Week in Review

Supreme Court rules on television indecency, President Obama invokes executive privilege, and more.

  • The Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) indecency policy did not give fair notice to networks as to what violates its standards, but did not decide whether the FCC’s policing actions violate free speech rights.
  • President Obama invoked executive privilege for the first time over the Justice Department’s internal documents about the “Fast and Furious” operation in advance of a House committee vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt.
  • House and Senate negotiators announced an agreement on a measure that would reauthorize medical-device user-fee programs at a higher rate and would add new user fees for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) review of generic drugs.
  • In conjunction with the global environmental conference in Rio de Janeiro, C40 group leaders issued graphic visual representations on major cities’ progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Cigar makers and specialty tobacco stores are trying to exclude premium cigars from new federal FDA regulations of the tobacco industry.
  • California Governor Jerry Brown urged state regulators to reduce the prevalence of chemical flame retardants in household furniture.