Week in Review

Here is our weekly list of selected news stories that we are following:

• The Obama Administration proposes a plan to reform the housing mortgage market, including winding down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

• In his speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Obama speaks of removing outdated regulations on business; see related The Regulatory Review essay

• A day after Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) chairs a committee hearing at which business leaders testify about how regulation impacts economic recovery, the House overwhelmingly passes (391-28) a bill directing ten House committees to determine whether federal regulations are inhibiting job growth; see related The Regulatory Review essay

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines that companies can no longer keep confidential the identities of 14 chemicals associated with health and safety studies submitted under the Toxic Substances Control Act

• The EPA considers weighing cancer fatalities more heavily than other fatalities in its cost-benefit analyses of proposed regulations

• EPA’s Science Advisory Board will review a draft plan for studying any potential environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing, including on groundwater

• Two Deepwater Horizon Commissioners blame the Gulf oil spill on industry and regulatory failures, and call for revamping oversight of offshore drilling while shifting to cleaner forms of energy

• The Federal Communications Commission issues a notice of proposed rulemaking for providing broadband internet access to 98% of the nation; see related The Regulatory Review essay

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes giving national forest directors more control over management of endangered species; some applaud new flexibility while others worry of weaker protections

• The U.S. Department of Defense sends its implementation plan of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 to the service secretaries

• The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 provides new services and benefits to caregivers of war veterans