The United States World War One Centennial Commission hosts a program from the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri marking the 100th anniversary of America's entry into the war. The ceremony includes a dramatic re-telling of the American debate over whether to join the global conflict. President Woodrow Wilson signed a congressional declaration of war against Germany on April 6, 1917. More than four million American men and women served in uniform, and more than 100,000 died.
A group of 21 American students aged 9 - 19, is suing Pres. Trump over the U.S. government's climate change policy, which they claim puts their future in jeopardy. In early February, lawyers for the young plaintiffs went to federal court in Oregon to substitute Pres. Trump for Pres.Obama, as the defendant in their lawsuit. They're seeking a court order that requires the government to quickly reduce carbon dioxide emissions that many scientists say drives global warming. One of the plaintiffs, 19-year-old college student Tia Hatton, and her attorneys, spoke to the Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco about the case.
The Consumer Federation of America held their annual food policy conference in Washington, DC. This portion featured a keynote address from Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) on hunger in the United States and his suggestions on how best to address it legislatively. Then, a panel of experts discussed what they thought would be the food policy priorities of the Trump administration, and how those would likely contrast with past objectives of the Obama and Bush administrations.
The Consumer Federation of America held their annual food policy conference in Washington, DC. This portion featured a keynote address from FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Director Susan Mayne. She discussed the agency's food policy priorities, changes to nutrition labeling and implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. The event also included a panel discussion on efforts to address hunger in the U.S. and proposed budget cuts to food aid programs. Speakers included Bread for the World President David Beckmann, Meals on Wheels America CEO Ellie Hollander and leaders from other anti-hunger organizations.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb testified before the Senate Health & Education Committee about his nomination to be commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Gottlieb said, if confirmed, his top priority would be combating the nation's opioid epidemic. Ranking member Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and democratic members voiced their concerns about the nominee's financial ties to medical companies. In response, Dr. Gottlieb pledged to be impartial as FDA commissioner and uphold the standards of the agency. Other topics addressed included prescription drug prices, e-cigarette regulations, food safety and implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen spoke about his agency's operations and their impact on taxpayers in areas including stolen identity tax refund fraud, phone and online services and tax assistance centers. He gave these remarks before a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee. It's chaired by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) who began with remarks on a scheduled vote on the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be U.S. Trade Representative.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen delivered the keynote address at a luncheon hosted by the National Press Club in Washington, DC, just a couple of weeks before the annual tax deadline. Commissioner Koskinen focused his remarks on efforts the federal collecting agency had made to better meet taxpayers' need for help in filing their taxes, and in addressing ongoing cybersecurity threats. After his remarks, Commissioner Koskinen took questions from the audience, many of them on how the IRS would address potential changes to the nation's tax code, which President Trump promised during his 2016 campaign.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein said he is not considering the option of stop loss, an involuntary extension of service, to retain trained pilots in the Air Force. General Goldfein said the option of stop loss is a tool that the Defense Secretary could use when it is a state of emergency. General Goldfein made these remarks while speaking on military readiness and modernization at the Heritage Foundation.
