New MTB Process Reform Bill Surfaces, but Not Included in Trade Package
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a new Miscellaneous Tariff Bill process reform bill on April 16. Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., introduced the legislation, but the text isn't yet available to the public. The measure, however, isn't expected to immediately move forward with the major trade package introduced on the same day, lawmakers indicated.
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Senate Finance Committee members introduced Trade Promotion Authority, Trade Adjustment Assistance and a preference package all on April 16. Finance members are expected to also introduce a Customs Reauthorization bill in the coming days, congressional aides said. Lawmakers are still able to address MTB process reform and even an underlying MTB bill during the amendment process for the series of large trade bills. A Portman spokesman confirmed he will offer up the legislation as an amendment during the legislative process. Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is aiming for a trade markup at the committee in the coming days (see 1504130064">1504130064).
McCaskill, Portman and Toomey re-introduced in late January the Temporary Duty Suspension Process Act, S-260, the benchmark MTB reform bill to date. That legislation aims to remove earmark opposition to the MTB program by allowing companies to submit specific tariff suspension bills directly to the International Trade Commission, as opposed to the conventional route through lawmakers (see 1501290002).
In an interview on April 16, McCaskill acknowledged her process reform legislation doesn’t address “limited tariff benefits” in the MTB program. That language, which refers to tariff suspensions and eliminations that impact 10 or fewer U.S. companies, is one part of the Republican earmark moratorium (see 1502190061). “It doesn’t completely take away the earmark possibility,” she said. “This is better than the current law. It’s not as good as it needs to be.” Staffers with Portman and Toomey, both Finance Committee members, didn’t immediately respond for comment.
Industry is pushing Congress to pass an underlying Miscellaneous Tariff Bill as quickly as possible (see 1504130016). MTB last expired at the end of 2012, and many lawmakers and trade experts say process reform is likely necessary to garner support for the tariff suspension program.