Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a daily International Trade Today compilation of the most relevant legislation, hearings, and actions by Congress involving international trade. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions:
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Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
Senate Passes Jobs Bill, Including SAFETEA-LU Extension
On March 17, 2010, the Senate passed H.R. 2847, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. The HIRE Act would, among other things, extend SAFETEA-LU through December 31, 2010 and replenish the Highway Trust Fund with $20 billion from the General Fund. According to a press release by Senator Boxer, H.R. 2847 now goes to the President for his signature.
House Passes PACT Act to Prevent Tobacco Smuggling
On March 17, 2010, the House passed S. 1147, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, to prevent tobacco smuggling and to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes.
House HSC Chair Comments on DHS SBINet Funding Announcement
On March 16, 2010, the House Homeland Security Committee Chairman issued a statement regarding Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano's announcement that DHS would be redeploying $50 million of Recovery Act funding originally allocated for the SBInet Block 1 to other tested, commercially available security technology along the Southwest border. The Committee will be holding a hearing on March 18, 2010 on "SBInet: Does it Pass the Border Security Test?"
Hearing to Examine DOT, DHS Suspension, Debarment Process
On March 18, 2010, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing to examine the suspension and debarment process at the Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security. The hearing will focus on reports issued recently by the Inspectors General at DOT and DHS that raise serious concerns about flaws in efforts to prevent ineligible persons and businesses, due to past misconduct, from receiving federal contracts, etc.
Senate EPW Subcmte Held Hearing on Chemical Safety Reform
On March 9, 2010, the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health held a hearing on reforming U.S. chemical safety laws. The hearing focused on business opposition to reform modeled on the European REACH chemical requirements and the need for a risk-based chemical safety system.
DOL Budget Hearing Highlights Issue of Worker Misclassification
At a March 10, 2010 hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, the Secretary of Labor testified that one of the priority areas for the agency is funding to support a multiagency initiative to strengthen and coordinate federal and state efforts to enforce statutory prohibitions and identify and deter employee misclassification as independent contractors. The DOL budget request also includes funding for 90 new investigators and for targeted investigations that focus on industries where misclassification is most likely to lead to violations of the law.
FDA Testifies on its Changing Approach to Imports
At a March 10, 2010 House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing, the Principal Deputy Commissioner of the FDA testified on FDA's changing approach to imports. According to his written hearing statement, the FDA is shifting its focus from stopping imports of harmful products at the border to addressing product safety by preventing problems at each point along the global supply chain.
House Hearing on Formaldehyde Standards for Wood Products
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing on H.R. 4805, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, on March 18, 2010.
Trade-Related Bill Introduced on March 17, 2010
On March 17, 2010, the following trade-related bill was introduced:
| Misaligned currency | S. 3134. A bill to provide for identification of misaligned currency, require action to correct the misalignment, and for other purposes |
Any "Capitol Hill Trade Action" warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.