Tiberi Names Customs Reauthorization, MTB as Central Ways and Means Priority in Pitch to Lawmakers
Customs Reauthorization negotiations would be one of the top priorities of the House Ways and Means under the leadership of Trade Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, should lawmakers elect him as full committee chair, Tiberi told Ways and Means lawmakers in a letter released on Oct. 29. Tiberi is vying for the top committee spot alongside Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas (see 1510270004). The House Republican Steering Committee (here), which includes Tiberi and other heavy-weights in the Republican conference, elects the new chairman and the full conference then must give its ratification.
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The committee would work to “forge a path forward on the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill process” and consider implementation legislation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the letter added. Many experts suggest MTB process reform, which was tacked onto the Senate reauthorization bill, isn't likely to make it into a final customs compromise (see 1510260021). Ways and Means won't need to take any formal legislative action on customs reauthorization, according to congressional rules. Once the House names conferees and the conference committee reports out a bill, the full Senate and House will have to give backing to the legislation in order to send it to President Barack Obama.
Tiberi touted big gains in trade policy so far this Congress. “We made great strides this year - both here in the House and across the country - in explaining how free and fair trade is good for American jobs, and good for our economy,” he said. “We must continue to build on this momentum.” Congress passed a slew of trade bills in June, including renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences and the African Growth and Opportunity Act, as well as Trade Promotion Authority (see 1506290045).
Multiple people involved in the discussion said Tiberi likely has the inside track in his bid for chairman and is also likely to be more sympathetic to the ENFORCE Act in Customs Reauthorization. "[Tiberi’s] certainly plugged into the process and what’s been going on for the last year. He’s been really constructive," said one lobbyist that previously worked for House leadership. "He also comes from a state, Ohio, that is more supportive of a bill like ENFORCE. So by virtue of who he is and where he’s from, he’s likely more friendly to ENFORCE."
The administration recently floated a proposal to give CBP out-opt discretion in using ENFORCE, which sets strict deadlines for the agency to in investigating antidumping and countervailing duty evasion complaints, and proponents have lashed into that effort (see 1510260021). CBP did not comment.
Another person close to the talks said the administration had found an ally for the opt-out proposal in recently departed Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., but Tiberi would be cooler to that language. That individual said the uncertainty surrounding the transition is, however, a potential threat to wrapping up work on customs reauthorization quickly. "We understand the landscape that exists with Chairman Ryan," he said. But "we're just about there. I don't think anyone is interested in starting all over again." Staffers for Ryan and Tiberi declined to comment. Miscellaneous Tariff Bill process reform is likely on the chopping block. Ryan named Tiberi as one of two lawmakers leading the charge on a reform proposal in recent weeks (see 1510010001">1510010001), but no concrete information has emerged on that proposal.
The timing of the Ways and Means election is still up in the air, staffers said. "It’s a decision Ryan has to make now that he’s basically the head of the Steering Committee," the lobbyist said on Oct. 29. "He kept close counsel on that. It could be next week and if that’s the case, he’ll have to make that announcement quickly, even tomorrow."
Tiberi also named transportation infrastructure legislation as a priority, but he stopped short of calling for a long-term deal. “We need to play a leading role in helping the House determine how to proceed in reauthorizing our nation's highways projects before highway programs expire and temporary funding runs out later this year,” said Tiberi. Lawmakers sent a three-week stopgap to Obama's desk on Oct. 28 (see 1510290020). Congress faces another authorization cliff on Nov. 20, and both chambers have produced long-term bills.
Meanwhile, Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, will temporarily take the reins of the Ways and Means Committee until the Republican Steering Committee elects a new chairman, Ways and Means said on Oct. 29. Ryan resigned as chairman following his election as House Speaker on Oct. 29 (see 1510280042). Johnson was the senior Republican lawmaker on the committee under Ryan. "During this period all committee business will continue as scheduled," a committee release (here) said. A Ways and Means spokesman declined to comment on timing for legislative action on Customs Reauthorization. But "the committee will continue to work hard to resolve differences between the two bills," he said.