Remembering a Veteran Lawmaker and Public Servant
Alan Simpson, a prominent figure in American politics for over two decades, died on Friday in his hometown of Cody, Wyoming, his family confirmed. The former senator, who served in the U.S. Senate from 1979 to 1997, left a notable imprint on national politics through his commitment to bipartisanship and public service.
Simpson served as the Senate Republican whip for ten years and was widely respected for his direct communication style and willingness to support causes that often diverged from his party’s mainstream views. He passed away after months of recovery from a hip fracture, according to the family’s statement.
Among Simpson’s legislative achievements, one of the most significant was the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which he co-authored with Democratic Representative Romano Mazzoli of Kentucky. The legislation was signed into law by then-President Ronald Reagan and granted legal status to approximately 2.7 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.
While the law included tougher penalties for employers who hired undocumented workers, it was also criticized by some members of the Republican Party for providing what they saw as a path to amnesty. Nonetheless, the legislation became a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy.
Throughout his career, Simpson remained committed to constructive political dialogue. In a 2011 interview with Time magazine, he lamented the growing polarization in Congress, stating, "Now it's just sharp elbows... instead of having a caucus where you sit down and say, 'What are you going to do for your country?' you sit figuring out how to block the other side."
Simpson’s ability to build friendships across party lines became a defining feature of his political life. His decades-long friendship with President Joe Biden, a former Senate colleague, culminated in Simpson receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.. an honor recognizing his commitment to national service.
Born on September 2, 1931, in Denver, Colorado, Alan Kooi Simpson was raised in Cody, Wyoming. His father, Milward Simpson, served both as governor of Wyoming and later as a U.S. senator. Following in his father’s footsteps, Alan Simpson began his political career in the Wyoming House of Representatives, where he served from 1964 to 1977 before his election to the U.S. Senate in 1978.
Simpson also served in the U.S. Army in West Germany during the 1950s before entering public life.
Advocacy for Libertarian Social Views
While Simpson maintained a generally conservative record, he was recognized for his libertarian stance on social issues, including his support for abortion rights and LGBTQ+ equality.
In a 2011 interview with MSNBC, Simpson said, “Who the hell is for abortion? I don’t know anybody running around with a sign that says, ‘Have an abortion, they’re wonderful.’ They’re hideous. But they’re a deeply intimate and personal decision, and I don’t think men legislators should even vote on the issue.”
On LGBTQ+ rights, Simpson was outspoken in opposing discrimination. “We’ve got homophobes in our party. That’s disgusting to me. We’re all human beings, we’re all God’s children,” he stated.
Simpson was known for his sharp wit, straightforward language, and candid demeanor. His responses often drew attention for their plain-spokenness. In a notable instance in 1987, Simpson criticized reporters at the White House who shouted questions at President Reagan during the Iran-Contra scandal. “You’re asking him things because you know he’s off balance and you’d like to stick it in his gazoo,” he remarked, highlighting his disdain for what he considered theatrical journalism.
Simpson-Bowles Commission and Public Policy Engagement
Even after his retirement from the Senate in 1997, Simpson remained actively engaged in national policy debates. Under President Barack Obama’s administration, he co-chaired the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, commonly referred to as the Simpson-Bowles Commission.
The panel issued a series of recommendations aimed at reducing the federal deficit, sparking discussions on tax reform, government spending, and entitlement programs. Although not adopted in full, the proposals significantly influenced fiscal policy discussions in Congress.
In 2006, Simpson was appointed to the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, tasked with evaluating and advising on U.S. military and diplomatic strategy during the Iraq War. The group issued 79 recommendations, which contributed to discussions on changing the course of U.S. involvement in the region.
Departure from Political Office
After serving three terms in the Senate, Simpson chose not to seek reelection in 1996. Following the 1994 midterm elections, which shifted control of Congress to Republicans, he was replaced as Senate Republican whip by Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi.
Simpson continued to be an influential voice in political discourse, often sharing insights on issues such as political polarization, governance, and public civility.
Final Tribute to a Political Colleague
In December 2018, Simpson delivered a eulogy at the state funeral of President George H.W. Bush at Washington National Cathedral. His remarks, delivered to an audience that included sitting and former presidents, offered a subtle critique of the political climate at the time. “Hatred corrodes the container it’s carried in,” he said, calling for greater unity and mutual respect in public life.
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