This Week in the Halls of Power: Lawmakers tackle regulations, we tell super committee how to cut spending and petition the FDA
Public Citizen is still operating in overdrive after last week’s hugely successful 40th Anniversary Gala. (Read a recap here and check out pictures here.) We plan to post video of the gala’s speeches early this week, so check back!
This week, we have a lot on tap.
We will be asking the FDA to place a stronger warning on the label of a drug because of its increased risk of mortality.
And Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen’s Energy Program, will participate in a briefing on Capitol Hill regarding a coalition report we put out telling Congress’ supercommittee how it can cut billions of dollars of federal spending by trimming environmentally harmful subsidies.
Speaking of action on the Hill, many pro-Big Business lawmakers will be back at it tomorrow, pressing their anti-consumer agenda, which involves blocking federal agencies from being able to issue life-saving safeguards that protect public health, the environment and more. We will be there to counter them. Watch for a double-header tomorrow: First up, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the Regulatory Accountability Act, followed by a mark-up of the REINS Act. That’s the bill that would require Congress to approve every single health, safety and environmental rule – which of course would bring our regulatory system to a standstill. Stay tuned for Public Citizen’s take on the legislation.
Also on the regulatory front, Public Citizen will be chatting this week with small business owners who disagree with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and value regulation. We’ll hear their stories and report back.
And on the direct action front, we continue to push for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission [the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said corporations can spend as much as they want to influence elections] and are excited to have U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on board for our November 9 house party calls. There is still time to get involved!
Well, lots to do now, so time to get back to work. Thanks for checking in and be sure to check back often to see what else is coming down the pipeline. (Yes, that’s also something we’re working on.)