Former Senator Alan Simpson Dies at 93

Former US Senator Alan Simpson passed away on March 14, 2025 at the age of 93. Simpson was elected to the Senate in 1978 and served for three terms, from 1979 to 1997.

Simpson was known for his sharp wit, “We have two political parties in this country, the Stupid Party and the Evil Party. I belong to the Stupid Party,” was among his many well-known quips. Simpson was also lauded for his bipartisan spirit and dedication to public service.

He leaves behind a legacy marked by his decades-long tenure in the Senate and his influential role as co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, commonly known as the Simpson-Bowles Commission.

Born on September 2, 1931, in Denver, Colorado, and raised in Cody, Wyoming, Simpson received his law degree from the University of Wyoming, he practiced law before entering politics. He represented Wyoming with a pragmatic and often irreverent approach that earned him respect across party lines.

Simpson served as the Republican Whip from 1985 to 1995, the second-ranking position in the Senate Republican leadership. He chaired the Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Social Security, where he developed a reputation as a staunch advocate for reforming the nation’s entitlement programs. His outspoken critiques of fiscal policy, including his colorful phrase “greedy geezers” to describe resistance to Social Security reform, underscored his willingness to tackle politically sensitive issues head-on.

Simpson was tapped by President Barack Obama in 2010 to co-chair the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform alongside Erskine Bowles, a former White House Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton. The Simpson-Bowles Commission was tasked with addressing the growing federal deficit and ensuring the long-term solvency of programs like Social Security and Medicare. The commission’s final report, released in December 2010 and titled “The Moment of Truth,” proposed a mix of spending cuts and revenue increases to reduce the federal deficit by nearly $4 trillion over a decade.

The plan included controversial measures such as gradually raising the Social Security retirement age, reducing benefits for higher earners, and eliminating certain tax deductions to bolster federal revenues. While the proposal garnered support from 11 of the commission’s 18 members—a bipartisan coalition of five Republicans, five Democrats, and one Independent—it fell short of the 14 votes needed to force congressional action. Despite its failure to become law, the Simpson-Bowles framework remains a touchstone in debates over fiscal policy, lauded by deficit hawks for its comprehensive approach and criticized by others for its reliance on benefit cuts.

Simpson’s work on the commission reflected his lifelong commitment to fiscal discipline and intergenerational fairness. He often argued that without reform, future generations would bear the burden of an unsustainable national debt. His blunt style and willingness to challenge sacred cows made him a polarizing yet respected figure in Washington.

Simpson was known for his humor and accessibility, traits that endeared him to colleagues and constituents alike. After retiring from the Senate, he remained active in public life, teaching at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and serving as a commentator on national affairs.

Simpson is survived by his wife, Ann Schroll Simpson, whom he married in 1954, and their three children, Susan, William, and Colin, as well as several grandchildren.