CRS Reports Concerns Over Passage of Omnibus MTBs
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report (RL33867) entitled, "Tariff Modifications: Miscellaneous Tariff Bills."
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Controversial Trade Policy Provisions Being Added to MTBs
CRS states that despite House and Senate committees' efforts to ensure the neutrality of Miscellaneous Trade Bills (MTB), insertion of controversial measures has delayed floor consideration of the legislation in the past, especially in the Senate. These measures have largely dealt with trade policy concerns rather than duty suspensions.
Also Concern That Unrelated Provisions Could be Attached Too
According to the report, private-sector supporters have criticized the MTB process, stating that large omnibus bills have come to be seen by Members of Congress as a moving vehicle to which they could attach trade initiatives unrelated to duty suspensions.
Report Suggests Alternatives Such as “Fast Track” for Future MTBs
The report suggests various ways to ensure that MTB legislation could be enacted in the future. One alternative is the creation of a separate “fast-track” procedure by which the Ways and Means Committee would introduce a bill consisting solely of duty suspensions and customs-related matters that could only be voted up or down with no amendments. Another suggestion is that future miscellaneous tariff measures could be worked out between Ways and Means and Finance Committee staff and then attached to larger revenue measures, which was the procedure ultimately implemented in the 109th Congress. Others suggestions include giving the President the authority to issue duty suspension proclamations.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/12/10 news, [Ref;10081218], for BP summary of President Obama signing MTB into law.
See ITT's Online Archives or 12/30/10 news, 10123010, for BP summary of the President signing the Omnibus Trade Act into law.)