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Grover Norquist, NAM Continue Battle to Enact MTB Legislation
November 14, 2013 by Brian Dabbs|Congress

The congressional failure to pass Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) legislation continues to threaten U.S. market competitiveness abroad, said Grover Norquist in The Washington Times on Nov. 12 (here). The bill, which expired on Dec. 31, 2012, saves U.S. industry a quarter-billion dollars a year in tariff exemptions, said Norquist. “Why does our own government impose tariff burdens on us that raise the cost of living for all Americans?” said Norquist in a column. “This self-inflicted wound should be ground zero for bipartisan action.”

Topics:Customs duty
House Democrats Pledge to Oppose 'Outdated' TPA
November 14, 2013 by Brian Dabbs|Congress

More than 150 House members pledged in a Nov. 13 letter to President Barack Obama to oppose Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) that fails to address the 21st Century trade environment by usurping Congressional power to shape trade policy. The opaque Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks demonstrate the current exclusion of Congress from influencing trade negotiations, said the letter. The 151 members vowed to oppose an “outdated,” “twentieth century” TPA, or “any other mechanism” that perpetuates that exclusion.

Finance, Ways and Means Leadership Push ITA Expansion, WTO Trade Facilitation
November 14, 2013 by Brian Dabbs|Congress

Information Technology Agreement (ITA) participant nations, notably China, must concede more sensitive ITA products and product lines, along with shorter tariff phase-out periods, in order to secure an ITA expansion deal by the next World Trade Organization summit in Bali, said leaders of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees in a Nov. 13 letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Michael Froman. An ITA expansion deal would fuel increased U.S. exports of IT products, said the letter. “Any final agreement should also include important products that are priorities of U.S. information technology exporters, such as next-generation semiconductors, high tech instruments and medical devices,” said the letter. The Bali summit will be held from Dec. 3-6. The USTR and U.S. industry have led the ITA expansion effort (see 13100908).

Topics:World Trade Organization (WTO)
Senate Commerce Approves McSweeny FTC Nomination
November 13, 2013 by Brian Dabbs|Congress

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved Terrell McSweeny for as Commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), according to a press release on Nov. 12. The full chamber must now vote on her nomination. McSweeny would fill the vacant fifth FTC commissioner position. McSweeny is a former staffer for Vice President Joe Biden.

Lawmakers Push LNG Export Approvals From West Coast Facilities
November 13, 2013 by Brian Dabbs|Congress

The Department of Energy must approve liquefied natural gas (LNG) export applications for non-free trade agreement (FTA) countries from facilities on the west coast, such as Jordan Cove in Oregon, said a Nov. 12 letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, endorsed by 12 House and Senate lawmakers. The expectation that the nation’s LNG supply will soon meet domestic demand is causing some companies to scale back operations and, in turn, decreasing local and Native American tribal government revenue while cutting jobs, said the letter. Therefore the application approvals are necessary to maintain LNG production.

House Members Pledge to Oppose TPA in Letter to President Obama
November 13, 2013 by Brian Dabbs|Congress

Twenty-two members of the House of Representatives told President Barack Obama on Nov. 12 that they would oppose Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), also known as fast-track. The law, which expired in 2007, sacrifices the congressional authority to set the terms of trade, said the letter, while requiring the House to vote in a definite period of time on bills designed to implement trade deals the administration strikes.

Senate Homeland Security Committee to Hold Johnson Nomination Hearing
November 12, 2013 by Brian Dabbs|Congress

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will conduct on Nov. 13 at 10:00 a.m. a hearing on the nomination of Jeh Johnson as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the committee said. Rand Beers has held the DHS chief post as acting secretary since Janet Napolitano vacated the position in September.

'Poorly Written' HMT Revamp Bill Would Add Costs to Non-North American Imports, Says Waterfront Coalition Director
November 8, 2013 by Tim Warren|Congress

NEW YORK-Recently introduced legislation meant to prevent shippers from skirting certain port fees through the use of Canadian and Mexican ports would impose some major new taxes on any good not originating from North America and should be of concern to importers, said Robin Lanier, director of the Waterfront Coalition. Lanier spoke Nov. 6 at the U.S. Fashion Industry Association conference. The bill in question, the Maritime Goods Movement Act, was recently introduced by Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.