Recently in Washington

Simpson Applauds C-SPAN’s Request for Public Health Care Meetings January 6, 2010 Simpson Applauds C-SPAN’s Request for Public Health Care Meetings

Washington, D.C. - Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson applauds House Republican Leader John Boehner in endorsing a request from the head of C-SPAN that the public have full access to health care negotiations.  Currently, Democratic leaders are planning to shut out the American people by writing a final bill behind closed doors.

“As elected officials, we are here to represent the best interests of the American public.  It is only right that we are ALL informed about negotiations to a bill that will fundamentally change our healthcare system,” said Simpson. “If this bill is really what the American people want, as Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid would like us to believe, then why keep it a secret?”

Simpson is also a cosponsor of H.Res. 544. This bipartisan resolution amends House rules in order to guarantee that all Members of Congress and the American public can easily access, via the Internet, complete legislation and conference reports at least 72 hours before they are considered on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays unless the House is in session on such a day.

“This is not a new concept.  Rather, it is one that we’ve been advocating for years,” said Simpson. “Americans deserve to know what these new laws actually contain and how they will impact their lives. They are demanding more transparency, and it is our responsibility to deliver.”

House Legislative Business This Week 

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010
On Monday, the House is not in session

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2010
On Tuesday, The House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for pro forma business and recess immediately. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Quorum Call at 6:30 p.m. - Establishing a quorum in the House of Representatives for the Second Session of the 111th Congress.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.

Disposing of the President’s Veto of H.J.Res. 64 - Making Further Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Obey / Appropriations Committee)

Suspensions (11 Bills):

1. H.Res. 981 - Supporting continued political and economic development in Ukraine (Sponsored by Rep. Berman / Foreign Affairs Committee)
2. H.Res. 969 - Congratulating Mark Ingram on winning the 2009 Heisman Trophy (Sponsored by Rep. Kildee / Education and Labor Committee)
3. H.Res. 862 - Congratulating the staff, students, and faculty at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (Sponsored by Rep. Foster / Education and Labor Committee)
4. H.Res. __ - Congratulating North Central College (Sponsored by Rep. Biggert / Education and Labor Committee)
5. H.Res. __ - Honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encouraging the continued commitment to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national day of service (Sponsored by Rep. Platts / Education and Labor Committee)
6. H.Res. 860 - Supporting the initiatives of Chicago Wilderness and the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights (Sponsored by Rep. Quigley / Education and Labor Committee)
7. H.R. 3892 - The "E.V. Wilkins Post Office" Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Butterfield / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
8. H.R. 4139 - The "Sergeant Matthew L. Ingram Post Office" Designation Act (Sponsored by Rep. Harper / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
9. S. 692 - To provide that claims of the United States to certain documents relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt shall be treated as waived and relinquished in certain circumstances (Sponsored by Sen. Schumer / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
10. H.R. 2646 - Government Accountability Office Improvement Act (Sponsored by Rep. Towns / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
11. H.R. 3237 - To enact certain laws relating to national and commercial space programs as title 51, United States Code, "National and Commercial Space Programs” (Sponsored by Rep. Conyers / Judiciary Committee)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14 AND FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2009
On Thursday and Friday, no votes are expected in the House.