U.S. Congress

Reform Debate Healthy for Congressional Coffers

by Diane Farsetta — September 8, 2009 - 11:03am

"As the debate intensifies in Congress, health care sector contributions to lawmakers on the committees overseeing" proposals for health care reform "are on the upswing," according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. In the first half of 2009, "health care interests donated $19.7 million to all federal lawmakers.

Main Source: 
USA Today, September 2, 2009

Wendell Potter Warns: Co-op Kool-Aid Is Bad for Your Health

by Wendell Potter — August 21, 2009 - 2:24pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Health, Lobbying

    • I'm beginning to think that the Kool-Aid being served at meetings of the Senate Finance Committee's soon-to-be infamous Gang of Six is coming from either fantasy land or the health insurance industry.

    For those of you who might not be following the sorry machinations of health care reform in the Senate Finance Committee, the Gang of Six is a group of three Democrats and three Republicans hand-picked by Committee Chair Max Baucus, who is one of the three Democrats. The gang meets often, supposedly drafting a bipartisan bill. In reality, if such a bill emerges, it will be a gift to the insurance industry because the gang includes some of the industry's best friends on Capitol Hill.

    The Oil Industry Promotes Carpooling?

    by Diane Farsetta — August 19, 2009 - 2:11pm

    Why were employees of area oil companies bused to an "Energy Citizens" rally in Houston, Texas, organized by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to oppose climate change legislation?

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, August 18, 2009

    CMD's Wendell Potter Provides Health Care Reform's Most Powerful Ammo

    by John Stauber — August 3, 2009 - 4:35pm

    New York Daily News columnist Stanley Crouch writes that the Center for Media and Democracy's Wendell Potter is providing the health care reform movement with its most powerful ammunition. "Everyone is familiar with the street adage that one should not take a knife to a gunfight. ...

    Main Source: 
    New York Daily News, August 3, 20098

    Propaganda Versus the Power of the Purse

    by Diane Farsetta — July 29, 2009 - 2:04pm

    The U.S. Congress is alarmed at the Pentagon's "information operations" programs, including efforts to win "hearts and minds" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Main Source: 
    Washington Post, July 28, 2009

    One Stimulus Response: Fake News

    by Diane Farsetta — July 29, 2009 - 1:04pm

    "You can't pretend like you are broadcasting news when it is a paid advertisement," said Senator Claire McCaskill, urging the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action against "ads that mimic newscasts, with actors or even news anchors from a TV station," reports Broadcasting & Cable.

    Main Source: 
    Broadcasting & Cable, July 22, 2009

    Shining a Light on U.S. Power Utility Lobbyists

    by Bob Burton — July 26, 2009 - 8:14pm

    With the Waxman-Markey climate change bill before the U.S. Senate, coal and energy utility lobbyists are out in force. While the legislation will only have direct effect in the United States, it will indirectly have a major influence on the negotiation of a replacement agreement to the Kyoto Protocol.

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