On August 4, 2011, Senate Majority Leader Reid (D) announced a bipartisan deal between the House and Senate to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. Reid notes in his statement that the agreement does not resolve the differences between the House and Senate, but will allow furloughed FAA employees and construction workers to return to work.
On August 2, 2011, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Earl Anthony Wayne to be Ambassador to Mexico.
On August 2, 2011, the Senate began its consideration of H.R. 1249, a bill that would amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform. A unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to consideration of the bill after it returns from its recess on September 6, 2011.
On August 2, 2011, the Senate passed S. 710, a bill that would amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a hazardous waste electronic manifest system.
On July 29, 2011, Representative Jenkins (R), along with 3 co-sponsors1, introduced H.R. 2697, the Affordable Footwear Act, a bill which would temporarily suspend duties on certain footwear imports. (The Affordable Footwear Act has been introduced several times before in both the House and Senate, but never enacted.)
On August 1, 2011, Representative Kissell (D), along with 16 co-sponsors1, introduced H.R. 2754, the Textile Enforcement and Security Act. This bill would provide CBP with authority to more aggressively enforce trade laws relating to textile or apparel articles, and for other purposes. (The Textile Enforcement and Security Act has previously been introduced in both the House and Senate, but never enacted.)
On Aug 2, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On Aug 1, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On August 2, 2011, both the House and Senate recessed for their traditional August break until September 6, 2011. During their August recess, both the House and Senate will be meeting periodically in pro forma sessions.
During an August 1, 2011 conference call, the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration Deputy Administrator urged Congress to pass an FAA reauthorization bill. The previous FAA authorization expired on July 22, 2011 and since that time, approximately 4,000 FAA employees have been furloughed, although air traffic control and safety personnel have remained on the job. The FAA Deputy Administrator noted that since the FAA's authorization expired, approximately 40 FAA safety inspectors have been working without pay and traveling at their own expense. It is not yet known if Congress will pass an FAA authorization prior to its month-long August recess.