[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7607-7615]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 1412. Mr. MANCHIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       Beginning on page 45, strike line 10 and all that follows 
     through page 49, line 20, and insert the following:
       (c) Extension Approval Process for Congressional Trade 
     Authorities Procedures.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in section 106(b)--
       (A) the trade authorities procedures apply to implementing 
     bills submitted with respect to trade agreements entered into 
     under subsection (b) before July 1, 2018; and
       (B) the trade authorities procedures shall be extended to 
     implementing bills submitted with respect to trade agreements 
     entered into under subsection (b) after June 30, 2018, and 
     before July 1, 2021, if (and only if)--
       (i) the President requests such extension under paragraph 
     (2); and
       (ii) an extension approval resolution is enacted under 
     paragraph (5) before July 1, 2018.
       (2) Report to congress by the president.--If the President 
     is of the opinion that the trade authorities procedures 
     should be extended to implementing bills described in 
     paragraph (1)(B), the President shall submit to Congress, not 
     later than April 1, 2018, a written report that contains a 
     request for such extension, together with--
       (A) a description of all trade agreements that have been 
     negotiated under subsection (b) and the anticipated schedule 
     for submitting such agreements to Congress for approval;
       (B) a description of the progress that has been made in 
     negotiations to achieve the purposes, policies, priorities, 
     and objectives of this title, and a statement that such 
     progress justifies the continuation of negotiations; and
       (C) a statement of the reasons why the extension is needed 
     to complete the negotiations.
       (3) Other reports to congress.--
       (A) Report by the advisory committee.--The President shall 
     promptly inform the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and 
     Negotiations established under section 135 of the Trade Act 
     of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155) of the decision of the President to 
     submit a report to Congress under paragraph (2). The Advisory 
     Committee shall submit to Congress as soon as practicable, 
     but not later than June 1, 2018, a written report that 
     contains--
       (i) its views regarding the progress that has been made in 
     negotiations to achieve the purposes, policies, priorities, 
     and objectives of this title; and
       (ii) a statement of its views, and the reasons therefor, 
     regarding whether the extension requested under paragraph (2) 
     should be approved or disapproved.
       (B) Report by international trade commission.--The 
     President shall promptly inform the United States 
     International Trade Commission of the decision of the 
     President to submit a report to Congress under paragraph (2). 
     The International Trade Commission shall submit to Congress 
     as soon as practicable, but not later than June 1, 2018, a 
     written report that contains a review and analysis of the 
     economic impact on the United States of all trade agreements 
     implemented between the date of the enactment of this Act and 
     the date on which the President decides to seek an extension 
     requested under paragraph (2).
       (4) Status of reports.--The reports submitted to Congress 
     under paragraphs (2) and (3), or any portion of such reports, 
     may be classified to the extent the President determines 
     appropriate.
       (5) Extension approval resolution.--(A) For purposes of 
     paragraph (1), the term ``extension approval resolution'' 
     means a joint resolution the sole matter after the resolving 
     clause of which is as follows: ``That Congress approves the 
     request of the President for the extension, under section 
     103(c)(1)(B)(i) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade 
     Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, of the trade 
     authorities procedures under that Act to any implementing 
     bill submitted with respect to any trade agreement entered 
     into under section 103(b) of that Act after June 30, 2018.''.
       (B) Extension approval resolutions--
       (i) may be introduced in either House of Congress by any 
     member of such House; and
       (ii) shall be referred, in the House of Representatives, to 
     the Committee on Ways and Means and, in addition, to the 
     Committee on Rules.
       (C) The provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of section 
     152 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2192) (relating to 
     the floor consideration of certain resolutions in the House 
     and Senate) apply to extension approval resolutions.
       (D) It is not in order for--
       (i) the House of Representatives to consider any extension 
     approval resolution not reported by the Committee on Ways and 
     Means and, in addition, by the Committee on Rules;
       (ii) the Senate to consider any extension approval 
     resolution not reported by the Committee on Finance; or
       (iii) either House of Congress to consider an extension 
     approval resolution after June 30, 2018.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1413. Mr. MANCHIN (for himself and Ms. Warren) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. 
Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
to provide for a right to an administrative appeal relating to adverse 
determinations of tax-exempt status of certain organizations; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 78, line 22, strike ``as a whole'' and insert ``as 
     a whole, on the economy of each State,''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1414. Mr. MANCHIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain

[[Page 7608]]

organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Beginning on page 44, strike line 10 and all that follows 
     through page 45, line 9, and insert the following:
       (3) Implementing bills.--
       (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this Act, the President shall submit to Congress under 
     section 106(a)(1), with respect to each trade agreement 
     entered into under this subsection, the following:
       (i) A bill providing for the approval of the trade 
     agreement.
       (ii) A bill providing for the approval of the statement of 
     administrative action, if any, proposed to implement the 
     trade agreement.
       (iii) If changes in existing laws or new statutory 
     authority are required to implement the trade agreement, a 
     bill containing such provisions as are strictly necessary or 
     appropriate to implement the trade agreement, either 
     repealing or amending existing laws or providing new 
     statutory authority.
       (B) Prohibition on consolidating bills.--The President may 
     not consolidate the bills described in clauses (i), (ii), and 
     (iii) of subparagraph (A).
       (C) Applicability of trade authorities procedures.--The 
     provisions of section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974 (in this 
     title referred to as ``trade authorities procedures'') apply 
     to a bill described in subparagraph (A). Such a bill shall 
     hereafter in this title be referred to as an ``implementing 
     bill''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1415. Ms. CANTWELL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

                        TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS

     SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY OF EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE 
                   UNITED STATES.

       (a) In General.--Section 7 of the Export-Import Bank Act of 
     1945 (12 U.S.C. 635f) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
       (b) Dual-Use Exports.--Section 1(c) of Public Law 103-428 
     (12 U.S.C. 635 note) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
       (c) Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee.--Section 
     2(b)(9)(B)(iii) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12 
     U.S.C. 635(b)(9)(B)(iii)) is amended by striking ``September 
     30, 2014'' and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the earlier of the date of the enactment 
     of this Act or June 30, 2015.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1416. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       At the end of section 109, add the following:
       (c) Outreach and Input From Small Businesses to Trade 
     Promotion Authority.--Section 609 of title 5, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f)(1) Not later than 30 days after the date on which the 
     President submits the notification required under section 
     5(a) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and 
     Accountability Act of 2015, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of 
     the Small Business Administration (in this subsection 
     referred to as the `Chief Counsel') shall convene an 
     Interagency Working Group (in this subsection referred to as 
     the `Working Group'), which shall consist of an employee from 
     each of the following agencies, as selected by the head of 
     the agency or an official delegated by the head of the 
     agency:
       ``(A) The Office of the United States Trade Representative.
       ``(B) The Department of Commerce.
       ``(C) The Department of Agriculture.
       ``(D) Any other agency that the Chief Counsel, in 
     consultation with the United States Trade Representative, 
     determines to be relevant with respect to the subject of the 
     trade agreement being negotiated pursuant to section 3(b) of 
     the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and 
     Accountability Act of 2015 (in this subsection referred to as 
     the `covered trade agreement').
       ``(2) Not later than 30 days after the date on which the 
     Chief Counsel convenes the Working Group under paragraph (1), 
     the Chief Counsel shall identify a diverse group of small 
     entities, representatives of small entities, or a combination 
     thereof, to provide to the Working Group the views of small 
     businesses in the manufacturing, services, and agriculture 
     industries on the potential economic effects of the covered 
     trade agreement.
       ``(3)(A) Not later than 180 days after the date on which 
     the Chief Counsel convenes the Working Group under paragraph 
     (1), the Chief Counsel shall submit to the Committee on Small 
     Business and Entrepreneurship and the Committee on Finance of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Small Business and the 
     Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a 
     report on the economic impacts of the covered trade agreement 
     on small entities, which shall--
       ``(i) identify the most important priorities, 
     opportunities, and challenges to various industries from the 
     covered trade agreement;
       ``(ii) assess the impact for new small entities to start 
     exporting, or increase their exports, to markets in the 
     covered trade agreement;
       ``(iii) analyze the competitive position of industries 
     likely to be significantly affected by the covered trade 
     agreement;
       ``(iv) identify--
       ``(I) any State-owned enterprises in each country 
     pertaining to the covered trade agreement that could be pose 
     a threat to small entities; and
       ``(II) any steps to take to create a level-playing field 
     for those small entities;
       ``(v) identify any rule of an agency that should be 
     modified to become compliant with the covered trade 
     agreement; and
       ``(vi) include an overview of the methodology used to 
     develop the report, including the number of small entity 
     participants by industry, how those small entities were 
     selected, and any other factors that the Chief Counsel may 
     determine appropriate.
       ``(B) To ensure that negotiations for the covered trade 
     agreement are not disrupted, the President may require that 
     the Chief Counsel delay submission of the report under 
     subparagraph (A) until after the negotiations of the covered 
     trade agreement are concluded, provided that the delay allows 
     the Chief Counsel to submit the report to Congress not later 
     than 45 days before the Senate or the House of 
     Representatives acts to approve or disapprove the covered 
     trade agreement.
       ``(C) The Chief Counsel shall, to the extent practicable, 
     coordinate the submission of the report under this paragraph 
     with the United States International Trade Commission, the 
     United States Trade Representative, other agencies, and trade 
     advisory committees to avoid unnecessary duplication of 
     reporting requirements.''.
       (d) State Trade Expansion Program.--Section 22 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 652) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (m); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (k) the following:
       ``(l) State Trade Expansion Program.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `eligible small business concern' means a 
     business concern that--
       ``(i) is organized or incorporated in the United States;
       ``(ii) is operating in the United States;
       ``(iii) meets--

       ``(I) the applicable industry-based small business size 
     standard established under section 3; or
       ``(II) the alternate size standard applicable to the 
     program under section 7(a) of this Act and the loan programs 
     under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 
     (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.);

       ``(iv) has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of 
     the date on which assistance using a grant under this 
     subsection commences; and
       ``(v) has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs 
     associated with trade, including the costs of packing, 
     shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers;
       ``(B) the term `program' means the State Trade Expansion 
     Program established under paragraph (2);
       ``(C) the term `rural small business concern' means an 
     eligible small business concern located in a rural area, as 
     that term is defined in section 1393(a)(2) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986;
       ``(D) the term `socially and economically disadvantaged 
     small business concern' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 8(a)(4)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     637(a)(4)(A)); and
       ``(E) the term `State' means each of the several States, 
     the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
     Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
       ``(2) Establishment of program.--The Associate 
     Administrator shall establish a trade expansion program, to 
     be known as the `State Trade Expansion Program', to make 
     grants to States to carry out programs that assist eligible 
     small business concerns in--
       ``(A) a market expansion sales trip;
       ``(B) a subscription to services provided by the Department 
     of Commerce;
       ``(C) the payment of website fees;
       ``(D) the design of marketing media;
       ``(E) a trade show exhibition;
       ``(F) participation in training workshops;
       ``(G) a reverse trade mission;
       ``(H) procurement of consultancy services (after 
     consultation with the Department of Commerce to avoid 
     duplication); or
       ``(I) any other initiative determined appropriate by the 
     Associate Administrator.

[[Page 7609]]

       ``(3) Grants.--
       ``(A) Joint review.--In carrying out the program, the 
     Associate Administrator may make a grant to a State to 
     increase the number of eligible small business concerns in 
     the State exploring significant new trade opportunities.
       ``(B) Considerations.--In making grants under this 
     subsection, the Associate Administrator may give priority to 
     an application by a State that proposes a program that--
       ``(i) focuses on eligible small business concerns as part 
     of a trade expansion program;
       ``(ii) demonstrates intent to promote trade expansion by--

       ``(I) socially and economically disadvantaged small 
     business concerns;
       ``(II) small business concerns owned or controlled by 
     women; and
       ``(III) rural small business concerns; and

       ``(iii) includes--

       ``(I) activities which have resulted in the highest return 
     on investment based on the most recent year; and
       ``(II) the adoption of shared best practices included in 
     the annual report of the Administration.

       ``(C) Limitations.--
       ``(i) Single application.--A State may not submit more than 
     1 application for a grant under the program in any 1 fiscal 
     year.
       ``(ii) Proportion of amounts.--The total value of grants 
     made under the program during a fiscal year to the 10 States 
     with the highest percentage of eligible small business 
     concerns, based upon the most recent data available from the 
     Department of Commerce, shall be not more than 40 percent of 
     the amounts appropriated for the program for that fiscal 
     year.
       ``(iii) Duration.--The Associate Administrator shall award 
     a grant under this program for a period of not more than 2 
     years.
       ``(D) Application.--
       ``(i) In general.--A State desiring a grant under the 
     program shall submit an application at such time, in such 
     manner, and accompanied by such information as the Associate 
     Administrator may establish.
       ``(ii) Consultation to reduce duplication.--A State 
     desiring a grant under the program shall--

       ``(I) before submitting an application under clause (i), 
     consult with applicable trade agencies of the Federal 
     Government on the scope and mission of the activities the 
     State proposes to carry out using the grant, to ensure proper 
     coordination and reduce duplication in services; and
       ``(II) document the consultation conducted under subclause 
     (I) in the application submitted under clause (i).

       ``(4) Competitive basis.--The Associate Administrator shall 
     award grants under the program on a competitive basis.
       ``(5) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of an 
     trade expansion program carried out using a grant under the 
     program shall be--
       ``(A) for a State that has a high trade volume, as 
     determined by the Associate Administrator, not more than 65 
     percent; and
       ``(B) for a State that does not have a high trade volume, 
     as determined by the Associate Administrator, not more than 
     75 percent.
       ``(6) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost 
     of a trade expansion program carried out using a grant under 
     the program shall be comprised of not less than 50 percent 
     cash and not more than 50 percent of indirect costs and in-
     kind contributions, except that no such costs or 
     contributions may be derived from funds from any other 
     Federal program.
       ``(7) Reports.--
       ``(A) Initial report.--Not later than 120 days after the 
     date of enactment of this subsection, the Associate 
     Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business 
     and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives a report, which 
     shall include--
       ``(i) a description of the structure of and procedures for 
     the program;
       ``(ii) a management plan for the program; and
       ``(iii) a description of the merit-based review process to 
     be used in the program.
       ``(B) Annual reports.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall 
     publish on the website of the Administration an annual report 
     regarding the program, which shall include--

       ``(I) the number and amount of grants made under the 
     program during the preceding year;
       ``(II) a list of the States receiving a grant under the 
     program during the preceding year, including the activities 
     being performed with each grant;
       ``(III) the effect of each grant on the eligible small 
     business concerns in the State receiving the grant;
       ``(IV) the total return on investment for each State; and
       ``(V) a description of best practices by States that showed 
     high returns on investment and significant progress in 
     helping more eligible small business concerns.

       ``(ii) Notice to congress.--On the date on which the 
     Associate Administrator publishes a report under clause (i), 
     the Associate Administrator shall notify the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives 
     that the report has been published.
       ``(8) Reviews by inspector general.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Inspector General of the 
     Administration shall conduct a review of--
       ``(i) the extent to which recipients of grants under the 
     program are measuring the performance of the activities being 
     conducted and the results of the measurements; and
       ``(ii) the overall management and effectiveness of the 
     program.
       ``(B) Reports.--
       ``(i) Pilot program.--Not later than 6 months after the 
     date of enactment of this subsection, the Inspector General 
     of the Administration shall submit to the Committee on Small 
     Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report 
     regarding the use of amounts made available under the State 
     Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program under section 1207 
     of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. 649b note).
       ``(ii) New step program.--Not later than 18 months after 
     the date on which the first grant is awarded under this 
     subsection, the Inspector General of the Administration shall 
     submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives a report regarding 
     the review conducted under subparagraph (A).
       ``(9) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out the program--
       ``(A) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
       ``(B) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;
       ``(C) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
       ``(D) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
       ``(E) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.''.
       (e) Membership of Representatives of State Trade Promotion 
     Agencies on Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee.--Section 
     2312 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4727) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Representatives from state trade promotion 
     agencies.--
       ``(A) In general.--The TPCC shall also include 1 or more 
     members appointed by the President, after consultation with 
     associations representing State trade promotion agencies, who 
     are representatives of State trade promotion agencies.
       ``(B) Term.--A member appointed under subparagraph (A) 
     shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.
       ``(C) Personnel matters.--
       ``(i) No compensation.--A member of the TPCC appointed 
     under subparagraph (A) shall serve without compensation.
       ``(ii) Travel expenses.--A member of the TPCC appointed 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be allowed travel expenses, 
     including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 
     authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of 
     chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from 
     the homes or regular place of business of the member in the 
     performance of services for the TPCC.
       ``(iii) Administrative assistance.--The Secretary of 
     Commerce, or the head of another agency, as appropriate, 
     shall make available to a member of the TPCC appointed under 
     subparagraph (A) administrative services and assistance, 
     including a security clearance, as the member may reasonably 
     require to carry out services for the TPCC.''; and
       (2) in subsection (e), in the first sentence, by inserting 
     ``(other than members described in subsection (d)(2))'' after 
     ``Members of the TPCC''.
       (f) State and Federal Export Promotion Coordination Working 
     Group.--Subtitle C of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 
     U.S.C. 4721 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
     2313 the following:

     ``SEC. 2313A. STATE AND FEDERAL EXPORT PROMOTION COORDINATION 
                   WORKING GROUP.

       ``(a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United 
     States to promote exports as an opportunity for small 
     businesses. In exercising their powers and functions in order 
     to advance that policy, all Federal departments and agencies 
     shall work constructively with State and local agencies 
     engaged in export promotion and export financing activities.
       ``(b) Establishment.--The President shall establish a State 
     and Federal Export Promotion Coordination Working Group (in 
     this section referred to as the `Working Group') as a 
     subcommittee of the Trade Promotion Coordination Committee 
     (in this section referred to as the `TPCC').
       ``(c) Purposes.--The purposes of the Working Group are--
       ``(1) to identify issues related to the coordination of 
     Federal resources relating to export promotion and export 
     financing with such resources provided by State and local 
     governments;
       ``(2) to identify ways to improve coordination with respect 
     to export promotion and export financing activities through 
     the strategic plan developed under section 2312(c);

[[Page 7610]]

       ``(3) to develop a strategy for improving coordination of 
     Federal and State resources relating to export promotion and 
     export financing, including methods to eliminate duplication 
     of effort and overlapping functions; and
       ``(4) to develop a strategic plan for considering and 
     implementing the suggestions of the Working Group as part of 
     the strategic plan developed under section 2312(c).
       ``(d) Membership.--The Secretary of Commerce shall select 
     the members of the Working Group, who shall include--
       ``(1) representatives from State trade agencies 
     representing regionally diverse areas; and
       ``(2) representatives of the departments and agencies that 
     are represented on the TPCC, who are designated by the heads 
     of their respective departments or agencies to advise the 
     head on ways of promoting the exportation of United States 
     goods and services.''.
       (g) Report on Improvements to Export.gov as a Single Window 
     for Export Information.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Associate Administrator for 
     International Trade of the Small Business Administration 
     shall, after consultation with the entities specified in 
     paragraph (2), submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report that includes the recommendations of the 
     Associate Administrator for improving the experience provided 
     by the Internet website Export.gov (or a successor website) 
     as--
       (A) a comprehensive resource for information about 
     exporting articles from the United States; and
       (B) a single website for exporters to submit all 
     information required by the Federal Government with respect 
     to the exportation of articles from the United States.
       (2) Entities specified.--The entities specified in this 
     paragraph are--
       (A) small business concerns (as defined in section 3 of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)) that are exporters; and
       (B) the President's Export Council, State agencies with 
     responsibility for export promotion or export financing, 
     district export councils, and trade associations.
       (3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship 
     and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 
     the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Small Business and the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
       (h) Small Business Interagency Task Force on Export 
     Financing.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Small Business 
     Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Export-
     Import Bank of the United States, and the Overseas Private 
     Investment Corporation shall jointly establish a Small 
     Business Inter-Agency Task Force on Export Financing to--
       (A) review and improve Federal export finance programs for 
     small business concerns; and
       (B) coordinate the activities of the Federal Government to 
     assist small business concerns seeking to export.
       (2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``small 
     business concern'' has the meaning given that term in section 
     3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
       (i) Availability of State Resources Guides on Export.gov.--
     The Secretary of Commerce shall make available on the 
     Internet website Export.gov (or a successor website) 
     information on the resources relating to export promotion and 
     export financing available in each State--
       (1) organized by State; and
       (2) including information on State agencies with 
     responsibility for export promotion or export financing and 
     district export councils and trade associations located in 
     the State.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1417. Ms. HEITKAMP submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       On page 14, after line 24, add the following:
       (v) procedures to ensure the independence and impartiality 
     of arbitrators and to prevent actual and perceived conflicts 
     of interest;
       (H) clarifying that, under the dispute settlement 
     mechanism, the burden is on the investor to establish each 
     applicable element of the minimum standard of treatment, 
     based on evidence of the general and consistent practices of 
     the government;
       (I) preserving the right of parties to a trade agreement to 
     regulate to protect legitimate public welfare objectives, 
     such as public health, safety, and the environment; and
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1418. Mr. DAINES submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       At the end of section 102(b), add the following:
       (21) Protection of indian exports and treaty rights.--
       (A) In general.--The principal negotiating objectives of 
     the United States with respect to the protection of exports 
     and treaty rights of Indian tribes are to ensure that--
       (i) goods of or for the benefit of Indian tribes may be 
     exported through ports in the United States;
       (ii) treaty rights of Indian tribes are protected; and
       (iii) goods of or for the benefit of Indian tribes have the 
     opportunity to compete in the world market.
       (B) Indian tribe defined.--In this paragraph, the term 
     ``Indian tribe'' has the meaning given that term in section 4 
     of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
     (25 U.S.C. 450b).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1419. Mr. SULLIVAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       On page 36, between lines 17 and 18, insert the following:
       (21) Energy negotiations.--The principal negotiating 
     objectives of the United States with respect to trade in 
     energy products and natural resources, including hydrocarbons 
     such as oil, gas, and coal, and mineral and timber resources, 
     are to obtain competitive opportunities for United States 
     exports of energy products and natural resources in foreign 
     markets substantially equivalent to the competitive 
     opportunities afforded foreign exports of energy products and 
     natural resources in United States markets and to achieve 
     fairer and more open conditions of trade in energy products 
     and natural resources.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1420. Mr. SULLIVAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       On page 36, between lines 17 and 18, insert the following:
       (21) Fisheries negotiations.--The principal negotiating 
     objectives of the United States with respect to trade in 
     fish, seafood, and shellfish products are to obtain 
     competitive opportunities for United States exports of fish, 
     seafood, and shellfish products in foreign markets 
     substantially equivalent to the competitive opportunities 
     afforded foreign exports of fish, seafood, and shellfish 
     products in United States markets and to achieve fairer and 
     more open conditions of trade in fish, seafood, and shellfish 
     products.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1421. Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Mr. Brown) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. 
Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
to provide for a right to an administrative appeal relating to adverse 
determinations of tax-exempt status of certain organizations; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In section 102(b), add at the end the following:
       (21) Food safety.--The principal negotiating objectives of 
     the United States with respect to food safety are--
       (A) to ensure that a trade agreement does not weaken or 
     diminish food safety standards that protect public health;
       (B) to promote strong food safety laws and regulations in 
     the United States; and
       (C) to maintain and strengthen food safety inspection 
     systems, including the inspection of meat, poultry, seafood, 
     and egg products exported to the United States.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1422. Mr. HEINRICH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       On page 116, beginning on line 4, strike ``and occupational 
     safety and health,'' and

[[Page 7611]]

     insert ``occupational safety and health, compensation in 
     cases of occupational injuries and illnesses, and social 
     security and retirement,''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1423. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1248 submitted by Ms. Cantwell and intended to be 
proposed to the amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill 
H.R. 1314, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a 
right to an administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of 
tax-exempt status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on 
the table; as follows:

       Beginning on page 17 of the amendment, strike line 14 and 
     all that follows through page 18, line 11.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1424. Mrs. FEINSTEIN submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 
1314, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right 
to an administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-
exempt status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

                 TITLE III--TRADE PREFERENCES FOR NEPAL

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Nepal Trade Preferences 
     Act''.

     SEC. 302. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that it should be an objective 
     of the United States to use trade policies and trade 
     agreements to contribute to the reduction of poverty and the 
     elimination of hunger.

     SEC. 303. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) In General.--The President may authorize the provision 
     of preferential treatment under this title to articles that 
     are imported directly from Nepal into the customs territory 
     of the United States pursuant to section 304 if the President 
     determines--
       (1) that Nepal meets the requirements set forth in 
     paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 104(a) of the African 
     Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3703(a)); and
       (2) after taking into account the factors set forth in 
     paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (c) of section 502 
     of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2462), that Nepal meets 
     the eligibility requirements of such section 502.
       (b) Withdrawal, Suspension, or Limitation of Preferential 
     Treatment; Mandatory Graduation.--The provisions of 
     subsections (d) and (e) of section 502 of the Trade Act of 
     1974 (19 U.S.C. 2462) shall apply with respect to Nepal to 
     the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions 
     apply with respect to beneficiary developing countries under 
     title V of that Act (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.).

     SEC. 304. ELIGIBLE ARTICLES.

       (a) In General.--An article described in subsection (b) may 
     enter the customs territory of the United States free of 
     duty.
       (b) Articles Described.--
       (1) In general.--An article is described in this subsection 
     if--
       (A)(i) the article is the growth, product, or manufacture 
     of Nepal; and
       (ii) in the case of a textile or apparel article, Nepal is 
     the country of origin of the article, as determined under 
     section 102.1 of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (as in 
     effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
     Act);
       (B) the article is imported directly from Nepal into the 
     customs territory of the United States;
       (C) the article is classified under any of the following 
     subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
     States (as in effect on the day before the date of the 
     enactment of this Act):

4202.11.00........................  4202.22.60...........  4202.92.08
4202.12.20........................  4202.22.70...........  4202.92.15
4202.12.40........................  4202.22.80...........  4202.92.20
4202.12.60........................  4202.29.50...........  4202.92.30
4202.12.80........................  4202.29.90...........  4202.92.45
4202.21.60........................  4202.31.60...........  4202.92.60
4202.21.90........................  4202.32.40...........  4202.92.90
4202.22.15........................  4202.32.80...........  4202.99.90
4202.22.40........................  4202.32.95...........  4203.29.50
4202.22.45........................  4202.91.00             .............
                                                           .............
5701.10.90........................  5702.91.30...........  5703.10.80
5702.31.20........................  5702.91.40...........  5703.90.00
5702.49.20........................  5702.92.90...........  5705.00.20
5702.50.40........................  5702.99.15             .............
5702.50.59........................  5703.10.20             .............
                                                           .............
6117.10.60........................  6214.20.00...........  6217.10.85
6117.80.85........................  6214.40.00...........  6301.90.00
6214.10.10........................  6214.90.00...........  6308.00.00
6214.10.20........................  6216.00.80             .............
                                                           .............
6504.00.90........................  6505.00.30...........  6505.00.90
6505.00.08........................  6505.00.40...........  6506.99.30
6505.00.15........................  6505.00.50...........  6506.99.60
6505.00.20........................  6505.00.60             .............
6505.00.25........................  6505.00.80             .............
 

       (D) the President determines, after receiving the advice of 
     the United States International Trade Commission in 
     accordance with section 503(e) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
     U.S.C. 2463(e)), that the article is not import-sensitive in 
     the context of imports from Nepal; and
       (E) subject to paragraph (3), the sum of the cost or value 
     of the materials produced in, and the direct costs of 
     processing operations performed in, Nepal or the customs 
     territory of the United States is not less than 35 percent of 
     the appraised value of the article at the time it is entered.
       (2) Exclusions.--An article shall not be treated as the 
     growth, product, or manufacture of Nepal for purposes of 
     paragraph (1)(A)(i) by virtue of having merely undergone--
       (A) simple combining or packaging operations; or
       (B) mere dilution with water or mere dilution with another 
     substance that does not materially alter the characteristics 
     of the article.
       (3) Limitation on united states cost.--For purposes of 
     paragraph (1)(E), the cost or value of materials produced in, 
     and the direct costs of processing operations performed in, 
     the customs territory of the United States and attributed to 
     the 35-percent requirement under that paragraph may not 
     exceed 15 percent of the appraised value of the article at 
     the time it is entered.
       (c) Verification With Respect to Transshipment for Textile 
     and Apparel Articles.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than April 1, July 1, October 1, 
     and January 1 of each year, the Commissioner responsible for 
     U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall verify that textile 
     and apparel articles imported from Nepal to which 
     preferential treatment is extended under this title are not 
     being unlawfully transshipped into the United States.
       (2) Report to president.--If the Commissioner determines 
     pursuant to paragraph (1) that textile and apparel articles 
     imported from Nepal to which preferential treatment is 
     extended under this title are being unlawfully transshipped 
     into the United States, the Commissioner shall report that 
     determination to the President.

     SEC. 305. TRADE FACILITATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) As a land-locked least-developed country, Nepal has 
     severe challenges reaching markets and developing capacity to 
     export goods. As of 2015, exports from Nepal are 
     approximately $800,000,000 per year, with India the major 
     market at $450,000,000 annually. The United States imports 
     about $80,000,000 worth of goods from Nepal, or 10 percent of 
     the total goods exported from Nepal.
       (2) The World Bank has found evidence that the overall 
     export competitiveness of Nepal has been declining since 
     2005. Indices compiled by the World Bank and the Organization 
     for Economic Co-operation and Development found that export 
     costs in Nepal are high with respect to both air cargo and 
     container shipments relative to other low-income countries. 
     Such indices also identify particular weaknesses in Nepal 
     with respect to automation of customs and other trade 
     functions, involvement of local exporters and importers in 
     preparing regulations and trade rules, and export finance.
       (3) Implementation by Nepal of the Agreement on Trade 
     Facilitation of the World Trade Organization could directly 
     address some of the weaknesses described in paragraph (2).
       (b) Establishment of Trade Facilitation and Capacity 
     Building Program.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the President shall, in 
     consultation with the Government of Nepal, establish a trade 
     facilitation and capacity building program for Nepal--
       (1) to enhance the central export promotion agency of Nepal 
     to support successful exporters and to build awareness among 
     potential exporters in Nepal about opportunities abroad and 
     ways to manage trade documentation and regulations in the 
     United States and other countries;
       (2) to provide export finance training for financial 
     institutions in Nepal and the Government of Nepal;
       (3) to assist the Government of Nepal in maintaining 
     publication of all trade regulations, forms for exporters and 
     importers, tax and tariff rates, and other documentation 
     relating to exporting goods on the Internet and developing a 
     robust public-private dialogue, through its National Trade 
     Facilitation Committee, for Nepal to identify timelines for 
     implementation of key reforms and solutions, as provided for 
     under the Agreement on Trade Facilitation of the World Trade 
     Organization; and
       (4) to increase access to guides for importers and 
     exporters on the Internet, including rules and documentation 
     for United States tariff preference programs.

     SEC. 306. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall 
     monitor, review, and report to Congress on the implementation 
     of this title, the compliance of Nepal with section 303(a), 
     and the trade and investment policy of the United States with 
     respect to Nepal.

     SEC. 307. TERMINATION OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.

       No preferential treatment extended under this title shall 
     remain in effect after December 31, 2025.

[[Page 7612]]



     SEC. 308. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The provisions of this title shall take effect on January 
     1, 2016.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1425. Ms. HIRONO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       At the end of title II, add the following:

     SEC. 213. EXTENSION OF ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIES.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
     during the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 
     June 30, 2021, workers, firms, and agricultural commodity 
     producers in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
     Mariana Islands, Guam, or the Virgin Islands of the United 
     States shall be eligible for adjustment assistance under 
     chapters 2 through 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
     U.S.C. 2271 et seq.) to the same extent as workers, firms, 
     and agricultural commodity producers in a State (as defined 
     in section 247 of that Act (19 U.S.C. 2319)).
       (b) Exception.--Benefits under sections 231 through 234 of 
     the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2291 through 2294) and under 
     section 246 of that Act (19 U.S.C. 2318) shall not be 
     available to workers in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of 
     the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or the Virgin Islands of 
     the United States.
       (c) Formula for Training Funds.--In making distributions of 
     funds for a fiscal year to States under section 236(a)(2) of 
     the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2296(a)(2)), the Secretary 
     of Labor shall distribute an amount equal to 1 percent of 
     such funds among American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands of the 
     United States, based on criteria established by the 
     Secretary.
       (d) Regulatory Changes.--The Secretary of Labor and the 
     heads of other appropriate agencies shall make the necessary 
     changes to the regulations of the Department of Labor and 
     those other agencies in order to carry out this section.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1426. Ms. HIRONO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       On page 64, between lines 16 and 17, insert the following:
       (f) Consultations With Trade Advisory Committees.--
       (1) In general.--Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
     U.S.C. 2155) is amended by striking subsection (m) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(m) Congressional Consultations With Advisory 
     Committees.--
       ``(1) Consultations by congressional committees.--An 
     appropriate congressional committee may request consultations 
     with an advisory committee established under subsection (b) 
     or (c) with respect to trade agreements in effect or 
     negotiations for trade agreements.
       ``(2) Consultations by members of congress and 
     congressional staff.--Members of Congress and staff of such 
     Members with proper security clearances may consult with 
     individual members of an advisory committee established under 
     subsection (b) or (c) with respect to negotiations for trade 
     agreements in effect or negotiations for trade agreements.
       ``(3) Applicability of certain faca requirements.--The 
     approval of the designated Federal officer for an advisory 
     committee established under subsection (b) or (c) shall not 
     be required with respect to consultations under paragraphs 
     (1) and (2).
       ``(n) Reports.--
       ``(1) In general.--An advisory committee established under 
     subsection (b) or (c) may at any time submit to the President 
     a report on matters being considered by the committee without 
     the approval of the designated Federal officer for that 
     committee.
       ``(2) Submission to congress.--A report submitted to the 
     President under paragraph (1), including any dissenting or 
     minority views, shall be submitted to the appropriate 
     congressional committees and Members of Congress and staff of 
     such Members with proper security clearances.
       ``(3) Public availability.--If a report of an advisory 
     committee submitted to the President under paragraph (1) does 
     not include any classified information, the advisory 
     committee may request the designated Federal officer for that 
     committee to make the report available to the public.
       ``(o) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     `appropriate congressional committees' means--
       ``(A) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate; 
     and
       ``(B) any other committee of the House or the Senate with 
     jurisdiction over laws that are or could be affected by a 
     trade agreement.
       ``(2) Designated federal officer.--The term `designated 
     Federal officer' means an officer or employee of the Federal 
     Government designated to chair or attend each meeting of each 
     advisory committee under section 10(e) of the Federal 
     Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
       ``(3) Non-federal government.--The term `non-Federal 
     government' means--
       ``(A) any State, territory, or possession of the United 
     States, or the District of Columbia, or any political 
     subdivision thereof; or
       ``(B) any agency or instrumentality of any entity described 
     in subparagraph (A).
       ``(4) Proper security clearances.--The term `proper 
     security clearances' has the meaning of that term as used in 
     section 104 of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities 
     and Accountability Act of 2015.''.
       (2) Requirements for meetings.--Section 135 of such Act is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (b)--
       (i) in paragraph (2), by striking the first sentence; and
       (ii) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) The committee shall meet as needed at the call of the 
     chairman of the committee or at the call of one-third of the 
     members of the committee. The designated Federal officer 
     shall be notified of any such meeting and shall provide 
     notice of the meeting in accordance with section 10 of the 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), but, 
     notwithstanding any provision of that Act, the attendance of 
     such officer at the meeting is not required.''; and
       (B) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) A committee established under paragraph (1), (2), or 
     (3) shall meet as needed at the call of the chairman of the 
     committee or at the call of one-third of the members of the 
     committee. The designated Federal officer shall be notified 
     of any such meeting and shall provide notice of the meeting 
     in accordance with section 10 of the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), but, notwithstanding any 
     provision of that Act, the attendance of such officer at the 
     meeting is not required.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1427. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       On page 24, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following:
       (iv) adopts and maintains, in national laws, regulations, 
     or measures, prohibitions against trading across borders in 
     products harvested or exported in violation of national laws 
     that seek to protect wildlife, forests, or living marine 
     resources,
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1428. Mr. SANDERS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       At the end of section 106(b), add the following:
       (7) Limitations on procedures with respect to agreements 
     with certain countries.--The trade authorities procedures 
     shall not apply to any implementing bill submitted with 
     respect to a trade agreement or trade agreements entered into 
     under section 103(b) with a country with respect to which the 
     United States has not yet promulgated import rules as 
     required by section 804(b) of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
     Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 384(b)).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1429. Mr. SANDERS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       At the end of section 106(b), add the following:
       (7) Limitations on procedures with respect to agreements 
     with certain countries.--The trade authorities procedures 
     shall not apply to any implementing bill submitted with 
     respect to a trade agreement or trade agreements entered into 
     under section 103(b) with a country with respect to which the 
     United States has not yet promulgated import rules regulating 
     the importation of prescription drugs.

[[Page 7613]]


                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1430. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an 
administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt 
status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; 
as follows:

       On page 100, between lines 13 and 14, insert the following:
       (B) Exception.--
       (i) Invoking exception.--If the President submits to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a letter stating that a 
     country subject to subparagraph (A) has taken concrete 
     actions to implement the principal recommendations in the 
     most recent annual report on trafficking in persons, this 
     paragraph shall not apply with respect to agreements with 
     that country.
       (ii) Content of letter; public availability.--A letter 
     submitted under clause (i) with respect to a country shall--

       (I) include a description of the concrete actions that the 
     country has taken to implement the principal recommendations 
     described in clause (i); and
       (II) be made available to the public.

       (iii) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In 
     this subparagraph, the term ``appropriate congressional 
     committees'' means--

       (I) the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
       (II) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate.

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1431. Mr. TILLIS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
to provide for a right to an administrative appeal relating to adverse 
determinations of tax-exempt status of certain organizations; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. INFORMATION REGARDING H-2B VISA ISSUANCE.

       The Secretary of Homeland Security may not authorize any 
     official of the Department of Homeland Security to travel to 
     any conference or symposium until after the Secretary--
       (1) has submitted to Congress, and made publicly 
     available--
       (A) the methodology used to determine when the numerical 
     limitation on H-2B visas set forth in section 214(g)(1)(B) of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B)) 
     has been reached for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015, 
     including the number of petitions for such status that had 
     been accepted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at 
     the time such determination was made; and
       (B) the number of petitions for H-2B visas that had been 
     received by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for 
     fiscal year 2015--
       (i) on or before March 5, 2015;
       (ii) on or before March 17, 2015; and
       (iii) on or before March 26, 2015;
       (2) has conducted a study that confirms the efficacy of the 
     methodology used by the Department of Homeland Security to 
     determine whether the numerical limitation referred to in 
     paragraph (1) has been reached;
       (3) submits a report to Congress information that 
     contains--
       (A) information about any investigations or lawsuits 
     regarding the methodology described in paragraph (2);
       (B) any revisions made to such methodology during the past 
     10 fiscal years;
       (C) contemporaneous work product establishing how the 
     numerical limitation referred to in paragraph (1) was 
     calculated during the past 10 fiscal years;
       (D) a complete statement of the methodology for determining 
     when the H-2B visa cap is reached for a fiscal year; and
       (E) the number of ``target beneficiaries'' for the first 6 
     months and for the last 6 months of fiscal year 2015.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1432. Mr. FRANKEN (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. 
Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
to provide for a right to an administrative appeal relating to adverse 
determinations of tax-exempt status of certain organizations; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO CAREER FUND.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Community College to Career Fund Act''.
       (b) Community College to Career Fund.--Title I of the 
     Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:

             ``Subtitle F--Community College to Career Fund

     ``SEC. 199. COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS 
                   PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Grants Authorized.--From funds appropriated under 
     section 199A, the Secretary of Labor (in coordination with 
     the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Commerce) 
     shall award competitive grants to eligible entities described 
     in subsection (b) for the purpose of developing, offering, 
     improving, and providing educational or career training 
     programs for workers.
       ``(b) Eligible Entity.--
       ``(1) Partnerships with employers or an employer or 
     industry partnership.--
       ``(A) General definition.--For purposes of this section, an 
     `eligible entity' means any of the entities described in 
     subparagraph (B) (or a consortium of any of such entities) in 
     partnership with employers or an employer or industry 
     partnership representing multiple employers.
       ``(B) Description of entities.--The entities described in 
     this subparagraph are--
       ``(i) a community college;
       ``(ii) a 4-year public institution of higher education (as 
     defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) that offers 2-year degrees, and that 
     will use funds provided under this section for activities at 
     the certificate and associate degree levels;
       ``(iii) a Tribal College or University (as defined in 
     section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1059c(b))); or
       ``(iv) a private or nonprofit, 2-year institution of higher 
     education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) in the Commonwealth of Puerto 
     Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the 
     Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of 
     Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.
       ``(2) Additional partners.--
       ``(A) Authorization of additional partners.--In addition to 
     partnering with employers or an employer or industry 
     partnership representing multiple employers as described in 
     paragraph (1)(A), an entity described in paragraph (1) may 
     include in the partnership described in paragraph (1) 1 or 
     more of the organizations described in subparagraph (B). Each 
     eligible entity that includes 1 or more such organizations 
     shall collaborate with the State or local board in the area 
     served by the eligible entity.
       ``(B) Organizations.--The organizations described in this 
     subparagraph are as follows:
       ``(i) A provider of adult education (as defined in section 
     203) or an institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001)).
       ``(ii) A community-based organization.
       ``(iii) A joint labor-management partnership.
       ``(iv) A State or local board.
       ``(v) Any other organization that the Secretaries consider 
     appropriate.
       ``(c) Educational or Career Training Program.--For purposes 
     of this section, the Governor of the State in which at least 
     1 of the entities described in subsection (b)(1)(B) of an 
     eligible entity is located shall establish criteria for an 
     educational or career training program leading to a 
     recognized postsecondary credential for which an eligible 
     entity submits a grant proposal under subsection (d).
       ``(d) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a grant 
     under this section shall submit an application containing a 
     grant proposal, for an educational or career training program 
     leading to a recognized postsecondary credential, to the 
     Secretaries at such time and containing such information as 
     the Secretaries determine is required, including a detailed 
     description of--
       ``(1) the extent to which the educational or career 
     training program described in the grant proposal fits within 
     an overall strategic plan consisting of--
       ``(A) the State plan described in section 102 or 103, for 
     the State involved;
       ``(B) the local plan described in section 108, for each 
     local area that comprises a significant portion of the area 
     to be served by the eligible entity; and
       ``(C) a strategic plan developed by the eligible entity;
       ``(2) the extent to which the program will meet the needs 
     of employers in the area for skilled workers in in-demand 
     industry sectors and occupations;
       ``(3) the extent to which the program will meet the 
     educational or career training needs of workers in the area;
       ``(4) the specific educational or career training program 
     and how the program meets the criteria established under 
     subsection (e), including the manner in which the grant will 
     be used to develop, offer, improve, and provide the 
     educational or career training program;
       ``(5) any previous experience of the eligible entity in 
     providing educational or career training programs, the 
     absence of which shall not automatically disqualify an 
     eligible institution from receiving a grant under this 
     section; and

[[Page 7614]]

       ``(6) how the program leading to the credential meets the 
     criteria described in subsection (c).
       ``(e) Criteria for Award.--
       ``(1) In general.--Grants under this section shall be 
     awarded based on criteria established by the Secretaries, 
     that include the following:
       ``(A) A determination of the merits of the grant proposal 
     submitted by the eligible entity involved to develop, offer, 
     improve, and provide an educational or career training 
     program to be made available to workers.
       ``(B) An assessment of the likely employment opportunities 
     available in the area to individuals who complete an 
     educational or career training program that the eligible 
     entity proposes to develop, offer, improve, and provide.
       ``(C) An assessment of prior demand for training programs 
     by individuals eligible for training and served by the 
     eligible entity, as well as availability and capacity of 
     existing (as of the date of the assessment) training programs 
     to meet future demand for training programs.
       ``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
     Secretaries shall give priority to eligible entities that--
       ``(A) include a partnership, with employers or an employer 
     or industry partnership, that--
       ``(i) pays a portion of the costs of educational or career 
     training programs; or
       ``(ii) agrees to hire individuals who have attained a 
     recognized postsecondary credential resulting from the 
     educational or career training program of the eligible 
     entity;
       ``(B) enter into a partnership with a labor organization or 
     labor-management training program to provide, through the 
     program, technical expertise for occupationally specific 
     education necessary for a recognized postsecondary credential 
     leading to a skilled occupation in an in-demand industry 
     sector;
       ``(C) are focused on serving individuals with barriers to 
     employment, low-income, non-traditional students, students 
     who are dislocated workers, students who are veterans, or 
     students who are long-term unemployed;
       ``(D) include any eligible entities serving areas with high 
     unemployment rates;
       ``(E) are eligible entities that include an institution of 
     higher education eligible for assistance under title III or V 
     of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.; 
     20 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); and
       ``(F) include a partnership, with employers or an employer 
     or industry partnership, that increases domestic production 
     of goods.
       ``(f) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this section 
     shall be used for one or more of the following:
       ``(1) The development, offering, improvement, and provision 
     of educational or career training programs, that provide 
     relevant job training for skilled occupations, that lead to 
     recognized postsecondary credentials, that will meet the 
     needs of employers in in-demand industry sectors, and that 
     may include registered apprenticeship programs, on-the-job 
     training programs, and programs that support employers in 
     upgrading the skills of their workforce.
       ``(2) The development and implementation of policies and 
     programs to expand opportunities for students to earn a 
     recognized postsecondary credential, including a degree, in 
     in-demand industry sectors and occupations, including by--
       ``(A) facilitating the transfer of academic credits between 
     institutions of higher education, including the transfer of 
     academic credits for courses in the same field of study;
       ``(B) expanding articulation agreements and policies that 
     guarantee transfers between such institutions, including 
     through common course numbering and use of a general core 
     curriculum; and
       ``(C) developing or enhancing student support services 
     programs.
       ``(3) The creation of career pathway programs that provide 
     a sequence of education and occupational training that leads 
     to a recognized postsecondary credential, including a degree, 
     including programs that--
       ``(A) blend basic skills and occupational training;
       ``(B) facilitate means of transitioning participants from 
     non-credit occupational, basic skills, or developmental 
     coursework to for-credit coursework within and across 
     institutions;
       ``(C) build or enhance linkages, including the development 
     of dual enrollment programs and early college high schools, 
     between secondary education or adult education programs 
     (including programs established under the Carl D. Perkins 
     Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et 
     seq.) and title II of this Act);
       ``(D) are innovative programs designed to increase the 
     provision of training for students, including students who 
     are members of the National Guard or Reserves, to enter 
     skilled occupations in in-demand industry sectors; and
       ``(E) support paid internships that will allow students to 
     simultaneously earn credit for work-based learning and gain 
     relevant employment experience in an in-demand industry 
     sector or occupation, which shall include opportunities that 
     transition individuals into employment.
       ``(4) The development and implementation of--
       ``(A) a Pay-for-Performance program that leads to a 
     recognized postsecondary credential, for which an eligible 
     entity agrees to be reimbursed under the grant primarily on 
     the basis of achievement of specified performance outcomes 
     and criteria agreed to by the Secretary; or
       ``(B) a Pay-for-Success program that leads to a recognized 
     postsecondary credential, for which an eligible entity--
       ``(i) enters into a partnership with an investor, such as a 
     philanthropic organization that provides funding for a 
     specific project to address a clear and measurable 
     educational or career training need in the area to be served 
     under the grant; and
       ``(ii) agrees to be reimbursed under the grant only if the 
     project achieves specified performance outcomes and criteria 
     agreed to by the Secretary.

     ``SEC. 199A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     such sums as may be necessary to carry out the program 
     established by section 199.
       ``(b) Administrative Cost.--Not more than 5 percent of the 
     amounts made available under subsection (a) may be used by 
     the Secretaries to administer the program described in that 
     subsection, including providing technical assistance and 
     carrying out evaluations for the program described in that 
     subsection.
       ``(c) Period of Availability.--The funds appropriated 
     pursuant to subsection (a) for a fiscal year shall be 
     available for Federal obligation for that fiscal year and the 
     succeeding 2 fiscal years.

     ``SEC. 199B. DEFINITION.

       ``For purposes of this subtitle, the term `community 
     college' has the meaning given the term `junior or community 
     college' in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)).''.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended by 
     inserting after the items relating to subtitle E of title I 
     the following:

             ``Subtitle F--Community College to Career Fund

``Sec. 199. Community college and industry partnerships program.
``Sec. 199A. Authorization of appropriations.
``Sec. 199B. Definition.''.
       (d) Effective Date.--This section, including the amendments 
     made by this section, take effect as if included in the 
     Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1433. Ms. BALDWIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1312 submitted by Mr. Inhofe (for himself and Mr. 
Coons) to the amendment SA 1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 
1314, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right 
to an administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-
exempt status of certain organizations; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       At the end of the amendment, add the following:

     SEC. __. TRANSSHIPMENT OF LIGHTWEIGHT THERMAL PAPER.

       (a) In General.--The Commissioner responsible for U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection (in this section referred to as 
     the ``Commissioner'') shall direct appropriate personnel and 
     resources of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to address 
     concerns that lightweight thermal paper is being imported 
     into the United States in violation of the customs and trade 
     laws of the United States.
       (b) Database of Characteristics of Imported Lightweight 
     Thermal Paper.--
       (1) In general.--The Commissioner shall, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Commerce, compile a database of the 
     individual characteristics of lightweight thermal paper 
     produced in foreign countries, especially lightweight thermal 
     paper produced in the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, 
     Taiwan, South Korea, Spain, Finland, Japan, Thailand, and 
     Germany, to facilitate the verification of country of origin 
     markings of lightweight thermal paper imported into the 
     United States.
       (2) Engagement with foreign governments.--The Commissioner 
     shall seek to engage the customs agencies of foreign 
     governments for assistance in compiling the database 
     described in paragraph (1).
       (3) Consultation with industry.--In compiling the database 
     described in paragraph (1), the Commissioner shall consult 
     with entities in the lightweight thermal paper industry 
     regarding the development of industry standards for 
     identification of lightweight thermal paper.
       (c) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall 
     submit to Congress a report that--
       (1) describes and assesses the limitations in the existing 
     analysis capabilities of laboratories with respect to 
     determining the country of origin of samples of lightweight 
     thermal paper; and
       (2) includes any recommendations of the Commissioner for 
     improving such capabilities.

[[Page 7615]]

       (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Secretary of Commerce should promptly establish a 
     national standard of identity for lightweight thermal paper 
     for the Commissioner to use to ensure that imports of 
     lightweight thermal paper are--
       (1) classified accurately for purposes of assessing duties; 
     and
       (2) denied entry into the United States if such imports 
     pose a threat to the domestic lightweight thermal paper 
     industry.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1434. Mr. HATCH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1251 submitted by Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Peters, Mr. 
Schumer, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Menendez, and Mr. Casey) to the amendment SA 
1221 proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an administrative appeal 
relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt status of certain 
organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Beginning on page 1 of the amendment, strike ``Additional 
     Countries'' on line 2 and all that follows and insert the 
     following:
       Procedures With Respect to Agreements With Countries Not in 
     Compliance With Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.--
       (1) Invoking exception.--If the President submits to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a letter stating that a 
     country subject to paragraph (6) of section 106(b) has taken 
     concrete actions to implement the principal recommendations 
     in the most recent annual report on trafficking in persons 
     described in that paragraph, that paragraph shall not apply 
     with respect to agreements with that country.
       (2) Content of letter; public availability.--A letter 
     submitted under paragraph (1) with respect to a country 
     shall--
       (A) include a description of the concrete actions that the 
     country has taken to implement the principal recommendations 
     described in paragraph (1); and
       (B) be made available to the public.
       (3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1435. Mr. HATCH submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1327 submitted by Ms. Warren (for herself, Ms. Heitkamp, 
Mr. Manchin, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Brown, Mr. Casey, Mr. Franken, 
Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Markey, Mr. Peters, Mr. Whitehouse, 
Mr. Schatz, Mr. Udall, and Mr. Heinrich) to the amendment SA 1221 
proposed by Mr. Hatch to the bill H.R. 1314, to amend the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an administrative appeal 
relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt status of certain 
organizations; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Beginning on page 1 of the amendment, strike ``For 
     agreements'' on line 2 and all that follows and insert the 
     following:
       Additional overall negotiating objective.--In addition to 
     the objectives set forth in section 102(a), an overall 
     negotiating objective of the United States for trade 
     agreements entered into under section 103 is to ensure that 
     such agreements do not require changes to the immigration 
     laws of the United States.

                          ____________________