At a September 23, 2011 hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which examined the growing problem of drug shortages, Assistant Secretary Dr. Howard Koh of the Department of Health and Human Services stated that there is no single reason that drug shortages occur, and that the Food and Drug Administration can use its regulatory enforcement discretion to allow the temporary import of non-FDA approved versions of critical drugs in the face of a shortage. Koh noted that there are several factors that limit the usefulness of this option, including the possibility of an international shortage of the drug, the need for any non-approved suppliers to be inspected, etc. Hearing webpage available here. Witness statement available here.
On October 4, 2011, the House agreed with the Senate’s version of H.R. 2608, a bill to continue funding the federal government through November 18, 2011 and to fund certain disaster relief. (The current short-term continuing resolution was set to expire on October 4, 2011.)
On October 4, 2011, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Hatch (R-UT) submitted an amendment to the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act (S. 1619), which a source states would amend the bill to make it harder for the U.S. to impose countervailing (CV) duties on Chinese imports as a result of currency undervaluation. Hatch has expressed concern that S. 1619 would only have a marginal effect on China's practices, but would potentially target many U.S. exporters for trade retaliation by China.
On October 3, 2011, the Senate agreed to close debate on a “motion to proceed” to consideration of S. 1619, a bill that would provide for the identification of misaligned currency and require action to correct the misalignment. The Senate is scheduled to continue its consideration of the "motion to proceed" on October 4, 2011.
On September 28, 2011, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Hatch (R-UT) sent a letter to the Treasury Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative asking for clarification of the Administration’s position on China currency legislation (S. 1619). According to Hatch, it is imperative that the Senate have a full understanding of the Administration’s view before it takes up a “motion to proceed” to consideration of S. 1619, currently scheduled for the evening of October 3, 2011.
Various press sources are saying that the Administration could submit the implementing legislation for the pending free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama to Congress as early as the week of October 3, 2011.
On September 29, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On September 21, 2011, Representative Berman (D-CA) introduced two bills designed to increase the export of U.S. goods and services. The American Export Promotion and Job Creation Act (H.R. 2987) would strengthen the overall coordination of current U.S. export promotion programs and the Green Export Promotion and Job Creation Act (H.R. 2988) would help improve access to foreign markets for U.S. manufactured environmental and clean energy technology products and services, enabling the U.S. to secure a larger share of global green economy. Representative Berman’s press release, with links to more detailed summaries of his bills, available here
On September 22, 2011, Senator Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Emergency Port of Entry Personnel and Infrastructure Funding Act of 2011 (S. 1604). According to Senator Cornyn’s office, S. 1604 would:
On September 29, 2011, 11 Republican Senators1, including Senate Republican Leader McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Hatch (R-UT), sent a letter to President Obama urging him to submit the pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea to Congress for a vote.