Lawmakers Fighting FDA on Genetically Altered Salmon
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) want to keep the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from making hasty decisions on whether to approve genetically modified Atlantic salmon for public consumption, according to McClatchy Newspapers. Congress should not allow “these alien fish to infect our stocks,” Young said. AquaBounty Technologies Inc., the company seeking approval from the FDA, said the genetically altered fish are safe and would not require labels distinguishing them from other salmon. Congress is currently considering either banning the fish entirely or requiring it to be labeled as transgenic.
Rebels Assaulted by Qaddafi's Forces
The New York Times reports that over the weekend, Libyan rebel troops in the town of Bin Jawwad were assaulted by military troops loyal to Qaddafi. Using tanks and helicopters, the government forces were able to push the rebel groups east, away from Libya's capital city of Tripoli. The attack began at 9:00 AM and continued throughout the day as rebels alternately fought the loyalist troops and fled heavy gunfire. Mahmoud Bilkhair, an Army second lieutenant who was fighting on the rebels' side, said, “We're trying. We're not advancing. We can't do anything about it.” He said that the rebels would return to Bin Jawwad after regrouping.
Kansas Judge Who Ruled Against Abortion Donated to Anti-Abortion Cause
Judge Jeffrey Goering, the Kansas judge who last week barred a doctor from offering abortions in her Wichita office, has previously made donations to anti-abortion group Kansas for Life, Mother Jones writes. Goering's contribution to a political operation raises questions about his ability to be impartial in cases regarding abortion. Dr. Mila Means, the physician who was barred from providing abortions, is due in court next week to respond to Goering's restraining order.
Government Faces Next Possible Shutdown
Lawmakers debating the federal budget and attempting to strike a deal over cuts and spending face a quickly approaching deadline, as the temporary resolution funding the government is set to expire March 18, The Hill reports. If another continuing resolution keeping the government running is not passed by then, the White House will shut down. The Senate is planning test votes on Tuesday to see where lawmakers stand on the Democrat and Republican spending proposals, but both votes are expected to fall short of the 60 necessary votes, showing that neither side has enough support to pass a plan.
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