Alan Simpson (American politician)

Alan K. Simpson
Simpson in 2012
Co-Chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
In office February 18, 2010 – December 1, 2010 Serving with Erskine Bowles
Appointed by	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Senate Minority Whip
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1995
Leader	Bob Dole
Preceded by	Alan Cranston
Succeeded by	Wendell Ford
Senate Majority Whip
In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1987
Leader	Bob Dole
Preceded by	Ted Stevens
Succeeded by	Alan Cranston
United States Senator from Wyoming
In office January 1, 1979 – January 3, 1997
Preceded by	Clifford Hansen
Succeeded by	Mike Enzi
Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from Park County
In office January 1965 – January 1977
Personal details
Born	Alan Kooi Simpson (1931-09-02) September 2, 1931 (age 92) Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Ann Schroll ​ (m. 1954)​
Children	3, including Colin
Relatives	Milward Simpson (father) Pete Simpson (brother)
Education	University of Wyoming (BS, JD)
Awards	Presidential Medal of Freedom (2022)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1954–1956
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Unit	5th Infantry 2nd Armored Division
Alan Simpson's voice Simpson, while in the Senate, speaks on the contributions of the Hispanic community to Wyoming Recorded September 16, 1992

Alan Kooi Simpson (born September 2, 1931)^[1] is an American politician and member of the Republican Party, who represented Wyoming in the United States Senate from 1979 to 1997. Simpson was the Republican whip in the U.S. Senate from 1985 to 1995, as majority whip from 1985 to 1987 and minority whip from 1987 to 1995. He also served as co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform with Democratic Party co-chair Erskine Bowles of North Carolina.

Born in Denver, Simpson graduated from the University of Wyoming's law school (1958). Simpson served in the Wyoming House of Representatives (1965–1977) and won election to the United States Senate (1978). His father, Milward Simpson, had served in the same seat (1962–1967). Simpson served as the Senate Republican Whip (1985–1995). After serving three terms in the Senate, Simpson declined to seek re-election in 1996.

Since leaving office, Simpson has practiced law and taught at different universities. He also served on the Continuity of Government Commission, the American Battle Monuments Commission, and the Iraq Study Group. In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed him to co-chair the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which made several recommendations on ways to reduce the national debt. He has been a vocal proponent of amending the U.S. Constitution to overturn Citizens United v. FEC (2010) and allow Congress to set reasonable limits on campaign spending in U.S. elections.^[2]