Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.
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Export Compliance Daily combines U.S. export control news, foreign border import regulation and policy developments into a single daily information service that reliably informs its trade professional readers about important current issues affecting their operations.
NCTO Urges Additional Cosponsors for Super 301 Bill
The National Council of Textile Organizations has posted a letter asking Senators to co-sponsor S. 1982, the Trade Enforcement Priorities Act of 2009. According to the NCTO, if S. 1982 were enacted, the U.S. government would be required to focus its efforts and resources on unfair Chinese government subsidies.
Senate Committee Hearing on Nomination of Asst DHS Secretary for TSA
On November 10, 2009, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on the nomination of Erroll G. Southers to be Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security in charge of the Transportation Security Administration.
House Committee to Markup CBP Employee, Border/Rail Security Bills
The House Homeland Security Committee will be holding a full committee markup of legislation on November 17, 2009, including:
H.R. 1517 - to allow certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who serve under an overseas limited appointment for at least 2 years, and whose service is rated fully successful or higher throughout that time, to be converted to a permanent appointment in the competitive service.
H.R. 3239 - to require the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report on the effects of the Merida Initiative on the border security of the U.S.
H. Res. 28 - expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Transportation Security Administration should, in accordance with the congressional mandate provided for in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, enhance security against terrorist attack and other security threats to our Nation's rail and mass transit lines.
Energy Appropriations Bill Signed into Law on October 28th
On October 28, 2009, the President signed into law (Public Law 111-85), H.R. 3183, the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This bill contains a provision that would, in most cases, prohibit its funds for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve from being made available for certain specified transactions related to selling, shipping, etc. refined petroleum products to Iran and certain related activities.
U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission Appointments
A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the following appointments to the U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission - Patrick A. Mulloy and William A. Reinsch - be considered to have been made on November 10, 2009.
Senate Receives Nomination for TDA Director
On November 16, 2009, the Senate received the nomination of Leocadia Irine Zak to be Director of the Trade and Development Agency.
Trade-Related Bill Introduced on November 16, 2009
On November 16, 2009, the following trade-related bill was introduced:
| Chemical | H.R. 4076. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on mixtures of Chlorsulfuron (2-Chloro-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl]benzenesulfonamide) and metsulfuron methyl (Methyl 2[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1, 3,5-triazin-2-yl)arnino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl] benzoate) and inert ingredients |
Trade-Related Bills Introduced on October 29, 2009
On October 29, 2009, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| Chemical | S. 2500. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on p-fluorobenzaldehyde |
| Chemical | S. 2501. A bill to renew the temporary suspensions of duty on acetyl chloride |
| Chemical | S. 2502. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Dianil |
| Chemical | S. 2503. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on nPBAL |
| Chemical | S. 2504. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Primid XL-552 |
| Chemical | S. 2505. A bill to extend the temporary suspension of duty on 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, polymer with N,N-bis(2-aminoethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine, cyclized, methosulfate |
| Artifical foliage | S. 2506. A bill to provide for the liquidation or reliquidation of certain entries of artificial foliage |
| Chemical | S. 2507. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Primid QM-1260 |
| Chemical | S. 2508. A bill to reduce temporarily the duty on 4-ADPA |
| Chemical | S. 2509. A bill to extend the temporary suspension of duty on Mixtures of N-phenyl-N-((trichloromethyl)thio)-benzenefulfonamide, calcium carbonate, and mineral oil |
| Chemical | S. 2510. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Grilamid TR 90 |
| Chemical | S. 2511. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on Grilbond IL 6-50%F |
| Manufacturing equipment | S. 2512. A bill to extend the temporary suspension of duty on certain manufacturing equipment |
| Chemical | S. 2513. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on himic anhydride |
| Chemical | S. 2514. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on o-Dichlorobenzene |
| Chemical | S. 2515. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate |
| Nonwoven diffusion media | S. 2516. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on nonwoven diffusion media |
| Chemical | S. 2517. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on 2 ,2'-Dithioibisbenzothiazole |
| Synthetic staple fibers | S. 2518. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on certain synthetic staple fibers that are not carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning |
| Tire building machines | S. 2519. A bill to suspend temporarily the duty on certain tirebuilding machines used in the manufacture of extra-wide pneumatic truck and automobile tires, and parts and accessories thereof |
| Synthetic staple fibers | S. 2520. A bill to suspend the duty on certain synthetic staple fibers that are not carded, combed, or otherwise processed for spinning |
(A large number of trade-related bills were introduced in the Senate on October 29, 30, and November 2, 2009 for purposes of an Omnibus Miscellaneous Trade bill. The above list contains the last of the bills introduced on October 29, 2009.)
If it is determined that any of the above Congressional actions, hearings, or bills warrant more in-depth coverage, such information will be provided separately in a future issue of International Trade Today.