President Bush Notifies Congress of His Intent to Sign FTA with Morocco
On March 2, 2004, the U.S. reached agreement with Morocco on a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA). On March 8, 2004, President Bush notified Congress of his intent to sign an FTA with Morocco. (Under the provisions of the Trade Act of 2002's Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002, the President is required to notify Congress at least 90 days in advance of signing an FTA with Morocco.)
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After FTA is Signed, Next Step is Enactment of Implementing Legislation
Once the FTA with Morocco is signed, the next step would be for the President to formally submit to Congress the draft U.S.-Morocco FTA, the implementing legislation for the U.S.-Morocco FTA, and a statement of administrative action.
Congress would have 90 legislative days to consider the implementing legislation. According to Congressional sources, the U.S.-Morocco FTA implementing legislation could not be amended and would be subject to a straight "up or down" vote by the House and Senate.
If the U.S.-Morocco FTA implementing legislation is passed by the House and Senate, it could then be signed into law by the President, who would subsequently issue a proclamation implementing the U.S.-Morocco FTA.
U.S.-Morocco FTA Could be Implemented as Early as January 1, 2005
One U.S. government source has opined that if the Bush Administration can complete the above steps in 2004, it is possible that the U.S.-Morocco FTA could be implemented as early as January 1, 2005. However, this source notes that the Congressional schedule, as well as the fall election, could impact that goal.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/04/04 news, 04030410, for BP summary announcing that the U.S. and Morocco had reached agreement on an FTA.)
Presidential notification (FR Pub 03/10/04) available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-5581.pdf.
Presidential letter to Congress (dated 03/08/04) available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/03/20040308-4.html.