May 26 Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a daily International Trade Today compilation of the most relevant legislation, hearings, and actions by Congress involving international trade. 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.
President Signs HELP Act: Expands Haiti Benefits, Extends CBTPA
On May 24, 2010, the President signed into law the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act (H.R. 5160, P.L. 111-171). The HELP Act expands duty-free access to the U.S. market for certain Haitian textile and apparel products and wire harnesses, and extends certain existing trade preference programs, such as the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act preference program. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/26/10 news, 10052663, for detailed summary.)
House Chair Approves of National Guard Deployment, Funding for SW Border
Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Thompson (D) issued a statement of support for the President's announcement that 1,200 National Guard troops will be deployed to the southwest border to deter drug trafficking and violence, along with a request for $500 million in supplemental funds for border protection.
Dingell Warns of Continued Senate Inaction on Food Safety Legislation
Representative Dingell (D) has issued a statement urging his Senate colleagues to acknowledge the threat to human health of unsafe food as evidenced by the current recalls of raw alfalfa sprouts and Romaine-based ready-to-eat salads. Bipartisan food safety legislation addressing these concerns passed the House almost ten months ago. Similar legislation is ready for action in the Senate.
Senate Chair Announces Hiatus in Iran Sanctions Conf. Due to UN Progress
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Dodd (D) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Berman (D), co-chairs of the Iran sanctions bill conference, have announced a delay in their May 2010 deadline for a conference version of H.R. 2194 due to progress in negotiations at the U.N. Security Council. They will work to craft a complementary bill, which they now hope to have Congress approve in the latter half of June.
13 Senators Call for Army Corps Study on Permanent Solution for Asian Carp
Senators Stabenow (D) and Levin (D) joined 11 other senators in asking the Committee on Environment and Public Works to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the feasibility of a permanent hydrological separation that would protect the Great Lakes from the spread of the Asian Carp and other invasive species.
House Subcommittee Comments on GAO Report on Food Safety Efforts at FDA
The House Science and Technology Committee’s Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Miller (D) commented on a new GAO report that recommends FDA establish a performance measurement plan for its new imported food screening program, PREDICT, which has been hindered by information infrastructure problems, such as server crashes and overloads. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/26/10 news, 10052665, for BP summary.)
Senator Kerry Introduces Line-Item Veto Legislation
Senator John Kerry (D) has introduced the Veto Wasteful Spending and Protect Taxpayers Act to establish a line-item veto that will pass constitutional muster. Senator Kerry first introduced this legislation in 2006.
Trade-Related Bill Introduced on May 25, 2010
On May 25, 2010, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| De minimis entries | H.R. 5375. A bill to amend the Tariff Act of 1930 relating to de minimis entries |
| Textile enforcement | H.R. 5393. A bill to provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection with authority to more aggressively enforce trade laws relating to textile or apparel articles, and for other purposes |
| Drop-side cribs | H.R. 5386. A bill to ban the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use in public facilities of drop-side cribs in the United States, and for other purposes |
| Line item veto | S. 3423. A bill to provide the President with expedited consideration of proposals for cancellation of certain budget item |
| Dietary supplements | S. 3414. A bill to ensure that the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 and other requirements for dietary supplements under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration are fully implemented and enforced, and for other purposes |
| Imported prescription drugs | S. 3415. A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the importation of prescription drugs and to amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate covered part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries |
| Vehicle electronics, transparency | H.R. 5381. A bill to require motor vehicle safety standards relating to vehicle electronics and to reauthorize and provide greater transparency, accountability, and safety authority to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
Any “Capitol Hill Trade Action” warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.