[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 20 (Thursday, February 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1433-S1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. Hatch, and Ms. Stabenow):
  S. 2327. A bill to amend the Trade Act of 1974 to require the United 
States Trade Representative to identify trade enforcement priorities 
and to take action with respect to priority foreign country trade 
practices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today I--along with Senator Hatch and 
Senator Stabenow--introduce the Trade Competitiveness Act of 2006, a 
bill that will provide the administration with additional tools, 
resources, and accountability to enforce international trade 
agreements.
  This bill is the first in a comprehensive package of legislation that 
I will introduce during the next few weeks to bolster American 
competitiveness.
  The United States is still a world leader in almost every way 
imaginable. But we need a bold agenda to maintain America's economic 
leadership and preserve high-wage American jobs here at home.
  I just got back from China and India, and that trip only underscored 
the challenges we face in the global economy. To rise to this 
challenge, my bills

[[Page S1434]]

will address trade and all other keystones of America's 
competitiveness--education, energy, health, savings, research, and tax 
policy.
  But today, we start with international trade. Trade and investment in 
international markets is a challenge that I have asked U.S. companies 
to embrace.
  I want American companies to get aggressive about getting their 
products and their people into foreign markets to bolster the U.S. 
presence around the world and bring jobs and dollars back home.
  But when American companies embrace these new market opportunities, 
they need to know that the American government will back them up. They 
need to know that we will do all that we can to make sure our trading 
partners play by the rules.
  That is why trade enforcement is critical. And this bill will step up 
trade enforcement in five ways.
  Number one: Under my legislation, every year, the USTR will be 
required to identify the biggest trade barriers hurting the U.S. 
economically. The USTR will have to get Congress's input. And the USTR 
will be required to act, through the WTO or in some other way, to break 
those barriers down.
  Number two: My bill will create a ``Chief Trade Enforcement Officer'' 
at the USTR. This person will be confirmed by the Senate. His or her 
entire job will be to investigate enforcement concerns and recommend 
action to the USTR. This person will also answer to Congress when it 
has concerns about enforcement.
  Number three: This new Trade Enforcement Officer is going to have 
some backup. My bill will create a ``Trade Enforcement Working Group'' 
in the Executive Branch. It will be chaired by the USTR, and include 
representatives of the Departments of Commerce, State, Agriculture, and 
Treasury. They will help the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer get the 
job done.
  Number four: This new Trade Enforcement Officer will need resources 
to get the job done. My bill provides $5 million additional to the USTR 
for enforcement. Right now, the President's Fiscal Year 2007 budget 
effectively cuts enforcement funds.
  Number five: This bill will send a strong message to the 
International Monetary Fund. It will urge our Administration to tell 
the IMF to get aggressive with countries that manipulate their own 
currency to obtain a trade advantage. It will also urge the IMF to 
undertake reforms so it becomes more transparent and more 
representative of the emerging economies in Asia.
  Senator Hatch wanted to make sure that the Federal Government does 
not lose sight of Federal and State sovereignty when negotiating, 
implementing, and enforcing trade agreements. That's an important issue 
to consider, and I'm glad it's in this bill.
  The bottom line is that improving enforcement of our trade agreements 
will allow American companies to play hard and win big in the global 
marketplace. A level playing field is the foundation of American 
competitiveness on trade. This bill will help to provide it.
                                 ______