Simpson calls for compromise on shutdown debate

The U.S. Congress has adjourned for the week, assuring that a government shutdown will reach historical length.

Before it adjourned, Idaho Second District Republican Congressman Mike Simpson called on Congress to find a compromise.

Simpson asked House leadership to reintroduce a compromise budget bill it considered last year. He opposes a Senate appropriations bill which passed that body unanimously before President Trump announced he wouldn’t sign it.

Simpson said that Senate bill reduces “Indian Country” funding by $150 million, reduces hazardous fuel reduction by $21 million, cuts sage grouse management by $23 million, National Park maintenance budgets by $27 million and infrastructure funding for community water projects by $12 million.

In addition, Simpson said the Senate bill guts other Democratic and Republican member priorities.

In a straight-forward speech to the House Friday, Simpson told his colleagues he was “tired of finger pointing and name calling and the games we’re playing.”

He added, “the uncomfortable thing is that occasionally as elected representatives we are called upon to lead regardless of consequences and I have to say we’ve all failed, all of us….and for that I am very, very sorry.”