[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5081 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5081
To reclaim the authority of Congress over the imposition of duties and
other trade actions, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 22, 2026
Mr. Wyden introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reclaim the authority of Congress over the imposition of duties and
other trade actions, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Congressional
Trade Powers Reform Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS OVER TRADE ACTIONS
Sec. 101. Authority of Congress over trade actions.
TITLE II--WITHDRAWAL OF DELEGATIONS OF TRADE AUTHORITIES
Sec. 201. Repeal of balance-of-payments authority.
Sec. 202. Repeal of authority to impose duties in response to
discrimination by foreign countries.
Sec. 203. Modification of authority to take action in response to
unfair trade practices.
Sec. 204. Modification of authority to take action in response to
threats to national security.
Sec. 205. Modification of authority to take action in response to
import competition.
TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS
Sec. 301. Requirement that any trade agreement that binds the United
States first be approved by law.
Sec. 302. Establishment of Office of the United States Trade
Representative outside the Executive Office
of the President.
Sec. 303. Establishment of Inspector General of the Office of the
United States Trade Representative.
TITLE I--AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS OVER TRADE ACTIONS
SEC. 101. AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS OVER TRADE ACTIONS.
The Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1304 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``TITLE X--AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS OVER TRADE ACTIONS
``Subtitle A--Process for Approval of Trade Actions by Congress
``SEC. 1001. PROCESS FOR APPROVAL OF TRADE ACTIONS BY CONGRESS.
``(a) In General.--An action may be taken under section 232 of the
Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862) or section 201, 203, or
301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2251, 2253, and 2411) only if--
``(1) the President submits to the Joint Committee on
Tariffs and Trade a proposal for the action;
``(2) the Joint Committee reviews the proposal of the
President;
``(3) not later than 30 days after receiving the proposal
of the President under paragraph (1), the Joint Committee
recommends to Congress that the action be taken; and
``(4) during the 30-day period after the submission to
Congress of the recommendation under paragraph (3), there is
enacted into law a joint resolution of approval pursuant to
subsection (d) with respect to the action.
``(b) Duration.--An action approved in accordance with subsection
(a) shall--
``(1) take effect on the date that is 30 days after the
enactment of a joint resolution described in paragraph (4) of
that subsection; and
``(2) except as provided by subsection (c), terminate not
later than the date that is 180 days after the date specified
in paragraph (1).
``(c) Extension, Modification, and Termination.--An action approved
in accordance with subsection (a) may be extended for additional
periods of 180 days, modified, or terminated, if--
``(1) the President submits to the Joint Committee on
Tariffs and Trade a proposal for the extension, modification,
or termination;
``(2) the Joint Committee reviews the proposal of the
President;
``(3) the Joint Committee recommends to Congress that the
action be extended, modified, or terminated; and
``(4) during the 30-day period after the submission to
Congress of the recommendation under paragraph (3), there is
enacted into law a joint resolution of approval pursuant to
subsection (d) with respect to the extension, modification, or
termination.
``(d) Joint Resolution of Approval.--
``(1) Joint resolution of approval defined.--In this
subsection, the term `joint resolution of approval' means a
joint resolution of either House of Congress the sole matter
after the resolving clause of which is the following: `Congress
approves of the proposal of the President relating to a trade
action under section 1001 of Tariff Act of 1930 submitted to
the Joint Committee on Tariffs and Trade on ___ and recommended
to Congress on ___.', with blank spaces being filled with the
appropriate dates.
``(2) Introduction.--During the 30-day period provided for
under subsection (a)(4) or (c)(4), as applicable, a joint
resolution of approval may be introduced in either House by any
Member.
``(3) Consideration in house of representatives.--
``(A) Committee referral.--A joint resolution of
approval introduced in the House of Representatives
shall be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
``(B) Reporting and discharge.--If the Committee on
Ways and Means has not reported the joint resolution of
approval within 10 calendar days after the date of
referral, the Committee shall be discharged from
further consideration of the joint resolution.
``(C) Proceeding to consideration.--Beginning on
the third legislative day after the Committee on Ways
and Means reports the joint resolution of approval to
the House or has been discharged from further
consideration thereof, it shall be in order to move to
proceed to consider the joint resolution in the House.
All points of order against the motion are waived. Such
a motion shall not be in order after the House has
disposed of a motion to proceed on the joint
resolution. The previous question shall be considered
as ordered on the motion to its adoption without
intervening motion. The motion shall not be debatable.
A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is
disposed of shall not be in order.
``(D) Floor consideration.--The joint resolution of
approval shall be considered as read. All points of
order against the joint resolution and against its
consideration are waived. The previous question shall
be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to
final passage without intervening motion except 2 hours
of debate equally divided and controlled by the sponsor
of the joint resolution (or a designee) and an
opponent. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of
the joint resolution shall not be in order.
``(4) Consideration in the senate.--
``(A) Committee referral.--A joint resolution of
approval introduced in the Senate shall be referred to
the Committee on Finance.
``(B) Reporting and discharge.--If the Committee on
Finance has not reported the joint resolution of
approval within 10 calendar days after the date of
referral of the joint resolution, the Committee shall
be discharged from further consideration of the joint
resolution and the joint resolution shall be placed on
the appropriate calendar.
``(C) Proceeding to consideration.--Notwithstanding
Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in
order at any time after the Committee on Finance
reports a joint resolution of approval or has been
discharged from consideration of such a joint
resolution to move to proceed to the consideration of
the joint resolution. The motion to proceed is not
debatable. The motion is not subject to a motion to
postpone. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the
motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in
order.
``(D) Rulings of the chair on procedure.--Appeals
from the decisions of the Chair relating to the
application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure
relating to a joint resolution of approval shall be
decided by the Senate without debate.
``(5) Treatment of house joint resolution in senate.--
``(A) Committee referral.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), a joint resolution of approval that
has passed the House of Representatives shall, when
received in the Senate, be referred to the Committee on
Finance for consideration in accordance with paragraph
(4).
``(B) Consideration of house resolution.--If a
joint resolution of approval was introduced in the
Senate before receipt of a joint resolution of approval
that has passed the House of Representatives--
``(i) the joint resolution from the House
of Representatives shall, when received in the
Senate, be placed on the calendar; and
``(ii) the procedures in the Senate with
respect to a joint resolution of approval
introduced in the Senate shall be the same as
if no joint resolution of approval had been
received from the House of Representatives,
except that the vote on passage in the Senate
shall be on the joint resolution that passed
the House of Representatives.
``(C) House resolution received after passage by
senate.--If the Senate passes a joint resolution of
approval before receiving a joint resolution of
approval from the House of Representatives, the joint
resolution of the Senate shall be held at the desk
pending receipt of the joint resolution from the House
of Representatives. Upon receipt of the joint
resolution of approval from the House of
Representatives, such joint resolution shall be deemed
to be read twice, considered, read the third time, and
passed.
``(D) Consideration of house resolution if no
resolution introduced in senate.--If the Senate
receives a joint resolution of approval from the House
of Representatives, and no joint resolution of approval
has been introduced in the Senate, the procedures
described in paragraph (4) shall apply to consideration
of the joint resolution of the House.
``(6) Rules of the house of representatives and senate.--
This subsection is enacted by Congress--
``(A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the
Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively,
and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each
House, respectively, and supersedes other rules only to
the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
``(B) with full recognition of the constitutional
right of either House to change the rules (so far as
relating to the procedure of that House) at any time,
in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the
case of any other rule of that House.
``Subtitle B--Joint Committee on Tariffs and Trade
``SEC. 1011. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON TARIFFS AND TRADE.
``There shall be a joint congressional committee known as the Joint
Committee on Tariffs and Trade (in this subtitle referred to as the
`Joint Committee').
``SEC. 1012. MEMBERSHIP.
``(a) In General.--The Joint Committee shall be composed of 10
members as follows:
``(1) From committee on finance.--Five members who are
members of the Committee on Finance of the Senate, 3 from the
majority and 2 from the minority party, to be chosen by such
Committee.
``(2) From committee on ways and means.--Five members who
are members of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives, 3 from the majority and 2 from the minority
party, to be chosen by such Committee.
``(b) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--
``(1) Chairperson.--The Joint Committee shall be chaired by
the Chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House
of Representatives for the first session of each Congress and
by the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance of the Senate
for the second session of each Congress.
``(2) Vice chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Committee
on Finance of the Senate shall serve as the Vice Chairperson of
the Joint Committee for the first session of each Congress and
the Chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House
of Representatives shall serve as the Vice Chairperson of the
Joint Committee for the second session of each Congress.
``(c) Tenure of Office.--
``(1) General limitation.--Except as provided by paragraph
(2), no individual shall continue to serve as a member of the
Joint Committee after the individual has ceased to be a member
of the Committee by which the individual was chosen.
``(2) Exception.--The members chosen by the Committee on
Ways and Means who have been reelected to the House of
Representatives may continue to serve as members of the Joint
Committee notwithstanding the expiration of the Congress.
``(d) Vacancies.--
``(1) Effect.--A vacancy in the Joint Committee shall not
affect the power of the remaining members to execute the
functions of the Joint Committee.
``(2) Filling vacancies.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided by
subparagraph (B), a vacancy in the Joint Committee
shall be filled in the same manner as the original
selection.
``(B) Exceptions.--
``(i) Adjournment or recess of congress.--
If there is a vacancy in the Joint Committee
for a period of more than 2 weeks during an
adjournment or recess of Congress, the members
of the Joint Committee who are members of the
Committee entitled to fill the vacancy may
designate a member of the Committee to serve
until the successor of the member is chosen in
accordance with subsection (a).
``(ii) Expiration of congress.--If a
position of a member of the Joint Committee
appointed by the Committee on Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives becomes vacant
after the expiration of a Congress, the members
of the Joint Committee who are members of the
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives may designate an individual
who, immediately prior to such expiration, was
a member of the Committee on Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives and who is re-
elected to the House of Representatives to
serve until the successor of the member is
chosen in accordance with subsection (a).
``(e) Compensation and Allowances.--Members of the Joint Committee
shall serve without compensation in addition to compensation received
as Members of Congress, but shall be reimbursed for travel,
subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance
of the duties vested in the Joint Committee, other than expenses in
connection with meetings of the Joint Committee held in the District of
Columbia during such times as the Congress is in session.
``SEC. 1013. DUTIES.
``(a) In General.--The Joint Committee shall--
``(1) conduct reviews of proposals submitted by the
President and make recommendations to Congress under section
1001 with respect to trade actions;
``(2) be responsible for oversight of trade negotiations,
including through the activities of the Chief Congressional
Trade Representative for Negotiations appointed under section
1015(a)(2); and
``(3) be responsible for oversight of implementation,
compliance, and enforcement of trade agreements to which the
United States is a party, including through the activities of
the Chief Congressional Trade Representative for Monitoring and
Enforcement appointed under section 1015(a)(3).
``(b) Annual Reports.--Not less frequently than annually, the Joint
Committee shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and
the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a
report on the efforts of the Joint Committee to carry out the duties
described in subsection (a) during the year preceding submission of the
report.
``SEC. 1014. POWERS.
``(a) Relating to Hearings and Sessions.--The Joint Committee may--
``(1) hold hearings and sit and act at such places and
times as the Joint Committee deems advisable;
``(2) require by subpoena (to be issued under the signature
of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson) or otherwise the
attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers,
and documents;
``(3) administer oaths; and
``(4) take testimony.
``(b) Printing and Binding.--The Joint Committee may have such
printing and binding done as the Joint Committee deems advisable.
``(c) Expenditures.--The Joint Committee may make such expenditures
as the Joint Committee deems advisable.
``SEC. 1015. STAFF OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON TARIFFS AND TRADE.
``(a) Appointment, Employment, and Compensation.--
``(1) Chief of staff.--The Joint Committee shall appoint
and fix the compensation of a Chief of Staff.
``(2) Chief congressional trade representative for
negotiations.--
``(A) In general.--The Joint Committee shall
appoint and fix the compensation of a Chief
Congressional Trade Representative for Negotiations.
``(B) Duties.--The Chief Congressional Trade
Representative for Negotiations appointed under
subparagraph (A) shall--
``(i) be the chief representative of
Congress for international trade negotiations,
including all negotiations in which the United
States participates on any matter considered
under the auspices of the World Trade
Organization or relating to commodities or
direct investment;
``(ii) be accredited by the United States
Trade Representative on behalf of the President
as a member of United States delegations to
conferences, meetings, and negotiating sessions
relating to such negotiations; and
``(iii) report directly to the Joint
Committee, the Committee on Finance of the
Senate, and the Committee on Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives on the conduct of
such negotiations.
``(3) Chief congressional trade representative for
monitoring and enforcement.--
``(A) In general.--The Joint Committee shall
appoint and fix the compensation of a Chief
Congressional Trade Representative for Monitoring and
Enforcement.
``(B) Duties.--The Chief Congressional Trade
Representative for Monitoring and Enforcement appointed
under subparagraph (A) shall--
``(i) be responsible for monitoring--
``(I) implementation of and
compliance with trade agreements to
which the United States is a party; and
``(II) trade barriers in foreign
countries;
``(ii) advise on enforcement of trade
agreements, including the initiation of dispute
settlement proceedings under the auspices of
the World Trade Organization or pursuant to
bilateral and regional trade agreements to
which the United States is a party;
``(iii) be the chief representative of
Congress at the Interagency Center on Trade
Implementation, Monitoring, and Enforcement;
and
``(iv) report directly to the Joint
Committee, the Committee on Finance of the
Senate, and the Committee on Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives on--
``(I) implementation of, compliance
with, and enforcement of trade
agreements to which the United States
is a party; and
``(II) trade barriers in foreign
countries.
``(4) Permanent staff.--The Joint Committee may employ and
fix the compensation of a permanent staff to facilitate the
work of the Joint Committee, including economists, attorneys,
and other professionals with significant international trade
experience.
``(b) Non-Partisanship.--The staff of the Joint Committee shall
serve on a professional, nonpartisan basis.
``SEC. 1016. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.
``The expenses of the Joint Committee shall be paid \1/2\ from the
contingent fund of the Senate and \1/2\ from the contingent fund of the
House of Representatives, upon vouchers signed by the Chairperson or
the Vice Chairperson.''.
TITLE II--WITHDRAWAL OF DELEGATIONS OF TRADE AUTHORITIES
SEC. 201. REPEAL OF BALANCE-OF-PAYMENTS AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2132) is repealed.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Trade Act of
1974 is amended by striking the item relating to section 122.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 127(b) of the Trade Act of 1974
(19 U.S.C. 2137(b)) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``(and from any action under section 122(c))''.
SEC. 202. REPEAL OF AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE DUTIES IN RESPONSE TO
DISCRIMINATION BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
(a) In General.--Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1338) is repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 337(m) of the Tariff Act of 1930
(19 U.S.C. 1337(m)) is amended by striking ``and sections 338 and
340''.
SEC. 203. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO
UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES.
(a) Actions of Trade Representative.--Section 301(c) of the Trade
Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411(c)) is amended by adding at the end:
``(7) Any action taken by the Trade Representative under
this section shall be subject to the requirements of section
1001 of the Tariff Act of 1930.''.
(b) Implementation of Actions.--Section 305(a) of the Trade Act of
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2415(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) The Trade Representative may not implement any action
under section 301 unless there is enacted into law, in
accordance with section 1001 of the Tariff Act of 1930, a joint
resolution approving the action.''.
(c) Modification and Termination of Actions.--Section 307 of the
Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2417) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 307. MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF ACTIONS.
``(a) In General.--Subject to the requirements of section 1001 of
the Tariff Act of 1930, the Trade Representative may modify or
terminate any action, subject to the specific direction, if any, of the
President with respect to such action, that is being taken under
section 301 if--
``(1) any of the conditions described in section 301(a)(2)
exist;
``(2) the burden or restriction on United States commerce
of the denial rights, or of the acts, policies, and practices,
that are the subject of such action has increased or decreased;
or
``(3) such action is being taken under section 301(b) and
is no longer appropriate.
``(b) Consultation Requirement.--Before taking any action under
subsection (a) to modify or terminate any action taken under section
301, the Trade Representative shall consult with the petitioner, if
any, and with representatives of the domestic industry concerned, and
shall provide opportunity for the presentation of views by other
interested persons affected by the proposed modification or termination
concerning the effects of the modification or termination and whether
any modification or termination of the action is appropriate.''.
SEC. 204. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO
THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY.
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the
President shall--'' and all that follows
through the period and inserting ``the
President shall determine whether the President
concurs with the finding of the Secretary.'';
and
(ii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read
as follows:
``(B) If the President concurs under subparagraph (A) with the
finding of the Secretary with respect to an article, the President
shall--
``(i) determine the nature and duration of the action that,
in the judgment of the President, must be taken to adjust the
imports of the article and its derivatives so that such imports
will not threaten to impair the national security; and
``(ii) not later than 15 days the date on which the
President makes a determination under clause (i) and in
accordance with section 1001 of the Tariff Act of 1930, submit
to Congress a proposal for action and a written statement
supporting the determination of the President.
``(C) If the President does not concur under subparagraph (A) with
the finding of the Secretary, the President shall, not later than 30
days after the date on which the President makes a determination under
subparagraph (A), submit to the Congress a written statement supporting
the determination of the President.'';
(B) by striking paragraph (2);
(C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(2); and
(D) in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), as so redesignated--
(i) in subclause (I), by striking
``paragraph (1)(A)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(1)(B)''; and
(ii) in the matter following subclause
(II), by striking ``the President shall take''
and inserting ``the President shall, subject to
the requirements of section 1001 of the Tariff
Act of 1930, take'';
(2) by redesignating the second subsection (d) as
subsection (e);
(3) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by amending
paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) A report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include
the written statement supporting the determination of the
President described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection
(c)(1).''; and
(4) by striking subsection (f).
SEC. 205. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO
IMPORT COMPETITION.
(a) Action To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Import
Competition.--Section 201(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2251(a)) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``Presidential Action'' and
inserting ``Proposed Action''; and
(2) by striking ``, shall take all appropriate and feasible
action within his power'' and inserting ``and subject to the
requirements of section 1001 of the Tariff Act of 1930, shall
propose any appropriate and feasible action''.
(b) Provisional Relief.--Section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
U.S.C. 2252) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by amending clause (ii) to read as
follows:
``(ii) in the case of an action described
in subparagraph (A) or (C) of section
203(a)(3), a joint resolution approving the
action is enacted into law in accordance with
section 1001 of the Tariff Act of 1930;'';
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``take''
and inserting ``propose''; and
(iii) in cause (iv), by striking
``whenever'';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``proclaimed
under section 203'' and inserting ``proposed under
section 203, and with respect to which a joint
resolution of approval is enacted into law, in
accordance with section 1001 of the Tariff Act of
1930,''; and
(C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``proclaimed
under section 203 regarding such article'' and
inserting ``proposed under section 203 regarding such
article (or such an increase or imposition is proposed,
but a joint resolution approving the increase or
imposition is not enacted in accordance with section
1001 of the Tariff Act of 1930)'';
(2) in subsection (e)(4)(A), by striking ``initiate'' and
inserting ``propose to initiate''; and
(3) in subsection (h)(2)--
(A) by striking ``take action'' and inserting
``propose action''; and
(B) by striking ``section 203(e)(7)'' and inserting
``section 203(d)(7)''.
(c) Determination of Import Injury.--Section 203 of the Trade Act
of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2253) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``action by president'' and
inserting ``proposed action'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``take
all appropriate and feasible action within his
power'' and inserting ``propose, pursuant to
the requirements of section 1001 of the Tariff
Act of 1930, all appropriate and feasible
action'';
(ii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read
as follows:
``(B) Any action proposed by the President under
subparagraph (A) shall be subject to the limitations
described in subsection (d).''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``take'' and inserting ``propose'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``to take'' and inserting ``to
propose'';
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``actions authorized under'' and inserting
``actions described in''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``actions authorized under'' and inserting
``actions described in'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A)--
(I) by striking ``taking action''
and inserting ``proposing an action'';
and
(II) by striking ``paragraph (1)--
'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)
consider--'';
(ii) by striking ``proclaim'' each place it
appears;
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``implement'' and inserting ``implementing'';
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``negotiate, conclude, and carry out'' and
inserting ``negotiating, concluding, and
carrying out'';
(v) in subparagraph (G), by striking
``initiate'' and inserting ``initiating'';
(vi) by striking subparagraph (H);
(vii) by redesignating subparagraphs (I)
and (J) as subparagraphs (H) and (I),
respectively;
(viii) in subparagraph (H), as so
redesignated--
(I) by striking ``take'' and
inserting ``proposing''; and
(II) by striking ``which may be
taken by the President under the
authority of law and''; and
(ix) in subparagraph (I), as so
redesignated--
(I) by striking ``take'' and
inserting ``proposing''; and
(II) by striking ``subparagraphs
(A) through (I)'' and inserting
``subparagraphs (A) through (H)''; and
(D) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``take
action'' and inserting ``propose action''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``take action'' and
inserting ``propose action''; and
(II) by striking ``taken later''
and inserting ``proposed later'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``takes action'' and
inserting ``proposes action'';
(ii) by striking ``the action and the
reasons for taking the action'' and inserting
``the proposed action and the reasons for the
proposed action''; and
(iii) by striking ``the action taken'' and
inserting ``the action proposed'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``to take'' and
inserting ``to propose''; and
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``takes any action'' and
inserting ``proposes any action''; and
(ii) by striking ``the action being taken''
and inserting ``the action being proposed'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``action taken''
and inserting ``action proposed''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``will be taken'' and
inserting ``will be proposed''; and
(ii) by striking ``(as provided in
subsection (d)(2))'';
(5) by striking subsection (d);
(6) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d);
(7) in subsection (d), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), in the first
sentence, by striking ``action taken'' and
inserting ``action proposed''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``may
extend'' and inserting ``may propose
extending'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``taken under''
and inserting ``proposed under'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``taken'' each
place it appears and inserting ``proposed'';
(D) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``action taken'' and
inserting ``action proposed''; and
(ii) by striking ``proclaiming'' and
inserting ``regarding'';
(E) in paragraph (6)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), in the matter
preceding clause (i), by striking ``action
taken'' and inserting ``action proposed''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``proclamation'' and inserting ``proposal'';
and
(F) in paragraph (7)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), in the matter
preceding clause (i), by striking ``may be
taken'' and inserting ``may be proposed''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``may take'' and
inserting ``may propose''; and
(II) in clause (ii), by striking
``been taken'' and inserting ``been
proposed'';
(8) by striking subsection (f);
(9) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (e); and
(10) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--
(A) by striking paragraph (2); and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(2).
TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 301. REQUIREMENT THAT ANY TRADE AGREEMENT THAT BINDS THE UNITED
STATES FIRST BE APPROVED BY LAW.
(a) In General.--Title I of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2111
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 9--OTHER MATTERS
``SEC. 191. APPROVAL BY LAW OF TRADE AGREEMENTS THAT BIND THE UNITED
STATES.
``(a) In General.--No trade agreement that binds the United States
shall have force or effect until the agreement is approved by an Act of
Congress.
``(b) Trade Agreement That Binds the United States Defined.--In
this section, the term `trade agreement that binds the United States'
means an agreement concerning international trade in goods or services,
compliance with which would require the United States to change or
maintain current law.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Trade Act of
1974 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 182 the
following:
``Chapter 9--Other Matters''
``Sec. 191. Approval by law of trade agreements that bind the United
States.''.
SEC. 302. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE
REPRESENTATIVE OUTSIDE THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE
PRESIDENT.
(a) In General.--Section 141(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2171(a)) is amended to read as follows:
``(a) There is established an agency, to be known as the `Office of
the United States Trade Representative' (in this section referred to as
the `Office'), which shall be under the general direction and
supervision of the President and shall not be affiliated with or be
within any other agency or department of the Federal Government.''.
(b) Officials of the Office of the United States Trade
Representative.--Section 141(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2171(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the third sentence--
(A) by striking ``shall hold office at the pleasure
of the President,''; and
(B) by striking ``mission, and'' and inserting
``mission and''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), in the third sentence, by striking
``shall hold office at the pleasure of the President and''.
SEC. 303. ESTABLISHMENT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE OFFICE OF THE
UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE.
(a) Definitions.--Section 401 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or the National
Reconnaissance Office,'' and inserting ``the National
Reconnaissance Office, or the Office of the United States Trade
Representative,''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or the Director of the
National Reconnaissance Office;'' and inserting ``the Director
of the National Reconnaissance Office; or the United States
Trade Representative;''.
(b) Appointment of Inspector General.--Not later than 120 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall
appoint an individual to serve as the Inspector General of the Office
for the United States Trade Representative in accordance with section
403(a) of title 5, United States Code.
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