Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.
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Energy and Commerce Committee Letter on Fifth Day of Draft Clean Energy Legislation
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has posted aletter regarding the fifth day of hearings it planned for May 1, 2009 on the discussion draft of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES).
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Comments on Special 301 Report
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The House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman has issued a press release stating that several countries' failure to enforce legal protections for copyrighted works, as described in the U.S. government's Special 301 report, are harming U.S. creative industries and the economy as a whole.
DHS Reaches First 30-Day Target in Efficiency Initiative
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing that it has reached the first of four 30-day targets outlined in its Department-wide Efficiency Review this week, marking the initial implementation of four major initiatives set forth by Secretary Napolitano in the plan announced on March 27, 2009.
Federal Response to H1N1 Flu Outbreak Hearing
On April 30, 2009, the House Energy and Commerce's Health Subcommittee held a hearing entitled Swine Flu Outbreak and the U.S. Federal Response.''
International Efforts to Combat Maritime Piracy Hearing
On April 30, 2009, House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on International Efforts to Combat Maritime Piracy.
U.S.-Mexico Border Violence Briefing
The House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism received a briefing to provide an update on the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to combat violence in the U.S.-Mexico border region from DHS' border 'czar'.
Trade-Related Bills Introduced on April 30, 2009
On April 30, 2009, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| ATF reform | S. 941. A bill to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, modernize firearm laws and regulations, protect the community from criminals, and for other purposes |
| Iran sanctions | H.R. 2194. A bill to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran |
| Fashion design protection | H.R. 2196. A bill to amend title 17, United States Code, to extend protection to fashion design, and for other purposes |
| Transportation security | H.R. 2200. A bill to authorize the Transportation Security Administration's programs relating to the provision of transportation security, 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.