Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a daily International Trade Today compilation of the most relevant legislation, hearings, and actions by Congress involving international trade. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions:
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Financial Reform Expected to Delay Food Safety Bill in Senate
Senate sources state that the Senate is expected to consider financial regulatory reform legislation before it considers food safety legislation. Early last week, sources had thought that the Senate was expected to soon begin its consideration of S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, possibly as early as the week of April 19.
House Foreign Affairs Chair Plans to Introduce Export Reform Bill
On April 20, 2010, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Berman (D) issued a statement on the Defense Secretary’s speech regarding the Administration’s export control policy review. Chairman Berman stated that he is preparing legislation to revise, modernize and strengthen the dual-use export control system and is closely consulting with the President’s senior advisers. Berman expects to have legislation ready for committee and House action shortly.
New Bill Would Extend Ethanol Import Tariff through 2015
On April 20, 2010, Senators Grassley (R) and Conrad (D) introduced the Grow Renewable Energy from Ethanol Naturally (GREEN) Jobs Act of 2010 to strengthen U.S. energy independence and create jobs through the production of domestically produced biofuels. Among other things, the bill would extend, through 2015, ethanol import tariff for five years (through 2015), etc. The ethanol import tariff is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2010.
Senate Confirm Treasury Under Secretary Nomination
On April 20, 2010, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Lael Brainard to be Under Secretary of the Treasury.
Trade-Related Bill Introduced on April 20, 2010
On April 20, 2010, the following trade-related bill was introduced:
| Ethanol | S. 3231. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain tax incentives for alcohol used as fuel and to amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend additional duties on ethanol |
Any “Capitol Hill Trade Action” warranting more in-depth coverage will be summarized individually in a future issue of International Trade Today.