U.S. Congress News

Lawmaker Says Maine Cannabis Needs Bank, Insurance Access

A Maine legislator is calling on the state’s legislative body to push the U.S. Congress to make banking and insurance accessible to legalized cannabis businesses. Republican Rep. John Andrews of Paris, Maine, said he intends to introduce a resolution to …

Vote Expected on Federal Funds to Test Connecticut Crumbling Foundations

Federal legislation that sets aside $4 million in federal funds to study the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite on concrete aggregate has advanced in the U.S. Congress. Democratic U.S. Joe Courtney, whose eastern Connecticut district includes homeowners with basements crumbling …

Insurance Commissioner Confers with Connecticut Congressional Delegation

Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais joined more than 40 of his colleagues from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) last week to highlight important issues for members of U.S. Congress. Some of the topics raised were federal reforms …

A U.S. Privacy Law Could Be Good for Google, but Bad for You

U.S. Congress is taking the first steps toward setting national rules governing how companies use consumers data – although one of its goals might be to prevent states from enacting stronger privacy protections of their own. The approach being pondered …

Hurricane Florence Could Pressure Congress to Extend NFIP, IIAV’s Bradshaw Says

Hurricane Florence could put pressure on U.S. Congress to extend the National Flood Insurance Program, but “it is still an open question as to whether it will lead to a comprehensive reform bill passing,” Robert Bradshaw, president and CEO of …

New York’s Global Warming Suit Against Oil Companies Tossed

A U.S. judge threw out New York’s lawsuit seeking to hold five of the world’s biggest oil companies financially responsible for contributing to climate change. U.S. District Judge John Keenan dismissed the city’s claims against Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., …

Federal Officials Say Maryland Train Could Miss Safety Deadline

The Federal Railroad Administration has warned Maryland officials the state’s train system is at risk of failing to meet a congressional deadline to install a mandatory safety system by the end of the year. WRC-TV reported that it obtained copies …

Five New York Residents Charged in More Than $31.7M Fraud Scheme

Five New York residents have been arrested in a staged slip-and-fall accident scheme that attempted to defraud New York City-area businesses and their insurance companies of more than $31.7 million. Peter Kalkanis, Bryan Duncan, Kerry Gordon and Ryan Rainford, all …

Note to Texas, Florida: Insurance Fights Over Sandy Rage On

The destructive floodwaters of Superstorm Sandy receded quickly, but some storm victims are still neck-deep in a battle over insurance payouts. And many victims of this year’s storms in Texas, Florida and elsewhere should brace themselves for a similar fight, …

Vullo Calls on Insurers, Congress for Action in Wake of Lake Ontario Flooding

As part of New York’s continuing response to flooding in the Lake Ontario region, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) is reminding property and casualty insurers of their responsibility to work toward fair and speedy resolution of …