Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman Lincoln (D), Ranking Member Chambliss, (R) and Senator Klobuchar (D) applauded the announcement that Russia will lift its ban on U.S. poultry imports. (On June 25, 2010, President Obama and Russian President Medvedev announced that an agreement had been reached and the ban will be lifted.)
On June 28, 2010, Senator Brown (D) joined a group of 11 Senators who sent a letter urging President Obama to name a federal Coordinated Response Commander responsible for organizing efforts to contain the spread of Asian carp.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) issued a statement expressing support for the President's announcement at the G-20 meetings to launch a new initiative to resolve outstanding aspects of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement before the G-20's next meeting on November 11-12 in Korea. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Levin (D) and Ranking Member Camp (R) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Brady (R) also issued statement’s about the President’s announcement.
On June 25, 2010, the Senate confirmed the nomination of John S. Pistole to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security. House Homeland Security Chairman Thompson's statement commending Pistole's confirmation is available here.
Senator John McCain has introduced a bill that would repeal the Jones Act, which requires that all goods shipped between waterborne ports of the U.S. be carried by vessels built in the U.S. and owned and operated by Americans.
On June 25, 2010, conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 4173., the financial reform bill.
On June 23, 2010, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on “the U.S.-China Trade Relationship: Finding a New Path Forward.” Testifying at the hearing were U.S. Trade Representative Kirk and Commerce Secretary Locke.
On June 24, 2010, the Senate failed to pass a motion to close further debate on the Senate amendment of House-passed H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (Tax Extenders or Jobs bill). (The House-passed version of H.R. 4213 included cotton and wool fund provisions, etc.) Press reports indicate that Senate Majority Leader Reid has pulled the bill from further Senate consideration.
On June 24, 2010, the House Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee approved the fiscal year 2011 Homeland Security Appropriations bill for full Committee action.
On June 24, 2010, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs ordered favorably reported the nomination of John Pistole to be the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security.