This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* 3:15 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT participates in an official arrival ceremony with President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania 3:30 a.m. EDT – THE PRESIDENT participates in an official photo and guest book signing … Continue Reading
What Happened Last Week: Commerce Secretary Raimondo’s Remarks on U.S.-China Competition Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said export controls will be “strategically and continuously” updated in remarks at MIT on November 30.… Continue Reading
On Tuesday morning, Senate Armed Services Committee (“SASC”) Chairman Jack Reed (R-RI) opened debate for the Senate’s version of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”). The senate agreed to, via unanimous consent, the motion to proceed to Cal. #467 H.R. 7900, FY23 NDAA.… Continue Reading
This report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* The President and the First Lady will remain in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The President has no public events scheduled.… Continue Reading
Russia’s military build-up at Ukraine’s border continues to dominate the attention of transatlantic partners, with officials from the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU) continuing to warn Russia to de-escalate the situation. In America, the US Congress wrapped up its legislative work for 2021, with Democrats not quite getting … Continue Reading
On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee advanced a structured rule for House floor consideration of 476 amendments to the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA provides annual authorization of appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) and defense-related activities at other federal agencies. Congressional appropriations committees are responsible for providing budget … Continue Reading
The European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) countered this week with respect to post-Brexit intents related to Gibraltar and Northern Ireland, raising tension between the trading partners. Separately, the European Commission unveiled a package of legislative proposals this week related to anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing, while the UK announced a new scheme … Continue Reading
European partners focused on Afghanistan this week, with the United States (US) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states winding down military operations in the country. The European Parliament endorsed a report on the impact of COVID-19 on the European Union’s (EU) trade underlying the urgency to reinforce the EU’s trade policy review. The … Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK) approved its second COVID-19 vaccine this week, while the European Union (EU) moved forward quickly with distribution of its first-approved vaccine to its Member States. United States (US) President Donald Trump signed another COVID relief measure linked to an Omnibus appropriations bill late on Sunday, after objecting initially to a number … Continue Reading
The United States (US) approved its second COVID-19 vaccine by Moderna this week, ramping up its initial vaccine distribution and inoculations in America. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) decided to expedite its vaccine approval process and is now on track to authorize the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines before the end of the month.… Continue Reading
Last week, the United Kingdom (UK) moved forward with its first inoculations of the approved Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The United States (US) approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on Friday, 11 December, and will begin inoculations this coming week. The European Union (EU) continues to stress safety over speed in its vaccine approval process and has yet … Continue Reading
Businesses of all sizes should consider how the Biden Administration’s “Build Back Better” economic plan would affect international supply chains. His strategy to revitalize the American economy rests on two pillars: strengthening Buy American provisions and reforming the tax code to incentivize domestic production.… Continue Reading
The European Union (EU) has begun lifting some restrictions on non-EU travelers to the bloc, approving non-binding recommendations for member states. The United States (US), which has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases, is not among the list of countries whose citizens are permitted to travel to the EU. The United Kingdom (UK) also released … Continue Reading
A potential area of increased transatlantic collaboration could center on ongoing efforts to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO). China’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic may provide an avenue for the United States (US) and European Union (EU), along with the United Kingdom (UK) and other like-minded trading partners, to bridge divides on WTO reform … Continue Reading
How has COVID-19 altered the US federal appropriations process? What steps is Congress taking to adopt must-pass fiscal year 2021 spending bills? Will the United States experience another government shutdown this year? Attention in Congress will soon turn to the annual appropriations process and passage of fiscal year 2021 spending bills. In addition to funding … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Armed Services Committee Introduces “By Request” NDAA Bill On June 7, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) introduced H.R. 2810, the “by request” version of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This procedural measure is traditionally the first step in the legislative process … Continue Reading
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order last Thursday related to religion. Later that day, he traveled to New York, New York, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea and to meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The President spoke with President Vladimir Putin of Russia by telephone last … Continue Reading
Last Wednesday, the U.S. Senate approved Mr. Rex Tillerson to serve as the next Secretary of State. On his first day as Secretary of State, he met with German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sigmar Gabriel. Secretary Tillerson also spoke by phone with Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Approves DHS Provisions in Defense Authorizing Bill On Friday, December 2, the House of Representatives approved the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (S. 2943) conference report by a vote of 375 to 34. The bill’s homeland security provisions: Direct the Secretary of Defense to coordinate unmanned aerial systems training missions along … Continue Reading
Last week, Washington hosted the final U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) under the Obama Administration. On Saturday, President Barack Obama issued a statement on the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro, as did several Members of Congress. This week, the House of Representatives has noted a possible vote on the reconciled … Continue Reading
Last week, U.S. Businessman Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 8 November, in what many are describing as an upset. President-Elect Trump’s transition team is now tasked with vetting possible Cabinet appointees and lower-level appointees, receiving briefings from the Obama Administration on the issues facing the … Continue Reading
President Barack Obama addressed the U.N. General Assembly last week, giving his final speech to the Assembly. He also participated in the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees and the U.S.-Africa Business Forum events in New York City. The White House released a fact sheet last Wednesday on U.S.-Africa cooperation with respect to trade and investment during the Obama … Continue Reading
U.S. President Barack Obama is in New York City for his speech to the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) this week, as well as attend the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees and the U.S.-Africa Business Forum. Secretary of the U.S. Department of State John Kerry is also in New York City this week, meeting on the margins of … Continue Reading
Last week, President Barack Obama returned to Washington early Friday morning from his Asia-Pacific trip, as the U.S. Congress advanced S. 2040, Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), to his desk. President Obama honored the victims of the 9/11 attack Sunday morning in a ceremony at the Pentagon. North Korea reportedly conducted its fifth … Continue Reading
