ABOUT:

The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Trade shall include bills and matters referred to the Committee on Ways and Means that relate to customs and customs administration including tariff and import fee structure, classification, valuation of and special rules applying to imports, and special tariff provisions and procedures which relate to customs operation affecting exports and imports; import trade matters, including import impact, industry relief from injurious imports, adjustment assistance and programs to encourage competitive responses to imports, unfair import practices including antidumping and countervailing duty provisions, and import policy which relates to dependence on foreign sources of supply; commodity agreements and reciprocal trade agreements involving multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations and implementation of agreements involving tariff and non-tariff trade barriers to and distortions of international trade; international rules, organizations and institutional aspects of international trade agreements; budget authorizations for the customs revenue functions of the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the U.S. Trade Representative; and special trade-related problems involving market access, competitive conditions of specific industries, export policy and promotion, access to materials in short supply, bilateral trade relations including trade with developing countries, operations of multinational corporations, and trade with non-market economies.

Source: “Rules of the Committee on Ways and Means”

Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Updates

• Analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation

Trade Promotion Authority—or TPA—is a partnership between Congress and the administration that ensures the United States secures the most effective trade agreements possible. TPA also brings greater transparency to the negotiating process by empowering Congress to conduct vigorous oversight and hold the administration accountable.

Transparency
TPA guarantees Congress a meaningful role in all trade negotiations. Under TPA, every member of Congress will be able to:

• Read Negotiating Text: Allows every member of Congress to read the negotiating text.
• Receive Detailed Briefings: Requires the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to brief any interested member on the status of negotiations at any time.
• Attend Negotiating Rounds: Allows any member to become a “congressional adviser” and as a result eligible to attend negotiating rounds.
• Provide Guidance: Creates House and Senate Advisory Groups to oversee negotiations and receive regular briefings. Any member can submit views.
• Coordinate with Public and Advisory Committees: Lays down guidelines on public engagement and sharing information with advisory committees.
• Receive adequate time to review deal: Requires the President to publish the text of a completed trade agreement 60 days before signing it.
• Consult with a New Transparency Officer: Creates a chief transparency officer at USTR that will consult with Congress and advise USTR on transparency policies

Accountability
TPA ensures Congress maintains control over changes to U.S. law and provides rules for considering trade agreements.

• Sets Negotiating Objectives: Sets Congressional priorities for trade agreements.
• Guarantees Long-Term Oversight: Extends trade promotion authority for six years.
• Protects U.S. Sovereignty: Affirms that Congress—and only Congress—can change U.S. law.
• Narrows Scope of Implementation Bills: Stipulates that all implementing legislation include only provisions “necessary or appropriate” to enacting trade deals.
• Extends Oversight to Current Negotiations: Applies TPA requirements to ongoing negotiations, including oversight and consultation requirements.
• Strengthens Oversight: Applies expedited procedures only to agreements finished in a specific timeframe and tightens entry-into-force procedures.
• Provides an Off Switch: TPA sets up mechanisms for Congress to turn off the expedited procedures if the administration fails to meet its TPA obligations.

Summary of Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Overview of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Frequently Asked Questions
Updates to TPA in 2015
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Conservative Support for TPA
Section-by-Section Summary
Report

More Information

• 21st Century
• Agriculture
• Consultations
• Currency 
• Digital Trade
• Human Rights
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Labor and Environment
• Manufacturing
• Regulatory
• Services and Investment
• Sovereignty
• Textiles
• Trade Facilitation

Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015

Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of  2015

The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, introduced today by Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi, provides direction on how to streamline trade, improve enforcement, and measure progress within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in order to move the ever-increasing volume of legitimate trade more efficiently and halt trade that doesn’t comply with U.S. laws. The bill focuses on three critical aspects of CBP’s mission, as well as enhancing transparency and accountability.

Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of  2015 Fact Sheet
Section-by-Section Summary
Report

AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) helps African countries work towards long-term sustainable economic development by promoting international trade and investment with other countries. The program facilitates increased trade with the beneficiary countries by lowering U.S. tariffs to their exports.

The AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 extends AGOA for ten years, including a ten year extension of third-country fabric provisions, which are important to nurture the development of the textile and apparel industry in Africa. The measure simplifies rules of origin, promotes greater regional integration and provides greater certainty in the operation of AGOA. The measure will also strengthen congressional oversight through additional notification and reporting requirements and improves transparency and participation in the AGOA review process.

AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 Summary
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 Bill Text
Report

How does trade affect my state?

For more resources on how many jobs and exports are supported by trade in your state, click below:

• Business Roundtable: State-by-State Fact Sheets on the General Benefits of Trade & Trade with TPP Partner
• Coalition of Services Industries: Jobs Across America – Services and Employment
• National Association of Manufacturers: U.S. Manufacturing Statistics – Manufacturing & Trade Data By State
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Trade Supports Jobs
• U.S. Map Showing Jobs Supported by Trade in Each State
• Benefits of Trade & U.S. Trade Agreements Report

Majority

Dave Reichert (WA)

Devin Nunes (CA)

Lynn Jenkins (KS)

Erik Paulsen (MN)

Mike Kelly (PA)

Pat Meehan (PA)

Tom Reed (NY)

Kristi Noem (SD)

George Holding (NC)

Tom Rice (SC)

Minority

Charles Rangel (NY)

Richard Neal (MA)

Earl Blumenauer (OR)

Ron Kind (WI)

Bill Pascrell (NJ)

Lloyd Doggett (TX)