HCONRES2119th Congress

Reclaiming Congress’s Constitutional Mandate in Trade Resolution

Sponsored By: Representative Griffith

Introduced

Summary

Shift U.S. trade authority from the executive branch to Congress. This concurrent resolution would create a Joint Ad Hoc Committee to design a plan to move the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's functions into the legislative branch and would establish a Congressional Advisory Board to advise that effort.

Show full summary
  • A 14-member Joint Ad Hoc Committee would be formed from House and Senate trade-related committees. The committee could subpoena witnesses, hire experts, and must submit a transfer plan within 16 months after all members are appointed.
  • The U.S. Trade Representative and other executive agencies would be required to provide information and assistance to the committee and advisory board. The bill conditions any transfer on the committee’s plan and sets a latest possible transfer point tied to a four-year period or July 1, 2028.
  • A 21-member Congressional Advisory Board would include appointees from congressional leaders and the USTR and representatives of labor, industry, agriculture, small business, environmental groups, and consumers. Members serve without pay and non-Washington residents may receive travel expenses.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Plan to move trade policy to Congress

If adopted by both chambers, this resolution would create a 14‑member Joint Ad Hoc Committee to plan moving U.S. trade duties from the U.S. Trade Representative to Congress. Nine House members and five Senators would serve; leaders would appoint them and name a Chair and Vice Chair. The committee could meet 90 days after adoption, call witnesses, require documents, and hire experts using existing staff when possible. Witnesses asked to appear would have travel costs reimbursed. The committee must send its plan to Congress within 16 months after all members are appointed. The transfer of USTR functions would then occur four years after that report, or on July 1, 2028, whichever is later. Its costs would be paid from House accounts and the Senate contingent fund, and it would end one year after it files its report. A 21‑member Advisory Board would be appointed within 60 days, including the USTR or a designee; members would be unpaid, with travel and per diem for non‑local members, and the board could not hire staff but could request help from the Joint Committee. The USTR and other executive‑branch offices would be required to provide the information and help the committee and board reasonably need.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Griffith

VA • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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