Editorials
Expanding Hydropower
We are fortunate that Idaho is home to extensive hydroelectric resources that offer reliable and renewable energy. Hydropower is the source of more than 75 percent of Idaho's electricity generation, and hydropower efficiently and cleanly provides approximately seven percent of the nation's electricity. Recent action in Congress will better enable the expansion of this important energy source. To better employ our nation's hydroelectric resources, I co-sponsored two pieces of legislation that… Continue Reading
August 26, 2013
Food Safety Important But Must Be Reasonable
Taking preventative measures to ensure food safety is an important goal. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) proposed fresh produce rule is another example of the federal government going too far. FDA's umbrella approach in its treatment of various crops and commodities regardless of risk level places unnecessary, costly burdens on certain farming operations. We cannot allow excessive regulations and costs to continue to be layered on farm families and expect them to be abl… Continue Reading
August 19, 2013
Advancing Tax Reform Principles
As the Senate Finance Committee advances tax reform, I remain committed to the hard work of comprehensive fiscal reform, combining thoughtful tax reform with fundamental reforms to mandatory programs. As part of this process I recently had the opportunity to submit a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) outlining my proposal for comprehensive tax reform. Tax reform needs to be comprehensive to get us past the tired and fail… Continue Reading
August 12, 2013
Wildfire Mitigation Efforts
As wildfires burn across the western United States, efforts continue in Congress to try to help alleviate pressure on the firefighters and others working tirelessly to keep our communities safe. While some of these objectives will take time to achieve, it is clear that we need to maintain focus on improving the health of our federal lands, decreasing the threat of catastrophic fires and ensuring that firefighters have the best resources to protect our communities. I recently joined Senator … Continue Reading
August 05, 2013
Maintaining Equitable Access To Our Federal Lands
I have long been a proponent of fair access to our public lands. Americans pay for the upkeep of our federal land assets and should not be shut out of benefitting from these resources through unnecessary restrictions and steep fees. This includes ensuring that cabin user fees on federal lands are administered fairly and reasonably. That is why I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in reintroducing legislation to help ensure the continuation of equitable access to our federal lands by a… Continue Reading
July 29, 2013
Nurturing Healthy Relationships
We meet many people in our lives in our communities, work, school, travels and elsewhere. Our ability to positively interact with others contributes to our ability to meet life's challenges. We can help set our children on productive paths and help decrease violence by not overlooking the importance of healthy relationships in their success and having discussions with them about what it means to have a healthy relationship. Progress has been made in raising awareness about domestic violence,… Continue Reading
July 22, 2013
Another Consequence Of Obamacare
Since Obamacare was rammed through Congress, we have seen the problems and costs continue to grow. Reports of workers losing work hours and pay due to Obamacare health care coverage mandates are among the problems. Given the considerable problems with the law, the Obama administration's recent delay of the health care law mandate that forces employers to provide insurance or face a penalty is welcome. However, it only magnifies the concerns businesses, specifically small businesses, have rais… Continue Reading
July 15, 2013
From The Mailbag: Educational Standards
As active participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. Realizing that many may not have the chance to contact me, I post the top five issues of concern from Idahoans and my responses on my website. Concerns with the Common Core Standards and the federal government's overreach in education are among the issues constituents have contacted me about recently. The following is my response: The Common Core Standards w… Continue Reading
July 08, 2013
America Cannot Repeat Immigration Mistakes
Rarely does an issue invoke more interest than immigration reform and border security. During the U.S. Senate's recent debate of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, commonly referred to as the immigration reform bill, I heard from more than 2,000 Idahoans concerned about the legislation. Immigration reforms are past due. However, S. 744 would not stop illegal immigration while ensuring fairness for current Americans and immigrants. I voted aga… Continue Reading
July 01, 2013
Freedom: The Heart Of Our Nation
The pursuit of freedom inspired countless settlers to brave the long journey to America. To secure liberty in our nation, American leaders signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The freedoms cemented by this and other founding charters in our nation's history and upheld by brave Americans are the heart of our United States of America. Our nation is rooted in the ideal that we are endowed by our Creator "with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursu… Continue Reading
June 24, 2013
Increasing Access To Idaho Dairy Products
June is National Dairy Month, a time to recognize the significant contribution of the dairy industry to the world. Idaho dairy producers and processors are leading the charge in developing and producing innovative dairy products that are feeding families within and beyond Idaho's borders. As they continue to advance, increasing exposure to nutritious Idaho dairy products will benefit our economy and the world's consumers. In addition to playing an important nutritional role, dairy production … Continue Reading
June 17, 2013
Taking Steps To Reduce Fire Risk
Last year, more than 1,000 wildland fires burned more than 1.6 million acres in Idaho alone. A significant fire threat is expected again this year. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Predictive Servicesunit is forecasting "above normal potential for significant fire activity" in portions of Idaho. Southern and central Idaho are dry with substantial forest and rangeland fuel loads. As we prepare for another potentially difficult fire year, taking steps to better ensure the safety o… Continue Reading
June 10, 2013
Using Tax Scrutiny To Chill Speech Is Intolerable
The recently-revealed targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for additional tax scrutiny is outrageous and goes against the freedoms on which our nation was founded. The federal government is supposed to work for the American people and help strengthen our nation, not tear down our freedoms from within. That is why we must do everything we can to hold the IRS accountable for these inexcusable attempts to silence political dissent, and strong reforms must be impl… Continue Reading
June 03, 2013
Taking County Funds Is Not The Solution
The Budget Control Act of 2011, a concept first proposed by the Obama administration, requires across-the-board spending reductions in federal government programs. For Fiscal Year 2013, the estimated sequester is $85 billion and would apply to federal agencies and programs unless otherwise exempted by law. The administration has been implementing sequestration based on its priorities. The administration's decision to cut Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools and Self Deter… Continue Reading
May 27, 2013
Honoring Citizen Soldiers
This Memorial Day we join with family and friends to honor the many brave Americans who we depend on to secure our homeland, while remembering the sacrifices of those who lost their lives defending our freedoms. As we reflect on the service of these brave men and women, we must count among them the citizen soldiers who make up our National Guard and Reserve forces. These men and women are an essential part of our military and, along with all members of our armed services, they have my utmost r… Continue Reading
May 20, 2013
Multiple-Use Management Cannot Be Lost
It seems that in recent years there has been a decreased focus on ensuring multiple use of public lands. Multiple use of public lands remains the most effective utilization of our natural resources, and it is the guiding law for their management. It is central to balancing the needs of those who enjoy the outdoors and those who rely on public lands for their businesses. It allows for the productive use of the land and protection of the environmental services these lands provide. Unfortunate… Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
Watching The Watchdog
As part of our government's system of checks and balances, Congress conducts oversight over agencies to bring about transparency and accountability. This is even more necessary with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which was established unlike any other federal department or agency. Unlike most federal agencies, it does not have to justify its actions or expenditures and the director holds unique power to determine the agency's budget and mission priorities without any public d… Continue Reading
May 06, 2013
From The Mailbag: FAA Airport Towers
As active participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. Realizing that many may not have the chance to contact me, I post the top five issues of concern from Idahoans and my responses on my website. The top issues constituents have contacted me about recently include concerns about funding cuts by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that would remove contracted control tower service in many small cities acros… Continue Reading
April 29, 2013
Additional Cost-Saving Steps Needed
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released its annual report to Congress that identifies potentially redundant government programs and opportunities to save billions of dollars through eliminating government overlap. The agency also took stock of progress in reducing previously identified duplication, overlap and fragmentation, meaning multiple agencies conducting programs or activities in the same area in the federal government. GAO provided recommendations of steps tha… Continue Reading
April 22, 2013
Conservation That Counts
The best way to ensure that we continue to have clean water and air, productive soil and healthy habitat for wildlife is by working cooperatively with property owners to promote conservation. Collaborative conservation efforts result in lasting commitment to real improvements. These voluntary efforts are preferable to heavy-handed, blunt regulations that result in little actual improvement. It would be hard to argue the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been successful in recovering species. … Continue Reading
