Finance Committee Postpones Markup After Sanders Objection on Senate Floor
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, predicted a “strong bipartisan vote in favor" of Trade Promotion Authority and the advancement of the other three major trade bills, at the outset of a committee trade markup on April 22. The committee, however, postponed the markup to a later time in the afternoon of April 22, around 4 p.m., following an objection raised by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on the Senate floor.
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Senate rules prevent committees from convening hearings two hours after the beginning of consideration of a bill on the floor, unless a unanimous consent accord is reached in the Senate. The Senate is currently considering the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, S-178.
Sanders invoked the rule deliberately to prevent the Finance Committee from continuing the markup, he said in a statement released by his office. Congress needs to slow consideration of TPA in order to first better grasp the proposals in Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, said the emailed statement. "Instead of rubber stamping the agreement, Congress and the public deserve a fair chance to learn what’s in the proposal,” Sanders said. TPA is widely viewed as critical to locking down TPP implementation legislation.
After finalizing the postponement, Hatch insisted the markup and votes on the bills will conclude on April 22. “We’re going to finish [these bills] today,” said Hatch. “I don’t care how much time it takes or how much of a hassle it is. It’s that important.” A Hatch spokeswoman said Sanders' objection aims to force "an unfortunate and needless delay."
The committee will first debate Trade Adjustment Assistance, then a preference package that includes renewals for the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Generalized System of Preferences, followed by Customs Reauthorization and then finally TPA, Hatch said in opening remarks. Hatch praised all the bills on the docket, and pointed to particular benefits of the preference package. “U.S. manufacturers benefit and rely on the tariff reductions provided under the programs,” said Hatch.
Hatch also praised the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, the Customs Reauthorization bill introduced on April 20 (see 1504210018). The legislation “puts in place the right tools to keep out pirated and counterfeit products that threaten American innovation and the health and safety of the American people,” Hatch said. “The bill also helps bolster American exports by ensuring other countries comply with U.S. trade laws and protect intellectual property rights.” Finance member Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said in opening remarks the customs bill includes his antidumping language (see 1504200054).
Hatch and Finance ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., also affirmed in opening remarks at the markup that TPA and Trade Adjustment Assistance will move forward together. The parallel track aims to ensure both bills are “enacted into law simultaneously,” said Wyden. President Barack Obama will veto TPA if TAA is not also sent to the president’s desk, the White House recently said (see 1504200056).