This Week in Congress
The Senate will focus on passing a bill to reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security before funding runs out on Feb. 27. The House plans to consider legislation to rewrite the “No Child Left Behind” law and reauthorize elementary and secondary education programs for six years.
The House Financial Service Committee will hold a Feb. 25 hearing to hear testimony from Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen on monetary policy and the economy. The Subcommittees of Energy and Power and Environment and the Economy of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a Feb. 25 hearing on the Fiscal Year 2016 budget for the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Senate Finance Committee will hold a Feb. 26 hearing on Congress’ role in advancing trade agreements. |
West Coast Port Deal Reached
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have reached a five-year agreement to end a bitter nine-month negotiation that resulted in massive slowdowns at the 29 West Coast ports. Read more... |
Introducing the Auto Care Advocacy Leadership Team
One of the keys to a strong industry government affairs effort is the active participation in the legislative process by those employed in that industry. With this goal in mind, the Auto Care Association recently launched a key contact volunteer program for members who recognize the impact of public policy on our industry and want to take active role in affecting the outcome of those legislative debates. Read more... |
Senator’s Report on Vehicle Data Security Released
On Feb. 9, Senator Edward Markey, D-Mass., released his highly anticipated report on vehicle data safety and security. The report, “Tracking & Hacking: Security & Privacy Gaps Put American Drivers at Risk,” is the result of questionnaires sent to 16 automobile manufacturers in 2014 after an initial Senate hearing on the issue. Read more... |
Senate Committee Holds Hearing on NLRB “Ambush” Election Rule
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a Feb. 11 hearing titled, Ambushed: How the NLRB’s New Election Rule Harms Employers & Employees. The chairman of the Senate committee, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said in a same-day press release that the rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in December to speed up union elections will “harm employers and employees alike.” Read more... |
Airbag Manufacturer to be Fined $14,000 Per Day for Noncompliance
On Feb. 20, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) would be levying a $14,000 per day fine against the Takata Corporation for not complying with orders related to their 2014 airbag recall. Read more... |
Tier 3 Emissions and Fuel Standards Corrections Announced by EPA
On Feb. 19, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published technical corrections to the Tier 3 motor vehicle emissions and fuel standards for the non-road engine and equipment programs. The changes will automatically go into effect May 5, 2015, unless the agency receives comments opposing the corrections. Read more... |
Bipartisan Legislation Aimed at Foreign Currency Manipulation
On Feb. 10, bipartisan lawmakers in both the House and the Senate introduced two slightly different versions of legislation that would enable the Department of Commerce to impose countervailing duties on goods from countries that manipulate their currency under U.S. trade remedy law. Read more... |
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