(BUSINESS WIRE)--Congressman Ron Paul and his son, Senator Rand Paul, today (January 26) introduced companion legislation in both chambers of the United States Congress to require a full and thorough audit of the Federal Reserve.
The bills, both titled The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2011, but known better as “Audit the Fed,” are numbered H.R. 459 in the House and S. 202 in the Senate and continue the efforts championed by Ron Paul last year that won 320 co-sponsors before passing the House and 32 cosponsors in the Senate before falling short on a floor vote.
H.R. 459 starts the session with 56 original bipartisan cosponsors, while Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) are original cosponsors for S. 202.
The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2011 would open up the Fed’s funding facilities, such as the Primary Dealer Credit Facility, Term Securities Lending Facility, and Term Asset-Backed Securities Lending Facility to Congressional oversight and audit by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office. Additionally, audits would include discount window operations, open market operations, and agreements with foreign central banks such as ongoing dollar swap operations with European central banks.
Public polling conducted by Rasmussen Reports in December 2010 indicated that 74 percent of the American People demand transparency at the Fed and support a full audit as called for in the Audit the Fed legislation. In 2009 and 2010, Campaign for Liberty generated over 2.5 million grassroots contacts to federal lawmakers in support of Audit the Fed.
“The Federal Reserve and its loose money, easy credit policies are the culprit for so many of the dire economic problems we face. Americans continue to demand transparency at the Federal Reserve, and Campaign for Liberty is proud to lead the fight to make this legislation the Law of the Land,” said Campaign for Liberty President John Tate. “All across the country, grassroots citizens are uniting behind Ron and Rand Paul and will demand this audit, this year.”
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Showing posts with label transparency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transparency. Show all posts
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
U.S. Department of Labor unveils new 'Open Government' efforts
/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a broad array of efforts designed to improve the public's accessibility to its agencies and ensure the department can function more effectively. The work is part of the Obama Administration's continued commitment to improved accountability, transparency and service to the American public.
"True progress is not something that happens to people. It happens because of them. And, it all begins with information that can be shared in a timely and effective manner," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "People deserve to know what their government is doing on their behalf, and what they can do to participate actively in that work. I am proud of the steps we are taking to make that possible, and I look forward to broadening our efforts further."
Previously, only the Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration posted worker fatality data on its Web site. Now, the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also systematically publishing employer-specific information about occupational fatalities online and making these data available for easy download. Comprehensive, weekly reports on this topic are now available at https://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html. Employers with reported fatalities will have an incentive to take steps to improve safety and prevent future accidents. In addition, responsible employers will be able to use the database to identify dangerous conditions and take precautions.
Other agencies at the department are also making additional information available to the public. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is contributing a vast array of new information to http://www.data.gov/, enhancing its already impressive searchable databases. The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, meanwhile, recently launched a Web-based competition at http://www.dol.gov/challenge. It enlists entrepreneurs and technology firms, workforce professionals and the public to help identify the best online tools to enable America's job seekers to quickly and easily connect with jobs.
The department's commitment to enhance participation also extends to the regulatory arena. On Monday, Dec. 7, the department rolled out its regulatory agenda entirely online. All of the information -- including more than eight hours of Web chats with the secretary of labor and other Department of Labor officials -- can be viewed at http://www.dol.gov/regulations. The Web page also contains links to resources and testimonials, and it even helps visitors submit comments to specific regulations.
"As a legislator, I always felt it was essential for people to take part in the processes of their government. As a regulator, I feel exactly the same way," added Solis.
The department also has launched an extremely successful weekly e-newsletter, which offers readers the latest details in everything from the department's enforcement and compliance assistance to job openings at its various agencies. Not content with one-way communication, however, the department is also using social media tools to engage the public online -- and tapping into the power of crowd sourcing. In fact, the Department of Labor's presence on Facebook and Twitter is already helping to link knowledge communities together and speeding up the sharing of valuable information among the department, state workforce agencies, a variety of stakeholders and, most importantly, the American public.
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"True progress is not something that happens to people. It happens because of them. And, it all begins with information that can be shared in a timely and effective manner," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "People deserve to know what their government is doing on their behalf, and what they can do to participate actively in that work. I am proud of the steps we are taking to make that possible, and I look forward to broadening our efforts further."
Previously, only the Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration posted worker fatality data on its Web site. Now, the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also systematically publishing employer-specific information about occupational fatalities online and making these data available for easy download. Comprehensive, weekly reports on this topic are now available at https://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html. Employers with reported fatalities will have an incentive to take steps to improve safety and prevent future accidents. In addition, responsible employers will be able to use the database to identify dangerous conditions and take precautions.
Other agencies at the department are also making additional information available to the public. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is contributing a vast array of new information to http://www.data.gov/, enhancing its already impressive searchable databases. The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, meanwhile, recently launched a Web-based competition at http://www.dol.gov/challenge. It enlists entrepreneurs and technology firms, workforce professionals and the public to help identify the best online tools to enable America's job seekers to quickly and easily connect with jobs.
The department's commitment to enhance participation also extends to the regulatory arena. On Monday, Dec. 7, the department rolled out its regulatory agenda entirely online. All of the information -- including more than eight hours of Web chats with the secretary of labor and other Department of Labor officials -- can be viewed at http://www.dol.gov/regulations. The Web page also contains links to resources and testimonials, and it even helps visitors submit comments to specific regulations.
"As a legislator, I always felt it was essential for people to take part in the processes of their government. As a regulator, I feel exactly the same way," added Solis.
The department also has launched an extremely successful weekly e-newsletter, which offers readers the latest details in everything from the department's enforcement and compliance assistance to job openings at its various agencies. Not content with one-way communication, however, the department is also using social media tools to engage the public online -- and tapping into the power of crowd sourcing. In fact, the Department of Labor's presence on Facebook and Twitter is already helping to link knowledge communities together and speeding up the sharing of valuable information among the department, state workforce agencies, a variety of stakeholders and, most importantly, the American public.
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Libertarians: No need for ‘Iraq war rush’ to government-run medicine
America’s third largest party Tuesday urged Congress to take its time deliberating the proposed government takeover of the nation’s health care system amid pressure from the White House to quickly adopt the troubled proposal quickly and with minimal debate. Libertarians oppose the plan, which deepens the federal budget deficit and leads to the rationing of basic health care.
“As confidence in President Obama’s plans for a federal government takeover of medicine plunges, the White House is pressuring legislators to rush to judgment while the plan can still be salvaged,” said William Redpath, Libertarian National Committee Chairman. “We urge Congress to deliberate this massive government takeover carefully, take their time to allow Americans to read the full bill and then vote down this legislative disaster.”
A poll conducted independently by the Gallup organization, not for any party or group, and released today shows disapproval of the Obama plan tops approval among adults by a 50 percent to 44 percent margin. Among political independents, the gap grows. Fifty-five percent of independents disapprove of Obama’s plan. Only 40 percent approve.
“The more we find out about the Democrat plan, whether it’s the language on page sixteen outlawing private insurance or Section 440 empowering government to visit your home and monitor your parenting, the more obvious it becomes why President Obama wants as little transparency as possible. As we saw during the rush to the Iraq war, nothing good can happen when the president demands Congress give him what he wants immediately and without debate,” said Redpath.
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“As confidence in President Obama’s plans for a federal government takeover of medicine plunges, the White House is pressuring legislators to rush to judgment while the plan can still be salvaged,” said William Redpath, Libertarian National Committee Chairman. “We urge Congress to deliberate this massive government takeover carefully, take their time to allow Americans to read the full bill and then vote down this legislative disaster.”
A poll conducted independently by the Gallup organization, not for any party or group, and released today shows disapproval of the Obama plan tops approval among adults by a 50 percent to 44 percent margin. Among political independents, the gap grows. Fifty-five percent of independents disapprove of Obama’s plan. Only 40 percent approve.
“The more we find out about the Democrat plan, whether it’s the language on page sixteen outlawing private insurance or Section 440 empowering government to visit your home and monitor your parenting, the more obvious it becomes why President Obama wants as little transparency as possible. As we saw during the rush to the Iraq war, nothing good can happen when the president demands Congress give him what he wants immediately and without debate,” said Redpath.
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
FDA Forms Transparency Task Force
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the formation of a task force to develop recommendations for enhancing the transparency of the agency’s operations and decision-making process.
To support the efforts of the task force, today the FDA issued a Federal Register notice announcing a June 24, 2009, public meeting to solicit recommendations on how the agency can make more available, useful and understandable information on its activities and decisions.
"Our administration is committed to making government open and transparent," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "The Transparency Task Force will give the American people a seat at the table and make the FDA more open and accountable."
"President Obama has pledged to strengthen our democracy by creating an unprecedented level of openness and public participation in government, and the FDA looks forward to participating in this process," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “I have asked the Transparency Task Force to deliver recommendations to me for ways to make more information available and foster better understanding of decision-making.”
The task force will be chaired by Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., and will include center directors, the associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, chief scientist, and the chief counsel.
"Implementation of the Transparency Task Force’s recommendations should make agency actions and decisions, and their underlying processes and bases, more transparent to the public," said Sharfstein. "I look forward to chairing this task force and reporting our findings to Commissioner Hamburg."
The Transparency Task Force will:
* Seek public input on issues related to transparency;
* Recommend ways that the agency can better explain its operations compatible with the appropriate protection of confidential information;
* Identify information the FDA should provide about specific agency operations and activities, including enforcement actions and product approvals;
* Identify problems and barriers, both internal and external, to providing useful and understandable information about FDA activities and decision-making to the public;
* Identify appropriate tools and new technologies for informing the public;
* Recommend changes to the FDA’s current operations, including internal policies and guidance, to improve the agency’s ability to provide information to the public in a timely and effective manner;
* Recommend legislative or regulatory changes, if appropriate, to improve the FDA’s ability to provide information to the public; and
* Submit a written report to the commissioner on the Transparency Task Force’s findings and recommendations.
The establishment of the task force follows President Obama’s Jan. 21, 2009 memorandum directing executive agencies to find new ways of making information available to the public rapidly and in a form that is easily accessible and user-friendly.
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To support the efforts of the task force, today the FDA issued a Federal Register notice announcing a June 24, 2009, public meeting to solicit recommendations on how the agency can make more available, useful and understandable information on its activities and decisions.
"Our administration is committed to making government open and transparent," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "The Transparency Task Force will give the American people a seat at the table and make the FDA more open and accountable."
"President Obama has pledged to strengthen our democracy by creating an unprecedented level of openness and public participation in government, and the FDA looks forward to participating in this process," said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “I have asked the Transparency Task Force to deliver recommendations to me for ways to make more information available and foster better understanding of decision-making.”
The task force will be chaired by Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., and will include center directors, the associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, chief scientist, and the chief counsel.
"Implementation of the Transparency Task Force’s recommendations should make agency actions and decisions, and their underlying processes and bases, more transparent to the public," said Sharfstein. "I look forward to chairing this task force and reporting our findings to Commissioner Hamburg."
The Transparency Task Force will:
* Seek public input on issues related to transparency;
* Recommend ways that the agency can better explain its operations compatible with the appropriate protection of confidential information;
* Identify information the FDA should provide about specific agency operations and activities, including enforcement actions and product approvals;
* Identify problems and barriers, both internal and external, to providing useful and understandable information about FDA activities and decision-making to the public;
* Identify appropriate tools and new technologies for informing the public;
* Recommend changes to the FDA’s current operations, including internal policies and guidance, to improve the agency’s ability to provide information to the public in a timely and effective manner;
* Recommend legislative or regulatory changes, if appropriate, to improve the FDA’s ability to provide information to the public; and
* Submit a written report to the commissioner on the Transparency Task Force’s findings and recommendations.
The establishment of the task force follows President Obama’s Jan. 21, 2009 memorandum directing executive agencies to find new ways of making information available to the public rapidly and in a form that is easily accessible and user-friendly.
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Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Federal Coordinating Council on Comparative Effectiveness Research to Hold Public Listening Session in Washington D.C.
The Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research
will hold a public listening session on April 14, 2009, in Washington
D.C. The council will hear public comment regarding comparative
effectiveness research and the Coordinating Council's activities.
"The Obama Administration is committed to openness and transparency,"
said HHS Spokeswoman Jenny Backus. "Comparative effectiveness research
will expand choices for patients, not limit them, and the council looks
forward to hearing from all parties as it moves ahead."
Individuals interested in addressing the council may nominate themselves
to deliver a three minute oral presentation before the council.
Individuals and organizations may also submit written comments for the
council's consideration. The public may also attend the session, listen
live via audio conference or watch the session online at
www.hhs.gov/recovery.
The 15-member council, created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009, will assist the agencies of the federal government,
including HHS and the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, as
well as others, to coordinate comparative effectiveness and related
health services research. The Recovery Act appropriated$300 million for
the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, $400 million for the
National Institutes of Health, and $400 million for allocation at the
discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support
comparative effectiveness research.
The council will provide input on priorities for the $400 million fund
in the Recovery Act that the Secretary will allocate to advance this
type of research and public input will shape the council's
recommendations. The council will not make final decisions about the
kind of projects that will be funded.
To register to attend the listening session, nominate a person to make a
three-minute oral statement, and/or submit a written statement for the
Coordinating Council's consideration, go to
http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/CER/index.html. Individuals should
register by Monday, April 13, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Space and audio
conference lines are limited.
DATE: Tuesday, April
14, 2009
LOCATION: Hubert H. Humphrey
Building,
Room 800
200
Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201
TIME: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
EDT.
will hold a public listening session on April 14, 2009, in Washington
D.C. The council will hear public comment regarding comparative
effectiveness research and the Coordinating Council's activities.
"The Obama Administration is committed to openness and transparency,"
said HHS Spokeswoman Jenny Backus. "Comparative effectiveness research
will expand choices for patients, not limit them, and the council looks
forward to hearing from all parties as it moves ahead."
Individuals interested in addressing the council may nominate themselves
to deliver a three minute oral presentation before the council.
Individuals and organizations may also submit written comments for the
council's consideration. The public may also attend the session, listen
live via audio conference or watch the session online at
www.hhs.gov/recovery.
The 15-member council, created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009, will assist the agencies of the federal government,
including HHS and the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, as
well as others, to coordinate comparative effectiveness and related
health services research. The Recovery Act appropriated$300 million for
the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, $400 million for the
National Institutes of Health, and $400 million for allocation at the
discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support
comparative effectiveness research.
The council will provide input on priorities for the $400 million fund
in the Recovery Act that the Secretary will allocate to advance this
type of research and public input will shape the council's
recommendations. The council will not make final decisions about the
kind of projects that will be funded.
To register to attend the listening session, nominate a person to make a
three-minute oral statement, and/or submit a written statement for the
Coordinating Council's consideration, go to
http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/CER/index.html. Individuals should
register by Monday, April 13, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Space and audio
conference lines are limited.
DATE: Tuesday, April
14, 2009
LOCATION: Hubert H. Humphrey
Building,
Room 800
200
Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201
TIME: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
EDT.
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