Publications

Legislators Introduce Competing Entitlement Commission Proposals

The 110th Congress is barely two months old, but several lawmakers have introduced proposals to create "entitlement commissions" that would be charged with formulating policies to address projected long-term fiscal challenges in Social Security and Medicare. The plans have surfaced just as there are increasing concerns on Capitol Hill about the fiscal gap — that is, the amount of spending reduction or tax increases needed to keep the national debt as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) at or below the current ratio. There are currently three plans:

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    ECAP Campaign Takes Positive Budget Message to States

    The Emergency Campaign for America's Priorities (ECAP) has been promoting its "First Things First" agenda for the FY 2008 budget with local events all over the country since February. The "First Things First" agenda is premised on the belief that public services need to be expanded to ensure equal opportunity and prosperity for all Americans. To this end, ECAP has requested that Congress, for FY 08:
    • Provide $450 billion for domestic discretionary spending.

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    War Spending Keeps Climbing, Says CBO

    A new round of defense and emergency appropriations will raise the total amount of money spent on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to nearly $750 billion by the end of FY 2008, according to a recent report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

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    In Congress, No Shortage of Fuel Economy Proposals

    In Washington, legislators and White House officials continue to debate reform of the federal standard for vehicle fuel efficiency. Democrats and Republicans have questioned Bush administration officials on the president's proposal to alter the fuel economy standard for passenger vehicles. Members in both chambers of Congress have also proposed bills that would change the standard.

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    Scientific Consultant Sparks Controversy over Conflicts of Interest

    Recent findings indicate a consultant to a federal reproductive health sciences panel also has industry ties, creating a conflict of interest. The controversy raises concerns about scientific integrity in the federal regulatory process, as well as contractor transparency and responsibility.

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    Bush Continues Anti-Regulatory Efforts with Industry Nominee to CPSC

    In nominating Michael E. Baroody Mar. 1 to be chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), President Bush demonstrated yet another example since the 2006 elections of his efforts to slow down or roll back government regulation. CPSC is the independent regulatory agency charged with protecting the public against injury and death from a wide range of consumer products.

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    Against the Public's Will

    TRI2 This summary of responses to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) plans to cut toxic reporting offers a detailed analysis of the comments submitted EPA's public docket on the proposed changes to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The report identifies nine stakeholder groups, details the level of support or opposition of each group, and summarizes the main points raised by each group.

     

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    Latest Developments on Bush Changes to the Regulatory Process

    Mar 1, 2007 by Matthew Madia

    OMB Watch has created a new web center to be the one-stop source for news and developments on President Bush's recent amendments to Executive Order 12866. The web center will be frequently updated with fresh insights, news from Capitol Hill, and links to media coverage.

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    Latest Watcher

    Feb 22, 2007 by Matthew Madia

    Be sure to check out the latest issue of our biweekly newsletter, The Watcher. Reg policy articles this time: Congress Holds Hearings on Bush's Changes to Regulatory Process FDA Drug Approval Process under Scrutiny

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    Watcher: February 21, 2007

    Feb 21, 2007 by Matt Lewis

    Congress Finally Finishes FY 07 Appropriations Congress Seeks to End IRS Privatization Program Squabbling Over Tax Cuts Continues to Delay Minimum Wage Increase

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