On March 15, 2011, the House passed H.J. Res. 48, to make further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011. According to the House Appropriations Committee, H.J. Res. 48 would fund the federal government through April 8, 2011 (from March 18, 2011) and cut $6 billion in non-security discretionary spending. The Senate is expected to pass the measure later this week.
The following are the trade-related hearings scheduled for March 14-19, 2011:
On March 14, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
The following hearings, markups, or meetings are scheduled for March 15, 2011:
On March 10, 2011, the Clean and Sustainable Transportation Coalition sent a letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Mica (R) and Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Chairman Duncan (R) urging them to oppose the Clean Ports Act of 2011 (H.R. 572).
On March 14, 2011, 44 Senate Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R), sent Senate Majority Leader Reid (D), a letter saying that until the President submits all three pending free trade agreements (Korea, Colombia, and Panama) the Senators will use all the tools at their disposal to force action, including withholding support for any nominee for Commerce Secretary and any other trade-related nominees. Press release and letter available here.
On March 11, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On March 10, 2011, ten Republican Senators sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid (D) stating that they they will object to the consideration of any legislation that fails to directly address meaningful spending cuts, reducing debt and reducing the size of government. However, the Senators note that if the Majority Leader agrees to dedicate significant floor time to debate spending and debt well in advance of the federal government reaching the statutorily-mandated debt limit, then they will withhold their objection.
On March 10, 2011, Senator Lugar (R), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced that he would block the U.S.-South Korea free-trade agreement unless the Colombia and Panama FTAs are also submitted to Congress for approval.
On March 11, 2011, House Appropriations Chairman Rogers (R) introduced a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government at current rates for three weeks -- until April 8 -- while cutting $6 billion in spending. The current CR only funds the federal government through March 18, 2011.