House Ways and Means Committee members pressed U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to ensure U.S. agricultural and footwear products reap the benefits of a Trans-Pacific Partnership during the committee’s Jan. 27 hearing on U.S. trade policy. Froman repeatedly said a final TPP pact will slash duties and provide other market access improvements for those products.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., plans to co-sponsor the introduction of the Nuclear Weapons Free Iran Act, alongside Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill, Schumer told reporters on Jan. 26. The legislation would force the Obama administration to level sanctions on Iran if the country violates any terms of ongoing nuclear enrichment negotiations. "I intend to co-sponsor it, but we're having a meeting among the Democrats and figuring out the best strategy," Schumer said. Schumer, the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate, co-sponsored the Nuclear Weapons Free Iran Act the last time lawmakers introduced the bill in December 2013 (here). President Barack Obama has vowed to veto the sanctions (see 1501200072). Kirk and other supporters are aiming for a veto-proof, 67-vote majority (see 1412300001).
United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard praised in a Jan 26 statement a recent proposal floated by House Ways and Means ranking member Sandy Levin, D-Mich., on guidelines for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (here). Levin outlined his preferences for a TPP agreement, which includes strong rules on labor and currency as well as improved market access, on Jan. 22 (see 1501230030). Levin has repeatedly said over recent months Congress should focus on TPP, rather than rushing to secure Trade Promotion Authority (see 1412050028). Gerard backed up that TPP priority in his statement. "Right now, U.S. negotiators are rushing to conclude a deal. Arbitrary deadlines will only diminish American opportunity by giving our trading partners the upper hand," said Gerard. "They can sit on their hands knowing that U.S. negotiators are watching the clock, looking to conclude an agreement with less than adequate results for American workers and their families."
Finance Committee Democrats renewed their skepticism over Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans-Pacific Partnership to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman during a hearing on Jan. 27. Some Democrats lashed out at Froman and Republican trade supporters for moving forward with a trade agenda that is poised, they said, to repeat the free trade agreement mistakes of the past, notably job losses incurred through the North American Free Trade Agreement and the South Korea FTA.
The Iraqi Grain Board is discriminating against U.S. rice by choosing higher priced imports from other countries, and the State Department should intervene on behalf of U.S. industry, said a group of Senators and House members in a Jan. 22 letter (here), led by Mississippi lawmakers Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Rep. Bernie Thompson, D-Miss. Iraq is purchasing rice “similar” to U.S. quality from Brazil and Uruguay at far higher prices, said the lawmakers. The grain board didn’t choose any U.S. rice in November and “Iraqi authorities have provided no explanation for this type of decision,” said the letter. The board was scheduled to again ask for bids on Jan. 25, the lawmakers said. “We would greatly appreciate your assistance in ensuring that U.S. rice receives fair consideration.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he planned to take up the House-passed Department of Homeland Security spending measure during Jan. 25 remarks on 60 Minutes, alongside Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio (here). The legislation blocks implementation of President Barack Obama's November executive action on immigration. Boehner led the effort to pass the bill on Jan. 14, even though the White House threatened a veto days before (see 1501130008). DHS funding includes appropriations for CBP, and spending for the department will expire on Feb. 28. "We will try to pass the House bill when it comes over to us," said McConnell. "And I think it will be vigorously supported by the vast majority of my members."
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., renewed his opposition to Trade Promotion Authority in comments to reporters on Jan. 22. He also rejected the Obama administration's pursuit of free trade agreements, saying supporters have failed to demonstrate how the agreements boost the American middle class. After Republicans scored a big victory in the mid-term elections, Reid now heads a conference of 44 total Democrats, as well as two in-caucus independents.
Despite more than four years of Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, negotiators are still not meeting eye-to-eye on many critical issues in a potential pact, said House Ways and Means ranking member Sandy Levin, D-Mich., in an outline of his prescription for a final TPP agreement (here). Levin is a frequent critic of U.S. trade policy and is considered an important hold-out on Trade Promotion Authority (see 1412050028).
Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, named Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, chairman of the committee’s trade subcommittee, both lawmakers said in separate statements. Hatch named all subcommittee chairs and members on Jan. 22 (here).
Lawmakers introduced the following trade-related bills since International Trade Today's last legislative update: