May 27 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.
Closed Rule Granted for Tax Extender Bill (Wool and Cotton Trust Fund)
A closed rule providing for House consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 4213, the Tax Extender bill (American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act) has been granted. Among other things, this measure would reauthorize payments and duty suspensions to the “Cotton Trust Fund”, and restore the “Wool Trust Fund” to authorized levels.
Agreement Reached for Senate Consideration of Supplemental Approp. Bill
A unanimous-consent-time agreement has been reached for Senate’s continued consideration of the FY 2010 Supplemental Appropriations bill on May 27. According to the House Appropriations Committee, the House version of this bill would provide $208 million for 1200 additional SW Border Patrol agents and $136M to maintain current CBP officer staffing levels and add 500 additional officers at SW ports of entry, etc. It also would prohibit funding for certain contracts unless the contractor has certified that it does not engage in certain Iranian transactions.
House Commerce Orders Composite Wood and Other Bills Reported
The House Energy and Commerce Committee ordered reported, as amended, the following bills: H.R. 5320, Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2010; H.R. 5381, Motor Vehicle Safety Act; H.R. 4805, Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act; and H.R. 4451, Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act.
Senate Committee Concludes Hearing on Dietary Supplements and the Elderly
The Senate Special Committee on Aging concluded a hearing to examine dietary supplements, focusing on what seniors need to know, and deceptive or questionable marketing practices and potentially dangerous advice.
Hearings Today on U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation, Tobacco Smuggling
The House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism, and the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere of the Committee on Foreign Affairs are holding a joint hearing entitled U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation: Next Steps for the Merida Initiative.''
The House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Oversight, is holding a hearing on tobacco smuggling in the U.S. and other excise tax compliance issues.
Rep. Introduces Bill to Protect Public from Dangerous Consumer Products
Representative Nadler (D) has introduced the Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2010 in order to ensure that public health and safety are taken into account when decisions are made to keep secret consumer product information concerning public health or safety that is discovered in litigation.
Senator Says Third Way Reports Shows Savings in Energy Climate Change Bill
Senator Kerry (D), co-author of the Senate’s comprehensive energy independence and climate change legislation, highlighted a Third Way report concluding that the carbon price proposed in the American Power Act will reduce American’s energy bills and create nearly 1.9 million jobs by 2020.
Any “Capitol Hill Trade Action” warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.