In an effort to combat the epidemic of obesity sweeping the nation, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) today introduced the Federal Obesity Prevention Act of 2008. This legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), would establish a federal interagency taskforce responsible for creating a national strategy for combating obesity across America.  

In an effort to combat the epidemic of obesity sweeping the nation, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) today introduced the Federal Obesity Prevention Act of 2008. This legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), would establish a federal interagency taskforce responsible for creating a national strategy for combating obesity across America.  

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, will convene the second hearing in a two-part series today to examine the dangerous consequences of childhood obesity and possible solutions to address this growing medical emergency.  Dodd will hear from a young man who struggled to lose weight, but was able to successfully lose 137 pounds with the help of a school-based health clinic.  The witness panel will also include government officials and chief executives, who will share their ongoing efforts to combat childhood obesity.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, will convene the second hearing in a two-part series today to examine the dangerous consequences of childhood obesity and possible solutions to address this growing medical emergency.  Dodd will hear from a young man who struggled to lose weight, but was able to successfully lose 137 pounds with the help of a school-based health clinic.  The witness panel will also include government officials and chief executives, who will share their ongoing efforts to combat childhood obesity.

U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Chris Dodd (D-CT), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) are continuing their push to ensure that, before the oil companies seek additional leases, they develop the 68 million acres of federal land they currently lease.  The trio is attempting to offer several amendments to the energy speculation legislation currently being considered by the Senate. Feingold, Dodd and Menendez recently introduced the “Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act” and “Responsible Ownership of Public Land Act.” The first requires oil companies to show they are either producing oil or gas - or making progress exploring or developing – on current leases before they obtain more.  The Responsible Ownership of Public Land Act, which the trio introduced along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), would charge oil companies a fee for every acre of land they lease but do not use for production.  The Senate could vote on the oil speculation legislation as early as Tuesday, July 22.