Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) is seeking to muzzle all organizations that promote the legalization or medical use of any substance listed in schedule I of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act. In doing so, Istook is stripping the free speech rights of all organizations that fight for better medical treatment for ailing patients.

The omnibus appropriations legislation is still pending. While most of the criticism about the bill has focused on the amount of "pork" it contains, the real problem is the seriously flawed budget process it reflects.

OMB Watch filed comments with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today on its draft bulletin for peer review. Public interests groups, academics, and regulators were all concerned with the bulletin because it could severely hamper agencies by creating burdensome peer review requirements that are too vulnerable to industry manipulation. Most federal agencies currently have peer review guidelines that function well. While the deadline for public comments ends today, federal agencies may continue to submit comments on the draft bulletin until Jan. 15.