News release: “Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the two departments are revoking an eleventh-hour Bush administration rule that undermined Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. Their decision requires federal agencies to once again consult with federal wildlife experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Legislation
EPA Lays out a Plan for the Nation's Increase in Renewable Fuels
News release: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing its strategy for increasing the supply of renewable fuels, poised to reach 36 billion gallons by 2022, as mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.” Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS2) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: “EPA, under the Energy Independence and Security Act of… Continue Reading
Energy & Commerce Democrats Announce "Cash for Clunkers" Agreement
“Chairman Henry A. Waxman, Subcommittee Chairman Edward J. Markey, Chairman Emeritus John D. Dingell, Congresswoman Betty Sutton, Congressman Jay Inslee, and Congressman Bart Stupak reached an agreement on a “Cash for Clunkers” program that will help the auto industry while cleaning our air. This agreement is based on H.R. 1550 [Consumer Assistance to Recycle and… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports: Cyber Threats and Federal Systems, GAO Oversight
Information Security: Cyber Threats and Vulnerabilities Place Federal Systems at Risk, GAO-09-661T, May 5, 2009: “Cyber threats to federal information systems and cyber-based critical infrastructures are evolving and growing. These threats can be unintentional and intentional, targeted or nontargeted, and can come from a variety of sources, such as foreign nations engaged in espionage and… Continue Reading
EPA Does Not Provide Oversight of Radon Testing Accuracy and Reliability
EPA OIG: “EPA does not perform oversight of radon testing device accuracy or reliability. The 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act required that EPA establish proficiency programs for firms offering radon-related services, including testing and mitigation. EPA established and operated proficiency programs until 1998, when it disinvested in these programs. According to Agency representatives, EPA has… Continue Reading
Treasury: Leveling the Playing Field: Curbing Tax Havens and Removing Tax Incentives for Shifting Jobs Overseas
News release: “Today, President Obama and Secretary Geithner are unveiling two components [Fact Sheet and Backgrounder] of the Administration’s plan to reform our international tax laws and improve their enforcement. First, they are calling for reforms to ensure that our tax code does not stack the deck against job creation here on our shores. Second,… Continue Reading
Recent CRS Reports: Airport Passenger Screening, Bankruptcy vs. Conservatorship, NATO Enlargement
March 05, 2209 – Legal Issues Related to Funding for Religious Schools in P.L. 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 April 23, 2009 – Airport Passenger Screening: Background and Issues for Congress April 20, 2009 – Insolvency of Systemically Significant Companies: Bankruptcy vs. Conservatorship/Receivership April 16, 2009 – Organized Crime in the… Continue Reading
Senate Passes Judiciary Committee-Reported Anti-Fraud Legislation
“On Tuesday, April 28, the Senate overwhelmingly passed anti-fraud legislation that was reported earlier this year by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act was introduced on February 5 by Committee Members Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Ted Kaufman (D-Del.). On February 11, the Committee held a hearing to consider… Continue Reading
Treasury: Protecting American Credit Card Owners
News release: “Today, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, joined by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, met with consumer groups, civil rights leaders and credit card consumers to discuss the national need for credit card reform. The discussion centered on the House Bill, Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights of 2009, (HR 627) which is set for a vote… Continue Reading
NYCStat Stimulus Tracker
News release: “With the NYCStat Stimulus Tracker, New Yorkers can track the Citys use of federal stimulus/recovery funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This funding includes federal tax cuts, expansion of unemployment benefits and other social welfare provisions, and domestic spending in education, health care, energy efficiency and infrastructure.… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports: Defense Acquisitions, Environmental Satellites, Recovery Act, Foreign Aid Reform, Transportation Security
Defense Acquisitions: Actions Needed to Ensure Value for Service Contracts, GAO-09-643T, April 23, 2009. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites: Acquisition Has Increased Costs, Reduced Capabilities, and Delayed Schedules, GAO-09-596T, April 23, 2009 Recovery Act: As Initial Implementation Unfolds in States and Localities, Continued Attention to Accountability Issues Is Essential, GAO-09-631T, April 23, 2009 Recovery Act: As… Continue Reading
President Obama, Secretary Salazar Announce Framework for Renewable Energy Development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf
News release: “Today, in an Earth Day speech at a wind turbine tower manufacturing plant, President Barack Obama announced that the Department of the Interior has finalized a long-awaited framework for renewable energy production on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The framework establishes a program to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way for orderly, safe,… Continue Reading
