Michael Simpson

Michael Keith Simpson, a Republican, has represented the Second District of  in the United States House of Representatives since 1999. The Capital city Boise is in his district.

Iraq War
Simpson voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Simpson condemned Senate GOP leaders for their treatment of Craig
Mike Simpson expressed his disbelief in the Senate leadership for their quick urge for Larry Craig (R-Idaho) to resign and their consistent isolation of the Senator."If that’s how they treat their own, that tells me they’re more interested in party than individuals," says Simpson. One Senate GOP aide assured that there was a great deal of compassion for him as a human being and a colleague. But that this issue was "bigger than him and that single Senate seat". Stan Brand of the Brand Law Group agreed with Simpson and stated, "It’s hard for me to believe [Craig’s treatment from Republicans] is because they’re worried about the public corruption issue." Craig also received support from The American Land Rights Association (ALRA) who persued a boycott of the Minneapolis airport where Craig was arrested.

Background
Simpson was born September 8, 1950 in Burley, Idaho, and was educated at Utah State University and the Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a dentist practicing in Blackfoot, Idaho before entering politics, being elected to the Blackfoot City Council in 1980. In 1984, he was elected to the Idaho Legislature, where he served in the Idaho House of Representatives until 1998, the last six years as Speaker of the House.

Congressional Career
Simpson was first elected to the House in 1998.

On October 7, 2005 Simpson served as the Speaker Pro Tempore of the United States House of Representatives and presided over the vote on a Gasoline Security bill. Opponents of the bill charge that the legislation did little to help gas prices and merely provided tax breaks to oil companies. Simpson was presiding over the chamber during a vote that was scheduled to last 5 minutes, but stretched to 44 minutes. Simpson did not close the vote until a sufficient number of Republicans had been convinced to switch their votes. In the end, the majority voted in the affirmative to pass the bill by a 2-vote margin: 212-210, with 13 representatives not voting. The nay votes were from 196 Democrats, 13 Republicans, and 1 Independent.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Jim Hansen to face Simpson in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Hansen retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Water
 * Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services
 * House Committee on Budget

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Interior and Environment and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies
 * House Committee on Budget

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Majority Caucus Chair, Idaho State House of Representatives, 1988
 * Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus
 * Co-Chair, World Trade Organization Caucus for Ranchers and Farmers

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Honorary Board Member, Boys & Girls Club, Magic Valley Area, 2004
 * Member, Chambers of Commerce of Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls, 1998-2004
 * Former Member, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 1416
 * Former Member, Idaho State Dental Association
 * Former Member, Rotary Club of Blackfoot

External resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * f-words
 * Red State Rebels
 * NewWest.net -- A Refreshing, new kind of journalism.