Latest Tom Harkin Stories

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) sent the following letter today to all members of the Senate: Dear Majority Leader Reid: On behalf of the 150 member organizations of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) representing nearly 30 million patients and families afflicted with one of the 7,000 known rare diseases, we are writing to convey our strong support for passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care...

A Senate bill to overhaul food safety and expand FDA oversight needs to be more aggressive and include more funding and authority, the head of the agency told lawmakers Thursday. According to FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, the legislation is lacking in several crucial measures, including giving FDA better access to company food records during routine inspections, flexibility to target inspections at areas of greatest risk and sufficient funding for the job, Reuters...

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association praised New York Senator Charles Schumer for introducing an amendment to the Senate Finance Committee health care reform bill to enact the Community Choice Act benefiting people with disabilities. The Community Choice Act, if enacted, will give states the option to make home- and community-based services available through their Medicaid programs. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has been the lead sponsor of the Community...

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the House's recent passage of the American Energy and Security Act of 2009, which now heads to the Senate for consideration; many have voiced concerns about the potential financial impacts of the measure on consumers. The following is a sample of what some are saying:(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090619/LA35524LOGO)U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.). The Wheeling (VA) News-Register (7/9, King): "Those of us who understand coal's...

The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday announced legislation that would provide the United States Agriculture Department with the means to take charge of all foods sold in public schools.On Tuesday, Tom Harkin said the Agriculture Committee would begin work in October or November that would produce a bill to give the USDA power over school lunch programs."I can tell you it won't be this month," Harkin told Reuters, adding that the current focus lies on health...

More than 4,400 industry members expected at Natural MarketPlace trade show BOULDER, Colo., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural MarketPlace (www.naturalmarketplaceshow.com), July 9-11, 2009 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, The Venetian Resort Hotel, Las Vegas, NV, is expecting a strong attendance of over 4,400 industry members - increasing buyer attendance almost 100% over 2008. Produced by New Hope Natural Media in partnership with the Natural Products Association, this year's show...

130 Parents and Kids From Across the U.S. Lobby for Passage of the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act LOS ANGELES, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Participant Media's social action campaign for the acclaimed new documentary, Food, Inc., parents and children from nearly 30 states proclaiming themselves the Healthy School Food Brigade converged on Capitol Hill Wednesday to urge passage of legislation that would update 30 year old school food nutrition standards. The...

DES MOINES, Iowa, June 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association in Iowa is happy to report the U.S. Senate's 79 to 17 vote in favor of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (HR 1256) today. The American Lung in Association in Iowa applauds Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley for playing instrumental roles in the United States Senate this week to ensure passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This important legislation will...

WASHINGTON, June 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids applauds U.S. Senators Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley for voting today to approve historic legislation that gives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco products, including the authority to crack down on tobacco marketing and sales to kids. The U.S. Senate approved the bipartisan bill 79 to 17. The House has approved similar legislation, and Congress is expected to quickly...

Harkin to Host Event With Olympic Swimmer Dara Torres WASHINGTON, June 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Barbara Manard, Ph.D. vice-president of long-term care/health strategies for the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), will join an esteemed panel Monday at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) briefing on current HELP efforts to include long-term services and support in health reform. Her appearance is part of AAHSA's initiative to promote...