Senate Sends MTB Reform Bill to President
The Senate on May 10 passed by unanimous consent H.R. 4923, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, sending the legislation to the White House. The bill, which would change the process for compiling miscellaneous tariff bills, is hoped to allow for an MTB that avoids a controversy over earmarking in the House. The progress drew widespread praise from the likes of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. chemical associations, and U.S. manufacturers. Although the Senate introduced companion legislation to H.R. 4923, the chamber’s Finance Committee never marked up that version of the bill. A brief hold on the bill in the Senate was lifted as expected (see 1604270041), said a lobbyist.
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The American Apparel & Footwear Association (here), Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (here), Aerospace Industries Association (here), and the American Chemistry Council (here) were among the groups that lauded the Senate’s passage of the miscellaneous tariff bill (MTB) reform legislation. “This bill creates a transparent and easy to understand process that will enable U.S. apparel, footwear, and textile companies to reduce tariff costs on inputs and other articles no longer available in the United States,” AAFA CEO Rick Helfenbein said in a statement. “The resulting savings will create American jobs, spur innovation, and benefit U.S. families.”