Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson and Oregon Congressman Kurt Schrader today reintroduced the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (WDFA), legislation which would fix the current budgeting process for wildfires.

In recent years, Congress has budgeted for wildfire suppression by appropriating money according to the average cost for wildfires over the past ten years, known as the “ten-year average.”  When costs exceed an agency’s fire budget, that agency is forced to borrow from non-fire accounts to pay for fire suppression. This practice is known as “fire-borrowing.” Robbing these accounts means that the Forest Service and other land management agencies have fewer resources available for forest management activities like hazardous fuels reduction that would prevent catastrophic fires.  As a result, fires get worse and wildfire suppression costs end up devouring the agency’s budget.

“I have seen the cost of wildfires in Idaho and the impacts it has on our forests when funds that are planned for forest management are used to fight wildfires,” said Simpson. “When more than fifty percent of an agency’s budget is unpredictable, you are creating a recipe for the unsustainable fire-borrowing we see today that devastates our forests and costs taxpayers. I am pleased to reintroduce the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act with Congressman Schrader again this Congress. It is time to acknowledge that catastrophic wildfires should be funded like natural disasters so we can ensure that land managers have the resources they need to properly manage our forests.”

“Simply put, the current system is broken,” said Schrader. “Because we do no project management to help protect our forests, we end up paying much more to fight costly carbon producing wildfires that again devastate our ability to do the critical forest management on our public lands in the first place. These fires should be treated the same as any other natural disaster. Budgeting to address the mismanagement of our forests would free up financial resources. Our bill will work to fix this root problem by reducing fuel loads, improving forest health, save taxpayers money, and provide jobs in our struggling rural communities.”

Fire borrowing was intended to be an extraordinary measure to help in bad wildfire years. However, this practice has become the norm and not the exception, which has caused wildfire costs to increase. According to the Forest Service, wildfire costs were 56% of their total budget in 2016. In 1995, the Forest Service spent only 16% of their total budget fighting wildfires. By 2025, that number could increase to nearly 70% if nothing is done to fix the budgeting process.

The Wildfire Disaster Funding Act would end fire borrowing by treating wildfires like other natural disasters when wildfire suppression costs are exhausted. Most importantly, the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act would protect land management programs by protecting the budget from the increasing ten-year average. Wildfire suppression would still be funded through the normal budgeting and appropriations process, but when the Forest Service exceeds its annual wildfire suppression budget, the agency would be able to fund wildfire fighting costs like other natural disasters. This allows the Forest Service and other land management agencies to maintain resources in the prevention accounts they are intended for, ultimately preventing catastrophic wildfires from growing in size and cost.

The Wildfire Disaster Funding Act was also introduced in the 113^th and 114^th Congress. The legislation received 150 bipartisan cosponsors and the support of more than 300 organizations. Original cosponsors for the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act of 2017 include Representatives Mark Amodei, Suzanne Bonamici, Ken Calvert, Jim Costa, Peter DeFazio, Marcy Kaptur, Derek Kilmer, Raul Labrador, Betty McCollum, Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, Dan Newhouse, Jared Polis, Kysrten Sinema, Steve Stivers, Scott Tipton, and Greg Walden. 

On Thursday, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson discussed important Idaho issues with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell during a hearing held by the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. The topics ranged from ongoing litigation that prevents the Forest Service from managing public lands, to treating wildfire funding like other natural disasters.

“How do you maintain the public’s right to have a say in how their public lands are managed and get on with managing instead of spending all the resources we use in lawsuits?” said Simpson. “We have created situations where you can get sued at multiple steps in the process and it is just unmanageable.”

Congressman Simpson has long expressed concerns with frivolous litigation and recently introduced bipartisan legislation to reverse a court ruling that risks 80 vegetative management projects and hundreds of millions of board feet according to the Forest Service. Secretary Perdue echoed his concerns about the court decision known as Cottonwood.

Simpson also raised the issue of ending the disastrous practice of fire borrowing and treating wildfires like other natural disasters.

“Fire borrowing has gotten out of hand,” said Simpson. “When 53 percent of your budget is going to fight wildfires that means there is no money left for anything else… We have appropriated money for (trail maintenance), but guess what? It has gone to fight wildfires...We need your help (Secretary Perdue) to make leadership understand the importance of this issue.”

Congressman Simpson has long championed the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, which would fix the way wildfires are currently budgeted for by treating catastrophic wildfires like other natural disasters. The legislation received 150 cosponsors last Congress.

To view Congressman Simpson raising these important issues, visit the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_E37zD8GwY&feature=youtu.be

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released the following statement addressing the Administration’s FY18 Budget.

“Now that Congress has received the Administration’s FY18 budget, my colleagues and I will give serious thought and discussion to the proposals that the President has put forward.  I look forward to carefully reviewing the President’s request in the coming weeks so that Congress can get to work on funding bills for fiscal year 2018, which begins in just a few short months. Although we are starting the process later than normal this year, our subcommittee will do what it does every year; scrutinize the request and hold hearings with administration officials to inform our line-by-line funding decisions. This is the responsibility entrusted to the Congress by the Constitution, and we take that obligation very seriously.

“The Administration deserves credit for taking our nation’s fiscal crisis seriously, but I hope that in the coming years we can begin the conversation on addressing the real drivers of our debt, which remain untouched by the yearly appropriations process. Mandatory programs remain on autopilot and continue to grow, dwarfing all other government programs in terms of spending. That is why I will continue to advocate for “going big” with a package of spending cuts paired with tax and entitlement reform, as it is the only way we will truly put our country back on solid fiscal footing.”

On Friday, President Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act into law which includes Congressman Simpson's agreement on the Gateway West Transmission Line.

“I applaud President Trump for signing the fiscal year 2017 appropriations legislation into law,” said Congressman Simpson. “This bill contains many important provisions for Idaho including an agreement that allows the Gateway West Transmission line to pursue an Idaho-based solution while enhancing the Birds of Prey conservation area. This is a win-win for Idahoans.”

“We are delighted this provision was signed into law,” stated Danielle Murray, Senior Director of Programs for the National Conservation Lands. “This law expands protections for the unique raptor and eagle habitat in southern Idaho, while also allowing for the development of much needed energy infrastructure.”

“I'm grateful to Congressman Simpson, our delegation and key stakeholders for helping advance a critical economic development priority for Idaho,” Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter said. “The Gateway West transmission line has been held up by federal bureaucracy for far too long, so I'm pleased to see legislation on this important infrastructure project finally moving forward.”

The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Boundary Modification Act allows the transmission line to be routed using the preferred alternative of the Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and is supported by the State of Idaho and Idaho Power. The agreement also includes land in the NCA being removed from NCA status and managed as BLM multiple use land. In exchange, the Birds of Prey NCA will receive enhanced mitigation and conservation measures and an additional 4,800 acres will be added to the NCA.

The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Boundary Modification Act was cosponsored by Congressman Raul Labrador and received support from Senator Jim Risch and Senator Mike Crapo. The legislation is also supported by conservation groups and the State of Idaho.

On Thursday, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported the American Health Care Act which passed the House of Representatives by 217-213. The legislation is a repeal and replacement plan for Obamacare.

“I voted against the passage of Obamacare and I have voted to repeal it over 60 times,” said Simpson. “Many members promised the American public that they would repeal and replace Obamacare and this vote is the first step to fulfilling that promise. I believe in keeping my promises.”

Specifically, H.R. 1628 begins the process of replacing Obamacare with provisions that lower premiums and provide more choices for health coverage. The Congressional Budget Office found that premiums will be 10% lower under this legislation. One such mechanism to do this is to provide over $130 billion to Patient and State Stability Funds to lower costs and stabilize insurance markets, including a dedicated fund for states to expand services for mental health, addiction treatment, and further support for patients with pre-existing conditions. The bill also eliminates the most burdensome Obamacare mandates such as the individual mandate, the employer mandate, and numerous tax increases that have driven up health care costs.

“The Affordable Care Act is unsustainable given its current trajectory. The thought of a total collapse in the health care market is simply too dangerous to ignore given the stakes. The question today was to stick with Obamacare or to start the process of fixing our broken health care system.  The American Health Care Act is the only opportunity we have to start that replacement process.  It is not perfect given the limited scope of reconciliation rules, but to fix health care we need to start somewhere.”

The legislation includes an amendment to provide additional support for people with pre-existing conditions. Importantly, states may not – under any circumstance - ever obtain a waiver for pre-existing condition protection, prohibition on gender discrimination,  guaranteed issue and renewability, or for the right of dependents to stay on a family plan up to the age 26.

In March, the House also passed two health care reform bills that will lower costs through increased competition. The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act is a policy change that Congressman Simpson has long cosponsored and supported.  The legislation would level the playing field by removing the McCarran-Ferguson Act’s federal antitrust exemption for health insurance businesses. Congressman Simpson voted in favor of the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act which passed by a large bipartisan vote of 416-7.

The Small Business Health Fairness Act would allow small businesses to join together to offer coverage through association health plans thus providing another option for purchasing health insurance and creating competition. The legislation also passed the House with bipartisan support of 236-175. 

On Wednesday, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act by a vote of 309-118. The legislation includes Congressman Mike Simpson and Congressman Raul Labrador’s Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Boundary Modification Act, which addresses the routing of the Gateway West Transmission Line, through the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA).  Idaho Senator Jim Risch, who sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, played a key role in gathering support for the proposal in the Senate which led to its inclusion in a final package. The Gateway West legislation is also supported by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo.

The compromise agreement allows the transmission line to be routed using the preferred alternative of the Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and is supported by the State of Idaho and Idaho Power. The agreement also includes land in the NCA being removed from NCA status and managed as BLM multiple use land. In exchange, the Birds of Prey NCA will receive enhanced mitigation and conservation measures and an additional 4,800 acres will be added to the NCA. These balanced conservation provisions were agreed to by key stakeholders.

“I am very grateful to Chairman Calvert and Chairman Murkowski for allowing our agreement into the legislation,” said Congressman Simpson. “Without consensus from pragmatic organizations like Conservation Lands Foundation and Idaho Power, this would simply not be possible. I am pleased this bill is moving forward and I am thrilled with the savings for Idaho ratepayers and benefits to an important conservation area in Idaho.”

“While I opposed many things about the Omnibus bill, I am grateful to Congressman Simpson for his leadership in making sure our bill was included in the final package,” said Congressman Labrador. The Gateway West project will have a significant, positive impact on Idaho and I will continue working with Congressman Simpson and our Senators to see this project to the finish line.”

“We are delighted to see the House pass the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Boundary Modification Act,” stated Danielle Murray, Senior Director of Programs for the National Conservation Lands. “This legislation expands protections for the unique raptor and eagle habitat in southern Idaho, while also allowing for the development of much needed energy infrastructure.”

“I'm grateful to Congressman Simpson, our delegation and key stakeholders for helping advance a critical economic development priority for Idaho,” Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter said. “The Gateway West transmission line has been held up by federal bureaucracy for far too long, so I'm pleased to see legislation on this important infrastructure project finally moving forward.” 

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released the following statement regarding the U.S. military strikes in Syria:

“I support the President’s action against the Assad regime. The United States of America took a strong stand tonight against the unfathomable act Bashar al-Assad conducted this week by murdering innocent men, women and children with a chemical attack.”

Congressman Mike Simpson and Congressman Raul Labrador have introduced legislation to address the routing of the Gateway West Transmission Line, through the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA).  The project – jointly proposed by Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power - will construct and operate 1,000 miles of high voltage transmission line across Wyoming and Idaho and creates more than 1,200 jobs and represents $3.5 billion in economic investment. The legislation is a compromise agreement between key stakeholders in Idaho including the State of Idaho, Idaho Power, and conservation organizations.

The compromise agreement will allow the transmission line to be routed using the preferred alternative of the Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and is supported by the State of Idaho and Idaho Power. The agreement also includes land in the NCA being removed from NCA status and managed as BLM multiple use land. In exchange, the Birds of Prey NCA will receive enhanced mitigation and conservation measures and an additional 4,800 acres will be added to the NCA. These balanced conservation provisions were agreed to by key stakeholders.

“This agreement is a perfect example of collaboration resulting in a win-win solution,” said Congressman Simpson. “I applaud the Conservation Lands Foundation and Idaho Power for their pragmatic approach to a complex issue which will result in both savings for Idaho ratepayers and conservation benefits to the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. I also appreciate the work of the BLM, who helped create this vision and will ultimately be tasked with the heavy lifting of implementation.”

“This bill represents the conclusion of years of hard work by stakeholders,” said Congressman Labrador.  “The Gateway West project will have a significant positive impact on Idaho.  I am looking forward to moving this bill through the Natural Resources Committee and working with Representative Simpson and our Senators to see this project to the finish line.”

The legislation was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee. The legislation is also supported by Idaho Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo who were instrumental in building consensus on the agreement.

“This legislation is the culmination of a common-sense, consensus agreement between state and local representatives to best provide for Idaho's energy needs and promote the region's energy infrastructure moving forward,” said Senator Risch. “I applaud Congressman Mike Simpson for taking the lead and introducing this bill in the House of Representatives and look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to enact this legislation into law.  I also want to thank Idaho Power and the Conservation Lands Foundation for their work--finding a balanced solution that best suits Idaho.”

“This legislation is necessary to ensure the voices of local property owners and stakeholders are truly represented in the siting of this project,” said Senator Mike Crapo.

“The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area was designated in 1993 to protect the greatest concentration of nesting raptors in North America. It is extraordinary habitat,” stated Danielle Murray, Senior Director at the Conservation Lands Foundation. “This legislation expands protections for raptors and eagles while allowing for the development of much needed energy infrastructure. We thank BLM for all their work to protect this region and to Rep. Mike Simpson and Idaho Power for their willingness to engage with stakeholders to develop a sensible solution to a complex problem.”

"I'm grateful to Congressman Simpson and our delegation for helping advance an important economic development priority for Idaho," Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter said. "We have been working on the Gateway West transmission line throughout my tenure as governor. I'm hopeful that this legislation, along with the support of key stakeholders, will finally move this critical infrastructure improvement forward."

The agreement also has the support of key conservation groups in Idaho including the Idaho Conservation League, The Nature Conservancy, and The Wilderness Society.

"The Idaho Conservation League supports this solution to a difficult challenge,” said ICL Executive Director Rick Johnson. We appreciate the diligent work of Rep. Mike Simpson, Conservation Lands Foundation, and other partners to provide as close to a win-win solution as can be imagined. Personally, having worked on the creation of the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area with Rep. Larry LaRocco in 1993, I am pleased to see how this resolution further the goals of that designation and provides a forward path for our region's energy infrastructure."

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson this week supported legislation to improve hiring practices at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and to protect the Second Amendment Rights of veterans.

H.R. 1259, the VA Accountability First Act, gives the VA Secretary increased flexibility to remove, demote, or suspend VA employees for performance or misconduct.  This bill was introduced to streamline administrative action against underperforming employees at VA facilities.  The bill also ensures protections for whistleblowers.

“Our nation’s veterans deserve the best possible healthcare, administered by the best possible providers,” said Simpson.  “I applaud efforts to hold bad actors accountable, and this legislation will help the VA do just that.”

H.R. 1367, a bill to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of VA, would create staffing, recruitment, and retention programs to ensure that VA hires and retains the best and brightest in the field. 

“This legislation will ensure that VA is hiring and retaining top quality physicians for our veterans while streamlining bureaucratic hiring processes,” said Simpson.  “It puts our focus exactly where it should be—providing efficient and effective medical care to veterans.”

H.R. 1181, the Veterans 2^nd Amendment Protection Act, would protect the 2^nd Amendment rights of veterans who have been appointed a fiduciary from the VA.  Currently, such veterans are labeled mentally incompetent and their names are sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Criminal Background Check System.  This has the potential to prohibit these veterans from legally purchasing or owning a firearm.  H.R. 1181 would require a magistrate or judicial authority ruling declaring that the beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others before VA can label them “mentally defective.”

“The right to due process should be afforded to all citizens, especially to the men and women who protect this right for their fellow Americans,” emphasized Simpson.

All three bills were passed by the House of Representatives and will now move to the U.S. Senate for further review and action.