On September 21, 2010, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations ordered favorably reported S. 3581, to implement certain defense trade treaties, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Also ordered favorably reported were defense treaties between the U.S. and Australia and the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
On September 21, 2010, the Senate rejected an attempt to proceed to consideration of S. 3454, the National Defense Authorization Act. Agreement was reached to continue consideration of the motion to proceed on September 22, 2010.
On September 20, 2010, Senator Schumer (D) called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to halt the practice of Chinese growers mislabeling their products as “organic.” In addition, Schumer called on USDA to work with the International Trade Commission to develop trade codes for tracking the international movement of organic products.
On September 20, 2010, the Senate continued its consideration of S. 3454, the National Defense Authorization Act, which would authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year. The Senate is expected to continue its consideration on September 21, 2010.
The Food Safety Accountability Act of 2010 (S. 3767), which was introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Leahy (D) and three co-sponsors1 on September 13, 2010, would establish criminal penalties for “knowing” violations relating to food that is misbranded or adulterated.
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has identified more than $2.7 billion in savings that have been or can be realized through spending cuts in programs under its jurisdiction. The findings are contained in a report that was transmitted to the House Speaker on September 15, 2010.