Latest Action: 07/02/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
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 House of Representatives 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 biennially 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.[...]

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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 - Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Bill Text
A joint resolution waiving certain provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 relating to the appointment of a Deputy United States Trade Representative.

6/18/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Authorizes the President, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint Deanna Tanner Okun as Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR), notwithstanding certain provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 prohibiting appointment as a Deputy USTR of any person who has represented, aided, or advised a foreign entity in any trade negotiation, or trade dispute, with the United States.

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 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the North American Free Trade Agreement must be renegotiated to foster fair trade that truly benefits all the people of Canada, the United States and Mexico.

4/8/2008--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) must be renegotiated to foster fair trade that benefits all the people of Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Latest Action: 04/03/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to take action with respect to currency manipulation by the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes.

4/3/2008--Introduced.

China Currency Manipulation Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) make an affirmative determination that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is manipulating the rate of exchange between its currency and the U.S. dollar; (2) establish and report to Congress on a plan of action to remedy such currency manipulation; (3) initiate expeditiously bilateral negotiations with the PRC to ensure that it regularly adjusts the rate of exchange between its currency and the U.S. dollar in order to permit effective balance of payment adjustments and eliminate unfair competitive advantage in trade; and (4) instruct the Executive Director to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to use the U.S. vote to ensure that the PRC takes such action to achieve such goals.

Latest Action: 01/17/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the trade relationship between the United States and India.

1/17/2008--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with India.

Urges both countries to continue to pursue multilateral negotiations for a reduction in tariffs, subsidies, and other non-tariff barriers to trade with developed and developing countries.

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 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: 12/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To assess the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), to require further negotiation of certain provisions of the NAFTA, and to provide for the withdrawal from the NAFTA unless certain conditions are met.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

NAFTA Accountability Act - Provides that unless the specified conditions set forth in this Act are met: (1) Congress withdraws its approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) effective October 1, 2009; and (2) the President, not later than April 1, 2009, shall provide written notice of withdrawal to the governments of Canada and Mexico.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should not engage in negotiations to expand NAFTA to include other countries and that trade promotion authority should not be renewed with respect to the approval of any such NAFTA expansion.

Latest Action: 11/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Bill Text
Encouraging the elimination of fishing subsidies that contribute to overcapacity in the world's commercial fishing fleets and lead to overfishing of global fish stocks.

11/9/2007--Introduced.

Declares that the United States should continue to promote, in the Doha Development Round negotiations, effective multilateral agreements to prohibit fishing subsidies that promote overcapitalization, overfishing, and illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing.

Latest Action: 09/27/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs and for medical devices, to enhance the postmarket authorities of the Food and Drug Administration with respect to the safety of drugs, and for other purposes. 9/27/2007--Public Law.    (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.)Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 - Title I: Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2007 - (Sec. 101) Prescription Drug User Fee Amendments of 2007 - (Sec. 102) Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to include postmarket safety activities within the process for the review of human drug applications or supplements, including: (1) developing and using improved adverse event data collection systems and improved analytical tools to assess potential [...]

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Latest Action: 10/12/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

Bill Text
To safeguard the economic health of the United States and the health and safety of United States citizens by improving the management, coordination, and effectiveness of domestic and international intellectual property rights enforcement, and for other purposes. 9/18/2007--Introduced. Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Act - Amends the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 to repeal provisions establishing the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council.Establishes the Intellectual Property Enforcement Network (IPEN), consisting of specified representatives of various government agencies, to: (1) establish policies, objectives, and priorities concerning international intellectual property protection and law enforcement; (2) coordinate and facilitate implementation of such policies, objectives, and priorities; and (3) protect U.S. intellectual property rights overseas, including by creating an international task force.[...]

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Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Bill Text
Recognizing the importance of addressing the plight of Afro-Colombians.

8/3/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes Afro-Colombians for their contributions to Columbia's economic, social, and cultural fabric.

Calls upon the government of Colombia to combat racial discrimination and human rights violations.

Urges the government of Colombia to: (1) demand politicians linked to para-politics scandals are investigated and brought to justice; and (2) implement a policy that ensures proper execution of assistance programs for Afro-Colombians and internally displaced communities.

Encourages the U.S. government to ensure that the previous consultation mechanism with Afro-Colombians and marginalized groups is applied in the free trade agreement negotiation and in Plan Colombia's implementation.

Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of the House of the Representatives that legislation to renew or grant fast track trade negotiating authority should not be considered by the House of Representatives in the 110th Congress.

7/30/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it should not consider legislative proposals to grant "fast track" or any other expedited trade negotiating authority during the 110th Congress.

Latest Action: 07/30/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To provide greater accountability in reviewing the national security considerations of free trade agreements. 7/27/2007--Introduced. Trade-Related American National Security Enhancement and Accountability Act - Requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR), before commencing negotiations with a foreign country for a free trade agreement, to report to Congress on the national security considerations likely to result from it. Prohibits the United States from entering into a trade agreement unless it authorizes the President to suspend it, or any part of it, whenever necessary to ensure U.S. national security. Establishes the Congressional Executive Commission on Trade Security. Requires transmittal to the Commission of each final report on a presidential decision to suspend part or all of a trade agreement. Requires the Commission to: (1) review the report and in turn report to Congress on whether or not the suspension authority should be exercised; and [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To reform the Trade Advisory Committee system to ensure that a broad range of views are represented and accommodated in developing United States trade policy.

7/27/2007--Introduced.

Trade Advisory Committee Reform Act or the TAC Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to: (1) revise the selection process for congressional advisers for trade policy and negotiations; and (2) expand the duties of such congressional advisers, including to provide recommendations to executive officials on trade agreement effects and to provide for the appointment of members to a trade advisory committee.

Establishes a Public Health Advisory Committee on Trade.

Latest Action: 09/05/2007 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10111)

Bill Text
Calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China to remove barriers to United States financial services firms doing business in China. 9/5/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Declares the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the government of the People's Republic of China should immediately implement all of its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments to date in financial services; and (2) it should immediately implement all of its commitments to date made under the auspices of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) initiated by the Secretary of the Treasury. States that U.S. goals for the next SED meeting should be to achieve Chinese commitments toward: (1) removal of all foreign investment ownership caps on banking, life insurance, asset management, and securities; and [...]

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Latest Action: 07/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To conserve global bear populations by prohibiting the importation, exportation, and interstate trade of bear viscera and items, products, or substances containing, or labeled or advertised as containing, bear viscera, and for other purposes. 7/12/2007--Introduced. Bear Protection Act of 2007 - Prohibits any person from: (1) importing bear viscera into, or exporting it from, the United States; or (2) selling bear viscera, bartering, offering it for sale or barter, or purchasing, possessing, transporting, delivering, or receiving it in interstate or foreign commerce. Subjects persons who violate such prohibitions to specified penalties. Waives such prohibition for wildlife law enforcement purposes where a valid permit has been issued. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue discussions concerning trade in bear viscera with the appropriate representatives of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and with other [...]

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Latest Action: 09/05/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
To amend the Small Business Act to improve trade programs, and for other purposes. 9/4/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 4, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007 - Title I: Small Business Trade Policy - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to require the director of the Office of International Trade (Office) within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) present recommendations regarding small business exporters to trade negotiators; (2) develop trade policies that support small businesses in domestic and foreign markets; (3) implement trade policies through relationships developed with federal trade policymakers and transnational organizations; (4) establish programs to boost exports of entrepreneurs and encourage transnational organizations to support and publicize [...]

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Latest Action: 06/29/2007 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Mikulski. With written report No. 110-124.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, science, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 6/29/2007--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.)Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, for science-related programs, and related agencies.Title I: Department of Commerce - Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Commerce for FY2008 for: (1) the International Trade Administration; (2) the Bureau of Industry and Security; (3) the Economic Development Administration; (4) the Minority Business Development Agency;[...]

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

Bill Text
To address the exchange-rate misalignment of the Japanese yen with respect to the United States dollar, and for other purposes. 6/27/2007--Introduced. Japan Currency Manipulation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on: (1) currency intervention by Japan with respect to the rate of exchange of the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar and other currencies since 2000; and (2) any effort by Japan to create an exchange-rate misalignment of the Japanese yen with respect to the U.S. dollar and other currencies since March 2004. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a proposal for a comprehensive joint U.S.-European Union plan to address the exchange-rate misalignment of the Japanese yen with respect to the U.S. dollar and other currencies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) initiate consultations with Japan to decrease Japan's foreign currency reserve holdings to permit effective balance of payments adjustments and to eliminate its unfair [...]

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Latest Action: 06/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Bill Text
To require the President to delay or reverse the implementation of a decision of a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel or the Appellate Body that is adverse to the United States involving the calculation of dumping margins and weighted average dumping margins, and for other purposes. 6/14/2007--Introduced. Amends the Uruguay Round Agreements Act to direct the President to delay or reverse the implementation of a decision of a dispute settlement panel or the Appellate Body that is adverse to the United States involving the calculation of dumping margins and weighted average dumping margins (zeroing decisions) until the United States has obtained clarification of rights and obligations within World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral negotiations such that historic practices of the United States are permitted in antidumping duty investigations, reviews of antidumping duty orders, and under any other phase of an antidumping duty proceeding. Amends the Tariff [...]

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