FDA received additional samples from its commercial milk sampling study today. Results further confirm our assessment that pasteurization is effective against HPAI virus. No change in our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe at this time. Testing continues and we…

The White House is scrapping its plan to ban menthol cigarettes -- for now.

rollcall.com/2024/04/26/whi…

Official FDA update: About one in five grocery milk samples have evidence of avian flu, but early testing indicates its likely not live virus.

The USDA implements more safeguards on dairy cows amid the FDA's findings and ongoing testing related to avian flu in commercial milk. w/Olivia Bridges ($):

plus.cq.com/doc/news-79957…

A look back at the years of debate in banning menthol cigarettes: rollcall.com/2024/04/24/dec…

SCOTUS arguments this morning highlighted how the US has no clear definition of 'protecting the life of the mother.' And that's become a big legal issue

rollcall.com/2024/04/24/cas…

John Thune, potentially the next Senate Republican leader, says he thinks year-end health package (yes, we're already talking about that?) could include 340B bill, telehealth extenders, physician payment.

Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole will almost certainly be the next chairman of the House Appropriations Committee after the House GOP Steering Committee unanimously backed him for the role Tuesday night. ow.ly/bqbV50RbV9J

New: Bernie Sanders unveils $10B #longcovid legislative proposal. ($) plus.cq.com/doc/news-79808…

Same, I had my doubts when I talked to them after Relyvrio's approval.

New analysis w/ Loren Adler looks at early results from the No Surprises Act arbitration process.

In short: the prices emerging are quite high, and there is a real chance that the law will raise prices/premiums, not reduce them as CBO predicted.

brookings.edu/articles/a-fir…

New story:

CIVRAC-EN-MEDOC, France — Former Rep. Jim McDermott is the rare lawmaker who has been able to live out all the policies he worked for during his decades in Washington.

He just had to move to another country to do it.

rollcall.com/2024/03/27/liv…

Experts say Medicaid rebate change is behind inhaler price cuts ow.ly/j20x50R2ll5

Final spending package unveiled, countdown to recess begins ow.ly/a7RK50QYuy7

Growing teen THC use could further complicate cannabis policy w/Sandhya Raman, Lauren Clason . rollcall.com/2024/03/14/gro…

CQ has all the budget news -- more details to come as they're released throughout the day.