I strongly support a responsible, revitalized domestic nuclear energy program
Support a responsible, revitalized domestic nuclear energy program.
Occurrences
Evidence
I strongly support the development of all forms of energy ... At the same time, I firmly believe that the revitalization of the nuclear industry is critical to meeting our energy security needs in the future. ... I have proudly supported a revitalized nuclear energy research and development program in Idaho and expanded use of nuclear power to meet our nation’s growing energy needs.
Roll Call 7 | Bill Number: H. R. 6938 ... Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 ... Status: Passed ... Simpson | Republican | Idaho | Yea
Rep. Russ Fulcher, joined by original cosponsor Rep. Mike Simpson, introduced the Integrated Energy Systems Act of 2020 to increase research and to leverage the resources and expertise at our National Laboratories (including Idaho National Laboratory), the Department of Energy, and our higher education institutions.
The United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 6938 ... Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson supported this advancement and secured critical funding for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This bill champions America’s nuclear deterrent ... Highlights of the bill include: Provides funding for INL’s Microreactor Application Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) project ... Provides funding for the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) Test Bed at INL ... Funding for ... advanced reactor construction and demonstrations ... Funding for ... HALEU reactor fuel.
In an April 22, 2026 op-ed, Simpson said the United States has entered a new nuclear era, credited executive actions accelerating advanced reactor deployment, and emphasized that he has spent years funding DOE nuclear programs and supporting Idaho National Laboratory as the center of that work.
On January 8, 2026, Simpson publicly backed House passage of the FY2026 Energy and Water appropriations package and said it secured critical funding for Idaho National Laboratory, including nuclear research, advanced reactor work, MARVEL, DOME, and HALEU-related priorities.
Assessments
Simpson promised to support a responsible, revitalized domestic nuclear energy program, which is a support/action pledge rather than a pledge to single-handedly enact a complete national nuclear buildout. The evidence shows repeated same-office, same-term federal action: he voted for and publicly backed FY2026 Energy and Water appropriations with nuclear research, advanced reactor, MARVEL, DOME, HALEU, and Idaho National Laboratory funding; he previously cosponsored nuclear innovation legislation; and he has consistently used his House role to fund DOE nuclear programs and promote INL-centered advanced reactor development. Because the promise was to support the program and he materially advanced it through appropriations, cosponsorship, and public advocacy while still serving in the relevant federal office, this counts as delivered in the same term/context. The effort badge is warranted because the record includes concrete legislative and appropriations work, not merely rhetoric.
The promise was to support a responsible, revitalized domestic nuclear energy program, not to single-handedly enact a specific nuclear buildout. The evidence shows Simpson repeatedly took concrete supportive actions during his terms, including voting for Energy and Water appropriations with nuclear research and advanced reactor funding, securing Idaho National Laboratory priorities such as MARVEL, DOME, advanced reactor demonstrations, and HALEU fuel support, and cosponsoring nuclear energy innovation legislation. These actions directly match the promised support for domestic nuclear energy revitalization.