U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson - 2nd District of Idaho
Email Newsletter                                                                RSS Feed   Twitter  YouTube  Facebook

Recently in Washington                   
Last week the House voted on and passed H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which prohibits abortion at 20 weeks after fertilization or later. It passed 228-196. The House also voted on but failed to pass H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, known as the Farm Bill. The bill would have extended farm and nutrition assistance programs for five years. It failed on a vote of 195-234. Congressman Simpson supported both bills.

 

Simpson’s Bill Addressing Idaho Wilderness Water Diversions Passes House

H.R. 876 would authorize and permit existing historical water diversions in Idaho wilderness areas, allowing for repair and maintenance


Legislation authored by Congressman Mike Simpson addressing water issues in Idaho wilderness areas was passed by the House of Representatives last week.  H.R. 876, the Idaho Wilderness Water Resources Protection Act, authorizes and permits historical water diversions in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area that existed before the wilderness designations.  Similar legislation sponsored by Congressman Simpson was passed by the House during the 111th and 112th Congresses.  

“H.R. 876 fixes a long-standing problem that was brought to my attention during conversations with Idahoans,” said Simpson.  “These water diversions, which are primarily used to support irrigation and minor hydropower generation, existed before the wilderness areas were designated, but the Acts creating those wilderness areas overlooked them.  By going back and providing the appropriate authorization to these diversions, this legislation gives private land owners the ability to properly maintain them or fix them when they need repairs.”  

H.R. 876 would authorize the Forest Service to issue special use permits for all qualifying historic water systems in the wilderness areas. Such authority will ensure that existing water diversions can be properly maintained and repaired when necessary and preserve beneficial use for private property owners who hold water rights under state law.  

“This bill provides a simple and reasonable solution to a problem that should be solved. At some point in the future, each one of the 25 existing diversions will need maintenance or repair work done to ensure their integrity – passing this legislation will allow any needed work to begin without delay,” said Simpson. “I look forward to the Senate acting on this bill, which has passed the House multiple times.”

H.R. 876 passed 398-0 and is now awaiting action by the U.S. Senate.  

To view Congressman Simpson’s floor speech on the bill visit his YouTube page.

Floor Schedule 

MONDAY, JUNE 24TH
On Monday, the House will meet in pro forma session at 11:00 a.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 25TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 2383 - To designate the new Interstate Route 70 bridge over the Mississippi River connecting St. Louis, Missouri, and southwestern Illinois as the “Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge” (Sponsored by Rep. Rodney Davis / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

2) H.R. 1092 -To designate the air route traffic control center located in Nashua, New Hampshire, as the Patricia Clark Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center”
(Sponsored by Rep. Ann Kuster / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

3) H.R. 2289 - To rename section 219(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA
(Sponsored by Rep. Sam Johnson / Ways and Means Committee)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH 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.

H.R. 1864 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to require an Inspector General investigation of allegations of retaliatory personnel actions taken in response to making protected communications regarding sexual assault (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate)
(Sponsored by Rep. Jackie Walorski / Armed Services Committee)

H.R. 1613 - Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Duncan / Natural Resources Committee)

H.R. 2231 - Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, Rules Committee Print (Subject to a Rule)
(Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)
MEDIA CENTER


Simpson Statement on Velma Morrison


If you are having trouble reading this message, try viewing the web version
BIOGRAPHY  |   NEWS CENTER  |   ISSUES  |   SERVICES FOR YOU  |   2ND DISTRICT  |   CONTACT