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  May 22, 2013, 6:22 pm

OMB deputy nominee heads to full Senate

By Julian Hattem

President Obama's pick for the budget office's second in command sailed through a Senate committee vote, clearing the way for his consideration by the full body.

Brian Deese, currently the National Economic Council deputy director, passed through the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee by a voice vote on Wednesday afternoon.

If confirmed, he will become the deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).


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Archived under: Personnel Notes, Budget, Administration
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  May 22, 2013, 6:18 pm

OSHA moves to delay new crane operator rules

By Ben Goad

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Wednesday it would propose to delay a set of certification requirements for crane and derrick operators.

OSHA laid out the new standards in August of 2010, and gave the industry four years to comply. Under the regulations, operators were to meet, by November of next year, one of four options to demonstrate they are qualified to handle the equipment.

Outside groups raised concerns about the regulations, prompting officials to consider changes.

In the meantime, OSHA said it would “will propose to extend the compliance date so that the qualification/certification requirements do not take effect during potential rulemaking or cause disruption to the construction industry,” according to a statement issued by the agency.

Under the proposal, the certification requirements would be put off for three years, taking effect in November of 2017.

Archived under: Labor
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  May 22, 2013, 6:08 pm

Regulatory loopholes create profit for scammers

By Megan R. Wilson

Federal regulators are looking to crack down on telemarketing scams involving “remotely created” checks and other new payment technology.

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Archived under: Pending Regs
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  May 22, 2013, 4:38 pm

EPA proposes pulp mill rules

By Julian Hattem

The Obama administration wants new regulations for mills that turn wood into pulp.

On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is scheduled to publish in the Federal Register a proposal governing plants that use chemicals to break down wood chips into a mush that can be used to make paper. 

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Archived under: Energy/Environment
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  May 22, 2013, 3:47 pm

Lawmakers seize on farm bill for fresh assault on genetically engineered food

By Ben Goad

Senators have proposed amendments to the $955 billion legislation designed to crack down on the genetic modification practices.

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Archived under: Legislation
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  May 22, 2013, 2:57 pm

Toxic chemical deal met with mixed reactions from greens

By Julian Hattem

Legislators in the Senate are unveiling a bipartisan agreement to update federal toxic chemical regulations, though environmental groups are responding with mixed emotions.

Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and David Vitter (R-La.) on Wednesday released an agreement to update the Toxic Substances Control Act, the consumer safety law passed in 1976.

The bill, which has the support of 14 other senators from both parties, gives new powers to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and lays out a clearer path for bringing new chemicals to the market.

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Archived under: E2-Wire, Energy/Environment
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  May 22, 2013, 2:42 pm

Senate Dems push for stronger international swaps rules

By Julian Hattem

Six Democratic senators want stronger regulations for the international derivatives market.

American financial institutions' overseas offices are not currently subject to the same rules as their stateside branches, though the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) proposed to grant itself the authority to govern many international derivatives deals, known as cross-border swaps, last July. 

In a letter to CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler sent on Wednesday, six senators say those standards should be strict, because actions by foreign institutions can affect the American market.

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Archived under: Banking/Financial Institutions, Finance
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  May 22, 2013, 12:28 pm

GAO: Government not cutting waste

By Ben Goad

Only a fraction of the GAO's recommended cuts targeting duplicative programs have been carried out.

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Archived under: Appropriations, Administration
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  May 22, 2013, 12:10 pm

House GOP chastise equal employment chair for hurting businesses

By Julian Hattem

House Republicans attacked the nation's top anti-discrimination enforcement officer for hurting employers with misguided priorities.

The chairwoman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) testified that she was just doing her job to combat unfair practices, despite a shrinking budget.

The commission is responsible for enforcing the federal government's workplace anti-discrimination laws.

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Archived under: Labor
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  May 22, 2013, 10:28 am

Thursday's meeting announcements: Protecting veterans' rights

By Julian Hattem

A number of upcoming meetings will be announced in Thursday's issue of the Federal Register. Here's what to expect:

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is meeting May 31 in Washington to discuss protecting veterans' and service members' rights. 

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Archived under: Other
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