Top Legislation - View All

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

Bill Text
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: 05/24/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Bill Text
Regarding the endorsement of U.S. citizens' claims for payment by Chinese Government of defaulted Chinese bonds.

5/24/2007--Introduced.

Recommends that the People's Republic of China (PRC) be denied access to all U.S. capital markets until the PRC complies with the terms and conditions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement and fully honors repayment of its outstanding defaulted public debts owed to U.S. citizens consistent with the efforts of the American Bondholders Foundation.

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

Bill Text
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.

Bill Text
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: 02/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1924-1925)

Bill Text
A concurrent resolution providing that any agreement relating to trade and investment that is negotiated by the executive branch with another country comply with certain minimum standards.

2/13/2007--Introduced.

Urges that any trade and investment agreement that is negotiated by the executive branch with foreign countries should comply with: (1) specified requirements applying to all countries; (2) specified requirements applying to only the United States; and (3) provisions providing special treatment for developing countries.

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

Bill Text
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: 07/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7764-7765)

Bill Text
To require that, in cases in which the annual trade deficit between the United States and another country is $10,000,000,000 or more for 3 consecutive years, the President take the necessary steps to create a more balanced trading relationship with that country.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Balancing Trade Act of 2007 - Requires the President, if in three consecutive calendar years the United States has a trade deficit with another country of $10 billion or more, to take the necessary steps to create a trading relationship that would eliminate or substantially reduce that trade deficit by entering into an agreement with that country.

Latest Action: 04/12/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden without amendment. With written report No. 110-54.

Bill Text
A bill to increase cooperation on energy issues between the United States Government and foreign governments and entities in order to secure the strategic and economic interests of the United States, and for other purposes. 4/12/2007--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.) Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007 - Defines "major energy producer" and "major energy consumer." Expresses the sense of Congress respecting energy diplomacy and security. States that the Secretary of State should seek immediately to establish: (1) strategic energy partnerships with the governments of major energy producers and major energy consumers, and with governments of other countries; (2) petroleum crisis response mechanisms with the governments of China and India; [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to redesignate the Special Textile Negotiator of the United States Trade Representative as the Chief Textile Negotiator and confer the rank of Ambassador upon that position, and for other purposes.

1/17/2007--Introduced.

Textile Negotiator Promotion Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to redesignate the Special Textile Negotiator of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as the Chief Textile Negotiator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Makes it a function of the Chief Textile Negotiator to conduct trade negotiations and enforce trade agreements regarding U.S. textile and apparel products and services.

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,[...]

show full description
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.

Bill Text
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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit the use of funds by the Department of Defense on the KC-X tanker contract, and for other purposes related to that contract. 6/26/2008--Introduced. KC-Tanker Recompete Act - Prohibits funds from being used by the Department of Defense (DOD) on the KC-X (aerial refueling) tanker contract. Defines such contract as the contract awarded by the Department of the Air Force on February 29, 2008, for such aircraft. Outlines requirements and conditions as part of the acquisition process for the award of a contract for a replacement for the KC-135 tanker, including: (1) an independent cost estimate; (2) an increase in the proposal cost or price by the amount of any illegal subsidization by a subsidized person; (3) ensuring an evaluation of the cost borne by a supplier and the cost borne by a foreign government; (4) the consideration of national security impacts; (5) defense industrial base considerations; (6) consideration of the loss of U.S. employee and corporate [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces.

Bill Text
To prohibit the use of funds by the Department of Defense on the KC-X tanker contract, and for other purposes related to that contract. 6/26/2008--Introduced. KC-X Tanker Recompete Act - Prohibits funds from being used by the Department of Defense (DOD) on the KC-X (aerial refueling) tanker contract. Defines such contract as the contract awarded by the Department of the Air Force on February 29, 2008, for such aircraft. Outlines requirements and conditions as part of the acquisition process for the award of a contract for a replacement for the KC-135 tanker, including: (1) an independent cost estimate; (2) an increase in the proposal cost or price by the amount of any illegal subsidization by a subsidized person; (3) ensuring an evaluation of the cost borne by a supplier and the cost borne by a foreign government; (4) the consideration of national security impacts; (5) defense industrial base considerations; (6) consideration of the loss of U.S. employee and corporate [...]

show full description
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 [...]

show full description
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 [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/24/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to strengthen sanctions against the Government of Syria, to enhance multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria's threatening policies, to establish a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria, and for other purposes. 4/24/2008--Introduced. Syria Accountability and Liberation Act - States that U.S. sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to Syria shall remain in effect until the President certifies that Syria has ceased support for terrorism, has dismantled biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons programs and has committed to combat their proliferation, respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries, and upholds human rights and civil liberties. Imposes specified trade, assistance, and military sanctions, as appropriate, on persons or countries that transfer goods or technology so as to contribute to Syria's biological, chemical, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons programs.[...]

show full description
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 [...]

show full description