NEWS

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has officially requested public comments on its annual National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. In doing so, the USTR is asking the public to help identify foreign barriers or unfair conditions that affect exports of U.S. goods and services and U.S. foreign direct investment. Comments are due by October 30.

PHOTO © Jerry Glaser

The Trump administration has published its Unified Regulatory Agenda, which lists the administration's priorities for all regulatory agencies and departments. Priorities include revisiting the 2024 rule that tightened the fine particulate matter standard in the Clean Air Act from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9, a heat illness and prevention rule, and endangered species regulations.

Per President Trump's executive order, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior will merge operations. USDA stated that this will help modernize the wildfire response system, eliminate fragmentation, and strengthen partnerships with state, Tribal, and local governments.

PHOTO © Preston Keres, USDA

In two votes on September 19, the Senate blocked Republican-led and Democratic-led plans to continue to fund the federal government. This increases the odds of a government shutdown on October 1. Republicans are pushing for a continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels, while Democrats are pushing for additional healthcare funding estimated at $1 trillion.

PHOTO © Mike Stoll, UnSplash

DHA is a member of the American Alliance for Innovation, which recently petitioned Congress to improve the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to balance health and environmental concerns with the needs of the U.S. supply chain and innovation to support growth in U.S. manufacturing. TSCA regulates formaldehyde and other chemicals.