Simpson pushes energy policy

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- There's been no need to follow the usual parliamentary rules on the House floor for the past few days. There have been no time limits imposed on speakers. And there hasn't been a Speaker of the House presiding.

Rather, Rep. Mike Simpson has been leading a more or less one-sided energy debate in the nation's capitol.

With the House in recess, Simpson, R-Blackfoot, and about 115 other Republicans have returned to Washington to commence a largely symbolic debate about the nation's energy crisis.

"It's entirely different. It's more like what you do if you're having a debate during a campaign or giving a speech to a local Rotary club," Simpson said. "It's symbolic, and it's also putting pressure on the Democratic leadership."

Simpson left a recent Southeast Idaho visit early to participate, and while other conservative lawmakers have stopped in to make short speeches, he remained through the duration of the debate to introduce speakers and keep the discussion going.

He said the Republican speakers have garnered national media attention and have also had the ears of various tour groups passing through the capitol.

"They talk about the energy crisis and what needs to be done and the fact that the speaker needs to bring forth the bipartisan energy bill, which she refuses to do," Simpson said, adding he anticipates most every Republican in the House will have participated in the discussion before the recess ends. "I think if the speaker allows this to come up for a vote, it will pass overwhelmingly."

Simpson returned to Southeast Idaho Thursday to attend his 40th class reunion, but he hopes to adjust his schedule so that he can rejoin his fellow Republicans in early September.

"We're getting a lot of letters from constituents for the first time ever saying, 'Please go back to Washington,'" Simpson said. "(Energy is) the No. 1 issue they are dealing with."

According to Simpson, the nation needs to turn to nuclear power, wind power, oil shale, off-shore drilling and other resources to move away from importing foreign oil, often from enemies of the U.S. Simpson said the Republicans sent a letter Wednesday to 22 freshman Democrats hoping to get them on board with their effort.

By John O'Connell

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