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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Representatives Urge Reform of U.S. Agricultural Subsidies
A bipartisan group of four Representatives (Frank (D), Kind (D), Ryan (R) and Flake (R)) sent a letter to President Obama urging the Administration to use all of its resources to reform U.S. agricultural subsidies, especially the U.S. cotton program. The group states that instead of enacting cost-saving reforms, the U.S. is electing to pay $147.3 million annually to the Brazilian cotton industry in order to continue to pay around $3 billion a year to large U.S. agribusiness. Representatives Frank and Flake also issued press releases.
Senate Committee to Mark Up Foreign Relations Authorization Act
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D) and Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R) will mark up the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010-11(S.2971) on April 27, 2010. The mark up will authorize funding levels for the State Department and related accounts and demonstrate the strong commitment of Congress for U.S. diplomatic and foreign policy priorities.
President Signs Haiti Debt Relief Bill Into Law
On April 26, 2010, the Haiti Debt Relief and Earthquake Recovery Act of 2010, legislation originally authored by Senators Dodd (D) and Lugar (R), was signed into law by President Obama. The legislation will focus on debt relief, infrastructure investment, etc.
Any “Capitol Hill Trade Action” warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.