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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2010 DHS Appropriations Bill Passed by House
On June 24, 2009, the House amended and passed H.R. 2892, a bill to make appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. Amendments adopted by the House prior to passage include a proposed increase in U.S. Customs and Border Protection funding, etc.
Surface Transportation Authorization Bill Approved by House Subcommittee
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Highways and Transit approved for full Committee action the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009.
FY 2010 Commerce Appropriations Bill Approved by Senate Subcommittee
The Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved for full committee consideration an original bill making appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2010.
FY 2010 Budget Request Testimony by DHS Official
On June 24, 2009, Acting Under Secretary Bart R. Johnson, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, testified before the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment on DHS' FY 2010 Budget Request.
Gas Tax, Fees to Pay for New Freight Program Finds Support at Hearing
At the Senate Finance Transportation Subcommittee's hearing on Freight Transportation held on June 18th, those testifying from Maersk supported a gas tax increase and public/private partnerships to obtain funding for freight transportation improvements, while a coalition stated it favored a Freight Trust Fund comprised of largely new revenue sources. A retailer supported public/private partnerships and a firewalled Harbor Maintenance Tax account so east coast ports will be ready when the widening of the Panama Canal is finished in 2014.
Improving U.S. Efforts to Combat Arms Trafficking to Mexico Recommended by GAO at Hearing
At a recent hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, a representative from the Government Accountability Office testified on U.S. efforts to combat arms trafficking to Mexico. In written testimony, GAO made a number of recommendations, including (i) improving data gathering and reporting by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and (ii) working with the Mexican government to expedite the dissemination of ATF's eTrace in Spanish in order to ensure more complete input of information on seized arms into eTrace.
Farm Bill Review Hearing Held
On June 24, 2009, the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held the first of two hearings to review implementation of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, commonly known as the Farm Bill.
High Speed Passenger Rail Hearing Held
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing on high-speed passenger rail on June 23, 2009. Statements are availablefrom the Committee's Chairman and Ranking Member.
U.S.-Africa Trade Relations Hearing Announced
The House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health will hold a joint hearing on "U.S. - Africa Trade Relations: Creating a Platform for Economic Growth" on June 24, 2009. This hearing will explore the many challenges that still exist in U.S.-Africa trade.
Recovery Act Transport Projects Hearing
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will meet on June 25, 2009 to examine progress to date on implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (P.L. 111-5) (Recovery Act). The hearing will address implementation efforts in transportation programs under the Committee's jurisdiction, including highways, bridges, public transportation, rail, and aviation.
Clean Energy Bill Statement by House Agriculture Committee Chair
On June 23, 2009, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson issued a statement on an agreement with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Waxman on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. In the statement Peterson states that an agreement has been reached that works for agriculture and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. The agreement also addresses concerns about international indirect land use provisions.
Trade-Related Bills Introduced on June 23, 2009
On June 23, 2009, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| Clean energy | H.R. 2998. A bill to create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy |
Trade-Related Bills Introduced on June 24, 2009
On June 24, 2009, the following trade-related bills were introduced:
| Clean energy | S. 1333. A bill to provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy, and for other purposes |
| WHTI | S. 1335. A bill to require reports on the effectiveness and impacts of the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and for other purposes |
| Highway Trust Fund | S. 1344. A bill to temporarily protect the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund |
| Trade agreement renegotiation, review | H.R. 3012. A bill to require a review of existing trade agreements and renegotiation of existing trade agreements based on the review, to set terms for future trade agreements, to express the sense of the Congress that the role of Congress in trade policymaking should be strengthened, and for other purposes |
| Aviation safety | H.R. 3023. A bill to provide for the safety of United States aviation and the suppression of terrorism |
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.