Trade Promotion Authority: Possible Vote on Two-Year Extension

RS22102 -- Trade Promotion Authority: Possible Vote on Two-Year Extension

Updated July 18, 2005

Summary

Under the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-210), Congress approved expedited legislative procedures (no amendment, limited debate) for trade agreements that were entered into before July 1, 2005. The Act provided an automatic two-year extension if: (1) the President requested an extension not later than April 1, 2005; and (2) neither House of the Congress adopted an extension disapproval resolution before July 1, 2005. The President submitted the request for an extension on March 30, 2005. An extension disapproval resolution (S.Res. 100) was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Finance Committee on April 6, 2005. Under the 2002 Trade Act, a resolution had to be reported out of committee to be considered on the floor. By July 1, 2005, the Senate Finance Committee had not reported out S.Res. 100. No extension disapproval resolution had been introduced in the House. Therefore, the two year extension was not disapproved, and expedited legislative procedures will apply to trade agreements entered into before July 1, 2007. This product will not be updated.