Supreme Court rulings, the Clean Water Act, misleading mine safety reports, and more.
- The Supreme Court invalidated a provision in an Arizona law that awarded public funds to candidates for state public office who agreed to certain conditions and restrictions on their campaigns. The Court found that the program violated the First Amendment rights of candidates who did not opt in.
- In another First Amendment case, the Supreme Court held unconstitutional a California statute that banned the sale and rental of violent video games to minors. Supporters of the law argued that the games allow children to simulate grotesque acts of violence.
- The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of the individual mandate provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. See related The Regulatory Review essay.
- In response to requests by state and local officials, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the comment period on a draft guidance on the application of the Clean Water Act to streams, wetlands and ponds.
- The EPA alerted Congress to its legal analysis that a bill currently under review would effectively reverse longstanding, major provisions of the Clean Water Act.
- A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted to revoke approval of the drug Avastin as a treatment for advanced breast cancer. See related The Regulatory Review essay.
- A Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) investigation into the 2010 West Virginia mine explosion found Massey Energy managers pressured coal miners to omit important data from their records. See related The Regulatory Review essay.
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed new standards for collecting more nuanced data to better understand health challenges facing members of the LGBT community. HHS will accept public comments until August 1.
- The Senate passed the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011, which would reduce the number of government jobs requiring Senate confirmation.
- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed rules aimed at protecting investors in securities-based swaps, one of the financial instruments blamed for worsening the financial crisis. The proposed rules are intended to assist the Commission’s agenda to exert more oversight over the previously lightly regulated trade in derivatives.
- In a June 29 news conference, President Obama reiterated his commitment to review existing regulations for waste to promote economic growth. See related The Regulatory Review essay.
