Editing Mike Simpson (section)

==U.S. House of Representatives==
=== Elections ===
==== 1998 ====
Simpson entered the 1998 campaign for the U.S. House seat vacated by [[Mike Crapo]], who was running for [[United States Senate]]. He defeated former [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] congressman [[Richard H. Stallings]], who held the seat from 1985 to 1993, in the general election with 52% of the vote. He has never faced another contest that close; Stallings was the last Democrat to win even 40% of the vote.

Simpson did not face serious opposition in 2000, 2002, or 2004. In 2006, Simpson defeated former Democratic [[Idaho House of Representatives|state representative]] [[Jim D. Hansen]], son of former Republican congressman [[Orval H. Hansen]], with 61% of the vote.

====2008====
{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}
Simpson defeated two primary challengers with 85.2% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=2008 Primary Results statewide|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2008/Primary/tot_stwd.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416030919/http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/RESULTS/2008/Primary/tot_stwd.htm|archive-date=2009-04-16|access-date=2017-04-12|website=Sos.idaho.gov}}</ref> He defeated Democratic nominee [[Debbie Holmes]] with 71% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/ELECT/results/ENR/statewide_total.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220191630/http://www.sos.idaho.gov/ELECT/results/ENR/statewide_total.html|url-status=dead|title=2008 results|archive-date=20 February 2015|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>

During the 2008 presidential primaries, Simpson was an early supporter of former [[Massachusetts Governor|Massachusetts governor]] [[Mitt Romney]] and a member of his Congressional Whip Team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.politicalbase.com/people/mitt-romney/14237/supporters/|title=Web Page Under Construction|website=Politicalbase.com|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=pb|date=2007-02-06|title=Mitt Romney 2008: Whip Team for Mitt Romney|url=http://2008romney.blogspot.com/2007/02/whip-team-for-mitt-romney.html|access-date=2010-08-23|website=2008romney.blogspot.com}}</ref>

====2010====
{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}
In the Republican primary, Simpson defeated [[Chick Heileson]] of Iona and Russ Mathews of Idaho Falls.

Simpson defeated Democratic nominee Mike Crawford and Independent candidate Brian Schad with 68.8% of the vote.

====2012====
{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}
In the Republican primary, Simpson defeated [[Chick Helieson]] with 69.6% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Primary Results statewide|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2012/Primary/tot_stwd.htm|access-date=2017-04-12|website=Sos.idaho.gov}}</ref> He defeated Democratic state senator [[Nicole LeFavour]] with 65.1% of the vote in the general election.<ref name="Statewide Totals">{{cite web|title=Statewide Totals|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2014/General/statewide_totals.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201002048/http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/RESULTS/2014/General/statewide_totals.html|archive-date=2014-12-01|access-date=2017-04-12|website=Sos.idaho.gov}}</ref>

====2014====
{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}
In the Republican primary, Simpson defeated lawyer [[Bryan Smith (Idaho politician)|Bryan Smith]] with 61.8% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statewide Totals|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2014/Primary/statewide_totals.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728081413/http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/RESULTS/2014/Primary/statewide_totals.html|archive-date=2014-07-28|access-date=2017-04-12|website=Sos.idaho.gov}}</ref> He defeated former congressman [[Richard H. Stallings]] in the general election with 61.4% of the vote.<ref name="Statewide Totals" />

==== 2016 ====
{{See also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}
In the Republican primary, Simpson defeated [[perennial candidate]] Lisa Marie with 73% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statewide Totals|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2016/Primary/statewide_totals.html|access-date=2017-04-12|website=Sos.idaho.gov}}</ref> He defeated Jennifer Martinez and Anthony Tomkins in the general election with 62.9% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statewide Totals|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2016/General/statewide_totals.html|access-date=2017-04-12|website=Sos.idaho.gov}}</ref>

==== 2018 ====
{{See also|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}

==== 2020 ====
{{See also|2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}

==== 2022 ====
{{See also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}
[[File:2022 Idaho 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary Results.svg|thumb|2022 GOP primary results by county:
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#E27F7F|Simpson}}
| {{legend|#FFB2B2|40–50%}}
| {{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}
| {{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}}
| {{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#ff9955|Smith}}
| {{legend|#ffb380|40–50%}}
}}]]
In the Republican primary Simpson once again defeated his 2014 opponent Bryan Smith, this time by 54.6% to 32.7%, with three other candidates splitting the rest of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livevoterturnout.com/Idaho/LiveResults/1/en/Index_122.html|title=2022 Primary Election : OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS|website=Livevoterturnout.com|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref>

==== 2024 ====
{{See also|2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho#District 2}}
[[File:2024 Idaho 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary Results.svg|thumb|2024 GOP primary results by county:
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#E27F7F|Simpson}}
| {{legend|#FFB2B2|40–50%}}
| {{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}
| {{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}}
| {{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}
}}
{{collapsible list
| title = {{legend|#ff9955|Cleveland}}
| {{legend|#ffb380|40–50%}}
}}]]
Simpson won the Republican primary with 54.7%, defeating Scott Cleveland and Sean Higgins. He outspent his two primary opponents 6–1, spending $552,233. Cleveland spent $83,725 and received 35.8% of the vote, while Higgins spent $1,021 and received 9.5% of the vote.

===Tenure===
While the Republican Party held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, Simpson often served as the [[Speaker Pro Tempore|speaker pro tempore]] of the House, particularly during debates on controversial legislation, due to his command of House procedure. Simpson is known to have broken several sounding boards with the gavel while calling the House to order. This inspired him to have a number of sounding boards produced in Idaho, which he presented to then speaker of the House [[Dennis Hastert]] as a joke. When the Republican Party regained control of the House of Representatives in 2010, Simpson began once again to serve frequently as Speaker Pro Tempore.<ref>{{cite web|title=Congressional Record|url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/03/07/house-section/article/H1539-2|access-date=2017-04-12|website=Congress.gov|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Congressional Record|url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/4/8/house-section/article/h2795-3?r=22|access-date=2017-04-12|website=Congress.gov|language=en}}</ref>

In the [[111th United States Congress]] Simpson became the [[Ranking Member]] on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. He also serves as the small state representative on the 33-member House Republican Steering Committee.<ref name="thehill1">{{cite web|title=Blog Briefing Room – The Hill's Blog Briefing Room|url=http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2008/11/25/simpson-replaces-young-on-gop-steering-committee|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204104739/http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2008/11/25/simpson-replaces-young-on-gop-steering-committee|archive-date=2013-02-04|access-date=2010-08-23|publisher=Briefingroom.thehill.com}}</ref> Known as the "committee of committees", the Steering Committee decides which Republican lawmakers become ranking members on House committees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blog Briefing Room – The Hill's Blog Briefing Room|url=http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2008/11/25/simpson-replaces-young-on-gop-steering-committee/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708150416/http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2008/11/25/simpson-replaces-young-on-gop-steering-committee/|archive-date=2012-07-08|access-date=2010-08-23|publisher=Briefingroom.thehill.com}}</ref> Simpson replaced [[Don Young]] on the committee.<ref name="thehill1" />

In December 2020, Simpson signed an amicus brief in support of Texas attorney general [[Ken Paxton]]'s lawsuit seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22O155/163403/20201210153048641_Texas%20v.%20Pennsylvania%20Amicus%20Brief%20of%20106%20Representatives.pdf|title=Motion for Leave to File Brief Amicus Curiae and Brief Amicus Curiae|website=Supremecourt.gov|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>

====Larry Craig scandal====
On June 11, 2007, U.S. senator [[Larry Craig]] was [[Larry Craig scandal|arrested for indecent behavior]] in a [[Public toilet|men's restroom]] at [[Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport]]; he pleaded guilty to a charge of [[disorderly conduct]] in August 2007 and paid $575 in court fines and fees. Simpson was openly considered for an appointment to the Senate if Craig resigned. But Simpson asked Governor [[Butch Otter]] to remove his name from consideration, claiming that the Idaho congressional delegation would be in a better position if he were to remain in the House and retain his seniority on the House [[United States House Committee on Appropriations|Appropriations Committee]].

Simpson criticized Senate leadership treatment of Craig. He said: "If that's how they treat their own, that tells me they're more interested in party than individuals, and the party is made up of individuals. How you treat them says a lot about your party." Simpson demanded that Craig be treated fairly, saying "They have people over there [in the Senate Republican Conference] in far worse trouble that they haven't said a thing about."<ref name="thehill2007">{{cite web |title=News Archive |url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lashing-out-at-mcconnell-2007-09-07.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101174848/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lashing-out-at-mcconnell-2007-09-07.html |archive-date=2009-01-01 |access-date=2010-08-23 |publisher=TheHill.com}}</ref> [[File:Michael Simpson 113th Congress.jpg|thumb|right|Simpson during the [[113th United States Congress|113th Congress]]]]

====2013 government shutdown====
In October 2013, Simpson voted to end the [[United States federal government shutdown of 2013]].<ref name="King">{{cite news|last=King|first=Neil Jr.|title=Idaho Race Shows Split in Republican Donor Base|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303332904579226231084993234?mod=ITP_pageone_1|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=2013-11-29}}</ref>

==== Health care ====
'''Affordable Care Act repeal '''<br />
Simpson voted for and presided<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2017/may/04/us-house-passes-gop-health-care-bill-simpson-labrador-both-support-it/|title=U.S. House passes GOP health care bill; Simpson, Labrador both support it|work=Spokesman.com|access-date=2017-05-04|language=en}}</ref> over the vote on the [[American Health Care Act of 2017]], which passed the House on May 4, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2017/roll256.xml|title=FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 256|website=Clerk.house.gov|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>

'''Newborn health'''<br />
Simpson was an original co-sponsor of the [[Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2013 (H.R. 1281; 113th Congress)]], a bill that would amend the [[Public Health Service Act]] to reauthorize grant programs and other initiatives to promote expanded [[newborn screening|screening of newborns]] and children for heritable disorders.<ref name=cbo1281>{{cite web|title=CBO – H.R. 1281|date=6 June 2014|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45434|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=24 June 2014}}</ref> Simpson said: "the bill reflects the realities of reduced budgets Washington, but continues and strengthens the well established system of monitoring and evaluating infant conditions soon after birth. Just one small blood sample from the newborn's foot identifies infants with genetic or other conditions that can be treated quickly and effectively, saving and improving thousands of lives."<ref name=RoyPR22>{{cite web|title=Rep. Roybal-Allard and Rep. Simpson introduce the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Authorization Act|url=http://roybal-allard.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=325195|publisher=House Office of Rep. Roybal-Allard|access-date=24 June 2014|date=22 March 2013}}</ref>

==== Energy and water ====
On June 20, 2014, Simpson introduced the [[Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (H.R. 4923; 113th Congress)]], a bill that would make [[appropriations bill (United States)|appropriations]] for energy and water development and related agencies for FY2015.<ref name=4923sum>{{cite web|title=H.R. 4923 – Summary|url=https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4923|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=10 July 2014}}</ref> The bill would appropriate $34 billion, which is $50 million less than these agencies then received.<ref name=HillThisWeek7>{{cite news|last1=Marcos|first1=Cristina|title=This week: Sportsmen's bill, appropriations|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/scheduling/211332-this-week-appropriations-sportsmens-bill/|access-date=10 July 2014|work=The Hill|date=7 July 2014}}</ref> The appropriations for the [[United States Department of Energy]] and the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] are made by this bill.

====Gun rights====
Simpson was one of the members of Congress to sign the [[D.C. v. Heller]] amicus brief which supported a recognition of the [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment]] as an individual right.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brief of respondent for District of Columbia v. Heller, 07-290 |url=http://www.abanet.org/publiced/preview/briefs/pdfs/07-08/07-290_RespondentAmCuSenateHouseMembers.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325025828/http://www.abanet.org/publiced/preview/briefs/pdfs/07-08/07-290_RespondentAmCuSenateHouseMembers.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-25 |access-date=2010-08-23}}</ref>

====Idaho-focused environmental legislation====
Simpson's hallmark legislation is the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA), which would create 312,000 acres of wilderness in central Idaho, much of which is currently a wilderness study area. He has faced substantial resistance from groups like the Sierra Club, which claim the bill lacks "wilderness values"<ref name="idaho.sierraclub.org">{{cite web|url=http://idaho.sierraclub.org/sawtooth/issues/CIEDRA/index.html |title=Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA) :: Sawtooth Group |access-date=2012-05-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425235742/http://idaho.sierraclub.org/sawtooth/issues/CIEDRA/index.html |archive-date=2012-04-25 }}</ref> because it allows for motorized access to certain parts of the wilderness area and some federal land would be transferred to the State of Idaho to promote the economic development of the local community and the recreational use of National Forest land and other public lands in central Idaho.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr3603|title=Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (2006 - H.R. 3603)|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> Simpson has also faced opposition from groups that oppose new federal land designations, and wilderness designations particularly, because of restricted access to wilderness areas.<ref name="idaho.sierraclub.org"/> In August 2015, a revised version of CIEDRA, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act, passed Congress and was signed by President Obama, creating the [[Hemingway–Boulders Wilderness|Hemingway–Boulders]], [[Jim McClure–Jerry Peak Wilderness|Jim McClure–Jerry Peak]], and [[White Clouds Wilderness|White Clouds]] wilderness areas, which cover a total of {{convert|275665|acre|ha}} of central Idaho.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rich |last=Landers |title=Obama signs Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness Bill |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |date=August 7, 2015 |url=http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2015/aug/07/obama-signs-boulder-white-clouds-wilderness-bill/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809102615/http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2015/aug/07/obama-signs-boulder-white-clouds-wilderness-bill/ |archive-date=August 9, 2015 |access-date=August 7, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On March 21, 2014, Simpson introduced the bill [[To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to maintain or replace certain facilities and structures for commercial recreation services at Smith Gulch in Idaho (H.R. 4283; 113th Congress)]].<ref name=4238allactions>{{cite web|title=H.R. 4238 – All Actions|date=9 September 2014|url=https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4283/all-actions|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=9 September 2014}}</ref> The bill would require the [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|United States secretary of agriculture]] to permit private entities to repair or replace certain commercial facilities on [[United States Forest Service]] land in [[Idaho]].<ref name=cbo4283>{{cite web|title=CBO – H.R. 4283|date=9 July 2014|url=http://www.cbo.gov/publication/45517|publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=9 September 2014}}</ref> Simpson said, "this legislation clarifies Congress's intent of the 2004 amendments to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act which continued the existing use and occupancy of commercial services in this corridor of the Salmon River".<ref name=SimpsonPR>{{cite web|title=Simpson Bill to Authorize Facilities Maintenance on Salmon River Passes House|url=http://simpson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392777|publisher=House Office of Rep. Mike Simpson|access-date=9 September 2014|date=8 September 2014}}</ref> The legislation passed the House, but stalled in the Senate.

In February 2021, Simpson announced a "Salmon and Energy" concept intended to restore Snake River salmon while protecting agricultural and energy interests across the Columbia River basin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://simpson.house.gov/salmon/|access-date=January 15, 2022|title=The Columbia Basin Initiative &#124; U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson – 2nd District of Idaho}}</ref>

====Judgeship reorganization====

Simpson has pushed to divide the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit]], sponsoring bills to that effect in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maplight.org/map/us/bill/11026/default/history |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904091402/http://www.maplight.org/map/us/bill/11026/default/history |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-04 |title=Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2007 – Vote: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. &#124; History and Status &#124; MAPLight.org – Money and Politics |publisher=MAPLight.org |date=2008-12-31 |access-date=2010-08-23 }}</ref> 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr162|title=Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2011 (2011 - H.R. 162)|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Details for H.R. 196 (115th): Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2017 |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr196/cosponsors |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=GovTrack.us |language=en}}</ref> and 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2021 (2021 - H.R. 320) |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr320 |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=GovTrack.us |language=en}}</ref> None of these bills were successful.

====Dentistry====
A dentist himself, Simpson has worked closely with the [[American Dental Association]] on issues over the years. This has included co-sponsoring an unsuccessful 2009 bill intended to counter "[[methmouth]]"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr1671|title=Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act (2009 - H.R. 1671)|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=15 December 2022}}</ref> and pushing for better reimbursements and coverage for dental care.<ref>https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/advocacy/200722_simpson_thank_you.pdf?rev=da93227423b14f77bc9ea80e260c584a&hash=0C1B823FC192B0607A7C80639ABE1148 2020 letter from the ADA thanking Simpson for his assistance</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ADA Presents Distinguished Service Award to Rep. Mike Simpson, D.M.D. {{!}} Aegis Dental Network |url=https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/news/2019/09/4/ada-presents-distinguished-service-award-to-rep-mike-simpson-dmd |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=www.aegisdentalnetwork.com}}</ref>

====Tax reform====
Simpson voted for the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017]].<ref name="Almukhtar">{{cite news|last1=Almukhtar|first1=Sarah|title=How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|access-date=27 December 2017|date=19 December 2017}}</ref> After passing the bill, he said he spoke to Idaho farmers, ranchers and businesses who called for a simplified tax code and reform. He said the bill would "create economic growth in the United States by unleashing American small businesses and unburdening middle-class families so they can make better financial decisions with their own money."<ref name="Russell121917">{{cite web|last1=Russell|first1=Betsy Z.|title=Labrador, Simpson laud GOP tax bill as it passes House|url=http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2017/dec/19/labrador-simpson-laud-gop-tax-bill-it-passes-house/|website=Spokesman.com|access-date=27 December 2017|language=en}}</ref>

====2020 election====
In December 2020, Simpson was one of 126 Republican members of the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] to sign an [[amicus brief]] in support of ''[[Texas v. Pennsylvania]]'', a lawsuit filed at the [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court]] contesting the results of the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]]. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked [[Standing (law)|standing]] under [[Article Three of the United States Constitution|Article III of the Constitution]] to challenge the results of an election held by another state.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Liptak|first=Adam|author-link=Adam Liptak|date=2020-12-11|title=Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-election-texas.html|access-date=2020-12-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234955/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-election-texas.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Order in Pending Case|url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/121120zr_p860.pdf|date=2020-12-11|publisher=[[Supreme Court of the United States]]|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234004/https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/121120zr_p860.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/politics/read-house-republicans-texas-supreme-court/index.html|title=Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court|first=Daniella |last=Diaz|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212000435/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/politics/read-house-republicans-texas-supreme-court/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2021, Simpson voted to certify both Arizona's and Pennsylvania's results in the [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count]].

On May 19, 2021, Simpson was one of 35 Republicans to join all Democrats in voting to approve legislation to establish the [[January 6 commission]] meant to investigate the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|attack of the U.S. Capitol]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/19/politics/house-republicans-january-6-commission/index.html|title=Here are the 35 House Republicans who voted for the January 6 commission|publisher=CNN|last=LeBlanc|first=Paul|date=May 19, 2021|access-date=May 19, 2021}}</ref>

====Immigration====
In 2021, Simpson voted for the [[Farm Workforce Modernization Act]] of 2021, which passes work visas for illegal immigrant farm workers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/117/house/1/93|title = Passes Path to Legal Status for... – H.R.1603: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to|date = 12 August 2015}}</ref>

Simpson voted for the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which authorized DHS to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1865/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22Further+Consolidated+Appropriations+Act%2C+2020%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=2 |title=Text – H.R.1865 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020|website=Congress.gov |date= 20 December 2019|access-date=2022-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2019689 |title=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=2022-01-18 |archive-date=2021-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118053727/https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2019689 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Simpson voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1158),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/116-2019/h690|title = H.R. 1158: DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act … -- House Vote #690 -- Dec 17, 2019}}</ref> which effectively prohibits [[Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] from cooperating with the [[Department of Health and Human Services]] to detain or remove [[Alien (law)|illegal alien]] sponsors of [[Unaccompanied Alien Children]].{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Simpson supports [[Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals]] (DACA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.wttw.com/sites/default/files/article/file-attachments/2017-12-05-DACA_Letter_1.pdf|title=Letter to Speaker Ryan|website=News.wttw.com|access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref>

====LGBT rights====
In 2021, Simpson was among the House Republicans to sponsor the Fairness for All Act, the Republican alternative to the Equality Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr1440|title = Fairness for All Act (H.R. 1440)|website=Govtrack.us}}</ref> The bill would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and protect the free exercise of religion.

In 2021, Simpson was one of 29 Republicans to vote to reauthorize the [[Violence Against Women Act]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-03-17|title=Roll Call 86 Roll Call 86, Bill Number: H. R. 1620, 117th Congress, 1st Session|url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202186|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives|language=en}}</ref> This bill expanded legal protections for transgender people and contained provisions allowing transgender women to use women's shelters and serve time in prisons matching their gender identity.<ref>{{cite web|title=House Renews Violence Against Women Act, But Senate Hurdles Remain|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/17/977842441/house-renews-violence-against-women-act-but-senate-hurdles-remain|access-date=2021-06-04|website=NPR|date=17 March 2021|language=en|last1=Davis|first1=Susan}}</ref>

In 2022, Simpson was one of 47 House Republicans to vote with the Democratic Party for the [[Respect for Marriage Act]], repealing the [[Defense of Marriage Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3566600-these-are-the-47-house-republicans-who-voted-for-a-bill-protecting-marriage-equality/ | title=These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality | date=19 July 2022 }}</ref> He later voted for the final form of the bill as passed in the Senate in December.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Here's which House members voted for or against the Respect for Marriage Act |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2022/house-vote-count-respect-for-marriage-act/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
For the [[118th United States Congress|118th Congress]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael K. Simpson |url=https://clerk.house.gov/members/S001148 |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=May 24, 2023}}</ref>
* [[United States House Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies]]
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies]] (Chairman)
** [[United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies]]

===Party leadership===
* House Republican Steering Committee

===Caucus membership===
* [[Afterschool Caucuses]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Congressional Caucuses|author=|url=https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|format=|publisher=Afterschool Alliance|date=|accessdate=31 October 2024}}</ref>
* House Potato Caucus – Co-chair
* House Sugar Caucus – Co-chair
* Oral Health Caucus – Co-chair
* Congressional TRIO Caucus – Co-chair
* [[Congressional Western Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://westerncaucus.house.gov/about/membership.htm|access-date=25 June 2018|publisher=Congressional Western Caucus}}</ref>
* Nuclear Cleanup Caucus
* [[Republican Main Street Partnership]]<ref>{{cite web|title=MEMBERS|url=https://www.republicanmainstreet.org/members|access-date=2021-03-01|website=RMSP|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Rare Disease Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=8 January 2025}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the Caucus on U.S. - Türkiye Relations & Turkish Americans|author=|url=https://www.tc-america.org/in-congress/caucus.htm|format=|publisher=Turkish Coalition of America|date=|accessdate=27 March 2025}}</ref>