CD254: Baby Formula Shortage
Congressional Dish
After multiple formula-related infant deaths were reported to the FDA in February, samples from Abbott Laboratories' Sturgis, Michigan baby formula production facility tested positive for cronobacter, triggering a recall and a subsequent formula shortage. In this episode, Jen uncovers monopoly and neglect in the baby formula production industry, lack of oversight by the FDA, and the United States' refusal to adopt the World Health Organization's International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via ...
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CD253: Escalation of War
Congressional Dish
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Congress has signed four laws that send enormous amounts of money and weapons to Ukraine, attempting to punish Russia for President Putin’s invasion. In this episode, we examine these laws to find out where our money will actually go and attempt to understand the shifting goals of the Biden administration. The big picture, as it’s being explained to Congress, differs from what we’re being sold. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send...
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CD252: Women’s Health Protection Act
Congressional Dish
The Women’s Health Protection Act is a bill written by Democrats that would guarantee access to abortion services in the United States. While this bill is unlikely to become law, learning what exactly the Democrats are proposing is instructive, as many of us will be voting with abortion in mind later this year. Now that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn previous decisions that guaranteed access to abortion services for the past 50 years, what do Democrats hope to do in response? Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support...
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CD251: BIF: Driving Dangers Sustained
Congressional Dish
The recently signed infrastructure law continues the United States’ over-reliance on the most dangerous way to travel: driving a vehicle. Did Congress make sufficient safety improvements to decrease the dangers posed by driving in the United States? This episode will examine all vehicle-related safety provisions to help you weigh your own transportation options. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send Venmo payments to:...
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CD250: Congress Saves the Postal Service
Congressional Dish
Congress did a good thing! In this encouraging episode, learn about a new law that saved the Postal Service from financial doom without spending one extra penny in taxpayer money. Then, listen to the highlights from a recent hearing about the electrification of the Postal Service’s vehicle fleet. Louis DeJoy may not have sabotaged the 2020 election, but is he sabotaging the effort to transition the Postal Service away from fossil fuels? Executive Producer: Stephen McMahan Executive Producer: Jose Huerta Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via ...
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CD249: A Few Good Laws
Congressional Dish
We have some new laws! In this episode, a brief overview of the government funding law that (finally) funds the government for 2022 and provides money and weapons to Ukraine, a new law that protects drinking water, a new law that slightly reduces the corruption of Puerto Rico’s financial oversight board, and a new law that guarantees you rights that corporate contracts have been taking away. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected]
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CD248: Understanding the Enemy
Congressional Dish
Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched an illegal, unjustified war against Ukraine and Putin himself is the only person who can stop the war immediately. In this episode, we seek to understand why President Putin has launched this horrific war in order to judge our country’s ability to bring the war to a quicker end. Executive Producer: Alex Bilotta Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send Venmo payments to:...
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CD247: BIF: The Growth of US Railroads
Congressional Dish
The infrastructure law provides the most significant investment in passenger rail in U.S. history, but substantial hurdles - including a powerful cartel - stand firmly in the way of a real national network. In this episode, learn the ways the infrastructure law paves the way for a better future for passenger rail along with the significant obstacles that it failed to address. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: [email protected] Send Venmo payments...
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CD246: BIF: Appalachian Chemical Storage
Congressional Dish
The Infrastructure Law that was signed in late 2021 funds the first phase of a huge infrastructure project called the Appalachian Storage Hub, which would consist of large gas processing plants, underground chemical storage facilities, and pipeline networks to connect them all together. In this episode, get the details - as many as are known - about the plans for this possible project. Is this a good idea for our country? Please Support Congressional Dish Contribute monthly or a lump sum via Support Congressional Dish via (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to:...
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CD245: New Year, Same Congress
Congressional Dish
Much media attention has been rightfully aimed at the recent failures of Congress, but there was, in fact, lawmaking happening at the end of 2021. In this episode, learn about some laws that didn't get much attention, including a law that solves a real problem and a few laws designed to economically punish China. We also take a look at what is happening in Congress as we start 2022 and look for opportunities for effective activism as we enter this Congressional election year.
info_outlineThe Trump administration renegotiated NAFTA and the 116th Congress passed those changes in order to make the USMCA into law. In this episode, international trade expert Lori Wallach, the Director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, joins Jen to explain the differences between NAFTA and the USMCA. What you hear may surprise you.
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Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes
CD96: Fast Tracking Fast Track (Trade Promotion Authority
CD102: The World Trade Organization: COOL?
CD052: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Bills
- Bill: H.R.5430 - United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Congress.gov, January 16, 2020
About Lori Wallach
- Lori Wallach, Linked In
- Lori Wallach, Director, Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, Public Citizen
- About Us, Public Citizen
- About Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch (GTW), Public Citizen
- Public Citizen, Influence Watch
- Global Trade Watch, Facebook
- Global Trade Watch, Twitter
- Lori Wallach, Twitter
- Global Trade Watch, Instagram
Articles/Documents
- Article: Labelling debate returns to U.S. By Barbara Duckworth, The Western Producer, February 13, 2020
- Article: The US Drops ISDS By Lori Wallach, The Globalist, January 24, 2020
- Article: Lawmakers try to resurrect country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork By Cathy Siegner, FoodDive, November 5, 2019
- Article: Background on the Epic WTO Tuna Dolphin Fight Public Citizen
- Article: COOL for beef, pork on US Senate’s plate By Erica Shaffer, Meat + Poultry, November 4, 2019
- Article: When Pharma Needs a Friend: Conservative House Democrats Move to Protect Drug Company Profits by David Dayen, The American Prospect, October 31, 2019
- Article: While USMCA stalls, lobbying kicks into high gear by Raymond Arke, OpenSecrets.org, May 8, 2019
- Article: Mexico loses 10-year WTO battle over U.S. tuna labeling by Tom Miles, Reuters, December 14, 2018
- Article: The Little-Known Trade Adviser Who Wields Enormous Power in Washington by Ana Swanson, The New York Times, March 9, 2018
- Document: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) By M. Angeles Villarreal and Ian F. Fergusson, Congressional Research Service, May 24, 2017
- Article: Trump's trade pick sails through hearing but faces procedural hangup By Victoria Guida, POLITICO, March 14, 2017
- Article: India, US lock horns over intellectual property at WTO By Amiti Sen, New Scientist, November 11, 2016
- Document: Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods and the WTO Trade Dispute on Meat Labeling By Joel L. Greene, Congressional Research Service, December 8, 2015
- Article: India surveys aftermath of new patent law By Padma Tata, New Scientist, March 29, 2005
Additional Resources
- Vote Results: On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 5430 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act) United States Senate, January 16, 2020
- Vote Results: United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act, FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 701 House of Representatives Clerk, December 19, 2019
- Trade Agreement: Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada 12/13/19 Text Office of the United States Trade Representative, December 13, 2019
Cover Art
Design by Only Child Imaginations
Music Presented in This Episode
Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)