§3807 Congressional Oversight Group

Summary

Create a Congressional Oversight Group to advise the United States Trade Representative on trade negotiations. By 60 days after August 6, 2002, and within 30 days after each new Congress begins, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and the chair of the Senate Finance Committee must bring the group together. House members include the chair and top minority member of Ways and Means, plus 3 more Ways and Means members (no more than 2 of those 3 from the same party), and the chairs and top minority members (or their designees) of any House committees that would have jurisdiction over laws affected by a trade agreement negotiated during that Congress. The Senate members mirror that pattern for the Finance Committee and other Senate committees. The two committee chairs co-chair the group. The United States Trade Representative must officially accredit these members as advisers to U.S. negotiating teams. The group must consult with and give advice on negotiating goals, strategy, positions, the draft agreement, and on compliance and enforcement after an agreement is reached. The Trade Representative must, within 120 days after August 6, 2002, and with the committee leaders’ input, write and keep up-to-date guidelines for sharing information with the group. The guidelines must include regular, detailed briefings on objectives (including priorities mentioned in section 3802(c)), access to relevant documents (including classified materials for cleared staff), close coordination at key times and sites, post-agreement compliance consultation, and the schedule for the report required under section 3802(c)(8). If a majority of the group asks, the President must meet with them before starting negotiations or at any other time about the talks.