Anti-smoking campaign, SEC probe of pre-IPO trading, inquiry into European telecom operators, and more.
- A report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) found that some managers at certain major banks knew that employees forged lending documents.
- The Senate rejected an amendment to a highway funding bill that would have extended the federal employee pay freeze.
- Leading telecommunications operators were questioned by competition authorities from the European Commission to determine if meetings of their bosses led to collusion.
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) unveiled a nationwide anti-smoking campaign, with a series of ads that feature former smokers who discuss the negative health consequences of smoking. See related The Regulatory Review essay.
- A new CDC report indicated that food-borne illnesses from fish, spices, produce and other imported products is on the rise. See related The Regulatory Review essay.
- The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will offer schools a choice on beef purchases for lunches amid “pink slime” criticisms.
- Democrats pressured the House to pass the Senate approved Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (S. 1812), a transportation bill.
- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed charges over pre-ipo Facebook trading.
- Senator Jim DeMint introduced legislation (S. 2186) that would overturn Justice Department regulations that would force public-access swimming pools across the country to install handicapped-accessible ramps and lifts.
- A bipartisan bill was introduced in the Senate (S. 2184) that would provide financial support to the fishing industry and would seek to improve management of our oceans.
- Melanie Ann Pustay, director of the Justice Department’s Office of Information Policy testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee that lawmakers need to protect against disclosures of material about cybersecurity and critical U.S. computer networks.
