CfA's February 28, 2020 Newsletter

Our Latest Work:

• CfA Files FOIA Lawsuits Against HHS: 
  • This week, CfA filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), seeking documents responsive to two FOIA requests regarding the anti-choice Obria Group and its affiliate Obria Medical Clinics (collectively “Obria”) concerning their administration of funds they received through the Title X family planning program. (Press Release, Complaint )
  • Last week, CfA filed a separate FOIA lawsuit against HHS, seeking documents responsive to four FOIA requests regarding the Title X Family Planning program and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program. (Press Release, Complaint )
• CfA Statement on Ninth Circuit Decision Upholding Title X Gag Rule: On Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a ruling upholding the Trump Administration’s policy barring federally funded family planning centers from referring women for abortions. Click here to read CfA's statement criticizing the ruling. (CfA's Statement )
• #FOIAFriday: CfA's #FOIAFriday tweet thread this week highlights CfA's recent FOIA lawsuits against HHS, along with documents we've uncovered from past FOIA lawsuits. (Click here to view on Twitter. )

We're Hiring:

• CfA is Hiring: We're looking for a Communications Manager, Research Associate, and a Summer Legal Intern.

CfA In the News:

• Title X Gag Rule: The Independent talked to CfA's Alice Huling about the Ninth's Circuit decision to uphold the Trump Administration's Title X Gag Rule. (The Independent, 2.26.20)

What We're Reading:

• Supreme Court Case Could End Roe v. Wade: The Supreme Court will hear June Medical Services v. Russo next week. The outcome could put an end to the constitutional right to choose. (Vox, 2.26.20)
• Google's Inbox Algorithm Could Impact Elections: The Markup tested how political emails are sorted into different inboxes. The results suggest Gmail has considerable power over which candidates are more likely to land in your inbox. (The Markup, 2.26.20)
• "Power Broker" to Depart BlackRock: Barbara Novick, who led BlackRock's influence game in Washington and around the world, is leaving BlackRock. The Wall Street Journal referred to her as a "Power Broker". (The Wall Street Journal, 2.26.20)
• A Bipartisan Push for Independent Oversight in Illinois: Illinois legislators introduced a bill to provide greater independence to Illinois's Legislative Inspector General, who is currently "tightly controlled" by lawmakers. (Illinois Policy, 2.24.20)

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