House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Camp announced that he has has scheduled an organizational meeting of the Committee on Ways and Means on January 12, 2011. The Meeting will include consideration of the Committee’s rules for the 112th Congress.
On January 6, 2011, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Camp (R) announced the Republican membership on the Ways and Means Committee Subcommittees for the 112th Congress. (According to the press release, Democratic members serving on the Subcommittees have not been selected yet.)
On January 5, 2011, the House agreed to H.J. Res. 5, new rules for the 112th Congress which, among other things, established rules for Committee action on hearings and legislation; replaces the current pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) with a cut-as-you-Go (CUTGO) requirement; and makes it out of order in the House to consider general appropriations legislation that: (1) provides spending authority derived from receipts deposited in the Highway Trust Fund (excluding any transfers from the General Fund of the Treasury); or (2) reduces or otherwise limits the accruing balances of such Fund, for any purpose other than authorized activities for the highway or mass transit categories.
The House Majority Leader has posted a statement announcing that all legislation currently scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives during the week of January 10, 2011 is being postponed so that the House can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords.
On January 5, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On January 6, 2011, the Senate agreed to recess for two weeks until January 25, 2011. According to press reports, the recess is intended to allow time for Democratic and Republican Senate leaders to broker a deal to improve how the Senate conducts business.
On January 4, 2011, the President signed into law H.R. 628, a bill involving patent and plant variety protection issues.
On January 5, 2011, 1,655 companies and associations sent a letter to members of the 112th Congress urging them to pursue trade and investment policies and agreements that will help U.S. companies and workers to remain competitive. As a first step, the companies and associations urge Congress to consider and approve pending trade initiatives, such as the free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama.
On January 5, 2011, Representative Camp (R) was formally elected by the House of Representatives to serve as the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman for the 112th Congress. According to Camp’s press release, the House Ways and Means Committee’s top priority will be economic growth and job creation, while reducing federal spending.
On January 5, 2011, the Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to members of the 112th Congress urging them to pursue trade and investment policies and agreements that will help U.S. companies and workers to remain competitive. As a first step, the Chamber urges Congress to consider and approve pending trade initiatives, such as the free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama.