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Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Trade Promotion Authority—or TPA—is a partnership between Congress and the administration that ensures the United States secures the most effective trade agreements possible. TPA also brings greater transparency to the negotiating process by empowering Congress to conduct vigorous oversight and hold the administration accountable.
Transparency
TPA guarantees Congress a meaningful role in all trade negotiations. Under TPA, every member of Congress will be able to:
- Read Negotiating Text: Allows every member of Congress to read the negotiating text.
- Receive Detailed Briefings: Requires the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to brief any interested member on the status of negotiations at any time.
- Attend Negotiating Rounds: Allows any member to become a “congressional adviser” and as a result eligible to attend negotiating rounds.
- Provide Guidance: Creates House and Senate Advisory Groups to oversee negotiations and receive regular briefings. Any member can submit views.
- Coordinate with Public and Advisory Committees: Lays down guidelines on public engagement and sharing information with advisory committees.
- Receive adequate time to review deal: Requires the President to publish the text of a completed trade agreement 60 days before signing it.
- Consult with a New Transparency Officer: Creates a chief transparency officer at USTR that will consult with Congress and advise USTR on transparency policies
Accountability
TPA ensures Congress maintains control over changes to U.S. law and provides rules for considering trade agreements.
- Sets Negotiating Objectives: Sets Congressional priorities for trade agreements.
- Guarantees Long-Term Oversight: Extends trade promotion authority for six years.
- Protects U.S. Sovereignty: Affirms that Congress—and only Congress—can change U.S. law.
- Narrows Scope of Implementation Bills: Stipulates that all implementing legislation include only provisions “necessary or appropriate” to enacting trade deals.
- Extends Oversight to Current Negotiations: Applies TPA requirements to ongoing negotiations, including oversight and consultation requirements.
- Strengthens Oversight: Applies expedited procedures only to agreements finished in a specific timeframe and tightens entry-into-force procedures.
- Provides an Off Switch: TPA sets up mechanisms for Congress to turn off the expedited procedures if the administration fails to meet its TPA obligations.
Summary of Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Overview of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Frequently Asked Questions
Updates to TPA in 2015
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
Conservative Support for TPA
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More Information
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Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2015
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act Bill Text
Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act Section-by-Section Summary
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Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015
The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, introduced today by Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi, provides direction on how to streamline trade, improve enforcement, and measure progress within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in order to move the ever-increasing volume of legitimate trade more efficiently and halt trade that doesn’t comply with U.S. laws. The bill focuses on three critical aspects of CBP’s mission, as well as enhancing transparency and accountability.
Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 Fact Sheet
Section-by-Section Summary
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AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) helps African countries work towards long-term sustainable economic development by promoting international trade and investment with other countries. The program facilitates increased trade with the beneficiary countries by lowering U.S. tariffs to their exports.
The AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 extends AGOA for ten years, including a ten year extension of third-country fabric provisions, which are important to nurture the development of the textile and apparel industry in Africa. The measure simplifies rules of origin, promotes greater regional integration and provides greater certainty in the operation of AGOA. The measure will also strengthen congressional oversight through additional notification and reporting requirements and improves transparency and participation in the AGOA review process.
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 Summary
AGOA Extension and Enhancement Act of 2015 Bill Text
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How does trade affect my state?
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