For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
Shipping. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S. 3580, introduced Feb. 3 by Sens. Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Thune, R-S.D.), companion legislation to a bill introduced last year in the House and recently included in a House-passed bill to increase U.S. competitiveness vis-à-vis China, would make it harder for ocean carriers to turn away goods for export and give the Federal Maritime Commission greater authority to regulate harmful practices by carriers.
The Ocean Shipping Competition Reform Act (S. 3586, introduced Feb. 3 by Sen. Klobuchar, D-Minn.) would allow for third parties to participate in legal cases brought by the FMC against ocean carriers for anti-competitive harm and let successful third parties in those cases receive monetary damages, with additional financial penalties designed to deter anti-competitive conduct.
Forced Labor. S. 3578 (introduced Feb. 3 by Sen. Hawley, R-Mo.) would require certain businesses to disclose the use of forced labor in their direct supply chains.
Supply Chains. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act (H.R. 6478, introduced Jan. 25 by Rep Axne, D-Iowa) would establish the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency within the Department of Commerce to monitor, research, and address vulnerable supply chains. For example, this office would provide loans, loan guarantees, and grants to small and mid-size manufacturers to allow them to address supply chain bottlenecks by expanding production.
Trade agencies. The House Homeland Security Committee reported Feb. 1 H.R. 4476 (introduced July 16 by Rep. Meijer, R-Mich.) would codify two existing entities with the Department of Homeland Security: the Trade and Economic Security Council and the position of assistant secretary for trade and economic security.
Drugs. The Improved Transparency of Foreign Drug Manufacturing Act (H.R. 6483, introduced Jan. 25 by Rep. Eshoo, D-Calif.) would (1) require manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients and drugs to provide the Food and Drug Administration with comprehensive information about foreign manufacturing operations, including registration information from foreign upstream establishments contributing to the U.S. drug supply and (2) require quarterly (instead of annual) reporting by drug manufacturers about drug products manufactured at each facility in the drug supply chain, including foreign facilities.
Exports. The Values in Arms Exports Act (S. 3558, introduced Feb. 2 by Sen. Murray, D-Wash.) would amend the Arms Export Control Act to provide for better monitoring and verification of the use of defense articles and defense services by countries of concern.
The Saudi Arabia Legitimate Self Defense Act (H.R. 6601, introduced Feb. 4 by Rep. Malinowski, D-N.J.) would prohibit the issuance of licenses authorizing exports of certain defense services to Saudi Arabia.
Africa. The Prosper Africa Act (H.R. 6455, introduced Jan. 20 by Rep. McCaul, R-Texas) would establish a new initiative to prioritize and coordinate U.S. government programs and activities aimed at increasing trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa.
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