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Latest Action: 12/18/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S15925-15926)

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A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress relating to negotiating a free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan.

12/18/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should increase trade opportunities with Taiwan and launch negotiations for a free trade agreement with Taiwan.

Latest Action: 05/15/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress relating to a free trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan.

5/1/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should increase trade opportunities with Taiwan by launching negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with Taiwan.

Latest Action: 07/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

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Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should expand trade opportunities with Mongolia by initiating negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with Mongolia.

6/28/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should expand trade opportunities with Mongolia by initiating negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with it.

Latest Action: 01/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

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Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should provide notice of withdrawal of the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

1/10/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should provide notice of the withdrawal of the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Latest Action: 01/23/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

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Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System or enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada.

1/22/2007--Introduced.

Urges: (1) the United States not to engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System; (2) the United States not to allow the Security and Prosperity Partnership to implement regulations that would create a North American Union with Mexico and Canada; and (3) the President to oppose these acts or any other proposals that threaten U.S. sovereignty.

Latest Action: 01/18/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S779)

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A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should expand its relationship with the Republic of Georgia by commencing negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement.

1/18/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should commence negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with the Republic of Georgia.

Latest Action: 01/23/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S914-916)

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A bill to strengthen United States trade laws and for other purposes. 1/23/2007--Introduced. Strengthening America's Trade Laws Act - Allows, under specified conditions, certain U.S. persons supportive of the government's position before a dispute settlement panel or Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to participate in consultations and panel or Appellate Body proceedings. Establishes the Congressional Advisory Commission on WTO Dispute Settlement to provide advice to Congress on the operation of the WTO dispute settlement system. Amends the Uruguay Round Agreements Act to require congressional approval before any modification of an agency regulation or practice that has been adversely affected by a WTO decision. Directs the United States to negotiate with the WTO to determine clarification of its obligations under the Uruguay Round Agreement due to an adverse WTO decision if the United States, Congress, or Commission finds that such [...]

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Latest Action: 04/25/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Encouraging increased cooperation between the United States and the European Union to strengthen the transatlantic market.

4/25/2007--Introduced.

Supports the United States and the European Union (EU) in their commitment to launching discussions at the April 2007 United States-European Union summit on improving regulatory cooperation.

Calls on U.S. and European regulatory agencies to reduce regulatory barriers across the Atlantic.

Urges the United States and the EU to conduct a study of existing obstacles to creating a transatlantic market.

Encourages the U.S. and EU business and labor communities to work with the U.S. Congress and the European Parliament, as well as European national parliaments, to reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen the transatlantic economic partnership.

Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

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A bill to establish the position of Trade Enforcement Officer and a Trade Enforcement Division in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, to require identification of trade enforcement priorities, and for other purposes.

1/31/2007--Introduced.

Trade Prosecutor Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to establish in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) a Trade Enforcement Division, headed by a Trade Enforcement Officer, to ensure that U.S. trading partners comply with trade agreements to which the United States is a party. Establishes within the Division the Office of Trade Assistance for Small Businesses.

Requires the USTR, after submission of a specified report, to annually identify (and report to Congress on): (1) U.S. trade enforcement priorities; (2) enforcement actions and their impact on foreign trade barriers; and (3) priority foreign country trade practices on which the USTR will focus enforcement efforts.

Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S16017)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should expand trade opportunities with Mongolia and initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with Mongolia.

12/19/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should continue to work with Mongolia to expand bilateral trade opportunities and initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/10/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from granting authority to a motor carrier domiciled in Mexico to operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border unless expressly authorized by Congress. 7/29/2008--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to terminate, by September 6, 2008, the one-year cross-border pilot project started on September 6, 2007, as part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) cross-border trucking provisions, to demonstrate the ability of Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the United States beyond the commercial zones along the U.S.-Mexico border.Prohibits the Secretary, unless expressly authorized by Congress, from granting authority to a motor carrier domiciled in Mexico to operate beyond U.S. municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border after September 6,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
To establish an earned import allowance program under Public Law 109-53, and for other purposes.

7/22/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish an earned import allowance program, which shall provide earned import allowance certificates to any producer or entity controlling production of eligible apparel articles in an eligible country, based on specified elements.

Declares that eligible apparel articles wholly assembled in an eligible country and imported directly from an eligible country shall enter the United States free of duty, without regard to the source of the fabric or yarns from which the articles are made, if such apparel articles are accompanied by an earned import allowance certificate that reflects the amount of credits equal to the total square meter equivalents of fabric in such apparel articles.

Latest Action: 07/07/2008 - Committee on Finance. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Baucus. With written report No. 110-408. Additional views filed.

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An original bill to impose sanctions on Iran and for other purposes. 7/7/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Iran Sanctions Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress concerning a variety of existing and proposed sanctions against Iran. (Sec. 4) States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the President to use military force against Iran. (Sec. 5) Defines specified terms. (Sec. 6) Amends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand the definition of "person" to include: (1) a financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, or any other business organization, including any foreign subsidiary, parent, or affiliate of one of the foregoing; and (2) an export credit agency that is a governmental entity operating [...]

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Latest Action: 06/04/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5043-5044)

Bill Text
A bill to require a review of existing trade agreements and renegotiation of existing trade agreements based on the review, to set terms for future trade agreements, to express the sense of the Senate that the role of Congress in trade policymaking should be strengthened, and for other purposes. 6/4/2008--Introduced. Trade Reform, Accountability, Development, and Employment Act of 2008, or the TRADE Act of 2008 - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to: (1) review certain free trade agreements (including Uruguay Round Agreements) between the United States and foreign countries; and (2) report to the Congressional Trade Agreement Review Committee regarding such agreements, including analyses of specified subjects and of each agreement, as well as whether the country has a democratic form of government that respects certain core labor rights and fundamental human rights, protects intellectual property rights, and enforces environmental laws.Declares that [...]

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Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Vetoed by President. (text of veto message: CR H5535)

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Provides for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2012.Revises agricultural and related programs, including provisions respecting: (1) commodity programs; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) horticulture and organic agriculture; (11) livestock; (12) crop insurance and disaster assistance; (13) socially disadvantaged and limited resource producers; and (14) miscellaneous programs.Directs the President to establish and maintain an importer declaration program with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products.Establishes the Bill Emerson National Hunger [...]

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Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to require the United States Trade Representative to pursue a complaint of anticompetitive practices against certain oil exporting countries. 5/6/2008--Introduced. OPEC Accountability Act - Requires the President to initiate consultations with Indonesia, Kuwait, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Saudi Arabia to seek their elimination of any action that: (1) limits the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product; (2) sets or maintains the price of any such product; or (3) otherwise is an action in restraint of trade with respect to such products when such action constitutes an act, policy, or practice that is unjustifiable and burdens and restricts U.S. commerce. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to: (1) initiate World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute proceedings if the consultation is not successful with respect to any such country; and (2) take appropriate action regarding the country under [...]

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Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to require the United States Trade Representative to pursue a complaint of anticompetitive practices against certain oil exporting countries. 5/1/2008--Introduced. OPEC Accountability Act - Requires the President to initiate consultations with Indonesia, Kuwait, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Saudi Arabia to seek their elimination of any action that: (1) limits the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product; (2) sets or maintains the price of any such product; or (3) otherwise is an action in restraint of trade with respect to such products when such action constitutes an act, policy, or practice that is unjustifiable and burdens and restricts U.S. commerce. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to: (1) initiate World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute proceedings if the consultation is not successful with respect to any such country; and (2) take appropriate action regarding the country under [...]

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Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3403-3404)

Bill Text
A bill to require a report on invasive agricultural pests and diseases and sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to trade before initiating negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement, and for other purposes.

4/24/2008--Introduced.

Agriculture Smart Trade Act - Requires the President, before initiating negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with a foreign country, to report to Congress on: (1) invasive agricultural pests or diseases in that country; and (2) sanitary or phytosanitary measures imposed by the country's government on goods the country imports.

Latest Action: 04/08/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance pursuant to section 2103(c) of Public Law 107-210. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2745-2754)

Bill Text
A bill to implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 4/8/2008--Introduced. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into with the government of Colombia. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2009.Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. government to issue regulations, necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force.Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of certain claims against the United States; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the [...]

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Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress relating to the trade promotion agreement between the United States and Colombia.

4/8/2008--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that it should not approve the trade promotion agreement between the United States and Colombia signed on November 22, 2006.