Senate Turns to Energy Appropriations Without Flint Funds
The Senate’s upcoming appropriations bill on energy and water development won’t include a battle over Flint’s water infrastructure. But, like any spending bill, it sports some debate about controversial riders. On tap are amendments to defund the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Rule and address the impact of the crude
Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Merkley-Daines Bipartisan Amendment Letting VA Doctors Recommend Medical Marijuana to Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC –Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed an amendment to the Military Construction funding bill led by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT) that would allow Veterans Health Administration (VA) doctors to discuss and make recommendations about the use of medical marijuana with their patients. The amendment
Wyden, Merkley Seek Improved Federal Air Quality Programs
Washington, DC — U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are urging their colleagues to improve federal air quality programs in the wake of several Portland neighborhoods learning last month that there are high levels of heavy metals in the air. “The EPA aims to protect air quality but, as
Senators Push for Funding to Repair Crumbling Water Infrastructure, Avoid Future Flint-Style Disasters
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As families in Flint, Michigan continue to struggle with lead-contaminated water, eighteen Senators are pushing to boost investment in water infrastructure repairs to avert future crises of contaminated drinking water supplies. In a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Senators
Lawmakers Question New FDA Leader on Opioids, Biosimilars
March 2 (BNA) — Opioid abuse and lack of biosimilar guidance continue to be pressing issues for the FDA, senators told the new head of the agency March 2. Robert Califf appeared on Capitol Hill for the first time as the head of the FDA, testifying at a brief hearing
The Proposal That Could Keep Medical Debt From Trashing Your Credit Score
The 43 million Americans estimated to have medical debt on their credit reports could find some credit score relief should a new Senate bill come to pass. Five senators —Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) — introduced legislation late last week that
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