[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15208-15217]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2220
            EXTENDING THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 425, I call up 
the bill (H.R. 2832) to extend the Generalized System of Preferences, 
and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and I have a 
motion at the desk.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the Senate 
amendment.
  The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
  Senate amendment:

       At the end, add the following:

                 TITLE II--TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

     SEC. 200. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Trade 
     Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this 
     title is as follows:

                 TITLE II--TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

Sec. 200. Short title; table of contents.

          Subtitle A--Extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance

    PART I--Application of Provisions Relating to Trade Adjustment 
                               Assistance

Sec. 201. Application of provisions relating to trade adjustment 
              assistance.

            PART II--Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers

Sec. 211. Group eligibility requirements.
Sec. 212. Reductions in waivers from training.
Sec. 213. Limitations on trade readjustment allowances.
Sec. 214. Funding of training, employment and case management services, 
              and job search and relocation allowances.
Sec. 215. Reemployment trade adjustment assistance.
Sec. 216. Program accountability.
Sec. 217. Extension.

                 PART III--Other Adjustment Assistance

Sec. 221. Trade adjustment assistance for firms.
Sec. 222. Trade adjustment assistance for communities.
Sec. 223. Trade adjustment assistance for farmers.

                      PART IV--General Provisions

Sec. 231. Applicability of trade adjustment assistance provisions.
Sec. 232. Termination provisions.
Sec. 233. Sunset provisions.

                Subtitle B--Health Coverage Improvement

Sec. 241. Health care tax credit.
Sec. 242. TAA pre-certification period rule for purposes of determining 
              whether there is a 63-day lapse in creditable coverage.
Sec. 243. Extension of COBRA benefits for certain TAA-eligible 
              individuals and PBGC recipients.

                          Subtitle C--Offsets

          PART I--Unemployment Compensation Program Integrity

Sec. 251. Mandatory penalty assessment on fraud claims.
Sec. 252. Prohibition on noncharging due to employer fault.
Sec. 253. Reporting of rehired employees to the directory of new hires.

[[Page 15209]]

                      PART II--Additional Offsets

Sec. 261. Improvements to contracts with Medicare quality improvement 
              organizations (QIOs) in order to improve the quality of 
              care furnished to Medicare beneficiaries.
Sec. 262. Rates for merchandise processing fees.
Sec. 263. Time for remitting certain merchandise processing fees.

          Subtitle A--Extension of Trade Adjustment Assistance

    PART I--APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO TRADE ADJUSTMENT 
                               ASSISTANCE

     SEC. 201. APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO TRADE 
                   ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Repeal of Snapback.--Section 1893 of the Trade and 
     Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 (Public Law 
     111-5; 123 Stat. 422) is repealed.
       (b) Applicability of Certain Provisions.--Except as 
     otherwise provided in this subtitle, the provisions of 
     chapters 2 through 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as 
     in effect on February 12, 2011, and as amended by this 
     subtitle, shall--
       (1) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; 
     and
       (2) apply to petitions for certification filed under 
     chapters 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 
     subtitle, whenever in this subtitle 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 February 12, 
     2011.

            PART II--TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR WORKERS

     SEC. 211. GROUP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
     U.S.C. 2272) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (b);
       (2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (f) as 
     subsections (b) through (e), respectively;
       (3) in paragraph (2) of subsection (b), as redesignated, by 
     striking ``(d)'' and inserting ``(c)'';
       (4) in subsection (c), as redesignated, by striking 
     paragraph (5); and
       (5) in paragraph (2) of subsection (d), as redesignated, by 
     striking ``, (b), or (c)'' and inserting ``or (b)''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 247 of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2319) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``Subject to section 222(d)(5), the term'' and inserting 
     ``The term''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``, service sector 
     firm, or public agency'' and inserting ``or service sector 
     firm'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (7); and
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (19) as 
     paragraphs (7) through (18), respectively.

     SEC. 212. REDUCTIONS IN WAIVERS FROM TRAINING.

       (a) In General.--Section 231(c) of the Trade Act of 1974 
     (19 U.S.C. 2291(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C); and
       (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) as 
     subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively; and
       (2) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``(D), (E), or (F)'' 
     and inserting ``or (C)''.
       (b) Good Cause Exception.--Section 234(b) of the Trade Act 
     of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2294(b)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Special Rule on Good Cause for Waiver of Time Limits 
     or Late Filing of Claims.--The Secretary shall establish 
     procedures and criteria that allow for a waiver for good 
     cause of the time limitations with respect to an application 
     for a trade readjustment allowance or enrollment in training 
     under this chapter.''.

     SEC. 213. LIMITATIONS ON TRADE READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES.

       Section 233 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2293) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``(or'' and all that follows through 
     ``period)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``78'' and inserting ``65''; and
       (ii) by striking ``91-week period'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``78-week period''; and
       (2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
       ``(f) 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.''.

     SEC. 214. FUNDING OF TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT AND CASE MANAGEMENT 
                   SERVICES, AND JOB SEARCH AND RELOCATION 
                   ALLOWANCES.

       (a) In General.--Section 236(a)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 
     (19 U.S.C. 2296(a)(2)) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and sections 235, 237, and 238'' after 
     ``to carry out this section'' each place it appears;
       (2) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``of 
     payments that may be made under paragraph (1)'' and inserting 
     ``of funds available to carry out this section and sections 
     235, 237, and 238''; and
       (B) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(i) $575,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013; 
     and
       ``(ii) $143,750,000 for the 3-month period beginning on 
     October 1, 2013, and ending on December 31, 2013.'';
       (3) in subparagraph (C)(ii)(V), by striking ``relating to 
     the provision of training under this section'' and inserting 
     ``to carry out this section and sections 235, 237, and 238''; 
     and
       (4) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``to pay the costs of 
     training approved under this section'' and inserting ``to 
     carry out this section and sections 235, 237, and 238''.
       (b) Limitations on Administrative Expenses and Employment 
     and Case Management Services.--
       (1) In general.--Section 235A of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
     U.S.C. 2295a) is amended--
       (A) in the section heading, by striking ``funding for'' and 
     inserting ``limitations on''; and
       (B) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``Of the funds made available to a State to carry out 
     sections 235 through 238 for a fiscal year, the State shall 
     use--
       ``(1) not more than 10 percent for the administration of 
     the trade adjustment assistance for workers program under 
     this chapter, including for--
       ``(A) processing waivers of training requirements under 
     section 231;
       ``(B) collecting, validating, and reporting data required 
     under this chapter; and
       ``(C) providing reemployment trade adjustment assistance 
     under section 246; and
       ``(2) not less than 5 percent for employment and case 
     management services under section 235.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Trade Act of 1974 is amended by striking the item relating to 
     section 235A and inserting the following:

``Sec. 235A. Limitations on administrative expenses and employment and 
              case management services.''.

       (c) Reallotment of Funds.--Section 245 of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2317) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(c) Reallotment of Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may--
       ``(A) reallot funds that were allotted to any State to 
     carry out sections 235 through 238 and that remain 
     unobligated by the State during the second or third fiscal 
     year after the fiscal year in which the funds were provided 
     to the State; and
       ``(B) provide such realloted funds to States to carry out 
     sections 235 through 238 in accordance with procedures 
     established by the Secretary.
       ``(2) Requests by states.--In establishing procedures under 
     paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall include procedures that 
     provide for the distribution of realloted funds under that 
     paragraph pursuant to requests submitted by States in need of 
     such funds.
       ``(3) Availability of amounts.--The reallotment of funds 
     under paragraph (1) shall not extend the period for which 
     such funds are available for expenditure.''.
       (d) Job Search Allowances.--Section 237 of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2297) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``An adversely affected worker'' and 
     inserting ``Each State may use funds made available to the 
     State to carry out sections 235 through 238 to allow an 
     adversely affected worker''; and
       (B) by striking ``may'' and inserting ``to'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``An'' and inserting ``Any''; and
       (ii) by striking ``all necessary job search expenses'' and 
     inserting ``not more than 90 percent of the necessary job 
     search expenses of the worker''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$1,500'' and inserting 
     ``$1,250''; and
       (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``the Secretary shall'' 
     and inserting ``a State may''.
       (e) Relocation Allowances.--Section 238 of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2298) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``Any adversely affected worker'' and 
     inserting ``Each State may use funds made available to the 
     State to carry out sections 235 through 238 to allow an 
     adversely affected worker''; and

[[Page 15210]]

       (B) by striking ``may file'' and inserting ``to file''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
       (i) by striking ``The'' and inserting ``Any''; and
       (ii) by striking ``includes'' and inserting ``shall 
     include'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``all'' and inserting 
     ``not more than 90 percent of the''; and
       (C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$1,500'' and inserting 
     ``$1,250''.
       (f) Conforming Amendments.--Section 236 of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2296) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by striking 
     ``approppriate'' and inserting ``appropriate''; and
       (2) by striking subsection (g) and redesignating subsection 
     (h) as subsection (g).

     SEC. 215. REEMPLOYMENT TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 246(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 
     (19 U.S.C. 2318(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3)(B)(ii), by striking ``$55,000'' and 
     inserting ``$50,000''; and
       (2) in paragraph (5)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``$12,000'' and 
     inserting ``$10,000''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``$12,000'' and 
     inserting ``$10,000''.
       (b) Extension.--Section 246(b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 
     (19 U.S.C. 2318(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``February 12, 
     2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 2013''.

     SEC. 216. PROGRAM ACCOUNTABILITY.

       (a) Core Indicators of Performance.--
       (1) In general.--Section 239(j)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2311(j)(2)(A)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(A) In general.--The core indicators of performance 
     described in this paragraph are--
       ``(i) the percentage of workers receiving benefits under 
     this chapter who are employed during the first or second 
     calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the 
     workers cease receiving such benefits;
       ``(ii) the percentage of such workers who are employed 
     during the 2 calendar quarters following the earliest 
     calendar quarter during which the worker was employed as 
     described in clause (i);
       ``(iii) the average earnings of such workers who are 
     employed during the 2 calendar quarters described in clause 
     (ii); and
       ``(iv) the percentage of such workers who obtain a 
     recognized postsecondary credential, including an industry-
     recognized credential, or a secondary school diploma or its 
     recognized equivalent if combined with employment under 
     clause (i), while receiving benefits under this chapter or 
     during the 1-year period after such workers cease receiving 
     such benefits.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
     shall--
       (A) take effect on October 1, 2011; and
       (B) apply with respect to agreements under section 239 of 
     the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2311) entered into before, 
     on, or after October 1, 2011.
       (b) Collection and Publication of Data.--
       (1) In general.--Section 249B(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 
     (19 U.S.C. 2323(b)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``(including such 
     allowances classified by payments under paragraphs (1) and 
     (3) of section 233(a), and section 233(f), respectively) and 
     payments under section 246'' after ``readjustment 
     allowances''; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) The average number of weeks trade readjustment 
     allowances were paid to workers.
       ``(E) The number of workers who report that they have 
     received benefits under a prior certification issued under 
     this chapter in any of the 10 fiscal years preceding the 
     fiscal year for which the data is collected under this 
     section.'';
       (B) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``training leading to 
     an associate's degree, remedial education, prerequisite 
     education,'' after ``distance learning,'';
       (ii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) The number of workers who complete training approved 
     under section 236 who were enrolled in pre-layoff training or 
     part-time training at any time during that training.'';
       (iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, and the average 
     duration of training that does not include remedial or 
     prerequisite education'' after ``training'';
       (iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``duration'' and 
     inserting ``average duration''; and
       (v) in subparagraph (F), by inserting ``and the average 
     duration of the training that was completed by such workers'' 
     after ``training''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) A summary of the data on workers in the quarterly 
     reports required under section 239(j) classified by the age, 
     pre-program educational level, and post-program credential 
     attainment of the workers.
       ``(C) The average earnings of workers described in section 
     239(j)(2)(A)(i) in the second, third, and fourth calendar 
     quarters following the calendar quarter in which such workers 
     cease receiving benefits under this chapter, expressed as a 
     percentage of the average earnings of such workers in the 3 
     calendar quarters before the calendar quarter in which such 
     workers began receiving benefits under this chapter.''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Data on spending.--
       ``(A) The total amount of funds used to pay for trade 
     readjustment allowances, in the aggregate and by each State.
       ``(B) The total amount of the payments to the States to 
     carry out sections 235 through 238 used for training, in the 
     aggregate and for each State.
       ``(C) The total amount of payments to the States to carry 
     out sections 235 through 238 used for the costs of 
     administration, in the aggregate and for each State.
       ``(D) The total amount of payments to the States to carry 
     out sections 235 through 238 used for job search and 
     relocation allowances, in the aggregate and for each 
     State.''.
       (2) Effective date.--Not later than October 1, 2012, the 
     Secretary of Labor shall update the system required by 
     section 249B(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2323(a)) 
     to include the collection of and reporting on the data 
     required by the amendments made by paragraph (1).
       (3) Annual report.--Section 249B(d) of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2323(d)) is amended by striking ``December 
     15'' and inserting ``February 15''.

     SEC. 217. EXTENSION.

       Section 245(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2317(a)) 
     is amended by striking ``February 12, 2011'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2013''.

                 PART III--OTHER ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

     SEC. 221. TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR FIRMS.

       (a) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 3 of title II of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2341 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
     section 255 the following:

     ``SEC. 255A. ANNUAL REPORT ON TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR 
                   FIRMS.

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than December 15, 2012, and 
     annually thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare a report 
     containing data regarding the trade adjustment assistance for 
     firms program under this chapter for the preceding fiscal 
     year. The data shall include the following:
       ``(1) The number of firms that inquired about the program.
       ``(2) The number of petitions filed under section 251.
       ``(3) The number of petitions certified and denied by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(4) The average time for processing petitions after the 
     petitions are filed.
       ``(5) The number of petitions filed and firms certified for 
     each congressional district of the United States.
       ``(6) Of the number of petitions filed, the number of firms 
     that entered the program and received benefits.
       ``(7) The number of firms that received assistance in 
     preparing their petitions.
       ``(8) The number of firms that received assistance 
     developing business recovery plans.
       ``(9) The number of business recovery plans approved and 
     denied by the Secretary.
       ``(10) The average duration of benefits received under the 
     program nationally and in each region served by an 
     intermediary organization referred to in section 253(b)(1).
       ``(11) Sales, employment, and productivity at each firm 
     participating in the program at the time of certification.
       ``(12) Sales, employment, and productivity at each firm 
     upon completion of the program and each year for the 2-year 
     period following completion of the program.
       ``(13) The number of firms in operation as of the date of 
     the report and the number of firms that ceased operations 
     after completing the program and in each year during the 2-
     year period following completion of the program.
       ``(14) The financial assistance received by each firm 
     participating in the program.
       ``(15) The financial contribution made by each firm 
     participating in the program.
       ``(16) The types of technical assistance included in the 
     business recovery plans of firms participating in the 
     program.
       ``(17) The number of firms leaving the program before 
     completing the project or projects in their business recovery 
     plans and the reason the project or projects were not 
     completed.
       ``(18) The total amount expended by all intermediary 
     organizations referred to in section 253(b)(1) and by each 
     such organization to administer the program.
       ``(19) The total amount expended by intermediary 
     organizations to provide technical assistance to firms under 
     the program nationally and in each region served by such an 
     organization.
       ``(b) Classification of Data.--To the extent possible, in 
     collecting and reporting the data described in subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall classify the data by intermediary 
     organization, State, and national totals.
       ``(c) Report to Congress; Publication.--The Secretary 
     shall--
       ``(1) submit the report described in subsection (a) to the 
     Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways 
     and Means of the House of Representatives; and
       ``(2) publish the report in the Federal Register and on the 
     website of the Department of Commerce.
       ``(d) Protection of Confidential Information.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may not release 
     information described in subsection (a) that the Secretary 
     considers to be confidential business information unless the 
     person submitting the confidential business information had

[[Page 15211]]

     notice, at the time of submission, that such information 
     would be released by the Secretary, or such person 
     subsequently consents to the release of the information.
       ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
     shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from providing 
     information the Secretary considers to be confidential 
     business information under paragraph (1) to a court in camera 
     or to another party under a protective order issued by a 
     court.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Trade Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after the item 
     relating to section 255 the following:

``Sec. 255A. Annual report on trade adjustment assistance for firms.''.

       (3) Conforming repeal.--Effective on the day after the date 
     on which the Secretary of Commerce submits the report 
     required by section 1866 of the Trade and Globalization 
     Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 (19 U.S.C. 2356) for fiscal 
     year 2011, such section is repealed.
       (b) Extension.--Section 255(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
     U.S.C. 2345(a)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``$50,000,000'' and all that follows 
     through ``February 12, 2011.'' and inserting ``$16,000,000 
     for each of the fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and $4,000,000 
     for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2013, and 
     ending on December 31, 2013.''; and
       (2) by striking ``shall--'' and all that follows through 
     ``otherwise remain'' and inserting ``shall remain''.

     SEC. 222. TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITIES.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 4 of title II of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2371 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by striking subchapters A, C, and D;
       (2) in subchapter B, by striking the subchapter heading; 
     and
       (3) by redesignating sections 278 and 279 as sections 271 
     and 272, respectively.
       (b) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Subsection (e) of section 271 of the Trade 
     Act of 1974, as redesignated by subsection (a)(3), is 
     amended--
       (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``December 15 in each of the calendar years 2009 through'' 
     and inserting ``December 15, 2009,'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) providing the following data relating to program 
     performance and outcomes:
       ``(A) Of the grants awarded under this section, the  amount 
     of funds spent by grantees.
       ``(B) The average dollar amount of grants awarded under 
     this section.
       ``(C) The average duration of grants awarded under this 
     section.
       ``(D) The percentage of workers receiving benefits under 
     chapter 2 that are served by programs developed, offered, or 
     improved using grants awarded under this section.
       ``(E) The percentage and number of workers receiving 
     benefits under chapter 2 who obtained a degree through such 
     programs and the average duration of the participation of 
     such workers in training under section 236.
       ``(F) The number of workers receiving benefits under 
     chapter 2 served by such programs who did not complete a 
     degree and the average duration of the participation of such 
     workers in training under section 236.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     shall--
       (A) take effect on October 1, 2011; and
       (B) apply with respect to reports submitted under 
     subsection (e) of section 271 of the Trade Act of 1974, as 
     redesignated by subsection (a)(3), on or after October 1, 
     2012.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 271 of the Trade Act of 1974, as redesignated 
     by subsection (a)(3), is amended--
       (A) in subsection (c)--
       (i) in paragraph (4)--

       (I) in subparagraph (A)--

       (aa) in clause (ii), by striking the semicolon and 
     inserting ``; and'';
       (bb) by striking clauses (iii) and (iv); and
       (cc) by redesignating clause (v) as clause (iii);

       (II) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(A)(v)'' and 
     inserting ``(A)(iii)''; and

       (ii) in paragraph (5)(A)--

       (I) in clause (i)--

       (aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking ``, 
     and other entities described in section 276(a)(2)(B)''; and
       (bb) in subclause (II), by striking the semicolon and 
     inserting ``; and'';

       (II) by striking clause (iii); and

       (B) in subsection (d), by striking paragraph (2) and 
     redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).
       (2) Subsection (b) of section 272 of the Trade Act of 1974, 
     as redesignated by subsection (a)(3), is amended by striking 
     ``278(a)(2)'' and inserting ``271(a)(2)''.
       (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Trade Act of 1974 is amended by striking the items relating 
     to chapter 4 of title II and inserting the following:

        ``Chapter 4--Trade Adjustment Assistance for Communities

``Sec. 271. Community College and Career Training Grant Program.
``Sec. 272. Authorization of appropriations.''.

     SEC. 223. TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS.

       (a) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Section 293(d) of the Trade Act of 1974 
     (19 U.S.C. 2401b(d)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Annual Report.--Not later than January 30 of each 
     year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Finance 
     of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the 
     House of Representatives a report containing the following 
     information with respect to the trade adjustment assistance 
     for farmers program under this chapter during the preceding 
     fiscal year:
       ``(1) A list of the agricultural commodities covered by a 
     certification under this chapter.
       ``(2) The States or regions in which agricultural 
     commodities are produced and the aggregate amount of such 
     commodities produced in each such State or region.
       ``(3) The number of petitions filed.
       ``(4) The number of petitions certified and denied by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(5) The average time for processing petitions.
       ``(6) The number of petitions filed and agricultural 
     commodity producers approved for each congressional district 
     of the United States.
       ``(7) Of the number of producers approved, the number of 
     agricultural commodity producers that entered the program and 
     received benefits.
       ``(8) The number of agricultural commodity producers that 
     completed initial technical assistance.
       ``(9) The number of agricultural commodity producers that 
     completed intensive technical assistance.
       ``(10) The number of initial business plans approved and 
     denied by the Secretary.
       ``(11) The number of long-term business plans approved and 
     denied by the Secretary.
       ``(12) The total number of agricultural commodity 
     producers, by congressional district, receiving initial 
     technical assistance and intensive technical assistance, 
     respectively, under this chapter.
       ``(13) The types of initial technical assistance received 
     by agricultural commodity producers participating in the 
     program.
       ``(14) The types of intensive technical assistance received 
     by agricultural commodity producers participating in the 
     program.
       ``(15) The number of agricultural commodity producers 
     leaving the program before completing the projects in their 
     long-term business plans and the reason those projects were 
     not completed.
       ``(16) The total number of agricultural commodity 
     producers, by congressional district, receiving benefits 
     under this chapter.
       ``(17) The average duration of benefits received under this 
     chapter.
       ``(18) The number of agricultural commodity producers in 
     operation as of the date of the report and the number of 
     agricultural commodity producers that ceased operations after 
     completing the program and in the 1-year period following 
     completion of the program.
       ``(19) The number of agricultural commodity producers that 
     report that such producers received benefits under a prior 
     certification issued under this chapter in any of the 10 
     fiscal years preceding the date of the report.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
     shall--
       (A) take effect on October 1, 2011; and
       (B) apply with respect to reports submitted under section 
     293(d) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2401b(d)) on or 
     after October 1, 2012.
       (b) Extension.--Section 298(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
     U.S.C. 2401g(a)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and there are appropriated''; and
       (2) by striking ``not to exceed'' and all that follows 
     through ``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``not to exceed 
     $90,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and 
     $22,500,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 
     2013, and ending on December 31, 2013''.

                      PART IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

     SEC. 231. APPLICABILITY OF TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE 
                   PROVISIONS.

       (a) Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers.--
       (1) Petitions filed on or after february 13, 2011, 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 February 13, 2011, 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

[[Page 15212]]

     Trade Act of 1974 pursuant to a petition described in 
     subparagraph (A)(iii) shall be eligible, on and after the 
     date that is 60 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) Election for workers receiving benefits on the 60th 
     day after enactment.--

       (I) In general.--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) who is receiving benefits under chapter 2 of title 
     II of the Trade Act of 1974 as of the date that is 60 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act may, not later 
     than the date that is 150 days after such date of enactment, 
     make a one-time election to receive benefits pursuant to--

       (aa) the provisions of chapter 2 of title II of the Trade 
     Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of enactment; or
       (bb) the provisions of chapter 2 of title II of the Trade 
     Act of 1974, as in effect on February 13, 2011.

       (II) Effect of failure to make election.--A worker 
     described in subclause (I) who does not make the election 
     described in that subclause on or before the date that is 150 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act shall be 
     eligible to receive benefits only under the provisions of 
     chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect 
     on February 13, 2011.
       (III) Computation of maximum benefits.--Benefits received 
     by a worker described in subclause (I) under chapter 2 of 
     title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on February 
     13, 2011, before the worker makes the election described in 
     that subclause 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, or as 
     in effect on February 13, 2011, whichever is applicable after 
     the election of the worker under subclause (I).

       (2) Petitions filed before february 13, 2011.--A worker 
     certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance 
     pursuant to a petition filed under section 221 of the Trade 
     Act of 1974--
       (A) on or after May 18, 2009, and on or before February 12, 
     2011, 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 February 12, 2011; or
       (B) before May 18, 2009, 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 May 17, 
     2009.
       (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 February 13, 2010'' 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 February 13, 2011, and 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Certification of firms that did not submit petitions 
     between february 13, 2011, 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 February 
     13, 2011, 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. 232. TERMINATION PROVISIONS.

       Section 285 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2271 note) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``February 12, 2011'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2013'';
       (2) in subsection (a)(2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``that chapter'' and all that follows through ``the worker 
     is--'' and inserting ``that chapter if the worker is--''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``petitions'' and 
     inserting ``a petition''; and
       (3) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)(B), in the matter preceding clause 
     (i), by inserting ``pursuant to a petition filed under 
     section 251'' after ``chapter 3'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)(B), in the matter preceding clause 
     (i), by inserting ``pursuant to a petition filed under 
     section 292'' after ``chapter 6''; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (3).

     SEC. 233. SUNSET PROVISIONS.

       (a) Application of Prior Law.--Subject to subsection (b), 
     beginning on January 1, 2014, 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 February 13, 2011, shall 
     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 of that Act shall be applied and 
     administered by substituting ``2014'' for ``2007'';
       (4) section 246(b)(1) of that Act shall be applied and 
     administered by substituting ``December 31, 2014'' 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 
     January 1, 2014'' 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 
     January 1, 2014'' 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 ``2014'' for 
     ``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 December 
     31, 2014.
       ``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any 
     assistance approved under chapter 3 on or before December 31, 
     2014, 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 December 
     31, 2014.
       ``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any 
     assistance approved under chapter 6 on or before December 31, 
     2014, may be provided--
       ``(i) to the extent funds are available pursuant to such 
     chapter for such purpose; and

[[Page 15213]]

       ``(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 January 1, 2014, with respect to--
       (1) workers certified as eligible for trade adjustment 
     assistance benefits under chapter 2 of title II of that Act 
     pursuant to petitions filed under section 221 of that Act 
     before January 1, 2014;
       (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 January 
     1, 2014; 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 January 1, 2014.

                Subtitle B--Health Coverage Improvement

     SEC. 241. HEALTH CARE TAX CREDIT.

       (a) Termination of Credit.--Subparagraph (B) of section 
     35(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by 
     inserting ``, and before January 1, 2014'' before the period.
       (b) Extension Through Credit Termination Date of Certain 
     Expired Credit Provisions.--
       (1) Partial extension of increased credit rate.--Section 
     35(a) of such Code is amended by striking ``65 percent (80 
     percent in the case of eligible coverage months beginning 
     before February 13, 2011)'' and inserting ``72.5 percent''.
       (2) Extension of advance payment provisions.--
       (A) Section 7527(b) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``65 percent (80 percent in the case of eligible coverage 
     months beginning before February 13, 2011)'' and inserting 
     ``72.5 percent''.
       (B) Section 7527(d)(2) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``which is issued before February 13, 2011''.
       (C) Section 7527(e) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``80 percent'' and inserting ``72.5 percent''.
       (D) Section 7527(e) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``In the case of eligible coverage months beginning before 
     February 13, 2011--''.
       (3) Extension of certain other related provisions.--
       (A) Section 35(c)(2)(B) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``and before February 13, 2011''.
       (B) Section 35(e)(1)(K) of such Code is amended by striking 
     ``In the case of eligible coverage months beginning before 
     February 13, 2012, coverage'' and inserting ``Coverage''.
       (C) Section 35(g)(9) of such Code, as added by section 
     1899E(a) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 
     2009 (relating to continued qualification of family members 
     after certain events), is amended by striking ``In the case 
     of eligible coverage months beginning before February 13, 
     2011--''.
       (D) Section 173(f)(8) of the Workforce Investment Act of 
     1998 is amended by striking ``In the case of eligible 
     coverage months beginning before February 13, 2011--''.
       (c) Effective Dates.--
       (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     subsection, the amendments made by this section shall apply 
     to coverage months beginning after February 12, 2011.
       (2) Advance payment provisions.--
       (A) The amendment made by subsection (b)(2)(B) shall apply 
     to certificates issued after the date which is 30 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (B) The amendment made by subsection (b)(2)(D) shall apply 
     to coverage months beginning after the date which is 30 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 242. TAA PRE-CERTIFICATION PERIOD RULE FOR PURPOSES OF 
                   DETERMINING WHETHER THERE IS A 63-DAY LAPSE IN 
                   CREDITABLE COVERAGE.

       (a) In General.--The following provisions are each amended 
     by striking ``February 13, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 
     2014'':
       (1) Section 9801(c)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986.
       (2) Section 701(c)(2)(C) of the Employee Retirement Income 
     Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1181(c)(2)(C)).
       (3) Section 2701(c)(2)(C) of the Public Health Service Act 
     (as in effect for plan years beginning before January 1, 
     2014).
       (4) Section 2704(c)(2)(C) of the Public Health Service Act 
     (as in effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 
     2014).
       (b) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply to plan years beginning after February 12, 2011.
       (2) Transitional rules.--
       (A) Benefit determinations.--Notwithstanding the amendments 
     made by this section (and the provisions of law amended 
     thereby), a plan shall not be required to modify benefit 
     determinations for the period beginning on February 13, 2011, 
     and ending 30 days after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, but a plan shall not fail to be qualified health 
     insurance within the meaning of section 35(e) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 during this period merely due to such 
     failure to modify benefit determinations.
       (B) Guidance concerning periods before 30 days after 
     enactment.--Except as provided in subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary of the Treasury (or his designee), in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the 
     Secretary of Labor, may issue regulations or other guidance 
     regarding the scope of the application of the amendments made 
     by this section to periods before the date which is 30 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (C) Special rule relating to certain loss of coverage.--In 
     the case of a TAA-related loss of coverage (as defined in 
     section 4980B(f)(5)(C)(iv) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986) that occurs during the period beginning on February 13, 
     2011, and ending 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the 7-day period described in section 9801(c)(2)(D) 
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, section 701(c)(2)(C) of 
     the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and 
     section 2701(c)(2)(C) of the Public Health Service Act shall 
     be extended until 30 days after such date of enactment.

     SEC. 243. EXTENSION OF COBRA BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN TAA-
                   ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND PBGC RECIPIENTS.

       (a) In General.--The following provisions are each amended 
     by striking ``February 12, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 
     2014'':
       (1) Section 602(2)(A)(v) of the Employee Retirement Income 
     Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1162(2)(A)(v)).
       (2) Section 602(2)(A)(vi) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
     1162(2)(A)(vi)).
       (3) Section 4980B(f)(2)(B)(i)(V) of the Internal Revenue 
     Code of 1986.
       (4) Section 4980B(f)(2)(B)(i)(VI) of such Code.
       (5) Section 2202(2)(A)(iv) of the Public Health Service Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 300bb-2(2)(A)(iv)).
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to periods of coverage which would (without 
     regard to the amendments made by this section) end on or 
     after the date which is 30 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.

                          Subtitle C--Offsets

          PART I--UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAM INTEGRITY

     SEC. 251. MANDATORY PENALTY ASSESSMENT ON FRAUD CLAIMS.

       (a) In General.--Section 303(a) of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 503(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end of 
     subparagraph (B) and inserting ``; and''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(11)(A) At the time the State agency determines an 
     erroneous payment from its unemployment fund was made to an 
     individual due to fraud committed by such individual, the 
     assessment of a penalty on the individual in an amount of not 
     less than 15 percent of the amount of the erroneous payment; 
     and
       ``(B) The immediate deposit of all assessments paid 
     pursuant to subparagraph (A) into the unemployment fund of 
     the State.''.
       (b) Application to Federal Payments.--
       (1) In general.--As a condition for administering any 
     unemployment compensation program of the United States (as 
     defined in paragraph (2)) as an agent of the United States, 
     if the State determines that an erroneous payment was made by 
     the State to an individual under any such program due to 
     fraud committed by such individual, the State shall assess a 
     penalty on such individual and deposit any such penalty 
     received in the same manner as the State assesses and 
     deposits such penalties under provisions of State law 
     implementing section 303(a)(11) of the Social Security Act, 
     as added by subsection (a).
       (2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the term 
     ``unemployment compensation program of the United States'' 
     means--
       (A) unemployment compensation for Federal civilian 
     employees under subchapter I of chapter 85 of title 5, United 
     States Code;
       (B) unemployment compensation for ex-servicemembers under 
     subchapter II of chapter 85 of title 5, United States Code;
       (C) trade readjustment allowances under sections 231 
     through 234 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2291-2294);
       (D) disaster unemployment assistance under section 410(a) 
     of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5177(a));
       (E) any Federal temporary extension of unemployment 
     compensation;
       (F) any Federal program which increases the weekly amount 
     of unemployment compensation payable to individuals; and
       (G) any other Federal program providing for the payment of 
     unemployment compensation.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     amendments made by this section shall apply to erroneous 
     payments established after the end of the 2-year period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Authority.--A State may amend its State law to apply 
     such amendments to erroneous payments established prior to 
     the end of the period described in paragraph (1).

     SEC. 252. PROHIBITION ON NONCHARGING DUE TO EMPLOYER FAULT.

       (a) In General.--Section 3303 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986 is amended--
       (1) by striking subsections (f) and (g); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Prohibition on Noncharging Due to Employer Fault.--
       ``(1) In general.--A State law shall be treated as meeting 
     the requirements of subsection (a)(1) only if such law 
     provides that an employer's account shall not be relieved of 
     charges relating to a payment from the State unemployment 
     fund if the State agency determines that--
       ``(A) the payment was made because the employer, or an 
     agent of the employer, was at fault for failing to respond 
     timely or adequately to the request of the agency for 
     information relating to the claim for compensation; and
       ``(B) the employer or agent has established a pattern of 
     failing to respond timely or adequately to such requests.

[[Page 15214]]

       ``(2) State authority to impose stricter standards.--
     Nothing in paragraph (1) shall limit the authority of a State 
     to provide that an employer's account not be relieved of 
     charges relating to a payment from the State unemployment 
     fund for reasons other than the reasons described in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such paragraph, such as after 
     the first instance of a failure to respond timely or 
     adequately to requests described in paragraph (1)(A).''.
       (b) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     amendments made by this section shall apply to erroneous 
     payments established after the end of the 2-year period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Authority.--A State may amend its State law to apply 
     such amendments to erroneous payments established prior to 
     the end of the period described in paragraph (1).

     SEC. 253. REPORTING OF REHIRED EMPLOYEES TO THE DIRECTORY OF 
                   NEW HIRES.

       (a) Definition of Newly Hired Employee.--Section 453A(a)(2) 
     of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653a(a)(2)) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(C) Newly hired employee.--The term `newly hired 
     employee' means an employee who--
       ``(i) has not previously been employed by the employer; or
       ``(ii) was previously employed by the employer but has been 
     separated from such prior employment for at least 60 
     consecutive days.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments 
     made by this section shall take effect 6 months after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Compliance transition period.--If the Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services determines that State legislation 
     (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required in 
     order for a State plan under part D of title IV of the Social 
     Security Act to meet the additional requirement imposed by 
     the amendment made by subsection (a), the plan shall not be 
     regarded as failing to meet such requirement before the first 
     day of the second calendar quarter beginning after the close 
     of the first regular session of the State legislature that 
     begins after the effective date of such amendment. If the 
     State has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the 
     session is deemed to be a separate regular session of the 
     State legislature.

                      PART II--ADDITIONAL OFFSETS

     SEC. 261. IMPROVEMENTS TO CONTRACTS WITH MEDICARE QUALITY 
                   IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS (QIOS) IN ORDER TO 
                   IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE FURNISHED TO 
                   MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES.

       (a) Authority to Contract With a Broad Range of Entities.--
       (1) Definition.--Section 1152 of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1320c-1) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) and 
     (2) and inserting the following new paragraphs:
       ``(1) is able, as determined by the Secretary, to perform 
     its functions under this part in a manner consistent with the 
     efficient and effective administration of this part and title 
     XVIII;
       ``(2) has at least one individual who is a representative 
     of health care providers on its governing body; and''.
       (2) Name change.--Part B of title XI of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1320c et seq.) is amended--
       (A) in the headings for sections 1152 and 1153, by striking 
     ``utilization and quality control peer review'' and inserting 
     ``quality improvement'';
       (B) in the heading for section 1154, by striking ``peer 
     review'' and inserting ``quality improvement''; and
       (C) by striking ``utilization and quality control peer 
     review'' and ``peer review'' each place it appears before 
     ``organization'' or ``organizations'' and inserting ``quality 
     improvement''.
       (3) Conforming amendments to the medicare program.--Title 
     XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking ``utilization and quality control peer 
     review'' and inserting ``quality improvement'' each place it 
     appears;
       (B) by striking ``quality control and peer review'' and 
     inserting ``quality improvement'' each place it appears;
       (C) in paragraphs (1)(A)(iii)(I) and (2) of section 
     1842(l), by striking ``peer review organization'' and 
     inserting ``quality improvement organization'';
       (D) in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 1866(a)(3), by 
     striking ``peer review'' and inserting ``quality 
     improvement'';
       (E) in section 1867(d)(3), in the heading, by striking 
     ``peer review'' and inserting ``quality improvement''; and
       (F) in section 1869(c)(3)(G), by striking ``peer review 
     organizations'' and inserting ``quality improvement 
     organizations''.
       (b) Improvements With Respect to the Contract.--
       (1) Flexibility with respect to the geographic scope of 
     contracts.--Section 1153 of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1320c-2) is amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(a) The Secretary shall establish throughout the United 
     States such local, State, regional, national, or other 
     geographic areas as the Secretary determines appropriate with 
     respect to which contracts under this part will be made.'';
       (B) in subsection (b)(1), as amended by subsection (a)(2)--
       (i) in the first sentence, by striking ``a contract with a 
     quality improvement organization'' and inserting ``contracts 
     with one or more quality improvement organizations''; and
       (ii) in the second sentence, by striking ``meets the 
     requirements'' and all that follows before the period at the 
     end and inserting ``will be operating in an area, the 
     Secretary shall ensure that there is no duplication of the 
     functions carried out by such organizations within the 
     area'';
       (C) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by inserting ``or the 
     Secretary determines that there is a more qualified entity to 
     perform one or more of the functions in section 1154(a)'' 
     after ``under this part'';
       (D) in subsection (b)(3)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``, or association of 
     such facilities,''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (B)--

       (I) by striking ``or association of such facilities''; and
       (II) by striking ``or associations''; and

       (E) by striking subsection (i).
       (2) Extension of length of contracts.--Section 1153(c)(3) 
     of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320c-2(c)(3)) is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking ``three years'' and inserting ``five 
     years''; and
       (B) by striking ``on a triennial basis'' and inserting 
     ``for terms of five years''.
       (3) Authority to terminate in a manner consistent with the 
     federal acquisition regulation.--Section 1153 of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320c-2) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(4) The Secretary may consider a variety of factors in 
     selecting the contractors that the Secretary determines would 
     provide for the most efficient and effective administration 
     of this part, such as geographic location, size, and prior 
     experience in health care quality improvement. Quality 
     improvement organizations operating as of January 1, 2012, 
     shall be allowed to compete for new contracts (as determined 
     appropriate by the Secretary) along with other qualified 
     organizations and are eligible for renewal of contracts for 
     terms five years thereafter (as determined appropriate by the 
     Secretary).'';
       (B) in subsection (c), by striking paragraphs (4) through 
     (6) and redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs 
     (4) and (5), respectively; and
       (C) by striking subsection (d).
       (4) Administrative improvement.--Section 1153(c)(5) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320c-2(c)(5)), as 
     redesignated by this subsection, is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(5) reimbursement shall be made to the organization on a 
     monthly basis, with payments for any month being made 
     consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.''.
       (c) Authority for Quality Improvement Organizations To 
     Perform Specialized Functions and to Eliminate Conflicts of 
     Interest.--Part B of title XI of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1320c et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 1153--
       (A) in subsection (b)(1), as amended by subsection 
     (b)(1)(B), by inserting after the first sentence the 
     following new sentence: ``In entering into contracts with 
     such qualified organizations, the Secretary shall, to the 
     extent appropriate, seek to ensure that each of the functions 
     described in section 1154(a) are carried out within an area 
     established under subsection (a).''; and
       (B) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``the functions set 
     forth in section 1154(a), or may subcontract for the 
     performance of all or some of such functions'' and inserting 
     ``a function or functions under section 1154 directly or may 
     subcontract for the performance of all or some of such 
     function or functions''; and
       (2) in section 1154--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--

       (I) by striking ``Any'' and inserting ``Subject to 
     subsection (b), any''; and
       (II) by inserting ``one or more of'' before ``the following 
     functions'';

       (ii) in paragraph (4), by striking subparagraph (C);
       (iii) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(12) As part of the organization's review responsibility 
     under paragraph (1), the organization shall review all 
     ambulatory surgical procedures specified pursuant to section 
     1833(i)(1)(A) which are performed in the area, or, at the 
     discretion of the Secretary, a sample of such procedures.''; 
     and
       (iv) in paragraph (15), by striking ``significant on-site 
     review activities'' and all that follows before the period at 
     the end and inserting ``on-site review activities as the 
     Secretary determines appropriate''.
       (B) by striking subsection (d) and redesignating 
     subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), 
     respectively; and
       (C) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(b) A quality improvement organization entering into a 
     contract with the Secretary to perform a function described 
     in a paragraph under subsection (a) must perform all of the 
     activities described in such paragraph, except to the extent 
     otherwise negotiated with the Secretary pursuant to the 
     contract or except for a function for which the Secretary 
     determines it is not appropriate for the organization to 
     perform, such as a function that could cause a conflict of 
     interest with another function.''.
       (d) Quality Improvement as Specified Function.--Section 
     1154(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320c-3(a)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

[[Page 15215]]

       ``(18) The organization shall perform, subject to the terms 
     of the contract, such other activities as the Secretary 
     determines may be necessary for the purposes of improving the 
     quality of care furnished to individuals with respect to 
     items and services for which payment may be made under title 
     XVIII.''.
       (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after 
     January 1, 2012.

     SEC. 262. RATES FOR MERCHANDISE PROCESSING FEES.

       (a) Fees for Period From July 1, 2014, to November 30, 
     2015.--For the period beginning on July 1, 2014, and ending 
     on November 30, 2015, 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''.
       (b) Fees for Period From October 1, 2016, to September 30, 
     2019.--For the period beginning on October 1, 2016, and 
     ending on September 30, 2019, 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 ``0.1740'' for 
     ``0.21''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by substituting ``0.1740'' for 
     ``0.21''.

     SEC. 263. TIME FOR REMITTING CERTAIN MERCHANDISE PROCESSING 
                   FEES.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, any fees authorized under paragraphs (9) and (10) of 
     section 13031(a) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget 
     Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 58c(a) (9) and (10)) 
     with respect to processing merchandise entered on or after 
     October 1, 2012, and before November 12, 2012, shall be paid 
     not later than September 25, 2012, in an amount equivalent to 
     the amount of such fees paid by the person responsible for 
     such fees with respect to merchandise entered on or after 
     October 1, 2011, and before November 12, 2011, as determined 
     by the Secretary of the Treasury.
       (b) Reconciliation of Merchandise Processing Fees.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than December 12, 2012, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury shall reconcile the fees paid 
     pursuant to subsection (a) with the fees for services 
     actually provided on or after October 1, 2012, and before 
     November 12, 2012.
       (2) Refunds of overpayments.--
       (A) After making the reconciliation required under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury shall refund 
     with interest any overpayment of such fees made under 
     subsection (a) and make proper adjustments with respect to 
     any underpayment of such fees.
       (B) No interest may be assessed with respect to any such 
     underpayment that was based on the amount of fees paid for 
     merchandise entered on or after October 1, 2012, and before 
     November 12, 2012.


                            Motion to Concur

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Mr. Camp moves that the House concur in the Senate 
     amendment to H.R. 2832.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 425, 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 Michigan (Mr. Camp) and the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Levin) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp).


                             General Leave

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CAMP. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2832, the bill which 
renews the Generalized System of Preferences program and also contains 
the Trade Adjustment Extension Act of 2011. This bill is the 
cornerstone of a carefully crafted bipartisan, bicameral agreement that 
prompted the President to send the three trade agreements to Congress 
last Monday and, in turn, has allowed us to move forward on the long-
stalled trade agenda.
  The bill renews the bipartisan GSP, the largest U.S. trade preference 
program, which was already passed by the House last month. Not only 
does this legislation allow duty-free access for specific products from 
certain developing countries into the U.S. market; it makes U.S. 
manufacturing more competitive by lowering the cost of inputs.
  The Coalition for GSP has estimated that over 82,000 U.S. jobs are 
directly or indirectly associated with this program. This legislation 
renews the program through July 31, 2013, and applies it retroactively 
for eligible products imported after the program's expiration date on 
December 31, 2010. This program is fully offset with spending cuts.
  This bill also contains a reauthorization of Trade Adjustment 
Assistance, better known as TAA. Earlier this summer, the White House 
sprung upon us that it would not send the three free trade agreements 
to Congress if there was no ``deal'' on TAA. I took this demand to 
heart and made the decision that I had to do everything in my power to 
reach agreement on a streamlined, cost-effective, and reduced TAA 
program to ensure that all three job-creating trade agreements could 
move forward. I worked with Chairman Baucus and the White House to 
forge a bipartisan agreement on TAA to do just that.
  The core principles of our conference--ensuring smaller government 
and cutting spending--were the foundation of my negotiating stance 
throughout the TAA talks. As a result, contrary to initial White House 
demands that we reauthorize the 2009 TAA law that, according to the 
Congressional Budget Office, cost more than $700 million per year for 5 
years, we forced the administration to accept significant cuts to the 
program. The cost for the final TAA agreement is approximately one-half 
that amount, according to CBO. The deal costs roughly $900 million 
total for a 3-year program and is fully offset with spending cuts, 
including deep cuts below the baseline to the program itself. Moreover, 
TAA reverts to 2002 levels or below for 2014, and the entire program 
completely ends after 2014.
  In order to achieve these savings, we streamlined and scaled back TAA 
as a whole. I'll note some of the highlights. We reduced the number of 
weeks of income support under the TAA for Workers program from 156 in 
2009 down to 117 weeks, with up to an additional 13 weeks available 
only if the applicant has met stringent standards and has 
``substantially met the performance benchmarks'' of his or her training 
program.
  I also want to note here for clarity that TAA benefits run 
concurrently with unemployment benefits. In other words, there is no 
double-dipping. We slashed the health care subsidy from 80 percent down 
to 72.5 percent and completely repeal it after 2013.
  We denied TAA eligibility for public sector workers.
  We eliminated half of the allowable justifications for the program's 
training waivers to ensure that only those who are in training will be 
eligible for TAA benefits, with only limited exceptions.
  We consolidated and reduced by $110 million all non-income support 
expenditures of the program.
  We slashed funding for TAA for Firms back to 2002 law levels, made 
TAA for Farmers a discretionary program, and eliminated most of the TAA 
for Communities program authorized at $190 million in the 2009 law.
  We also added in enhanced performance measures and accountability 
into all of the TAA programs. And on top of that, we fully offset this 
program with spending cuts.
  Overall, we slashed and streamlined TAA significantly and are today 
moving forward the most significant trade deal this country has seen in 
15 years. For those who are concerned about TAA, let me urge you to 
recognize that this extension of a scaled back TAA is a small price to 
pay for the extraordinary promise these trade agreements hold for our 
economy.
  I encourage my colleagues to consider the four votes for the three 
trade agreements and the GSP/TAA bill as a comprehensive package and a 
model of bipartisanship for creating jobs and enhancing economic growth 
in this country.
  Therefore, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page 15216]]


  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
ranking member on the Trade Subcommittee, the gentleman from Washington 
(Mr. McDermott).
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, finally we come to the most important of 
the bills that we're going to deal with tonight. This should have been 
the first bill. This should have been dealt with a long time ago--back 
in February when it expired--because this is a bill that extends two 
programs that have had strong bipartisan support in the past, the Trade 
Adjustment Assistance program and the Generalized System of Preferences 
program.
  When the leadership in the Senate decided that the only thing that 
they were going to do was stop President Obama from having a second 
term, they recognized this trade issue was a very sensitive one, and 
the most sensitive issue was what does it do to American workers. Do we 
help people that are displaced when jobs go overseas or just disappear 
generally? Then are we going to help our workers? And the Democrats 
said we've got to do that. If we don't do that, nothing else is going 
to happen. Finally, the Republican leadership in the Senate said, well, 
okay. Because we want something, we'll finally give a little something 
to the workers. You've heard the reductions that have been made.
  This bill started in 1962 under John Kennedy, and it was done to help 
workers who were laid off because of increased competition in trade. In 
2009, we finally had a reform with bipartisan support. The Congress 
made significant changes in TAA, many of which were made to deal with 
past criticisms of the bill. It wasn't enough; it didn't help people. 
It needed health care benefits. There were a lot of things that were 
problematic since 1962.
  When the Recovery Act became the vehicle in 2009, TAA was put on it. 
There was never any expectation that it would just disappear in 2011. 
Senator Grassley, a nice conservative, solid Republican Senator from 
Iowa said: ``Today's achievement is the culmination of years of effort, 
and I'm confident the result will serve to benefit American workers in 
Iowa and across the United States for years to come.'' Not ending in 
2011--for years to come. Don't forget those words. And yet the House 
leadership made the unfortunate choice to let those critical reforms 
expire last winter.
  Washington State workers benefited immensely from those 2009 reforms. 
In fact, in the past couple of years, 35 percent of all of the workers 
certified for TAA in Washington State were certified under the new 
eligibility criteria, including the expansion of work programs to cover 
service workers. Today's bill protects and preserves the integrity of 
the TAA program and the 2009 reforms and provides trade-impacted 
workers with the support they need to get back on their feet.
  Now when you lose a job, it used to be unemployment was sort of set 
up, if your construction job went away because it was wintertime, you 
went on unemployment insurance. And springtime came back and the job 
came back, and away you went. In this economy, the jobs go away, and 
they don't come back. So you have to learn some new skill to make a 
living for your family. Now that concept is one we should have for all 
workers in this country, not just for those affected by trade.

                              {time}  2230

  Workers in Washington and all across the country have suffered 
because of the delay in the implementation of this bill.
  This bill also extends the General Systems of Preferences program, 
which is the oldest of the U.S. assistance programs for our 
businesspeople in this country. It's played an important role in our 
Nation's trade and development efforts for decades.
  Sometimes I ask myself if anybody on the Republican side ever had 
anything to do with a business. I'm not a businessman, but I know that 
the most important thing for a businessman or businesswoman is to be 
able to plan, to know that the program is going to be there and that 
you can quote a price to somebody because you know it will be there. 
But the GSP program, which has been important to a lot of our small 
businesses, has simply been unreliable because the Republican 
leadership couldn't seem to figure out how to extend something that has 
been bipartisan for years.
  U.S. workers as well as businesses have relied on GSP. About 65 to 70 
percent of U.S. imports under GSP are imports used to support U.S. 
manufacturing. We're getting things from outside to bring into this 
country. As a result of the delay in extending GSP in the U.S. and in 
developing countries that rely on these preferences, the business deals 
have ended. There have been all kinds of problems. We hear about them 
in our office from our little businesses in our district.
  Now we are finally considering this important legislation. I urge my 
colleagues to pass it. I understand that the Senate is, tomorrow, going 
to pass; it at exactly the same time as we pass it in here. It will be 
a historic moment that we extend a program that started as bipartisan 
in 1962. It is essential that we as a Congress think about our workers 
and their jobs. We're not worried about the rest of the world.
  A big problem in this country is that we haven't paid attention to 
our workers and what happens to them when they lose their jobs. They 
have unemployment maybe for 99 weeks. We haven't extended unemployment 
benefits either. That's another issue hanging around here that's going 
to ultimately hurt our workers. The leadership on the other side knows 
it. Why do they sit there and dangle our workers that way? Why do you 
want to make them angry and upset and uncertain?
  You watch the Tea Party in the street, you watch what's going on down 
on Wall Street, you've got to say to yourself, There's something 
brewing out there. And if you don't deal with unemployment insurance 
and what happens to workers, we are going to have a very turbulent year 
in the next year.
  I urge all Members to vote for this.
  Mr. CAMP. I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished 
chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Brady).
  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in strongly 
supporting passage of this legislation which renews the Generalized 
System of Preferences program and also reauthorizes a smaller Trade 
Adjustment Assistance program. This bill is a key part of the 
bipartisan trade package before us today and is crucial to letting the 
world know the United States is back on the trade field again.
  The legislation has two very important parts: GSP and Trade 
Adjustment Assistance. With regard to preferences, this program 
provides preferential access to certain imports from selected 
developing countries. And, importantly, it also benefits U.S. 
manufacturers and creates U.S. jobs. Nearly three-quarters of all the 
eligible imports are raw materials, component parts, or machinery and 
equipment used by American companies to manufacture goods in America. 
That means our manufacturers can make things here in the United States 
more cheaply and employ more Americans in the process. As far as I'm 
concerned, that is a real win-win. Moreover, I must note that this 
program is fully offset with spending cuts.
  On Trade Adjustment Assistance, I applaud Chairman Camp for his 
scaled-back version of TAA that he was able to negotiate with the White 
House and Chairman Baucus from the Senate. At the outset, the White 
House demanded that there be a straight extension of the 2009 law for 5 
years and held the trade agreements, frankly, hostage. Chairman Camp, 
however, refused to accept that ultimatum. He instead negotiated a 
strong agreement and forced the White House to accept deep cuts to the 
programs as well as other significant spending cuts, including cuts to 
other unemployment benefit programs. Overall, according to the 
Congressional Budget Office, the Trade Adjustment Assistance package 
costs one-half of what the administration had originally demanded and 
is fully offset with spending cuts.
  Now, there is fair criticism of Trade Adjustment Assistance. It is 
expensive,

[[Page 15217]]

not especially efficient, and has grown over the years to not really 
serve the people that it needs to. In this tight fiscal situation, 
these are fair concerns. In an ideal world, the President would have 
needed no persuading to send up the trade agreement to Congress and we 
would have considered them long ago. However, the reality is different, 
and we were told in order to move forward bipartisan legislation on 
trade, we had to work with the Senate and the White House on this 
issue. In this case, Chairman Camp, on behalf of Republicans in the 
House and the Senate, secured significant reforms to the programs, 
including key spending cuts, consolidations, and other concessions. The 
program has been cut in some cases below the 2002 trade adjustment 
levels, all setting the stage for sunset of the program at the end of 
2014.
  All in all, our constructive bipartisan work on trade has yielded a 
victory for the American people both through the trade agreements and 
this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this measure and consider 
this to be part of the comprehensive package, a comprehensive 
bipartisan jobs package for America.
  Mr. LEVIN. How much time is remaining on both sides?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) has 
23 minutes remaining. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp) has 22 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. LEVIN. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CAMP. I reserve the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further 
consideration of the motion is postponed.

                          ____________________