Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a new feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of Capitol Hill actions for March 31, 2009.
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House Committee Announces Release of Draft Clean Energy Legislation
On March 31, 2009, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Markey announced the release of a discussion draft of clean energy legislation entitled the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES).
According to the Committee, ACES is a comprehensive approach to America's energy policy.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09040105, for BP summary of the Committee's discussion draft.)
Senior Democrats Send Letter to President on Trade Barrier Report
On March 31, 2009, the House Ways and Means Committee issued a press release announcing that senior House Democrats have sent a letter to the President renewing their commitment to work with the Administration towards stricter enforcement of U.S. rights under trade agreements. The letter was sent in anticipation of the Administration's annual "National Trade Estimate" (NTE) report listing barriers to U.S. exports.
In an appendix to the letter, the Democrats identified a number of existing trade barriers with U.S. trading partners and their impact on the U.S. economy .
Senate Leader Criticizes CPSC Chair for Comments on CPSIA
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D) has issued a press release announcing that he has sent a letter to Acting Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) expressing concern over recent public comments Nord has made that are critical of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and "show her continued resistance to modernizing the CPSC."
Senate Homeland Security Committee Leaders to Propose More Resources for U.S.-Mexico Border
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has issued a press release announcing that Chairman Lieberman (D) and Ranking Member Collins (R) will introduce an amendment to the Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 13) on March 31, 2009 to significantly bolster U.S. efforts to fight violence caused by Mexican drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexican border.
The amendment calls for an additional $550 million for federal agents, investigators, and resources to stem the flow of drugs smuggled north into the U.S. and the flow of money and guns south into Mexico. It comes a week after the Obama Administration announced an initiative to redeploy more federal agents to the border.
House Appropriations Committee Hearings on Homeland Security
On March 31, 2009, the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Homeland Security held hearings on Securing the Nation's Rail and Transit System and Improving Aviation Security Efficiency.
Committee Grants Rule for House Consideration of Tobacco Bill
On March 31, 2009, the House Rules Committee granted a rule to provide for the consideration of H.R. 1256, the "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act."
Foreign Affairs Committee Orders OPIC Bill, Etc. Favorably Reported
On March 31, 2009, the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee ordered favorably reported the following:
S. 705, to reauthorize the programs of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
S. Res. 90, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from April 17-19, 2009
Senate Continues its Consideration of the FY 2010 Budget Resolution
The Senate continued its consideration of S. Con. Res. 13, setting forth the congressional budget for the U.S. government for fiscal year 2010, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2009, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
On March 31, 2009, the Senate adopted an amendment to require that certain legislation relating to clean energy technologies not increase electricity or gasoline prices or increase the overall burden on consumers.
Trade-Related Bill Introduced on March 31, 2009
On March 31, 2009, the following trade-related bill was introduced:
| Food and beverage containers | S. 753. A bill to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of children's food and beverage containers composed of bisphenol A, and for other purposes |
If it is determined that any of the above Congressional actions, hearings, or bills warrant more in-depth coverage, such information will be provided separately in a future issue of International Trade Today.