Trade Associations
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from national and international trade associations influencing the debate on federal policies.
Featured Stories
Union of Concerned Scientists: House Agriculture Committee's Food and Farm Bill Undermines Climate, Equity Efforts
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, May 18 -- The Union of Concerned Scientists issued the following Statement on May 17, 2024, by Melissa Kaplan, senior manager of government affairs in the Food and Environment Program:
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House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.) today released a proposed food and farm bill, the "Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024." The legislation, which would shape the U.S. food and agriculture system for the next five years, fails farmers, workers, and consumers in almost every way, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
Critically,
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CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, May 18 -- The Union of Concerned Scientists issued the following Statement on May 17, 2024, by Melissa Kaplan, senior manager of government affairs in the Food and Environment Program:
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House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.) today released a proposed food and farm bill, the "Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024." The legislation, which would shape the U.S. food and agriculture system for the next five years, fails farmers, workers, and consumers in almost every way, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
Critically,the proposed bill fails to maintain guardrails around roughly $13 billion in climate-focused conservation investments Congress made less than two years ago in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Instead, the House bill would support industrial agriculture practices that have no proven benefits to the climate, such as increasing price supports for industrial commodity crops.
While the chairman's proposal does include a few positive provisions--such as support for resolving the land ownership issues that especially impact Black, Indigenous and other farmers of color - these do not offset the bill's many problems. It fails to offer meaningful protection for the workers who keep the country's food and farm system running, or to consider USDA Equity Commission recommendations to address discrimination at the agency and ensure farming is accessible to all.
In addition, the bill would restrict how Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may be updated, limiting science-based changes to the Thrifty Food Plan and therefore preventing benefits from being adjusted to reflect the cost of a nutritious diet based on the latest scientific or dietary guidelines.
Representative Thompson's proposal flies in the face of clear public support for programs that make farmers more resilient, protect food and farm workers, and help people of color and young people succeed in agriculture. The chairman recently called for a 'tripartisan' farm bill--highlighting his motivation to cater to corporate agribusiness as the third party--and this proposal reflects that. New UCS research found that agribusinesses, industry groups and others have spent more than half a billion dollars over the last five years lobbying on issues that include the next food and farm bill and donated $3.4 million dollars to the campaign coffers of three key food and farm bill architects, including Thompson.
Below is a statement by Melissa Kaplan, senior manager of government affairs in the Food and Environment Program at UCS:
"The House food and farm bill would eliminate critical guardrails that ensure Inflation Reduction Act conservation investments make farmers part of the climate solution. Farmers are increasingly impacted by severe droughts, extreme heat and flooding. Any final food and farm bill must include support for programs that help farmers adapt to a changing climate while also reducing agricultural emissions that are driving the climate crisis. Climate-focused conservation funding is essential to help farmers make their farms more resilient and must remain designated for this purpose.
"The bill is out of line with what the public wants and our food system needs. People across the country strongly support programs that help farmers protect their farms from extreme weather, like those funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. They also support protecting the workers who keep our country fed and want to ensure that small-scale, diverse and young farmers have equitable access to land, credit, and other vital resources. The House bill fails in these respects.
"The food and farm bill provides an opportunity to build a more resilient, sustainable, just and equitable food and farm system, for all of us. As it stands, this bill is unacceptable. We urge the House Agriculture Committee to reject this legislation. Congress can and must do better."
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Original text here: https://www.ucsusa.org/about/news/house-farm-bill-proposal-undermines-climate-equity
[Category: Environment]
The ALS Association Applauds President Signing FAA Reauthorization Bill, Delivering Improved Air Travel for People With ALS
ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 18 -- The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association issued the following news release:
The ALS Association celebrates a major victory for people living with ALS, as President Biden signs the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 into law. This critical legislation, which Congress passed earlier this month, mandates significant improvements in air travel accessibility for all passengers, including those living with ALS.
New protections in the law include comprehensive training on properly handling motor wheelchairs during boarding, ensuring appropriate seating arrangements for
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, May 18 -- The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association issued the following news release:
The ALS Association celebrates a major victory for people living with ALS, as President Biden signs the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 into law. This critical legislation, which Congress passed earlier this month, mandates significant improvements in air travel accessibility for all passengers, including those living with ALS.
New protections in the law include comprehensive training on properly handling motor wheelchairs during boarding, ensuring appropriate seating arrangements forpassengers with disabilities, provisions for reserving onboard wheelchairs to facilitate mobility and improved evacuation procedures to prioritize the safety of passengers with disabilities.
People living with ALS often encounter serious problems when traveling by air, including personal injury, wheelchair damage, and discriminatory treatment. The ALS Association played a crucial role in advocating for the passage of this legislation, recognizing the importance of accessible travel for individuals living with ALS and their families.
"We are gratified that the new law will make it easier for people with ALS to travel to their ALS clinics for treatment in addition to seeing friends and family," said Kathleen Sheehan, vice president of public policy. "We look forward to working with the Administration on regulations and with airlines to improve the safety and dignity of people living with ALS who travel by air."
Kathleen Sheehan, vice president of public policy continued, "This legislation is a step in the right direction in the ongoing fight for broader accessibility, a fight that extends beyond travel and into every aspect of daily life for people with ALS."
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Original text here: https://www.als.org/stories-news/als-association-applauds-president-signing-faa-reauthorization-bill-delivering
[Category: Medical]
DHS General Counsel Jonathan Meyer to Discuss Key Agency Priorities at ABA Luncheon
WASHINGTON, May 18 (TNSres) -- The American Bar Association issued the following news release on May 17, 2024:
Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Jonathan E. Meyer will speak at an American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security luncheon at noon-1:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 29, at the University Club in Washington, D.C. Meyer will discuss DHS priorities and initiatives for 2024 and beyond.
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What:
* Lunch with DHS General Counsel Jonathan Meyer
* Sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security
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When:
* Wednesday, May
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WASHINGTON, May 18 (TNSres) -- The American Bar Association issued the following news release on May 17, 2024:
Department of Homeland Security General Counsel Jonathan E. Meyer will speak at an American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security luncheon at noon-1:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, May 29, at the University Club in Washington, D.C. Meyer will discuss DHS priorities and initiatives for 2024 and beyond.
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What:
* Lunch with DHS General Counsel Jonathan Meyer
* Sponsored by the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security
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When:
* Wednesday, May29
* Noon-1:30 p.m. EDT
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Where:
The University Club
Main ballroom, second floor
1135 16th Street NW
Washington, D.C.
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Meyer, confirmed as the sixth general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security in 2021, leads a team of approximately 4,000 lawyers who serve across DHS. In addition to providing legal counsel to the secretary and senior leadership, Meyer and his team are responsible for providing legal support to the agency's wide variety of missions and activities, including those regarding incident response, immigration, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, election security and international trade.
This event is free and open to members of the press, however there is a $40 cost for lunch. For media credentialing and registration or other questions, please contact Jennifer Kildee at Jennifer.Kildee@americanbar.org.
The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law. View our privacy statement online. Follow the latest ABA news at http://www.americanbar.org/news and on X (formerly Twitter) @ABANews.
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Original text here: https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2024/05/dhs-general-counsel-meyer-to-discuss-key-agency-priorities-at-aba-luncheon/
[Category: Law/Legal]
Ascension Releases Q3 FY24 Financial Results
WASHINGTON, May 18 (TNSres) -- Ascension, a faith-based healthcare organization, issued the following news release:
Ascension has released its third fiscal quarter financial results (https://about.ascension.org/about-us/community-investor-relations) for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024. Ascension reported income from recurring operations of $15 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to a $1.1 billion loss from recurring operations for the comparable prior year period. Additionally, Ascension's recurring operating performance for the three months ended March
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WASHINGTON, May 18 (TNSres) -- Ascension, a faith-based healthcare organization, issued the following news release:
Ascension has released its third fiscal quarter financial results (https://about.ascension.org/about-us/community-investor-relations) for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024. Ascension reported income from recurring operations of $15 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to a $1.1 billion loss from recurring operations for the comparable prior year period. Additionally, Ascension's recurring operating performance for the three months ended March31, 2024 improved $622 million over the comparable quarter in the prior year. Ascension has realized meaningful operational improvement from economic improvement plans focused on volume growth, rates and pricing, and cost levers.
Ascension also reported positive recurring operating EBIDA (earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization) of $1.0 billion or a 4.7% recurring operating EBIDA margin for the nine months ended March 31, 2024 (Q3 FY24 YTD). For Q3 FY24 YTD, Ascension reported a net operating loss of $238 million, inclusive of $253 million of one-time, non-cash write-downs and non-recurring losses. Ascension's Q3 FY24 YTD net operating loss also represented a significant improvement over the comparable period in the prior year.
"We remain optimistic as the execution of Ascension's strategic initiatives, including our economic improvement plan, continue to result in favorable quarterly financial results," said Liz Foshage, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ascension. "More importantly, the positive trend in patient volume simply means we are sustaining and improving the health of more individuals in the communities we serve. Most importantly, as demonstrated by the recent CMS Hospital Star ratings, Ascension's clinical quality scores continue to outperform national averages and further differentiate our hospitals' quality. Through the dedication of our caregivers, leaders and associates, and their steadfast commitment to our Mission, we are hopeful for the future and confident that our organization will stay on this course."
For Q3 FY24 YTD, Ascension experienced an increase in overall same facility volume over the comparable period in the prior year, most notably driven by total inpatient admissions, emergency visits and total surgery visits as the System continues to expand capacity and backfill certain volumes that have shifted to the outpatient setting. For the nine months ended March 31, 2024, Ascension reported a 5.3% increase in total operating revenue, driven by net patient service revenue, while total operating expenses were managed to net growth of 0.6% over the comparable period in the prior year.
Ascension's net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, including both operating and nonoperating items, was $581 million which represents a $1.3 billion turnaround from the same period in the prior year. For the nine months ended March 31, 2024, Ascension's net income improved $2.2 billion over the prior year.
On May 8, 2024, subsequent to the quarter ending March 31, 2024, Ascension became aware of a cyber security incident impacting and interrupting access to some of its technology network systems. Due to the ongoing nature of this event, please refer to about.ascension.org/cybersecurity-event for any updates.
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Original text here: https://about.ascension.org/news/2024/05/ascension-releases-q3-fy24-financial-results
[Category: Health Care]
AICPA Auditing Standards Board Approves Revisions to Attestation Standards
NEW YORK, May 18 -- The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants issued the following news release:
The AICPA Auditing Standards Board has voted to approve revisions to the standards pertaining to attestation engagements (SSAEs). The changes are intended to align them with the AICPA standards pertaining to quality management, and related financial statement audit [MG1] and non-audit standards.
The most significant change introduced by SSAE No. 23 is the deletion of the defined term "other practitioner" and replacing it with two new terms, "participating practitioner" and
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NEW YORK, May 18 -- The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants issued the following news release:
The AICPA Auditing Standards Board has voted to approve revisions to the standards pertaining to attestation engagements (SSAEs). The changes are intended to align them with the AICPA standards pertaining to quality management, and related financial statement audit [MG1] and non-audit standards.
The most significant change introduced by SSAE No. 23 is the deletion of the defined term "other practitioner" and replacing it with two new terms, "participating practitioner" and"referred-to practitioner." Respectively, these terms refer to other practitioners who are part of the engagement team and those who are not. The performance and reporting requirements were also revised to differentiate between the types of other practitioner.
The standards amended by SSAE 23 are:
* SSAE No. 18, Attestation Standards: Clarification and Recodification
* SSAE No. 19, Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagements
* SSAE No. 21, Direct Examination Engagements
* SSAE No. 22, Review Engagements
SSAE No. 23, along with the quality management standards, is effective for engagements performed in accordance with the SSAEs beginning on or after December 15, 2025.
About the American Institute of CPAs
The American Institute of CPAs(R) (AICPA(R)) is the world's largest member association representing the CPA profession, with 400,000 members in the United States and worldwide, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. AICPA sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, builds the pipeline of future talent and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance and quality of the profession.
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Original text here: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-auditing-standards-board-approves-revisions-to-attestation-standards
[Category: Accounting]
AIAA Applauds the Passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
RESTON, Virginia, May 18 -- The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics issued the following statement on May 17, 2024:
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The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) CEO Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:
"On behalf of the Institute's nearly 30,000 professional and student members, we are pleased with the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that authorizes the FAA for the next five years. The legislation will boost the workforce while protecting consumers and modernizing airports. We appreciate the hard work by House and Senate leaders in
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RESTON, Virginia, May 18 -- The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics issued the following statement on May 17, 2024:
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The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) CEO Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:
"On behalf of the Institute's nearly 30,000 professional and student members, we are pleased with the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 that authorizes the FAA for the next five years. The legislation will boost the workforce while protecting consumers and modernizing airports. We appreciate the hard work by House and Senate leaders ingetting this bill done and President Biden for signing into law. The bill contains provisions intended to bolster air safety, improve consumer protections, and increase flights at the airport closest to Capitol Hill.
AIAA looks forward to continuing its support of the FAA as we strive to maintain our nation's leadership in aviation, while also helping make critical advances in technology development and research to advance safer, smarter, and more sustainable flight."
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About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world's largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense.
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Original text here: https://www.aiaa.org/news/news/2024/05/17/aiaa-applauds-the-passage-of-the-faa-reauthorization-act-of-2024
[Category: Aerospace]
AAE Celebrates Save Your Tooth Month With Multiple State Proclamations
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 18 -- The American Association of Endodontists issued the following news release:
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is proud to announce that it has successfully secured seven proclamations from various state lawmakers in support of Save Your Tooth Month, highlighting the critical role of endodontists in promoting oral health and preserving natural teeth.
This year, the proclamations were issued by lawmakers from Connecticut, Illinois, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Montana, West Virginia, Vermont, and the City of Nashville. These recognitions underscore the
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CHICAGO, Illinois, May 18 -- The American Association of Endodontists issued the following news release:
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is proud to announce that it has successfully secured seven proclamations from various state lawmakers in support of Save Your Tooth Month, highlighting the critical role of endodontists in promoting oral health and preserving natural teeth.
This year, the proclamations were issued by lawmakers from Connecticut, Illinois, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Montana, West Virginia, Vermont, and the City of Nashville. These recognitions underscore theimportance of public awareness about the value of endodontic care and the significant impact it has on patients' health and quality of life.
AAE President Dr. Natasha M. Flake expressed her gratitude and excitement about the widespread recognition: "We are thrilled to see such strong support for Save Your Tooth Month from lawmakers across the country. These proclamations reflect a growing understanding and appreciation of the essential care provided by endodontists. We are especially grateful to our dedicated AAE members who reached out to their local legislators to make this possible. Their commitment helps us spread awareness about who endodontists are and the importance of saving natural teeth."
Special thanks go to Drs. Benedict Bachstein (NJ), Keith Boyer (CA), Christopher Glass (GA), Steven Katz (OH), Katie Kickertz (NC), Leslie Malueg (NC), Elizabeth Perry (MA), and Alison St. Paul (GA), whose efforts were instrumental in securing these proclamations. Their proactive engagement with lawmakers is vital in raising awareness about the work that endodontists perform.
The AAE uses Save Your Tooth Month, sponsored by GentleWave Procedure, as a platform to educate the public about the benefits of choosing endodontic treatment for dental trauma and severe tooth pain. This initiative is part of the AAE's ongoing effort to promote better oral health outcomes and to highlight the advanced skills and technologies used by endodontists.
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About the American Association of Endodontists:
The AAE is headquartered in Chicago and represents more than 8,000 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of 12 dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.aae.org/featured-stories/aae-celebrates-save-your-tooth-month-with-multiple-state-proclamations/
[Category: Medical]
