Senate Vote on Customs Bill Expected Thursday
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was set to file cloture on Feb. 9 for the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which would send the legislation to a Senate floor vote on Feb. 11, several staffers and Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, told International Trade Today. But cloture had not been reached by press time, as Senate floor debate continued.
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“It’s all done now, and they need to pass this,” said Senate Finance Chairman and Customs Conference Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. “I think it would be a tragedy for this country if we didn’t do that bill, but I’m capable of living with just about anything,” apparently referring to inclusion of the unrelated Permanent Internet Freedom Act measure in the customs conference report. Customs Conference Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said few words asked about his confidence on whether PITFA would survive any points of order, only saying: “We’ll have some more to say about the point of order in a little bit.” Supporters of PITFA’s inclusion in the legislation would need 60 votes to waive any point of order raised on the Senate floor (see 1512240020).
Meanwhile, the AFL-CIO on Feb. 9 sent a letter to senators urging them to oppose HR-644 (here). While supportive of the antidumping and countervailing duty enforcement language, the group noted its “strenuous” opposition for PITFA’s inclusion in the legislation. “By restricting state and local government taxing authority, this bill reduces the ability of state and local governments to raise funds to invest in needed infrastructure, education, health care, job training and other vital public services,” AFL-CIO said. “This unrelated harmful measure was unfortunately added at the last minute.”