Representative Mike Simpson

Congressman Simpson's Update

June 17th, 2022

Simpson Backs Security for Supreme Court Justices’ Families

This week, I voted in support of the Supreme Court Police Parity Act of 2022. This legislation authorizes security protections for family members of SCOTUS justices, something done for the families of other top government officials.

Recent, highly visible threats to Supreme Court justices and their families have underscored the unacceptable risk posed by today’s heightened political discourse. When individuals choose violence and threats to express their policy disagreements, we are all less safe. In the face of unsettling and ongoing threats to Supreme Court justices, this bill is essential to protect the families of justices as well as the overall rule of law in our country.

Additionally, I am hopeful that all Americans will pause a moment to take stock of the way we talk about politics and to lower the temperature on divisive political rhetoric, remembering that our words and actions have very real consequences.

Divider with the shape of Idaho in the center.

Simpson Secures Flood Control Project Fix for Gooding

A limited cost adjustment for a flood control project with the City of Gooding is something that I have been working on since I came to Congress.

Since 2007, this project has been delayed for a number of reasons not within fault or control of the local community. Recently, the Army Corps of Engineers notified the community twice that large portions of the project would have to be ‘de-scoped’ due to inflation causing the cost of the project to now exceed the amount for which it was originally authorized. The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 allows those critical portions of the project to be added back in.

The City of Gooding has been waiting a long time for this project to be completed, with the threat of major flooding looming every year. This fix, along with an FY23 Community Project Funding request that I submitted for this purpose should get this important flood control project off the ground and on the path to completion once and for all.

Simpson Cosponsors Supply Chain Disruptions Relief Act

The auto industry, like many other industries, has felt the sting of supply chain issues, experiencing major delays and higher prices for global vehicle parts. Due to common First-In Last-Out (LIFO) accounting methods of the industry, dealers are taxed for shortfalls that are beyond their control.

To help offer short term relief, I have cosponsored H.R. 7382, the Supply Chain Disruptions Relief Act. This legislation would authorize the Treasury to provide relief to businesses struggling to replace inventory because of global supply chain issues beyond their control. The Treasury has existing authority to exercise this option for our nation’s small businesses in cases of “major foreign trade interruption” but has declined to do recently, citing a lack of legislative authority.

H.R. 7382 will provide greatly needed relief for burdened Idaho auto businesses, and I am hopeful this legislation will be expeditiously considered on the House floor