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Posts in Congress
Congressional Cannabis Caucus Advocates for Medical Marijuana Access to Veterans
Congressional Cannabis Caucus Advocates for Medical Marijuana Access to Veterans

On December 1, 2021 the Congressional Cannabis Caucus composed a letter to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding the Caucus’ advocacy for medical marijuana access for veterans.

The letter stated “As bipartisan Co-Chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, we are pleased to learn the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is considering a change in policy to allow for access to medical cannabis for VA patients. We implore your agency to act swiftly and implement this change as soon as possible.”

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cannabis, Congress, healthcare, hemp, marijuana, medical marijuana, pharmaceuticalsRon LantonCongressional Cannabis Caucus, Cannabis, medical marijuana, Congress, Veterans Affairs
New Congressional Pharmacy Benefit Manager Bill Aimed at Spread Pricing Reintroduced
New Congressional Pharmacy Benefit Manager Bill Aimed at Spread Pricing Reintroduced

According to a December 1, 2021 press release, Representatives Carter (R-GA) and Gonzalez (D-TX) have reintroduced the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act. The legislation “would limit the power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to artificially spike Medicaid drug prices. The Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act bans the use of spread pricing by middlemen (PBMs) in Medicaid managed care. PBMs drive up prescription drug costs without adding any value to the consumer.”

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Congress, drug price, healthcare, insurance, pharmaceuticals, pharmacy, pharmacy benefit manager, prescription drug costs, MedicaidRon Lantonpharmacy, spread pricing, Medicaid, Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act
CURES 2.0 Biomedical Legislation Introduced Into Congress
CURES 2.0 Biomedical Legislation Introduced Into Congress

U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) are back as they recently introduced their long anticipated and bipartisan Cures 2.0 legislation. The bill is discussed via Congresswoman DeGette’s press release.

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biotech, biotechnology, cancer, Congress, diabetes, genetics, genome, healthcare, legislation, life sciences, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Advanced Research Project, National Institutes of HeRon LantonAlzheimer’s, ALS, diabetes, cancer, oncology, National Institutes of Health, Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health
Antitrust Legislation Targeting Merger Filing Fees Passes Senate
Antitrust Legislation Targeting Merger Filing Fees Passes Senate

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) who along with Senator Durbin (D-IL) as cosponsors have announced Senate passage of the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act.

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antitrust, CongressRon LantonMerger Filing Fee Modernization Act, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Amy Klobuchar, Senator Chuck Grassley, FTC, Federal Trade Commission, Antitrust
Senator Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Castor (D-FL) and Trahan (D-MA) Urge FTC To Use Authority to Make Tech Companies More Accountable
Senator Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Castor (D-FL) and Trahan (D-MA) Urge FTC To Use Authority to Make Tech Companies More Accountable

According to Senator Markey’s press release Senator Markey and Representatives Castor and Trahan have sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, urging the agency to use its full authority—including its authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act—to ensure these companies comply with their new policies.

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communications, Congress, data, FTC, Children’s Online Privacy, AADCRon LantonChildren’s Online Privacy and Protection Act, COPPA, Senator Markey, Federal Trade Commission, The Age Appropriate Design Code, FTC
U.S. Senate Passes the Innovation and Competition Act
U.S. Senate Passes the Innovation and Competition Act

Earlier this month the U.S. Senate passed a rare bi-partisan bill called the United States Innovation and Competition Act, which seeks to improve America's competitive edge by investing billions of dollars in scientific and technological innovations – including artificial intelligence, computer chips and robotics.

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technology, tech, telecommunications, supply chain, semiconductor, Congress, communications, dataRon LantonUnited States Innovation and Competition Act, AI, artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductor, computer chips, national security, Congress
Data Protection Agency (DPA) Legislation Reintroduced
Data Protection Agency (DPA) Legislation Reintroduced

U.S. Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) issued a press release announcing the Data Protection Act of 2021, which would create the DPA, an independent federal agency whose goal is to protect Americans’ data, instill privacy safeguards and work to ensure that there is transparency in data sharing practices.

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privacy, technology, telecommunications, telehealth, telemedicine, U.S. Senate, 5G, app-based companies, biometric, communications, Congress, Cybersecurity, data, data privacy, data broker, facial recognition, fintech, HealthIT, healthcare, life sciences, credit reporting agenciesRon LantonData Protection Agency, banking, finance, credit reporting agencies, technology, healthcare, Congress, PHI, digital, Office of Civil Rights
Bipartisan Congressional Legislation Introduced Seeking Shared Savings Demo Project to Increase Biological/Biosimilar Medicare Access
Bipartisan Congressional Legislation Introduced Seeking Shared Savings Demo Project to Increase Biological/Biosimilar Medicare Access

U.S. Senators Cornyn (R-TX) and Bennet (D-CO) have introduced the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act also known as S. 1427. The bill seeks to establish a demonstration project to increase access to biosimilar biological products under the Medicare program.

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biologics, Biosimilars, biotechnology, biotech, Congress, healthcare, legislation, legislature, life sciences, Medicare Part B, Medicare, pharmaceuticalsRon LantonIncreasing Access to Biosimilars Act, S. 1427, biosimilars, biologics, Congress, Medicare, Medicare B
New Bi-Partisan Privacy Bill Introduced
New Bi-Partisan Privacy Bill Introduced

The Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2021 has been reintroduced and is being led by Senators Kennedy (R-LA), Klobuchar (D-MN), Manchin (D-WV and Burr (R-NC). The proposal seeks to improve the transparency of online platforms, strengthen consumers’ options when a data breach occurs and ensure companies comply with privacy policies that protect consumers.

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privacy, communications, Congress, data privacy, technology, telecommunicationsRon LantonThe Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act, Privacy, data collection, data tracking
House Approves Legislation for Digital Asset Working Group
House Approves Legislation for Digital Asset Working Group

The Eliminate Barriers to Innovation Act otherwise known as H.R. 1602, sponsored by Rep. McHenry (R-NC) proposes to direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission to jointly establish a working group on digital assets.

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Digital Currency, Cryptocurrency, Congress, CFTC, SEC, digital assetsRon LantonEliminate Barriers to Innovation Act, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, SEC, crytocurrency
Congressional Legislation on Big Tech is Forthcoming
Congressional Legislation on Big Tech is Forthcoming

The U.S. House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Cicilline (D-RI) issued a statement shortly after the Committee marked up and approved the Committee’s report which after a 16 month investigation examined the state of competition within the digital economy.

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antitrust, app-based companies, communications, data, tech, technology, U.S. Senate, CongressRon LantonAntitrust, U.S. House Antitrust Subcommittee, Congressman Cicilline, Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, monopoly
Cybersecurity & FY 22 Discretionary Funding Request
Cybersecurity & FY 22 Discretionary Funding Request

The President’s request for fiscal year 2022 discretionary funding has been released. Below are a few mentions for cybersecurity:

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Cybersecurity, Congress, communications, healthcare, health system, HealthIT, FCC, Infrastructure, IoT, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, technology, tech, telecommunications, telemedicine, telehealthRon LantonCybersecurity, President's request for FY 22 discretionary funding, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Technology Modernization Fund, Microsoft, SolarWinds Corp.
SAFE Banking Act introduced Into the U.S. Senate
SAFE Banking Act introduced Into the U.S. Senate

U.S. Senators Merkley (D-OR) and Daines (R-MT) have introduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, to ensure that legal cannabis operators have access to banking services. The bill can be viewed here.

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cannabis, banking, Congress, hemp, U.S. Senate, recreational marijuana, pharmaceuticals, adult use marijuana, financeRon LantonSecure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, Cannabis, Banking, CBD, medical marijuana, recreational marijuana, U.S. Senate, Congress
Senator Klobuchar Introduces Sweeping Omnibus Antitrust Reform Legislation
Senator Klobuchar Introduces Sweeping Omnibus Antitrust Reform Legislation

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, recently introduced sweeping proposed legislation targeting antitrust reform.

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antitrust, Congress, finance, FTC, healthcare, insurance, legislation, legislature, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, regulation, SEC, technology, telecommunications, Clean EnergyRon LantonAntitrust, Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act, monopoly, monopsony, mergers and acquisitions, DOJ Antitrust, Klobuchar antitrust bill
The SAFE TECH Act Introduced into Congress
The SAFE TECH Act Introduced into Congress

The ‘‘Safeguarding Against Fraud, Exploitation, Threats, Extremism, and Consumer Harms Act’’ or the "SAFE TECH Act" has been introduced into Congress. The proposal is led by Senators Warner (D-VA), Hirono (D-HI) and Klobuchar (D-MN), as the bill seeks changes to 47 U.S. Code § 230.

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technology, communications, Congress, data, FTC, legislation, lobbyist, regulation, tech, telecommunications, DOJRon Lantontechnology, Big Tech, communications, section 230, SAFE TECH Act, Safeguarding Against Fraud, Exploitation, Threats, Extremism, and Consumer Harms Act, DOJ