Division Among Advocacy Groups Surrounding ITC Nominees
Advocacy groups are divided on two nominees to fill vacancies on the U.S. International Trade Commission, with the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) leading a coalition of supporters and the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) calling the process "rushed."
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Last week, the letter led by NTU and backed by 19 other organizations, including the American Apparel and Footwear Association and the American Association of Exporters and Importers, urged Senate Finance leadership to "expeditiously process" the nominations of Republicans William Kimmitt and Halie Craig and Democrat James Coughlan (D) to the ITC.
The CPA, however, took issue with Coughlan's and Craig's nominations, saying in a letter to the Senate minority and majority leaders that they were "brought forward at the end of the congressional session, [which] undermine[s] the opportunity to thoroughly assess and ensure the qualifications of candidates for such an important role." The CPA suggested that it would be better to wait for the incoming Trump administration to nominate its own candidates, saying, "when Americans voted for more aggressive trade policies, they did so with the expectation that officials would be appointed" who support such policies.
CPA also said that the two nominees were unsuited for the role because of their previous experiences and positions: "Ms. Craig and Mr. Coughlan, unfortunately, lack the track record of judgment and knowledge needed [to serve on the ITC]." Craig's previous work with free-trade advocate Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., disqualified her in the eyes of the CPA, and Coughlan allegedly "prioritized defending importers over supporting U.S. industries" while working as an attorney on Section 337 investigations.
In contrast, the NTU coalition argued that the nominees, "have all been vetted and nominated due to their qualifications across all aspects of international trade law and policy."