WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing titled “Strengthening Privacy Rights and National Security: Oversight of FISA Surveillance Programs.” Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has long called for strong oversight of government surveillance programs, and he recently introduced the bipartisan FISA Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of[Read More…]
Month: July 2013
HHS Report on Accomplishments, New Efforts to Improve LGBT Health
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today released a report detailing the Department of Health and Human Services’ significant strides over the past year as well as its objectives for the coming year for improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and[Read More…]
Mayor Emanuel, CPS CEO Byrd-Bennett Promote First-Day Attendance at Launch of Back-To-School Campaign
Under new calendar all CPS schools begin Monday, August 26th – one week ahead of the traditional post-Labor Day start CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Barbara Byrd-Bennett today launched the School Year 2013-2014 back-to-school campaign at Brennemann Elementary School, 4251[Read More…]
Mayor Emanuel’s Microloan Initiative Grants $650K In New Microloans to Over 80 Small Businesses
Creating or Preserving Approximately 350 jobs; An additional $350K in loans expected to be facilitated by December 1st CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. Today, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the latest progress update for the Chicago Microlending Institute (CMI), launched by the City[Read More…]
Groups Will Defend Sea Otter Recovery in Southern California
Industry lawsuit seeks to eliminate sea otters from habitat Monterey, CA–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. Conservation and wildlife groups announced today that they intend to defend a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to end a failed policy of trying to exclude sea otters from their Southern California habitat—a so-called[Read More…]
Lawsuit Challenges Federal Financing of Coal Exports from East Coast Ports
Suit charges taxpayer-backed U.S. Export-Import Bank with failure to assess environmental impacts of its dirty-fuel exports San Francisco, CA–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. Environmental groups today filed the first-ever lawsuit challenging the federal government’s financing for the export of Appalachian coal from the United States. The U.S. government approved this financial support[Read More…]
Another Ugly Moment For United States’ War Against Marijuana Consumers
Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—July 31, 2013. By Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director In what can only be described as a horrible tragedy for college student Daniel Chong–as well as for the American taxpayer–the Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration has agreed to pay $4.1 million dollars to Mr. Chong for falsely[Read More…]
Senator Durbin: Swipe Fee Ruling a Victory for Consumers, Small Businesses
Ruling Sets Stage For Review of Fed Rules, Lower Swipe Fees Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today after the Federal District Court in Washington, D.C. threw out the Federal Reserve’s regulations governing swipe fees, saying the Fed disregarded congressional intent and[Read More…]
Senator Durbin: Energy Drink Companies Should Not Market Their Products to Children Under 18
Senator warns that as sale of energy drinks has grown, so has the alarming evidence that they pose potential health risks WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) delivered opening remarks at a hearing of the Senate Commerce Committee examining the potential health risks of energy drinks and[Read More…]
Senator Kirk Amendment Confronts Reverse Mortgages
Senate Banking Committee Moves Amendment in FHA Reform WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–July 31, 2013. U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today applauded the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee’s approval of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) solvency legislation that includes his amendment to protect seniors who take out reverse mortgage loans. The amendment,[Read More…]