Recently in Washington 

This week Congress passed H.R. 4715, the Clean Estuaries Act of 2010, as well as the Senate Amendments to H.R. 4851, the Continuing Extensions Act of 2010.

Congress Should Have Say in National Monument Designations
Congressman Mike Simpson is advocating for continued access to recreation on public land, sending a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding the use of the Antiquities Act.  The letter followed up to a recent hearing by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment where Simpson addressed concern that was raised over a Department of Interior internal planning document that identified 17 potential sites for new or expanded national monument designation in the western United States under the Antiquities Act.

During the hearing, Salazar committed to Simpson, who is Ranking Republican Member of the Subcommittee, that the Department would not use the Antiquities Act to designate national monuments without consulting with Congress and local officials.  The Antiquities Act was passed in 1906 to give the President the authority to preserve prehistoric Native American cultural and archeological sites, but over the years has been used to set aside large areas for geological and cultural preservation. 

“I recognize the importance of preserving cultural, archeological, and geographic sites, but I am concerned that the Antiquities Act allows national monuments to be designated by executive order without any input from residents and local leaders,” wrote Simpson.  “If we decide that an area should be designated as a national monument, it should be done through the legislative process, the way they were originally intended, so that the Antiquities Act is used as a tool for collaboration instead of a hammer.”

Simpson has repeatedly raised the issue of public access to federal lands during subcommittee hearings, whether it is reiterating his support for snowmobiling and other recreation opportunities in our national parks, expressing concern about reduced funding for roads on Forest Service lands, or securing a commitment from the Administration to look at ways to improve the permit process for outfitters and guides.

It’s Tax Day – Fundamental Reform is Critical
Congressman Mike Simpson has cosponsored legislation to promote job growth and economic stability by providing permanent tax relief for families and small businesses.  H.R. 4746, the Taxpayer Certainty Act, would make permanent tax relief provisions enacted in 2001 and 2003, including lower tax rates, elimination of the death tax, and reduced rates on capital gains and dividends.

“I strongly supported these tax reforms when they were originally passed by Congress because they provided tax relief to all Americans who pay taxes,” said Simpson.  “Not only did this tax relief encourage business investment and produce job growth, but it gave American families the opportunity to use and invest the money that they worked hard to earn.  Providing them with certainty by making these tax cuts permanent must be a priority for Congress.”

Unless Congress acts to make these tax reforms permanent, Idahoans will face significant tax increases next year when the provisions expire.  Families will face higher marginal tax rates while simultaneously losing important tax benefits, like marriage penalty relief and the increased child tax credit.

“On Tax Day this year, many Americans are struggling to make ends meet and facing difficult economic realities that make their tax burdens feel even heavier,” said Simpson.  “Providing families and businesses with permanent tax relief is the best way to jump-start our economy and put us on the path toward long-term financial security.”

Simpson is also a cosponsor of legislation that would sunset the current complex and unfair federal tax code and replace it with a simple and fair alternative that would provide tax relief for working Americans, protect the rights of taxpayers, reduce tax collection abuses, and eliminate disincentives for savings and investment.

House Legislative Business This Week 

MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2010
On Monday, the House will not be in session.

TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for Morning Hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Suspensions (6 Bills):

1. H.R. 4178 - Deposit Restricted Qualified Tuition Programs Act (Sponsored by Rep. Cleaver / Financial Services Committee)
2. H.Res. 1257 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Financial Literacy Month, 2010 (Sponsored by Rep. Hinojosa / Financial Services Committee)
3. H.R. 3553 - Indian Veterans Housing Opportunity Act (Sponsored by Rep. Kirkpatrick / Financial Services Committee)
4. H.Res. __ - Honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Benjamin Lawson Hooks (Sponsored by Rep. Conyers / Judiciary Committee)
5. H.Res. 1104 - Supporting the mission and goals of 2010 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (Sponsored by Rep. Costa / Judiciary Committee)
6. H.Res. 1116 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week (Sponsored by Rep. Lee (CA) / Energy and Commerce Committee)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.

On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (10 Bills):

1. S. 1963 - Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act (Sponsored by Sen. Akaka / Veterans' Affairs Committee)
2. H.Res. 855 - Expressing support for designation of May 1 as "Silver Star Service Banner Day" (Sponsored by Rep. Blunt / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
3. H.Res. 1262 - Expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the fire at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington (Sponsored by Rep. Larsen / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
4. H.Con.Res. 255 - Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and honoring the founder of Earth Day, the late Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin (Sponsored by Rep. Obey / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)
5. H.Res. 1182 - Congratulating Radford University on the 100th anniversary of the university (Sponsored by Rep. Boucher / Education and Labor Committee)
6. H.Res. 1239 - Commending the University of Connecticut Huskies for their historic win in the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament (Sponsored by Rep. Courtney / Education and Labor Committee)
7. H.R. 1585 - FIT Kids Act (Sponsored by Rep. Kind / Education and Labor Committee)
8. H.Res. 1263 - Expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month (Sponsored by Rep. McMorris Rodgers / Education and Labor Committee)
9. H.Res. __ - Recognizing the continued importance of volunteerism and national service and commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the landmark service legislation, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (Sponsored by Rep. George Miller / Education and Labor Committee)
10. H.Res. 1216 - Congratulating Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin on his tenth year of service as Chaplain of the House of Representatives (Sponsored by Rep. Lipinski / House Administration Committee)

Motion to Go to Conference on H.R. 2194 - Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act and Republican Motion to Instruct Conferees

H.R. 157 - District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Del. Norton / Judiciary Committee)