162 Reps Call for 5 Year Reauthorization of 2009 TAA
On May 19, 2011, 162 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the President calling for a five-year reauthorization of the expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program1, which expired on February 12, 2011. The letter was signed by all 15 Ways and Means Committee Democrats, the Chairman of the House Trade Working Group, and others.
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The Administration recently announced that it would not submit the implementing legislation packages for the pending free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama until it has an agreement with Congress to renew TAA that is consistent with the objectives of the expanded 2009 version. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/17/11 news, 11051720, for BP summary.)
(The Administration’s recent announcement on TAA was in line with prior Administration and Senate Finance Committee Chairman (D) statements that TAA renewal should be enacted in tandem with the FTAs. See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/13/11 and 05/12/11 news, 11051320 and [Ref: 11051218}, for BP summaries.
Note that Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Hatch (R) has criticized the Administration’s decision to link the FTAs to TAA.)
1The expansion of TAA to service workers, etc. in 2009 lapsed on February 12, 2011, leaving in effect only the “old,” more restrictive program. Prior to its lapse, efforts to renew it failed after attempts were made to link its renewal to the extension of ATPDEA.
Press release, with link to letter, available here