Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI) and Ranking Member Wally Herger (R-CA) of the Subcommittee on Trade today jointly announced that the Subcommittee is requesting that all Members who plan to introduce tariff legislation or miscellaneous corrections to the trade laws do so by Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, in order that they be included in the forthcoming opportunity for public comment on these bills.
BACKGROUND:
The Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over legislation to amend the U.S. tariff schedule and to make corrections to trade legislation. The primary purpose of the bill is to help U.S. manufacturers compete at home and abroad by temporarily suspending or reducing duties on intermediate products or materials that are not made domestically, or where there is no domestic opposition. Such reductions or suspensions reduce the costs for U.S. businesses and ultimately increase the competitiveness of their products. The process will look carefully for domestic production and opposition to proposed modifications to the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
To ensure that the Subcommittee on Trade has sufficient time to evaluate and consider these bills, the Subcommittee has followed a customary process beginning with a request that all Members who plan to introduce tariff legislation or miscellaneous corrections to the trade laws do so by a specific date, which in this case is Friday, Dec. 14, 2007.
After collecting and reviewing bills introduced by this deadline, the Subcommittee will issue an advisory requesting public comment on the bills the Subcommittee identifies to assist it in marking up the legislation. In addition, the Subcommittee will request a review and analysis of each bill from the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
It is possible that bills that create excess revenue losses, operate retroactively, or attract significant controversy or opposition will not be included in a comprehensive bill incorporating these measures.
NEW DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT:
Members are advised that the Rules of the House of Representatives of the 110th Congress require that Members provide a written disclosure statement to the Ways and Means Committee Chairman and Ranking Member for any bill that contains a limited tariff benefit, which is defined as a provision modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States in a manner that benefits 10 or fewer entities. See Rules XXI and XXIII. The Committee is required to maintain these written disclosures and make them open for public inspection for limited tariff benefits that are included in any measure reported by the Committee, a measure voted on without Committee consideration but referred to the Committee, or any conference report filed by the Committee or any subcommittee thereof.
For specific instructions and guidance regarding bill submission, including compliance with the limited tariff benefit disclosure requirement, please see the process sheet entitled Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) Process located here.
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