Alan Simpson (American politician)

Alan Simpson
Official portrait, c. 1970s
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
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 – November 10, 1977
Personal details
Born	Alan Kooi Simpson (1931-09-02)September 2, 1931 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Died	March 14, 2025(2025-03-14) (aged 93) Cody, Wyoming, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Susan 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
Simpson's voice Simpson on the contributions of the Hispanic community to Wyoming Recorded September 16, 1992

Alan Kooi Simpson (September 2, 1931 – March 14, 2025) was an American politician from Wyoming. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a member of the United States Senate from 1979 to 1997. Simpson was Republican Senate whip from 1985 to 1995, serving as majority whip from 1985 to 1987. He also served as co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (often referred to as Simpson–Bowles) with Democratic co-chair Erskine Bowles of North Carolina.

Born in Denver, Simpson completed his undergraduate and law school studies at the University of Wyoming. He served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1965–1977 before being elected to the US Senate in 1978. After serving three terms, Simpson declined to seek re-election in 1996. After leaving office, Simpson practiced law and taught at multiple universities. He also served on the Continuity of Government Commission, American Battle Monuments Commission, and Iraq Study Group. He was a vocal proponent of amending the US Constitution to overturn Citizens United v. FEC (2010) and allow Congress to set campaign spending limits.^[1]