On July 14, 2010, the House passed H.J. Res. 83, to approve the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
At a July 14, 2010 press conference, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Grassley urged implementation of the pending free trade agreements with Korea, Panama, and Colombia. Grassley noted that there is no reason why the implementation of the pending FTAs with Panama and Colombia cannot be put on the same timeline recently announced for the Korea FTA (KORUS FTA). Grassley stated that he is ready to work with the President on the Panama and Colombia FTAs, something he would like to see happen in 2010.
On July 13, 2010, the following trade-related bill was introduced:
On July 14, 2010, the following trade-related hearings will be held:
On July 13, 2010, the Senate began consideration of the conference report for H.R. 4173, the financial reform bill, which contains provisions that would impose new requirements on companies that use “conflict minerals” and provide new Foreign Corrupt Practices Act whistleblower rewards. The Senate has scheduled a vote to end debate on the conference report on July 15, 2010.
On July 12, 2010, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
The Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security released a statement on the Department of Homeland Security's Bottom Up Review. In his statement, the Chairman noted that while the BUR provides more context for how DHS intends to execute is missions, it is not the "deep dive" that Congress was promised.
Senator Stabenow has issued a statement in response to the Treasury Department’s semi-annual currency report. According to Senator Stabenow, bipartisan legislation must be passed that would require the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Commerce to take action and stop currency violating countries from cheating.
During the week of June 28, 2010, the following House Appropriations Committee Subcommittees held mark-ups of their FY 2011 appropriations bills. During the mark-up, the Subcommittees approved their bills for full Committee Action.
Senator Grassley, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued a statement regarding the Treasury Department’s semiannual report on currency exchange rates. In his statement, Senator Grassley reiterates his call for the Administration to bring a case against China’s currency manipulation at the World Trade Organization. Grassley further warned that if the President fails to address China’s currency manipulation in a meaningful way, Congress will have to act. In a separate statement, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Levin stated that Congress and the Administration should fully explore the option of challenging China’s current practices through a WTO complaint.