On January 28, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Economic Stimulus Bill) by a vote of 244-188.
A rule prohibiting “registered lobbyists” from service in the administration of Barack Obama opens the door wide to many company and industry officials who those outside Washington otherwise would view as lobbyists. The rules have some questioning whether they are arbitrary and a bar to only a select group of lobbyists, or an imperfect but still useful bright line addressing concerns about the “revolving door” between business and government.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a new informed compliance publication entitled What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Coastwise Trade: Merchandise.
Rex Stores ended its months-long quest to offload some of its retail outlets, agreeing to lease 39 stores to Florida-bases Appliance Direct, according to SEC documents filed Monday. Appliance Direct, which operates 20 stores in Florida, agreed to buy the appliances, fixtures and other equipment from 37 outlets and lease the Rex-owned retail space, the documents state. It also will take over two Rex- leased locations, Rex said. It wasn’t clear whether the agreement also includes CE products, which accounted for 63 percent of Rex’s $223.9 million retail revenue in the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008. Appliances were 28 percent of Rex’s revenue. Rex and Appliance Direct officials weren’t available for comment at our deadline.
The International Trade Commission has instituted an investigation at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative entitled Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2008 Review of Competitive Need Limit Waivers.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing the extension of the contingency plan to allow conveyances that normally pay annual user fees to be cleared by CBP without a per crossing/arrival payment until February 28, 2009 (from January 31, 2009).
Europeans are more zealous about protecting privacy than Americans, not merely because they wish to protect citizens from becoming objects of industrial intent, but because of their history, said Alexander Alvaro, a member of the European Parliament representing Germany, at a Technology Association of America Data Privacy Day event Wednesday. The example of the Nazis shows what can happen when a terrible regime collects information on residents, he said: Because Jews had to register, the Nazis knew exactly where to find them.
The International Trade Commission has instituted an investigation at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative entitled Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2008 Review of Competitive Need Limit Waivers.
In his written answers to questions posed by the Senate Finance Committee as part of the confirmation process, Treasury Secretary Geithner addressed numerous issues, including China currency manipulation. According to Treasury Secretary Geithner, President Obama believes that China is manipulating its currency and has pledged to use aggressively all the diplomatic avenues open to him to seek change in China's currency practices. (Written answers, dated 01/21/09, available at http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/012209%20TFG%20Questions.pdf.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an ACE information notice for truck carriers and customs brokers, which clarifies the e-Manifest: Truck filing and entry requirements when multiple shippers and/or consignees are involved.