House Committee Passes Menu Labeling Bill
Rep. McMorris Rogers' bill H.R. 2017 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act was recently passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 36-12. The bill would, among other things, relax menu labeling requirements for supermarkets and pizza restaurants. In 2014, the Academy provided comment to FDA that strongly supported the final menu labeling requirements.

Please also see The Surprising Failure of Calorie Counts on Menus   NYT: Dec 1 2015  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/upshot/more-menus-have-calorie-labeling-but-obesity-rate-remains-high.html   /as

Threat to Public Health in the Senate as Congress Returns to D.C.
We are monitoring a threat to the Prevention and Public Health Fund (“Prevention Fund”) in Congress, as the Senate will soon consider a House measure that in part repeals the Prevention Fund.  Academy members across the country play a critical role in community-based prevention programs that often receive support from the Prevention Fund. Learn more about these programs here.

Organizational Sign-On Letter for HR 1686
The Academy finalized an organizational sign-on letter urging members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass the Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act (H.R. 1686). Twenty organizations signed the letter, representing health professionals and patient advocacy groups. 

On Capitol Hill: Academy Sponsors Public Health 101 Briefing
The Academy sponsored a Capitol Hill briefing titled "Public Health 101," hosted by the Coalition for Health Funding and the Congressional Public Health Caucus. The briefing highlighted the importance of investing in prevention research and practice, including work done by Academy members. 

Congressional Hearing on National Commission on Hunger
The House Agriculture Committee’s November 18 hearing focused on the National Commission on Hunger. Co-chairs focused on issues related to veterans, active-duty military members and their families, people with disabilities, and children, among other vulnerable groups. Academy member Susan Finn, PhD, RD, LD, FAND, is a member of the Commission; many members have presented testimony at regional meetings. A final report is due soon. Learn More