On January 24 and 25, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) nine-member Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) reviewed the Modified Risk Tobacco Product Applications (MRTPA) on an innovative tobacco product, named the IQOS, which is designed to reduce the harm associated with tobacco use. CAGW discussed the MRTPA and the advisory committee meeting […]
Microsoft/Ireland Case Poses Opportunity for Congress
Republicans and Democrats in Congress have a hard time agreeing on anything. But, they might concur that it is not appropriate for law enforcement officials to order a cloud services provider to turn over customer data stored in another country without that country’s permission. In December 2013, a federal district court judge in New York […]
Reducing Government’s Footprint on the Music Industry
On January 28, 2018, the music industry will gather at the Grammy Awards. Country legends, pop artists, classical musicians, producers, and songwriters will be among those recognized for their innovation in music and sound. While the Grammys celebrate their accomplishments, many of these music creators do not receive just compensation for their hard work and […]
Trump Administration Rejects Maine’s Request to Remove Soda and Candy from SNAP
For years, many conservatives have attacked the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and for good reason. It is true that SNAP is rife with waste, fraud, and abuse, and is part of a complicated mess of federal welfare programs that have overly broad eligibility requirements. However, conservatives looking to reform it by prohibiting people from using […]
FDA Advisory Committee to Discuss New Tobacco Harm Reduction Product
The Family Smoking and Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) became law in June 2009 and gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of all tobacco products. Included in the law is Section 918, which called for a report to Congress on how best to regulate, promote, […]
Seattle Soda Tax Not Doing Too Well
While the rest of us were popping champagne to celebrate the arrival of 2018, Seattle greeted the New Year with a 1.75 cent per ounce tax on sweetened beverages. It was needed, former Mayor Ed Murray once said, for a host of noble reasons: to reduce sugar consumption; to raise revenue for important projects like […]
Myths and Realities: Earmarks
Reality: Earmarks are not the answer to mitigating the extreme partisanship that exists in Washington and are have nothing to do with getting things done.
Taxpayers and Patients Win First Round on 340B Drug Discount Rule
On January 1, 2018, hospitals will begin to receive lower government reimbursements for drugs purchased under the 340B program.
Congress Should Not Bring Back the Marketplace Fairness Act
According to the National Retail Federation, holiday sales for 2017 are expected to increase by between 3.6 to 4 percent over last year. During this busy time of year for e-commerce, it is a good time to reiterate that Congress should not bring back the Marketplace Fairness Act. American consumers spend hundreds of billions on […]
Texas Should Consider Using the Rainy Day Fund Sooner Rather than Later
What will likely turn out to be the largest natural disaster in Texas’ history swept ashore on August 25, 2017. Hurricane Harvey was the rainiest tropical storm in history to hit the U.S. mainland, dumping more than 60 inches of rain in Groves and Nederland; and more than 50 inches in Friendswood; near Santa Fe, […]