The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update

1. HURRICANE KATRINA

A congressional task force concludes that the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act blocked the construction of affordable homes and hurricane barriers in the New Orleans area.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Journalism Fellow John Berlau on the long-standing opposition of environmental activist groups to building dams and levees for flood control.

2. LEGAL & CONSTITUTIONAL

Questioning begins today in Chief Justice nominee John Roberts’ confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 CEI Expert Available for Comment: Special Projects Counsel Hans Bader on what we can expect from the political drama of the Roberts hearings.

3. HEALTH & SAFETY

New cases of the West Nile virus are diagnosed in locations across the country, including Texas, Utah, Arkansas and Ohio.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Director of Risk & Environmental Policy Angela Logomasini on the public health debate over West Nile and pesticide spraying.