Simpson Touts Vital Idaho Priorities Included in Cromnibus

Press Release

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today applauded the release of H.R. 83, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations bill that included many important provisions for Idaho and Western States.

"This bill represents an important step for Congress toward fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to fund government operations through the regular process," said Simpson. "When we fail to pass annual appropriations bills, we fail to look critically at how agencies spend taxpayer dollars, and lose opportunities to make government work better. We can point to dozens of examples in this bill that support conservative priorities and represent good government that would not have been supported had we continued to fund the government through a Continuing Resolution."

Simpson is Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment had a key role in deciding funding levels for Department of Energy and Department of Interior programs, including the following highlights:

Energy and Water Development

"I am pleased to report that the Energy and Water portion of the omnibus rejects cuts to nuclear research sought by the Obama Administration and increases funding for many of the vital programs at INL," said Chairman Mike Simpson. "We've worked very hard with the Lab and the people of Eastern Idaho to promote INL, and the funding in this bill will advance the critical contributions that INL makes toward a broad energy security policy in the United States. This bill will have a lasting impact on enhancing the current capabilities of INL and building new, unique capabilities that are essential to the world class researchers at our national laboratory."

Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee

"I'm pleased with a number of public lands provisions in this bill that will have a direct and positive impact on Idaho," said Simpson. "PILT funding is crucial to Idaho counties, and adequate funding for wildfire suppression is essential, so I'm very glad that this bill fully funds both of those priorities. In addition, the language delaying the sage-grouse ESA listing decision is extremely important to our state. Stakeholders in Idaho have worked hard to create a management plan that will prevent the listing of sage-grouse as an endangered species. Yet even stakeholders who have been at the table since the beginning of this process are concerned that the court-imposed listing deadline has resulted in less collaboration and rushed decisions. They need more time to do the proper work that will warrant a decision not to list the species. By delaying the listing decision, we can provide the BLM with time to do the job right."

Defense

"I'm very pleased that my colleagues have shown wide recognition and support for the importance of keeping the A-10," said Simpson. "The A-10's past combat performance is lauded by both the service members that operate them and those who rely on them for close air support on the battlefield. While I certainly acknowledge that the Air Force must make difficult decisions in this time of reduced budgets, the A-10's low operating costs and unique capabilities merit our continued support until an appropriate replacement can be identified."

Agriculture and Rural Development Subcommittee

"Fresh potatoes have been excluded from the WIC program despite their widely known nutritional value," said Simpson. "This bill corrects the exclusion of fresh potatoes and allows WIC participants to make wholesome food choices for their young families."

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