Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement thanking U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke for his service to our country: “I thank Secretary Zinke for his great service to this country, most recently as Secretary of the Interior. Whether it was working with local Idahoans on Gateway West and sage grouse conservation, or national issues like the need to fix ou... Read More »
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted in favor of H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act which is the conference report for the Farm Bill. The legislation reauthorizes many important programs for industries in Idaho like potatoes, dairy, grain, and sugar beets. “The Farm Bill represents one of the most vital pieces of legislation for Idaho,” said Congressman Simpson. “Whether it... Read More »
Washington, D.C. - The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and proposed plan amendments addressing Greater Sage-Grouse conservation on public land in Idaho last week. The proposal seeks to align the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) resource management plans with Idaho’s state management plan. “I am pleased to see the collaborative ... Read More »
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House passed the bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Congressman Mike Simpson, DMD (R-ID) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), will provide essential oral and dental health services to underserved communities. The Action for Dental Health Act targets federal funding to provide vulnerable populations, especially chi... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted this week for a series of bills aimed at protecting and expanding the historic wins accomplished by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Between the three bills, the “Tax Reform 2.0” package makes permanent the individual income tax provision of the TCJA and makes it easier for individuals to save for retirement, education, and other fa... Read More »
Washington, D.C. - Significant progress was made Wednesday in Congressional Republicans’ efforts to return the annual federal appropriations process to regular order. Nearly one week before the end of the fiscal year, the House of Representatives approved the Conference Report for H.R. 6157, which includes the Department of Defense (DOD) and Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropria... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised the passage of H.R. 5895, which includes the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the legislation, which also includes legislation to fund the Veterans Administration, Military Construction projects and the Legislative branch, by a vote count of 377-20. H.R. 5895 provi... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – The House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 6510, the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act and H.R. 502 today, which permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson has been a leader on both issues having introduced legislation to reauthorize LWCF and address deferred maintenance on our public lands. “I am encourage... Read More »
It’s hard to believe that it has been 17 years since our nation was attacked. The children in our schools will have no memory of that dreadful day, yet we remain committed to honoring the lives lost and celebrating the many heroes who arose that day. It is in times of affliction that the American Spirit prospers. Read More »
Washington, D.C. - Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined a bipartisan coalition of members of Congress to introduce the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act. The bill would create a dedicated fund to address the $12 billion maintenance backlog in the National Parks (NPS) and multibillion-dollar backlog that exists at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), an... Read More »
Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2019 Interior and Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill by a vote of 217-199. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson authored several of the provisions in the bill that directly benefit Idaho. This legislation also continues many important provisions from the 2018 Omnibus, such as rolling back onerous rules and regulatio... Read More »
Washington D.C.- I have always believed that America first does not mean America alone. We are at our strongest when we work together with our allies to counter international aggression inconsistent with our values. In response to Russian actions that run counter to our principles, Congress has spoken clearly by providing the Administration tools to hold the Kremlin accountable, tools that I hope ... Read More »
“I congratulate Judge Brett Kavanaugh on his nomination to the Supreme Court. Throughout his career, Judge Kavanaugh has demonstrated a stalwart commitment to the U.S. Constitution, and I am confident he will approach his work on the nation’s highest bench with the same vigor, bolstered by strong conservative ethics. I thank Justice Kennedy for his decades of distinguished service, and I commend P... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson met with Congressional Art Contest Winner, Bailey Annis from Bonneville High School. Annis took first place in Idaho’s second congressional district’s art contest. “It was a pleasure to meet Bailey and her family and I’m proud that her art is now on display in the U.S. Capitol,” said Simpson. “She is a fantastic artist, a great student, and Idaho ... Read More »
On Wednesday, the Department of the Interior announced fiscal year 2018 Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payments, which compensate local governments for the inability to collect property taxes on federal land. Idaho is slated to receive $36.1 million in fiscal year 2018, along with the $26 million from Secure Rural Schools Payments (SRS) the Forest Service announced in May. PILT funding was made p... Read More »
