Lawmakers recently introduced the following trade-related bills:
Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., on Dec. 18 introduced a bill that would require the Treasury Secretary to, alongside other countries, “pursue” mutual elimination of government-funded export credit agencies, including the abolishment of the Export-Import Bank “if doing so would not put the United States at a competitive disadvantage.” Text of the bill has not been released. Graves’ office did not respond to a request for comment.
The Senate on Dec. 18 passed and sent to President Barack Obama for signature a bill that would prohibit the manufacture and entry into interstate commerce of rinse-off cosmetics containing “intentionally-added” plastic microbeads (here). Introduced by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) on March 4, the “Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015” defines a “plastic microbead” as any solid plastic particle less than five millimeters and that is intended to “exfoliate or cleanse” any part of the human body. The bill’s definition of “rinse-off cosmetics” includes toothpaste. The House ratified the bill by unanimous voice vote on Dec. 7.
The omnibus spending bill released by Congress on Dec. 16 would provide “significant funds” to enhance infrastructure at U.S. ports, with the largest proposed increases being for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Navigation Program and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants program, the American Association of Port Authorities said (here). “AAPA welcomes the significant increase in the Corps navigation program—the House-Senate conference agreement Hits the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) Target of $1.22 billion, increases navigation construction funding, includes new study and construction starts and $25 million for the Donor and Energy Transfer Port program that was established in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014 to provide more HMT equity,” AAPA President Kurt Nagle said in a statement. “Additionally, we were pleased to see that the conference agreement approved up to seven new navigation planning studies and six new navigation construction starts for America’s 21st century maritime infrastructure."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. hasn’t made up his mind on when the Trans-Pacific Partnership would come to the Senate floor, he said during an Dec. 15 event hosted by Politico. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is “still scrubbing” the deal, he said at the event. “I don’t have a set date in my mind [for floor consideration]." McConnell is “disappointed at the outcome” of the trade deal, which could be better, he said.
Lawmakers recently introduced the following trade-related bills:
The House’s recent passage of customs reauthorization (see 1512110029) is a step toward improvements to the “safety, security and efficiency” of cross-border trucking and the Senate should "quickly" follow suit, said the American Trucking Associations in a news release on Dec. 15. "Trucks move the majority of freight between the U.S. and its neighbors Mexico and Canada," ATA CEO Bill Graves said. "This compromise bill will help move that commerce safely and efficiently across those borders and we urge not only its quick passage, but urge President Obama to sign it into law." ATA highlighted the bill’s exemption of residue in bulk cargo containers from full duty requirements, a “key provision” that ATA said would improve the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and the general customs process.
The inclusion of an extension of Internet Tax Freedom Act within the conference version of customs reauthorization legislation adds some additional controversy to the long-debated bill. The National Retail Federation asked Congress to vote against the bill unless changes are made to the Internet provisions (see 1512110029) and others say the languages mark Congressional overreach. Seven states could lose several hundred million dollars of tax revenue annually if Congress extends ITFA, said Michael Mazerov, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, in a blog post (here). The House voted to adopt the customs bill on Dec. 11 and the Senate is expected to consider the bill soon.
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.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce voiced support for the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, in a letter dated Dec. 10. “This legislation would facilitate trade, improve customs enforcement, advance government agency cooperation, enhance enforcement of intellectual property rights, and set the global standard for border management,” the chamber said in a letter to Congress. Among other things, chamber said the measure will help smooth cross-border friction, help trade flow, ensure efficient deliveries, and assist small- and medium-sized businesses in accessing foreign markets. The House approved the customs reauthorization legislation on Dec. 11.