ABOUT:
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Trade shall include bills and matters referred to the Committee on Ways and Means that relate to customs and customs administration including tariff and import fee structure, classification, valuation of and special rules applying to imports, and special tariff provisions and procedures which relate to customs operation affecting exports and imports; import trade matters, including import impact, industry relief from injurious imports, adjustment assistance and programs to encourage competitive responses to imports, unfair import practices including antidumping and countervailing duty provisions, and import policy which relates to dependence on foreign sources of supply; commodity agreements and reciprocal trade agreements involving multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations and implementation of agreements involving tariff and non-tariff trade barriers to and distortions of international trade; international rules, organizations and institutional aspects of international trade agreements; budget authorizations for the customs revenue functions of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the U.S. Trade Representative; and special trade-related problems involving market access, competitive conditions of specific industries, export policy and promotion, access to materials in short supply, bilateral trade relations including trade with developing countries, operations of multinational corporations, and trade with non-market economies.
Source: “Rules of the Committee on Ways and Means”
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Updates
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Trade Promotion Authority—or TPA—is a partnership between Congress and the administration that ensures the United States secures the most effective trade agreements possible. TPA also brings greater transparency to the negotiating process by empowering Congress to conduct vigorous oversight and hold the administration accountable.
Transparency
TPA guarantees Congress a meaningful role in all trade negotiations. Under TPA, every member of Congress will be able to:
- Read Negotiating Text: Allows every member of Congress to read the negotiating text.
- Receive Detailed Briefings: Requires the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to brief any interested member on the status of negotiations at any time.
- Attend Negotiating Rounds: Allows any member to become a “congressional adviser” and as a result eligible to attend negotiating rounds.
- Provide Guidance: Creates House and Senate Advisory Groups to oversee negotiations and receive regular briefings. Any member can submit views.
- Coordinate with Public and Advisory Committees: Lays down guidelines on public engagement and sharing information with advisory committees.
- Receive adequate time to review deal: Requires the President to publish the text of a completed trade agreement 60 days before signing it.
- Consult with a New Transparency Officer: Creates a chief transparency officer at USTR that will consult with Congress and advise USTR on transparency policies
Accountability
TPA ensures Congress maintains control over changes to U.S. law and provides rules for considering trade agreements.
- Sets Negotiating Objectives: Sets Congressional priorities for trade agreements.
- Guarantees Long-Term Oversight: Extends trade promotion authority for six years.
- Protects U.S. Sovereignty: Affirms that Congress—and only Congress—can change U.S. law.
- Narrows Scope of Implementation Bills: Stipulates that all implementing legislation include only provisions “necessary or appropriate” to enacting trade deals.
- Extends Oversight to Current Negotiations: Applies TPA requirements to ongoing negotiations, including oversight and consultation requirements.
- Strengthens Oversight: Applies expedited procedures only to agreements finished in a specific timeframe and tightens entry-into-force procedures.
- Provides an Off Switch: TPA sets up mechanisms for Congress to turn off the expedited procedures if the administration fails to meet its TPA obligations.
Summary of Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Overview of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Frequently Asked Questions
Updates to TPA in 2015
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Conservative Support for TPA
Section-by-Section Summary
Report
More Information
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act Bill Text
Section-by-Section Summary
Report
TAA Fact Sheet
Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015
The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, introduced today by Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi, provides direction on how to streamline trade, improve enforcement, and measure progress within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in order to move the ever-increasing volume of legitimate trade more efficiently and halt trade that doesn’t comply with U.S. laws. The bill focuses on three critical aspects of CBP’s mission, as well as enhancing transparency and accountability.
Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 Fact Sheet
Section-by-Section Summary
Report
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) helps African countries work towards long-term sustainable economic development by promoting international trade and investment with other countries. The program facilitates increased trade with the beneficiary countries by lowering U.S. tariffs to their exports.
The AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 extends AGOA for ten years, including a ten year extension of third-country fabric provisions, which are important to nurture the development of the textile and apparel industry in Africa. The measure simplifies rules of origin, promotes greater regional integration and provides greater certainty in the operation of AGOA. The measure will also strengthen congressional oversight through additional notification and reporting requirements and improves transparency and participation in the AGOA review process.
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 Summary
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 Bill Text
Report
How does trade affect my state?
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Most Recent Hearings
When 95 percent of the world's customers live outside of the United States, America cannot afford to sit on the sidelines of trade. Done right and aggressively enforced, strong trade agreements give us the competitive edge we need to win around the world – growing American businesses, creating good-paying jobs here at home, and strengthening the economy of rural and urban America.
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WASHINGTON, D.C.— As the United States and the European Union (EU) continue to negotiate an insurance agreement, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) today sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman expressing concerns that the EU's new insurance ...
A new poll from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal confirms that a majority of Americans support free trade. The poll reports:
"55 percent of voters agree with the statement that free trade with foreign countries is good for America, because it opens ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) last night delivered the following remarks in support of free trade at a Washington International Trade Association (WITA) dinner honoring Congressional trade leaders.
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Like the term ‘free speech,’ the term ‘free trade’ doesn’t refer to its ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced a resolution expressing strong support for closer economic and commercial ties between the United States and the United Kingdom following the decision of the people of the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union.
In ...
Today, the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA), held a hearing to discuss the importance of breaking down barriers to digital trade, giving U.S. companies and their employees the ability to compete and succeed around the world. Digital trade allows U.S. companies to sell digital products and to expand their sales of traditional products and services in the ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Dave Reichert (R-WA) today delivered the following opening statement at a Trade Subcommittee hearing on Expanding U.S. Digital Trade and Eliminating Barriers to U.S. Digital Exports.
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Good morning. The Subcommittee will come to ...
Hearing Information
Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 10:00 AM in Room 1100 of the Longworth House Office Building
Hearing Advisory
Public Submissions For ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Dave Reichert (R-WA) today announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Expanding U.S. Digital Trade and Eliminating Barriers to U.S. Digital Exports” on Wednesday, July 13, at 10:00 AM in room 1100 of the Longworth House Office Building. The hearing will highlight how ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement regarding today's entry into force of the expanded Information Technology Agreement (ITA). The expanded ITA updates the 1996 agreement, which eliminated tariffs for information technology products under the auspices of the World Trade Organization. The ...