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 25, 2010, conferees agreed to file a conference report on the differences between the Senate and House passed versions of H.R. 4173., the financial reform bill.
On June 25, 2010, the Senate confirmed the nomination of John S. Pistole to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration and an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security. House Homeland Security Chairman Thompson's statement commending Pistole's confirmation is available here.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D) issued a statement expressing support for the President's announcement at the G-20 meetings to launch a new initiative to resolve outstanding aspects of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement before the G-20's next meeting on November 11-12 in Korea. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Levin (D) and Ranking Member Camp (R) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Brady (R) also issued statement’s about the President’s announcement.
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.
On June 24, 2010, a unanimous-consent agreement was reached providing that the Senate agree to the request that the Senate return to the House, H.R. 5136, Department of Defense Authorization Act.
On June 24, 2010, the House Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee approved the fiscal year 2011 Homeland Security Appropriations bill for full Committee action.
On June 24, 2010, both the House and Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act.
In written testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on June 23, 2010, Commerce Secretary Locke laid out his Department's position on the U.S. trade relationship with China, touching on issues such as currency in the context of pending countervailing duty investigations, market access, intellectual property rights, indigenous innovation, etc.
On June 24, 2010, the Senate failed to pass a motion to close further debate on the Senate amendment of House-passed H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (Tax Extenders or Jobs bill). (The House-passed version of H.R. 4213 included cotton and wool fund provisions, etc.) Press reports indicate that Senate Majority Leader Reid has pulled the bill from further Senate consideration.