Two reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with vastly different conclusions raise questions both about the connection between Navy sonar and whale beachings and about consistency within, and the scientific integrity of, the agency.

An Apr. 20 Senate staff briefing brought to Congress's attention concerns over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposals to reduce Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemical reporting. A diverse panel of experts discussed how the changes proposed by EPA would cripple this successful environmental program, undermine first responder readiness, impede financial investment decisions and interfere with state and local programs. Panelist were:

Proposals are gathering steam in the 109th Congress for "sunset commissions" -- forcing federal programs to plead for their lives before an unelected commission with the power to recommend whether they live or die. Proposals for sunset commissions have been introduced several times over the last ten years, but they have rarely advanced beyond the occasional courtesy hearing. In the 109th Congress, not only have several members of Congress introduced sunset bills, but also the White House itself released its own proposal.