[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 103 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H4666-H4698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRADE PREFERENCES EXTENSION ACT OF 2015
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 338,
I call up the bill (H.R. 1295) to extend the African Growth and
Opportunity Act, the Generalized System of Preferences, the
preferential duty treatment program for Haiti, and for other purposes,
with the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate
amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Womack). The Clerk will designate the
Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.
Senate amendment to House amendment to Senate amendment:
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted, insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Trade
Preferences Extension Act of 2015''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--EXTENSION OF AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT
Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Findings.
Sec. 103. Extension of African Growth and Opportunity Act.
Sec. 104. Modifications of rules of origin for duty-free treatment for
articles of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries
under Generalized System of Preferences.
Sec. 105. Monitoring and review of eligibility under Generalized System
of Preferences.
Sec. 106. Promotion of the role of women in social and economic
development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sec. 107. Biennial AGOA utilization strategies.
Sec. 108. Deepening and expanding trade and investment ties between
sub-Saharan Africa and the United States.
Sec. 109. Agricultural technical assistance for sub-Saharan Africa.
Sec. 110. Reports.
Sec. 111. Technical amendments.
Sec. 112. Definitions.
TITLE II--EXTENSION OF GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES
Sec. 201. Extension of Generalized System of Preferences.
Sec. 202. Authority to designate certain cotton articles as eligible
articles only for least-developed beneficiary developing
countries under Generalized System of Preferences.
Sec. 203. Application of competitive need limitation and waiver under
Generalized System of Preferences with respect to
articles of beneficiary developing countries exported to
the United States during calendar year 2014.
Sec. 204. Eligibility of certain luggage and travel articles for duty-
free treatment under the Generalized System of
Preferences.
TITLE III--EXTENSION OF PREFERENTIAL DUTY TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR HAITI
Sec. 301. Extension of preferential duty treatment program for Haiti.
TITLE IV--EXTENSION OF TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE
Sec. 401. Short title.
Sec. 402. Application of provisions relating to trade adjustment
assistance.
Sec. 403. Extension of trade adjustment assistance program.
Sec. 404. Performance measurement and reporting.
Sec. 405. Applicability of trade adjustment assistance provisions.
Sec. 406. Sunset provisions.
Sec. 407. Extension and modification of Health Coverage Tax Credit.
TITLE V--IMPROVEMENTS TO ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY LAWS
Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Consequences of failure to cooperate with a request for
information in a proceeding.
Sec. 503. Definition of material injury.
Sec. 504. Particular market situation.
Sec. 505. Distortion of prices or costs.
Sec. 506. Reduction in burden on Department of Commerce by reducing the
number of voluntary respondents.
Sec. 507. Application to Canada and Mexico.
TITLE VI--TARIFF CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN ARTICLES
Sec. 601. Tariff classification of recreational performance outerwear.
Sec. 602. Duty treatment of protective active footwear.
TITLE VII--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 701. Report on contribution of trade preference programs to
reducing poverty and eliminating hunger.
TITLE VIII--OFFSETS
Sec. 801. Customs user fees extension.
Sec. 802. Additional customs user fees extension.
Sec. 803. Time for payment of corporate estimated taxes.
Sec. 804. Payee statement required to claim certain education tax
benefits.
Sec. 805. Special rule for educational institutions unable to collect
TINs of individuals with respect to higher education
tuition and related expenses.
Sec. 806. Penalty for failure to file correct information returns and
provide payee statements.
Sec. 807. Child tax credit not refundable for taxpayers electing to
exclude foreign earned income from tax.
Sec. 808. Coverage and payment for renal dialysis services for
individuals with acute kidney injury.
TITLE I--EXTENSION OF AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``AGOA Extension and
Enhancement Act of 2015''.
SEC. 102. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Since its enactment, the African Growth and Opportunity
Act has been the centerpiece of trade relations between the
United States and sub-Saharan Africa and has enhanced trade,
investment, job creation, and democratic institutions
throughout Africa.
(2) Trade and investment, as facilitated by the African
Growth and Opportunity Act, promote economic growth,
development, poverty reduction, democracy, the rule of law,
and stability in sub-Saharan Africa.
(3) Trade between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa
has more than tripled since the enactment of the African
Growth and Opportunity Act in 2000, and United States direct
investment in sub-Saharan Africa has grown almost sixfold.
(4) It is in the interest of the United States to engage
and compete in emerging markets in sub-Saharan African
countries, to boost trade and investment between the United
States and sub-Saharan African countries, and to renew and
strengthen the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
(5) The long-term economic security of the United States is
enhanced by strong economic and political ties with the
fastest-growing economies in the world, many of which are in
sub-Saharan Africa.
(6) It is a goal of the United States to further integrate
sub-Saharan African countries into the global economy,
stimulate economic development in Africa, and diversify
sources of growth in sub-Saharan Africa.
(7) To that end, implementation of the Agreement on Trade
Facilitation of the World Trade Organization would strengthen
regional integration efforts in sub-Saharan Africa and
contribute to economic growth in the region.
(8) The elimination of barriers to trade and investment in
sub-Saharan Africa, including high tariffs, forced
localization requirements, restrictions on investment, and
customs barriers, will create opportunities for workers,
businesses, farmers, and ranchers in the United States and
sub-Saharan African countries.
(9) The elimination of such barriers will improve
utilization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and
strengthen regional and global integration, accelerate
economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa, and enhance the trade
relationship between the United States and sub-Saharan
Africa.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.
(a) In General.--Section 506B of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
U.S.C. 2466b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015''
and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
(b) African Growth and Opportunity Act.--
(1) In general.--Section 112(g) of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(g)) is amended by striking
``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
(2) Extension of regional apparel article program.--Section
112(b)(3)(A) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19
U.S.C. 3721(b)(3)(A)) is amended--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``11 succeeding'' and
inserting ``21 succeeding''; and
(B) in clause (ii)(II), by striking ``September 30, 2015''
and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
(3) Extension of third-country fabric program.--Section
112(c)(1) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19
U.S.C. 3721(c)(1)) is amended--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``September 30,
2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2015''
and inserting ``September 30, 2025''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``September 30,
2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 104. MODIFICATIONS OF RULES OF ORIGIN FOR DUTY-FREE
TREATMENT FOR ARTICLES OF BENEFICIARY SUB-
SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRIES UNDER GENERALIZED
SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.
(a) In General.--Section 506A(b)(2) of the Trade Act of
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2466a(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
[[Page H4667]]
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) the direct costs of processing operations performed
in one or more such beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries
or former beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries shall be
applied in determining such percentage.''.
(b) Applicability to Articles Receiving Duty-Free Treatment
Under Title V of Trade Act of 1974.--Section 506A(b) of the
Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2466a(b)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(3) Rules of origin under this title.--The exceptions set
forth in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (2)
shall also apply to any article described in section
503(a)(1) that is the growth, product, or manufacture of a
beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for purposes of any
determination to provide duty-free treatment with respect to
such article.''.
(c) Modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.--The
President may proclaim such modifications as may be necessary
to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS)
to add the special tariff treatment symbol ``D'' in the
``Special'' subcolumn of the HTS for each article classified
under a heading or subheading with the special tariff
treatment symbol ``A'' or ``A*'' in the ``Special'' subcolumn
of the HTS.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a)
and (b) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act
and apply with respect to any article described in section
503(b)(1)(B) through (G) of the Trade Act of 1974 that is the
growth, product, or manufacture of a beneficiary sub-Saharan
African country and that is imported into the customs
territory of the United States on or after the date that is
30 days after such date of enactment.
SEC. 105. MONITORING AND REVIEW OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER
GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.
(a) Continuing Compliance.--Section 506A(a)(3) of the Trade
Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``If the President'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) In general.--If the President''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Notification.--The President may not terminate the
designation of a country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African
country under subparagraph (A) unless, at least 60 days
before the termination of such designation, the President
notifies Congress and notifies the country of the President's
intention to terminate such designation, together with the
considerations entering into the decision to terminate such
designation.''.
(b) Withdrawal, Suspension, or Limitation of Preferential
Tariff Treatment.--Section 506A of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
U.S.C. 2466a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Withdrawal, Suspension, or Limitation of Preferential
Tariff Treatment.--
``(1) In general.--The President may withdraw, suspend, or
limit the application of duty-free treatment provided for any
article described in subsection (b)(1) of this section or
section 112 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act with
respect to a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country if the
President determines that withdrawing, suspending, or
limiting such duty-free treatment would be more effective in
promoting compliance by the country with the requirements
described in subsection (a)(1) than terminating the
designation of the country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan
African country for purposes of this section.
``(2) Notification.--The President may not withdraw,
suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment
under paragraph (1) unless, at least 60 days before such
withdrawal, suspension, or limitation, the President notifies
Congress and notifies the country of the President's
intention to withdraw, suspend, or limit such duty-free
treatment, together with the considerations entering into the
decision to terminate such designation.''.
(c) Review and Public Comments on Eligibility
Requirements.--Section 506A of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
U.S.C. 2466a), as so amended, is further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Review and Public Comments on Eligibility
Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a)(2), the
President shall publish annually in the Federal Register a
notice of review and request for public comments on whether
beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries are meeting the
eligibility requirements set forth in section 104 of the
African Growth and Opportunity Act and the eligibility
criteria set forth in section 502 of this Act.
``(2) Public hearing.--The United States Trade
Representative shall, not later than 30 days after the date
on which the President publishes the notice of review and
request for public comments under paragraph (1)--
``(A) hold a public hearing on such review and request for
public comments; and
``(B) publish in the Federal Register, before such hearing
is held, notice of--
``(i) the time and place of such hearing; and
``(ii) the time and place at which such public comments
will be accepted.
``(3) Petition process.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this subsection, the President shall
establish a process to allow any interested person, at any
time, to file a petition with the Office of the United States
Trade Representative with respect to the compliance of any
country listed in section 107 of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act with the eligibility requirements set forth
in section 104 of such Act and the eligibility criteria set
forth in section 502 of this Act.
``(B) Use of petitions.--The President shall take into
account all petitions filed pursuant to subparagraph (A) in
making determinations of compliance under subsections
(a)(3)(A) and (c) and in preparing any reports required by
this title as such reports apply with respect to beneficiary
sub-Saharan African countries.
``(4) Out-of-cycle reviews.--
``(A) In general.--The President may, at any time, initiate
an out-of-cycle review of whether a beneficiary sub-Saharan
African country is making continual progress in meeting the
requirements described in paragraph (1). The President shall
give due consideration to petitions received under paragraph
(3) in determining whether to initiate an out-of-cycle review
under this subparagraph.
``(B) Congressional notification.--Before initiating an
out-of-cycle review under subparagraph (A), the President
shall notify and consult with Congress.
``(C) Consequences of review.--If, pursuant to an out-of-
cycle review conducted under subparagraph (A), the President
determines that a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country
does not meet the requirements set forth in section 104(a) of
the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3703(a)),
the President shall, subject to the requirements of
subsections (a)(3)(B) and (c)(2), terminate the designation
of the country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country
or withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free
treatment with respect to articles from the country.
``(D) Reports.--After each out-of-cycle review conducted
under subparagraph (A) with respect to a country, the
President 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 review and any determination
of the President to terminate the designation of the country
as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country or withdraw,
suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment with
respect to articles from the country under subparagraph (C).
``(E) Initiation of out-of-cycle reviews for certain
countries.--Recognizing that concerns have been raised about
the compliance with section 104(a) of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3703(a)) of some beneficiary sub-
Saharan African countries, the President shall initiate an
out-of-cycle review under subparagraph (A) with respect to
South Africa, the most developed of the beneficiary sub-
Saharan African countries, and other beneficiary countries as
appropriate, not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015.''.
SEC. 106. PROMOTION OF THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.
(a) Statement of Policy.--Section 103 of the African Growth
and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3702) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) promoting the role of women in social, political,
and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa.''.
(b) Eligibility Requirements.--Section 104(a)(1)(A) of the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3703(a)(1)(A))
is amended by inserting ``for men and women'' after
``rights''.
SEC. 107. BIENNIAL AGOA UTILIZATION STRATEGIES.
(a) In General.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries should
develop utilization strategies on a biennial basis in order
to more effectively and strategically utilize benefits
available under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (in
this section referred to as ``AGOA utilization strategies'');
(2) United States trade capacity building agencies should
work with, and provide appropriate resources to, such sub-
Saharan African countries to assist in developing and
implementing biennial AGOA utilization strategies; and
(3) as appropriate, and to encourage greater regional
integration, the United States Trade Representative should
consider requesting the Regional Economic Communities to
prepare biennial AGOA utilization strategies.
(b) Contents.--It is further the sense of Congress that
biennial AGOA utilization strategies should identify
strategic needs and priorities to bolster utilization of
benefits available under the African Growth and Opportunity
Act. To that end, biennial AGOA utilization strategies
should--
(1) review potential exports under the African Growth and
Opportunity Act and identify opportunities and obstacles to
increased trade and investment and enhanced poverty reduction
efforts;
(2) identify obstacles to regional integration that inhibit
utilization of benefits under the African Growth and
Opportunity Act;
(3) set out a plan to take advantage of opportunities and
address obstacles identified in paragraphs (1) and (2),
improve awareness of the African Growth and Opportunity Act
as a program that enhances exports to the United States, and
utilize United States Agency for International Development
regional trade hubs;
(4) set out a strategy to promote small business and
entrepreneurship; and
(5) eliminate obstacles to regional trade and promote
greater utilization of benefits under the
[[Page H4668]]
African Growth and Opportunity Act and establish a plan to
promote full regional implementation of the Agreement on
Trade Facilitation of the World Trade Organization.
(c) Publication.--It is further the sense of Congress
that--
(1) each beneficiary sub-Saharan African country should
publish on an appropriate Internet website of such country
public versions of its AGOA utilization strategy; and
(2) the United States Trade Representative should publish
on the Internet website of the Office of the United States
Trade Representative public versions of all AGOA utilization
strategies described in paragraph (1).
SEC. 108. DEEPENING AND EXPANDING TRADE AND INVESTMENT TIES
BETWEEN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA AND THE UNITED
STATES.
It is the policy of the United States to continue to--
(1) seek to deepen and expand trade and investment ties
between sub-Saharan Africa and the United States, including
through the negotiation of accession by sub-Saharan African
countries to the World Trade Organization and the negotiation
of trade and investment framework agreements, bilateral
investment treaties, and free trade agreements, as such
agreements have the potential to catalyze greater trade and
investment, facilitate additional investment in sub-Saharan
Africa, further poverty reduction efforts, and promote
economic growth;
(2) seek to negotiate agreements with individual sub-
Saharan African countries as well as with the Regional
Economic Communities, as appropriate;
(3) promote full implementation of commitments made under
the WTO Agreement (as such term is defined in section 2(9) of
the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3501(9)) because
such actions are likely to improve utilization of the African
Growth and Opportunity Act and promote trade and investment
and because regular review to ensure continued compliance
helps to maximize the benefits of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act; and
(4) promote the negotiation of trade agreements that cover
substantially all trade between parties to such agreements
and, if other countries seek to negotiate trade agreements
that do not cover substantially all trade, continue to object
in all appropriate forums.
SEC. 109. AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICA.
Section 13 of the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 (19 U.S.C.
3701 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``shall identify not fewer than 10 eligible
sub-Saharan African countries as having the greatest'' and
inserting ``, through the Secretary of Agriculture, shall
identify eligible sub-Saharan African countries that have'';
and
(B) by striking ``and complying with sanitary and
phytosanitary rules of the United States'' and inserting ``,
complying with sanitary and phytosanitary rules of the United
States, and developing food safety standards'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``20'' and inserting ``30''; and
(B) by inserting after ``from those countries'' the
following: ``, particularly from businesses and sectors that
engage women farmers and entrepreneurs,''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Coordination.--The President shall take such measures
as are necessary to ensure adequate coordination of similar
activities of agencies of the United States Government
relating to agricultural technical assistance for sub-Saharan
Africa.''.
SEC. 110. REPORTS.
(a) Implementation Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the
President shall submit to Congress a report on the trade and
investment relationship between the United States and sub-
Saharan African countries and on the implementation of this
title and the amendments made by this title.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) A description of the status of trade and investment
between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa, including
information on leading exports to the United States from sub-
Saharan African countries.
(B) Any changes in eligibility of sub-Saharan African
countries during the period covered by the report.
(C) A detailed analysis of whether each such beneficiary
sub-Saharan African country is continuing to meet the
eligibility requirements set forth in section 104 of the
African Growth and Opportunity Act and the eligibility
criteria set forth in section 502 of the Trade Act of 1974.
(D) A description of the status of regional integration
efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.
(E) A summary of United States trade capacity building
efforts.
(F) Any other initiatives related to enhancing the trade
and investment relationship between the United States and
sub-Saharan African countries.
(b) Potential Trade Agreements Report.--Not later than 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 5
years thereafter, the United States Trade Representative
shall submit to Congress a report that--
(1) identifies sub-Saharan African countries that have a
expressed an interest in entering into a free trade agreement
with the United States;
(2) evaluates the viability and progress of such sub-
Saharan African countries and other sub-Saharan African
countries toward entering into a free trade agreement with
the United States; and
(3) describes a plan for negotiating and concluding such
agreements, which includes the elements described in
subparagraphs (A) through (E) of section 116(b)(2) of the
African Growth and Opportunity Act.
(c) Termination.--The reporting requirements of this
section shall cease to have any force or effect after
September 30, 2025.
SEC. 111. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 104 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19
U.S.C. 3703), as amended by section 106, is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a) In General.--'';
and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
SEC. 112. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Beneficiary sub-saharan african country.--The term
``beneficiary sub-Saharan African country'' means a
beneficiary sub-Saharan African country described in
subsection (e) of section 506A of the Trade Act of 1974 (as
redesignated by this Act).
(2) Sub-saharan african country.--The term ``sub-Saharan
African country'' has the meaning given the term in section
107 of the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
TITLE II--EXTENSION OF GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.
(a) In General.--Section 505 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
U.S.C. 2465) is amended by striking ``July 31, 2013'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to articles entered on or after the 30th day after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Retroactive application for certain liquidations and
reliquidations.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 514 of the Tariff
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1514) or any other provision of law
and subject to subparagraph (B), any entry of a covered
article to which duty-free treatment or other preferential
treatment under title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2461 et seq.) would have applied if the entry had been made
on July 31, 2013, that was made--
(i) after July 31, 2013; and
(ii) before the effective date specified in paragraph (1),
shall be liquidated or reliquidated as though such entry
occurred on the effective date specified in paragraph (1).
(B) Requests.--A liquidation or reliquidation may be made
under subparagraph (A) with respect to an entry only if a
request therefor is filed with U.S. Customs and Border
Protection not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act that contains sufficient information to
enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection--
(i) to locate the entry; or
(ii) to reconstruct the entry if it cannot be located.
(C) Payment of amounts owed.--Any amounts owed by the
United States pursuant to the liquidation or reliquidation of
an entry of a covered article under subparagraph (A) shall be
paid, without interest, not later than 90 days after the date
of the liquidation or reliquidation (as the case may be).
(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Covered article.--The term ``covered article'' means an
article from a country that is a beneficiary developing
country under title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2461 et seq.) as of the effective date specified in paragraph
(1).
(B) Enter; entry.--The terms ``enter'' and ``entry''
include a withdrawal from warehouse for consumption.
SEC. 202. AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE CERTAIN COTTON ARTICLES AS
ELIGIBLE ARTICLES ONLY FOR LEAST-DEVELOPED
BENEFICIARY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES UNDER
GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.
Section 503(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2463(b))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Certain cotton articles.--Notwithstanding paragraph
(3), the President may designate as an eligible article or
articles under subsection (a)(1)(B) only for countries
designated as least-developed beneficiary developing
countries under section 502(a)(2) cotton articles
classifiable under subheading 5201.00.18, 5201.00.28,
5201.00.38, 5202.99.30, or 5203.00.30 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States.''.
SEC. 203. APPLICATION OF COMPETITIVE NEED LIMITATION AND
WAIVER UNDER GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES
WITH RESPECT TO ARTICLES OF BENEFICIARY
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES EXPORTED TO THE UNITED
STATES DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2014.
(a) In General.--For purposes of applying and administering
subsections (c)(2) and (d) of section 503 of the Trade Act of
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2463) with respect to an article described in
subsection (b) of this section, subsections (c)(2) and (d) of
section 503 of such Act shall be applied and administered by
substituting ``October 1'' for ``July 1'' each place such
date appears.
(b) Article Described.--An article described in this
subsection is an article of a beneficiary developing country
that is designated by the President as an eligible article
under subsection (a) of section 503 of the Trade Act of 1974
(19 U.S.C. 2463) and with respect to which a determination
described in subsection (c)(2)(A) of such section was made
with respect to exports (directly or indirectly) to the
United States of such eligible article during calendar year
2014 by the beneficiary developing country.
[[Page H4669]]
SEC. 204. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN LUGGAGE AND TRAVEL ARTICLES
FOR DUTY-FREE TREATMENT UNDER THE GENERALIZED
SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.
Section 503(b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2463(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``paragraph (4)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (4) and (5)'';
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``Footwear'' and
inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (5), footwear'';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Certain luggage and travel articles.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A) or (E) of paragraph (1), the President may
designate the following as eligible articles under subsection
(a):
``(A) Articles classifiable under subheading 4202.11.00,
4202.12.40, 4202.21.60, 4202.21.90, 4202.22.15, 4202.22.45,
4202.31.60, 4202.32.40, 4202.32.80, 4202.92.15, 4202.92.20,
4202.92.45, or 4202.99.90 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
of the United States.
``(B) Articles classifiable under statistical reporting
number 4202.12.2020, 4202.12.2050, 4202.12.8030,
4202.12.8070, 4202.22.8050, 4202.32.9550, 4202.32.9560,
4202.91.0030, 4202.91.0090, 4202.92.3020, 4202.92.3031,
4202.92.3091, 4202.92.9026, or 4202.92.9060 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States, as such statistical
reporting numbers are in effect on the date of the enactment
of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015.''.
TITLE III--EXTENSION OF PREFERENTIAL DUTY TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR HAITI
SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF PREFERENTIAL DUTY TREATMENT PROGRAM
FOR HAITI.
Section 213A of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act
(19 U.S.C. 2703a) is amended as follows:
(1) Subsection (b) is amended as follows:
(A) Paragraph (1) is amended--
(i) in subparagraph (B)(v)(I), by amending item (cc) to
read as follows:
``(cc) 60 percent or more during the 1-year period
beginning on December 20, 2017, and each of the 7 succeeding
1-year periods.''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) in the table, by striking ``succeeding 11 1-year
periods'' and inserting ``16 succeeding 1-year periods''; and
(II) by striking ``December 19, 2018'' and inserting
``December 19, 2025''.
(B) Paragraph (2) is amended--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ``11 succeeding 1-
year periods'' and inserting ``16 succeeding 1-year
periods''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``11 succeeding
1-year periods'' and inserting ``16 succeeding 1-year
periods''.
(2) Subsection (h) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2020'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
TITLE IV--EXTENSION OF TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Trade Adjustment
Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015''.
SEC. 402. APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO TRADE
ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE.
(a) Repeal of Snapback.--Section 233 of the Trade
Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-
40; 125 Stat. 416) is repealed.
(b) Applicability of Certain Provisions.--Except as
otherwise provided in this title, the provisions of chapters
2 through 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in
effect on December 31, 2013, and as amended by this title,
shall--
(1) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act;
and
(2) apply to petitions for certification filed under
chapter 2, 3, or 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 on or
after such date of enactment.
(c) References.--Except as otherwise provided in this
title, whenever in this title an amendment or repeal is
expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a
provision of chapters 2 through 6 of title II of the Trade
Act of 1974, the reference shall be considered to be made to
a provision of any such chapter, as in effect on December 31,
2013.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Extension of Termination Provisions.--Section 285 of
the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2271 note) is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2013'' each place it appears and
inserting ``June 30, 2021''.
(b) Training Funds.--Section 236(a)(2)(A) of the Trade Act
of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2296(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking
``shall not exceed'' and all that follows and inserting
``shall not exceed $450,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015
through 2021.''.
(c) Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance.--Section
246(b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2318(b)(1)) is
amended by striking ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting
``June 30, 2021''.
(d) Authorizations of Appropriations.--
(1) Trade adjustment assistance for workers.--Section
245(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2317(a)) is
amended by striking ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting
``June 30, 2021''.
(2) Trade adjustment assistance for firms.--Section 255(a)
of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2345(a)) is amended by
striking ``fiscal years 2012 and 2013'' and all that follows
through ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting ``fiscal years
2015 through 2021''.
(3) Trade adjustment assistance for farmers.--Section
298(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2401g(a)) is
amended by striking ``fiscal years 2012 and 2013'' and all
that follows through ``December 31, 2013'' and inserting
``fiscal years 2015 through 2021''.
SEC. 404. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT AND REPORTING.
(a) Performance Measures.--Section 239(j) of the Trade Act
of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2311(j)) is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Data
Reporting'' and inserting ``Performance Measures'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``a quarterly'' and inserting ``an
annual''; and
(ii) by striking ``data'' and inserting ``measures'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``core'' and inserting
``primary''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``that promote
efficiency and effectiveness'' after ``assistance program'';
(3) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Core indicators
described'' and inserting ``Indicators of performance''; and
(B) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the
following:
``(A) Primary indicators of performance described.--
``(i) In general.--The primary indicators of performance
referred to in paragraph (1)(A) shall consist of--
``(I) the percentage and number of workers who received
benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program who
are in unsubsidized employment during the second calendar
quarter after exit from the program;
``(II) the percentage and number of workers who received
benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program and
who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth calendar
quarter after exit from the program;
``(III) the median earnings of workers described in
subclause (I);
``(IV) the percentage and number of workers who received
benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program who,
subject to clause (ii), obtain a recognized postsecondary
credential or a secondary school diploma or its recognized
equivalent, during participation in the program or within one
year after exit from the program; and
``(V) the percentage and number of workers who received
benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program who,
during a year while receiving such benefits, are in an
education or training program that leads to a recognized
postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving
measurable gains in skills toward such a credential or
employment.
``(ii) Indicator relating to credential.--For purposes of
clause (i)(IV), a worker who received benefits under the
trade adjustment assistance program who obtained a secondary
school diploma or its recognized equivalent shall be included
in the percentage counted for purposes of that clause only if
the worker, in addition to obtaining such a diploma or its
recognized equivalent, has obtained or retained employment or
is in an education or training program leading to a
recognized postsecondary credential within one year after
exit from the program.'';
(4) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``data'' and
inserting ``measures'';
(B) by striking ``quarterly'' and inserting ``annual''; and
(C) by striking ``data'' and inserting ``measures''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Accessibility of state performance reports.--The
Secretary shall, on an annual basis, make available
(including by electronic means), in an easily understandable
format, the reports of cooperating States or cooperating
State agencies required by paragraph (1) and the information
contained in those reports.''.
(b) Collection and Publication of Data.--Section 249B of
the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2323) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``enrolled in'' and
inserting ``who received'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``complete'' and inserting ``exited''; and
(II) by striking ``who were enrolled in'' and inserting ``,
including who received'';
(iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``complete'' and
inserting ``exited'';
(iv) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``complete'' and
inserting ``exit''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) The average cost per worker of receiving training
approved under section 236.
``(H) The percentage of workers who received training
approved under section 236 and obtained unsubsidized
employment in a field related to that training.''; and
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in subparagraphs (A) and (B), by striking ``quarterly''
each place it appears and inserting ``annual''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
following:
``(C) The median earnings of workers described in section
239(j)(2)(A)(i)(III) during the second calendar quarter after
exit from the program, expressed as a percentage of the
median earnings of such workers before the calendar quarter
in which such workers began receiving benefits under this
chapter.''; and
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) the reports required under section 239(j);''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a quarterly'' and
inserting ``an annual''.
[[Page H4670]]
(c) Recognized Postsecondary Credential Defined.--Section
247 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2319) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(19) The term `recognized postsecondary credential' means
a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate
or certification, a certificate of completion of an
apprenticeship, a license recognized by a State or the
Federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate
degree.''.
SEC. 405. APPLICABILITY OF TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE
PROVISIONS.
(a) Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers.--
(1) Petitions filed on or after january 1, 2014, and before
date of enactment.--
(A) Certifications of workers not certified before date of
enactment.--
(i) Criteria if a determination has not been made.--If, as
of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Labor has not made a determination with respect to whether to
certify a group of workers as eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under section 222 of the Trade Act of
1974 pursuant to a petition described in clause (iii), the
Secretary shall make that determination based on the
requirements of section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as in
effect on such date of enactment.
(ii) Reconsideration of denials of certifications.--If,
before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
made a determination not to certify a group of workers as
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 222
of the Trade Act of 1974 pursuant to a petition described in
clause (iii), the Secretary shall--
(I) reconsider that determination; and
(II) if the group of workers meets the requirements of
section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such
date of enactment, certify the group of workers as eligible
to apply for adjustment assistance.
(iii) Petition described.--A petition described in this
clause is a petition for a certification of eligibility for a
group of workers filed under section 221 of the Trade Act of
1974 on or after January 1, 2014, and before the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(B) Eligibility for benefits.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), a
worker certified as eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974
pursuant to a petition described in subparagraph (A)(iii)
shall be eligible, on and after the date that is 90 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, to receive
benefits only under the provisions of chapter 2 of title II
of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of
enactment.
(ii) Computation of maximum benefits.--Benefits received by
a worker described in clause (i) under chapter 2 of title II
of the Trade Act of 1974 before the date of the enactment of
this Act shall be included in any determination of the
maximum benefits for which the worker is eligible under the
provisions of chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974,
as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Petitions filed before january 1, 2014.--A worker
certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
pursuant to a petition filed under section 221 of the Trade
Act of 1974 on or before December 31, 2013, shall continue to
be eligible to apply for and receive benefits under the
provisions of chapter 2 of title II of such Act, as in effect
on December 31, 2013.
(3) Qualifying separations with respect to petitions filed
within 90 days of date of enactment.--Section 223(b) of the
Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on the date of the enactment
of this Act, shall be applied and administered by
substituting ``before January 1, 2014'' for ``more than one
year before the date of the petition on which such
certification was granted'' for purposes of determining
whether a worker is eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance pursuant to a petition filed under section 221 of
the Trade Act of 1974 on or after the date of the enactment
of this Act and on or before the date that is 90 days after
such date of enactment.
(b) Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms.--
(1) Certification of firms not certified before date of
enactment.--
(A) Criteria if a determination has not been made.--If, as
of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Commerce has not made a determination with respect to whether
to certify a firm as eligible to apply for adjustment
assistance under section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974
pursuant to a petition described in subparagraph (C), the
Secretary shall make that determination based on the
requirements of section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974, as in
effect on such date of enactment.
(B) Reconsideration of denial of certain petitions.--If,
before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
made a determination not to certify a firm as eligible to
apply for adjustment assistance under section 251 of the
Trade Act of 1974 pursuant to a petition described in
subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall--
(i) reconsider that determination; and
(ii) if the firm meets the requirements of section 251 of
the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of
enactment, certify the firm as eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance.
(C) Petition described.--A petition described in this
subparagraph is a petition for a certification of eligibility
filed by a firm or its representative under section 251 of
the Trade Act of 1974 on or after January 1, 2014, and before
the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Certification of firms that did not submit petitions
between january 1, 2014, and date of enactment.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce shall certify a
firm described in subparagraph (B) as eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under section 251 of the Trade Act of
1974, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act,
if the firm or its representative files a petition for a
certification of eligibility under section 251 of the Trade
Act of 1974 not later than 90 days after such date of
enactment.
(B) Firm described.--A firm described in this subparagraph
is a firm that the Secretary determines would have been
certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance if--
(i) the firm or its representative had filed a petition for
a certification of eligibility under section 251 of the Trade
Act of 1974 on a date during the period beginning on January
1, 2014, and ending on the day before the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(ii) the provisions of chapter 3 of title II of the Trade
Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of enactment, had been
in effect on that date during the period described in clause
(i).
SEC. 406. SUNSET PROVISIONS.
(a) Application of Prior Law.--Subject to subsection (b),
beginning on July 1, 2021, the provisions of chapters 2, 3,
5, and 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2271
et seq.), as in effect on January 1, 2014, shall be in effect
and apply, except that in applying and administering such
chapters--
(1) paragraph (1) of section 231(c) of that Act shall be
applied and administered as if subparagraphs (A), (B), and
(C) of that paragraph were not in effect;
(2) section 233 of that Act shall be applied and
administered--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (2), by substituting ``104-week period''
for ``104-week period'' and all that follows through ``130-
week period)''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
substituting ``65'' for ``52''; and
(II) by substituting ``78-week period'' for ``52-week
period'' each place it appears; and
(B) by applying and administering subsection (g) as if it
read as follows:
``(g) Payment of Trade Readjustment Allowances To Complete
Training.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
section, in order to assist an adversely affected worker to
complete training approved for the worker under section 236
that leads to the completion of a degree or industry-
recognized credential, payments may be made as trade
readjustment allowances for not more than 13 weeks within
such period of eligibility as the Secretary may prescribe to
account for a break in training or for justifiable cause that
follows the last week for which the worker is otherwise
entitled to a trade readjustment allowance under this chapter
if--
``(1) payment of the trade readjustment allowance for not
more than 13 weeks is necessary for the worker to complete
the training;
``(2) the worker participates in training in each such
week; and
``(3) the worker--
``(A) has substantially met the performance benchmarks
established as part of the training approved for the worker;
``(B) is expected to continue to make progress toward the
completion of the training; and
``(C) will complete the training during that period of
eligibility.'';
(3) section 245(a) of that Act shall be applied and
administered by substituting ``June 30, 2022'' for ``December
31, 2007'';
(4) section 246(b)(1) of that Act shall be applied and
administered by substituting ``June 30, 2022'' for ``the date
that is 5 years'' and all that follows through ``State'';
(5) section 256(b) of that Act shall be applied and
administered by substituting ``the 1-year period beginning on
July 1, 2021'' for ``each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007,
and $4,000,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1,
2007'';
(6) section 298(a) of that Act shall be applied and
administered by substituting ``the 1-year period beginning on
July 1, 2021'' for ``each of the fiscal years'' and all that
follows through ``October 1, 2007''; and
(7) section 285 of that Act shall be applied and
administered--
(A) in subsection (a), by substituting ``June 30, 2022''
for ``December 31, 2007'' each place it appears; and
(B) by applying and administering subsection (b) as if it
read as follows:
``(b) Other Assistance.--
``(1) Assistance for firms.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
assistance may not be provided under chapter 3 after June 30,
2022.
``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any
assistance approved under chapter 3 pursuant to a petition
filed under section 251 on or before June 30, 2022, may be
provided--
``(i) to the extent funds are available pursuant to such
chapter for such purpose; and
``(ii) to the extent the recipient of the assistance is
otherwise eligible to receive such assistance.
``(2) Farmers.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
assistance may not be provided under chapter 6 after June 30,
2022.
``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any
assistance approved under chapter 6 on or before June 30,
2022, may be provided--
``(i) to the extent funds are available pursuant to such
chapter for such purpose; and
``(ii) to the extent the recipient of the assistance is
otherwise eligible to receive such assistance.''.
(b) Exceptions.--The provisions of chapters 2, 3, 5, and 6
of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on the
date of the enactment of this Act, shall continue to apply on
and after July 1, 2021, with respect to--
(1) workers certified as eligible for trade adjustment
assistance benefits under chapter 2 of
[[Page H4671]]
title II of that Act pursuant to petitions filed under
section 221 of that Act before July 1, 2021;
(2) firms certified as eligible for technical assistance or
grants under chapter 3 of title II of that Act pursuant to
petitions filed under section 251 of that Act before July 1,
2021; and
(3) agricultural commodity producers certified as eligible
for technical or financial assistance under chapter 6 of
title II of that Act pursuant to petitions filed under
section 292 of that Act before July 1, 2021.
SEC. 407. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE TAX
CREDIT.
(a) Extension.--Subparagraph (B) of section 35(b)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``before
January 1, 2014'' and inserting ``before January 1, 2020''.
(b) Coordination With Credit for Coverage Under a Qualified
Health Plan.--Subsection (g) of section 35 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (13), and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new
paragraphs:
``(11) Election.--
``(A) In general.--This section shall not apply to any
taxpayer for any eligible coverage month unless such taxpayer
elects the application of this section for such month.
``(B) Timing and applicability of election.--Except as the
Secretary may provide--
``(i) an election to have this section apply for any
eligible coverage month in a taxable year shall be made not
later than the due date (including extensions) for the return
of tax for the taxable year, and
``(ii) any election for this section to apply for an
eligible coverage month shall apply for all subsequent
eligible coverage months in the taxable year and, once made,
shall be irrevocable with respect to such months.
``(12) Coordination with premium tax credit.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible coverage month to which the
election under paragraph (11) applies shall not be treated as
a coverage month (as defined in section 36B(c)(2)) for
purposes of section 36B with respect to the taxpayer.
``(B) Coordination with advance payments of premium tax
credit.--In the case of a taxpayer who makes the election
under paragraph (11) with respect to any eligible coverage
month in a taxable year or on behalf of whom any advance
payment is made under section 7527 with respect to any month
in such taxable year--
``(i) the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year
shall be increased by the excess, if any, of--
``(I) the sum of any advance payments made on behalf of the
taxpayer under section 1412 of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act and section 7527 for months during such
taxable year, over
``(II) the sum of the credits allowed under this section
(determined without regard to paragraph (1)) and section 36B
(determined without regard to subsection (f)(1) thereof) for
such taxable year, and
``(ii) section 36B(f)(2) shall not apply with respect to
such taxpayer for such taxable year, except that if such
taxpayer received any advance payments under section 7527 for
any month in such taxable year and is later allowed a credit
under section 36B for such taxable year, then section
36B(f)(2)(B) shall be applied by substituting the amount
determined under clause (i) for the amount determined under
section 36B(f)(2)(A).''.
(c) Extension of Advance Payment Program.--
(1) In general.--Subsection (a) of section 7527 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``August
1, 2003'' and inserting ``the date that is 1 year after the
date of the enactment of the Trade Adjustment Assistance
Reauthorization Act of 2015''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (1) of section 7527(e)
of such Code is amended by striking ``occurring'' and all
that follows and inserting ``occurring--
``(A) after the date that is 1 year after the date of the
enactment of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization
Act of 2015, and
``(B) prior to the first month for which an advance payment
is made on behalf of such individual under subsection (a).''.
(d) Individual Insurance Treated as Qualified Health
Insurance Without Regard to Enrollment Date.--
(1) In general.--Subparagraph (J) of section 35(e)(1) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking
``insurance if the eligible individual'' and all that follows
through ``For purposes of'' and inserting ``insurance. For
purposes of''.
(2) Special rule.--Subparagraph (J) of section 35(e)(1) of
such Code, as amended by paragraph (1), is amended by
striking ``insurance.'' and inserting ``insurance (other than
coverage enrolled in through an Exchange established under
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).''.
(e) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (m) of section 6501
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting
``, 35(g)(11)'' after ``30D(e)(4)''.
(f) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
amendments made by this section shall apply to coverage
months in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013.
(2) Plans available on individual market for use of tax
credit.--The amendment made by subsection (d)(2) shall apply
to coverage months in taxable years beginning after December
31, 2015.
(3) Transition rule.--Notwithstanding section
35(g)(11)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as
added by this title), an election to apply section 35 of such
Code to an eligible coverage month (as defined in section
35(b) of such Code) (and not to claim the credit under
section 36B of such Code with respect to such month) in a
taxable year beginning after December 31, 2013, and before
the date of the enactment of this Act--
(A) may be made at any time on or after such date of
enactment and before the expiration of the 3-year period of
limitation prescribed in section 6511(a) with respect to such
taxable year; and
(B) may be made on an amended return.
(g) Agency Outreach.--As soon as possible after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries of the Treasury,
Health and Human Services, and Labor (or such Secretaries'
delegates) and the Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (or the Director's delegate) shall carry out
programs of public outreach, including on the Internet, to
inform potential eligible individuals (as defined in section
35(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of the
extension of the credit under section 35 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and the availability of the election to
claim such credit retroactively for coverage months beginning
after December 31, 2013.
TITLE V--IMPROVEMENTS TO ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY LAWS
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``American Trade Enforcement
Effectiveness Act''.
SEC. 502. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO COOPERATE WITH A REQUEST
FOR INFORMATION IN A PROCEEDING.
Section 776 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677e) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as
subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and by moving
such subparagraphs, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right;
(B) by striking ``Adverse Inferences.--If'' and inserting
the following: ``Adverse Inferences.--
``(1) In general.--If'';
(C) by striking ``under this title, may use'' and inserting
the following: ``under this title--
``(A) may use''; and
(D) by striking ``facts otherwise available. Such adverse
inference may include'' and inserting the following: ``facts
otherwise available; and
``(B) is not required to determine, or make any adjustments
to, a countervailable subsidy rate or weighted average
dumping margin based on any assumptions about information the
interested party would have provided if the interested party
had complied with the request for information.
``(2) Potential sources of information for adverse
inferences.--An adverse inference under paragraph (1)(A) may
include'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``Corroboration of Secondary Information.--
When the'' and inserting the following: ``Corroboration of
Secondary Information.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
when the''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Exception.--The administrative authority and the
Commission shall not be required to corroborate any dumping
margin or countervailing duty applied in a separate segment
of the same proceeding.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Subsidy Rates and Dumping Margins in Adverse
Inference Determinations.--
``(1) In general.--If the administering authority uses an
inference that is adverse to the interests of a party under
subsection (b)(1)(A) in selecting among the facts otherwise
available, the administering authority may--
``(A) in the case of a countervailing duty proceeding--
``(i) use a countervailable subsidy rate applied for the
same or similar program in a countervailing duty proceeding
involving the same country, or
``(ii) if there is no same or similar program, use a
countervailable subsidy rate for a subsidy program from a
proceeding that the administering authority considers
reasonable to use, and
``(B) in the case of an antidumping duty proceeding, use
any dumping margin from any segment of the proceeding under
the applicable antidumping order.
``(2) Discretion to apply highest rate.--In carrying out
paragraph (1), the administering authority may apply any of
the countervailable subsidy rates or dumping margins
specified under that paragraph, including the highest such
rate or margin, based on the evaluation by the administering
authority of the situation that resulted in the administering
authority using an adverse inference in selecting among the
facts otherwise available.
``(3) No obligation to make certain estimates or address
certain claims.--If the administering authority uses an
adverse inference under subsection (b)(1)(A) in selecting
among the facts otherwise available, the administering
authority is not required, for purposes of subsection (c) or
for any other purpose--
``(A) to estimate what the countervailable subsidy rate or
dumping margin would have been if the interested party found
to have failed to cooperate under subsection (b)(1) had
cooperated, or
``(B) to demonstrate that the countervailable subsidy rate
or dumping margin used by the administering authority
reflects an alleged commercial reality of the interested
party.''.
SEC. 503. DEFINITION OF MATERIAL INJURY.
(a) Effect of Profitability of Domestic Industries.--
Section 771(7) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677(7))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(J) Effect of profitability.--The Commission may not
determine that there is no material
[[Page H4672]]
injury or threat of material injury to an industry in the
United States merely because that industry is profitable or
because the performance of that industry has recently
improved.''.
(b) Evaluation of Impact on Domestic Industry in
Determination of Material Injury.--Subclause (I) of section
771(7)(C)(iii) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1677(7)(C)(iii)) is amended to read as follows:
``(I) actual and potential decline in output, sales, market
share, gross profits, operating profits, net profits, ability
to service debt, productivity, return on investments, return
on assets, and utilization of capacity,''.
(c) Captive Production.--Section 771(7)(C)(iv) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677(7)(C)(iv)) is amended--
(1) in subclause (I), by striking the comma and inserting
``, and'';
(2) in subclause (II), by striking ``, and'' and inserting
a comma; and
(3) by striking subclause (III).
SEC. 504. PARTICULAR MARKET SITUATION.
(a) Definition of Ordinary Course of Trade.--Section
771(15) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677(15)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Situations in which the administering authority
determines that the particular market situation prevents a
proper comparison with the export price or constructed export
price.''.
(b) Definition of Normal Value.--Section
773(a)(1)(B)(ii)(III) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1677b(a)(1)(B)(ii)(III)) is amended by striking ``in such
other country.''.
(c) Definition of Constructed Value.--Section 773(e) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677b(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``business'' and
inserting ``trade''; and
(2) by striking the flush text at the end and inserting the
following:
``For purposes of paragraph (1), if a particular market
situation exists such that the cost of materials and
fabrication or other processing of any kind does not
accurately reflect the cost of production in the ordinary
course of trade, the administering authority may use another
calculation methodology under this subtitle or any other
calculation methodology. For purposes of paragraph (1), the
cost of materials shall be determined without regard to any
internal tax in the exporting country imposed on such
materials or their disposition that is remitted or refunded
upon exportation of the subject merchandise produced from
such materials.''.
SEC. 505. DISTORTION OF PRICES OR COSTS.
(a) Investigation of Below-cost Sales.--Section 773(b)(2)
of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677b(b)(2)) is amended
by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
``(A) Reasonable grounds to believe or suspect.--
``(i) Review.--In a review conducted under section 751
involving a specific exporter, there are reasonable grounds
to believe or suspect that sales of the foreign like product
have been made at prices that are less than the cost of
production of the product if the administering authority
disregarded some or all of the exporter's sales pursuant to
paragraph (1) in the investigation or, if a review has been
completed, in the most recently completed review.
``(ii) Requests for information.--In an investigation
initiated under section 732 or a review conducted under
section 751, the administering authority shall request
information necessary to calculate the constructed value and
cost of production under subsections (e) and (f) to determine
whether there are reasonable grounds to believe or suspect
that sales of the foreign like product have been made at
prices that represent less than the cost of production of the
product.''.
(b) Prices and Costs in Nonmarket Economies.--Section
773(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677b(c)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Discretion to disregard certain price or cost
values.--In valuing the factors of production under paragraph
(1) for the subject merchandise, the administering authority
may disregard price or cost values without further
investigation if the administering authority has determined
that broadly available export subsidies existed or particular
instances of subsidization occurred with respect to those
price or cost values or if those price or cost values were
subject to an antidumping order.''.
SEC. 506. REDUCTION IN BURDEN ON DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE BY
REDUCING THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY RESPONDENTS.
Section 782(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1677m(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and by moving
such clauses, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right;
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and by moving such
subparagraphs, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the right;
(3) by striking ``Investigations and Reviews.--In'' and
inserting the following: ``Investigations and Reviews.--
``(1) In general.--In'';
(4) in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (3), by
amending subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph (2),
to read as follows:
``(B) the number of exporters or producers subject to the
investigation or review is not so large that any additional
individual examination of such exporters or producers would
be unduly burdensome to the administering authority and
inhibit the timely completion of the investigation or
review.''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Determination of unduly burdensome.--In determining
if an individual examination under paragraph (1)(B) would be
unduly burdensome, the administering authority may consider
the following:
``(A) The complexity of the issues or information presented
in the proceeding, including questionnaires and any responses
thereto.
``(B) Any prior experience of the administering authority
in the same or similar proceeding.
``(C) The total number of investigations under subtitle A
or B and reviews under section 751 being conducted by the
administering authority as of the date of the determination.
``(D) Such other factors relating to the timely completion
of each such investigation and review as the administering
authority considers appropriate.''.
SEC. 507. APPLICATION TO CANADA AND MEXICO.
Pursuant to article 1902 of the North American Free Trade
Agreement and section 408 of the North American Free Trade
Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3438), the amendments
made by this title shall apply with respect to goods from
Canada and Mexico.
TITLE VI--TARIFF CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN ARTICLES
SEC. 601. TARIFF CLASSIFICATION OF RECREATIONAL PERFORMANCE
OUTERWEAR.
(a) Amendments to Additional U.S. Notes.--The Additional
U.S. Notes to chapter 62 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States are amended--
(1) in Additional U.S. Note 2--
(A) by striking ``For the purposes of subheadings'' and all
that follows through ``6211.20.15'' and inserting ``For
purposes of this chapter'';
(B) by striking ``garments classifiable in those
subheadings'' and inserting ``a garment''; and
(C) by striking ``D 3600-81'' and inserting ``D 3779-81'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new notes:
``(c) For purposes of this chapter, the term `recreational
performance outerwear' means trousers (including, but not
limited to, paddling pants, ski or snowboard pants, and ski
or snowboard pants intended for sale as parts of ski-suits),
coveralls and bib overalls, and jackets (including, but not
limited to, full zip jackets, paddling jackets, ski jackets,
and ski jackets intended for sale as parts of ski-suits),
windbreakers, and similar articles (including padded,
sleeveless jackets) composed of fabrics of cotton, wool,
hemp, bamboo, silk, or manmade fiber, or a combination of
such fibers, that are either water resistant or treated with
plastics, or both, with critically sealed seams, and with
five or more of the following features:
``(1) Insulation for cold weather protection.
``(2) Pockets, at least one of which has a zippered, hook
and loop, or other type of closure.
``(3) Elastic, drawcord, or other means of tightening
around the waist or leg hems, including hidden leg sleeves
with a means of tightening at the ankle for trousers and
tightening around the waist or bottom hem for jackets.
``(4) Venting, not including grommet(s).
``(5) Articulated elbows or knees.
``(6) Reinforcement in one of the following areas: the
elbows, shoulders, seat, knees, ankles, or cuffs.
``(7) Weatherproof closure at the waist or front.
``(8) Multi-adjustable hood or adjustable collar.
``(9) Adjustable powder skirt, inner protective skirt, or
adjustable inner protective cuff at sleeve hem.
``(10) Construction at the arm gusset that utilizes fabric,
design, or patterning to allow radial arm movement.
``(11) Odor control technology.
The term `recreational performance outerwear' does not
include occupational outerwear.
``(d) For purposes of this Note, the following terms have
the following meanings:
``(1) The term `treated with plastics' refers to textile
fabrics impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated with
plastics, as described in Note 2 to chapter 59.
``(2) The term `sealed seams' means seams that have been
covered by means of taping, gluing, bonding, cementing,
fusing, welding, or a similar process so that water cannot
pass through the seams when tested in accordance with the
current version of AATCC Test Method 35.
``(3) The term `critically sealed seams' means--
``(A) for jackets, windbreakers, and similar articles
(including padded, sleeveless jackets), sealed seams that are
sealed at the front and back yokes, or at the shoulders, arm
holes, or both, where applicable; and
``(B) for trousers, overalls and bib overalls and similar
articles, sealed seams that are sealed at the front (up to
the zipper or other means of closure) and back rise.
``(4) The term `insulation for cold weather protection'
means insulation with either synthetic fill, down, a
laminated thermal backing, or other lining for thermal
protection from cold weather.
``(5) The term `venting' refers to closeable or permanent
constructed openings in a garment (excluding front, primary
zipper closures and grommet(s)) to allow increased expulsion
of built-up heat during outdoor activities. In a jacket, such
openings are often positioned on the underarm seam of a
garment but may also be placed along other seams in the front
or back of a garment. In trousers, such openings are often
positioned on the inner or outer leg seams of a garment but
may also be placed along other seams in the front or back of
a garment.
``(6) The term `articulated elbows or knees' refers to the
construction of a sleeve (or pant leg) to allow improved
mobility at the elbow (or knee) through the use of extra
seams, darts, gussets, or other means.
``(7) The term `reinforcement' refers to the use of a
double layer of fabric or section(s) of fabric that is
abrasion-resistant or otherwise more durable than the face
fabric of the garment.
[[Page H4673]]
``(8) The term `weatherproof closure' means a closure
(including, but not limited to, laminated or coated zippers,
storm flaps, or other weatherproof construction) that has
been reinforced or engineered in a manner to reduce the
penetration or absorption of moisture or air through an
opening in the garment.
``(9) The term `multi-adjustable hood or adjustable collar'
means, in the case of a hood, a hood into which is
incorporated two or more draw cords, adjustment tabs, or
elastics, or, in the case of a collar, a collar into which is
incorporated at least one draw cord, adjustment tab, elastic,
or similar component, to allow volume adjustments around a
helmet, or the crown of the head, neck, or face.
``(10) The terms `adjustable powder skirt' and `inner
protective skirt' refer to a partial lower inner lining with
means of tightening around the waist for additional
protection from the elements.
``(11) The term `arm gusset' means construction at the arm
of a gusset that utilizes an extra fabric piece in the
underarm, usually diamond- or triangular-shaped, designed, or
patterned to allow radial arm movement.
``(12) The term `radial arm movement' refers to
unrestricted, 180-degree range of motion for the arm while
wearing performance outerwear.
``(13) The term `odor control technology' means the
incorporation into a fabric or garment of materials,
including, but not limited to, activated carbon, silver,
copper, or any combination thereof, capable of adsorbing,
absorbing, or reacting with human odors, or effective in
reducing the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
``(14) The term `occupational outerwear' means outerwear
garments, including uniforms, designed or marketed for use in
the workplace or at a worksite to provide durable protection
from cold or inclement weather and/or workplace hazards, such
as fire, electrical, abrasion, or chemical hazards, or
impacts, cuts, punctures, or similar hazards.
``(e) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(i) of this Note, for
purposes of this chapter, Notes 1 and 2(a)(1) to chapter 59
and Note 1(c) to chapter 60 shall be disregarded in
classifying goods as `recreational performance outerwear'.
``(f) For purposes of this chapter, the importer of record
shall maintain internal import records that specify upon
entry whether garments claimed as recreational performance
outerwear have an outer surface that is water resistant,
treated with plastics, or a combination thereof, and shall
further enumerate the specific features that make the
garments eligible to be classified as recreational
performance outerwear.''.
(b) Tariff Classifications.--Chapter 62 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended as follows:
(1) By striking subheading 6201.11.00 and inserting the
following, with the article description for subheading
6201.11 having the same degree of indentation as the article
description for subheading 6201.11.00 (as in effect on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6201.11 Of wool or fine .................. .................. .......................
animal hair:
6201.11.05 Recreational 41 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 52.9 cents/kg + 58.5%
performance 16.3% CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear...... MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
16.4 cents/kg +
6.5% (OM)
6201.11.10 Other........... 41 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 52.9 cents/kg + 58.5% ''
16.3% CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
16.4 cents/kg +
6.5% (OM)
(2) By striking subheadings 6201.12.10 and 6201.12.20 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6201.12.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6201.12.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6201.12.05 Recreational 9.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.12.10 Containing 15 4.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
percent or more CO, IL, JO, KR,
by weight of MA, MX, OM, P,
down and PA, PE, SG)
waterfowl 3.9% (AU)
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down.
6201.12.20 Other........... 9.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
(3) By striking subheadings 6201.13.10 through 6201.13.40
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6201.13.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6201.13.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6201.13.05 Recreational 27.7% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear........ MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
[[Page H4674]]
6201.13.10 Containing 15 4.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
percent or more CO, IL, JO, KR,
by weight of MA, MX, OM, P,
down and PA, PE, SG)
waterfowl 3.9% (AU)
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.13.30 Containing 36 49.7 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 52.9 cents/kg + 58.5%
percent or 19.7% CO, IL, JO, KR,
more by weight MA, MX, OM, P,
of wool or PA, PE, SG)
fine animal 8% (AU)
hair
6201.13.40 Other 27.7% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
(4) By striking subheadings 6201.19.10 and 6201.19.90 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6201.19.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6201.19.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6201.19.05 Recreational 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35%
performance CL, CO, E*, IL,
outerwear......... JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6201.19.10 Containing 70 Free ................... 35%
percent or more
by weight of
silk or silk
waste
6201.19.90 Other 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35% ''
CL, CO, E*, IL, .
JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
(5) By striking subheadings 6201.91.10 and 6201.91.20 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6201.91.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6201.91.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6201.91.05 Recreational 49.7 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
performance 19.7% CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear........ MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
19.8 cents/kg +
7.8% (OM)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.91.10 Padded, 8.5% Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
sleeveless CO, IL, JO, KR,
jackets MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
7.6% (AU)
3.4% (OM)
6201.91.20 Other 49.7 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 52.9 cents/kg + 58.5% ''
19.7% CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
19.8 cents/kg +
7.8% (OM)
(6) By striking subheadings 6201.92.10 through 6201.92.20
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6201.92.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6201.92.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
[[Page H4675]]
`` 6201.92.05 Recreational 9.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear........ MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.92.10 Containing 15 4.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
percent or more CO, IL, JO, KR,
by weight of MA, MX, OM, P,
down and PA, PE, SG)
waterfowl 3.9% (AU)
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.92.15 Water resistant 6.2% Free (BH, CA, CL, 37.5%
CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
5.5% (AU)
6201.92.20 Other 9.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
(7) By striking subheadings 6201.93.10 through 6201.93.35
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6201.93.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6201.93.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6201.93.05 Recreational 27.7% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear........ MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.93.10 Containing 15 4.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
percent or more CO, IL, JO, KR,
by weight of MA, MX, OM, P,
down and PA, PE, SG)
waterfowl 3.9% (AU)
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.93.20 Padded, 14.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
sleeveless CO, IL, JO, KR,
jackets MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.93.25 Containing 36 49.5 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 52.9 cents/kg + 58.5%
percent or 19.6% CO, IL, JO, KR,
more by MA, MX, OM, P,
weight of PA, PE, SG)
wool or fine 8% (AU)
animal hair
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6201.93.30 Water 7.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 65%
resistant CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
6.3% (AU)
[[Page H4676]]
6201.93.35 Other 27.7% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
(8) By striking subheadings 6201.99.10 and 6201.99.90 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6201.99.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6201.99.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6201.99.05 Recreational 4.2% Free (BH, CA, CL, 35%
performance CO, E*, IL, JO,
outerwear......... KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
3.7% (AU)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6201.99.10 Containing 70 Free ................... 35%
percent or more
by weight of
silk or silk
waste
6201.99.90 Other 4.2% Free (BH, CA, CL, 35% ''
CO, E*, IL, JO, .
KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
3.7% (AU)
(9) By striking subheading 6202.11.00 and inserting the
following, with the article description for subheading
6202.11 having the same degree of indentation as the article
description for subheading 6202.11.00 (as in effect on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6202.11 Of wool or fine .................. .................. .......................
animal hair:
6202.11.05 Recreational 41 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 46.3 cents/kg + 58.5%
performance 16.3% CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
16.4 cents/kg +
6.5% (OM)
6202.11.10 Other 41 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 46.3 cents/kg + 58.5% ''
16.3% CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
16.4 cents/kg +
6.5% (OM)
(10) By striking subheadings 6202.12.10 and 6202.12.20 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6202.12.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6202.12.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6202.12.05 Recreational 8.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear......... MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6202.12.10 Containing 15 4.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
percent or more CO, IL, JO, KR,
by weight of MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
down and PE, SG)
waterfowl 3.9% (AU)
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
6202.12.20 Other 8.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
(11) By striking subheadings 6202.13.10 through 6202.13.40
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6202.13.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6202.13.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
[[Page H4677]]
`` 6202.13.05 Recreational 27.7% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear........ MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6202.13.10 Containing 15 4.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
percent or more CO, IL, JO, KR,
by weight of MA, MX, OM, P,
down and PA, PE, SG)
waterfowl 3.9% (AU)
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6202.13.30 Containing 36 43.5 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 46.3 cents/kg + 58.5%
percent or 19.7% CO, IL, JO, KR,
more by weight MA, MX, OM, P,
of wool or PA, PE, SG)
fine animal 8% (AU)
hair
6202.13.40 Other 27.7% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
(12) By striking subheadings 6202.19.10 and 6202.19.90 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6202.19.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6202.19.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6202.19.05 Recreational 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35%
performance CL, CO, E*, IL,
outerwear......... JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6202.19.10 Containing 70 Free ................... 35%
percent or more
by weight or
silk or silk
waste
6202.19.90 Other 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35% ''
CL, CO, E*, IL, .
JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
(13) By striking subheadings 6202.91.10 and 6202.91.20 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6202.91.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6202.91.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6202.91.05 Recreational 36 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
performance 16.3% CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear........ MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
14.4 cents/kg +
6.5% (OM)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6202.91.10 Padded, 14% Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
sleeveless CO, IL, JO, KR,
jackets MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
5.6% (OM)
6202.91.20 Other 36 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 46.3 cents/kg + 58.5% ''
16.3% CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
14.4 cents/kg +
6.5% (OM)
[[Page H4678]]
(14) By striking subheadings 6202.92.10 through 6202.92.20
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6202.92.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6202.92.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6202.92.05 Recreational 8.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6202.92.10 Containing 15 4.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
percent or more CO, IL, JO, KR,
by weight of MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
down and PE, SG)
waterfowl 3.9% (AU)
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6202.92.15 Water resistant 6.2% Free (BH, CA, CL, 37.5%
CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
5.5% (AU)
6202.92.20 Other 8.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
(15) By striking subheadings 6202.93.10 through 6202.93.50
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6202.93.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6202.93.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6202.93.05 Recreational 27.7% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6202.93.10 Containing 15 4.4% Free (BH, CA, CL, 60%
percent or more CO, IL, JO, KR,
by weight of MA, MX, OM, P,
down and PA, PE, SG)
waterfowl 3.9% (AU)
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6202.93.20 Padded, 14.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
sleeveless CO, IL, JO, KR,
jackets MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6202.93.40 Containing 36 43.4 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 46.3 cents/kg + 58.5%
percent or 19.7% CO, IL, JO, KR,
more by MA, MX, OM, P,
weight of PA, PE, SG)
wool or fine 8% (AU)
animal hair
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6202.93.45 Water 7.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 65%
resistant CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
6.3% (AU)
[[Page H4679]]
6202.93.50 Other 27.7% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
(16) By striking subheadings 6202.99.10 and 6202.99.90 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6202.99.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6202.99.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6202.99.05 Recreational 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35%
performance CL, CO, E*, IL,
outerwear JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6202.99.10 Containing 70 Free ................... 35%
percent or more
by weight of
silk or silk
waste
6202.99.90 Other 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35% ''
CL, CO, E*, IL, .
JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
(17) By striking subheadings 6203.41 and 6203.41.05, and
the superior text to subheading 6203.41.05, and inserting the
following, with the article description for subheading
6203.41 having the same degree of indentation as the article
description for subheading 6203.41 (as in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6203.41 Of wool or fine .................. .................. .......................
animal hair:
6203.41.05 Recreational 41.9 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 52.9 cents/kg + 58.5%
performance 16.3% CO,IL, JO,KR,
outerwear MA,MX, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
16.7 cents/kg +
6.5% (OM)
............... Trousers, .................. .................. .......................
breeches and
shorts:
6203.41.10 Trousers and 7.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 52.9 cents/kg + 58.5% ''
breeches, CO, IL, JO, KR, .
containing MA, MX, P, PA,
elastomeric PE, SG)
fiber, water 6.8% (AU)
resistant, 3% (OM)
without belt
loops,
weighing more
than 9 kg per
dozen
(18) By striking subheadings 6203.42.10 through 6203.42.40
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6203.42.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6203.42.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
[[Page H4680]]
`` 6203.42.05 Recreational 16.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, MA,
outerwear MX, OM, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
11.6% (KR)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6203.42.10 Containing 15 Free ................... 60%
percent or more
by weight of
down and
waterfowl
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6203.42.20 Bib and brace 10.3% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
overalls CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
6203.42.40 Other 16.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, MA, .
MX, OM, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
11.6% (KR)
(19) By striking subheadings 6203.43.10 through 6203.43.40
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6203.43.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6203.43.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6203.43.05 Recreational 27.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, MA,
outerwear MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
11.1% (KR)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6203.43.10 Containing 15 Free .................. 60%
percent or more
by weight of
down and
waterfowl
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
............... Bib and brace .................. .................. .......................
overalls:
6203.43.15 Water 7.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 65%
resistant CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
6.3% (AU)
6203.43.20 Other 14.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6203.43.25 Certified hand- 12.2% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
loomed and CO, IL, JO, KR,
folklore MA, MX, OM, P,
products PA, PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
6203.43.30 Containing 36 49.6 cents/kg + Free (BH, CA, CL, 52.9 cents/kg + 58.5%
percent or 19.7% CO, IL, JO, KR,
more by MA, MX, OM, P,
weight of PA, PE, SG)
wool or fine 8% (AU)
animal hair
............... Other: .................. .................. .......................
[[Page H4681]]
6203.43.35 Water 7.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 65%
resistant CO, IL, JO, MA,
trousers or MX, OM, P, PA,
breeches PE, SG)
6.3% (AU)
2.8% (KR)
6203.43.40 Other 27.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, MA, .
MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
11.1% (KR)
(20) By striking subheadings 6203.49 through 6203.49.80 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6203.49 having the same degree of indentation as
the article description for subheading 6203.49 (as in effect
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6203.49 Of other textile ................... ................... ...................
materials:
6203.49.05 Recreational 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35%
performance CL, CO, E*, IL,
outerwear JO, MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
1.1% (KR)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
............... Of artificial ................... ................... ...................
fibers:
6203.49.10 Bib and brace 8.5% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
overalls CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
7.6% (AU)
............... Trousers, ................... ................... ...................
breeches and
shorts:
6203.49.15 Certified hand- 12.2% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
loomed and CO, IL, JO, KR,
folklore MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
products PE, SG)
8% (AU)
6203.49.20 Other 27.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
6203.49.40 Containing 70 Free ................... 35%
percent or more
by weight of
silk or silk
waste
6203.49.80 Other 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35% ''
CL, CO, E*, IL, .
JO, MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
1.1% (KR)
(21) By striking subheadings 6204.61.10 and 6204.61.90 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6204.61.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6204.61.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
[[Page H4682]]
`` 6204.61.05 Recreational 13.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear MA, MX, P, PA, PE,
SG)
5.4% (OM)
8% (AU)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6204.61.10 Trousers and 7.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
breeches, CO, IL, JO, KR,
containing MA, MX, P, PA, PE,
elastomeric SG)
fiber, water 3% (OM)
resistant, 6.8% (AU)
without belt
loops, weighing
more than 6 kg
per dozen
6204.61.90 Other 13.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, P, PA, PE,
SG)
5.4% (OM)
8% (AU)
(22) By striking subheadings 6204.62.10 through 6204.62.40
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6204.62.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6204.62.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6204.62.05 Recreational 16.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, MA,
outerwear MX, OM, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
11.6% (KR)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6204.62.10 Containing 15 Free ................... 60%
percent or more
by weight of
down and
waterfowl
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6204.62.20 Bib and brace 8.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
overalls CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6204.62.30 Certified hand- 7.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 37.5%
loomed and CO, E, IL, JO, KR,
folklore MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
products PE, SG)
6.3% (AU)
6204.62.40 Other 16.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, MA, .
MX, OM, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
11.6% (KR)
(23) By striking subheadings 6204.63.10 through 6204.63.35
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6204.63.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6204.63.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
[[Page H4683]]
`` 6204.63.05 Recreational 28.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, MA,
outerwear MX, OM, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
11.4% (KR)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6204.63.10 Containing 15 Free ................... 60%
percent or more
by weight of
down and
waterfowl
plumage and of
which down
comprises 35
percent or more
by weight;
containing 10
percent or more
by weight of
down
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
............... Bib and brace ................... ................... ...................
overalls:
6204.63.12 Water resistant 7.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 65%
CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
6.3% (AU)
6204.63.15 Other 14.9% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
6204.63.20 Certified hand- 11.3% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
loomed and CO, E, IL, JO, KR,
folklore MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
products PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6204.63.25 Containing 36 13.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
percent or CO, IL, JO, KR,
more by weight MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
of wool or PE, SG)
fine animal 8% (AU)
hair
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6204.63.30 Water 7.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 65%
resistant CO, IL, JO, KR,
trousers or MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
breeches PE, SG)
6.3% (AU)
6204.63.35 Other 28.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, MA, .
MX, OM, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
11.4% (KR)
(24) By striking subheadings 6204.69 through 6204.69.90 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6204.69 having the same degree of indentation as
the article description for subheading 6204.69 (as in effect
on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6204.69 Of other textile ................... ................... ...................
materials:
6204.69.05 Recreational 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35%
performance CL, CO, E*, IL,
outerwear JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
............... Of artificial ................... ................... ...................
fibers:
6204.69.10 Bib and brace 13.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 76%
overalls CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
[[Page H4684]]
............... Trousers, ................... ................... ...................
breeches and
shorts:
6204.69.20 Containing 36 13.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
percent or CO, IL, JO, KR,
more by MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
weight of PE, SG)
wool or fine 8% (AU)
animal hair
6204.69.25 Other 28.6% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
8% (AU)
............... Of silk or silk ................... ................... ...................
waste:
6204.69.40 Containing 70 1.1% Free (AU, BH, CA, 65%
percent or CL, CO, E, IL, J,
more by weight JO, KR, MA, MX,
of silk or OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
silk waste
6204.69.60 Other 7.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 65%
CO, E*, IL, JO,
KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
6.3% (AU)
6204.69.90 Other 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35% ''
CL, CO, E*, IL, .
JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
(25) By striking subheadings 6210.40.30 and 6210.40.50 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6210.40.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6210.40.30 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
`` 6210.40.05 Recreational 7.1% Free (AU, BH, CA, 65%
performance CL, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear MA, MX, OM, P, PE,
SG)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6210.40.30 Having an outer 3.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 65%
surface CL, IL, JO, KR,
impregnated, MA, MX, OM, P, PE,
coated, covered SG)
or laminated
with rubber or
plastics
material which
completely
obscures the
underlying
fabric
6210.40.50 Other 7.1% Free (AU, BH, CA, 65% ''
CL, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P, PE,
SG)
(26) By striking subheadings 6210.50.30 and 6210.50.50 and
inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6210.50.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6210.50.30 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
[[Page H4685]]
`` 6210.50.05 Recreational 7.1% Free (AU, BH, CA, 65%
performance CL, CO, IL, JO,
outerwear KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
PE, SG)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6210.50.30 Having an outer 3.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 65%
surface impreg- CL, CO, IL, JO,
nated, coated, KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
covered or PE, SG)
laminated with
rubber or
plastics
material which
completely
obscures the
underlying
fabric
6210.50.50 Other 7.1% Free (AU, BH, CA, 65% ''
CL, CO, IL, JO, .
KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
PE, SG)
(27) By striking subheading 6211.32.00 and inserting the
following, with the article description for subheading
6211.32 having the same degree of indentation as the article
description for subheading 6211.32.00 (as in effect on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6211.32 Of cotton: ................... ................... ...................
6211.32.05 Recreational 8.1% Free (AU, BH, CA, 90%
performance CL, CO, IL, JO,
outerwear KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
6211.32.10 Other 8.1% Free (AU, BH, CA, 90% ''
CL, CO, IL, JO, .
KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
PA, PE, SG)
(28) By striking subheading 6211.33.00 and inserting the
following, with the article description for subheading
6211.33 having the same degree of indentation as the article
description for subheading 6211.33.00 (as in effect on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6211.33 Of man-made fibers: ................... ................... ...................
6211.33.05 Recreational 16% Free (AU, BH, CA, 76%
performance CL, CO, IL, JO,
outerwear KR, MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
6.4% (OM)
6211.33.10 Other 16% Free (AU, BH, CA, 76% ''
CL, CO, IL, JO, .
KR, MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
6.4% (OM)
(29) By striking subheadings 6211.39.05 through 6211.39.90
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6211.39.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6211.39.05 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
[[Page H4686]]
`` 6211.39.05 Recreational 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35%
performance CL, CO, E*, IL,
outerwear JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6211.39.10 Of wool or fine 12% Free (AU, BH, CA, 58.5%
animal hair CL, CO, IL, JO,
KR, MA, MX, P, PA,
PE, SG)
4.8% (OM)
6211.39.20 Containing 70 0.5% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35%
percent or more CL, CO, E, IL, JO,
by weight of KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
silk or silk PA, PE, SG)
waste
6211.39.90 Other 2.8% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35% ''
CL, CO, E*, IL, .
JO, KR, MA, MX,
OM, P, PA, PE, SG)
(30) By striking subheading 6211.42.00 and inserting the
following, with the article description for subheading
6211.42 having the same degree of indentation as the article
description for subheading 6211.42.00 (as in effect on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6211.42 Of cotton: ................... ................... ...................
6211.42.05 Recreational 8.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
7.2% (AU)
6211.42.10 Other 8.1% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, OM, P, PA,
PE, SG)
7.2% (AU)
(31) By striking subheading 6211.43.00 and inserting the
following, with the article description for subheading
6211.43 having the same degree of indentation as the article
description for subheading 6211.43.00 (as in effect on the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act):
`` 6211.43 Of man-made fibers: ................... ................... ...................
6211.43.05 Recreational 16% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90%
performance CO, IL, JO, KR,
outerwear MA, MX, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
6.4% (OM)
6211.43.10 Other 16% Free (BH, CA, CL, 90% ''
CO, IL, JO, KR, .
MA, MX, P, PA, PE,
SG)
8% (AU)
6.4% (OM)
(32) By striking subheadings 6211.49.10 through 6211.49.90
and inserting the following, with the article description for
subheading 6211.49.05 having the same degree of indentation
as the article description for subheading 6211.49.10 (as in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act):
[[Page H4687]]
`` 6211.49.05 Recreational 7.3% Free (BH, CA, CL, 35%
performance CO, E, IL, JO, MA,
outerwear MX, OM, P, PA, PE,
SG)
6.5% (AU)
2.9% (KR)
............... Other: ................... ................... ...................
6211.49.10 Containing 70 1.2% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35%
percent or more CL, CO, E, IL, JO,
by weight of KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
silk or silk PA, PE, SG)
waste
6211.49.41 Of wool or fine 12% Free (BH, CA, CL, 58.5%
animal hair CO, IL, JO, KR,
MA, MX, P, PA, PE,
SG)
4.8% (OM)
8% (AU)
6211.49.90 Other 7.3% Free (BH, CA, CL, 35% ''
CO, E, IL, JO, MA, .
MX, OM, P, PA, PE,
SG)
6.5% (AU)
2.9% (KR)
(c) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made
by this section shall--
(1) take effect on the 180th day after the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(2) apply to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse
for consumption, on or after such 180th day.
SEC. 602. DUTY TREATMENT OF PROTECTIVE ACTIVE FOOTWEAR.
(a) Definition of Protective Active Footwear.--The
Additional U.S. Notes to chapter 64 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States are amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(f) For the purposes of subheadings 6402.91.42 and
6402.99.32, the term `protective active footwear' means
footwear (other than footwear described in Subheading Note 1)
that is designed for outdoor activities, such as hiking
shoes, trekking shoes, running shoes, and trail running
shoes, the foregoing valued over $24/pair and which provides
protection against water that is imparted by the use of a
coated or laminated textile fabric.''.
(b) Duty Treatment for Protective Active Footwear.--Chapter
64 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is
amended as follows:
(1) By inserting after subheading 6402.91.40 the following
new subheading, with the article description for subheading
6402.91.42 having the same degree of indentation as the
article description for subheading 6402.91.40:
`` 6402.91.42 Protective active 20% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35% ''
footwear (except CL, D, E, IL, JO, .
footwear with KR, MA, MX, OM, P,
waterproof molded PA, PE, R, SG)
bottoms, including
bottoms comprising
an outer sole and
all or part of the
upper and except
footwear with
insulation that
provides
protection against
cold weather),
whose height from
the bottom of the
outer sole to the
top of the upper
does not exceed
15.34 cm
(2) By inserting immediately preceding subheading
6402.99.33 the following new subheading, with the article
description for subheading 6402.99.32 having the same degree
of indentation as the article description for subheading
6402.99.33:
`` 6402.99.32 Protective active 20% Free (AU, BH, CA, 35% ''
footwear.......... CL, D, IL, JO, MA, .
MX, P)
1% (PA)
6% (OM)
6% (PE)
12% (CO)
20% (KR)
(c) Staged Rate Reductions.--The staged reductions in
special rates of duty proclaimed for subheading 6402.99.90 of
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States before
the date of the enactment of this Act shall be applied to
subheading 6402.99.32 of such Schedule, as added by
subsection (b)(2), beginning in calendar year 2016.
(d) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made
by this section shall--
(1) take effect on the 15th day after the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(2) apply to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse
for consumption, on or after such 15th day.
TITLE VII--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. REPORT ON CONTRIBUTION OF TRADE PREFERENCE PROGRAMS
TO REDUCING POVERTY AND ELIMINATING HUNGER.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the President shall submit to Congress a report
assessing the contribution of the trade preference programs
of the United States, including the Generalized System of
Preferences under title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2461 et seq.), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19
U.S.C. 3701 et seq.), and the Caribbean Basin Economic
Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), to the reduction of
poverty and the elimination of hunger.
TITLE VIII--OFFSETS
SEC. 801. CUSTOMS USER FEES EXTENSION.
(a) In General.--Section 13031(j)(3)(A) of the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C.
58c(j)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2024''
and inserting ``July 7, 2025''.
(b) Rate for Merchandise Processing Fees.--Section 503 of
the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation
Act (Public Law 112-41; 125 Stat. 460) is amended by striking
``June 30, 2021'' and inserting ``June 30, 2025''.
SEC. 802. ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS USER FEES EXTENSION.
(a) In General.--Section 13031(j)(3) of the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C.
58c(j)(3)) is amended--
[[Page H4688]]
(1) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``September 30,
2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Fees may be charged under paragraphs (9) and (10) of
subsection (a) during the period beginning on July 29, 2025,
and ending on September 30, 2025.''.
(b) Rate for Merchandise Processing Fees.--Section 503 of
the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation
Act (Public Law 112-41; 125 Stat. 460) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(c) Further Additional Period.--For the period beginning
on July 15, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2025, section
13031(a)(9) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c(a)(9)) shall be applied and
administered--
``(1) in subparagraph (A), by substituting `0.3464' for
`0.21'; and
``(2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by substituting `0.3464' for
`0.21'.''.
SEC. 803. TIME FOR PAYMENT OF CORPORATE ESTIMATED TAXES.
Notwithstanding section 6655 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, in the case of a corporation with assets of not less
than $1,000,000,000 (determined as of the end of the
preceding taxable year)--
(1) the amount of any required installment of corporate
estimated tax which is otherwise due in July, August, or
September of 2020 shall be increased by 8 percent of such
amount (determined without regard to any increase in such
amount not contained in such Code); and
(2) the amount of the next required installment after an
installment referred to in paragraph (1) shall be
appropriately reduced to reflect the amount of the increase
by reason of such paragraph.
SEC. 804. PAYEE STATEMENT REQUIRED TO CLAIM CERTAIN EDUCATION
TAX BENEFITS.
(a) American Opportunity Credit, Hope Scholarship Credit,
and Lifetime Learning Credit.--
(1) In general.--Section 25A(g) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(8) Payee statement requirement.--Except as otherwise
provided by the Secretary, no credit shall be allowed under
this section unless the taxpayer receives a statement
furnished under section 6050S(d) which contains all of the
information required by paragraph (2) thereof.''.
(2) Statement received by dependent.--Section 25A(g)(3) of
such Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (B) and inserting ``, and'', and by adding at
the end the following:
``(C) a statement described in paragraph (8) and received
by such individual shall be treated as received by the
taxpayer.''.
(b) Deduction for Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses.--
Section 222(d) of such Code is amended by redesignating
paragraph (6) as paragraph (7), and by inserting after
paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:
``(6) Payee statement requirement.--
``(A) In general.--Except as otherwise provided by the
Secretary, no deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a)
unless the taxpayer receives a statement furnished under
section 6050S(d) which contains all of the information
required by paragraph (2) thereof.
``(B) Statement received by dependent.--The receipt of the
statement referred to in subparagraph (A) by an individual
described in subsection (c)(3) shall be treated for purposes
of subparagraph (A) as received by the taxpayer.''.
(c) Information Required To Be Provided on Payee
Statement.--Section 6050S(d)(2) of such Code is amended to
read as follows:
``(2) the information required by subsection (b)(2).''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 805. SPECIAL RULE FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS UNABLE TO
COLLECT TINS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH RESPECT TO
HIGHER EDUCATION TUITION AND RELATED EXPENSES.
(a) In General.--Section 6724 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(f) Special Rule for Returns of Educational Institutions
Related to Higher Education Tuition and Related Expenses.--No
penalty shall be imposed under section 6721 or 6722 solely by
reason of failing to provide the TIN of an individual on a
return or statement required by section 6050S(a)(1) if the
eligible educational institution required to make such return
contemporaneously makes a true and accurate certification
under penalty of perjury (and in such form and manner as may
be prescribed by the Secretary) that it has complied with
standards promulgated by the Secretary for obtaining such
individual's TIN.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply to returns required to be made, and statements
required to be furnished, after December 31, 2015.
SEC. 806. PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FILE CORRECT INFORMATION
RETURNS AND PROVIDE PAYEE STATEMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 6721(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``$100'' and inserting ``$250''; and
(2) by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting
``$3,000,000''.
(b) Reduction Where Correction in Specified Period.--
(1) Correction within 30 days.--Section 6721(b)(1) of such
Code is amended--
(A) by striking ``$30'' and inserting ``$50'';
(B) by striking ``$100'' and inserting ``$250''; and
(C) by striking ``$250,000'' and inserting ``$500,000''.
(2) Failures corrected on or before august 1.--Section
6721(b)(2) of such Code is amended--
(A) by striking ``$60'' and inserting ``$100'';
(B) by striking ``$100'' (prior to amendment by
subparagraph (A)) and inserting ``$250''; and
(C) by striking ``$500,000'' and inserting ``$1,500,000''.
(c) Lower Limitation for Persons With Gross Receipts of Not
More Than $5,000,000.--Section 6721(d)(1) of such Code is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``$500,000'' and inserting ``$1,000,000'';
and
(B) by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting
``$3,000,000'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) by striking ``$75,000'' and inserting ``$175,000''; and
(B) by striking ``$250,000'' and inserting ``$500,000'';
and
(3) in subparagraph (C)--
(A) by striking ``$200,000'' and inserting ``$500,000'';
and
(B) by striking ``$500,000'' (prior to amendment by
subparagraph (A)) and inserting ``$1,500,000''.
(d) Penalty in Case of Intentional Disregard.--Section
6721(e) of such Code is amended--
(1) by striking ``$250'' in paragraph (2) and inserting
``$500''; and
(2) by striking ``$1,500,000'' in paragraph (3)(A) and
inserting ``$3,000,000''.
(e) Failure To Furnish Correct Payee Statements.--
(1) In general.--Section 6722(a)(1) of such Code is
amended--
(A) by striking ``$100'' and inserting ``$250''; and
(B) by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting
``$3,000,000''.
(2) Reduction where correction in specified period.--
(A) Correction within 30 days.--Section 6722(b)(1) of such
Code is amended--
(i) by striking ``$30'' and inserting ``$50'';
(ii) by striking ``$100'' and inserting ``$250''; and
(iii) by striking ``$250,000'' and inserting ``$500,000''.
(B) Failures corrected on or before august 1.--Section
6722(b)(2) of such Code is amended--
(i) by striking ``$60'' and inserting ``$100'';
(ii) by striking ``$100'' (prior to amendment by clause
(i)) and inserting ``$250''; and
(iii) by striking ``$500,000'' and inserting
``$1,500,000''.
(3) Lower limitation for persons with gross receipts of not
more than $5,000,000.--Section 6722(d)(1) of such Code is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``$500,000'' and inserting ``$1,000,000'';
and
(ii) by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting
``$3,000,000'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``$75,000'' and inserting ``$175,000''; and
(ii) by striking ``$250,000'' and inserting ``$500,000'';
and
(C) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking ``$200,000'' and inserting ``$500,000'';
and
(ii) by striking ``$500,000'' (prior to amendment by
subparagraph (A)) and inserting ``$1,500,000''.
(4) Penalty in case of intentional disregard.--Section
6722(e) of such Code is amended--
(A) by striking ``$250'' in paragraph (2) and inserting
``$500''; and
(B) by striking ``$1,500,000'' in paragraph (3)(A) and
inserting ``$3,000,000''.
(f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section
shall apply with respect to returns and statements required
to be filed after December 31, 2015.
SEC. 807. CHILD TAX CREDIT NOT REFUNDABLE FOR TAXPAYERS
ELECTING TO EXCLUDE FOREIGN EARNED INCOME FROM
TAX.
(a) In General.--Section 24(d) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(5) Exception for taxpayers excluding foreign earned
income.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any taxpayer for
any taxable year if such taxpayer elects to exclude any
amount from gross income under section 911 for such taxable
year.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section
shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
2014.
SEC. 808. COVERAGE AND PAYMENT FOR RENAL DIALYSIS SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY.
(a) Coverage.--Section 1861(s)(2)(F) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)(F)) is amended by inserting before
the semicolon the following: ``, including such renal
dialysis services furnished on or after January 1, 2017, by a
renal dialysis facility or provider of services paid under
section 1881(b)(14) to an individual with acute kidney injury
(as defined in section 1834(r)(2))''.
(b) Payment.--Section 1834 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(r) Payment for Renal Dialysis Services for Individuals
With Acute Kidney Injury.--
``(1) Payment rate.--In the case of renal dialysis services
(as defined in subparagraph (B) of section 1881(b)(14))
furnished under this part by a renal dialysis facility or
provider of services paid under such section during a year
(beginning with 2017) to an individual with acute kidney
injury (as defined in paragraph (2)), the amount of payment
under this part for such
[[Page H4689]]
services shall be the base rate for renal dialysis services
determined for such year under such section, as adjusted by
any applicable geographic adjustment factor applied under
subparagraph (D)(iv)(II) of such section and may be adjusted
by the Secretary (on a budget neutral basis for payments
under this paragraph) by any other adjustment factor under
subparagraph (D) of such section.
``(2) Individual with acute kidney injury defined.--In this
subsection, the term `individual with acute kidney injury'
means an individual who has acute loss of renal function and
does not receive renal dialysis services for which payment is
made under section 1881(b)(14).''.
Motion to Concur
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin moves that the House concur in the
Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate
amendment to H.R. 1295.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 338, the motion
shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means.
The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan) and the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Levin) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.
{time} 1100
General Leave
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material to H.R. 1295, the Trade
Preferences Extension Act of 2015, as amended, currently under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Washington (Mr. Reichert), a senior member
of the Committee on Ways and Means, the chairman of the Subcommittee on
Select Revenue Measures, who is the author of the Trade Adjustment
Assistance bill.
Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and
thank him for his leadership on this series of trade bills that we have
been considering for the last few weeks.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the preferences bill before
us. This bipartisan legislation renews both the Generalized System of
Preferences and the African Growth and Opportunity Act. GSP is an
important program, both to Washington State businesses and promoting
economic development across the globe.
Similarly, the renewal of AGOA is critical to further strengthening
our ties with Africa. The strong bipartisan vote this legislation
received weeks ago made clear there is strong support for these
programs in Congress and among the American people.
Also included in this legislation is a renewal of Trade Adjustment
Assistance, and I am proud, as Mr. Ryan said, to sponsor the House
legislation to renew TAA because there is a need for this program. I
believe increased trade is good for all Americans. It creates jobs and
it makes America stronger. But I also understand that as we create jobs
and trade, and our jobs change over the next few years, along the way
some workers may need extra assistance and additional training. That is
why TAA is so important.
Now, we have made great strides this past week by sending TPA to the
President's desk; and I am also proud that TPA was attached to another
bill, which happened to be a labor bill, TSP, which created a fair
application of retirement benefits for Federal public safety officers.
Now, Mr. Speaker, we must move forward, pass TAA and AGOA today,
General System of Preferences.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the debate these last weeks and months has been about
how do we get a strong and effective trade policy and trade agreement.
That debate only intensifies now. Supporters of trade promotion
authority, TPA, thought vague negotiating objectives and a passive role
for Congress in the process were the way to go, in part because many on
the majority side feel that more trade is essentially better, no matter
its terms or conditions.
The opponents of TPA wanted to ensure that TPP negotiations were on
the right track, with no blank check to USTR, when there are so many
outstanding areas where we are not satisfied with the status of
negotiations or where we are uncertain of their outcome. Now we can
focus like a laser beam on those issues. The argument about the process
of TPA is now behind us and the challenge of the substance of TPP smack
in front of us.
Automatic embrace of centuries-old doctrines does not meet the
challenges of intensifying globalization, so we will continue to shine
a bright light on the critical issues, like market access, state-owned
enterprises, intellectual property and access to medicines, worker
rights, environment, currency manipulation, and investment provisions
that could put at risk domestic regulations. Our calls for improvements
to the negotiations will only grow louder.
In order for TPP to gain the support of the American people, it will
need to gain the votes of a much broader coalition of Members of
Congress than voted for TPA. The issue is not protrade versus
antitrade, but whether we shape trade agreements to spread the benefits
broadly, including the middle class of Americans.
Take, for example, the two trade bills before us today: the African
Growth and Opportunity Act and our trade preferences programs. House
Democrats have been key architects of these programs. For example, in
the 1990s, our colleagues Charlie Rangel and Jim McDermott, working
with Phil Crane, laid the foundation for the African Growth and
Opportunity Act of 2000.
These programs are designed to help shape trade, to ensure that its
benefits are more broadly based. We can see that in AGOA, stronger
labor and other eligibility criteria and the inclusion of textile and
apparel products can give us additional leverage to help raise living
standards.
The same is doubly true with the Haiti program. While there is much
work to be done in Haiti, one critical element of our program,
inspections of factories by the independent group Better Work, is
resulting in improved compliance with Haitian labor laws and better
conditions for workers there.
Finally, this bill includes a reauthorization of Trade Adjustment
Assistance. I am an ardent supporter of TAA and introduced a bill
earlier this year with Adam Smith to reauthorize it. I support H.R.
1295. To be sure, this TAA is not perfect. It falls short of the high
water mark we established for the program in 2009.
At a time when trade is expanding and is expected to expand even
further with new trade agreements, we should be ensuring adequate
funding for workers who lose their jobs as a result of trade and are
transitioning to new jobs, not cutting the program. But we need to
restore the program also for service workers and for trade with all
countries, improvements that were wrongly allowed to lapse at the end
of 2013, and we need to extend the entire program for the future.
TPA, TPP, TAA, it might seem like a word scramble, but going forward,
TPP, to the American people, will be about jobs and wages. They expect
us to work hard to get it right as it is being negotiated, not simply
leaving their elected officials with a ``yes'' or a ``no'' vote after
TPP is done. We have a lot of work to do, and there is no ducking these
issues now.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, people on both sides of the aisle have been working for
years to promote American trade. We took big steps when we passed TPA
last week and sent it to the President yesterday. Passing TPA, I
believe, is an achievement that this Congress should be very proud of.
It is going to empower Congress in trade negotiations. It will help
America get the best possible trade agreements for American workers,
and it will tell the world that the America that they knew and the
America that they know is an America that is still willing to lead.
I especially want to thank my colleagues in the House, like
Congressman
[[Page H4690]]
Ron Kind and Congressman Earl Blumenauer, for their leadership on this
issue. I also want to thank our friends in the Senate, like Senators
Hatch and Wyden. But to pass TPA, we needed a little bit of trust. We
promised our Democratic friends, if they stay with us on TPA, that we
will follow through with this bill that is before us today, and so we
are here today to keep our word.
There are three parts to this bill, all three of which have
bipartisan support. First, we reauthorize the Trade Adjustment
Assistance Act, which is in keeping with the agreements that we have
made. This program helps workers whose jobs have moved elsewhere to
find new opportunities through job training. Traditionally, we have
always authorized TPA and TAA, and that is what we are doing here. We
have always authorized them together, and that is effectively what we
are doing here. We have made some improvements to the program.
Second, we reauthorize a number of trade preferences for developing
countries. This bill reauthorizes a number of programs that have broad
bipartisan support: AGOA, GSP, and Haiti Hope. These programs lower
trade barriers between our country and these developing countries. It
is the best example of trade not aid that you can come up with. They
grow our trading ties, because when we grow, they grow. This is good
policy that has been well respected and supported by both sides of the
aisle. Therefore, we have every incentive to get this done.
Third, we make sure that our companies can use our trade remedy laws
to address unfair trade practices. This is something that we have
worked with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, our colleagues
from steel country and the House Steel Caucus, to make sure that our
trade laws are actually enforced and, when our trade laws are not being
followed, when they are being abused, that we have quick remedies to
these situations. All of this legislation will strengthen the American
economy. It will strengthen America's credibility on the world stage,
and it will strengthen American leadership.
With that, I urge its passage.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEVIN. I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Rangel), who was an inspiration for AGOA and a major author.
(Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, this is a good day for America, and it is a
good day for us in the House. There are so many people to thank for
making this day possible, not just for the people in developing
countries in Africa, but, more importantly, for Americans who
recognize, unless we can raise the level of survival in other
countries, our country is not fulfilling its moral and economic
obligations.
I want to give a special thanks to the chairman of the Committee on
Ways and Means. It is kind of rough listening to him talking about TPP,
the Trans-Pacific Partnership, because he knows and I know that, if we
wanted each bill passed, we would be concerned not by what the
multinationals want, but we would be concerned about the middle class.
The middle class you can help by having infrastructure, you can help by
having an education, all the things that are not Democratic issues. On
this particular AGOA bill, he gave assurances that he thought that this
standing alone did not have to get involved in the controversy that
people had over the more controversial bill. Like he said, he made his
commitment. He kept his commitment. It is things like this that should
have younger Members realizing Congress can do it, we can work
together, and I thank him publicly for that.
You will be hearing more from other Members in terms of the
involvement that they have had. Certainly, Mr. Levin from the very,
very beginning working with Jim McDermott, working with Republicans,
gave birth to this bill 10 years ago, and his guidance and support and
the Ways and Means members have given another year.
Karen Bass, she is something special. She came to us after serving as
California speaker. She grabbed Africa, foster care, and those types of
issues that people have left behind, but she managed to make certain
that everyone knows that this country cares, and cares deeply.
It is ironic that as we talk about Africa, we are talking about
Haiti, we are talking about developing countries, and we also are
talking about those workers who, through no fault of their own and
because of international and national decisions, have lost their
opportunity to have self-esteem and to have a job.
{time} 1115
These are issues that we have touched on in this bill. These are
issues that go nowhere in terms of how far America has to go in order
to be fair and equal and allow us to include real wages, real
education, and real opportunity in the pursuit of happiness.
But since we are trying and since there is nothing in this bill that
doesn't point us in the right direction, especially on the same day
that the United States Supreme Court has recognized that compassion is
not restricted to just those who can afford insurance on their own, I
just want to thank the leadership in this House, both Republican and
Democrats, for the great work that allows me to be a proud Member of
this House.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes
to the gentleman Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan), a distinguished Member of
the Ways and Means Committee.
Mr. MEEHAN. I thank the chairman for his leadership in bringing the
bipartisan solution to the trade promotion authority.
I stand right now in support of the Trade Preferences Extension Act,
which is before us at the moment, and encourage my colleagues on both
sides of the aisle to join in supporting this.
I speak first about Trade Adjustment Assistance, a program I have
seen in my own district, where I have watched for workers, when it can
be demonstrated that they have had their jobs impacted because of
foreign implications, there is a support network in place.
I have seen the value of that program and believe that it is
important that we keep the tradition of TAA, but we also need to point
out that there have been significant improvements in this program.
There is streamlining. Some of the underperforming programs were not
reauthorized. There is accountability. There will now be performance
goals for TAA that are aligned with other job training programs.
Consolidation is a third part. It is a process in which we will
promote direct services for participants over administrative spending.
These are important and critical improvements to a program that already
has a history.
I just want to close my comments. There is a very important provision
in the Trade Preferences Extension Act dealing with improving
antidumping and countervailing duty laws.
As an attorney, I appreciate the importance of creating an accurate
record. This allows us to do this in a vitally important area, in the
battle against the dumping that is being done that are affecting
American jobs at home.
First and most important, it will allow the Department of Commerce to
have the ability to create an accurate record. When, in fact, what you
have is a foreign party that fails to cooperate with the agency's
request, they will be able to impute the information that is necessary
to make that case.
In addition, they will be empowered to be able to disregard prices or
costs of inputs that foreign producers purchase if the Department of
Commerce has reason to believe or suspects that the inputs in question
have been subsidized or dumped.
Once again, it creates an accurate record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
Mr. MEEHAN. I thank the gentleman.
Because I think this is such a critically important issue to be able
to create the kind of record--and it gives the Department of Commerce
the kind of discretion to be able to look at the facts and to take
recalcitrant countries and hold them accountable by creating what is
accurate in the form of the case that we can make to assure that
workers here at home are being protected.
These are important and valuable assets in the ability for us to
continue to
[[Page H4691]]
protect American jobs. It is for those reasons that I strongly
encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Trade
Preferences Extension Act of 2015.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), another distinguished member of our committee.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy.
I rise in support of the effort today, and I would first acknowledge
what my friend, the chairman of the committee, said a moment ago.
At times, trust is in short supply in this institution for a whole
host of reasons, but we were given ironclad assurances from the
Speaker, from the President, from the chairman, from Senator Wyden,
Senator Hatch, and Leader McConnell that TAA would come back to this
floor to be voted on. I think it is important that that has in fact
occurred.
To adapt, respond, and grow a 21st century workforce, we need Trade
Adjustment Assistance. What we have before us is an improvement over
current law. It is not as good as what we had in 2009. I hope that we
will be able to build on this and move forward. This program has helped
more than 100,000 Americans, including 3,000 of my fellow Oregonians
who received job training and financial support.
There will continue to be winners and losers in the global economy,
whether we have trade agreements with countries or not, like with
pressures from China. It is important that we provide this for our
workers. With our vote today, we do so.
I lend my voice saluting Chairman Rangel for the work that he has
done on AGOA. Having this package before us, including new economic
opportunities for growing the economies of Africa, Haiti, and other
places around the world is critically important. The 10-year extension
is an example of how trade can improve these critical living standards.
Finally, I have to acknowledge one little parochial interest in this
bipartisan provision I worked on with Mr. Reichert that creates jobs in
the Northwest and helps all outdoor enthusiasts.
Right now, innovative footwear faces an unreasonable reality coming
to our borders. Two identical-looking running shoes are imported. One
must pay a significantly higher tariff for a single reason: they have a
waterproof liner.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Coming from the Pacific Northwest, waterproof
matters. To be able to end this outmoded tariff code charging extremely
high tariffs for no reason at all, I think, is an important step
forward.
I look forward to continuing work to fine-tune the tariff regimen
that we have, but this is an important one for the people that I
represent in the Northwest. I appreciate working with Mr. Reichert to
be able to get this one across the finish line.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi), the chairman of the Trade
Subcommittee.
Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, this is a good day for America.
As the previous speaker just said, globalization occurs with or
without America engaging in the world. It is important for America to
engage in the world, to write the rules of the global balance economy;
but whether or not we do or we don't, there will be winners and losers
because of globalization.
This bill is called the preferences bill, but it is more than just
about preferences. It is about America's leadership in Africa. It is
about America's leadership in Haiti. It is about America's leadership
at home in providing trade assistance for those workers who did lose
their job because of globalization.
My dad was one of them. Long before America engaged in a bilateral
trade agreement, my dad lost his job as a steelworker. There are
important provisions in this bill written by Chairman Ryan that will
help the steel industry. That is really important. My dad was in that
industry. He lost his job of 25 years. He benefited from trade
assistance.
This is important for American workers. This is also important for
those workers who lost their job through no fault of their own and who
lost their health care. The health coverage tax credit is renewed in
this bill.
This bill almost wasn't, quite frankly. There was a lot of rhetoric
on the floor of this House and the floor of the other House about the
word of our chairman and the word of our Speaker and about how this
wouldn't come up and we can't trust them.
Well, let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, our chairman's word has
been gold from day one in this process. Every commitment he has made
has come through. Through this process, every commitment our Speaker
has made has come to be.
We wouldn't be on the floor today debating this bill and approving
this bill in a little while if it weren't for the leadership of
Chairman Ryan and the leadership of Speaker Boehner. They both deserve
our thanks.
Also, the chairman has put together a great staff at the Ways and
Means Committee. They should be thanked for their yeoman's work in this
process, which has been very difficult but very bipartisan and very
bicameral.
Americans want this place to work. Americans want Congress to work
together for America's benefit. America's leadership in the world today
is a little bit stronger. The light of America is shining a little bit
brighter because of the work that this Congress has done on this bill
and the other bills, including the customs bill that this Congress has
put together and will be sending to the President's desk shortly.
America is going to lead in the global economy because of what we
have done today. Americans should be proud that Congress is working
again.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), another distinguished member of our committee.
Mr. KIND. I thank my friend for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this trade preferences bill
and the Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation that is before us
today.
As the previous speaker pointed out, for us to be in this situation
did require a little leap of faith. We weren't sure how we were going
to be able to get back after the procedural snafu earlier to have a
chance to reconsider Trade Adjustment Assistance, but I give credit,
and I thank the leadership on both sides of the aisle, especially my
good friend and colleague on the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Ryan
from Wisconsin; the Speaker; and Senator McConnell.
They promised, as we did move forward trying to give the President
trade promotion authority, that they wouldn't pull any punches, that
they would allow Trade Adjustment Assistance to come back for
consideration, and that is exactly what is happening today.
This has not been an easy process, but this week, the President will
get trade promotion authority on his desk so this administration can go
forward and try to negotiate the best agreement in the Trans-Pacific
Partnership--and even with our European allies--that we can obtain in
order to elevate standards and begin to level the playing field so that
our workers, our farmers, our businesses have a better chance of
competing in that global environment, especially the fastest growing
region in the Pacific Rim right now. That is what TPP is all about.
It is also important to recognize the significant work done with the
African Growth and Opportunity Act. That is all about our relationship
with the countries in Africa and Haiti and where we go here in the 21st
century together. It is important that we get this accomplished today,
along with the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill.
That is the help we are able to provide displaced workers who are
impacted by globalization the job training and education funds so they
can reintegrate as quickly as possible in the economy and be full
participants of this 21st century global economy.
That would not have happened if the political stars had not aligned.
There are areas of common agreement here in this country, as
represented in this Congress. Today is proof of that, being able to
move forward on a trade agenda that is important for U.S. global
leadership, important for our workers, growing the economy and our
competitiveness as a Nation.
[[Page H4692]]
Again, I commend the leadership shown on both sides of the aisle. We
are looking forward to more opportunity to work together in the future.
I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.
I add my thanks, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Tiberi left, but he did a lot of
work on this legislation. He did yeoman's work on it.
I just want to echo the sentiment that has been said here, which is
passing these very challenging bills, doing a number of bills, did
require a lot of trust between the two parties, which we have not seen
a lot of lately.
I am just very pleased to be a part of this dynamic where we have
given each other our words, we have kept our words, and therefore, we
are getting this done. As a result of that, I believe that the country
is far better off. This policy is good for America, and it restores our
leadership in the world.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), another distinguished member of our committee.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I have heard from both sides of the aisle
the term ``winners and losers.''
Our workers who are laid off because of the deals that have been put
before this Congress in the last 15 years are not losers. They are the
most productive workers in the world. How dare you call them losers.
We are all patting each other on the back here. We are talking about
a piece of legislation that is like putting the cart before the horse.
We want to prevent people from being laid off--engineers, laborers,
technicians. Our trade deals have been a joke. Not one person has come
to this floor to explain to us--and I know that is not the bill we are
talking about, that has already been deep-sixed in its past--not one
person has come to the floor and told us how these jobs are going to be
created through trade.
We are not antitrade. What we want is fair trade deals. How dare you
call our workers losers.
{time} 1130
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is reminded to direct his
remarks to the Chair.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I say that through you to them.
All we have been hearing over the past few months is that we need to
grant the President fast-track authority so we can finalize the Trans-
Pacific Partnership because it will be good for American workers; and
yet here we are today, voting on a package to prepare for the opposite:
the loss of American jobs because of a trade deal that doesn't put
American workers first.
I could support the Trade Adjustment Assistance. You need to help
those people who are going to be laid off because of these trade deals
that are so great so that they kept their jobs or some other jobs were
created. Where are those jobs?
If American workers are going to have the rug pulled out from under
them because of trade deals, something should be there to break their
fall. The sad reality is that we need TAA. And even the sadder reality
is that, despite the great need, this TAA bill before us today is
inadequate.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.
Mr. PASCRELL. The trade adjustment bill we are voting on today
contains a number of flaws. The TAA has been used as a bargaining chip
to push the TPA over the finish line. I would prefer that we didn't
need a TAA at all. Trade Adjustment Assistance is not preferable to a
job.
Secondly, the bill cuts funding for the worker from $575 to $450
million per year. You got your pound of flesh. At a time when trade is
expanding, this bill slashes funding for worker training by 20 percent.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen), a distinguished member of the
Ways and Means Committee and a member of the Trade Subcommittee, in an
effort to try and restore the civil dialogue and bipartisan dialogue we
have been having.
Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for
his leadership in bringing forward some additional trade legislation
today that is very, very important.
I am going to rise in support of H.R. 1295, the Trade Preferences
Extension Act, for a couple of key reasons, because there are some key,
important provisions that accomplish some very critical goals.
First, it extends those vital trade preferences with both Africa,
through the African Growth and Opportunity Act, as well as Haiti. And
these investments now, these preference programs, provide vital
opportunities for American investment, for U.S. investment, long-term
investment. These countries are asking for this investment for the long
term.
It helps the African workers, it helps Haitian workers and businesses
as they establish themselves as developing countries to making sure
they are going to be set for the 21st century global economy.
So, Mr. Speaker, this is more about establishing soft power,
strategic alliances, and that is smart power.
Secondly, the legislation renews the Generalized System of
Preferences program. Now, this is another very important program that
reduces tariffs and, therefore, it reduces prices. It helps consumers
here in the United States each and every day and the amount of product
that they consume.
Importantly, Mr. Speaker, the bill authorizes also the USTR to
designate certain travel goods, including purses, briefcases, attache
cases, and backpacks, to be eligible under this GSP program, expanding
new production opportunities for U.S. businesses. This is a provision
that I personally have long supported.
Mr. Speaker, I think what you are seeing over the last few days is
the trade agenda moving forward on a very bipartisan basis. Every
President since Franklin Delano Roosevelt, regardless of their
political background and their party background, has understood and
engaged the world with the United States leading in trade.
That tradition is continuing now with this Congress, with this
President. We want to see it through. We want to see more opportunity
for enhanced trade, because more trade means more jobs and higher-
paying jobs for our American workers, especially in manufacturing right
here at home.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for bringing this important bill to
the floor. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee).
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank our ranking member for yielding
and for your very critical and tremendous leadership on these issues.
Mr. Speaker, as a strong supporter of this African Growth and
Opportunity Act, let me first say that I am extremely disappointed that
AGOA was used as a bargaining chip to pass the unrelated Trade
Adjustment Assistance package. AGOA has been a longtime cornerstone of
the U.S.-Africa relationship.
And I just have to thank Congressman Rangel and Congresswoman Bass
and members of the Congressional Black Caucus who have done everything
they could do, everything possible to keep AGOA a clean bill, without
being loaded with non-Africa trade-related issues.
Yet, in spite of these efforts, we are faced with a bill, really,
that looks like a Christmas tree. But I will reluctantly vote for this
because Africa deserves better. It deserves not to be caught up in the
gimmicks of this body. And we will continue to fight for American jobs,
American workers, and a TPP that creates jobs in America, economic
growth in America, and preserves jobs in America. So this is not over.
On top of the very cynical way that these trade bills have been
brought to the floor, the TAA included in this bill is inadequately
funded and fails to protect workers who will ultimately be displaced by
massive trade agreements like the TPP--and that will happen.
It is unfortunate that we have to pass a TAA to protect workers from
job losses that we know will exist which we are told won't exist. So at
least we need to, sooner or later, come back with a TAA that is fully
funded, at least to the tune of $575 million. We have got to do that.
[[Page H4693]]
This TAA fails to cover all workers who will adversely be affected by
TPP, and it even excludes public sector employees from eligibility.
This is simply wrong. We must do better.
It is time for us to get real and stop putting American workers at
risk with trade deals like TPP. We need an adequate trade assistance
bill and a trade policy that protects and creates American jobs and
economic growth in America.
But, quite frankly, we have to have trade policies that create
markets also for African goods, jobs in Africa.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 15 seconds.
Ms. LEE. Also jobs in Africa; healthcare issues like HIV and AIDS;
development assistance, such as the Millennium Challenge Account.
So we can't neglect Africa, and we can't allow the continent of
Africa to be used as a gimmick in this overall process, which I think
was very, very poor and reflects poorly on this body.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, let me yield myself 1 minute to
try and clarify some of what was just mentioned.
The reason we are here with this bill and the reason TAA is attached
to the AGOA bill is because of the dilatory tactics from the minority a
couple of weeks ago.
In keeping with our word, we brought this Trade Preferences bill
through the House on its own stand-alone. And so the reason this is
happening is not because of the majority, but because of what the
minority did with respect to the TAA bill. So I just want to be very
clear, that is why we are where we are.
Having said all of that, we are still keeping our agreement going
that these bills are going through.
The second point I would like to make is TPP does not exist yet.
There is no Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. There are talks.
There have been talks for years, and those talks are still ongoing. But
we do not have a trade agreement yet. That was why we needed to pass
TPA, so that we can get a trade agreement like TPP.
So I would just encourage all Members not to oppose something they
have not yet seen, not to prejudge an agreement that does not yet
exist.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself an additional 1
minute.
It is very important that we recognize 95 percent of the world's
consumers. They don't live in this country. They live in other
countries. And if we want good jobs that pay more, we need to be able
to make and grow things in America and sell them overseas into other
markets, other countries.
Since TPA last expired in 2007, there have been 100 trade agreements
negotiated and enacted around the world where we were a party to zero,
none of them. What that means is other countries are lowering the trade
barriers between themselves, and we, America, by not being a part of
this, have much higher barriers. So when we want to make something and
sell it overseas, it is a lot more expensive for them to buy our
products than buying our competitors' products.
There were 48 trade agreements enacted in Asia since 2000 alone. We
were a party to two of them.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has again expired.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, giving myself an additional 30
seconds, we were a party to two of those agreements and, as a result,
our share of trade going into Asia, meaning exports going there from
our country, went down 42 percent.
One in five jobs is tied to trade. These jobs pay more. This is about
jobs.
So I would simply encourage our Members: Don't take a position on
something that doesn't exist yet. Read. See with your own eyes, then
form an opinion. But I would argue, it is not in your constituents'
interest to simply say what you are for or against before you even see
what it is.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, could I ask for the balance of our time?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Michigan has 12\1/4\
minutes remaining.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.
Mr. Speaker, the reason for the vote on TAA some days ago was because
it was used as a bargaining chip to get votes for TPA. That is what the
vote on TAA was all about.
Secondly, I just want to observe, it is said don't judge TPP in
opposition before you see it. The problem is so many people are judging
in favor of it while it is still being negotiated and labeling it for a
certain kind of an agreement while it is still being negotiated.
So, for those who criticize those who are opposed before they see it,
I would like to say to them, what is good for the goose is good for the
gander. Don't embrace it so fully and so passionately before it is
completed, and it is far from being completed.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Connolly).
Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, my friend from
Michigan, and I take his word seriously. I think it is good counsel for
both sides. Let's wait and see what the fine print has to say before we
draw our lines in support or opposition. I take those words to heart.
I must say, I echo the words of Chairman Ryan. We are here today not
under some cynical ploy to use the Africa bill to pass Trade Adjustment
Assistance, rather, we are here to save Trade Adjustment Assistance
because some decided it was worth sacrificing to get at Trade Promotion
Authority. That was their political judgment, and they are entitled to
it. But they are not entitled to then accuse those of us trying to save
that program of cynicism. That is the least thing happening today.
We are all about trying to keep workers who might be displaced, who
will be displaced from globalization and, yes, maybe trade, get some
training, get some help. That is what this program has done. It is a
democratic program, and Chairman Ryan and Speaker Boehner have kept
their word.
That is what today's vote is also about: redeeming a pledge made to
us that we would have a second bite at this apple. And thank God we do,
because American workers are going to benefit from it.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Ellison), who is so active on these issues.
Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chairman, ranking member, I will submit
for the Record a letter from the President of the AFL-CIO, Mr. Richard
Trumka.
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial
Organizations,
Washington, DC, June 24, 2015.
Dear Representative: We are in the final stretch of a long
and contentious battle over the congressional grant of trade
negotiating authority to the President. Congress has now
approved fast track authority, which will give the executive
branch the opportunity to negotiate--in secret--as many trade
agreements as it can through at least June 30, 2018 (and
likely through 2021). Fast track 2015 fails to hold the
executive branch accountable for achieving negotiating
objectives, addressing the U.S. trade imbalance, or ensuring
that trade deals adequately protect good jobs, workers
rights, environmental protections, access to affordable
medicines, food safety, and other vital protections for
working families.
This week, Trade Adjustment Assistance (H.R. 1295 or TAA)
will come before the House of Representatives. Unfortunately,
and against the advice of many members of Congress, TAA has
been packaged with an important and necessary bill to provide
trade preferences to sub-Saharan African countries--the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The AFL-CIO has
long supported renewal of AGOA, and we will continue to work
closely with our African trade union brothers and sisters to
ensure that AGOA supports workers' rights and sustainable
development.
The AFL-CIO has been clear that this TAA bill is
inadequately funded and fails to take into account job
disruptions from massive pending trade agreements like the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and others that may be
negotiated over the course of the next six years. TAA ought
to include a minimum funding level of $575 million and ensure
that public sector workers are eligible. Moreover, the
funding mechanism for TAA remains highly problematic: despite
a fix to one ``pay-for,'' partial funding for TAA is achieved
in this bill by cutting $250 million from Medicare payments
to hospital kidney dialysis centers. These unrelated program
[[Page H4694]]
cuts are unwarranted and compromise the integrity of the
program. Furthermore, this violates the principle that
Medicare savings should be plowed back into Medicare.
The sequencing and cynical packaging of votes on Trade
Promotion Authority (TPA), TAA, and the Customs Enforcement
bill have been designed to obfuscate clear policy issues and
force members of Congress to make awkward and conflicting
votes with inadequate information.
Scheduling a fast track vote without assurance that an
adequately funded TAA would ever be enacted or that important
trade enforcement measures would be included compounds the
existing failures of U.S. trade policy to promote the
interests of working families. There is significant
uncertainty about what version of the Customs bill might
eventually emerge from the conference process, or whether any
TAA or Customs bill will eventually reach the President's
desk at all.
The changes made to the Customs bill in the House of
Representatives eviscerated key enforcement, currency and
human rights provisions, while inserting ideologically
motivated and counter-productive negotiating objectives with
respect to climate change and immigrant rights. Every member
of Congress who voted for TPA essentially endorsed this
process and signaled a willingness to accept these
problematic changes to the fast track objectives, as well as
a willingness to enact new job-killing trade agreements
without any guarantee that displaced workers will receive
adequate training and support.
We deplore the procedural machinations used by the
Republican congressional leadership and endorsed by the White
House to advance a flawed package of trade bills, absent any
clarity or certainty about the final outcomes.
We cannot endorse the current TAA legislation, given its
shortcomings. We would oppose TAA in a heartbeat if by doing
so we could be assured that we could slow or stop a flawed
trade agenda from moving forward, and we are confident that
we would have the votes to defeat it. However, in light of
the unfortunate passage of TPA by the House and the Senate,
we recognize that many members will be reluctant to imperil
the passage of AGOA and may reasonably lack confidence that
the Republican leadership will give them a chance to vote for
an improved TAA bill.
Despite President Obama's repeated assurances that he would
not sign TPA without TAA, this no longer seems to be the
case. The President has made clear that his only priority in
the trade agenda is passage of TPA--regardless of what
happens with respect to currency, trade enforcement,
trafficking in persons, immigration policy or climate
change--let alone assistance to dislocated workers. We do not
have confidence that the White House would hold out for a
stronger TAA bill if this one were to fail. We therefore urge
you to vote your conscience, and we will respect your
decision, whatever it may be.
We will redouble our efforts to shape and improve U.S.
trade policy. We will vigorously oppose TPP if it continues
on its current course--with problematic provisions on
investor-state-dispute settlement, procurement and
intellectual property rights; without any protections against
currency manipulation; with weak rules of origin; and with
inadequate protections for workers' and human rights and the
environment. We will continue to work closely with Congress
and with our allies in the environmental, consumer, human
rights, family farm, faith, development, domestic business,
immigrants', women's and Internet privacy rights
organizations--among many others--to educate and mobilize our
members and the American public about what a good trade
policy ought to be and why this one falls short.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Trumka,
President.
Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I submit this letter from Mr. Trumka
because I think, perhaps more than anybody else in this whole country,
he is in touch with workers and what they need; and labor has been a
solid wall of opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Trade
Promotion Authority.
The fact is, when people said we don't know what it is and it is an
unknown, that is not true. We have, as Members, been able to go and
read some of it. Pieces of it have been leaked. And everything I have
seen so far has been incredibly disappointing and represents a real
threat to the interests of working people, which Mr. Trumka is an
expert on.
I mean, I think it is really odd that we think the person who is
expert at representing American workers knows so little and workers in
general know so little about what is good for them. Maybe we should
listen to the people who have borne the brunt of these trade bills in
this country, from NAFTA all the way down.
{time} 1145
Mr. ELLISON. The fact is, yeah, we do need Trade Adjustment
Assistance.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
Mr. ELLISON. If this Trans-Pacific Partnership is anything like the
trade bills we have seen so far, we are going to need a way bigger
Trade Adjustment Assistance than this represents.
Trade Adjustment Assistance is a good thing, but it is an admission
that we are going to have displaced workers. We are saying people will
be hurt by this trade bill, and so we are going to try to mitigate some
of the harm.
The billions and billions of dollars that will be made by
transnational corporations from the Trans-Pacific Partnership--well,
let me tell you, we ought to be doing a whole lot more than the meager
amount of Trade Adjustment Assistance that is captured in this bill.
I will tell you this, the interests of the American people are what
we should be thinking about. I have not heard a word about how this is
going to help raise workers' wages. In fact, there is every reason to
believe that this will put downward pressure on American workers at a
time when we have seen historic income inequality and stagnation of
worker pay.
America needs to be the land of opportunity, not the land of economic
stagnation caused by trade bills like the one I am afraid we are about
to talk about. I am moving on the TPP, and we will fight that.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Bass), who has made the AGOA such an important part of her life here.
Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 1295, the Trade
Preferences Extension Act of 2015, which includes the reauthorization
of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA.
I want to thank Chairman Ryan, who made a commitment at the beginning
of the year that we would follow through and we would make sure that
AGOA was on the President's desk. I want to thank Ranking Member Levin;
Chairman Tiberi; and a giant in this House and one of the original
authors of AGOA and a mentor to me and many, many others in this house,
Mr. Charlie Rangel, for their leadership on AGOA.
I want to thank members of the African Diplomatic Corps, African
heads of state, the diaspora, and members of the African civil society
for their tireless work on this legislation.
It has been almost a year since President Obama brought together
heads of state from 50 African nations for the historic U.S.-Africa
leaders summit last August. This summit was the largest event any
American President had held with African heads of state, and it was
critical in creating the momentum and support that AGOA now enjoys.
Over the next 10 years, Africa will become an even more important
part of the world economy with a large youthful population that is
increasingly university educated, tech savvy, and entrepreneurial.
Without question, it is in the interest of the United States and the
countries of Africa that we work toward a stronger and mutually
beneficial economic relationship that will stand the test of time.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Cuellar).
Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, 95 percent of all consumers are outside the
United States. When you look at who exports and who is involved in
international trade, over 80 percent of the companies that do this are
small- and medium-sized companies. In fact, in the State of Texas, 93
percent of all the companies that export are small- and medium-sized
companies.
One point that we understand, if we want to make sure that labor and
environmental standards are higher in those countries that we want to
deal with, the only way we can do that is by engaging, by talking, and
by having a conversation; and that is why these trade agreements are
important.
Again, I support a TPA. I support TAA. On TPP, let's reserve our
judgment, and let's make a decision on the facts at this time.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. I have no further speakers. Since I reserve
the right to close, I will let the gentleman finish his speakers, and
then I will do a quick close.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms.
Jackson Lee).
(Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
[[Page H4695]]
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank Ranking Member Levin for
always standing in the gap with a creative mind for trade but for
workers.
Let me acknowledge my colleague from Wisconsin and indicate that
those of us who stand here today have several reasons for doing so.
It was in 1997 that I traveled to the continent of Africa and looked
at the rich resources of people and product and understood that that
developing continent needed a bridge of opportunity. I am not against a
bridge of opportunity, and therefore, I vote and support the African
Growth and Opportunity Act and those African nations who have extended
their hand of friendship to the United States to create jobs.
At the same time, I have to represent some of the most impoverished
and one of the largest groups of working people in the South in the
State of Texas. Oh, I know that there is benefit. Texas is a State that
fits appropriately for benefit in trade, but there are workers that I
must be concerned about. I really stand here today to support the Trade
Adjustment Assistance Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. There is not one district where the Department of
Labor does not document the loss of jobs through trade. I would rather
be standing here today and saving a monumental amount of jobs for those
individuals that may have skills that are not in the chief executive
office.
I want to make sure that there is help, and I also want to say let's
keep negotiating to get a component that deals with workers. The Trade
Adjustment Assistance Act is for workers. It is to give you that
cushion; and it is to, in actuality, be able to help over 10,853
workers in my State alone.
We are here today to say keep pushing for an equality in trade
negotiations to be able to lift the boats of workers across America,
and then we are telling those who may be the beneficiary or the victim
of dumping or other tactics that we will not leave here without voting
for Trade Adjustment Assistance.
Again, I thank my colleague for realizing we are better together than
we are divided. I thank my colleague Mr. Levin, who was never wavered
from understanding trade, but having the empathy of the working man and
woman.
I stand with him, and we are going to move America forward.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion to Concur to H.R. 1295--
Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015.
Put simply, this bill will create jobs, protect workers and help grow
our economy.
Specifically, this bill includes three separate provisions:
trade preferences for developing countries;
trade adjustment assistance; and
Leveling the Playing Field.
As it relates to the Trade Preferences Extension Act, this provides
developing countries with duty-free access to a range of goods that are
otherwise subject to tariffs to help promote commerce and boost our
economy.
The bill extends the important African Growth and Opportunity Act
(AGOA) and trade programs for countries who most need it such as Haiti
through 2025.
As it relates to the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), since 1962,
the Trade Adjustment Assistance has provided assistance to workers who
face challenges due to global competition.
Pre 2009, the only beneficiaries of TAA were manufacturing workers
out of work due to American trade, utilizing our free trade agreements
to engage our global partners.
However, the 2009 legislation extended the program to cover a larger
pool of workers such as those in the service sector, as well as
manufacturing workers who lose their jobs due to trade with any
country.
Additionally, TAA also extended coverage to public sector workers.
Currently, TAA has increased funding for worker training from $220
million per year to $575 million per year.
This is a step in the right direction.
I support this bill because it provides us with the opportunity to
reauthorize TAA to protect workers who may lose their jobs due to trade
with other countries.
According to the Department of Labor and Commerce, between 2009 and
2013 over 770 18th Congressional District constituents benefitted from
the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program.
This means thousands of families were able to put food on their
tables.
For instance, 46,521 workers were certified in the state of Texas
between 2009 and 2013.
In 2013 alone, over $46,000,000 was allocated to Texas, covering over
10,853 workers in the state of Texas and thousands of families.
Finally, I support this bill because it levels the playing field.
Specifically, it includes improvements to U.S. antidumping and
countervailing duty laws by:
providing the Department of Commerce with more discretion to
determine dumping or subsidy rate to apply to an uncooperative foreign
company;
requiring the International Trade Commissions (ITC) to consider
additional factors when determining whether a domestic industry has
been materially injured;
allowing Department of Commerce to use a different calculation
methodology to compare domestic and foreign costs if the methodology
does not produce an appropriate comparison;
clarifying that the Department of Commerce when approximating costs
in a non-market foreign economy can disregard the price of goods that
are dumped or benefit from illegal subsidies; and
providing that Department of Commerce with more discretion to reject
voluntary respondents, which will allow the Department of Commerce to
use its limited resources on other matters.
Job creation, economic security, growing our economy and the
protection of workers are the reasons why I support this bill.
For the millions of American lives that will be enriched by this bill
that is why I strongly support the Trade Preference Extension Act of
2013.
I support this bill and will keep an eye on it to make sure we make
good on our promise to the American people in creating jobs and our
commitment to growing our economy.
I urge all members to support the bill.
Mr. LEVIN. I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Pelosi), our leader.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I
commend him for his tremendous, relentless, persistent leadership on
behalf of America's workers. They have no better friend than you, Mr.
Levin, and your pursuit of bigger paychecks for American workers and
doing so without exploiting workers in other countries because, as we
know, that only leads to stagnation of wages in America. You have
understood that so clearly. You have taught us so well. It is an honor
to serve with you, Mr. Levin.
We come to this place with the Senate passage of TPA and the
recognition that there will only be TPA signed. It no longer is
connected to TAA. We have a choice today to choose between voting for
TAA or not.
If it was the intent of the Republicans in the Senate to attach TAA
to AGOA in order to bring down both bills, they are very wrong because
we reject that, even though we would have hoped for a better TAA.
When we are talking about trade agreements that involve 40 percent of
the world's economy, very large with a very small TAA bill, it is
woefully small, but at least it is there. I would have fought for a
bigger bill. We are not given that opportunity.
As small as it is, tying it to AGOA and perhaps pulling down AGOA,
well, we reject that. People said: Oh, let's just defeat the TAA bill,
and AGOA will come up another way.
We didn't trust that. We don't trust that the Republicans would allow
AGOA to come up another way. For that reason, from strength, knowing
that we could defeat TAA, but at the same time bring down AGOA, it was
wisely decided that we should just end this phase now, especially since
the idea that both bills or no bill no longer existed.
This is the end of phase one, and to get to this point, there has
been a massive mobilization in our country of people of faith; people
who are concerned about environment; women's groups; and, of course,
our friends in organized labor. There has been a massive mobilization
for America's working families.
We all stand ready to go to the next phase, and that next phase is to
keep a very sharp, clear, bright light focused on the provisions of the
TPP. Most people really didn't realize TPP and TPA, they are different
things. Now, they will know.
While I respect the values of the administration, giving their
negotiators all of this power, it gives them no reason to come back
with anything better than a great trade agreement for
[[Page H4696]]
America's working families, and that is what we are here to fight for.
We do not believe in trickle-down economics at home, and we do not
believe in trickle-down trade policy where it helps people at the top,
entities at the top, and then trickles down maybe to the workers.
We can do this thinking in new, fresh, and entrepreneurial ways. What
has bothered me about this debate is it is so stale; it is so old in
terms of you are either for globalization and recognize it as a reality
and you are for participating in it or you are not--how condescending.
Of course, we know we live in a global economy. Globalization is
something that goes well beyond trade. It is about outsourcing and
offshoring and all kinds of other ways of taking jobs away from our
workforce.
It is something that is a possibility that can be done, and that was
my aspiration, that we can do something great, something new, something
that benefited all workers, lifted up all workers, not exploiting some
in some country to the advantage of multinational corporations and
stagnation for American workers' wages.
Everybody says this is better than the status quo. Well, ``better''
is a comparative word. If the status quo is not good, better is less
bad. We want something best. Good, better, best, never let it rest
until good is better and better is best; that is what we were told in
grade school.
Better can also mean less bad. If this is the standard that we are
going with, something that is less bad than the status quo, that is
simply not good enough.
The possibilities are so great for the world, for the planet, so we
must recognize the relationship between trade policy and people's
lives. We must recognize the relationship, the interconnection between
commerce around climate.
We cannot enable a trade agreement to go forward that degrades the
environment, especially now that our awareness is so great about the
impact of business decisions on the environment that our people live
in, the air that our people breathe, and the rest.
We must recognize that we can only accomplish this with greater
transparency than this TPA enables us to have. That is done. We are
arguing that.
We are saying now, for TPP, the American people need, expect, and
deserve for us to see what the course of this debate is about so that
they can weigh in, so that, at the end of the day, the final product
will be something that we can rally around or understand why certain
decisions had to go a certain way, but not something that is just put
there to say, up or down, you either understand we live in a global
economy or you do not.
{time} 1200
That is, again, Mr. Speaker, condescending and not worthy, really, of
the debate, and certainly not worthy of our responsibility to America's
working families. So I am excited about the prospect as we go forward.
Mr. Speaker, I will vote for this legislation today. I wish we had a
better TAA, and I certainly do not want to vote against the goal. I
want to commend Karen Bass and Charlie Rangel who worked on this--
created it, really--from the start. It is really important, and we
should be happy about passing that. This could have been on the
President's desk before now if our colleagues in the Senate would have
just voted for it and sent it there, except that they decided to hijack
it by putting this TAA in there and changing this debate. But that is
okay. It is what it is.
We go forward again with a bright spotlight on TPP. If there is any
value to what we have been through--which I think has been a great one
in terms of mobilization and unifying people about the importance of
the stability of America's financial stability and of America's working
family--it is that we are ready with judgment and knowledge, again,
engaged in the debate as we go forward. We won't be part of the debate
because TPA prohibits that. But the American people will want to be
engaged in that debate, and we, as their representatives, will have to
vote on it at some point.
President Lincoln said that public sentiment is everything. The more
the public knows about what is happening, I think, the better the
agreement will be. That is my hope, and that is what we will fight for.
So this is another day, a new day to go forward. I congratulate my
colleagues who have worked so hard to get us to where we are, but we
have much more to do, much bigger possibilities for the American
people, and much recognition that it is a whole new world in terms of
our understanding of our interconnections. Technology aids us,
information helps us, and communication can be our salvation as we
share information.
So again, Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Levin for his leadership
and so many people who worked so hard on all of this, and I look
forward to possibly a time when we not only have a unified Democratic
Caucus but a unified Congress to come together with one thing in mind
as we approach the Fourth of July: remembering e pluribus unum--from
many, one. We are one country. I don't think partisan politics,
Democrats, Republicans, have anything to do with this debate. It is a
debate about advancing America's workers and about bigger paychecks for
America's workers as we lift up workers throughout the world, as we
protect our environment, and as we go into the future.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis), a member of our committee.
Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, we have had a very
rigorous and robust debate on trade. Trade is important to not only the
entire country, but certainly it is important to the communities that I
represent.
Throughout this process, I have followed the dictates of organized
labor, and I have followed the dictates of the people I represent,
which means I voted ``no.'' I listened to the logic of the Democratic
leader just this moment, and I am going to vote with her. I am going to
vote for this legislation today because it is necessary to help those
individuals who are going to be displaced, and they need all the help
we can provide. I will vote to help them.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, as we proceed to vote, let me just reflect a bit as
someone who has been working on trade issues for some time.
At one point when USTR would not negotiate the trade agreement, Mr.
Rangel and I actually did the negotiating of the Peru free trade
agreement with the Peruvian Government. I don't suggest that should be
the usual practice.
As I look back on our debate on TPA, I think it has essentially been
a prelude, a prelude to more vigorous debate about the contents of TPP.
I think this debate has stirred the pot, and now it is important that
this Congress--that this Congress--impact the ingredients in the pot
and that we do so while the ingredients are being cooked and not simply
afterwards, because these ingredients affect the lives of American
businesses, American workers, and working families; and when we get it
wrong, as sometimes has been true, people get hurt and millions of jobs
are lost.
So I think we now have to rededicate ourselves as these negotiations
proceed to be an active partner and insist that we be an active
partner, that we know what is going on, and that we are able to discuss
with the public what is going on. I think that is where we are today.
Within that spirit, Mr. Speaker, I urge that Democrats support this
bill on TAA.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Mr. Speaker, first I would like to clarify a few things. The reason
we are here is because of the defeat of TAA the first time it came
through here. That is why this bill is such this way.
The idea that by combining this for the Preferences was somehow a
plan in the other body to defeat the two bills, I would just like to
remind people that the first Preferences bill passed 97-1 when it
passed the Senate. This bill was voice-voted in the Senate yesterday,
so if someone was planning on trying to defeat these bills, they sure
picked the wrong way to go about doing it.
What is really happening here is a commitment is being honored the
second time around to make sure that these bills have passed, and I am
[[Page H4697]]
pleased to see that. So I don't read into anything that the other body
did other than respond to the fact that TAA was defeated here the first
time around. Now we have rebuilt the process, kept the agreements, and
here we are passing a bill that the Senate voice-voted yesterday.
Why is this important, Mr. Speaker? These three bills are bipartisan.
TAA is offered by Mr. Reichert, a Republican from Washington.
Preferences is something that has gotten near universal support from
both sides of the aisle. It is very good policy, and everyone on both
sides of the aisle is in favor of TAA.
We also have heard from our manufacturers that they need trade
remedy, that when another country and a company from another country
violate our trade laws and dump product into our market, we ought to be
able to do something about it. So there is a bipartisan acknowledgment
on that front, too. That is why this package is here. I anticipate a
good vote count.
At the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, the reason we are doing this is
because we care about workers, we care about American leadership, and
we care about jobs. The reason you need trade agreements is to remove
those barriers so that the little guy, the small business, can also
have access to these foreign markets. That is one of the elements to
this debate that I think is missing.
Without trade agreements, big businesses can survive, no problem. Do
you know why? Because big businesses can just erect a factory in
another country to sell into that other country. It happens all the
time. We call it outsourcing. So a big company can set up a factory in
another country, hire people in that other country, and ship our jobs
over there to make their product there to sell into those markets.
Trade agreements, on the other hand, remove those barriers, make it
so that you can build it here and send it over there. That means small
businesses can also get engaged in trade. Small businesses can also get
access to these markets. So by getting in a trade agreement, we remove
those barriers from these countries who say, ``If you want to sell your
product in our country, then make it in our country,'' to getting a
trade agreement saying, ``We remove these barriers, and we will allow
you to make it in your country, America, and send it here.''
Mr. Speaker, that is why we want trade agreements, so we can keep
jobs and keep manufacturing in America, make and grow more things here
so that we can have more jobs here and send them over there. It is why
we have a trade surplus in manufacturing with the countries we had
trade agreements with and a big manufacturing deficit with the
countries we do not have trade agreements with.
We are pretty generous, Mr. Speaker. We already let a lot of other
countries sell their goods into our country. Just go through Walmart,
Farm & Fleet, K-Mart, or Shopko, wherever you go buy stuff, and you
will see things made in other countries all down the aisle. I bought
this shirt I am wearing right now in Kenosha, Wisconsin, at the outlet
mall. It was made in Malaysia.
Go to these other countries, and you will not see something similar.
You will not see a bunch of American products on their store shelves.
Trade agreements say: Hey, wait, that is not fair. Let's make it fair.
You give us the same kind of access to your country that we are giving
you to our country.
That is what we get with trade agreements; level the playing field,
keep it fair, and give us access to the fact that we have one in five
jobs in America tied to trade, the fact that these jobs on average pay
18 percent more, so that we can keep that going so that we can have
more jobs with higher wages. That is what this is about.
When a worker is displaced--if a worker is displaced--TAA is there to
help that person get job training skills and benefits so they can get a
new skill to get a new job to keep their life going where they want it
to go.
So that is why I expect a good vote here today. I am pleased that we
are able to honor the agreements that were made, and I am very pleased
that we are sending the signal to the rest of the world that this
country is still willing and able to lead.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to House Resolution 338, the previous question is ordered.
The question is on the motion by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Ryan).
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, this 15-
minute vote on adoption of the motion will be followed by a 5-minute
vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2200.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 286,
nays 138, not voting 9, as follows:
[Roll No. 388]
YEAS--286
Adams
Aderholt
Aguilar
Ashford
Barletta
Barr
Barton
Bass
Beatty
Benishek
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (MI)
Blum
Blumenauer
Bonamici
Bost
Boustany
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brooks (IN)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Bucshon
Bustos
Butterfield
Calvert
Capps
Capuano
Cardenas
Carney
Carson (IN)
Carter (TX)
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Chu, Judy
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Clay
Cleaver
Coffman
Cohen
Cole
Comstock
Connolly
Conyers
Cooper
Costa
Costello (PA)
Courtney
Cramer
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cuellar
Cummings
Curbelo (FL)
Davis (CA)
Davis, Danny
Davis, Rodney
DeFazio
DeGette
Delaney
DeLauro
DelBene
Denham
Dent
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Dold
Donovan
Doyle, Michael F.
Duckworth
Edwards
Ellison
Ellmers (NC)
Emmer (MN)
Engel
Eshoo
Esty
Farr
Fattah
Fitzpatrick
Fortenberry
Foster
Frankel (FL)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gabbard
Gallego
Garamendi
Gibbs
Graham
Granger
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Grayson
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffith
Grothman
Guinta
Guthrie
Gutierrez
Hanna
Harper
Hastings
Heck (WA)
Herrera Beutler
Higgins
Himes
Hinojosa
Honda
Hoyer
Huffman
Huizenga (MI)
Hurt (VA)
Israel
Issa
Jackson Lee
Jeffries
Jenkins (WV)
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Jolly
Joyce
Kaptur
Katko
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Kennedy
Kildee
Kilmer
Kind
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Kline
Kuster
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lee
Levin
Lewis
Lieu, Ted
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Loebsack
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Lowey
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
MacArthur
Maloney, Carolyn
Maloney, Sean
Marchant
Marino
Matsui
McCarthy
McCollum
McDermott
McGovern
McHenry
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
McNerney
McSally
Meehan
Meeks
Meng
Messer
Mica
Miller (MI)
Moolenaar
Moore
Moulton
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Nadler
Neal
Noem
Nolan
Norcross
Nunes
O'Rourke
Pallone
Pascrell
Paulsen
Pelosi
Perlmutter
Peters
Peterson
Pingree
Pittenger
Pitts
Pocan
Poliquin
Polis
Price (NC)
Quigley
Rangel
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Rice (NY)
Richmond
Rigell
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rokita
Roskam
Rothfus
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sarbanes
Scalise
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrader
Serrano
Sewell (AL)
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Sires
Slaughter
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (WA)
Speier
Stefanik
Stivers
Swalwell (CA)
Takai
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Titus
Tonko
Torres
Trott
Tsongas
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Van Hollen
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Visclosky
Wagner
Walberg
Walden
Walters, Mimi
Walz
Wasserman Schultz
Waters, Maxine
Watson Coleman
Welch
Whitfield
Wilson (FL)
Wilson (SC)
Yarmuth
Yoder
Young (IA)
Young (IN)
NAYS--138
Abraham
Allen
Amash
Amodei
Babin
Becerra
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Black
Blackburn
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brat
Bridenstine
Brooks (AL)
Buchanan
Buck
Burgess
Byrne
Carter (GA)
Cartwright
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clawson (FL)
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Conaway
Cook
Crawford
Culberson
DeSantis
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Duffy
Duncan (SC)
Duncan (TN)
Farenthold
Fincher
Fleischmann
Fleming
Flores
Forbes
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett
Gibson
Gohmert
Goodlatte
Gosar
Gowdy
Graves (GA)
Grijalva
Hardy
Harris
[[Page H4698]]
Hartzler
Heck (NV)
Hensarling
Hice, Jody B.
Hill
Holding
Hudson
Huelskamp
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurd (TX)
Jenkins (KS)
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Jordan
King (IA)
Knight
Labrador
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Latta
Long
Loudermilk
Love
Lucas
Lummis
Lynch
Massie
McCaul
McClintock
Meadows
Miller (FL)
Mooney (WV)
Mullin
Mulvaney
Neugebauer
Newhouse
Nugent
Olson
Palazzo
Palmer
Pearce
Perry
Poe (TX)
Pompeo
Posey
Price, Tom
Ratcliffe
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rohrabacher
Rooney (FL)
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rouzer
Russell
Salmon
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sensenbrenner
Sessions
Smith (MO)
Smith (TX)
Stewart
Stutzman
Thompson (MS)
Tipton
Walker
Walorski
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Westmoreland
Williams
Wittman
Womack
Woodall
Yoho
Young (AK)
Zeldin
Zinke
NOT VOTING--9
Clyburn
Hahn
Kelly (MS)
Napolitano
Payne
Rush
Sanford
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
{time} 1238
Messrs. LUCAS, WALKER, COLLINS of New York, STUTZMAN, KNIGHT, MILLER
of Florida, CLAWSON of Florida, LONG, and BUCHANAN changed their vote
from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
Mr. SIRES and Mrs. LAWRENCE changed their vote from ``nay'' to
``yea.''
So the motion to concur was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Stated for:
Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, June 25th, 2015, I was
absent during rollcall vote No. 388. Had I been present, I would have
voted ``yea'' on the Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R.
1295, the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (TAA/AGOA).
Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, June 25, 2015 I was unavoidably
delayed and missed rollcall vote 388. Had I been present I would have
voted in the affirmative.
Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker, due to an unforeseen conflict, I unavoidably
missed the following vote on June 25, 2015. Had I been present I would
have voted as follows: on rollcall No. 388, I would have voted ``aye''
(June 25) (Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1295--Trade
Preferences Extension Act of 2015).
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 388, had I been
present, I would have voted ``yes.''
____________________