Senate Finance Readies To Mark Up GSP and Customs Reauthorization Alongside TPA, Say Lobbyists
The Senate Finance Committee is likely to mark up a Generalized System of Preferences renewal bill and Customs Reauthorization legislation alongside Trade Promotion Authority in mid-to-late April, several lobbyists said in recent days. The markup is also poised to include African Growth and Opportunity Act renewal and a Haiti preferences package, indicated the lobbyists. None of those bills, aside from a Haiti preference measure, have been introduced so far this Congress.
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One lobbyist pinpointed April 21 as the markup date, and others agreed the markup is likely to take place in the latter weeks of April. Another veteran trade expert said the markup is expected before Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives in Washington on April 28 (see 1503280002). The U.S. and Japan haven’t yet publicly reached an accord on market access arrangements in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Many trade observers view TPA as critical to passing a TPP implementation bill. The markup process allows amendments and aims to garner committee approval for legislation. The Senate floor would also provide an opportunity to amend a trade package.
Another lobbyist cautioned that the markup will only take place if Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah., and ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., strike a TPA deal in the coming days. An aide for Wyden rejected suggestions that the two have already reconciled their differences on TPA. “Right now there is no agreement on TPA and staff continue to negotiate,” said the aide. A spokeswoman for Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said the two sides “continue to make progress,” but only said Hatch “hopes to move legislation this Spring.”
The inclusion of GSP and AGOA renewals, along with Customs Reauthorization, in the markup isn’t likely to raise many eyebrows. These bills have been widely expected to move alongside TPA, despite unresolved issues over GSP offsets (see 13080110) and CBP enforcement provisions in Customs Reauthorization (see 13040911). Miscellaneous Tariff Bill renewal appears to be shelved for the time being, said the lobbyists. House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., recently said continued dispute over that bill is sidelining its immediate consideration (see 1503270021).
The Haiti preferences, however, haven’t often been discussed publicly. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., a Finance member, floated a bill to renew the preferences in February. The Haiti Partnership Renewal Act, S-503 (here), would extend preferences set to expire in the coming years as part of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act. “We’re looking at minor, non-controversial enhancements” to the preferences, said one lobbyist. Nelson's staffers didn't respond for comment. The Senate floor would also provide an opportunity to amend a trade package.