May 20, 2010

I see Senate Democrats have enlisted former Vice President Walter Mondale in their efforts to curtail the use of the filibuster in the Senate. Not surprisingly, Democrats had no problem employing the filibuster when it came to holding up the appoinments of President Bush or stopping Republican sponsored legislation. Now that they have the majority, and fear that it will be weakened in November, they are trying to change rules that have been in place for decades. When running in 2006, Democrats claimed they wanted more openness, a return to regular order, and a willingness to play by the rules. After three and a half years of seeing them in power, it is clear  that what we got instead was leadership that drafts bills behind closed doors, rams bills through the House with no debate, and changes the rules when they don't work in their favor.  I'd like to say that I am surprised they would try to change Senate rules to accommodate their shrinking majority, but this is an obvious next step for a group of leaders who will do anything to enact their flawed agenda before they find themselves back in the minority.

April 28, 2010

I wanted to take the time to explain why I am asking for your vote on May 25th in the Republican Primary.

First, I care deeply about Idaho, its citizens, and its future. I strive every day to protect Idaho’s interests in the United States Congress and represent Idaho’s values as your Congressman.

Second, I listen closely to the views of my constituents because I believe they are the real experts. I read the mail I receive, speak daily with Idahoans, and make sure I know how they feel before I cast my vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Third, I’ve worked hard over the past 11 years to develop relationships and secure positions of leadership that are crucial to helping our state and its interests. Those efforts have been crucial in protecting the interests of farmers and ranchers in our nation’s trade negotiations and promoting our state’s potato, sugar, wheat, barley, and cattle industries.

Fourth, I have a solid record of accomplishment on your behalf.

I’ve worked hard to secure a bright, new future for the Idaho National Laboratory and improved facilities for Mountain Home Air Force Base and Gowen Field.

As a former Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Veterans Benefits, I’ve fought to protect the programs most important to our nation’s veterans and authored legislation that’s now in place helping veterans across the country find jobs.

And I’ve stood firm against those in Congress who want to raise taxes and expand wasteful government spending. Over the last 16 months, I voted against TRILLIONS of dollars in new spending that Congressional Democrats have added to our nation’s debt.

As a medical professional, I helped lead the fight against the massive Obamacare bill that moves our economy and healthcare system closer to a European model and does nothing to actually bring down the cost of healthcare services.

I strongly oppose President Obama’s enormous $3.83 TRILLION budget and its reliance on over $1 TRILLION in deficit spending.

I fought the Democrat’s stimulus package and their cap-and-trade bill, two efforts that hold far more harm than good for our economy and put at risk our nation’s long-term fiscal health.

Saying NO, however, isn’t enough. The responsible thing to do is to offer free-market, conservative alternatives that move our nation in the right direction.

That is why I strongly support a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, liability reforms that will actually bring healthcare costs down, tax cuts for small businesses to stimulate our economy and create jobs, and the use of domestic energy sources, including nuclear power, that will help our nation achieve energy independence.

I consider my work on your behalf to be the greatest honor of my life. I look forward everyday to representing Idaho in the U.S. Congress and to bringing Idaho’s values to Washington, DC.

I ask for your vote on May 25, and pledge to continue working hard as your Representative in the United States Congress.

March 9, 2010

I just finished the annual Lincoln Days swing through the district and the many meetings that accompany that swing. The Lincoln Days events are a yearly chance to see old friends, meet new ones, and reconnect with the people who make my campaigns possible. During this swing, I heard frustration from folks up and down the district. They're upset with their government, upset with too much spending, worried about the Democrats health care reform and cap-and-trade packages, and desperate for our Party to regain control of Congress and stick to the principles of lower taxes, decreased spending, and limited government that we all hold so dear. At the same time, the folks that I talked to are optimistic that our nation remains strong and that our economy will turn around if only we have the courage to take bold action. Part of that action should included a few things I have been working on in Congress. They include passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution and an end to the tax code as we know it. Further, we should sunset all federal programs and ensure that periodically all programs and agencies must come up for renewal. We should immediately take back all unused funding in the Stimulus Bill and return it to the Treasury to pay down debt and make deep cuts in this years budget as almost all American families are doing.

Perhaps most importantly for our long-term fiscal stability, we need to tackle entitlement reform and we need to have the courage to do it now. Fixing Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs that are the true drivers of our budget deficit will not be easy nor will it be popular. It is impossible to fix programs with tens of trillions of dollars in unfunded liabilities without making a few people nervous or angry. But the sooner we attack this problem, the less painful the solution will be and the better chance we will have of stabiliizing the programs.

After the Lincoln Days circuit of the last few weeks, it is clear to me that the people of Idaho want their elected officials to go make the tough decisions required to get our fiscal situation back on track. They know there are tough choices ahead, but they want action taken sooner rather than later. I share their desire for immediate action and will be working in Congress to see that Republicans are offering fiscally-conservative alternative ideas to what the Democrats put forward between now and election day. That action will start with a Republican alternative to the Democrats' budget over the next few weeks. It is going to make for a lively, productive debate and clearly demonstrate the difference between the two parties on the issues of taxes and spending.

I want to thank everyone I met and spoke with during the Lincoln Days banquets for their encouragement, support, questions, ideas, and time. I am reminded each year during Lincoln Days why I love Idaho so much and why I am so proud to represent its people. It is as true honor to serve as your representative in Washington, DC.

Thank you,

Mike Simpson

February 2, 2010

I am preparing to participate in a Budget Hearing today where we will be exploring the President's fiscal year 2011 budget with White House Budget Director Peter Orszag.  Mr. Orszag was the head of the Congressional Budget Office prior to going over to the White House so I have had the opportunity to question him a few times in previous years. He is smart and thorough -- but he has a HUGE budget to defend today so it will be interesting to see how he responds to my questions and those of my fellow Republicans.  The President's budget spends roughly $3.8 TRILLION next year -- a nearly $800 BILLION increase over the Democrat passed budget of just two years ago.  On the discretionary side, the President's budget spends $1.38 TRILLION next year.  Just two years ago, the Democrat passed budget spent $1.18 TRILLION in discretionary spending.  This clearly shows that the President waited until an additional $200 BILLION had been added to the discretionary budget BEFORE calling for a discretionary freeze.  The voters in MA, VA, and NJ had a clear and consistent message for Congress and the President.  They told us to get serious about deficit reduction and spending controls.  The numbers I have shown above clearly demonstrate that the President does not understand the message voters sent.  I am willing to work with the President to truly reduce spending -- but his initial offer is not a serious attempt to stop out-of-control spending.  We need to do much better.