On February 15, 2011, the Senate continued consideration of 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., provide modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and take action on certain amendments proposed thereto.
On February 15, 2011, the House began consideration of 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. Consideration is expected to resume February 16, 2011.
On February 14, 2011, the Senate reported S. 340, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (S. Rept. 112-1).
On February 15, 2011, the House agreed to H. Con. Res. 17, providing that when the Senate recesses or adjourns on any day from February 17, 2011, through February 25, 2011 that the House also stand recessed or adjourned until noon on February 28, 2011.
On February 14, 2011, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) and Ranking Member Hatch (R) announced the members for the Committee’s six subcommittees in the 112th Congress. The members of the Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness are:
On February 15, 2011, House Ways and Means Ranking Member Levin (D) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member McDermott (D) called on the House Majority to bring up a combined extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance and the Andean Trade Preference Act before adjourning on February 17, 2011 for an 11-day recess. Press release available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.
The following are the trade-related hearings scheduled for February 14-19, 2011:
On February 14, 2011, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) and Ranking Member Hatch (R) sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative urging him to act quickly so that Congress can approve the Colombia and Panama Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
On February 9, 2011, Representative Nadler (D) introduced H.R. 572, the Clean Ports Act of 20111, which he states would amend the Federal Motor Carrier Act to allow ports to enact and enforce clean truck programs and implement environmental programs above the current federal requirements.
On February 8, 2011, Representatives Calvert (R) and Jackson (D) introduced H.R. 526 (the ON TIME Act), which would require the establishment and collection of fees on imports into and exports from the U.S. which would be used to carry out certain transportation projects. An identical measure was introduced by these two representatives in 2009.1