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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AAFA Applauds Introduction of HELP Act of 2010 for Haiti
The American Apparel & Footwear Association issued a press release applauding the introduction of the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act of 2010 in the House of Representatives and Senate. AAFA notes that as the single largest sector of Haiti’s economy, the apparel industry will play a leading role in Haiti’s overall recovery.
House Ag Committee Farm Bill Field Hearings, Comments Requested
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson (D) announced a series of field hearings to hear from people about U.S. farm policy in advance of the 2012 Farm Bill. The Committee will also collect public comments about the Farm Bill on its website: http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/feedbackform.html. All comments received online by June 14, 2010 will be included in the Committee’s Farm Bill field hearing record.
DoD Procurement Bill Passes House with U.S. Clothing Amendment
Representative Michaud (D) has issued a press release announcing that an amendment to ensure that U.S. men and women in uniform are outfitted with goods made in the U.S. was passed on April 28, 2010, as part of the IMPROVE Acquisition Act (H.R. 5013). According to the press release, Michaud’s amendment asks the Government Accountability Office to study and determine whether there is sufficient domestic supply of these items that are bought by U.S. soldiers with the allowance. Based on the results of the GAO study, DOD will determine whether it is feasible and practical to extend the Berry Amendment to the items bought with the cash allowance.
79 Members of Congress Send Letter on Clean Ports Legislation
On April 28, 2010, Representative Nadler (D) and 78 other Members of Congress, sent a letter to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair and Ranking Member expressing strong support for federal legislation to allow major container ports to implement stronger environmental standards on trucks. Nadler plans to introduce such legislation -- which has been endorsed by over 100 environmental, labor and business organizations across the country -- in the coming weeks.
Additional Trade-Related Bills Introduced on April 28, 2010
In addition to those bills previously listed, on April 28, 2010, the following trade-related bills were also introduced:
| Event data recorders | H.R. 5169. A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate rules to require that all motor vehicles be equipped with event data recorders by 2015, and for other purposes |
| Event data recorders | S. 3271. A bill to amend section 30166 of title 49, United States Code, to require the installation of event data recorders in all motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States, and for other purposes |
Trade-Related Bills Introduced on April 29, 2010
On April 29, 2010, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| Tobacco | S. 3288. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tobacco smuggling, and for other purposes |
| Tobacco | H.R. 5178. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tobacco smuggling, and for other purposes |
| Caucasus Emirate | H. Res. 1315. A resolution urging the Secretary of State to designate the Caucasus Emirate as a foreign terrorist organization |
| VAT | H. Res. 1317. A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the value-added tax in addition to existing Federal taxes is a massive tax increase that will result in hardships for United States families and job-creating small business and will stunt economic recovery |
Any Capitol Hill Trade Action warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.