Obama releases climate change plan, Supreme Court finds DOMA unconstitutional, and more…
- President Barack Obama released his national Climate Change Action Plan. The plan hopes to cut carbon pollution, prepare the United States for the effects of climate change, and lead international efforts to tackle climate change.
- The U.S. Supreme Court held unconstitutional the federal definition of marriage which excludes same-sex marriage.
- The U.S. Senate confirmed Howard Shelanski as Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).
- The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the Voting Rights Act’s formula that determines which governments need federal pre-approval to pass voting laws.
- The U.S. Supreme Court held that a New Hampshire warning-based design-defect suit is preempted for drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The U.S. Supreme Court held that either approved or denied land permits that are conditioned on monetary exactions must pass the nexus and proportionality tests.
- The FDA approved marketing for two new tobacco products and denied marketing for four other tobacco products.
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released its plan of action to improve the agency. The report suggests that the IRS will suspend “be-on-the-lookout” lists for tax exemption applications.
- The U.S. Department of Energy requested information to assist the agency’s development of energy standards for manufactured homes.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the agency is considering expanding allowable in-flight use of electronic devices.
- The U.S. Supreme Court granted the petition to review Obama’s recess appointments for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a final rule creating safety standards for infant walkers and infant swings.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that the agency will begin retiring the agency’s chimpanzees from biomedical research.
- The United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs held a meeting to discuss the regulatory aspects of private student loans.
