FLOOR ACTION: ADOPTED 224-202
MANAGERS: REYNOLDS/HASTINGS (FL)
107th Congress
1st Session

Wednesday, December 5, 2001
H. RES. 306
[Report No. 107-323]

H.R. 3005 – Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001

1. Closed rule.

2. Provides one hour of debate in the House, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

3. Waives all points of order against consideration of the bill.

4. Provides that the amendment recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as adopted.

5. Provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

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RESOLUTION

Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution it shall be in order without intervention of any point of order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 3005) to extend trade authorities procedures with respect to reciprocal trade agreements. The bill shall be considered as read for amendment. The amendment recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate on the bill, as amended, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means; and (2) one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

 


SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT PRINTED IN THE REPORT ACCOMPANYING THE RESOLUTION
TO BE CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED

(summary derived from information provided by amendment sponsor)

Thomas - Manager's Amendment. Establishes a negotiating objective that the Administration strive to ensure that parties to trade agreements do not weaken or reduce their current health, worker, safety, or environmental standards. Recognizes that U.S. law on the whole provides a high level of protection for investment consistent with or greater than the level required by international law and directs the USTR to secure for investors important rights comparable to those that would be available under U.S. legal principles and practices. Directs the Administration to establish an appellate mechanism to correct manifestly erroneous interpretations of law. Directs the Administration to establish public access to investor-state proceedings and increased transparency. Clarifies that no retaliation can be authorized based on one part's exercise of reasonable discretion with respect to labor and environmental regulation. Changes the "promotion of certain priorities" section and directs the Administration to seek to establish a consultative mechanism to examine the trade consequences of unanticipated currency movements and to scrutinize whether a foreign government is engaged in a pattern of manipulating its currency to promote an artificial competitive advantage in international trade. Removes import sensitive agriculture, such as citrus and sugar, from proclamation authority and requires identification of these products, an ITC evaluation, and formal notification of Congress if the Administration or a trading partner decides to seek negotiations on any import sensitive agriculture product. Requires consultations on whether import sensitive agriculture faces unjustified sanitary or phytosanitary restrictions. Grants special identification and consultations with Ways and Means for products facing tariff disparities and an assessment of whether negotiations will address the disparities. Increases the role of Congress by providing a procedure which can be commenced by any Member, whereby TPA can be withdrawn expeditiously with respect to one or more agreements. The provision also requires the Administration to meet with the Congressional Oversight Group before the initiation of the negotiation, and at any other time that group may request. Explanations for withdrawal of TPA include failure to consult or meet and failure of the agreement to make progress in achieving the purposes, policies, priorities, and objectives established in TPA. Expresses that it is Sense of Congress to ensure adequate staffing in the Committees of primary jurisdiction over trade.


TEXT OF AMENDMENT PRINTED IN THE REPORT ACCOMPANYING THE RESOLUTION
TO BE CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED
(.pdf)


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