Ryan Says Customs Reauthorization a Sign of Congressional Improvements
Customs reauthorization legislation passed by the House is an indication that a Congress known for its recent difficulty to pass legislation is headed toward “regular order” (see 1512110029), House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said in a Dec. 11 statement (here). The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 should level the playing field for American workers by removing barriers to legitimate trade, making exports more competitive, and furthering small business competition in the global marketplace, Ryan said. “This is the most comprehensive rewrite of our customs enforcement laws in a generation,” he said. “It also marks the third conference report passed by the House in less than 10 days. So we are getting results for the American people.” The bill has moved to the Senate for further consideration, but a vote has not yet been scheduled, according to a congressional staffer.
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But Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., doubled down on her criticism of the bill during floor debate on Dec. 11, saying in a subsequent statement that the legislation includes no effective provisions against currency manipulation, and ignores several “critical” global issues, such as climate change, human trafficking, and immigration. “The United States has always been a land of access and opportunity, where anyone who is willing to work hard and play by the rules can find a good job that can support a family,” DeLauro said. “However, this legislation fails to protect millions of American jobs at a time when the Administration is pursuing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which puts the fate of our nation’s economy at stake.”