Following are the federal bills/issues CalChamber is following for the 2007 - 110th Congress, First Session.

• Price Controls - HR 4
  Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007. The Act removes the non-interference provision of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA).
  Staff contact: Marti Fisher        
  CalChamber position: Oppose  
  
  For more information, see the following:
  Sample Letter 
  

• Trade Promotion Authority
  Trade promotion authority (formerly called fast track trade negotiating authority) is the process by which Congress gives authority to the President and/or U.S. Trade Representative to enter into trade negotiations in order to lower U.S. export barriers.
  Staff contact: Susanne Stirling        
  CalChamber position: Support  
  Status: Expired in June 2007 - must be renewed by Congress.
  
  For more information, see the following:
  Trade Promotion Authority
  Sample Letter to Congress
  
  
• U.S.-Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement
  A bilateral TPAwhich will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. This agreement is a critical element of a possible U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement and of the US strategy to liberalize trade through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.
  Staff contact: Susanne Stirling        
  CalChamber position: Support  
  Status: Pending Congressional Action
  
  For more information, see the following:
  Sample Letter to Congress 3-08
  Sample Letter 1-10-08
  Sample Letter to Congress
  U.S.-South American TPAs
  
  
• U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
  A bilateral FTA which will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries and is a critical element of the US strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives.
  Staff contact: Susanne Stirling        
  CalChamber position: Support  
  Status: Pending Congressional Action
  
  For more information, see the following:
  Sample Letter 1-10-08
  Alert Newsletter June 22, 2007
  CalChamber's Trade Issue Paper
  
  
• U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
  A bilateral TPA which will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. A U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement is a critical element of the US strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives. The agreement will also increase momentum toward lowering trade barriers and set a positive example for other small economies in the Western Hemisphere.
  Staff contact: Susanne Stirling        
  CalChamber position: Support  
  Status: Pending Congressional Action
  
  For more information, see the following:
  Sample Letter 1-10-08
  Sample Letter to Congress
  U.S.-Panama TPA
  

Labor and Employment

• S. 1041 (Kennedy) Employee Free Choice Act
  Allows unions to establish representation for bargaining through a card check process instead of secret ballot. Undermines an employee's democratic rights and protections of a fair and secret election to determine whether he or she really wants union representation.
  Staff Contact: Marti Fisher     
  CalChamber Position: Oppose

  For more information, see the following:
  Sample Letter

Small Business

• S. 349 (Baucus) Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007
  H.R. 976 (Rangel) Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2007
  CalChamber Position: SUPPORT the tax relief provisions in both S. 349 and H.R. 976 but OPPOSE the tax increase provisions in S. 349, including the new restrictions on deferred compensation. The CalChamber also requests that in providing small business tax relief, both houses adopt measures that exclude any tax increases.
  Staff Contact: Kyla Christoffersen     

  For more information, see the following:
  Sample Letter

Transportation

• HR 2125: Re-regulation of the rail industry
  OPPOSE HR 2125, which will reduce rail investment and cause capacity to shrink. and SUPPORT HR 2116’s tax credit to encourage investment to increase freight capacity.
  CalChamber Position: OPPOSE
  Staff Contact: Jason Schmelzer     
  
  For more information, see the following:
  Sample Letter