Recently in Washington

Recently the House passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.  The House also passed H.R. 2868, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009, and H.R. 3639, the Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009.  In addition, the House passed the Senate amendments to H.R. 3548, legislation which extends federal unemployment benefits, as well as a number of tax provisions.

Simpson Votes Against Pelosi’s Health Care Takeover

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 3962 that, if signed into law, will be the first step to government takeover of healthcare. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined his colleagues in an attempt to defeat the bill, however, it passed with a final vote of 220-215.

“Pelosi is touting that she just passed legislation to make health care more affordable, but nothing could be further from the truth,” said Simpson. “The frightening reality for the American taxpayer and anyone who will need health care in the future is that she is hiding the true costs of this legislation and doing so in ways that will be disastrous to our nation’s long-term fiscal health.”

In addition to the TRILLION dollar cost of H.R. 3962, the bill also contains the following provisions:

• Includes a “surtax” on individuals making over a certain income, more than half of which are actually small businesses. Moreover, this tax will continue to entrap more and more middle class Americans every year as their incomes go up because, like the Alternative Minimum Tax, it is not indexed for inflation. 
• Drastically expands Medicaid, from 100% to 150% of federal poverty level. Starting in 2014, it will cost states, including Idaho, $34 billion to comply with another unfunded federal mandate--something state budgets simply cannot afford during these difficult economic times. 
• Those individuals who choose not to purchase health insurance will have to pay a penalty. Americans will no longer get to choose whether or not they will purchase health insurance in the future because government will have already made that decision.
• People who already have health insurance through their employers will be at risk of losing it. H.R. 3962 will implement expensive new mandates on all employer-provided health insurance that businesses must either comply or be faced with new taxes and penalties. For many employers, it will make more business sense to eliminate jobs or drop employees’ health insurance and pay the penalties rather than comply with Uncle Sam’s new rules.

“During a time of record budget deficits, we cannot afford to create another trillion plus dollar entitlement program, like this bill does.  However, we all agree that our current health system needs reform,” said Simpson.  “I will be the first to admit that it is irresponsible to just say no to the current health legislation without offering commonsense alternatives that will actually bring down the cost of health care.  For these reasons, I support measures to make health care more affordable and accessible without further drowning our nation in debt.

Simpson and 66 of his colleagues have cosponsored H.R. 1086, the HEALTH Act. This bill would create effective medical malpractice reform by putting an end to junk lawsuits by placing caps on noneconomic damages and limiting attorney fees. This bill would save as much as $120 billion in wasteful spending by stemming the practice of defensive medicine.

Simpson is also a cosponsor of H.R. 2607, the Small Business Healthcare Fairness Act, which would allow small businesses to band together through associations to buy health care coverage. Large corporations and even labor unions already leverage their size and buying power to secure lower premiums and rates when buying health insurance for their employees and members. This bill would give America’s small businesses the same advantages and make health care coverage for their employees more affordable.
 
In addition, Simpson supports reforms that would prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people because of pre-existing condition as well as reforms to make the purchase of health insurance for individuals tax-exempt like it is for employer-sponsored insurance.  He also believes that we need to do more as a country to focus on prevention and early intervention.   Simpson also supports prescription drug re-importation, which would control prescription drug costs by allowing Americans to buy FDA-approved prescription drugs from places such as Canada and Europe where drugs are sold for much less money.

“I am disappointed to see that once again, the Democrats have failed to listen to the American people and passed health reform that all Americans could support,” Simpson said.

Simpson Cosponsors Legislation to Provide Estate Tax Relief
Bill Aimed at Keeping Family Farms in the Family

Congressman Mike Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 3095, the Estate Tax Relief Act of 2009. The legislation increases the estate tax exemption to $5 million per person and reduces the top rate to 35% in equal increments over ten years.

More than 98% of America’s two million farms and ranches are owned by family partnerships and family corporations. These family businesses produce about 86% of the U.S. agriculture products, and the estate tax threatens their livelihood.

“The estate tax hits farm families especially hard, and I have consistently supported efforts to permanently repeal or reduce the impact of this burdensome, unfair tax,” said Simpson. “Throughout their lives, people pay sales tax, property tax, and income tax on their assets. Paying Uncle Sam again should not be part of the grieving process.”

The death tax accounts for less than one percent of the federal budget, but almost one-third of business owners are forced to sell their businesses or liquidate a portion of their assets to pay death taxes.  Far from benefiting only the richest citizens, the repeal of the death tax assists people such as farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and grandparents who have worked their whole lives to pass something on to their children and grandchildren.

Congressman Simpson is also a cosponsor of H.R. 3524, the Family Farm Preservation and Conservation Estate Tax Act, which provides estate tax exclusion for farms and ranches as long as family farmland use continues.

H.R. 3095 is a bipartisan bill that enjoys sponsorship by Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Kevin Brady (R-TX), Artur Davis (D-AL), Devin Nunes (R-CA)

Simpson Supports Extension of Homebuyer Tax Credit
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation extending the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Provision through April 30, 2010.  The bill also creates a new tax credit for move-up buyers who have lived in their current residence for at least five years.  The expanded tax credit was included as part of H.R. 3548, legislation that provides an extension of federal unemployment insurance benefits.

“The mortgage crisis is at the root of the economic challenges we are currently facing, and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit has been one of the few efforts to address the mortgage crisis that has actually worked,” said Simpson.  “To turn the housing market around, we need to get people into homes, and I am encouraged by the strong support I have seen for extending this credit, both in Congress and among Idahoans who have talked to me about it.”

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit was originally created in 2008 as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act and was extended and expanded in early 2009.  Without congressional action, the tax credit will expire at the end of the month.  H.R. 3548 extends the credit again and creates a $6,500 tax credit for some first-time buyers, as well as makes a number of modifications to broaden the scope of the tax credit. Both categories of homebuyers have an additional 60 days to close on the home but must have a certified contract by April 30, 2010, and must be within income limits of $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples. The bill also states that homes over the purchase price of $800,000 do not qualify.   

“I have long advocated for a responsible approach to the housing crisis, and I believe that providing tax incentives for responsible individuals to purchase new homes is a step in the right direction,” said Simpson.  “Unlike a subprime mortgage or no down payment loan, a tax credit ensures that individuals are qualified for and can pay their mortgages and that they have a financial stake in their houses through a down payment.”

Simpson is a cosponsor of H.R. 1245, the Homebuyer Tax Credit, which expands the existing credit to home purchases across the board.  He is also a cosponsor of H.R. 1903, the Responsible Homeowners Act, which aims to keep families in their homes by lowering costs for all homeowners. H.R. 1903 includes a similar $15,000 tax credit for home purchases.

The tax credit provision was added to H.R. 3548 by the Senate, where it passed without opposition.  The amended legislation passed the House with a final vote of 403-12 and was signed into law by President Obama.

House Legislative Business This Week 

The House is not in session this week.

In the News

Minnick, Simpson to vote no on health bill
The House measure will include a public option provision, which both congressmen oppose.

By Erika Bolstad Idaho Statesman November 7, 2009.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/idahopolitics/story/964389.html

WASHINGTON - A no vote comes as no surprise from Rep. Mike Simpson, who shares other Republicans' opposition. But Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick's vote was highly sought by House Democratic leaders.

"It's a very difficult vote for me, because I really want to vote for health care reform, but it has to be done right," Minnick told the Idaho Statesman on Friday.

All the top House Democrats have spoken to him about his vote, he said.

Democrats are scrambling to pull together the 218 votes they need to pass the bill. They hold 258 seats, but conservative Blue Dog Democrats like Minnick have proved difficult to corral.

Some other Democrats, too, have raised concerns about aspects of the legislation, including whether it allows illegal immigrants access to insurance coverage. Democrats cleared one impasse Friday night, saying abortion opponents will be given a chance to insert tougher abortion restrictions into the legislation during Saturday's debate.

The 10-year, $1.2 trillion House version would extend health insurance coverage to 36 million people. The bill would create a government-run health insurance plan - the so-called public option - that would compete with private insurers. It would prohibit insurers from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions, and it would set up a marketplace - known as an exchange - to let consumers shop for coverage.

Both Simpson and Minnick have long said they won't vote for a bill that includes a public option. Minnick said Friday that he also is concerned the bill doesn't do enough to control costs.

But Minnick said Friday he hopes that the Senate version of the bill, which is considered more moderate, will be combined with the House version in a way he can support.

A vote is expected on Saturday - after President Barack Obama makes a late morning trip to the Capitol to make one final pitch for the legislation.