A press release from Senator Wyden (D) states that in an effort to make it more difficult for foreign exporters to circumvent U.S. trade laws, he and Senator Snowe (R) introduced a bill on August 5, 2010 that would give the U.S. Department of Commerce both a mandate and additional tools to enforce U.S. trade remedy laws, specifically those related to antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD).
On August 5, 2010, Representative Michaud, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued a press release praising Senators Crapo, Collins, and Kohl for introducing the Senate version of his bill, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (H.R. 1799), which would allow Maine and other states to increase the weight of trucks allowed on the Interstate System within state borders. Michaud states that the current patchwork of differing weight requirements harms safety by forcing trucks onto roads not designed for their use and hurts the economy by reducing the efficiency of freight networks.
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report entitled “World Trade Organization (WTO): Issues in the Debate on Continued U.S. Participation.”
On August 3, 2010, Congressman Berman (D), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen (R), the Ranking Republican Member of the Committee, announced the initiation of a bipartisan Working Group on Iran Sanctions Implementation. According to a Committee press release, the working group will help ensure that U.S. and international sanctions on Iran are fully implemented, effectively enforced and, ultimately, have the intended effect of bringing about Iran’s termination of all activities contributing to its pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.
On July 27, 2010, Representative Lowey introduced H.R. 5887, the Choking Hazard Awareness Act, which would strengthen the Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements regarding choking hazard labeling for certain toys and games in Internet and catalogue advertising.
On July 29, 2010, Representative Speier introduced the Toxic Metals Protection Act of 2010 (H.R. 5920) which would place limits on the allowable levels of four heavy metals in children’s products and require other actions.
On July 29, 2010, Representative Nadler and 56 co-sponsors, introduced the “Clean Ports Act of 2010” (H.R. 5967), which would provide ports the authority to adopt “clean” programs for motor carriers and commercial vehicles, among other things.