U.S. Congress

Sickening Amounts of Healthcare Lobbying

by Diane Farsetta — July 8, 2009 - 12:30pm

The healthcare industry is waging a "record-breaking influence campaign," spending "more than $1.4 million a day on lobbying," reports the Washington Post. "The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) doubled its spending to nearly $7 million in the first quarter of 2009, followed by Pfizer, with more than $6 million" spent in just three months.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, July 6, 2009

Climate Change Bill a Rorschach for Special Interests

by Diane Farsetta — June 30, 2009 - 4:42pm

The same day that the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives, the oil industry examined the loopholes. The bill, which has yet to pass the Senate, would make refiners "buy allowances for carbon dioxide spewed from their plants and from vehicles when motorists burn their fuel. Imports would need permits only for the latter." So, oil companies "will probably cope ...

Main Source: 
Bloomberg, June 26, 2009

The Waxman-Markey Crisis

by Diane Farsetta — June 24, 2009 - 1:17pm

As the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill nears a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, environmental groups are "teetering at the edge of existential crisis," writes Josh Harkinson. "Almost all environmental groups agree that Waxman-Markey is far from ideal," but some are supporting it, while others "believe the bill is so deeply flawed it might actually make matters worse." Critics say the bill "lines the pockets of polluters with little to show for it.

Main Source: 
Mother Jones, June 22, 2009

Taxing Times for the Drug Industry

by Bob Burton — June 23, 2009 - 4:06am

As members of the U.S. Congress consider options on how to fund Obama administration plans to extend health care coverage to those currently uninsured, the drug and advertising are digging in to defend tax breaks on direct-to-consumer advertising.

Main Source: 
Advertising Age, June 17, 2009

FedEx Campaign Delivers Controversy

by Diane Farsetta — June 10, 2009 - 2:52pm

FedEx's new "multimillion-dollar marketing campaign" doesn't tout the delivery company's service or speed. It accuses rival United Parcel Service (UPS) of receiving a government bailout.

Main Source: 
New York Times, June 9, 2009

The Heartland Institute's Quest for "Real Science" on Global Warming

by Bob Burton — June 2, 2009 - 5:51am
  • Topics: Global Warming, U.S. Congress, Think Tanks

    • The Heartland Institute, a Chicago-headquartered think tank that has taken on the role of trying to coordinate the disparate global warming skeptics, has organized yet another conference to be held in Washington this week dis

    Industry Tries to Put a Cap in Cap-and-Trade

    by Diane Farsetta — May 15, 2009 - 10:41am

    "America's oil, gas and coal industry has increased its lobbying budget by 50%, with key players spending $44.5 [million] in the first three months of this year in an intense effort to cut off support" for cap and trade legislation to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

    Main Source: 
    The Guardian (UK), May 12, 2009

    AIG Tight-Lipped About the Cost of Spin

    by Bob Burton — April 13, 2009 - 5:36am

    AIG spokesman Nick Ashooh has defended the company -- which received $180 billion in U.S. taxpayer funds -- over criticism of its hiring of four PR firms. Michael Weisskopf reports that Sard Verbinnen & Co.

    Main Source: 
    Time, April 10, 2009
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