Representative Dingell (D) issued a press release announcing his recent meetings with industry representatives to discuss the “Make It in America” agenda. Congressman Dingell says they discussed tax policy, free trade agreements, and the availability of private credit, and how best to address them in legislation the House of Representatives will take up in September 2010.
The American Apparel and Footwear Association has joined with over 1,200 other businesses and organizations (i.e., the Latin America Trade Coalition) in sending a letter to Congressional leaders urging Congress to approve the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement as soon as possible.
Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congressman Schrader announced on August 12, 2010 that Oregon will receive more than $37 million for infrastructure improvements at the Port of Tillamook Bay. The funding is made available to Oregon through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
On July 30, 2010, Representative Price (D) introduced H.R. 6060, the American Textile Technology Innovation and Research for Exportation (ATTIRE) Act, which would require the Commerce Secretary to establish a competitive grant program to fund textile research and innovation and to promote increased textile exports.
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 articles, and for other purposes.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has issued a press release announcing that Committee Chairman Harkin (D), Ranking Member Enzi (R), Senate food safety legislation authors Senators Durbin (D) and Gregg (R) and lead cosponsors Senators Dodd (D) and Burr (R) have been negotiating S. 510, the Senate’s food safety legislation. As a result, a manager’s amendment of S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, has been posted to the Committee Web site.
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report entitled “U.S. Trade Policy and the Caribbean: from Trade Preferences to Free Trade Agreements.”
On August 10, 2010, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to a House and Senate amended verison of H.R. 1586, a bill to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the U.S., provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.
On August 10, 2010, the the President signed into law H.R. 5874, a bill to make supplemental appropriations for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010.