On September 17, 2010, Congressman Michaud (D), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, praised the support of the Administration for a permanent increase in Maine and Vermont’s Interstate truck weight limits. Michaud’s statement notes that while the Administration’s support for this is positive, some in the House and Senate remain adamantly opposed to this change, and he will work with the Vermont and Maine delegations to make sure it becomes law.
The Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act (H.R. 3980), which would identify and eliminate redundant reporting requirements and developing meaningful performance metrics for homeland security preparedness grants, was reported in the Senate, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute (S. Rept. 111-291).
On September 16, 2010, the Senate began consideration of the motion to proceed to consider the National Defense Authorization Act - Agreement (S. 3454), 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 20, 2010.
On September 16, 2010, the Senate passed H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act, on September 16, 2010. According to a statement by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D), the bill would, among other things, create new tools to help small businesses export goods and establish a new State Export Promotion Grant Program.
On September 16, 2010, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Ways and Means Committee held separate hearings on China currency issues. Highlights of Treasury Secretary Geithner’s testimony, and remarks from Committee members include:
On September 15, 2010, the Senate reached agreement to continue its consideration of H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act, on September 16, 2010. According to a statement by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D), the bill would, among other things, create new tools to help small businesses export goods and establish a new State Export Promotion Grant Program. The President's remarks on H.R. 5297 are available here.