On September 15, 2010, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the federal role in national rail policy, including S. 2889, to reauthorize the Surface Transportation Board.
On September 15, 2010, the House passed H.R. 2039 (amended), the Congressional Made in America Promise Act of 2009. H.R. 2039 would clarify the applicability of the Buy American Act to products purchased for the use of the legislative branch, to prohibit the application of any of the exceptions to the requirements of such Act to products bearing an official Congressional insignia, etc.
On September 15, 2010, the House passed, as amended, H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act1, a bill to prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from procuring certain textiles and apparel2 unless the items are grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the U.S., with certain exceptions.
On September 8, 2010, Senator Murray (D) hosted a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Washington state farmers and growers so that LaHood could hear first-hand about the negative effects Mexican tariffs are having on Washington state’s agriculture industry.
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.
On September 14, 2010, the Senate reached agreement to continue its consideration of H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act, on September 15, 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.