EPA / Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rules

The Environmental and Regulatory Affairs Committee is in the process of discussing joining a coalition/alliance to oppose EPA’s first ever proposed carbon pollution standards for new power plants as well as its expected proposed standards for existing power plants. Read more …

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced plans to move forward on its elections rule which would speed up the elections process in a unionizing campaign. Read more …

Last month, the Federal Reserve released their Quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices. Read more …

Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)

On Jan. 9, bipartisan leaders from both the House and Senate jointly introduced Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation that will put in place the necessary mechanisms and special procedures for the negotiation, consideration, and implementation of future trade agreements.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), ranking member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) came together and introduced the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014 (H. R. 3830 and S. 1900) which will restore the president’s authority to negotiate trade deals by including strict requirements for Congressional consultations and access to information. TPA was last renewed in 2002 and expired in 2007. Read more …

The promise of a broad rewrite of the U.S. tax code is fading amid the politics of mid-term elections and the sheer challenge of cutting corporate and individual tax rates while maintaining government revenue. Read more …