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Chairman Simpson’s Interior Appropriations Bill Passes Appropriations Subcommittee
Congressman Mike Simpson, Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, moved the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2012 through committee on July 12.  The bill is currently under consideration by the House of Representatives.

Reining in the EPA:
The bill includes a number of provisions intended to address EPA actions that have created uncertainty for American agriculture, including provisions to:
• Institute a one-year prohibition on the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources;
• Prohibit the EPA from changing the definition of “navigable waterways” under the Clean Water Act;
• Clarify that aquatic pesticides, which are currently regulated under FIFRA, are not subject to duplicative regulation under the Clean Water Act;
• Require agencies to make information regarding payments for legal fees to litigants who sue the federal government available to the public;
• Provide exemptions from greenhouse gas reporting for certain agricultural activities;
• Maintain EPA’s current regulations exempting forest practices—including forest roads—from point source permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act;
• Prevent EPA from regulating farm dust;
• Prohibit EPA from designating areas that were flooded in the Midwest earlier this year as wetlands to be regulated under the Clean Water Act.

“If we really want to do something about the national deficit, we need to get our economy going again.  Unfortunately, the EPA is the wet blanket that is preventing small businesses, farmers, and ranchers from investing in their businesses and creating jobs,” said Simpson.  “The provisions in this bill are about jobs.  They are about creating certainty in the marketplace and assuring businesses that it is safe to start hiring people again without the threat of the EPA—under the guise of protecting the environment—imposing millions of dollars of penalties through regulations that are unreasonable or simply defy common sense.”

Promoting Public Grazing:
The bill contains several provisions essential for preserving responsible access to public grazing.  “Today’s grazing practices are vastly different than the ones of the past. The majority of farmers and ranchers recognize that their livelihood depends on a healthy and sustainable environment, and the BLM and Forest Service do a much better job of weeding out the bad players and protecting sensitive areas,” said Simpson. “As a result of this bill, agencies will be able to focus their energies and resources on protecting the most environmentally sensitive areas while carrying out their mission more effectively.”

The bill provides the BLM with the authority to extend existing expiring grazing permits while they complete the environmental work required for 10-year renewals.  It also allows them to apply this language to permit transfers, enabling the BLM to process 2250 permits per year, fully reducing its permit backlog.  The bill also includes language providing a “time-out” for new Forest Service rules that would eliminate domestic sheep grazing on public lands.

The bill also addresses Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) fee payments. “Our ranchers have been under assault by frivolous lawsuits for years, lawsuits that are brought up for no other reason but to obstruct the process in order to control land and water,” said Simpson. “I’m concerned that some groups are basically funding themselves by abusing EAJA, turning suing the government into a cottage industry where taxpayers are the big losers.  Our bill shines some light on the EAJA process, requiring detailed reports on the amount of program funds used, the names of the fee recipients, and the hourly rates of attorneys and expert witnesses stated in the applications that was awarded. Until now this information has not seen the light of day, and the public has a right to know how taxpayer dollars are being used.”

Simpson Takes Lead on Dairy Reform
Simpson works with Rep. Peterson on reform proposals
Congressman Mike Simpson has joined U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) in efforts to reform dairy programs.  Simpson is the lead Republican proponent of discussion draft legislation released by Peterson earlier this month. 

“I look forward to working with members of the Idaho dairy industry and Representative Peterson to prevent another economic disaster like the dairy industry suffered in 2009.  I believe we can do better for Idaho dairy farmers,” said Simpson. “This legislation starts a conversation, that I intend to help lead, on how to build a more effective economic safety net for the U.S. dairy industry.”  

The reform proposal consists of three main components – a margin protection program, a Dairy Market Stabilization Program and reforms to the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. These proposals would provide a safety net based on margin protection, rather than price; and replace both the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP) and the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program. 

School Lunches Need Potatoes, Op Ed by Congressman Simpson
Earlier this year, the USDA issued the flawed proposed rule, “Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.”  This proposal would have forced schools to limit servings of potatoes, corn, green peas and lima beans to one cup per week.  This unnecessary, unfunded mandate by the federal government on school meal programs would have incurred significant costs to school districts, who are trying desperately to make ends meet. 

It is frustrating that the Administration would try to restrict one of the healthiest and economical vegetables from schools.  Our own Gooding Elementary School in Idaho was the first school in the nation to receive the “Healthier US School Challenge’s Gold with Distinction Award” for providing children healthier meals and promoting physical activity in November 2009.  Yet, the proposed USDA rule would have removed Gooding Elementary’s healthy “baked potato bar,” which uses locally grown potatoes served to students twice a week, even though the potato bar was considered by USDA as a basis for the award.  Potatoes should not be withheld from children at the whim of those who are seemingly more interested in fad diets than child nutrition. 

The U.S. House of Representatives approved Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that contained a provision preventing the USDA from forcing schools to limit servings of potatoes. This was a provision that I strongly supported because I don’t believe that the goals of promoting a healthy lifestyle and making our school lunch program more cost efficient are at odds with each other.  At a time when our nation is facing serious financial difficulties, I am deeply concerned that this Administration is pushing for costly rules and regulations that have little, if any, impact on the goals we are striving to achieve.

Simpson Co-Chairs Sugar Caucus and Joins Specialty Crops Caucus    
Bi-Partisan congressional caucuses build coalitions for ag commodities
Congressman Mike Simpson will once again serve as a Co-Chairman of the House Sugar Caucus, and he has also joined the House Specialty Crop Caucus.  Both organizations serve as informal groups providing a forum for Members and staff to discuss issues affecting both the domestic sugar industry and specialty crops.

“Idaho is the third-largest producer of sugarbeets in the United States, and it is critical to stay on top of issues that may impact the industry,” said Simpson. “I look forward to working with Members on both sides of the aisle in order to create a productive dialog that pertains to domestic sugar.” 

The specialty crops industry supports tens of thousands of jobs nationwide and helps sustain hundreds of rural community economies. Specialty crops also make up a large portion of Idaho’s agriculture industry. Some of the largest specialty crops produced in Idaho include potatoes, dry edible beans, onions, apples, mint, nursery stock, and vegetable seed.  “American farmers grow high quality, safe fruits and vegetables that are enjoyed both domestically and worldwide,” said Simpson. “Our specialty crop growers face challenges similar to other agriculture sectors, such as business trade and labor policies. It is important to form ag caucuses in order to share information, develop policy strategies for efforts impacting specialty crops, and coordinate our efforts to represent our constituencies.”