Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.
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House Passes Bill to Extend GSP and ATPA for One Year
On December 14, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4284, a bill to extend the Generalized System of Preferences and Trade Preference Act/Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPA/ATPDEA) through December 31, 2010.
Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Bill to be Considered by House
On December 15, 2009, the House is expected to consider H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act.
Senate Hearing on Bill to Ban Exports of Highly Enriched Uranium
In a December 3, 2009 Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on H.R. 3276, the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2009, witnesses from the Department of Energy, National Academies of Science, and the Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals discussed the various benefits of H.R. 3276. (The House passed H.R. 3276 on November 5, 2009. See ITT"s Online Archives or 11/09/09 news, 091110925, for BP summary of H.R. 3276.)
Senate Finance Chair Commends Cuba Agriculture Provision in Omnibus Appropriations Bill
On December 13, 2009, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) commended inclusion, in omnibus appropriations legislation passed by the Senate on December 13, 2009, of a provision to help U.S. farmers and ranchers export their products by allowing timely and direct cash payments from Cuban buyers.
Louisiana Delegation Requests Ex-Im Bank Office in New Orleans
On December 10, 2009, Senator Landrieu, Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, and others members of the Louisiana delegation sent a letter to the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., requesting that he open a regional office in New Orleans. (Press release, dated 12/10/09, available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
Committee Report on CBP Employee Appointment Bill Filed
On December 14, 2009, a report was filed in the House of Representatives for H.R. 1517, a bill to allow certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who serve under an overseas limited appointment for at least 2 years, and whose service is rated fully successful or higher throughout that time, to be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service, with an amendment (H. Rept. 111-373, Pt. 1);
DHS Secretary Testifies at Senate Oversight Hearing
On December 9, 2009, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing entitled "Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security." In her written hearing statement, DHS Secretary Napolitano discussed progress made by DHS in securing U.S. borders (focusing on the southwest border), local, state, and tribal partnerships; and DHS' enforcement of immigration laws.
Trade-Related Bills Introduced on December 14, 2009
On December 14, 2009, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| Iran sanctions | H.R. 4303. A bill to enhance United States sanctions against Iran by targeting Iranian governmental officials, prohibiting Federal procurement contracts with persons that provide censorship or surveillance technology to the Government of Iran, providing humanitarian and people-to-people assistance to the Iranian people, and for other purposes |
If it is determined that any of the above Congressional actions, hearings, or bills warrant more in-depth coverage, such information will be provided separately in a future issue of International Trade Today.