solution," he said. "With many new laws, problems are uncovered in the implementation that were not anticipated or intended during their formation. A balance must be struck to ensure that children are protected without unfairly burdening retailers."
 
Kinzinger said: "Banning children from using appropriate child-sized off-highway vehicles prevents kids from using the proper vehicles that were designed to keep them safe. As a cosponsor of the Kids Just Want to Ride Act, we must eliminate any risk that pushes children toward riding oversized vehicles that are nearly impossible for a young rider to safely control."

Said McKinley: "I applaud Congressman Rehberg's efforts and am proud to cosponsor this legislation to look out for the best interests of our young people. I look forward to fighting for passage of this legislation in my role as a member of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee on the House Energy and Commerce Committee."

Other lawmakers cosponsoring H.R. 412 are Reps. Rodney Alexander (R-La.), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Michael Burgess (R-Texas), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), Geoff Davis (R-Ky.), John Duncan (R-Tenn.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.), Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), Wally Herger (R-Calif.), Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), David Loebsack (D-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.).

Also, Reps. Howard McKeon (R-Calif.), Ron Paul (R-Texas), Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), John Shimkus (R-Ill.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Lee Terry (R-Neb.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), Timothy Walz (D-Minn.), Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) and Don Young (R-Alaska).

For more information, go to http://capwiz.com/amacycle/go/HR412.