Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 2578, the Conservation and Economic Growth Act, which incorporated 14 natural resource bills into one larger package.  It also passed H.R. 4480, the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act, which incorporated seven bills regarding oil and gas exploration into one bill.  Both bills passed the House with Congressman Simpson’s support. The Interior Appropriations Subcommittee also passed Chairman Simpson’s Interior Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2013.  It now moves to the full Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Interior Appropriations Bill Passes Subcommittee

Chairman Simpson initiates significant spending cuts maintains funding for National Parks

The House Interior and the Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which is chaired by Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, last week marked up its appropriations act for fiscal year 2013. The Act provides a responsible level of funding for the Department of the Interior, the EPA, and related agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, by saving $1.2 billion from the current fiscal year’s level and focusing on proven, core programs.

“The Interior and Environment bill addresses the fundamental challenges facing the agencies within its jurisdiction while doing so within a fiscally-responsible level of funding,” said Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson. “The bill reins in funding and out-of-control regulation at the EPA and reduces overall spending for the third year in a row. We've made some difficult decisions in this bill - decisions that will help reduce our budget deficit while funding many important agencies and programs at sustainable and appropriate levels.”

The FY13 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act funds agencies under the bill at $28 billion, a $1.7 billion cut from the President’s budget request. The EPA will see an additional $1.4 billion in cuts from the current level, which constitutes a cut of 17%.

“There are those who will no doubt try to portray Republicans as not supporting clean water, clean air, and a clean environment, but such assertions are simply untrue,” said Simpson. “The reality is that the EPA has received unprecedented and unsustainable increases in recent years. In an environment of historic budget deficits and reduced spending, it should come as no surprise that the agency that saw the greatest increases over the last few years will inevitably see the greatest cuts.”

The bill also shifts funding away from unproven programs and government growth and focuses it on agencies’ core missions and programs that have demonstrated value to taxpayers, including National Park Service operations and resource management. The bill cuts funding for expensive and uncoordinated climate change programs by 29% but enables the government to meet its trust responsibilities to Native American communities.

The bill includes $3.2 billion for wildfire fighting and prevention programs, a $6 million increase over the current year, including full funding of the 10-year average wildland fire suppression costs for both the Department of Interior and the U.S. Forest Service.  The bill also includes a one-year authorization for mandatory funding of the Payments-in-lieu-of-Taxes (PILT) program.

The bill also contains a number of provisions intended to provide the regulatory certainty needed for economic growth, including:

• A provision prohibiting the EPA from requiring permits for stormwater runoff from forest roads through FY2013;
• A provision prohibiting the EPA from changing the definition of “navigable waterways” under the Clean Water Act;
• Making permanent a provision enabling the BLM and Forest Service to renew expired grazing permits while focusing environmental review on the most environmentally sensitive areas;
• A provision allowing the trailing of livestock to grazing allotments on public lands without unnecessary environmental review;
• A provision allowing the 20 year grazing permits for the Forest Service and BLM;
• A provision requiring agencies to make information regarding payments for legal fees to litigants who sue the federal government available to the public;
• A provision putting an effective hiring freeze on EPA employees, rejecting the President’s proposal to hire additional regulators.

House Passes Bill to Reduce Gas Prices

Congressman Simpson supports comprehensive efforts for a long-term solution for lower gas prices

The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed H.R. 4480, the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act by a vote of 248-163.  It aims to create long-term domestic energy solutions for the United States.  Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the measure.

H.R. 4480, the Strategic Energy Production Act of 2012, would require the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production.  It also includes language from seven different energy bills, including provisions to streamline the permitting process, improve the auction process for onshore leases, and halt the implementation of burdensome EPA rules until a report is submitted to Congress that describes the costs and consequences of the rules.

“The impact of outrageously high and unstable gas prices is taking a toll on Idaho families and on our economy.  Not only do Idahoans feel the pain at the pump when they fill up, but as the cost of gas increases so does the cost of food and other goods. We need a comprehensive energy policy that will move us toward energy independence and stabilize gas prices,” said Simpson. “In addition, record high gas prices have placed a huge burden on our state’s agricultural and trucking industries.  These problems have grown out of decades of poor energy policy, and this bill takes a big step toward energy policies that work for Americans, not against them.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Committee Approves FY2013 Agriculture Appropriations Bill

Congressman Simpson’s amendment allowing for fresh potatoes in WIC program is successful

The House Appropriations Committee last week passed the fiscal year 2013 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a member of the committee and offered an amendment to allow states to include fresh potatoes in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Simpson’s amendment passed by voice vote.

“Fresh potatoes have been excluded from the WIC program despite their widely known nutritional value,” said Simpson. “This important amendment corrects the unfair exclusion on fresh potatoes and allows participants to make smart wholesome food choices for their young families.”

Potatoes are currently excluded from the WIC program despite being nutrient dense, affordable, low in calories, and free of fat, cholesterol, and sodium. A medium-sized potato packs more potassium than a banana and is a good source of dietary fiber—both of which are “nutrients of concern,” meaning those nutrients most lacking in Americans’ diets, according to USDA’s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  

The bill was approved by the full committee on a voice vote and now awaits consideration by the full House.

For the text of the bill please visit: http://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/bills-112hr-fc-ap-fy13-agriculture.pdf

For the bill report, please visit: http://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hrpt-112-ap-fy13-agriculture.pdf

Committee Schedule

Wednesday June 27

At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Simpson will oversee the Appropriations Committee will markup of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill for FY13.

At 10:00 a.m. the House Budget Committee will mark up H.R. 5872, the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012.

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, JUNE 25TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for pro forma session.

TUESDAY, JUNE 26TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. Members are advised that a second series of votes is expected at approximately 10:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 4850 - Enabling Energy Saving Innovations Act (Sponsored by Rep. Robert Aderholt / Energy and Commerce Committee)

2) H.R. 5625 - Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Murphy / Energy and Commerce Committee)

3) H.R. 5889 - Nuclear Terrorism Conventions Implementation and Safety of Maritime Navigation Act of 2012, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee)

4) H.R. 4223 - Safe Doses Act (Sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner / Judiciary Committee)

5) H.R. 4018 - Public Safety Officers' Benefits Improvements Act of 2012, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick / Judiciary Committee)

6) H.R. 3501 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 125 Kerr Avenue in Rome City, Indiana, as the "SPC Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Marlin Stutzman / Oversight and Government Reform)

7) H.R. 3412 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1421 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville, Louisiana, as the "Sergeant Richard Franklin Abshire Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Charles Boustany / Oversight and Government Reform)

8) H.R. 3593 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 787 State Route 17M in Monroe, New York, as the "National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency NCS Officer Gregg David Wenzel Memorial Post Office" (Sponsored by Rep. Nan Hayworth / Oversight and Government Reform)

9) H.R. 3772 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 150 South Union Street in Canton, Mississippi, as the "First Sergeant Landres Cheeks Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson / Oversight and Government Reform)

10) H.R. 3276 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2810 East Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, Florida, as the "Reverend Abe Brown Post Office Building" (Sponsored by Rep. Kathy Castor / Oversight and Government Reform)

11) Senate Amendment to H.R. 2297 - To promote the development of the Southwest waterfront in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton / Oversight and Government Reform)

12) H.R. 4251 - Securing Maritime Activities through Risk-based Targeting for Port Security Act (Sponsored by Rep. Candice Miller / Homeland Security Committee)

13) H.R. 4005 - GAPS Act (Sponsored by Rep. Janice Hahn / Homeland Security Committee)

14) H.R. 1447 - Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Bennie Thompson / Homeland Security Committee)

15) H.R. 5843 - To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to permit use of certain grant funds for training conducted in conjunction with a national laboratory or research facility (Sponsored by Rep. Daniel Lungren / Homeland Security Committee)

16) H.R. 3173 - To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to reform the process for the enrollment, activation, issuance, and renewal of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to require, in total, not more than one in-person visit to a designated enrollment center (Sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise / Homeland Security Committee)

Begin Consideration of H.R. 5972 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Latham / Appropriations Committee)

Postponed Vote on Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4348 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II (Offered by Rep. Steny Hoyer)

Postponed Vote on Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4348 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II (Offered by Rep. Diane Black)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27TH, 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.

Complete Consideration of H.R. 5972 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Tom Latham / Appropriations Committee)

H.Res. __ - Resolution recommending that the House of Representatives find Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with a subpoena duly issued by the committee on Oversight and Government Reform (Privileged Resolution) (Sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

H.R. 5973 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Jack Kingston / Appropriations Committee)

Further Legislation Relating to H.R. 4628 - Interest Rate Reduction Act

Further Legislation Relating to H.R.4348 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II

Likely Motions to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4348 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II

Simpson amendment adds potatoes to WIC program for at-risk pregnant women, infants

June 20, 2012, Eye on Boise – www.spokesman.com

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has successfully added an amendment to the 2013 Agriculture Appropriations bill in the House to include fresh potatoes in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WIC provides supplemental nutritious foods to low-income at-risk pregnant women, infants and young children; it provides things like infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried and canned beans and peas and canned fish. The program also offers tofu, fruits and vegetables, baby foods and whole-wheat bread.

Simpson, in a news release, said, “Fresh potatoes have been excluded from the WIC program despite their widely known nutritional value. This important amendment corrects the unfair exclusion on fresh potatoes and allows participants to make smart wholesome food choices for their young families.”

Simpson is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which approved his amendment and the full bill yesterday; the bill now awaits consideration by the full House.

To share comments, opinions, or questions with Congressman Simpson, please visit http://www.house.gov/simpson/emailme.shtml.

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