Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted for two pieces of regulatory reform legislation to prevent regulatory overreach by the Obama administration during its final days and to return accountability and transparency to the federal regulatory process. The total cost of regulations imposed by federal agencies is estimated at $1.88 trillion annually. “Each year, federal agencies issue regulations without considering both their cost and benefits,” said Simpson. “Congress needs to reestablish its author... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT ) along with 30 other members of Congress, today urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to exercise its legal authority to investigate and take action against the manufacturers of products they falsely claim to be milk. Dairy farmers continue to be buffeted by extreme financial hardships. Since 2014, milk prices have plunged 40 percent. During that same time, there has been a surge in the mislabeling of imitation ... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised House passage of the 21st Century Cures Act which would fund vital biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as important funding and policy provisions related to drug approval, mental health, and opioid abuse prevention. The 21st Century Cures Act passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 392-26. “Having previously supported many of the provisions in the bill we passed today, I was thrilled to see all of them incorporated into ... Read more

Idaho Congressman Simpson praised the strong passage of legislation to provide funding for veterans this week by a vote of 342-85. H.R. 5325 also continues funding for all federal government operations at current levels through December 9, 2016. H.R. 5325 includes the full year Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations bill that passed the House of Representatives on May 19, 2016 with bipartisan support. “Funding provided by this legislation is necessary to keep the governme... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined 94 colleagues in urging House leadership to secure full funding for the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. In a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Simpson and others urged the federal government to fulfill its responsibility to counties with tax-exempt federal land by fully funding both programs. “Last year’s Omnibus spending bill was critical in preserving funding for PILT at levels that keep up with the needs of commu... Read more

After two and a half months on the road, Congressman Mike Simpson will celebrate the success of the Idaho STEP Challenge by holding a team walk in Boise this evening. In partnership with the Saint Alphonsus Health System, Simpson will participate alongside dozens of Meet Me Monday athletes for a walk around downtown Boise. Beginning at 5:15 p.m., the free event will start at Bandanna Running and Walking, located at the intersection of 5th and Main Street. The event is open to the public. After l... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017 which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 231-196. Included in the legislation are policies important to western states such as full funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), a vital program in the west that ensures communities are adequately compensated for the lack of tax revenue due to the presence of federal land. “Every county in Idaho depends on the federal g... Read more

“Each year we have an opportunity to celebrate the 4th of July and remind ourselves of the sacrifices made on our behalf to secure our freedom and independence. American history is filled with heroic and selfless acts made by men and women who have fought to defend our values and way of life. Today we continue to witness bravery from those who selflessly serve and protect our country. Giving them the proper tools and resources to fulfill their mission has always been a top priority of mine. Equa... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released the first Mile Tracker Board for the Idaho STEP Challenge where he is virtually walking from Washington, D.C. Currently Simpson’s virtual location en route is 98 miles and is just outside of Westminster, MD. Westminster is home to the Bear Branch Nature Center and the Hashawha Environmental Center that feature several interactive exhibits on local plants and animals, a youth environmental education center, and more than five miles of multi-use hiking and r... Read more

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson applauded passage of H.R. 5293, the Fiscal Year (FY) 17 Defense Appropriations bill. This legislation funds the Department of Defense, and fulfills the constitutional responsibility of Congress to provide for the common defense. “I am very pleased this bill recognizes the importance and invaluable contribution of the A-10 to the armed forces,” said Simpson. “The airmen from the Idaho Air National Guard are using the unique capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt II in... Read more