House Subcommittee on Legislative Oversight

CMG Investigative Teams Expose Billions in SSA Overpayment Clawbacks, Leading to SSA Review and Demand For Action From Lawmakers

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 9, 2023
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This directive can after lawmakers demanded answers from the SSA – and some even calling for congressional hearings.

Key Points: 
  • This directive can after lawmakers demanded answers from the SSA – and some even calling for congressional hearings.
  • In a compelling video expose, CMG investigative teams across its eight stations, in collaboration with KFF Health News (formerly Kaiser Health News), chronicled how the SSA systematically overpaid vulnerable Americans by more than $20 billion dollars, then demanded reimbursement.
  • “The results of stories like this highlight the power and importance of investigative journalism,” said Marian Pittman, CMG’s EVP of Content, Product, Innovation and Research.
  • “They weren’t trying to game the system; they were just playing by the rules, and it’s very unfortunate,” Carry said.

Food Allergy Advocacy Sends Petition with First 20,000 Signatures to FDA and Congress Demanding Approval of Nasal Epinephrine

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 12, 2023
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NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SnackSafely.com — a leading food allergy advocacy established in 2011 — sent a petition with over 20,000 signatures to the FDA and oversight committees in Congress, demanding approval of nasal epinephrine for use in anaphylactic emergencies.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SnackSafely.com — a leading food allergy advocacy established in 2011 — sent a petition with over 20,000 signatures to the FDA and oversight committees in Congress, demanding approval of nasal epinephrine for use in anaphylactic emergencies.
  • Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction to a food, drug, insect venom, or environmental substance.
  • Epinephrine is the only drug that can halt and reverse the progression of anaphylaxis, but it must be administered promptly to be effective.
  • Furthermore, the FDA's own advisory panel voted 17-5 to approve a nasal epinephrine candidate for children and 16-6 for adults in May of 2023.

Hip-hop on trial: When can a rapper's lyrics be used as evidence in a criminal case?

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
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McDaniel, who uses the social media handle TheBiggestFinn4800, had previously been considered a person of interest in the case.

Key Points: 
  • McDaniel, who uses the social media handle TheBiggestFinn4800, had previously been considered a person of interest in the case.
  • Lawyers have used rappers’ lyrics as evidence in criminal cases since shortly after the rise of gangsta rap in the late 1980s.
  • In fact, researchers at the University of Richmond documented at least 500 cases from 2009 to 2019 where rap lyrics were introduced as evidence in criminal trials.

Rap lyrics as criminal evidence

    • If prosecutors can show that a rapper’s lyrics establish motive, intent or identity related to an alleged crime, then most judges will allow for the evidence to be used.
    • But case law regarding using rap lyrics as evidence of a crime can vary from state to state, and judge to judge.
    • In 2014, the New Jersey Supreme Court found that the introduction of a defendant rapper’s lyrics should not have been admitted into evidence, because the lyrics were general in nature and did not demonstrate motive or intent.

Criminalizing Black artists

    • During the trial, the defendant rapper claimed he was not aware of the contents of the suitcase.
    • As a result, allowing a rap artist’s lyrics to be used as evidence of a crime risks weaponizing an art form dominated by Black and other people of color.
    • As it is, Black Americans are already incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate as white Americans.

Protecting artistic expression

    • In recent years, lawmakers in California and New York have sought to limit the use of rap lyrics in evidence of criminality.
    • In July 2022, Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia introduced the Restoring Artistic Protection Act, or RAP Act.
    • The federal legislation aims to limit the admissibility of artistic expression as evidence.

Case for caution

    • The probability of prejudice against defendants who are rappers in any scenario, unfortunately, in 2023 is still too high.
    • Prohibiting the use of lyrics can help ensure that not “one innocent suffer.”

NATO isn't the only alliance that countries are eager to join – a brief history of the Five Eyes

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
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After the recent NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, it is anticipated that Sweden will soon become the alliance’s 32nd member.

Key Points: 
  • After the recent NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, it is anticipated that Sweden will soon become the alliance’s 32nd member.
  • Its most recent addition came in April 2023, when Finland became the 31st country to join.
  • At present, NATO currently recognizes Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Ukraine as aspiring members.
  • But NATO isn’t the only alliance that countries across the globe are eager to join.

Origins

    • These messages ended up being a major source of intelligence throughout World War II, providing much-needed information about German troop numbers, military maneuvers and technological developments.
    • British mathematician Alan Turing is probably the most widely recognized person who worked to help crack the Enigma machine.
    • But in reality it was the collective effort of hundreds of men and women, including mathematicians, linguists and even chess champions.
    • Parallel to these developments, U.S. codebreakers were able to successfully crack diplomatic codes used by the Japanese.
    • In February 1941, an American military delegation was invited to visit the U.K. codebreaking operation, based on an estate called Bletchley Park.

Recent developments

    • Five Eyes attorneys general now regularly meet, as do finance members and defense ministers.
    • At the time, New Zealand was also hoping to conclude an upgraded free trade deal with China.
    • Since that time, New Zealand has continued to avoid taking as strong a position as the rest of the Five Eyes.
    • As a result, the U.S. has sought to circumvent New Zealand’s reluctance by formalizing other agreements without the Kiwis.
    • Both of those events undermine U.S. assurances to its allies that it can keep a secret.

Looking ahead

    • Currently, the most likely candidate is probably Japan.
    • At the end of 2016, Australia and the U.S. signed a trilateral agreement with Japan to deepen their covert security cooperation.
    • As of 2020, Japan’s minister of defense was enthusiastically in favor of joining the Five Eyes.

Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research Releases White Paper and Hosts Congressional Briefing on Advancing Clinical Trial Equity for Black Patients with Sarcoidosis

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 22, 2023
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This white paper provides innovative recommendations to address these challenges proposed by nationally renowned key opinion leaders in sarcoidosis, diversity, equity, and inclusion, industry, and African American patients.

Key Points: 
  • This white paper provides innovative recommendations to address these challenges proposed by nationally renowned key opinion leaders in sarcoidosis, diversity, equity, and inclusion, industry, and African American patients.
  • On Wednesday, May 24th at 12:00pm ET, FSR will conduct a Congressional Briefing, Advancing Clinical Trial Equity for Black Patients with Sarcoidosis & Other Conditions, to review these recommendations and propose a legislative solution to address some of these concerns.
  • Yet, according to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical trials for rare diseases specifically, Black Americans only represent 9% of clinical trial participants.
  • For more information about the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, and to read the white paper, please visit www.stopsarcoidosis.org.

AeroGuard Flight Training Center Signs Long Term Agreement With Cathay Pacific, Plans to Train Hundreds of Cadet Pilots at Its Phoenix, Arizona Campus

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 5, 2022
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Under these programs, Cathay Pacific plans to train over 1,000 cadet pilots by 2025, increasing capacity yearly to meet the growing travel demand expected within the premier Asian aviation hub.

Key Points: 
  • Under these programs, Cathay Pacific plans to train over 1,000 cadet pilots by 2025, increasing capacity yearly to meet the growing travel demand expected within the premier Asian aviation hub.
  • As the aviation industry rebounds across the globe following the pandemic, AeroGuard plans to train hundreds of future pilots for Cathay Pacific."
  • These new Cathay Pacific flight training programs are expected to take students approximately 10 months to complete with AeroGuard, taking students from no flight time to becoming a commercially rated pilot.
  • AeroGuard Flight Training Center is one of the U.S.'s most successful flight schools, offering accelerated commercial pilot training to candidates from all over the world.

Author, Educator and Activist Dr. Ron Paul Interviewed on BullionMax Precious Metals Podcast

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
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TORRANCE, Calif., July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Precious metals dealer BullionMax is thrilled to welcome Dr. Ron Paul, former Congressman from Texas, to the BullionMax weekly podcast .

Key Points: 
  • TORRANCE, Calif., July 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Precious metals dealer BullionMax is thrilled to welcome Dr. Ron Paul, former Congressman from Texas, to the BullionMax weekly podcast .
  • The BullionMax weekly podcast regularly interviews top names in the precious metals industry like David Hunter , but that's not all.
  • With a focus on long-term customer relationships, BullionMax offers dealer pricing on precious metals essentials with a no-frills shopping experience.
  • If you believe investing in precious metals is the cornerstone to financial security, you can buy gold coins at BullionMax.

Return to Freedom Calls for House Energy and Commerce Vote on Horse Slaughter Ban

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 23, 2022
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3355 , which would permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States as well as the sale and export of American horses for slaughter.

Key Points: 
  • 3355 , which would permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States as well as the sale and export of American horses for slaughter.
  • "We're grateful for a strong subcommittee vote in markup," said Neda DeMayo, president of Return to Freedom (RTF), a national nonprofit wild horse and burro advocacy organization.
  • Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation(RTF ) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to wild horse preservation through sanctuary, education, conservation,andadvocacy since 1998.
  • It also operates the AmericanWild Horse Sanctuary at three California locations, caring for more than 450 wild horses and burros.

ASPCA Commends U.S. House Subcommittee for Passing Federal Bill to Ban Horse Slaughter

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 23, 2022
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WASHINGTON, June 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) commended the U.S. House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce for passing two critical equine protection bills: the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R.3355), federal legislation that would permanently ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and end the export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 5441), which would end the cruel practice of horse soring where chemicals and devices are used to inflict pain on show horses to force an exaggerated, high-stepping gait often referred to as the "Big Lick." The ASPCA recently testified before the Subcommittee in support of these bipartisan bills.

Key Points: 
  • The ASPCA recently testified before the Subcommittee in support of these bipartisan bills.
  • "Congress voted to ban horse slaughter well over a decade ago by large bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate and acted more than four decades ago to end the cruel practice of horse soring but legal loopholes have allowed American equines to be exported to other countries for slaughter, and horse soring to persist largely due to industry self-policing," Katlin Kraska, director of federal legislation for the ASPCA.
  • It is past time to shut the door on slaughter for the sake of horses, owners, and the equine industry's well-being.
  • The bill must now be approved by the House Energy & Commerce Committee before it can go to the House floor for a vote.

ASPCA Testifies Before U.S. House Subcommittee in Support of Federal Legislation to Ban Horse Slaughter

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 26, 2022
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WASHINGTON, May 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce held a "Legislative Hearing to Protect Consumers and Strengthen the Economy." Included on the agenda for this hearing were two critical equine protection bills: the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R.3355), federal legislation that would permanently ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and end the export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 5441), which would end the cruel practice of horse soring where chemicals and devices are used to inflict pain on show horses to force an exaggerated, high-stepping gait often referred to as the "Big Lick." The Subcommittee heard testimony from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), who testified in support of these bills.

Key Points: 
  • The Subcommittee heard testimony from the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), who testified in support of these bills.
  • It is past time to shut the door on slaughter for the sake of horses, owners, and the equine industry's well-being.
  • In addition to overwhelming public opposition to horse slaughter, the ASPCA, along with a diverse coalition of equine industry and animal welfare organizations, recently announced the "Final Stretch Alliance to End Horse Slaughter," a collaborative effort to permanently ban the slaughter of American horses.
  • In an open letter to congressional leaders, the alliance urged federal lawmakers to pass the SAFE Act to ban horse slaughter.