[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E11-E12]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFERENCE REPORT FOR THE TRADE FACILITATION AND TRADE ENFORCEMENT ACT 
                                OF 2015

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. JOHN C. CARNEY, JR.

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 2016

  Mr. CARNEY. Mr. Speaker, I submit this statement regarding House 
passage of the Conference Report for the Trade Facilitation and Trade 
Enforcement Act of 2015. Historically, legislation addressing customs 
procedures and import security has enjoyed bipartisan support. Even 
when this legislation, also known as the Customs Bill, emerged from the 
Senate, the new bill included language that was supported by a wide 
range of stakeholders.
  This legislation authorizes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
for the first time since

[[Page E12]]

it was created in 2002. Our rapidly evolving economy requires robust 
and adaptable trade enforcement, and I'm glad this legislation 
strengthens our Customs and Border Protection's ability to fulfill this 
duty. Without these tools in place we would not be able to meet the 
demands of our growing global economy. This legislation contains 
important provisions that will enhance and improve our customs 
procedures and duty laws. Our outdated customs and border policies 
would be improved by streamlining rules to stop importers from dodging 
U.S. antidumping and countervailing duties while adding new protections 
for intellectual property.
  That being said, while leaders from across the globe were negotiating 
the largest climate agreement in history, Congress was debating a bill 
that intentionally bypassed our nation's ability to address climate 
change. This legislation provided an opportunity for us to strengthen 
our commitment to combatting climate change and to hold other nations 
accountable for their actions--but we let that opportunity slide. 
Congress cannot continue to pass the buck on this issue, and we should 
use agreements such as this to hold our trade partners to higher 
standards. That is why I voted against this legislation, and I urge my 
colleagues to address these issues. If we do not act now, we set a 
dangerous precedent for future agreements.

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