Grassley Frustrates Democrats by Blocking HHS Nomination

Grassley Frustrates Democrats by Blocking HHS Nomination-morningconsult: Democrats are frustrated that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has both threatened to block a Supreme Court nomination and actually blocked another presidential nominee. On Tuesday, Grassley announced he was placing a “hold” on the nomination of Mary Wakefield as deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. He said he is doing so because the agency has failed to answer GOP lawmakers’ questions about the “fetal tissue harvesting practices” of Planned Parenthood.

What would TrumpCare look like?

What would TrumpCare look like?-thehill: Donald Trump last year promised to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with “something terrific.” Now, his rivals are pressing him on what exactly that would be.  Trump has not provided the details of what he is proposing. His campaign website “issues” page does not have a healthcare section.

In Republican Debate, a Feisty Marco Rubio Lays Into Donald Trump

In Republican Debate, a Feisty Marco Rubio Lays Into Donald Trump-nytimes: Senator Marco Rubio, alarmed by Donald J. Trump’s ascendancy and worried that his presidential chances were slipping away, unleashed a barrage of attacks on the real estate mogul’s business ethics, hiring practices and financial achievements in Thursday’s debate, forcefully delivering the onslaught that Republican leaders had desperately awaited.

McConnell, Grassley Will Tell Obama: No Action on Court Nominee In 2016

McConnell, Grassley Will Tell Obama: No Action on Court Nominee In 2016-rollcall: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Judiciary Chairman Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, will meet with President Barack Obama next week on the Supreme Court vacancy, and they will relay their position that the next president should fill the vacancy.

Drug industry on edge for Obama action on prices

Drug industry on edge for Obama action on prices-thehill: The pharmaceutical industry is anxiously awaiting a series of regulatory actions from the Obama administration aimed at combating high drug prices.  Drug prices have been a major issue on the campaign trail, with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders pounding pharmaceutical companies.  Martin Shkreli, the ex-pharmaceutical company CEO who made headlines for hiking the price of a life-saving drug by 5,000 percent, also has put the issue of drug prices in the spotlight.

Senate GOP chairman vows to block HHS nominee

Senate GOP chairman vows to block HHS nominee-thehill: The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has vowed to block the nomination of a top health official over the Obama administration’s handling of the Planned Parenthood controversy. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said he plans to hold up the appointment of Dr. Mary Wakefield as Health and Human Services (HHS) deputy secretary until he receives an adequate response from the department about how it is probing claims against Planned Parenthood’s fetal tissue program.

Senate approves Obama's FDA chief

Senate approves Obama's FDA chief-thehill: The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to confirm President Obama's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Senators voted 89-4 on Robert Califf's nomination after he easily jumped a procedural hurdle earlier this week. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) — who has made combating the opioid epidemic central to her reelection bid — joined with Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Ed Markey (Mass.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.) to oppose his nomination.