August 16

Fifth Circuit rules to reinstate pre-2016 mifepristone restrictions

A Fifth Circuit panel of Judges Jennifer Walker Elrod, James Ho, and Cory Wilson issued a merits ruling upholding the FDA's 2000 mifepristone approval on statute-of-limitations grounds but ordering the reinstatement of pre-2016 REMS restrictions, including the seven-week gestational limit, in-person dispensing requirement, and physician-only prescribing. Judge Ho wrote separately to argue the 2000 approval itself was unlawful. The April 2023 Supreme Court stay kept the ruling from taking immediate effect, preserving current access while the case headed to the Supreme Court.

Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act, directing $369B to climate and clean energy

President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, directing roughly $369 billion to climate and clean-energy programs. The law extended Investment and Production Tax Credits for solar and wind, added stand-alone storage credits, and created manufacturing incentives for batteries and electric vehicles. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer secured Joe Manchin'support for the final 51-50 reconciliation vote with Vice President Harris breaking the tie.

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FDA approves over-the-counter hearing aids 28 million Americans gain access

The FDA finalizes a rule allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter without a prescription for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, following the bipartisan Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 that the Biden administration prioritized implementing. The rule takes effect October 17, 2022. Prior to the change, hearing aids required audiologist visits and prescriptions and cost $4,000 to $6,000 or more per pair. Over-the-counter devices are expected to cost a fraction of that, with some retailing below $200. The change is expected to benefit an estimated 28 million Americans with hearing loss who do not currently use hearing aids, primarily because of cost.

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Former Rep. TJ Cox is indicted on fraud and campaign-contribution charges

On Aug. 16, 2022, former Rep. TJ Cox was indicted on fraud, money laundering and campaign-contribution charges. Prosecutors alleged he illegally reimbursed family members and associates for contributions to his congressional campaign.

Biden signs Inflation Reduction Act $369B climate investment Medicare drug pricing ACA subsidies

President Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act into law, the largest climate legislation in US history and a landmark expansion of healthcare access. The law's main provisions include $369 billion for climate and clean energy investments including EV tax credits, heat pump incentives, and manufacturing subsidies. It allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time. It caps out-of-pocket Medicare drug costs at $2,000 annually. It extends ACA subsidies through 2025. It caps insulin at $35/month for Medicare enrollees. It imposes a 15% minimum corporate income tax on companies with over $1 billion in profits. The bill passes the Senate 51-50 with Vice President Harris casting the tiebreaking vote after 18 months of negotiations.

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Biden signs Inflation Reduction Act with climate funding and Medicare drug negotiation

President Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169) into law, the largest climate investment in U.S. history. The law allocates $369 billion for clean energy and climate programs, grants Medicare the authority to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time, caps out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 annually, and extends ACA subsidies for three years. The bill passes the Senate 50-50 with Vice President Harris casting the tie-breaking vote, and the House 220-207. No Republicans vote for it. The deal comes together after a surprise agreement between Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin.

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Inflation Reduction Act Signed into Law

President Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act (HR 5376), the largest climate investment in US history ($369B for clean energy), plus $64B to extend ACA subsidies, Medicare drug price negotiation authority, $2,000 Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap, a 15% corporate minimum tax, and expanded IRS enforcement funding. CBO projects it reduces deficits by ~$300B over 10 years. Contains staggered provisions running through 2033+.

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Inflation Reduction Act extends enhanced ACA subsidies through 2025

President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which included a three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act marketplace subsidies first enacted in the American Rescue Plan. The subsidies capped premiums at 8.5% of income for all income levels and eliminated the coverage cliff for those earning above 400% of the federal poverty level.

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Bush announces plan to withdraw 60,000-70,000 U.S. troops from Europe and Asia over 10 years

President George W. Bush announces on August 16, 2004, a plan to withdraw 60,000 to 70,000 U.S. troops from Europe and Asia over the next decade, shifting to a more flexible global posture. Germany faces the steepest cuts: U.S. forces there drop from roughly 70,000 toward 40,000 by 2011. Bush calls the move a modernization of Cold War-era basing, arguing lighter and more mobile forces better serve 21st-century threats. Germany and South Korea publicly object, warning the reductions weaken deterrence at a time of rising global instability.

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Johnson amendment bars tax-exempt groups from endorsing political candidates

Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas proposed an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 on July 2, 1954, prohibiting all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Congress approved it without debate by voice vote on August 16, 1954 as part of a broader tax code revision. Johnson's motivation was rooted in Texas politics: two conservative nonprofits had supported his primary opponent Dudley Dougherty. The provision applied to all tax-exempt nonprofits, including churches, charities, educational institutions, and advocacy organizations.