Submitted by Anne Landman on
The pharmaceutical company Merck agreed to a $650 million settlement to escape charges that it routinely overbilled the U.S. government for medicines.
With the Senate approving an economic package last week, it looks like Congress can now return to some issues that were put on hold while the stimulus plan was crafted.
For example, while both the House and Senate approved a Farm bill last year, the chambers never met to iron out their differences. Earlier his month, the Senate announced conferees, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is expected to do the same tomorrow.
One possible snag may be subsidies for farmers: President Bush has threatened a veto if subsidies are included for individuals making more than $200,000 per year. Another might be the Sen. Finance Committee: Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) wants to check the bill for tax loopholes that can be closed.
A quick update on FISA, the FARM bill and the budget are after the break, along with committee schedules.
Submitted by John Stauber on
Matt Taibbi analyzes how "Democrats have surrendered to Bush on Iraq and betrayed the peace movement for their own political ends." He faults the MoveOn-led Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, "a political tool for the Democrats -- one operated from inside the Beltway and
Less than two weeks after President George W. Bush issued his call for action, Congress approved an economic stimulus package designed to put spending money in the hands of Americans. While the Senate was able to exert some pressure on the legislation, expanding eligibility for seniors and disabled veterans, Republicans successfully blocked additional measures geared toward lower-income workers and the unemployed.
Meanwhile, the debate over the stimulus package stalled work on the RESTORE Act (the FISA reform bill) in the Senate. With the recently approved 15-day extension of the Protect America Act expiring on February 16, time is again running out for electronic surveillance reform.
Major differences exist between the House and Senate versions of the bill, including the question of whether phone companies that helped the administration eavesdrop on Americans’ phone calls should receive immunity from civil lawsuits. The House approved its bill last year without an immunity provision. Meanwhile, the Senate spent the first few weeks of the year fighting over immunity, which President Bush has said is essential in a completed bill.
For more on FISA and on energy legislation, follow the link after the break.
Submitted by Anne Landman on
Mitt Romney has suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, saying that if he continued it would "be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win" and that he cannot
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
The U.S.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Shortly after a majority of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) members voted to review disclosure rules for product placement on television, the advertising industry is lobbying the agency to slow down.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's media team is led by "Kirsten Fedewa, a long-time press adviser from Huckabee's days with the Republican governors' association ... and Alice Stewart, a glamorous Arkansas TV anchor," according to the Belfast Telegraph's rundown of candidate "spinmeisters." Mitt Romney's "press team leaders are ...
The same fears of recession that are fueling quick Congressional action on an economic stimulus package are also forcing President Bush to submit a budget that trims spending on popular programs. However, despite any belt-tightening, the stimulus package will likely push the budget deficit to $400 billion, the highest since 2004 (though lower in real terms due to inflation) and a figure that will tie lawmakers’ hands heading into the 2008 elections.
The FY 2009 Federal Budget is the first to break the $3 trillion threshold. In it, Bush aims to increase defense spending by five percent, but will propose reductions in Medicaid and some education programs. Others, like the Early Start reading program, would be eliminated entirely.
The Senate will resume its review of the stimulus bill today, including amendments that would extend unemployment benefits for 13 weeks and would provide tax rebates for seniors and disabled veterans. Also up for consideration: food stamp extensions, low-income heating assistance, and home investment incentives.
For more on the budget, the FISA debate in the Senate, and committee schedules for the week, check after the break.
Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
The Democratic think tank / advocacy group Third Way has been working with Senate Democrats to help sell a controversial measure granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies, reports Matt Renner.
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