1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Reclaiming Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019”.
Reclaiming Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019
A BILL
To limit the authority of the President to modify duty rates for national security reasons and to limit the authority of the United States Trade Representative to impose certain duties or import restrictions, and for other purposes.
2. Limitation on authority of President to modify duty rates for national security reasons
Authority To modify duty rates for national security reasons— Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subsection (c), the President may proclaim a new or additional national security duty on an article imported into the United States only if—
the President, not later than 30 calendar days after making the national security determination that is the basis for the new or additional duty, submits to the International Trade Commission the duty proposal, including—
a description of each article for which the President recommends a new or additional duty;
the proposed new or additional duty rate; and
the proposed duration of that rate;
the President, not later than 15 calendar days after submitting the duty proposal under paragraph (1), submits to Congress a request for authorization to modify duty rates in accordance with that duty proposal, including—
a report by the Secretary of Defense explaining why the proposal is in the interest of national security; and
a report by the International Trade Commission assessing the likely impact of the proposal on the economy of the United States as a whole and specific industry sectors;
the President consults with the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives regarding the duty proposal under paragraph (1), including—
the short-term and long-term goals of the proposal;
an action plan to achieve those goals; and
plans to consult with officials of countries impacted by the proposal to resolve any issues relating to the proposal; and
a joint resolution of approval under subsection (b) is enacted.
Joint resolution of approval—
Joint resolution of approval defined— In this subsection, the term joint resolution of approval means a joint resolution the sole matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: “That Congress authorizes the President to proclaim duty rates as set forth in the request of the President on ___________”, with the blank space being filled with the date of the request submitted under subsection (a)(2).
Introduction— A joint resolution of approval may be introduced in either House of Congress by any Member during the 15-legislative day period beginning on the date on which the President submits to Congress the material set forth in subsection (a)(2).
Expedited procedures— The provisions of subsections (b) through (f) of section 152 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2192) apply to a joint resolution of approval to the same extent that such subsections apply to joint resolutions under such section 152.
Rules of House of Representatives and Senate— This subsection is enacted by Congress—
as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of a joint resolution of approval, and supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.
Exception for urgent action— Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (a), the President may proclaim a new or additional national security duty for one period of 120 calendar days if the President determines that urgent action is necessary—
to address a national emergency;
for the prevention or mitigation of, or to respond to, loss of life or property;
to address an imminent threat to health or safety;
for the enforcement of criminal laws; or
for national security.
National security duty defined— In this section, the term national security duty means the following:
A duty proclaimed pursuant to—
section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1862);
the Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.); or
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
A duty proclaimed pursuant to any other provision of law if in reports or other public statements regarding the duty the President or another cabinet-level official identifies national security as a significant reason for proclaiming the duty.
3. Conditions on use of authority by United States Trade Representative to impose duties or other import restrictions
In general— Section 301(c) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(7)
“(A) The Trade Representative may take action pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) only if—
“(i) the Trade Representative submits to the International Trade Commission a proposal for duties or other import restrictions under that paragraph, including—
“(I) a description of each article covered by that proposal;
“(II) the proposed new or additional duty rate; and
“(III) the proposed duration of that rate;
“(ii) the Trade Representative submits to Congress a notification of intent to impose duties or import restrictions under that paragraph, including—
“(I) the proposal submitted under clause (i); and
“(II) a report by the International Trade Commission assessing the likely impact of the proposal on the economy of the United States as a whole and specific industry sectors;
“(iii) after submitting the notification under clause (ii), the Trade Representative consults with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and, if the proposal affects agricultural products, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;
“(iv) a period of 60 calendar days, beginning on the date on which the Trade Representative has completed consultations under clause (iii), has passed; and
“(v) no disapproval resolution under subparagraph (B) is passed during the period described in clause (iv).
“(B)
“(i) In this subparagraph, the term disapproval resolution means a joint resolution the sole matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: “That implementation of the proposal by the Trade Representative to impose duties or other import restrictions submitted to Congress on ________________ is not in the interest of the United States.”, with the blank space being filled with the date on which the Trade Representative submitted to Congress the material described in subsection (A)(ii).
“(ii) Paragraph (2) of section 106(b) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4205(b)) applies to a disapproval resolution under this subparagraph to the same extent that such paragraph applies to a procedural disapproval resolution under such section 106(b).”
Conforming amendment— Paragraph (1)(B) of such section is amended by inserting “subject to paragraph (7),” before “impose duties”.