TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending July 29, 2005

H.R.3283 To enhance resources to enforce United States trade rights.

BRIEF

   Coming at a time when the US is attempting to build a trade agreement with poor countries in Central America, Congress steps on its own toes a bit in this bill that would challenge the subsidies US trade policy allows for imports from poor countries because US producers say they injure their ability to compete.

   Congress finds that the Dept of Commerce has done little to mitigate the problem. One solution used with other countries is requiring a bond by importers that would guarantee funds to cover violations but those guarantees for settling countervailing and antidumping duties are often either not provided or are worthless bonds. Nevertheless the bill would impose those countervailing duties on certain merchandise from those poor countries. However, the bill would suspend for three years accepting the bonds and would instead require cash.

   The bill also would require the US Trade Representative to insure that China meet its international trade obligations regarding intellectual property rights, access for US goods, service and agriculture and detailed accounting of its subsidies to the World Trade Organization.

Sponsor: Representative Phil English (R-PA-3^rd)

Vote: The bill failed to muster the 2/3^rd vote under the rules governing the bill. The vote was 240 to 186 (RC 421) (July 25, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

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