Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a daily International Trade Today compilation of the most relevant legislation, hearings, and actions by Congress involving international trade. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions:
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Senate Passes Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act
On March 11, 2010, the Senate passed the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanction Act (H.R. 2194), to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran, after adopting an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Senate Passes Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009
On March 11, 2010, the Senate passed Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 (S. 1147), to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, after agreeing to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute.
House Subcommittee Holds 2nd and 3rd TSCA Hearings
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection recently held the second and third in a series of hearings on the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 in preparation for introducing TSCA modernization/reform legislation. The second hearing focused on how to prioritize the vast number of chemicals in commerce for which health and safety information is not available. The third hearing examined how to address those chemicals that have been identified as being at the top of the list of concern, specifically persistant, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs).
Senator Brown Urges Designation of China as Currency Manipulator
On March 11, 2010, Senator Brown (D) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Geithner urging him to designate China as a currency manipulator. Brown argued that the artificial devaluation of the Chinese currency has damaged the American manufacturing industry.
Senator Brown Outlines His Changes to Food Safety Legislation
Senator Brown has issued a press release stating that he is working to ensure swift approval of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510), while also seeking to make improvements to the bill. Two areas in which Brown plans to improve the bills are country of origin labeling for processed foods and a federal system to track the source of tainted food.
Senate Committee Lists DHS' FY 2011 Funding Needs
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Lieberman (I) has sent his annual letter to the Senate Budget Committee detailing the funding he believes the Department of Homeland Security needs for Fiscal Year 2011.
Resolution Pressing Japan to Lift Ban on U.S. Beef Introduced
On March 11, 2010, Senators Lincoln (D) and Johanns (R) introduced a resolution pressing Japan to lift its partial ban on U.S. beef. Lincoln, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Johanns, a former Secretary of Agriculture, were joined by 17 bipartisan cosponsors. The resolution states Japan should immediately expand market access for U.S. beef products, and urges the Obama Administration to insist on increased market access from Japan.
House Trade Working Group Met with USTR on TPP Talks
On March 11, 2010, Representative Michaud (D), Chairman of the House Trade Working Group, joined with Representative Slaughter (D) and other HTWG members in a bipartisan meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Kirk regarding continuation of U.S participation in talks for a Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Any "Capitol Hill Trade Action" warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.