Government Policy Newslinks

Tuesday
March 18, 2008

Index to today's
Federal Register

Index to yesterday's
Congressional Record
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GOVERNMENT
Supreme Court
White House
Federal Departments
Independent Agencies
Congressional Agencies
U.S. Senate
House of Representatives

INTEREST GROUPS
Topics that are covered in today's collection of interest group press releases and statements:
Aging
Civil service
Conservation
Consumers
Discrimination
Economic indicators
Economy
Education
Ethics
Homeland security
Internet
Media
Pharmacy
Religion
War on Terror
Wildlife

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Ed Zuckerman, Editor

Supreme Court

Orders list for Monday, March 17

White House

President
Discusses economy

Meets with Ireland Prime Minister Bertie Ahern

Remarks with Ireland Prime Minister Bertie Ahern at St. Patrick's Day reception

Federal Departments

Commerce/Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. international transactions: 4th quarter and year 2007 current account

Defense/Contracts
Contract announcements for March 17

HHS/National Institutes of Health
Launches center to study genomics and health disparities

Homeland Security
Signs visa waiver program agreements with Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania

Interior/Bureau of Reclamation
Extends public comment period on proposed fee changes at New Melones Lake

Justice/FBI
Responds to Inspector General's audit of Terrorist Watch List nomination process

Treasury/IRS
Announces economic stimulus payment schedules, provides online payment calculator

Treasury/Office of Public Affairs
U.S. international reserve position

Treasury International Capital data for January

Independent Agencies

Broadcasting Board of Governors
VOA and RFA increase broadcasts to Tibet

Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Energy Transfer Partners and three subsidiaries to pay $10 million to settle charges of manipulating natural gas prices

Consumer Product Safety Commission
MEGA Brands (NJ) recalls 1.1 million Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. pre-school magnetic toys for aspiration and intestinal hazards

MEGA Brands (NJ) recalls 1.3 million MagnaMan magnetic action figures for aspiration and intestinal hazards

Federal Communications Commission
Commissioner Tate statement on Supreme Court decision to review indecency case

Commissioner Copps statement on Supreme Court decision to review indecency case

Federal Reserve Bank
Approves discount rate decrease from 3.5% to 3.25%

Announces 2 initiatives to bolster market liquidity and promote orderly market functioning

Federal Trade Commission
ValueClick to pay $2.9 million to settle deceptive advertising and email claims

NASA
Awards contract for design study of lunar landing craft

National Credit Union Administration
Vice Chairman Hood underscores need to increase home ownership among the underserved

National Transportation Safety Board
5th update: Investigation into collapse of I=35 bridge

Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Affirms final rule amending designation and handling of safeguards information

U.S. Postal Service
Offers free recycling through the mail in 1,500 post offices for inkjet cartridges and small electronics

Congressional Agencies

Government Accountability Office
Aviation and the environment: FAA's and NASA's research and development plans for noise reduction are aligned but the prospects of achieving noise reduction goals are uncertain

Defense acquisitions: Progress made in fielding missile defense, but program is short of meeting goals

Defense acquisitions: Termination costs are generally not a compelling reason to continue programs or contracts that otherwise warrant ending

Global War on Terrorism: Reported obligations for the Department of Defense

Tax policy: Tax-exempt status of certain bonds merits reconsideration, and apparent non-compliance with insurance cost limitations should be addressed

Vehicle donations: Selected charities reported mixed experiences after changes in vehicle donation rules

U.S. Senate

Finance Committee - Democrats
Chairman Baucus comments on economy, Bear Stearns sale

Chairman Baucus, colleagues question USDA rule on Argentina beef

Ensign, John NV
Introduces legislation to revise 1,250-mile flight distance perimeter from Reagan National Airport

Enzi, Mike WY
Pushes Justice Dept. to investigate merger of three large meat packing companies

House of Representatives

Energy & Commerce Committee - Democrats
Requests EPA documents regarding dismissal of scientist at chemical industry's request

Foreign Affairs Committee - Democrats
Urges Chinese to show restraint in treatment of demonstrators and to negotiate Tibetan issues with Dalai Lama

Oversight & Government Reform Committee - Democrats
Seeks clarification of Senate energy bill provision regarding federal payments on new fuel sources that will exacerbate global warming

Grijalva, Raul AZ
Introduces legislation to put 1 million acres in Grand Canyon vicinity off limits to uranium mining

Manzullo, Don IL
China's disrepect for human rights in Tibet casts a shadow over 2008 Olympic Games

Wilson, Joe SC
Introduces legislation to provide $15,000 tax credit to individuals who buy a single-family home

Interest Groups

Aging

American Academy of Neurology
Research shows severity of brain changes is linked to how well elderly get around and keep their balance

Civil service
National Treasury Employees Union
General Services Administration raises the federal mileage reimbursement rate to 50.5¢ per mile for use of personal vehicles for government business

Conservation
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Maine Dept. of Transportation shows renewed interest in developing Sears Island as a cargo port

Consumers
American Insurance Association
Legislation to prevent use of credit information for personal lines insurance is unnecessary and could harm consumers

Discrimination
Pacific Legal Foundation
Lawsuit accuses Berkeley (CA) schools of racial discrimination in making school assignments

Economic indicators
Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI
Industrial production report shows sector remains in recession

National Association of Home Builders
Builder confidence in single-family home market remained near historic low in March

National Association of Manufacturers
Weak industrial production reflects downturn in housing and automaking

Economy
Economic Policy Institute
Federal Reserve's emergency action on sale of Bear Stearns fails to address underlying issues

Education
National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education
California high schools fail to prepare students for college-level instruction

Ethics
Environmental Working Group
House Committee launches investigation of corruption of science panels at EPA

Homeland security
American Civil Liberties Union
Dept. of Justice report on Terror Watch lists confirms they have grown out of control

Defenders of Wildlife
Asks Supreme Court to test constitutionality of DHS authority to build wall on U.S.-Mexico border

Internet
Public Knowledge
Interest groups tell FCC that text messaging discrimination problem needs to be resolved

Media
National Association of Broadcasters
Supreme Court accepts review of FCC's "fleeting expletives" policy

Parents Television Council
Supreme Court will review indecency case stemming from expletives during live broadcasts of 2002 and 2003 Billboard Music Awards shows

Pharmacy
American Association for Justice
Urges FDA to reject immunity for drug companies that fail to warn patients of potential drug hazards

Religion
United Church of Christ
Rev. Wright's histrionic preaching is no worse than overcharged rhetoric of television commentators

War on Terror
American Enterprise Institute
Releases study of public opinion on 5th anniversary of Iraq war

Wildlife
National Parks Conservation Association
Congress must act to save Yellowstone bison from slaughter