On November 30, 2018, the Trump Administration signed a revised free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada and Mexico, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In order for USMCA to go into effect and replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Congress will have to pass implementing legislation. (For more information, see CRS In Focus IF10997, Proposed U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement, by Ian F. Fergusson and M. Angeles Villarreal.)
Since 1979, Congress has passed 16 implementation measures for FTAs and multilateral trade agreements. The majority of these trade agreements were considered in Congress under Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which provides for expedited consideration of FTAs in Congress. Since 1979, Congress has passed six measures extending TPA for limited time periods. As with many international trade issues, TPA has been politically contentious over time, resulting in vigorous debate and two multi-year lapses in authority.
This report compiles the final congressional votes on free trade agreements (FTAs), trade promotion authority (TPA), and U.S membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In the past 30 years, the United States has pursued bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade agreements in an attempt to liberalize markets and reduce trade and investment barriers. Congress has played a central role in shaping this trade policy. Congress—through debate and legislation—defines trade negotiation priorities, approves free trade agreements (FTAs), and oversees agreements' implementation and enforcement.
While the President has the authority to negotiate treaties with foreign countries, Congress has sole constitutional authority to regulate international trade.1 Since 1934, Congress has periodically delegated some authority to negotiate trade agreements to the President. In the Trade Act of 1974, Congress outlined many of the congressional and executive roles regarding trade agreements; Congress delegated negotiation authority to the President, but required congressional approval (through implementation legislation) of any free trade agreement. Congress also created a process to allow for expedient consideration in Congress of FTAs, provided the President observe certain statutory requirements.2 This expedient consideration is known as TPA or, formerly, "fast-track" consideration.3
The United States is currently party to 12 bilateral FTAs (with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Morocco, Oman, Panama, Peru, and Singapore) and to 2 regional trade agreements (the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)).4 For a list and timeline of trade agreements where negotiations were concluded, see Table 1. For a compilation of final congressional votes on FTAs considered in Congress, see Table 2.
In addition to regional and bilateral agreements, the United States is also party to multilateral agreements that outline membership in the WTO, a 164-member international organization. The WTO was created in 1995 to oversee and administer multilateral trade rules, serve as a forum for trade liberalization negotiations, and resolve trade disputes.5 When Congress approved the WTO Uruguay Round Agreement, it included a set of procedures to allow Congress to reconsider U.S. membership in the WTO by passing a joint resolution calling for withdrawal from the organization.6 Congress may vote every five years on withdrawal from the WTO. Resolutions were introduced in the 106th and 109th Congress; neither passed. See Table 3 for a compilation of major legislation and votes concerning U.S. membership to the WTO.
All U.S. FTAs, except the agreement with Jordan, were considered in Congress under Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). TPA is the process by which Congress enables FTA legislation to be considered under expedited legislative procedures, provided the President observes certain statutory obligations. Because TPA is extended only for limited periods, Congress periodically reconsiders legislation to extend it and to outline future negotiation objectives. Since 1974, Congress has passed seven measures extending TPA. TPA, like many issues related to international trade, has been politically contentious in Congress over time, resulting in vigorous debate and two multi-year lapses in authority.7 For a list of major votes on TPA, see Table 4.
Congressional consideration of bills can be a complex process, sometimes requiring multiple votes. For clarity's sake, this report only provides the final vote for each measure. More complete bill information can be found on Congress.gov—including roll call votes for all legislation back to 1993. The bill numbers listed in the following tables link to Congress.gov, and the vote tallies link to the House and Senate roll call votes, for all votes back to 1993.
Table 1 provides a timeline of trade agreements including the date the agreement was signed, the date implementing legislation was enacted, and the date the agreement went into force. The table also notes the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation under which the trade agreement was considered in Congress. The table includes fully implemented trade agreements, as well as two recent FTAs—the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA)—where the United States completed negotiations and signed the agreement, but the agreement has not been implemented.
Table 2 provides major votes on FTAs, including the final House and Senate votes on FTA implementing legislation.
Table 3 provides major votes on U.S. membership to the WTO, including implementing legislation for multilateral agreements and resolutions calling for the United States to withdraw from the WTO.
Table 4 provides major votes on TPA legislation. It includes the final House and Senate votes on TPA-related provisions. Votes are grouped by the trade agreement authority granted to the President.
For a selected list of CRS products on FTAs and TPA, see the Appendix.
Table 1. U.S. Trade Agreements and Trade Promotion Authority: A Timeline
1985-2018, descending order by entry into force date
U.S. Trade Agreement |
Agreement Signed |
Implementing Legislation Signed by President |
Agreement Entered into Force |
TPAa |
USMCAb |
11/30/2018 |
n/a |
n/a |
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 |
Trans-Pacific Partnershipc |
2/4/2016 |
n/a |
n/a |
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 |
Colombia |
11/22/2006 |
10/21/2011 |
5/15/2012 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
South Korea |
6/30/2007 |
10/21/2011 |
3/15/2012 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Panama |
6/28/2007 |
10/21/2011 |
10/31/2012 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Peru |
4/12/2006 |
12/14/2007 |
2/1/2009 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Oman |
1/19/2006 |
9/26/2006 |
1/1/2009 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Bahrain |
9/14/2004 |
1/11/2006 |
1/11/2006 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
CAFTA-DRd |
5/28/2004 (CAFTA); 8/5/2004 (DR) |
8/2/2005 |
entered into force on a rolling basis, 2006-2009e |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Morocco |
6/15/2004 |
8/17/2004 |
1/1/2006 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Australia |
5/18/2004 |
8/3/2004 |
1/1/2005 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Chile |
6/6/2003 |
9/3/2003 |
1/1/2004 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Singapore |
5/6/2003 |
9/3/2003 |
1/1/2004 |
Trade Act of 2002 |
Jordan |
10/24/2000 |
9/28/2001 |
12/17/2001 |
Not considered under TPA |
WTOf (Uruguay Round) |
4/15/1994 |
12/8/1994 |
1/1/1995 |
Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 |
NAFTAg |
12/17/1992 |
12/8/1993 |
1/1/1994 |
Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 |
Canadah |
1/2/1988 |
9/28/1988 |
1/1/1989 |
Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 |
Israel |
4/22/1985 |
6/11/1985 |
8/19/1985 |
Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 |
Source: Compiled from the U.S. Trade Representative's website, Congress.gov, Treaties in Force, Congressional Quarterly Almanac, and CRS Report RL33743, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Role of Congress in Trade Policy, by Ian F. Fergusson
Notes: Also see CRS Infographic IG10001, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and U.S. Trade Agreements, by Brock R. Williams.
a. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) is the legislation that grants the President authority to negotiate trade agreements for which implementing legislation may receive expedited treatment in Congress.
b. USMCA includes Canada and Mexico, and is a proposed FTA that would, if implemented, supersede the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
c. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was a proposed FTA, signed by the United States and 11 other Asia-Pacific countries on Feb. 4, 2016. In Jan. 2017, the United States notified the other TPP signatories that it would not ratify the agreement, effectively ending TPP's potential entry into force as written. In March 2018, the remaining 11 TPP partners signed a slightly revised agreement, without the United Stated, called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
d. CAFTA-DR (Dominican Republic-Central America-United States FTA) includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
e. CAFTA-DR entered into force on a rolling basis as the President certified each country's compliance with the agreement: El Salvador (March 1, 2006); Honduras and Nicaragua (April 1, 2006); Guatemala (July 1, 2006); the Dominican Republic (March 1, 2007); and Costa Rica (January 1, 2009).
f. The Uruguay Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) included a series of multilateral agreements that established the WTO and outlined trade rules and membership to the international organization.
g. NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) includes Mexico and Canada.
Table 2. Major Votes on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Implementing Legislation
(Agreements listed by date of FTA enactment)
Congress (Year) |
U.S. FTA |
Bill |
Description of Bill |
Final Votes |
|
House |
Senate |
||||
112th (2011) |
Colombia |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 112-42. |
262-167 (Passed) 10/12/2011 |
66-33 (Passed) 10/12/2011 |
|
110th (2008) |
Resolution to suspend TPA consideration of Colombia FTA in the 110th Congress. (The Administration did not resubmit the Colombia FTA to Congress until the 112th Congress.) |
224-195 (Passed) 04/10/2008 |
n/a |
||
112th (2011) |
South Korea |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 112-41. |
278-151 (Passed) 10/12/2011 |
83-15 (Passed) 10/12/2011 |
|
112th (2011) |
Panama |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 112-43. |
300-129 (Passed) 10/12/2011 |
77-22 (Passed) 10/12/2011 |
|
110th (2007) |
Peru |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 110-138. |
285-132 (Passed) 11/08/2007 |
77-18 (Passed) 12/04/2007 |
|
109th (2006) |
Oman |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 109-283. |
221-205 (Passed) 07/20/2006 |
62-32 (Passed) 09/19/2006 |
|
109th (2006) |
FTA implementation act. |
— |
60-34 (Passed) 06/29/2006 |
||
109th (2006) |
Bahrain |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 109-169. |
327-95 (Passed) 12/07/2005 |
By Unanimous Consent. 12/13/2005 |
|
109th (2005) |
CAFTA-DRa |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 109-53. |
217-215 (Passed) 07/28/2005 |
55-45 (Passed) 07/28/2005 |
|
109th (2005) |
FTA implementation act. |
— |
54-45 (Passed) 06/30/2005 |
||
108th (2004) |
Morocco |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 108-302. |
323-99 (Passed) 07/22/2004 |
By Unanimous Consent 07/22/2004 |
|
108th (2004) |
FTA implementation act. |
— |
85-13 (Passed) 07/21/2004 |
||
108th (2004) |
Australia |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 108-286. |
314-109 (Passed) 07/14/2004 |
80-16 (Passed) 07/15/2004 |
|
108th (2004) |
Chile |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 108-77. |
270-156 (Passed) 07/24/2003 |
65-32 (Passed) 07/31/2003 |
|
108th (2003) |
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding provisions in the Chile and Singapore FTAs and immigration. |
n/a |
By Unanimous Consent 07/31/2003 |
||
108th (2003) |
Singapore |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 108-78. |
272-155 (Passed) 07/24/2003 |
66-32 (Passed) 07/31/2003 |
|
108th (2003) |
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding provisions in the Chile and Singapore FTAs on trade agreements and immigration. |
n/a |
By Unanimous Consent 07/31/2003 |
||
107th (2001) |
Jordan |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 107-43. |
Voice vote (Agreed) 07/31/2001 |
Voice vote (Agreed) 09/24/2001 |
|
103rd (1993) |
NAFTAb |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 103-182. |
234-200 (Passed) 11/17/1993 |
61-38 (Passed) 11/20/1993 |
|
100th (1988) |
Canadac |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 100-449. |
366-40 (Passed) 08/09/1988 |
83-9 (Passed) 09/19/1988 |
|
104th (1996) |
Israel |
Amendments to the Israel FTA, enacted, P.L. 104-234. |
Voice vote (Agreed) 04/16/1996 |
By Unanimous Consent 09/27/1996 |
|
99th (1985) |
FTA implementation act; enacted, P.L. 99-47. |
422-0 (Passed) 05/07/1985 |
Voice Vote (Agreed) 05/23/1985 |
Source: Compiled from Congress.gov and CQ Almanac.
Notes: TPA=Trade promotion authority. For more detailed bill information, the bill numbers above link to Congress.gov, and the vote tallies link to the House and Senate roll call votes, where available. In a few examples (Oman, CAFTA-DR, Morocco), the Senate passed an implementing bill before the House version. The Senate later considered and passed the House version of the bill, as revenue-generating bills must originate in the House. The Senate bills that received a vote are included in the above table.
a. CAFTA-DR is the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States FTA, and includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
b. NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement, and includes Mexico and Canada.
Table 3. Major Legislation and Votes on U.S. Membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
1994-2018
Congress |
P.L./Bill |
Type |
Description of Bill |
Final Votes |
|
House |
Senate |
||||
103rd |
Implementation act |
Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Implementation act for WTO agreements). |
288-146 (Passed) 11/29/1994 |
76-24 (Passed) 12/01/1994 |
|
109th |
Proposed Withdrawal from WTO |
Withdrawing the approval of the United States from the Agreement establishing the WTO. |
86-338 (Failed) 06/09/2005 |
— |
|
109th |
H.Res. 304 |
Consideration of Proposed Withdrawal from WTO |
Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J.Res. 27) withdrawing the approval of the United States from the Agreement establishing the WTO. |
Voice vote (Passed) 06/08/2005 |
n/a |
106th |
Proposed Withdrawal from WTO |
Withdrawing the approval of the United States from the Agreement establishing the WTO. |
56-363 (Failed) 06/21/2000 |
— |
|
106th |
Consideration of Proposed Withdrawal from WTO |
Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J.Res. 90) withdrawing the approval of the United States from the Agreement establishing the WTO. |
343-61(Passed) 06/21/2000 |
n/a |
|
106th |
Proposed Withdrawal from WTO |
Withdrawing the approval of the United States from the Agreement establishing the WTO. |
[no votes taken] |
— |
Source: Compiled from Congress.gov.
Notes: WTO and its predecessor the GATT are multilateral trade agreements. GATT (the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) was a multilateral agreement that aimed to lower tariffs and established the nondiscriminatory principles of trade that were later carried over into the WTO. GATT was provisionally applied in 1948, with subsequent rounds of negotiations. The last round of negotiations, the Uruguay Round, established the WTO, which incorporated GATT.
Section 125(b) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (P.L. 103-465) sets procedures for congressional disapproval of WTO participation. It specifies that Congress's approval of the WTO agreement shall cease to be effective "if and only if" Congress enacts a joint resolution calling for withdrawal. Congress may vote every five years on withdrawal.
Table 4. Major Votes on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Provisions
Final votes on TPA provisions, 1974-2018. Legislation listed by date of vote.
Congress |
Bill |
Name of Act or Description |
Final Votes on TPA provisions |
Notes |
|
House Vote |
Senate Vote |
||||
Votes related to the 2015 TPA grant |
|||||
114th |
Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 |
218-208, (Passed) 6/18/2015 |
60-38, (Passed) 6/24/2015 |
Enacted, P.L. 114-26, 06/29/2015. Extended TPA to include the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, and other prospective FTAs. |
|
114th |
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 |
Measure considered under "division of the question." Measure failed because while Title 1 (TPA) passed, Title II failed. Title 1 vote (on TPA): 219-211, 6/12/2015; |
The TPA provisions in H.R. 1314 passed in the Senate, but failed in the House. An amendment identical to the Senate version of H.R. 1314 was then inserted into an unrelated bill, H.R. 2146 (see above). |
||
Votes related to the 2002 TPA grant |
|||||
110th |
Resolution to remove TPA consideration from the U.S.-Colombia FTA bill (H.R. 5724) in the 110th Congress |
224-195, (Agreed) 04/10/2008 |
n/a |
This measure removed TPA consideration (granted through the TPA provisions in the Trade Act of 2002) from the U.S.-Colombia FTA (H.R. 5724) in the 110th Congress. No further legislative action occurred in the 110th Congress on H.R. 5724. The U.S.-Colombia FTA was not resubmitted to Congress until the 112th Congress. |
|
107th |
The Trade Act of 2002 |
215-212, (Passed) 7/27/2002 |
64-34, (Passed) 8/1/2002 |
Enacted, P.L. 107-210, 8/6/2002. Eleven FTAs were negotiated and considered in Congress under the TPA provisions in the Trade Act of 2002. See Table 1. |
|
107th |
H. Res. 450 Relating to consideration of H.R. 3009 |
216-215, (Agreed) 6/26/2002 |
n/a |
A rule to expand the scope of H.R. 3009 (the Trade Act of 2002) |
|
107th |
Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002 |
215-214, (Passed) 12/6/2001 |
n/a |
||
TPA Lapse, 1994-2002 |
|||||
105th |
Reciprocal Trade Agreement Authorities Act of 1997 |
180-243, (Failed) 9/25/1998 |
n/a |
Measure attempted to renew TPA. Measure failed. TPA lapsed between 1994 and 2002. |
|
Votes related to the 1988 TPA grant |
|||||
103rd |
To extend fast-track procedures for Uruguay Round trade agreements |
295-126, (Passed) 6/22/1993 |
76-16, (Passed) 6/30/1993 |
Enacted, P.L. 103-49, 7/2/1993. Amended the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (see below) to extend TPA for the WTO Uruguay Round agreements. |
|
102nd |
Resolution disapproving a two-year extension of fast-track procedures under the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. |
n/a |
36-59, (Failed) 5/24/1991 |
A failed attempt to deny a two-year extension of the TPA provisions in the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. Also see identical bill H.Res. 101. |
|
102nd |
Resolution disapproving the extension of fast-track procedures to implement trade agreements entered into after May 31, 1991, and by May 31, 1993. |
192-231, (Failed) 5/23/1991 |
n/a |
Also see identical bill S. Res. 78 (above). |
|
102nd |
Resolution concerning U.S. objectives of future trade agreements |
329-85, (Passed) 5/23/1991 |
n/a |
Bill attempted to emphasize that Congress could suspend fast track consideration if the Administration did not negotiate adequate protections for workers, industries, and the environment. |
|
100th |
Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 |
376-45, (Passed) 7/13/1988 |
85-11, (Passed) 8/3/1988 |
Enacted, P.L. 100-418, 8/23/1988. Provided TPA consideration for NAFTA and the WTO Uruguay Round Agreements. |
|
100th |
Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1987 |
312-107, (Passed) 04/21/1987; (Vetoed by the President, 5/24/1988); Motion to override Presidential veto: 308-113, (Passed) 5/24/1988 |
63-36, (Passed) 4/27/1988; (Vetoed by the President, 5/24/1988) Motion to override veto: 61-37, (Failed) 6/8/1988 |
Measure failed over presidential veto. Provisions from H.R.3, concerning TPA, were reintroduced into H.R. 4848, which was enacted as P.L. 100-418 (see above). |
|
100th |
Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1987 |
n/a |
Senate passed H.R. 3 in lieu of this measure, by Yea-Nay Vote of 71-27, 07/21/1987 |
See related bill H.R. 3, above. |
|
Votes related to the 1984 TPA grant |
|||||
98th |
The Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 |
386–1, (Passed) 10/9/1984 |
96-0, (Passed) 9/20/1984 |
Enacted, P.L. 98-573, 10/30/1984. Provided TPA consideration to the Canada and Israel FTAs. |
|
98th |
U.S. Israel Free Trade Area |
416-6, (Passed) 10/3/1984 |
n/a |
Text of bill was inserted into H.R.3398, the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 (see above). Outlined authority and negotiating priorities for the U.S.-Israel FTA. |
|
Votes related to the 1974 TPA grant |
|||||
96th |
Trade Agreements Act of 1979 |
395-7, (Passed) 07/11/1979 |
90-4, (Passed) 07/23/1979 |
Enacted, P.L. 96-39, 07/26/1979. |
|
Votes related to the 1974 TPA grant |
|||||
93rd |
Trade Act of 1974 |
323-36, (Passed) 12/20/1974 |
72-4, (Passed) 12/20/1974 |
Enacted, P.L. 93-618, 01/03/1975. |
Source: Compiled by CRS from Congress.gov.
Notes: Bolded titles were enacted into law. For more detailed bill information, the bill numbers above link to Congress.gov. There were two notable lapses in TPA: between 1994 and 2002 and between 2007 and 2015. For more on TPA, see CRS Report R43491, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions, by Ian F. Fergusson and Christopher M. Davis.
a. The measure was voted on in the House under a procedure known as "division of the question," which requires separate votes on each component, but approval of both to pass. Title 1 concerning TPA passed the House; however, Title II, concerning trade adjustment assistance, failed. Thus, the measure failed, under "division of the question." (House roll call votes on H.R. 1314: Title I (TPA): Roll no. 362, 6/12/2015; Title II: Roll no. 361, 6/12/2015.)
b. Roll call vote 193, 5/22/2015.
CRS In Focus IF10297, TPP-Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Timeline, by Ian F. Fergusson
CRS Report R43491, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions, by Ian F. Fergusson and Christopher M. Davis
CRS Report RL33743, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Role of Congress in Trade Policy, by Ian F. Fergusson
CRS Infographic IG10001, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and U.S. Trade Agreements, by Brock R. Williams
CRS Report R45198, U.S. and Global Trade Agreements: Issues for Congress, by Brock R. Williams
CRS In Focus IF10733, U.S.-South Korea (KORUS) FTA, coordinated by Brock R. Williams
CRS Report RL34470, The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Background and Issues, by M. Angeles Villarreal and Edward Y. Gracia
CRS Report RS22164, DR-CAFTA: Regional Issues, by Clare Ribando Seelke
CRS In Focus IF10394, Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), by M. Angeles Villarreal
CRS Insight IN10903, CRS Products on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), by M. Angeles Villarreal
CRS In Focus IF10997, Proposed U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement, by Ian F. Fergusson and M. Angeles Villarreal
CRS In Focus IF10000, TPP: Overview and Current Status, by Brock R. Williams and Ian F. Fergusson
CRS Report R45417, World Trade Organization: Overview and Future Direction, coordinated by Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs
This report benefited greatly from the work of retired CRS Research Librarian, Carolyn Smith.
Author Contact Information
1. |
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution gives Congress the power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations ..." and "To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises.... " |
2. |
Section 102 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. |
3. |
For more on Trade Promotion Authority see CRS Report RL33743, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Role of Congress in Trade Policy, by Ian F. Fergusson and CRS Report R43491, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions, by Ian F. Fergusson and Christopher M. Davis. |
4. |
For more, see CRS Report R45198, U.S. and Global Trade Agreements: Issues for Congress, by Brock R. Williams. |
5. |
See CRS Report R45417, World Trade Organization: Overview and Future Direction, coordinated by Cathleen D. Cimino-Isaacs. |
6. |
Section 125(b) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (P.L. 103-465) sets procedures for congressional disapproval of WTO participation. It specifies that Congress's approval of the WTO agreement shall cease to be effective "if and only if" Congress enacts a joint resolution calling for withdrawal. Congress may vote every five years on withdrawal. |
7. |
Since 1974, there were two notable lapses in TPA: between 1994 and 2002 and between 2007 and 2015. For more on TPA, see CRS Report R43491, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA): Frequently Asked Questions, by Ian F. Fergusson and Christopher M. Davis. |