Quick Updates from Your HF Team

Ocean Shipping Reform Crosses the Finish Line!

As predicted, Congress voted for final passage of the “Ocean Shipping Reform Act” when the House approved the final bill with an overwhelming majority on Monday.  The bill is notable for the strong bipartisan support it received in both the House and Senate.  The HFPAC is proud to have supported all the main sponsors of the bill: Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); Senator John Thune (R-SD); Representative John Garamendi (D-CA) and Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD).  President Biden will sign the bill at the White House today, making the law official. HF will continue to engage in next steps related to the law’s implementation, especially as it relates to upcoming federal guidelines that will prevent an ocean carrier from refusing cargo, including hardwood products, for export. 

Forest Chief Takes the Hot Seat During Senate Q&A

U.S. Forest Chief Randy Moore returned to Capitol Hill late last week, taking questions from a Senate natural resources panel about the agency’s readiness, or lack thereof, for another intense fire season. Criticism was bipartisan, with Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) pointing out that “lack of proactive [forest] management” combined with severe drought make an explosive combination.  Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) turned the discussion to finances, asking the Chief to justify the Administration’s request for extra money in 2023, on the heals of the new transportation law that already bumps up firefighting resources.  HF will keep you posted on the ongoing back-and-forth between agency officials and congressional watchdogs demanding results on improved forest management practices. 

HFPAC Marches Into Summer

HFPAC is kicking into high gear in early summer, booking events with a variety of lawmakers who fight for the industry on issues ranging from solutions to transportation bottlenecks to safeguarding tax breaks for small businesses.  In June, Federation staff are talking to Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-ND), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Chris Pappas (D-NH) Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), just to name a few.  On the fundraising front, HFPAC has raised nearly $75,000, moving steadily closer to the goal of putting $100,000 in the bank by mid-July, which will mark the close of the spring campaign launched in late March.