The Congressional Research Service has issued a report stating that Congress may play an important role in a number of bilateral trade issues that have emerged between Vietnam and the U.S.
On May 26, 2011, the Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus, which represents over 65 members, issued its “2011 International Piracy Watch List” in an effort to combat international copyright piracy. Among other things, the Caucus announced that it would closely monitor the serious problems of copyright piracy in Canada, China, Russia, Spain, and Ukraine.
On June 3, 2011, Representative Ros-Lehtinen (R), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced two bills to strengthen sanctions against rogue regimes that threaten the U.S.
On June 1, 2011, the President signed into law S. 1082, a bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (Public Law 112-17).
On May 31, 2011, the President signed into law H.R. 1893, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (including a one month extension of the tax on domestic air cargo (freight) transportation), to amend title 49 U.S. Code, to extend the airport improvement program (Public Law 112-1893). According to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, H.R. 1893 is a short term extension to give Congress an opportunity to consider final long-term legislation.
The following are trade-related highlights of the Executive Communications sent to Congress on May 26- June 3, 2011:
On June 3, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
During the week of June 6, 2011, House Ways and Means Ranking Member Levin (D) will travel to Colombia to review conditions on the ground as they relate to the implementation of the April U.S.-Colombia agreement on worker rights and unaddressed violence issues (the Action Plan). According to Levin’s press release, the visit will provide him with the opportunity to view conditions related to worker rights, violence and impunity in relation to his fact-finding trip in January and to the provisions in the Action Plan in conjunction with the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
On June 3, 2011, the House Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 2112, a bill to make appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 112-101).
On June 2, 2011, a State Department official testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Administration's Burma policy, including the effects of the 2008 Block Burmese JADE Act, an important constituent of the U.S. sanctions regime. The official stated that the JADE Act, which bans the import of Burmese jadeite, rubies and related jewelry into the U.S., has been very successful; however, Burma's regime continues to reap significant revenues from its gemstone industry, in large part due to China's demand for the gems.