Former United States Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming delivered the Fourth Annual Culver Center Lecture on March 27, 2014. Simpson served in the United States Senate from 1979-1997, carving out a reputation as a strong, principled conservative voice for a balanced budget, veterans’ affairs and equal rights. He chaired the Veterans’ Affairs Committee (1995-97) and served as Republican Majority Whip (1985-87) and Republican Minority Whip (1987-1995).
In 2010, Simpson was appointed by President Obama to co-chair the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform with co-chair Erskine Bowles of North Carolina. The Simpson-Bowles Commission’s recommendations to address the national deficit and debt received significant national attention, but have not advanced in Congress.