The bill is headed to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk and follows a
New York passes a social media warning label mandate.
similar bill passed in the Minnesota legislature. If signed, the bill would require 'addictive social media platforms' to display about warnings about the potential mental health harms of using of their products. It's a concept endorsed by former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and many state attorneys general, but has been critiqued by industry stakeholders as a violation of First Amendment rights.
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CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
VA secretary refutes rumors of health care denial to Democrats, the unwed
For many U.S. veterans, fear is spreading over rumors that an executive order signed by President Trump gives VA doctors the right to refuse treatment to unmarried veterans and Democrats. Doug Collins, secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs, calls the rumors misinformation, citing the department's Directive 1019, which governs all medical services provided by the VA and prohibits discrimination on the basis of marital status or political affiliation. Legal minds point to two clauses of the U.S. Constitution that prove the executive order signed by Mr. Trump does not trump the constitution. "The most important clause in the Constitution is the Supremacy Clause, Article Six of the Constitution, that says the Constitution treaties and laws made by Congress are the supreme law of the land," said David Schultz, political science professor at Hamline University. "And the reason why I say that is presidential executive orders do not supersede federal law." Schultz says not treating someone based on political party affiliation gets into all sorts of First Amendment, free speech-type issues. "There is a whole line of court cases that go back 50 years that the government may not discriminate against you based upon your partisan political persuasion," Schultz said. Collins said in a statement, "all eligible veterans will always be welcome at the VA and will always receive the benefits and services they've earned under the law." Schultz adds the fact that doctors take an oath to "do no harm" plays a big role in how all patients are treated. "If somebody comes in and needs treatment, and you refuse to treat that person and that person dies, it's not impossible that it could kick in some criminal law, such as some homicide, manslaughter that might kick in, too," he said. The VA has asked that the reports be retracted. Veterans who have questions and concerns are encouraged to call their local VA or reach out to their Congressional representative.
The Verge
2 days ago
- The Verge
The bill is headed to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk and follows a
New York passes a social media warning label mandate. similar bill passed in the Minnesota legislature. If signed, the bill would require 'addictive social media platforms' to display about warnings about the potential mental health harms of using of their products. It's a concept endorsed by former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and many state attorneys general, but has been critiqued by industry stakeholders as a violation of First Amendment rights.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Xlear Sues FTC for Unlawful Scientific Censorship
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Xlear, a consumer hygiene products company, filed a ' Loper lawsuit' in Utah Federal District Court against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The lawsuit seeks declarative relief holding that the FTC cannot require entities to have substantiation for marketing claims under the FTC Act. Rob Housman, Xlear's lead lawyer explained: 'Under the Supreme Court's decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, 603 U.S. 369 (2024) a Federal agency applying a statute is limited to what the specific language of the law says on its face. And, Loper goes on to require that if the agency is interpreting the statute, its interpretation must be the 'best' reading of law. The FTC Act says nothing about requiring substantiation. And, for a host of reasons—most importantly violations of the First Amendment and Due Process Clause—the FTC's interpretation of the FTC Act is far from the 'best'. As such, we are petitioning the Utah District Court to invalidate the FTC's substantiation requirement.' In 2021, the FTC sued Xlear alleging that the company lacked sufficient substantiation for statements the company made its Xlear Nasal Spray was an effective added layer of protection against the COVID-19 virus. Throughout the lawsuit, Xlear maintained that the science supported Xlear's COVID claims. On March 10, 2025, the Department of Justice, acting on behalf of the FTC, asked the court to drop the lawsuit with prejudice (Xlear joined in the motion). About this new lawsuit, Nate Jones, Xlear's CEO, said: 'We agreed with the Government to drop the prior lawsuit because we wanted to get back to the business of helping Americans get and stay healthy through great oral and nasal hygiene products. However, we very much wanted our day in court. We wanted to stop the FTC's illegal misuse of the FTC Act to censor science. The effect of this is to stifle health innovation—which benefits Big Pharma over cutting-edge smaller companies with new approaches. We wanted to protect the right of all Americans to have access to science-based health information. By filing this lawsuit, we are pushing ahead with combating the Government's censorship of science.' Jones added, 'Ironically, while the FTC demands substantiation from companies, they really don't care about science. Before the FTC sued us for substantiation, we sent them scores of studies that backed our claims. During the lawsuit the FTC admitted that not one single doctor or medical researcher had looked at the data we provided before they filed the suit.' Xlear manufactures a suite of hygiene products ranging from Xlear nasal sprays to Spry toothpaste, which are sold at leading retailers across the country and online through The company's is based in American Fork, Utah. More information about Xlear and its products, as well as the complaint can be found at
