Political 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...

read in full

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...

read in full

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...

read in full

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...

read in full

more news

While Sunstein Nomination Is Delayed, Regulatory Reform Waits

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has placed a hold on the nomination of Cass Sunstein, President Obama's pick to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). News of Cornyn's hold emerged July 22 – one week after Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) lifted his hold on the nomination.

read in full

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.

read in full

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.

read in full

Studies Showing Dangers of Cellphone Use while Driving Were Suppressed

Jul 21, 2009 by Matthew Madia

The Bush administration shuttered a potentially groundbreaking research project designed to examine the effects of cellphone use on driver safety, and it suppressed information that could have shed more light on the problem, according to documents uncovered by Public Citizen and the Center for Auto Safety.

read in full

Labor Appointees to Pay Workers More Attention

Jul 20, 2009 by Matthew Madia

With the Department of Labor’s new leadership picture coming into focus, it’s clear that regulatory agencies responsible for protecting workers will undertake a more proactive agenda during the Obama administration.

read in full

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."

read in full

Committee Would Get Rid of Earmark Requests Because There Wasn't Enough Space

Jul 15, 2009 by Amanda Adams*

Roll Call ($$) reports that the House ethics committee is looking into connections between earmarks and campaign contributions. The investigation will likely come across a roadblock; documentation may have been destroyed on earmark requests before 2007.

read in full

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.

read in full

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.

read in full

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.

read in full