| To
view this email as a web page, go here. |
Last week, Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) announced his intentions to revamp telecommunications throughout the country. By March, Congressman Boucher is expected to formally introduce legislation intended to overhaul federal funding for subsidizing telecommunications service in rural and impoverished areas. This will bring services to many citizens through venues such as libraries and schools.
Mr. Boucher has announced his efforts and intentions to strengthen online privacy protection as well as renew the regulations governing the transmission of broadcast signals over satellite TV. Later this year, the Congressman will propose legislation which gives brings consumer protection to wireless phone users.
Over the next two months, the Congressman will host two oversight
hearings. One to discuss funding the upcoming broadband stimulus package,
scheduled for later this month, and the other to discuss the FCC’s national
broadband plan, scheduled for March.
– Back to Top –
On Tuesday, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) announced support for a Constitutional amendment limiting the ability of corporations to invest their money in political spending. This call is in response to the recent Supreme Court case of Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission. This ruling found that Congress cannot limit corporate spending in political broadcasts for candidate elections for it infringes on a corporation’s right to free speech.
Kerry took a hard stance on the subject by stating, "I think we
need a constitutional amendment to make it clear once and for all that
corporations do not have the same free speech rights as individuals."
Legislation to counteract the Supreme Court’s ruling will be proposed soon.
Both corporate America and unions have traditionally opposed this type of speech
restriction.
– Back to Top –
On Tuesday, first lady Michelle Obama held a meeting with members of Congress and Cabinet Secretaries to discuss her impending anti-obesity campaign. The meeting topics included a discussion of the reauthorization of child nutrition programs which Congress is scheduled to reexamine this year. The first lady worked with the group to find a bipartisan solution to our nation’s problem with obesity, especially in children. This will include changes to the current child nutrition programs such as school meals and the women, infants and children’s program.
After the meeting Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln
(D- AK), House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller (D-CA) and Senate
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), pledged to
work on a legislative approach to combat obesity. Senate Agriculture ranking
minority member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), in attendance at the meeting, later
issued a statement highlighting parent’s roles in their children’s eating
habits. The Congressman showed his support for new legislation, but held that
“nothing can replace the direct involvement of caregivers at home.”
– Back to Top –
This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $119.5 million to states and territories to support public health efforts. This money is the first to come from the prevention and wellness initiative, “Communities Putting Prevention to Work,” which is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
This money has been allocated in three ways. First, various states will receive funding to support proper nutrition, promoting physical activity, fighting obesity and tobacco control. These are thought by many to be the four most effective ways to fight chronic disease.
Second, all states will receive funding for tobacco
“quit-lines,” or quitting hotlines, and tobacco cessation media campaigns.
Lastly, thirteen states will receive additional funding for 15 competitive
special policy and environmental change projects. “Communities Putting
Prevention to Work” will announce more initiatives for community based health
promotion in coming months.
– Back to Top –
AAF Government Report is available to all members of the AAF. If you are interested in receiving an e-mailed copy, please e-mail government@aaf.org.
If you are interested in receiving AAF SmartBrief, an opt-in news service, please visit www.smartbrief.com/aaf. AAF SmartBrief condenses advertising industry news from dozens of media sources into a succinct, easy to read e-mail.
Go to the Government Affairs Main Page.
| This
email was sent to: teri@Novia.net This email was sent by: American Advertising Federation 1101 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 500 Washington DC 20005 Profile Center | Unsubscribe |
|