The House Energy and Commerce Committee issued a press release on the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee's February 17, 2011 hearing to examine the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the resources of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Among other things, House Energy and Commerce Chairman Upton (R), who pledged to address some of the the "unintended consequences" of the CPSIA, states that by dictating so much of CPSC's work, Congress has shifted the agency's attention to products that pose little or no risk and away from more significant issues. At the same time, Congress has deprived CPSC of the flexibility to develop common-sense solutions to the problems of CPSIA implementation.
According to a February 22, 2011 statement by Senate Majority Leader Reid (D), he plans introduce during the week of February 28, a 30-day continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded and give Democrats and Republicans time to negotiate a “responsible” plan to cut government spending.
On February 17, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On February 18, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On February 17, 2011, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack testified before the House Committee on Agriculture stating that recent data indicates U.S. farm exports reached an all-time high in calendar year 2010. U.S. agricultural exports are again expected to be a record high this fiscal year -- up nearly $18 billion, with the agricultural trade balance forecast to be a record $41 billion. According to Vilsack, every $1 billion in agricultural exports helps support 8,000 jobs, and such exports will continue to play a leading role in the President's National Export Initiative. The other big trend in exports is the increased importance of the Chinese market, now the number 1 market, edging out Canada, and accounting for 15.1 percent of exports.
On February 17, 2011, the Senate amended and passed S. 223, a bill to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the U.S., and reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.
On February 18, 2011, the House passed H.R. 1, making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011 by a vote of 235 yeas to 189 nays.
On February 16, 2011, Senators Cantwell (D), Murray (D), and Lautenberg (D) introduced legislation (S. 371) that would establish the first U.S. comprehensive national freight transportation policy to support a growing trade economy.
On February 17, 2011, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D), Ranking Member Hatch (R), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Camp (R) and Ranking Member Levin (D) sent a letter to Taiwan’s President calling on him to end Taiwan’s recently imposed unscientific restriction on U.S. beef. According to the letter, despite guarantees from international food safety organizations and assessments made by Taiwan’s own government that U.S. beef is 100% safe for consumption, Taiwan’s new restriction has effectively blocked U.S. beef exports to Taiwan.
On January 19, 2011, 37 organizations1 representing the trucking industry, retail, manufacturing, and distribution sectors, express couriers, the agricultural industry, and general business interests wrote the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its Highways and Transit Subcommittee asking for a hearing on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed rule on Hours of Service (HOS).