White House Influence and Interference

Feb 8, 2016

Top 400 Taxpayers See Tax Rates Rise, But There’s More to the Story

As Americans were gathering party supplies to greet the New Year, the Internal Revenue Service released their annual report of cumulative tax data reported on the 400 tax r...

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Feb 4, 2016

Chlorine Bleach Plants Needlessly Endanger 63 Million Americans

Chlorine bleach plants across the U.S. put millions of Americans in danger of a chlorine gas release, a substance so toxic it has been used as a chemical weapon. Greenpeace’s new repo...

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Jan 25, 2016

U.S. Industrial Facilities Reported Fewer Toxic Releases in 2014

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2014 is now available. The good news: total toxic releases by reporting facilities decreased by nearly six percent from 2013 levels. Howe...

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Jan 22, 2016

Methane Causes Climate Change. Here's How the President Plans to Cut Emissions by 40-45 Percent.

UPDATE (Jan. 22, 2016): Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its proposed rule to reduce methane emissions...

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more news

After White House Interference, EPA to Reconsider Lead Monitoring

Jul 23, 2009 by Matthew Madia

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced yesterday that it may require more air quality monitoring devices to be placed around the country to calculate levels of airborne lead.

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Another Hold Placed on Sunstein

Jul 22, 2009 by Matthew Madia

As reported by FoxNews.com this morning, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has placed a hold on Cass Sunstein, President Obama’s pick to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). Cornyn’s hold comes just one week after Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) lifted his hold on the nomination.

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Chambliss Lifts Hold on Sunstein

Jul 16, 2009 by Matthew Madia

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) will lift his hold on Cass Sunstein, according to Congress Daily (subscription): " 'I am not gonna keep him from confirmation and I intend to lift my hold,' Chambliss said on the Senate floor. The step may clear Sunstein for quick confirmation, though Senate aides have warned other holds are possible."

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No End in Sight for Sunstein Nomination

Jul 15, 2009 by Matthew Madia

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) is not lifting his hold on the nomination of Cass Sunstein – President Obama’s pick to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). Per the senator’s request, Sunstein met face to face with Chambliss yesterday to discuss the reasons for the hold.

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FDA’s New Salmonella Standard and a Focus on Prevention

Jul 9, 2009 by Matthew Madia

Today, the Food and Drug Administration published a final rule that will reduce the risk of salmonella contamination posed by shell eggs. The agency estimates the new regulation will prevent 79,000 illnesses and 30 deaths every year.

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Obama Administration Pushing Broad Food Safety Agenda

Jul 7, 2009 by Matthew Madia

The Obama administration has announced major steps aimed at improving the safety of the nation’s food supply. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Vice President Joe Biden announced the agenda at press conference this afternoon.

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Chambliss Placing Hold on Sunstein Nomination

Jun 30, 2009 by Matthew Madia

The Hill has identified Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) as the Senator who has placed a hold on the nomination of Cass Sunstein, President Obama’s pick to head the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). The Hill outlines Chambliss’s concerns.

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Defense Industry Questions Health Effects of Rocket Fuel Additive

Jun 25, 2009 by Matthew Madia

The military-industrial complex is once again lobbying the Environmental Protection Agency in hopes of staving off regulation of a harmful chemical found in rocket fuel.

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Sunstein Nomination Delayed over Views on Animal Rights

Jun 16, 2009 by Matthew Madia

Senate Republicans are holding up the nomination of Cass Sunstein, President Obama’s pick to head the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, according to Congress Daily (via govexec.com).

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OIRA's Role in the Obama Administration Examined

A panel of regulatory policy experts discussed how the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has been functioning during the Obama administration and how reforms could benefit the public. The discussion came as the White House prepares to issue a new executive order that could alter the way regulations are written.

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