Portman Eyes MTB Process Bill as Way to Avoid Earmark Dispute
A bill introduced last Congress to revamp the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill process by requiring companies to send duty-suspension proposals directly to the International Trade Commission may still be an opportunity to sidestep a critical hang-up for MTB movement, the sponsor…
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of the bill, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, told International Trade Today recently. A Republican moratorium on earmarks has so far obstructed MTB renewal, and industry representatives are scrambling for its renewal (see 1411190032). Portman introduced the Temporary Duty Suspension Process Act in both previous congresses, alongside Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., but the legislation didn’t advance (see 12071825). “We’ve got a bipartisan solution that has it go back to the ITC for a review, and that way its not subject to the criticism that it’s a rifle shot because ultimately Congress shouldn’t be making a decision that can be made by the ITC just on the data,” he said. No lawmakers have introduced the legislation so far this Congress. Portman said the bill could advance as part of a Trade Promotion Authority package or by some other means.