On June 29, 2010, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
The following are the trade-related hearings scheduled for June 28-July 3, 2010:
Senator Lincoln (D) Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, released a statement supporting President Obama’s direction to the U.S. Trade Representative to complete the Korea free trade agreement this year. Chairman Lincoln notes that once the U.S.-Korea (KORUS) Free Trade Agreement is passed by Congress, its implementation will represent a major step toward reaching the goal of doubling U.S. exports within five years.
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman Lincoln (D), Ranking Member Chambliss, (R) and Senator Klobuchar (D) applauded the announcement that Russia will lift its ban on U.S. poultry imports. (On June 25, 2010, President Obama and Russian President Medvedev announced that an agreement had been reached and the ban will be lifted.)
On June 28, 2010, Senator Brown (D) joined a group of 11 Senators who sent a letter urging President Obama to name a federal Coordinated Response Commander responsible for organizing efforts to contain the spread of Asian carp.
On June 30, 2010, the Senate Finance Committee will be meeting to consider S.J. Res. 29, a joint resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions (i.e., import ban and jadeite/ruby sanctions) contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 and to report the nomination of Francisco Sanchez to be an Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. Announcement available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.
On June 28, 2010, the Senate agreed to S. Res. 570, calling for continued support for and an increased effort by the Governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other Central Asian countries to effectively monitor and regulate the manufacture, sale, transport, and use of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in order to prevent the transport of ammonium nitrate into Afghanistan where the ammonium nitrate is used in improvised explosive devices.
During remarks regarding H. Res. 1465, a resolution reaffirming friendship and alliance between the U.S. and Colombia, House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Camp (R) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Brady (R) urged the U.S. to act on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Camp stated that if the U.S. is serious about doubling exports and creating jobs, it must do what’s necessary to bring the U.S.-Colombia TPA up for a vote. Remarks available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.
On June 29, 2010, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) and Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Landrieu (D) released the Small Business Jobs Act, a bill to help small businesses access capital, stimulate investment in small businesses and promote entrepreneurship -- all of which will help small business create jobs. Among other things, the Small Business Jobs Act would:
Senator John McCain has introduced a bill that would repeal the Jones Act, which requires that all goods shipped between waterborne ports of the U.S. be carried by vessels built in the U.S. and owned and operated by Americans.