U.S. Government

Beware The Tobacco Company That Begs for FDA Regulation

It's not often you hear of a tobacco company begging for government regulation--especially one that has screamed "too much government regulation" at virtually every tobacco-related public health law proposed in the past. But that's exactly what tobacco company lobbyists are doing. Lobbyists for Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris (PM), have reportedly been distributing to Congress members summaries of two legislative bills that both propose the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate cigarettes. A colleague of mine managed to obtain a copy of the summaries. It has Altria's logo on it.

On Iran Allegations, Consider the Source

On February 10, the New York Times ran a story about "an increasing body of evidence" suggesting "an Iranian role" in supplying the "deadliest weapon aimed at American troops in Iraq." Editor & Publisher's Greg Mitchell wants readers to consider the source. The sources cited are "civilian and military officials from a broad range of government agencies," almost all anonymous. And the author of the piece is Michael R.

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Manipulation of Iraq Intelligence "Inappropriate but not Illegal"

An investigation by the Defense Department's Inspector General -- called "very damning" by Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Sen. Carl Levin -- found "inappropriate but not illegal" manipulation of intelligence in the lead-up to the Iraq War.

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House Extends Federal Budget, Senate Set to Act Next Week

On January 31, the House passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal budget for the rest of the current (2007) fiscal year (which lasts through Sept. 30) at the same levels as fiscal year 2006. The federal budget is generally funded through eleven separate appropriations bills, but the Republican-led 109th Congress was unable to pass nine of those, making it necessary for Congress to pass a resolution "continuing" last year's budget.

Turf Changes Favor Corporate "Grassroots" Lobbyists

"When Congress reeled in traditional lobbyists in January, it gave a boost to lobby firms and trade associations that specialize in swaying lawmakers by stirring public sentiment in their districts," writes Jessica Holzer. House and Senate bills "ban gifts and trips from lobbyists," but "lobbyists escaped having to disclose their grassroots activities when the Senate ...

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