Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
World Vision Australia Secures Green Climate Fund Accreditation, Expanding Access to Global Climate Finance
MONROVIA, California, April 22 -- World Vision International issued the following news release:
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World Vision Australia Secures Green Climate Fund Accreditation, Expanding Access to Global Climate Finance
London - World Vision Australia has achieved accreditation with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), marking a major milestone in the organisation's ability to deliver large-scale climate action for the most vulnerable children and communities.
The accreditation enables World Vision Australia to directly access GCF resources, placing it among a select group of humanitarian organisations worldwide
... Show Full Article
MONROVIA, California, April 22 -- World Vision International issued the following news release:
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World Vision Australia Secures Green Climate Fund Accreditation, Expanding Access to Global Climate Finance
London - World Vision Australia has achieved accreditation with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), marking a major milestone in the organisation's ability to deliver large-scale climate action for the most vulnerable children and communities.
The accreditation enables World Vision Australia to directly access GCF resources, placing it among a select group of humanitarian organisations worldwideentrusted with channelling global climate finance. This status strengthens the organisation's capacity to design and deliver ambitious, system level climate programmes that align with national priorities and support long-term resilience.
"Green Climate Fund accreditation unlocks a step change in how we respond to climate shocks," said Dr Thu Ba Huynh, Climate Finance Programming Lead at World Vision Australia. "It connects global climate finance directly to local communities, ensuring support reaches the children and families who need it most."
Direct access to climate finance will allow World Vision Australia to implement coordinated programmes that address climate risks at scale, supporting communities to adapt, strengthen livelihoods and services, and protect children's wellbeing amid intensifying climate shocks.
The Green Climate Fund, established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is the world's largest dedicated climate fund for developing countries. Since 2015, it has committed more than USD 19 billion to climate projects globally, mobilising significant additional investment. Accreditation is awarded following a rigorous assessment of financial management systems, environmental and social safeguards, gender policies and programme delivery capacity.
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"We are pleased to welcome World Vision Australia as an Accredited Entity of the Green Climate Fund," said Achala Abeysinghe, Director of the GCF's Department of Investment. "As we move forward, the Fund's revised Accreditation Framework will strengthen our partnership model, making it more transparent, responsive and efficient, while enhancing fairness and country ownership."
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Through this accreditation, World Vision Australia will work in partnership with governments, local organisations and communities to ensure climate finance reaches those most affected by climate impacts. By prioritising locally led and inclusive approaches, the organisation will deliver transformational initiatives focused on climate adaptation, climate resilient livelihoods and, where appropriate, emissions reduction. This includes strengthening food systems, improving access to climate resilient infrastructure and services, and supporting ecosystem protection to sustain long term impact in climate vulnerable settings.
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"This accreditation reinforces our commitment to delivering paradigm shifting climate programmes that drive real and lasting impact," Dr Huynh added. "It means children can stay healthy and in school, and families can maintain stable environments, despite increasing climate shocks."
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With more than 70 years of experience and operations in nearly 100 countries, World Vision is deeply embedded in frontline communities. Its trusted local partnerships and integrated development and humanitarian approach position the organisation to translate large scale climate finance into meaningful outcomes that extend across generations.
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Original text here: https://www.wvi.org/newsroom/world-vision-australia-secures-green-climate-fund-accreditation-expanding-access-global
[Category: Sociological]
PETA Goes to Court to Keep TV's 'Chimp Crazy' Star in Jail
NORFOLK, Virginia, April 22 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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PETA Goes to Court to Keep TV's 'Chimp Crazy' Star in Jail
PETA filed an amicus brief today with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, asking judges to deny the appeal of Tonia Haddix--villain of the Emmy-nominated HBO series Chimp Crazy--and not reduce her 46-month prison sentence. Haddix was sentenced in August after pleading guilty to two felony counts of perjury and one felony count of obstructing justice.
As revealed in Chimp Crazy, Haddix knowingly
... Show Full Article
NORFOLK, Virginia, April 22 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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PETA Goes to Court to Keep TV's 'Chimp Crazy' Star in Jail
PETA filed an amicus brief today with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, asking judges to deny the appeal of Tonia Haddix--villain of the Emmy-nominated HBO series Chimp Crazy--and not reduce her 46-month prison sentence. Haddix was sentenced in August after pleading guilty to two felony counts of perjury and one felony count of obstructing justice.
As revealed in Chimp Crazy, Haddix knowinglylied to a federal judge about the whereabouts of Tonka the chimpanzee--telling the judge that Tonka had died when she was hiding him in a cage in her basement in Missouri--and disobeyed a court order to surrender him to PETA.
PETA's brief (https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/2633d134544d4c738f8861264ddf71a2/0/f17e4590d253a4b97424f2a27a2cc0080804a52e21de90661cde97b6d50f879e?cache_buster=1776805731) argues that Haddix is not entitled to leniency, due to the following:
* Haddix's relationship with Tonka was consistently negligent or abusive. She lied to prevent Tonka from moving to a sanctuary and kept him confined and isolated in her basement without proper food, socialization, or fresh air. She also planned to euthanize Tonka after falsely claiming he was near death from end-stage congestive heart failure--which a veterinarian confirmed he did not have.
* Haddix acted out of malice toward PETA. The sentencing court said that during the civil case, she repeatedly "demonized PETA" and its attorneys, including threatening to "run [one of them] over." PETA was also forced to spend nearly half a million dollars in additional costs--including for emergency transportation to the sanctuary--because of Haddix's refusal to comply with the court order to surrender Tonka and her attempts to hide him.
* Haddix's crimes were motivated, in part, by a desire for fame and money. Haddix allowed a film crew to document her criminal conduct and attempted to monetize her Chimp Crazy notoriety through various means--including podcast appearances, a "Chimp Crazy Lady" Etsy store, and a Cameo account selling personalized videos.
Tonia Haddix flagrantly flouted the law in front of a global audience, depriving a chimpanzee of a chance at a real life, all while trying to boost her own fame and fortune," says PETA Foundation General Counsel, Litigation Asher Smith. "Haddix should face the full consequences of her selfish, cruel actions, and PETA urges the court to keep her 46-month prison sentence intact."
Following the release of Chimp Crazy, PETA submitted a motion to the court detailing the numerous additional pieces of evidence of perjury and violations of court orders shown in the series, which ultimately led to Haddix's sentencing. U.S. Marshals and PETA freed Tonka and he now spends his days at a beautiful sanctuary, where he has since reunited with his biological son, Cayleb, and enjoys being outdoors, foraging for food, and playing with his friends--all things he was previously denied.
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PETA--whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way"--points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness.
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Original text here: https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/peta-goes-to-court-to-keep-tvs-chimp-crazy-star-in-jail/
[Category: Animals]
Environmental Working Group: New York Lawmakers Pass Pivotal Food Safety Bill
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The Environmental Working Group issued the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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New York lawmakers pass pivotal food safety bill
ALBANY, N.Y. - Lawmakers in New York state today passed legislation protecting New Yorkers from toxic food chemicals, advancing the bill for the governor's signature.
The New York Assembly's 106-32 vote to pass the bill today was the final step needed after the state Senate approved the legislation March 23 in a unanimous 60-0 vote.
The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act (A.1556F/S.1239F) would, if enacted, ban three harmful
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The Environmental Working Group issued the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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New York lawmakers pass pivotal food safety bill
ALBANY, N.Y. - Lawmakers in New York state today passed legislation protecting New Yorkers from toxic food chemicals, advancing the bill for the governor's signature.
The New York Assembly's 106-32 vote to pass the bill today was the final step needed after the state Senate approved the legislation March 23 in a unanimous 60-0 vote.
The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act (A.1556F/S.1239F) would, if enacted, ban three harmfulsubstances from food manufactured, distributed or sold in the state. It would also require companies to make new disclosures about chemicals added to food without stringent review.
"New York is stepping up where Washington has slowed down," said Jessica Hernandez, Environmental Working Group's legislative director.
"This bill will increase transparency and protect consumers from toxic chemicals in New York's food supply. Without federal action, it's up to the states to keep us safe from harmful additives in the foods we eat and feed to our families," she added.
Assemblymember Anna Kelles, Ph.D. (D-Assembly District 125), and state Sen. Brian Kavanagh (D-Senate District 27) are the prime sponsors of the bill. If enacted, it would create a state-level ban of three harmful food chemicals and reform the "generally recognized as safe," or GRAS, loophole.
"Today, in spite of an onslaught of misinformation from the food industry, we are taking a critical step toward protecting New Yorkers from having to guess what potentially harmful chemicals might be lurking in the food they eat," said Kavanagh.
"Since processed foods are produced and distributed nationally, we hope and expect that the public disclosure required by this legislation for foods sold in New York will reverberate across the United States, as Americans increasingly demand safety and accountability.
"I thank Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles for her tenacious advocacy and expertise, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Carl Heastie, our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and the many national and state advocates, scientists, doctors, faith leaders and community organizations whose determination and support were integral to this effort-- as well as the many New Yorkers who just want safer, healthier food for themselves and their families," he added.
The bill would also require companies to disclose to the state when they add to food and drinks chemicals they determine are GRAS.
"New Yorkers are worried and frustrated at how much control they have lost over their health. People are trying to make informed choices, but they cannot do that if they do not know what is in their food or what the health impacts may be," said Dr. Kelles.
"The history here matters. The GRAS concept was created in 1958 to exempt common ingredients like salt and vinegar from unnecessary review. It was never intended to allow new, synthetic chemical additives into the food supply without oversight or transparency. Over time, through [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)] rulemaking, companies were allowed to determine on their own that a chemical is safe without notifying the FDA or making the evidence public. As a result, chemicals are often identified years or even decades after they are already in our food, through independent research or after health concerns emerge.
"This legislation restores transparency to that process. It requires companies to make public the safety analysis they already completed under federal standards before a food containing that chemical can be sold in New York, allowing regulators, researchers, and the public to evaluate those determinations. It also removes specific chemicals from the food supply that have established links to cancer, hormone disruption, and organ damage. This is a measured, evidence-based approach that reflects bipartisan agreement that the public has a right to know what is in their food and the basis for its safety.
"With a federal government that is averse to regulations that restrict corporate profits, and an FDA with constrained resources that relies heavily on industry self-determination, it is up to states to protect public health. I look forward to working with my Assembly and Senate colleagues and the governor to see this bill into law," she said.
Supporters of the bill include the EWG, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Consumer Reports, Clean + Healthy New York, Interfaith Public Health Network and others.
Stepping in where the FDA hasn't
At the federal level, nearly 99% of new food chemicals introduced since 2000 were greenlit by the food and chemical industry, not the FDA, the agency tasked with ensuring our food supply is safe.
While many of the chemicals added to food are likely safe to eat, the three chemicals the bill targets pose a threat to public health:
* Potassium bromate has been linked to cancer but has not been meaningfully reviewed for safety by the FDA since 1973. It has been banned from use in processed food in the European Union since 1990. That same year it was also added to California's Proposition 65 list of chemicals that may cause cancer.
* Propyl paraben has not been thoroughly reviewed for safety by the FDA since 1977. It has been linked to harm to the hormone and reproductive systems, including decreased sperm counts. It has been prohibited from use in food in the EU since 2006 but is still used as a preservative in the U.S.
* Red Dye no. 3 has been linked to cancer and behavioral problems in children. It is found in more than 2,000 food products, including many types of candy, cookies and other food marketed to children. In 1990, the FDA banned Red 3 in cosmetics, citing cancer risks, but didn't ban it from food until 2025. Since 1994, the EU has allowed Red 3 to be used in candied and cocktail cherries only.
Closing the loophole
Following passage of many state food safety laws, companies have already begun to reformulate their products to remove harmful food chemical ingredients, with no impact on consumers. But New York would be the first to hold companies accountable by requiring them to show their work and provide the state with evidence of the safety of any "secret" GRAS substances.
The GRAS loophole allows companies to decide, without independent FDA oversight, which substances are safe. The FDA's notification system is completely voluntary, so companies can decide whether to tell the FDA if they deem a substance GRAS or not. They may put the chemical in food even if they don't disclose it to the FDA.
The Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act fixes that problem. It represents the most important reform to the U.S. food chemical review process in decades. It will not only protect New Yorkers but also position the state as a food safety leader by exposing safety oversights in the GRAS loophole for all.
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Media note: additional quotes from experts
Brian Ronhom, director of food policy, Consumer Reports
Press contact: michael.mccauley@consumer.org
The FDA's system for ensuring the safety of food additives is fundamentally broken. For too long, food manufacturers have exploited a loophole in federal law that enables them to secretly introduce new additives into their products without undergoing any review by the FDA. This bill will help protect the public by requiring greater transparency when new chemicals are introduced into our food without FDA review. Consumer Reports commends Senator Kavanagh and Assemblymember Kelles for their leadership on this critical food safety issue.
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Jensen Jose, Center for Science in the Public Interest Senior Regulatory Counsel
Press contact: lflores@cspi.org
The Center for Science in the Public Interest commends the New York State Legislature for guarding public health and leading the nation in GRAS reform. As federal regulators continue to fall short, Albany lawmakers are setting an example our country and other states can and should follow. After decades of corporate self-interest overriding public safety, this bill represents a monumental step toward a food environment New Yorkers can trust. We urge the governor to sign the bill into law immediately.
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Karla Sosa, Ph.D., Environmental Defense Fund manager for New York state affairs
We deserve to know that the food we put on our tables won't make our families sick. For too long, a broken system has stood in the way of that basic assurance. New York isn't waiting. This bill brings transparency and accountability to a system that has operated in the dark for decades, and it puts pressure on federal regulators to catch up. We commend the legislature on this bill's passage and urge the governor to sign it into law.
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Todd Wagner, co-founder of FoodFight USA
This landmark New York legislation sets the U.S. on the right track toward cleaning up our tainted food supply, and we hope that other states and the federal government will soon follow. The GRAS loophole has allowed more than 10,000 chemicals into our food system. This is a uniquely American problem--no other country gives companies this kind of power to self-regulate. In much of the world, regulatory systems rely on independent scientific review, require pre-market approval, and account for cumulative effects. As a result, approved additives are in the hundreds, not thousands. It's time for the U.S. to catch up by requiring public disclosure.
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Bob Pezzolesi, convener, Interfaith Public Health Network
On behalf of the faith partners and public health professionals in our network, we at IPHN celebrate the passage of the Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act as an important step toward a safer and healthier food system in New York. In fact, the first-of-its-kind transparency required by this legislation will benefit all Americans. We are grateful to Senator Kavanagh and Assemblymember Dr. Kelles for their tireless leadership in getting this across the finish line.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
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Original text here: https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2026/04/new-york-lawmakers-pass-pivotal-food-safety-bill
[Category: Environment]
EDF Launches New Research Program on Phytoplankton Carbon Solutions
NEW YORK, April 22 (TNSrpt) -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release:
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EDF Launches New Research Program on Phytoplankton Carbon Solutions
Initiative will mobilize and expand marine science community to determine its safety and efficacy
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(BOSTON) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is launching a new research program designed to help answer two key questions: Could phytoplankton help remove carbon from the atmosphere, and what are the effects on people and the environment?
With funding from the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance (ORCA), EDF will lead a coordinated
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 22 (TNSrpt) -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release:
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EDF Launches New Research Program on Phytoplankton Carbon Solutions
Initiative will mobilize and expand marine science community to determine its safety and efficacy
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(BOSTON) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is launching a new research program designed to help answer two key questions: Could phytoplankton help remove carbon from the atmosphere, and what are the effects on people and the environment?
With funding from the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance (ORCA), EDF will lead a coordinatedresearch initiative that builds on Ocean Visions' "Phytoplankton Carbon Solutions" (PCS) research agenda.
PCS seek to leverage the ocean's natural biological carbon pump by stimulating phytoplankton blooms to increase the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and the export of organic carbon into the deep ocean. PCS include ocean fertilization approaches, which have been subject to limited experimentation since the 1990s, as well as newer concepts.
EDF has a track record of coordinating collaborative research on carbon storage in natural ecosystems in the marine and coastal environment. The ocean is a massive carbon sink and a complex system where human interventions can impact everything from the environment to the social and economic fabric of communities. EDF is taking a holistic approach to exploring the potential of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) approaches - like PCS - to identify the areas with the greatest potential to accelerate innovation with minimal risks.
"The role of the ocean in helping solve the climate challenge is an emerging frontier. The PCS research agenda has identified priority areas for inquiry into PCS approaches and the functioning of the ocean's biological carbon pump," said Dr. Kristin Kleisner, Associate Vice President for Ocean Science at EDF, who is leading the new program. "Now EDF is poised to mobilize the marine and social science, governance and frontline communities to work together to determine if PCS is effective and safe for the climate, people and nature."
This program will synthesize and expand the body of knowledge and ongoing research on PCS and the ocean's natural biological carbon pump to critically evaluate whether and which PCS approaches should be studied further, constrained to specific contexts, or discontinued altogether. The research under the program will support modeling, limited field work, natural analog studies, and social-ecological impacts research.
Under the new program, EDF will serve as the coordinating scientific lead to ensure that the best science available is harnessed to answer the most decision-relevant questions by identifying and resolving critical unknowns. Under the program, EDF will:
* Translate the recommendations from the PCS report developed by Ocean Visions into a sequenced research portfolio;
* Fund a set of research projects via Requests for Proposals for release in fall 2026 and early 2027 that also integrate relevant equity and justice considerations;
* Provide additional funding pathways for community-driven activities;
* Build, coordinate, and connect the research community, including establishing a scientific advisory board and broadening global participation;
* Deliver high-quality synthesis and decision support to inform policymakers, the broader research community, and civil society; and
* Maintain flexibility and share findings widely, including evidence that may indicate a particular PCS pathway is non-viable, unsafe, undesirable, or uncertain.
"We look forward to this next phase of PCS work," said Dr. Mattias Cape, Marine Biogeochemical Ocean Scientist at EDF and Advisor to the Ocean Vision's PCS research agenda. "It will be critical not only to expand both the research itself, but also the community of scientists conducting it, including the vast international community of researchers who have studied the biological carbon pump for decades. This should not be a top-down endeavor, but rather one that solicits and actively integrates feedback and perspectives from a variety of stakeholders," he added.
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With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
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REPORT: https://oceanvisions.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PCS-Report_FINAL.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.edf.org/media/edf-launches-new-research-program-phytoplankton-carbon-solutions
[Category: Environment]
Catholic League Issues Commentary: Elites Are On Defense
NEW YORK, April 22 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that defends the right of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination, issued the following commentary on April 21, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
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ELITES ARE ON DEFENSE
For over a decade, the Catholic League has been fighting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in the workforce and in schools. They not only discriminate on the basis of race--effectively legalizing racial discrimination against white people--they create unnecessary racial divisions.
We
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, April 22 -- The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, an organization that defends the right of Catholics to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination, issued the following commentary on April 21, 2026, by President Bill Donohue:
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ELITES ARE ON DEFENSE
For over a decade, the Catholic League has been fighting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in the workforce and in schools. They not only discriminate on the basis of race--effectively legalizing racial discrimination against white people--they create unnecessary racial divisions.
Wehave also been fighting transgenderism, the invidious idea that the sexes are interchangeable. We have not been alone in doing so, but among lay religious advocacy organizations, we have been out in front on this issue from the beginning--when others were too intimidated to speak out.
The good news is that we are winning. We are on offense; our adversaries are on defense. Both DEI and transgenderism have hit a brick wall and are in decline.
Perhaps the most egregious example of how DEI has corrupted America can be found in the nation's medical schools. When patients undergo the knife, they expect that the surgeon has spent his training knowing how to excel. But for the past several years, reports have surfaced showing how much time medical students are spending learning how racist white people are and how rotten our country is.
Here's the good news. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the body that accredits medical schools, has removed the DEI requirement from its protocols. Thus, doctors will now spend more time learning how to be doctors, not social activists.
Corporate America is leading the way retreating from DEI programs. Thousands of diversity jobs have been cut, and mention of DEI in quarterly earning reports has declined dramatically. Changes have also taken place in higher education. After the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in 2023, colleges and universities moved away from racist admissions policies.
A decision was recently reached by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to bar men from competing in women's sports, thus relegating transgenderism a mighty blow. Henceforth, all participants will submit to a one-time genetic test; screening via saliva, a cheek swab or a blood sample will be required. Kirsty Coventry, the head of the IOC, said the new policy "is based on science and has been led by medical experts."
Put differently, pro-transgender activists are anti-science. One institution that does not have to change course is the Catholic Church: its teachings on sexuality are in accord with science.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is leading the way against transmania. The American Psychiatric Association is beginning to pull back, agreeing with the ASPS that sex-reassignment surgery for those under 19 will not be performed. It was reported by the New York Times that the American Medical Association was also on board, but the organization disputes that story.
The U.S. still trails the Brits in stopping these pernicious operations. On December 11, the country's National Health Service banned the use of puberty blockers for young people. We still have some catching up to do.
The U.S. Supreme Court will issue a decision this spring on whether males can compete against females in sports. It should follow the lead of Supreme Court of London which ruled last year that "sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man." Finally, common sense and science triumph!
The decline, if not the demise, of DEI and transgenderism proves that there is no iron law of history. People make history, not some mysterious materialistic force. The Catholic League is proud of all the media opportunities we have had sounding the alarms over these cruel policies. Cultures change. It is up to us to steer it in the right direction.
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Original text here: https://www.catholicleague.org/elites-are-on-defense/
[Category: Sociological]
Black Women-Owned Businesses Join Consumer Reports in Urging NY Lawmakers to Pass the Beauty Justice Act
YONKERS, New York, April 22 -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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Black Women-Owned Businesses Join Consumer Reports in Urging NY Lawmakers to Pass the Beauty Justice Act
Consumer Reports (CR) and Black women-owned businesses are at the New York State Capitol today to urge the State Assembly to pass the Beauty Justice Act (S.2057B/A.2054B). This legislation would ban intentionally added toxic substances from personal care and beauty products sold in New York State. The national nonprofit consumer organization CR and the beauty and salon businesses are
... Show Full Article
YONKERS, New York, April 22 -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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Black Women-Owned Businesses Join Consumer Reports in Urging NY Lawmakers to Pass the Beauty Justice Act
Consumer Reports (CR) and Black women-owned businesses are at the New York State Capitol today to urge the State Assembly to pass the Beauty Justice Act (S.2057B/A.2054B). This legislation would ban intentionally added toxic substances from personal care and beauty products sold in New York State. The national nonprofit consumer organization CR and the beauty and salon businesses areheadquartered in New York. The lobby day coincides with an anticipated Senate floor vote today, amplifying the coalition's push for the bill's passage and underscoring the urgent need for beauty and personal care product safety.
While advocates look for the Senate to reaffirm its strong support from last session, today's meetings with New York State Assembly members delivered a unified call to advance the Beauty Justice Act out of the Ways and Means Committee. After passing two other committees unanimously last session, the bill's progress was halted in Ways and Means, preventing it from reaching the full assembly for a vote.
The bill has already demonstrated strong legislative support. Last session, the State Senate passed it overwhelmingly, 49-10. Today's mobilization is aimed at urging the Assembly to follow suit and clear the path for the bill to go to the Governor's desk. In meetings with Assembly members, advocates thanked the bill's current champions and asked remaining members to officially co-sponsor.
"Toxic substances that are already banned in food and children's products are still showing up in the beauty products millions of New Yorkers use every day. California, Maryland, Washington, the European Union, and Canada have all acted. New York has a clear opportunity to close the gap in the state, and the Beauty Justice Act is the vehicle to do it. We thank the Senate for its overwhelming support and call on the Assembly to pass this bill now." -- Oriene Shin, Safety Advocacy Manager, Consumer Reports
Support for the bill extends beyond consumer safety organizations. In 2025, nearly 40 New York business owners signed a letter backing the legislation, pushing back against industry claims that stricter safety standards would harm small businesses. This lobby day makes clear that small business owners see the opposite as true--that safer products are good for their customers, their brands, and their bottom lines.
"As a business owner, I chose to build a brand rooted in transparency, plant-based formulation, and hair wellness--because it was necessary. Safer products are not only possible, they already exist. What we need now is accountability. New York has the opportunity to lead-- protecting public health and setting a new national standard." -- Debra Hare-Bey, Founder, On My Heavenly Hair, Inc.
"Toxic chemicals in beauty products are a serious public health issue that directly impacts Black women and the communities we serve. Through our upcoming show Mane Moves LIVE!, we're committed to raising awareness about how beauty practices intersect with health, culture, and policy. Passing the Beauty Justice Act is a critical step toward ensuring that the products we use every day support our well-being, not harm it." -- Natasha Gaspard, Founder, Mane Moves Media, Inc.
"The Natural Hairstyle & Braid Coalition supports the Beauty Justice Act because this legislation aligns with our commitment to strong safety standards--ensuring trained professionals, safer services, and a beauty industry that prioritizes health, wellness, and accountability." -- Natural Hairstyle & Braid Coalition
Despite broad consumer, small business, and legislative support, major companies and industry trade associations-- including L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, and the Personal Care Products Council--formally opposed the legislation. CR and its coalition partners dispute their claims, noting that safer formulations are already widely available and that the cost of inaction falls disproportionately on consumers, particularly women of color.
Consumer Reports Testing:
Consumer Reports has tested popular beauty products--from braiding hair to boxed dyes--and found toxic chemicals, including heavy metals, phthalates, and VOCs, in these products. In 2024 and 2025, CR tested 40 popular synthetic and natural braiding hair brands and found heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic) in 38 of the samples, and VOCs in every single sample. A separate CR investigation of 23 hair color products, published last week, found that many contained VOCs, phthalates, and trace amounts of benzene and arsenic. Several of the toxic substances CR uncovered in the products tested are linked to serious health concerns and would be banned from personal care and beauty products if the Beauty Justice Act becomes law.
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Original text here: https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/black-women-owned-businesses-join-consumer-reports-in-urging-ny-lawmakers-to-pass-the-beauty-justice-act/
[Category: Business]
Bayer Ramps Up Federal Lobbying Before Supreme Court Argument
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The Food and Water Watch posted the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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Bayer Ramps Up Federal Lobbying Before Supreme Court Argument
Oral argument set for Monday in Bayer case seeking to block pesticide lawsuits
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New federal lobbying declaration records released last night reveal that Bayer ramped up federal lobbying in Q1 2026, upping the stakes of their pressure campaign to block health-related pesticide lawsuits in advance of a high profile Supreme Court case that will take up the issue. Food & Water Watch analysis of Bayer disclosures found that the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, April 22 -- The Food and Water Watch posted the following news release on April 21, 2026:
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Bayer Ramps Up Federal Lobbying Before Supreme Court Argument
Oral argument set for Monday in Bayer case seeking to block pesticide lawsuits
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New federal lobbying declaration records released last night reveal that Bayer ramped up federal lobbying in Q1 2026, upping the stakes of their pressure campaign to block health-related pesticide lawsuits in advance of a high profile Supreme Court case that will take up the issue. Food & Water Watch analysis of Bayer disclosures found that thecorporation spent just over $2 million on federal lobbying in Q1 -- a 16% increase from Q4 2025.
On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Monsanto v. Durnell. With the Trump administration's repeated support, Bayer is seeking a ruling that would shield the corporation from lawsuits brought by cancer patients who allege Bayer failed to warn them about health risks linked to Roundup. Food & Water Watch and allies submitted an amicus in favor of Durnell, earlier this month.
Food & Water Watch Staff Attorney Dani Replogle issued the following statement:
"As cancer lawsuits cut into profits, Roundup producer Bayer is getting desperate. The corporation is throwing everything at the wall in their campaign to silence the sick. Now, after failing in the states, Bayer is spending big money to woo Washington in advance of its high stakes Supreme Court case next week.
"While Bayer money has bought President Trump's support, it can't buy the public. Opposition to Bayer's Cancer Gag Act campaign is at fever pitch. Congress must pass the Pesticide Injury Accountability Act to safeguard the right to justice for all harmed by toxic pesticides."
Food & Water Watch research catalogues Bayer's liability campaign. Since purchasing Monsanto in 2018, Bayer has spent over $11 billion settling over 100,000 cancer lawsuits related to Roundup, whose active ingredient glyphosate the World Health Organization defines as a probable carcinogen.
Bayer is also pushing widely-opposed Cancer Gag Act bills nationwide, seeking to shield pesticide corporations from health-related lawsuits. The corporation is behind a similar provision in the Farm Bill, currently awaiting a floor vote in the House of Representatives.
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Original text here: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2026/04/21/bayer-ramps-up-federal-lobbying-before-supreme-court-argument/
[Category: Science]
