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 Chairman Supports Nat’l Guard Troops on SW Border
During an April 20, 2010 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Chairman Lieberman stated that he supports temporarily stationing National Guard troops at the southwest border to help secure the area against an ever escalating level of violence among Mexican drug cartels and between the cartels and the Mexican government. In addition, the Chairman noted that he supports the review of the Secure Border Initiative by the Department of Homeland Security.
House Ag Committee Held First Meeting on 2012 Farm Bill
On April 21, 2010, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to discuss U.S. agriculture policy in advance of the 2012 Farm Bill with Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack. According to the Chairman, the hearing was the first step in the process of writing a Farm Bill. See future issues of ITT for additional details.
President Submits Nominations for Recess Appointments to Senate
On April 21, 2010, the President sent the following nominations to the Senate:
Alan D. Bersin, to be Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security
Rafael Borras, to be Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security
Eric L. Hirschhorn to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration
Michael W. Punke to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative
Francisco J. Sanchez to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade
Islam A. Siddiqui, to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative
All of the above were appointed to these positions by the President during the last Senate recess. See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/29/10 news, (Ref: 10032905), for BP summary of these recess appointments.)
Sen Finance Int’l Trade Subcmte Responds to Release of ACTA Text
Senator Wyden (D), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness issued a statement regarding the decision made by U.S. Trade Representative to release the Anti-Counterfeiting Agreement negotiating text. The Chairman states that the release of the ACTA negotiating text is a step toward greater transparency in the area of trade.
Senator Threatens Action If China Currency Policy Does Not Change
In an April 22, 2010 hearing of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy on Chinese currency practices and their effect on trade imbalances and U.S. manufacturing, Senator Brown (D) said if China does not change its currency policy, Congress will act. (Senator Brown is one of the sponsors of Senate legislation on China currency, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2010.)
House Adopts Motion to Go to Conference on Iran Sanctions Bill
On April 22, 2010, the House agreed to Representative Berman’s motion to disagree to the Senate amendment and agree to a conference on H.R. 2194, to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance U.S. diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran.
Trade-Related Bills Introduced on April 22, 2010
On April 22, 2010, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| Atrazine | H.R. 5124. A bill to prohibit the use, production, sale, importation, or exportation of any pesticide containing atrazine |
Any “Capitol Hill Trade Action” warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.