Contact: Lexi Hamel
(208) 488-2115
[email protected]
WASHINGTON—Today, the United States House of Representatives passed an effort to fix Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payment allocations. The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 would reauthorize the United States Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) through Fiscal Year 2026 and provide lapsed payments for 2024 and 2025. This initiative was supported by Idaho congressmen Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, who cosponsored the House bill and advocated for it to be brought up for a vote.
“Nearly two-thirds of Idaho is public land, which means a vast majority of rural counties throughout the state depend on the Secure Rural Schools Program. Renewing this critical program will ensure a vital source of funding for Idaho counties and help pay for essential rural community services. I look forward to seeing this lifeline benefit local communities throughout Idaho for schools and infrastructure projects. As a longtime supporter of the SRS program, I was proud to fight for this Idaho funding alongside Congressman Fulcher and support its passage on the House floor. I’m grateful to Speaker Johnson, House Leadership, and my colleagues for supporting this bipartisan program,” said Rep. Simpson.
“Having a majority of Idaho’s lands under federal government control forces our rural counties to rely on federal programs—such as Secure Rural Schools (SRS)—to support infrastructure projects, schools, and critical community services,” said Rep. Fulcher. “I am grateful to Speaker Johnson and House Republican Leadership for their collaborative efforts with myself and Congressman Simpson to get this measure on the House floor, and passed. However, a long-term solution is necessary, and I will continue to advocate for one in Congress that ensures Idahoans dictate Idaho affairs—not the federal government.”
In addition to supporting the measure on the House floor, Reps. Simpson and Fulcher both worked closely with Speaker Johnson and House Republican Leadership to reaffirm support for the program and its importance to Idahoans.
The measure passed with a vote of 399 to 5. This legislation now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
About Mike Simpson
An Idaho native, Mike Simpson was born in Burley and raised in Blackfoot. His political career began in 1980, when he was elected to the Blackfoot City Council. In 1984, he was elected to the Idaho Legislature where he served until 1998, the last six years serving as Speaker. Mike is currently serving his fourteenth term in the House of Representatives for Idaho’s second congressional district. Visit https://simpson.house.gov/ to learn more or find contact info.
