The U.S. Legal System: The Three Branches of Government
Content approved by Jerry Parker What Are the Branches of Government? There are three branches of the United States government, and they work together to make the country tick. There's the legislative branch, which makes laws. There's also the executive branch, which carries out those laws. And there's the judicial branch, which … [Read more...] about The U.S. Legal System: The Three Branches of Government
How Does a Bill Become a Law?
Content approved by Jerry Parker The people who make up the United States Congress have the job of creating laws. Every law in the United States begins as a bill. The bill must be approved by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the president before it becomes a law. This is called the legislative process. Knowing the … [Read more...] about How Does a Bill Become a Law?
FealGood Foundation Founder Urges Congress To Permanently Extend Zadroga Act
To Permanently Extend the Zadroga Act. Parker Waichman will be among the many supporters of the Zadroga Act—including Jon Stewart, formerly of “The Daily Show” and John Feal, founder of the FealGood Foundation advocacy group—lobbying for the Act’s permanent extension on September 16, 2015. Parker Waichman, a national law firm that … [Read more...] about FealGood Foundation Founder Urges Congress To Permanently Extend Zadroga Act
Renewal of Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Included in Year-End Tax and Spending Bill
Renewal of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, the legislation that provides health benefits for first responders who became ill after the September 11 attacks, has been included in the year-end tax and spending bill Congress is considering this week. An $8.1 billion measure to renew the Zadroga Act will be … [Read more...] about Renewal of Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Included in Year-End Tax and Spending Bill
Members of Congress Call for Government Accountability
Congress Call For Government Accountability. Twelve members of Congress have written to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to ask the agency to investigate why a surgical tool used in gynecologic surgery was sold for two decades before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued safety warnings about the device's … [Read more...] about Members of Congress Call for Government Accountability
Legislation Before Congress Would Weaken Testing and Regulation of Medical Devices
In a time when ever-increasing numbers of Americans rely on medical devices, legislation currently before Congress could weaken the standards the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses to determine a device’s safety and efficacy. The 21st Century Cures Act would allow devices to reach the market using case-study evidence rather … [Read more...] about Legislation Before Congress Would Weaken Testing and Regulation of Medical Devices
FDA Launches Medical Device Tracking System
Medical Device Tracking System Now Being Made. Nearly three years ago, Congress called for medical devices to be marked and tracked with unique identifiers and data on the tracked devices is now being made available to the public. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the online Global Unique Device … [Read more...] about FDA Launches Medical Device Tracking System
Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Survey Planned
Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Controversy There are some major developments to report in the Camp Lejeune toxic water controversy. These include a major study to assess the health effects of drinking the base’s poisoned water and the reintroduction of legislation in the U.S. Congress that would benefit many of those sickened by the … [Read more...] about Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Survey Planned
Medtronic’s Sprint Fidelis Victims Seek Congressional Assistance
Victims Ask for Help. Lawsuits filed by victims of the defective Medtronic Sprint Fidelis lead are in legal limbo. Thanks to a ruling last year by the U.S. Supreme Court, it is unclear if they will be able to sue Medtronic for painful injuries caused by the Sprint Fidelis defibrillator lead. According to an article in the … [Read more...] about Medtronic’s Sprint Fidelis Victims Seek Congressional Assistance
Congress Questions FDA on BPA
FDA Declares BPA Safe. Despite overwhelming skepticism and mounting evidence to the contrary, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently declared the controversial, estrogenic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) safe. Consumer groups criticize the findings used by the FDA in the face of hundreds of scientific studies suggesting … [Read more...] about Congress Questions FDA on BPA
Congress to Probe FDA Handling of Ranbaxy
FDA Handling of Ranbaxy. Members of Congress are getting ready to investigate the scandal surrounding generic drug maker Ranbaxy. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has scheduled a hearing to probe the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) handling of allegations Ranbaxy sold potentially adulterated medicines. Based … [Read more...] about Congress to Probe FDA Handling of Ranbaxy
FDA Head Asks Congress for More Funding
FDA Head Ask Congress For More Funding. Beleaguered Food and Drug Commissioner (FDA) Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach has finally written Congress saying the FDA needs an immediate $275 million to ensure the safety of imported foods, drugs, and medical devices. The May 5 request was sent to Senator Arlen … [Read more...] about FDA Head Asks Congress for More Funding
Vytorin Probe Targets Message Board Posts
Vytorin Probe Message Board Posts. The Vytorin probe in Congress took another turn this week, with investigators seeking information on several posts left on internet message boards frequented by people working in the pharmaceutical industry. Vytorin, and its makers Merck and Schering-Plough, have been under … [Read more...] about Vytorin Probe Targets Message Board Posts
BPA Investigation in Congress Targets Baby Formula Cans
BPA Used In Baby Formula Cans. Bisphenol-A, a toxic chemical that made news because it is used in the manufacture of baby formula cans, is getting attention from Congress. House Democrats are investigating whether bisphenol-A—known as BPA— poses a risk to infants. U.S. regulators claim BPA is safe for children and adults. BPA is a … [Read more...] about BPA Investigation in Congress Targets Baby Formula Cans
Congress Prepares New Product Safety Laws to Crack Down on Dangerous Toys
U.S. Congress Pass Legislation Aimed At Product Safety. A toy safety crackdown could finally come at the end of the year, as both houses of the US Congress are poised to pass legislation aimed at keeping dangerous toys and other products away from consumers. Congress has been working on toughening up product safety laws … [Read more...] about Congress Prepares New Product Safety Laws to Crack Down on Dangerous Toys
Nursing Home Abuse Bill Sits in Congress, as Elder Abuse Reaches Epidemic Proportions
Congress Drags Feet on Nursing Home Abuse Bill. Abuse of the elderly is a significant problem in our country’s nursing homes. A bill addressing these issues sat in Congress for many years. No one opposed the legislation, however there was no urgency to push the bill through Congress. As Congress rested on the issue, the problem of … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Abuse Bill Sits in Congress, as Elder Abuse Reaches Epidemic Proportions
Summer of the Toy Recalls Spurs Congress to Action
Increasing Toy Recalls Calls For Congress To Action. Toy recall after toy recall this past summer has Congress looking for ways to fix the nation’s broken consumer product safety system. At a hearing in the US Senate yesterday, one Senator charged that a lack of funding for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) had … [Read more...] about Summer of the Toy Recalls Spurs Congress to Action
Congress Criticizes CPSC’s Slow Response to Toy Recalls
CPSC Too Slow To Take Action On Toy Recalls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has too little money, staff and power to prevent hazardous toys from reaching American children. That was the message the head of the CPSC brought to Capital Hill yesterday during a hearing on toy safety. But while many agreed that … [Read more...] about Congress Criticizes CPSC’s Slow Response to Toy Recalls
Congress Investigates Ephedra
Ephedra Serious Side Effects. Congress launched a wide-ranging investigation of a popular dietary supplement Wednesday, with several influential members saying they would insist on tighter controls over the product, which has been linked to reports of 100 deaths and thousands of serious side effects. The Bush administration joined … [Read more...] about Congress Investigates Ephedra
There’s Enough Blame To Go Around For The Collapse Of The Energy Giant
Enron Corp's collapse was due to corruption. Lawsuits, class actions and congressional and federal probes now are under way to try to ascertain how much of Enron Corp's collapse was due to corruption and how much was the result of bad investment decisions and the recession. As far as those who lost on the energy trader are … [Read more...] about There’s Enough Blame To Go Around For The Collapse Of The Energy Giant
