Government Matters

Study Finds Nuclear Facilities Vulnerable to Attack

Access to information on nuclear security has been hard to come by, but some information has been surfacing that raises concerns about the security of America's nuclear power plants. Since 9/11, nuclear reactors and chemical plants have received considerable attention with critics calling for stronger government requirements and oversight to better ensure the safety of neighboring communities.

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Waxman Introduces Open Government Bill

Open government advocates, who have suffered for years in defensive efforts to hold back a rising tide of secrecy, just got something to cheer about. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) introduced a bill last week to make it easier for citizens to challenge agency denials under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in court. The legislation would also reverse several policies and practices tied most closely to the Bush administration that undermine open government.

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Congressional Report Cites Growing Bush Secrecy

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) released a report last week detailing the vast expansion of secrecy and restrictions in public access to government information under the Bush administration. The Special Investigations Division of the House Government Reform Committee's minority staff prepared the report, "Secrecy in the Bush Administration," for Waxman.

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Congress Defies White House, Saves Overtime for Millions

Both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House of Representatives have defied a White House veto threat and voted to save overtime rights for millions of workers.

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Return of a 'CYA' Budget Policy

The long-ago defeated proposal for a balanced budget constitutional amendment is rearing its ugly head once again. Unable to pass a budget this year and having created near-record deficits, some members of the House are desperate to create the appearance of being fiscally responsible, and are considering bringing up a vote on the measure (H. J. RES. 22).

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Economy and Jobs Watch: Cyclically Adjusted Deficit Reaches Record High

The cyclically adjusted deficit -- that is, the deficit adjusted to remove economic fluctuations -- reached an all-time high of $374 billion in 2004 according to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office. As a share of the overall economy, the cyclically adjusted deficit at 3.2 percent of GDP is at its highest levels since the early 1990's -- and has been exceeded in only 7 of the last 42 years (see chart below.)

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Appropriators Continue Slow Pace

With much of the appropriations work still left to do, the Congress has been creeping along with their annual appropriations work. To date, only two of the 13 bills have made it to conference. The likelihood of an omnibus bill, a lame duck session, and/or a continuing resolution seems to be growing.

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Politics over Science: Change in Recovery Plan for Salmon Smells Fishy

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced August 31 it will not consider removing dams in the Columbia and Snake rivers in order to save the endangered salmon population. The announcement contradicts twenty years of research by both environmental groups and government agencies that supports breaching the dams as the most effective way to save the endangered fish population.

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FDA Quietly Drops Rule to Protect Recipients of Contaminated Blood

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quietly abandoned work on a proposal to protect recipients of plasma-derived products, according to the agency's most recent statement of its regulatory priorities for the next six months. The proposal was initially placed on the FDA's regulatory agenda, a semiannual publication of the agency's recent activities and upcoming regulatory priorities, back in 1999 in response to a House committee report identifying weaknesses in the FDA's efforts to protect the nation's blood supply from infectious agents.

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IRS Audits Nonprofits, Lets Big Business Slide

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has begun a major effort to examine internal financial issues of charities and foundations. IRS Announcement 2004-206, issued August 10, said nearly 2,000 charities and foundations will be contacted and asked for information about their salary practices and procedures. The effort will include a broader review of foundations that will eventually include examinations of over 400 organizations, and conclude in July 2005.

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