Citizen Health & Safety

Senate Panel Clears Sunstein for OIRA

May 20, 2009 by Matthew Madia

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the nomination of Cass Sunstein to be administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The nomination will now head to the full Senate for a vote.

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White House Role in Rulemaking Could Improve, Report Says

whitehouse

The White House is a major player in agency rulemakings, affecting both the content of regulations and the length of time needed to complete them, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. The report comes as advisors to President Barack Obama consider reforms to the regulatory process.

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OIRA Nominee Sunstein Promises Law and Pragmatism Will Guide Decisions

During his May 12 confirmation hearing, President Barack Obama's choice for regulatory czar, Cass Sunstein, portrayed himself as a pragmatist, one who will not use economic analysis as a straitjacket for regulations. In pledging to look to the law first for regulatory guidance, Sunstein tried to distance himself from past regulatory czars who strongly supported economic analysis to judge the adequacy of health, safety, and environmental rules.

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On Bisphenol-A Policy, the Lobbyists Are in Charge

May 18, 2009 by Matthew Madia

When it comes to bisphenol-A (BPA), a ubiquitous and likely dangerous chemical found in hard plastic products like water bottles, there seems to be three repeating story lines: state and local governments continue to take action, new studies continue to prove frightening, and evidence continues to surface showing that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no interest in protecting American consumers.

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Climate Change Memo Controversy: Lessons Learned

May 14, 2009 by Matthew Madia

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is the source of some controversial language in a climate change memo sent from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to the EPA, according to news reports.

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OMB Watch Calls on Obama Administration to Improve Scientific Integrity

May 13, 2009 by Matthew Madia

On May 13, OMB Watch submitted to the White House recommendations for improving scientific integrity in the federal government. From the comments:

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Settlements Reached in Crandall Canyon Civil Suits

May 13, 2009 by Rick Melberth*

The Salt Lake Tribune and the Mine Safety and Health News are reporting that families of victims in the August 2007 Crandall Canyon mine collapse have reached a settlement with the companies that owned and operated the mine and related insurance companies. The settlement involves three civil suits representing 16 groups of plaintiffs and includes seven defendants.

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OIRA Looms Large over Rules, GAO Says

May 13, 2009 by Matthew Madia

This week, the Government Accountability Office released a report on the rulemaking process. GAO had been asked by Congress in 2007 to assess agency rulemaking practices and to pay particular attention to the role of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) – the Executive Branch gatekeeper for all things regulatory.

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OMB Watch Statement on Cass Sunstein Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2009—On May 12, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Cass Sunstein to be administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). A highly respected academic, Professor Sunstein has authored a number of provocative writings on regulation and the regulatory process. His hearing was the first opportunity to hear how he would implement President Barack Obama's regulatory agenda.

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OMB Denies Interference in EPA Climate Policy

May 12, 2009 by Matthew Madia

Today, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag issued a statement denying that his office made any attempt to push back against the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent notice that called greenhouse gases a threat to the public.

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