The House and Senate have adjourned for their Independence Day Recess. The House and Senate are scheduled to return on July 13, 2010 and July 12, 2010, respectively.
On June 29, 2010, the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved for full Committee action the FY 2011 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
On June 28, 2010, Representative Owens (D) introduced1 H.R. 5619, which would amend the SAFE Port Act to provide for the eligibility of certain non-asset based third party logistics providers (3PLs) to participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program.
On June 30, 2010, Senators Stabenow (D) and Durbin (D) introduced legislation in the Senate, and Congressman Dave Camp (R) introduced legislation in the House, to permanently prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.
On June 30, 2010, the House agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 4173, the financial reform bill. The separately House- and Senate-passed bills contained trade provisions such as requirements for companies using conflict minerals, whistleblower awards for securities violations such as FCPA, expanded authority for the FTC. See future issue of ITT for details on the trade provisions in the conference report. On June 30, 2010, the Senate rejected a motion to close further debate on H.R. 4173.
On June 30, 2010, the House Agriculture Committee approved legislation to expand U.S. agriculture trade and increase jobs, approving legislation (H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act).to expand trade of U.S. agriculture products to Cuba.