On May 26, 2011, resolutions to approve the renewal of the import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 20031 for another year were introduced in both the House (H.J. Res. 66) and Senate (S.J. Res. 17). The import restrictions expire July 27, 2011 unless a renewal resolution is enacted into law (which is expected).
On June 2, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
On June 1, 2011, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
The following hearings, markups, or meetings are scheduled for June 2, 2011:
On May 6, 2011, a group of ten Representatives sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration expressing their deep concern about the continued use of formaldehyde-containing hair straighteners in the U.S. and asking FDA to take immediate action to protect workers and consumers. The letter cites complaints about acute reactions to Brazilian Blowout Solution and Acai Professional Smoothing Solution and testing which confirmed high levels of formaldehyde in both products. The Representatives ask FDA to issue a voluntary recall, conduct additional testing, and require warning labels on hair straighteners that contain formaldehyde.
On June 1, 2011, the House Judiciary Committee reported, with an amendment, a bill to amend 35 U.S. Code to provide for patent reform (H.R. 1249). According to a Committee press release, H.R. 1249 would implement a first-inventor-to-file standard for patent approval, create a post-grant review system to weed out bad patents, and help the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) address the backlog of patent applications. Similar legislation has been passed by the Senate.
On April 14, 2011, the Short Sea Shipping Act (H.R. 1533), a bill to exempt certain cargo from the Harbor Maintenance Fee, was introduced. According to a Congressional Research Service summary, H.R. 1533 would:
On June 1, 2011, Representative Reichert (R) and two co-sponsors1 introduced H.R. 2071, the U.S. OUTDOOR Act, which would eliminate duties on qualifying recreational performance apparel. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate in March.
The House Financial Services Subcommittee1 marked up and approved H.R. 2072, a bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank and provide it with more financing and domestic content guidelines.
On June 1, 2011, the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee held a mark up of the fiscal year 2012 Defense appropriations bill. At the mark up, the Committee approved the bill without amendment.