Public Policy
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations whose goal it is to influence the debate Washington.
Featured Stories
NDI/IRI Technical Assessment Mission Releases Final Report on the 2024 Bangladesh Elections
WASHINGTON, March 18 (TNSres) -- The International Republican Institute issued the following news release:
The joint National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) deployed to Bangladesh to monitor potential electoral violence conditions before, during, and after the country's January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections released its final report today.
The document provides a thematic analysis of different types of election violence and includes recommendations to the Bangladesh Election Commission, the executive and legislative
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 18 (TNSres) -- The International Republican Institute issued the following news release:
The joint National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) deployed to Bangladesh to monitor potential electoral violence conditions before, during, and after the country's January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections released its final report today.
The document provides a thematic analysis of different types of election violence and includes recommendations to the Bangladesh Election Commission, the executive and legislativebranches of government, political parties, civil society, and other stakeholders based on IRI's and NDI's comparative experience, to mitigate the risks of violence in future elections, in the furtherance of international cooperation and with respect for the sovereignty of Bangladesh.
The mission found that the 2024 election period, including the campaign period, election day and immediate aftermath, had less physical and online violence compared to previous election cycles, primarily due to the absence of nationwide partisan competition and the state's increased focus on election security. However, the TAM also found that the quality of the January election was undermined by incidents of state, ruling party, and opposition violence, as well as a pre-election environment characterized by increased political polarization, violence among political actors, contracting civic space, and worsening freedoms of expression and association.
"This report provides a valuable roadmap for more peaceful elections in Bangladesh's future," said Manpreet Singh Anand, NDI's Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific. "Leaders across the sociopolitical spectrum -- including political parties, the government, and civil society - have a responsibility to reform the rules, practices, and norms of electoral politics toward nonviolence."
"Election violence is a key deterrent of citizen participation," said Johanna Kao, IRI's Senior Director for the Asia-Pacific Division. "For Bangladesh's elections to be fully inclusive and participatory, all sides need to prioritize nonviolent politics."
During its stay in Bangladesh, the TAM's five accredited long-term analysts met with election and government officials, security actors, political party leaders from across the political spectrum, journalists, civil society organizations including those focusing on youth, women, persons with disabilities, and religious minorities, as well as with accredited international observer missions.
This mission follows a joint pre-election assessment mission (PEAM) that NDI and IRI conducted from October 8 to 11, 2023. The observations from the PEAM informed the structure and scope of the technical assessment, which was conducted in accordance with the laws of Bangladesh and consistent with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation (), endorsed in 2005 at the United Nations.
IRI and NDI are nonpartisan, nongovernmental organizations that support and strengthen democratic institutions and practices worldwide. The Institutes have collectively observed more than 200 elections in more than 50 countries over the last 30 years.
* * *
REPORT: https://www.iri.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1.-NDI-IRI-Joint-Technical-Assessment-Mission-Report.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://www.iri.org/news/ndi-iri-technical-assessment-mission-releases-final-report-on-the-2024-bangladesh-elections/
[Category: Political]
Sierra Club Statement: House Republicans Roll Out Latest Push for Corporate Polluter Handouts
WASHINGTON, March 16 -- The Sierra Club issued the following statement on March 15, 2024:
* * *
Today, House Republicans rolled out a set of bills they plan to vote on as part of a so-called "energy week" next week. The package of bills would claw back key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act that support clean energy projects and reduce methane pollution, promote fracking and drilling on public lands, as well as a pointless resolution criticizing the Biden administration for its efforts to advance climate action and environmental justice and protect communities from dangerous proposed
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 16 -- The Sierra Club issued the following statement on March 15, 2024:
* * *
Today, House Republicans rolled out a set of bills they plan to vote on as part of a so-called "energy week" next week. The package of bills would claw back key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act that support clean energy projects and reduce methane pollution, promote fracking and drilling on public lands, as well as a pointless resolution criticizing the Biden administration for its efforts to advance climate action and environmental justice and protect communities from dangerous proposedfossil fuel projects.
This push comes as Congress faces a yet another critical funding deadline and must pass appropriations bills by next Friday or throw the government into partial shutdown.
In response, Mahyar Sorour, Director of Beyond Fossil Fuels Policy with the Sierra Club, released the following statement:
"Once again, House Republicans are making it clear whose interests they're really looking out for, and it's not the American people. Rather than working to pass critical funding bills to keep our government running, they're wasting time pushing forward the fossil fuel industry's wish list. These efforts only reaffirm that House Republicans care more about their fossil fuel company benefactors than about protecting our communities from deadly pollution or easing high energy costs for American families. They should drop this shameless push for corporate polluter handouts and focus on actually doing their jobs."
* * *
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2024/03/sierra-club-statement-house-republicans-roll-out-latest-push-corporate
[Category: Environment]
New Publications: February 2024
WOODS HOLE, Massachusetts, March 16 (TNSres) -- The Marine Biological Laboratory issued the following weekly publications on March 15, 2024:
* * *
Every month, research from MBL scientists and affiliates is published in academic journals across the globe. In February 2024, 11 new studies were published. MBL-affiliated authors are in bold.
Our list of recent publications is updated weekly here (https://www.mbl.edu/research/scientific-publications).
* * *
February 2024
Bao, Y., Marin, Z., Zhang, C., Neugebauer, K., Baddeley, D., Shribak, M., & Bewersdorf, J. (2024). A correlative quantitative
... Show Full Article
WOODS HOLE, Massachusetts, March 16 (TNSres) -- The Marine Biological Laboratory issued the following weekly publications on March 15, 2024:
* * *
Every month, research from MBL scientists and affiliates is published in academic journals across the globe. In February 2024, 11 new studies were published. MBL-affiliated authors are in bold.
Our list of recent publications is updated weekly here (https://www.mbl.edu/research/scientific-publications).
* * *
February 2024
Bao, Y., Marin, Z., Zhang, C., Neugebauer, K., Baddeley, D., Shribak, M., & Bewersdorf, J. (2024). A correlative quantitativephase contrast and fluorescence super-resolution microscope for imaging molecules in their cellular context. Biophysical Journal. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.11.1808
Dore, H., Eisenberg, A., Junkins, E., Leventhal, G., Ganesh, A., Cordero, O., Paul, B., Valentine, D., O'Malley, M., & Wilbanks, E. (2024). Targeted hypermutation of putative antigen sensors in multicellular bacteria. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316469121
Fogarty, E. C., Schechter, M. S., Lolans, K., Sheahan, M. L., Veseli, I., Moore, R. M., Kiefl, E., Moody, T., Rice, P. A., Yu, M. K., Mimee, M., Chang, E. B., Ruscheweyh, H.-J., Sunagawa, S., Mclellan, S. L., Willis, A. D., Comstock, L. E., & Eren, A. M. (2024). A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut. Cell. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.01.039
Fricke, A., Bast, F., Moreira-Saporiti, A., Martins Bussanello, G., Msuya, F. E., & Teichberg, M. (2024). Tropical bloom-forming mesoalgae Cladophoropsis sp. And Laurencia sp.--responses to ammonium enrichment and a simulated heatwave. Journal of Phycology. DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13435
Henderson, L. C., Wittmers, F., Carlson, C. A., Worden, A. Z., & Close, H. G. (2024). Variable carbon isotope fractionation of photosynthetic communities over depth in an open-ocean euphotic zone. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304613121
Hill, A., Schafer, K., Forbrich, I., & Vargas, R. (2024). Empirical Dynamic Modeling Reveals Complexity of Methane Fluxes in a Temperate Salt Marsh. Journal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences. DOI: 10.1029/2023jg007630
Kwiatkowski, E. , Rosenthal, J., & Emery, P. (2024). Clocks at sea: The genome-editing tide is rising. Trends in Genetics. DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.01.006
McMaken, C. M., & Gribble, K. E. (2024). A free and user-friendly software protocol for the quantification of microfauna swimming behavior. BioTechniques. DOI: 10.2144/btn-2024-0001
Mensinger, A. (2024). So many toadfish, so little time. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. DOI: 10.1121/10.0024612
Nakamura, M., Kyoda, T., Yoshida, H., Takebayashi-Suzuki, K., Koike, R., Takahashi, E., Moriyama, Y., Wlizla, M., Horb, M. E., & Suzuki, A. (2024). Injury-induced cooperation of InhibinBA and JunB is essential for cell proliferation in Xenopus tadpole tail regeneration. Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54280-w
Perillo, M., Sepe, R. M., Paganos, P., Toscano, A., & Annunziata, R. (2024). Sea cucumbers: An emerging system in evo-devo. EvoDevo. DOI: 10.1186/s13227-023-00220-0
Are you an MBL scientist with a paper that came out this month, which was not included on this list? We apologize for the oversight. Please email comm@mbl.edu
* * *
Original text here: https://www.mbl.edu/news/new-publications-february-2024
[Category: Biology]
Moms Demand Action: Here's What to Know as the Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee Hears Dangerous Bill Encouraging Vigilante Gun Violence
PHOENIX, Arizona, March 16 -- Moms Demand Action, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, issued the following news release on March 14, 2024:
Today, lawmakers in the Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee are hearing HB 2843. The measure, which has driven opposition from law enforcement officials across the state, has already passed the House, and is under consideration in the Senate committee.
"The gun lobby and extremist lawmakers have shown their true colors, pushing for a racist, dangerous bill that would encourage racially-motivated armed vigilantism, said RJ Shannon, a volunteer with the Arizona
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, March 16 -- Moms Demand Action, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, issued the following news release on March 14, 2024:
Today, lawmakers in the Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee are hearing HB 2843. The measure, which has driven opposition from law enforcement officials across the state, has already passed the House, and is under consideration in the Senate committee.
"The gun lobby and extremist lawmakers have shown their true colors, pushing for a racist, dangerous bill that would encourage racially-motivated armed vigilantism, said RJ Shannon, a volunteer with the Arizonachapter of Moms Demand Action. "Our state was built by immigrants seeking the promise of a better life. Whether you've been here for five minutes or five generations, every single person deserves the right of safety in our state, this bill would put a target on their backs. There's only one option here -- lawmakers must reject this extreme and deadly legislation."
Here's What to Know About This Dangerous Legislation:
- The author of HB 2843, Representative Justin Heap from Mesa, has openly stated that his goal is to close a loophole which he thinks leads to "larger numbers of migrants or human traffickers moving across farm and ranch land." This dehumanizing rhetoric invites and provokes violence which could then be excused under HB 2843.
- It would encourage property owners to confront individuals traversing their land, no matter how expansive or whether it is marked as private property, and threaten or use lethal force against them.
- HB 2843 encourages the use of deadly force in self-defense when it should always be a last resort. The bill could drive an increase in armed vigilantism and promote escalating conflicts to deadly violence that could be resolved in safer ways.
In 2010, Arizona kicked off a national trend by repealing its concealed carry permit requirement and passing a "stand your ground" law, allowing individuals to use deadly force, even when they can safely walk away from perceived danger. HB 2843 would be an alarming expansion of the current Shoot First laws in the state.
This session, lawmakers have already pushed various measures backed by the gun lobby - including SB 1198 and SB 1189, which would force Arizona universities, colleges and community colleges to let anyone with a concealed carry permit carry a concealed gun on campus - including in classrooms, dorms, and at sporting events, and revoking the power of local governments from prohibiting gun shows from occurring in their cities or counties. .
In an average year, 1,228 people die by guns in Arizona. Gun violence costs Arizona $15.9 billion each year, of which $253.2 million is paid by taxpayers. If Arizona had the gun death rate of our National Leaders--the eight states with the strongest gun safety laws--we could save 11,161 lives in the next decade. More information about gun violence in Arizona is available here (https://everystat.org/?_gl=1*1bdh980*_ga*NTcxMDk0NzAyLjE2NjM3NzgwMzg.*_ga_LT0FWV3EK3*MTY3NDE0NjYzNC42MS4xLjE2NzQxNDc0MzguMC4wLjA.#Arizona).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.everytown.org/press/heres-what-to-know-as-the-arizona-senate-judiciary-committee-hears-dangerous-bill-encouraging-vigilante-gun-violence/
[Category: Sociological]
Food & Water Watch: Senate Committee Passes Clean Energy Standard for New Jersey
TRENTON, New Jersey, March 16 -- The Food and Water Watch issued the following statement on March 14, 2024:
* * *
Today, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted in favor of a bill to establish a 100 percent "clean" energy standard for the state (S237).
Over 100 organizations signed a letter to political leaders this month calling for the legislation to be strengthened - specifically by removing provisions that allowed for hydrogen blending and carbon capture schemes, both of which are expensive, unproven technologies that will only encourage more fossil fuel use. The letter also urged
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, March 16 -- The Food and Water Watch issued the following statement on March 14, 2024:
* * *
Today, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted in favor of a bill to establish a 100 percent "clean" energy standard for the state (S237).
Over 100 organizations signed a letter to political leaders this month calling for the legislation to be strengthened - specifically by removing provisions that allowed for hydrogen blending and carbon capture schemes, both of which are expensive, unproven technologies that will only encourage more fossil fuel use. The letter also urgedlawmakers to end the practice of counting garbage incineration as a form of renewable energy.
Food & Water Watch New Jersey State Director Matt Smith issued the following statement:
"Community groups and climate activists from all over the state have been pushing lawmakers to enact a clean energy standard that closes dirty energy loopholes and creates thousands of good green jobs. We thank Senator Smith for the progress made so far, but more work is needed to strengthen the bill. Specifically, we need clean energy to be defined as zero emissions, not net zero - which leaves the door open for dirty schemes like mis-named 'renewable natural gas.' We must pass a truly clean energy standard that makes New Jersey a national leader in the fight for clean air and a safe climate future."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2024/03/14/senate-committee-passes-clean-energy-standard-for-new-jersey/
[Category: Science]
Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions: State Senate Takes Final Step in Giving Voters the Chance to Support Educational Freedom for Kentucky Families
WASHINGTON, March 16 -- The Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions issued the following news on March 15, 2024:
The state Senate's approval this morning of a proposed constitutional amendment will give voters the opportunity to remove the remaining legal barriers to Kentucky families having the same kind of educational opportunities available in most other states. The Kentucky House of Representatives approved the measure on Wednesday.
"It's important to understand what passage of this constitutional amendment would - and would not - do," said Bluegrass Institute President Jim Waters.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 16 -- The Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions issued the following news on March 15, 2024:
The state Senate's approval this morning of a proposed constitutional amendment will give voters the opportunity to remove the remaining legal barriers to Kentucky families having the same kind of educational opportunities available in most other states. The Kentucky House of Representatives approved the measure on Wednesday.
"It's important to understand what passage of this constitutional amendment would - and would not - do," said Bluegrass Institute President Jim Waters."Passage of this amendment would not determine Kentucky's specific school-choice policy; rather, it simply clarifies that nothing in the Constitution prevents lawmakers from creating and funding such policies."
* * *
The question that voters will answer:
To give parents choices in educational opportunities for their children, are you in favor of enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?
* * *
If approved by voters, the following language will be added to our state's Constitution:
The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186 and 189 of this Constitutional notwithstanding.
It will be up to legislators to debate and decide Kentucky's education-choice policies during future legislative sessions, Waters said.
"The Bluegrass Institute and our school-choice coalition looks forward to engaging and informing voters to remove the obstacles that will allow lawmakers to create policies that give parents the opportunity to ensure all children have access to the education that best fits their need and positions them for a lifetime of success," Waters said.
For additional comment or more information, please contact Jim Waters.
* * *
Original text here: https://bipps.org/blog/senate-takes-final-step-in-giving-voters-the-chance-to-support-educational-freedom-for-kentucky-families
[Category: Sociological]
Animal Welfare Institute: US Spending Package Includes Multiple Wins for Animals, But Insufficient Funding for Major Welfare and Conservation Priorities
WASHINGTON, March 16 -- The Animal Welfare Institute issued the following news release:
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 4366) signed into law Saturday includes several important victories for animals, but falls short in a number of key areas, such as enforcement of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Horse Protection Act (HPA). The $460 billion spending package (H.R. 4366) funds the Department of the Interior, the US Department of Agriculture, and other federal agencies through the end of the 2024 fiscal year on September 30. It includes the following provisions:
Wildlife Services
H.R.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 16 -- The Animal Welfare Institute issued the following news release:
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 4366) signed into law Saturday includes several important victories for animals, but falls short in a number of key areas, such as enforcement of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Horse Protection Act (HPA). The $460 billion spending package (H.R. 4366) funds the Department of the Interior, the US Department of Agriculture, and other federal agencies through the end of the 2024 fiscal year on September 30. It includes the following provisions:
Wildlife Services
H.R.4366 prohibits the USDA's Wildlife Services program from using chemical poison devices such as M-44 "cyanide bombs" or sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080). These lethal predator control devices cause immense suffering and are indiscriminate, victimizing not only target animals but also endangered species and family pets. M-44s have injured several people and pose a grave danger to children. Many humane and cost-effective wildlife management methods exist as alternatives to chemical poisons.
Endangered Marine Mammals
During negotiations, riders were attached to Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bills that would have threatened the survival and recovery of two of the most endangered whales on Earth, the North Atlantic right whale and Rice's whale. The most dangerous of these would have blocked the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from finalizing a vessel speed rule to protect North Atlantic right whales and stymied future efforts to protect Rice's whales from vessel strikes. The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and dozens of environmental and animal welfare organizations worked with animal protection champions in Congress to ensure that the final package was stripped of these riders.
Captive Marine Mammal Regulations
The bill notes that the USDA's standards for the handling, care, treatment, and transportation of marine mammals in captivity are outdated. It directs the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to prioritize finalization of a humane and science-based rule to modernize its marine mammal regulations and to report on its progress within 90 days.
Endangered Species Act
The ESA has been desperately underfunded for years, despite overwhelming evidence that the planet is facing a global extinction crisis. The US Fish and Wildlife Service needs at least an additional $553 million to begin addressing a backlog of more than 300 species awaiting protection decisions, among other priorities. Instead, the Consolidated Spending Act decreased funding by $8 million for ESA implementation. However, thanks to enormous pressure from wildlife advocates, a number of anti-ESA riders were stripped from the final agreement.
Horses
The bill continues to block the operation of horse slaughter facilities on US soil.
It earmarks $11 million for the administration of proven humane fertility control methods to keep wild horses and burros in their natural habitats with their herds, and protects wild equines from lethal control methods and from being destroyed for commercial purposes.
For the first time, Congress included language directing the Bureau of Land Management to consider alternatives to brutal helicopter roundups to remove wild horses from the range. Language was also included urging the National Park Service to maintain wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The NPS is considering removal of this historic herd - the only wild horses in North Dakota - despite opposition from lawmakers and the public.
H.R. 4366 allocates $3.5 million for HPA enforcement to combat abuses associated with horse soring - a 17% decrease from the previous fiscal year. This funding cut comes at an inopportune time, as the USDA appears poised to finalize long-awaited HPA regulations that would overhaul the current failed system of industry self-policing.
Mink
Congress expressed concern about the mounting evidence that fur farms are potential vectors for zoonotic diseases, including COVID-19 and avian influenza. Lawmakers also noted a lack of USDA oversight of disease transmission on fur farms, and urged the department to make data from its annual mink survey public to help clarify public health risks and inform policy decisions.
Other Farmed Animals
The bill directs the USDA to work with producers to develop disaster preparedness plans to prevent farmed animal suffering and death during extreme weather events.
It ensures training in humane handling regulations for all Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection personnel and continued public access to quarterly reports of humane handling activities. It also directs the USDA to report on instances in which poultry slaughter facilities fail to comply with directives aimed at preventing animal mistreatment and adulteration of food.
Finally, it directs the USDA to report to Congress on barriers to enforcement of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law - the only federal law aimed at providing basic protections for farmed animals being transported across the United States.
Companion Animals
H.R. 4366 provides $3 million for grants to provide sheltering, fostering, and additional services for domestic violence survivors with companion animals under the Protecting Animals With Shelter (PAWS) program.
Animal Welfare Act Enforcement
Congress asked APHIS to step up enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act against exhibitors, researchers, breeders, and dealers who repeatedly violate the law. This includes conducting consistent, thorough, unannounced inspections on a regular basis, documenting each violation or attempt to block inspector access, and requiring that violations and compliance failures be shared with relevant local, state, and federal agencies.
Research
The spending package directs the "FDA to efficiently and expeditiously utilize existing funds to reduce animal testing and advance alternative methods in a measurable and impactful way."
* * *
The Animal Welfare Institute is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people. AWI engages policymakers, scientists, industry, and the public to achieve better treatment of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our communities, in research, and in the wild.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.awionline.org/press-releases/us-spending-package-includes-multiple-wins-animals-insufficient-funding-major
[Category: Animals]