Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.
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Formaldehyde in Textiles, Consumer Products Hearing
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hasannounced that its Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance Subcommittee will be holding a hearing on April 28, 2009 on Formaldehyde in Textiles and Consumer Products.
Shark Fin Conservation Legislation Introduced
On April 22, 2009, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Kerry introduced the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 to strengthen current regulations to ensure sharks cannot be transported with their fins detached. According to a press release, Chairman Kerry's bill strengthens the provisions of the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000 by closing a loophole for shark fin transport and strengthening enforcement measures to ensure sharks are transported with their fins attached.
HHS Secretary Nominee to Be Considered by Senate on April 28th
On April 23, 2009, the Senate adopted an agreement that it would begin consideration of the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius to be Secretary of Health and Human Services on April 28, 2009.
Commerce Department Appropriations Hearing Concluded
On April 23, 2009, the Senate Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2010 for the Department of Commerce, after receiving testimony from Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce.
USDA Food Safety Hearing Concluded
On April 23, 2009, the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry concluded a hearing to review Federal food safety systems at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Trade-Related Bills Introduced on April 23, 2009
On April 23, 2009, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| DHS management | S. 872, a bill to establish a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security for Management, and for other purposes |
| Medical product safety | S. 882, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the safety and quality of medical products and enhance the authorities of the Food and Drug Administration, and for other purposes |
| Food and product safety | S. 893, a bill to establish the Office of Imported and Domestic Product Safety in the Department of Commerce and the Product Safety Coordinating Council to improve the management, coordination, promotion, and oversight of food and product safety responsibilities, to improve consumer and business access to food and product safety information, and for other purposes |
| Mercury | H.R. 2065, a bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to phase out the use of mercury in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic soda, and for other purposes |
| Land borders | H.R. 2076, a bill to provide for the establishment of a border protection strategy for the international land borders of the United States, to address the ecological and environmental impacts of border security infrastructure, measures, and activities along the international land borders of the United States, and for other purposes |
| Smuggling prevention | H.R. 2083, a bill to secure smuggling routes on the U.S.-Mexico border, better prevent the smuggling of narcotics and weapons across the border, and for other purposes |
| Food labeling | H.R. 2086, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that foods containing spices, flavoring, or coloring derived from meat, poultry, or other animal products (including insects) bear labeling stating that fact and their names |
| Freshness dates for food | H.R. 2087, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act relating to freshness dates on food |
| Sunscreen products | H.R. 2088, a bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to finalize a standard for broad-spectrum protection in sunscreen products, and for other purposes |
If it is determined that any of the above Congressional actions, hearings, or bills warrant more in-depth coverage, such information will be provided separately in a future issue of International Trade Today.