Last week the House passed H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act, which reverses a proposed decision by the National Labor Relations Board on collective bargaining for union employees, including providing minimum and maximum time frames for actions regarding filing of election petitions.  The House also passed a number of bills intended to reduce unnecessary and job-killing government regulation, including H.R. 527, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011, and H.R. 3010, the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011.

From Idaho to the Surface of Mars
By Congressman Mike Simpson
“When most people think of Idaho, they usually think of the things the state is most well known for, like potatoes, Boise State football, world-class hunting and fishing, or any other of the numerous outdoor attractions popular in the State.  One thing Idaho is not yet well known for is its contributions to deep space exploration – but the work being done at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is doing much to change that perception.

“The men and women at the INL have played an integral role in the development of the small car-sized Mars Rover, named Curiosity, which blasted off last Saturday from Florida. The nuclear battery that will power Curiosity when it lands on Mars next summer was developed, built and tested in eastern Idaho at the INL.

“Why Idaho?  Well, Idaho has a long history of leadership and innovation in the nuclear power arena. After World War II, Idaho was chosen as the new home of the Nuclear Reactor Testing Station, where for the first time it was demonstrated that nuclear power could be used to generate usable forms of electricity.  In the 60 years since, over 50 nuclear reactors have been designed and tested in Idaho, leading to the development of extensive capabilities and expertise.  This expertise in handling nuclear materials made Idaho an ideal location when NASA needed to develop the next space battery that would power its new planetary rover. 

“This is not the first time that the expertise of the INL has been sought in powering some of NASA’s most ground-breaking missions.  A recent high profile mission, the spacecraft New Horizons, launched in 2006, is currently en-route to fly past and study Pluto, and it is powered by a plutonium battery built at the INL. 

“Curiosity’s mission has the potential to be the most productive Mars surface mission in history.  That is due, in part, to its nuclear heat and power source.  The rover Curiosity is carrying the most advanced payload of scientific gear ever used on Mars’ surface. The nuclear powered rover can go farther, travel to more places and power and heat a larger and more capable scientific payload than a solar powered vehicle would in the same environment.  Curiosity will travel to locations on Mars that have been off-limits before and collect samples and perform analysis on a far larger scale than previously imagined. This is all possible because of Curiosity’s unique nuclear-powered batteries.

“Every single day the talented men and women of the INL are making major contributions toward the success of missions like the latest Mars rover project. I couldn't be more pleased that this work is being done right here in Idaho, nor could I be more grateful for the efforts of those Idahoans who make INL such a tremendous national asset.”

Floor Schedule

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. No votes are expected in the House. Any requested recorded votes will be postponed until Tuesday.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 2351 - North Cascades National Park Service Complex Fish Stocking Act (Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)
2) H.R. 944 - To eliminate an unused lighthouse reservation, provide management consistency by incorporating the rocks and small islands along the coast of Orange County, California, into the California Coastal National Monument managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and meet the original Congressional intent of preserving Orange County's rocks and small islands, and for other purpose (Sponsored by Rep. John Campbell / Natural Resources Committee)
3) H.R. 2360 - POWER Act (Sponsored by Rep. Jeffrey Landry / Natural Resources Committee)
4) H.R. 643 - Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District Land Exchange Act (Sponsored by Rep. Jared Polis / Natural Resources Committee)
5) H.R. 1560 - To amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to allow the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribe to determine blood quantum requirement for membership in that tribe (Sponsored by Rep. Silvestre Reyes / Natural Resources Committee)
6) S.683 - Box Elder Utah Land Conveyance Act (Sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee / Natural Resources Committee)
7) S. 535 - Fort Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act (Sponsored by Sen. Johnny Isakson / Natural Resources Committee)
8) S.Con.Res. 32 - A concurrent resolution to authorize the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make technical corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 470, an Act to further allocate and expand the availability of hydroelectric power generated at Hoover Dam, and for other purpose (Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman / Natural Resources Committee)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. Members are advised that first votes on Tuesday are possible as early as 1:00 p.m. as per any usual second day in session.

On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. At this time, last votes for the week are expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

On Friday, the House is not in session (at this time).

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
1) H.R. 1254 - Synthetic Drug Control Act(Sponsored by Rep. Charlie Dent / Energy and Commerce Committee)
2) H.R. 2405 - Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (MI) / Energy and Commerce Committee)
3) H.R. 3237 - SOAR Technical Corrections Act (Sponsored by Rep. Trey Gowdy / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4) 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 Committee)
5) H.R. 313 - Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee)
6) H.R. 2471 - To amend section 2710 of title 18, United States Code, to clarify that a video tape service provider may obtain a consumer's informed, written consent on an ongoing basis and that consent may be obtained through the Internet (Sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte / Judiciary Committee)
7) H.R. 1021 - Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2011 (Sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith / Judiciary Committee)
8) S.J.Res. 22 - A joint resolution to grant the consent of Congress to an amendment to the compact between the States of Missouri and Illinois providing that bonds issued by the Bi-State Development Agency may mature in not to exceed 40 years, as amended (Sponsored by Sen. Claire McCaskill / Judiciary Committee)
9) S. 1639 - A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to authorize the American Legion under its Federal charter to provide guidance and leadership to the individual departments and posts of the American Legion, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester / Judiciary Committee)
10) S. 1541 - A bill to revise the Federal charter for the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. to reflect a change in eligibility requirements for membership (Sponsored by Sen. Michael Bennet / Judiciary Committee)

H.R. 10- Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2011 (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Geoff Davis / House Administration Committee / Rules Committee)

The rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:
Rep. Pete Sessions Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Reps. Hank Johnson / Sheila Jackson Lee Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Kurt Schrader Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. David McKinley Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Amendment (10 minutes of debate)
Rep. Gwen Moore Amendment (10 minutes of debate)

H.R. 1633 - Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Kristi Noem / Energy and Commerce Committee)

Possible Motions to go to Conference and Motions to Instruct Conferees

Possible Consideration of Legislation Related to Expiring Provisions of Current Law

In the Press

Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson are making Idaho history
Their leadership on deficit reduction has produced statesmanship unique in Idaho.
Dan Popkey, Published: 12/04/11; www.idahostatesman.com
Amidst the noise that passes for discourse these days, the role of Idaho’s “Two Mikes” as national leaders on deficit reduction hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.

Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson are abandoning GOP orthodoxy to join hands with Democrats to find the only realistic solution: cutting entitlement spending and reforming taxes in a way that means new revenue.

Crapo was a member of the 2010 deficit commission that built a framework for a lasting solution and has tirelessly sustained the effort as a member of the bipartisan “Gang of Six.”
Simpson came later to the game, but his partnership with Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., persuaded 100 House members last month to touch their political parties’ third rails.

Wise men — from Secretary of State Ben Ysursa to political scientist Jim Weatherby — could cite no previous example of two members of Idaho’s tiny congressional delegation playing leading roles on the major issue of a generation. “It takes a lot of guts in this highly toxic anti-tax environment,” said Weatherby.

“It’s the only truly large-scale bipartisan effort that has taken place in this Congress, and to have it being substantially led on the Republican side by two Idahoans is of huge significance,” said former Idaho Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick, a prominent deficit hawk since his failed 1996 run for U.S. Senate against GOP Sen. Larry Craig.

I called Minnick after hearing Craig’s longtime Chief of Staff Greg Casey tell the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho on Thursday that Crapo and Simpson have been underappreciated at home. Casey calls them heroes. “I’m extremely proud of them,” he told a crowd of 300 business people, legislators and lobbyists, who replied with applause.

“It takes courage and vision to put yourself in a difficult position politically for the good of the country,” Casey told me.

A Boise kid, Casey has climbed the ladder of power in Washington, D.C., for 27 of the past 31 years. A former sergeant at arms of the U.S. Senate, he runs the country’s largest grass-roots business group, the Business Industry Political Action Committee.

The Mikes vow to press on, after the failure of the less-than-super supercommittee. “Once you’ve cast your lot with the extraordinary process rather than the party process, there’s no coming back,” Casey said.

Casey helped found Fiscally Sound America, a new bipartisan group of former lawmakers that includes Minnick and two other Idaho Democrats, Larry LaRocco and Richard Stallings. They have hope Crapo and Simpson will be part of a solution before the 2012 election — even as President Obama and Establishment congressional leaders in both parties seem content to do nothing and make finger-pointing a campaign theme.

“The leadership in Congress may well come from the middle from people like them,” LaRocco said. “Everything else has failed and the inmates are going to have to take over the asylum.”

Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, told Casey she had emailed Crapo a note of gratitude and planned to do the same for Simpson, who faces the uncertainty of the first closed GOP primary May 15. “I thought it was very, very risky,” said Jaquet, who served under Republican Simpson and calls him a mentor. “But he’s always been a leader.”

Tea party leaders are calling Simpson names, though their standard-bearer in the 2010 primary won just 24 percent of the vote even after Simpson’s vote for the Wall Street bailout bill.

Ysursa said the closed primary is a wild card but that both Mikes are sticking out their necks without regard to re-election. “They realize there are decisions that have to be made today to make sure we remain the country we are as far as our economy and our standing.”

Ysursa said it’s no coincidence both served as the top officials of the Idaho Legislature — Crapo as Senate president pro tem and Simpson as House speaker. “They have a habit of following the constitutional mandate to balance a budget.”

Like Casey, Minnick says he’s confident a solution will be reached — because collective insanity is ultimately not an option.

“If it’s not satisfactorily resolved,” said Minnick, “it will put in jeopardy the economy and the political future of the country in the same way that the crisis of confidence is playing out in multiple European countries right now.”