Congressman Michaud (D), Chairman of the House Trade Working Group, issued a statement criticizing the Commerce Department’s announcement of its decision not to investigate China’s currency manipulation as a countervailable subsidy in petitions filed by U.S. paper companies. Michaud states that since the White House has refused to take action to level the playing field with China, it is absolutely imperative that Congress do so as soon as it returns.
On August 31, 2010, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Levin (D) issued a statement following an announcement by the Commerce Department regarding countervailing duty petitions filed by U.S. companies and workers. Levin notes that while Commerce found that the petitions failed to allege facts sufficient to initiate an investigation on whether China’s currency manipulation is a countervailable subsidy, it did not find that currency manipulation cannot be addressed as a countervailable subsidy. Levin states that this and other courses of action will be reviewed at the Ways and Means Committee's September 15 hearing on China’s exchange rate policy. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/30/10 news, 10073009, for BP summary announcing this hearing.)
On August 19, 2010, Representatives Kirk (R) and Klein (D) sent a letter to the President asking him to enforce the recently enacted Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010. In their letter, the Representatives express concern about firms, like Russia’s LUKOIL, who reportedly continue to supply Iran with refined petroleum products. The letter asks the President to enforce CISADA and hold companies like LUKOIL accountable without delay.
The Government Accountability Office has issued a report entitled “Formaldehyde in Textiles: While Levels in Clothing Generally Appear to Be Low, Allergic Contact Dermatitis Is a Health Issue for Some People.”
On August 5, 2010, Senator Hagan (D) introduced S. 3741, a bill to provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection with authority to more aggressively enforce trade laws relating to textile or apparel articles1, and for other purposes.
The Government Accountability Office has issued its report to Congressional requesters entitled "Cyberspace: United States Faces Challenges in Addressing Global Cybersecurity and Governance."
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) wrote a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Kirk calling on him to initiate consultations with Canada to end unfair practices that are harming the U.S. lumber industry.
Senator Lincoln (D), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and Ranking Member Chambliss (R), pressed the Russian government to fulfill their commitment to reopen their markets to U.S. poultry imports in a joint letter sent to Russian Ambassador Kislyak.
In July 2010, the Government Accountability Office issued to congressional requesters1 a report entitled “Electronic Waste: Considerations for Promoting Environmentally Sound Reuse and Recycling.”