Bipartisan Textile Enforcement and Security Bill Introduced in House
On August 1, 2011, Representative Kissell (D), along with 16 co-sponsors1, introduced H.R. 2754, the Textile Enforcement and Security Act. This bill would provide CBP with authority to more aggressively enforce trade laws relating to textile or apparel articles, and for other purposes. (The Textile Enforcement and Security Act has previously been introduced in both the House and Senate, but never enacted.)
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Would Increase Import Specialists, Publish Names of Violators, Etc.
According to a press release from the National Council of Textile Organizations2, H.R. 2754 would:
- Increase the number of trained import specialists in textile and apparel verifications at the 15 largest U.S. ports.
- Mandate the government publish names of companies that intentionally violate the rules of trade agreements.
- Allow Department of Homeland Security and Department of Treasury to use amounts from the fines and penalties collected to pay for expenses directly related to investigations and/or training.
- Instruct the U.S. government to establish an electronic verification program that tracks yarn and fabric inputs in free trade agreement countries.
- Establish a Textile and Apparel New Importer Program and a Nonresident Importer Program
- Establish a Textile and Apparel Manufacturing and Supplier Registry.
Senate Bill Expected to be Introduced
Reports indicate that Senator Hagan (D), sponsor of the 2010 Senate bill (S. 3741), is expected to introduce a Senate version of the Textile Enforcement and Security Act.
BP will update subscribers when the companion Senate bill is introduced.
Similar Bills Introduced in Congress in 2010
In 2010, versions of the Textile Enforcement and Security Act were introduced in both the House (H.R. 5393) and Senate (S. 3741), but received no further action.
1Representatives Coble (R), DeFazio (D), Ellmers (R), Foxx (R), Holden (D), Jones (R), Kaptur (D), Lipinski (D), McGovern (D), McHenry (R), McIntyre (D), Michaud (D), Myrick (R), Rogers (R), Sutton (D), Westmoreland (R).
2NCTO is an association representing the domestic textile industry.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 06/02/10 and 08/24/10 news, 10060222, and 11082413, for BP summaries of H.R. 5393 and S. 3741.)
NCTO press release available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com