The WonkLine: May 7, 2010
Welcome to The WonkLine, a daily 10 a.m. roundup of the latest news about health care, the economy, national security, immigration and climate policy. This is what we’re reading. Tell us what you found in the comments section below. You can also follow The Wonk Room on Twitter. The Wonk Room is blogging and tweeting live from the Gulf Coast.Economy
On a busy night for financial reform, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) agreed to tweak his amendment ordering an audit of the Federal Reserve, earning him the support of Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT), and the Kaufman-Brown amendment breaking up the biggest banks was voted down 33-61.
The LA Times uncovered a “well orchestrated campaign” by payday lenders to mislead borrowers into calling on their Senator to oppose the creation of a consumer protection agency.
Health Care
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), chairman of the Energy and Commerce health subcommittee said “he would not commit to advancing legislation that requires providers, payers and vendors to publicly disclose the cost of their services.”
“More than 57 million nonelderly Americans—or about 1 in 5—have diagnosed pre-existing health conditions that could lead to a denial of health coverage in today’s insurance market, according to a new report from Families USA.”
Immigration
The National Journal reports that “key GOP senators are throwing cold water on a push by Senate Democratic leaders to write a comprehensive immigration bill,” including Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN).
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) an “faulted the president for suggesting on Wednesday that an immigration bill won’t be finished until 2011 at the earliest.”
Climate Change
Oil has begun washing ashore on Lousiana’s Chandeleur Islands, making them the first environmental victim of the BP spill. The islands encompass Breton National Wildlife Refuge and are considered ecological “treasures.”
Two hundred fifty-five members of the National Academy of Sciences signed a statement that they are “deeply disturbedby the recent escalation of political assaults on scientists in general and on climate scientists in particular.”
No comments:
Post a Comment