Washington, DC - Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) today released the following statements in response to the Administration’s notification to Congress that the Administration intends to initiate negotiations with Mexico as part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations: Chairman Camp: “I applaud the Administration’s formal notification to Congress of its intent to have Mexico join the TPP negotiations. Mexico’s participation sh... Read more

Today, the Ways and Means Committee posted nearly 1,100 comments received from the public on the Miscellaneous Tariff Bills. In a completely open and transparent manner, over 1,250 bills, their disclosure forms, and summaries were posted on the Ways and Means Committee website on May 24 for public comment. This public review assists the Committee in determining whether any domestic producer opposes any provision. Below are excerpts from comments received, hailing the MTB for supporting U.S jobs,... Read more

Today, Chairman Camp (R-MI), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Brady (R-TX), Congressman Rangel (D-NY) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member McDermott (D-WA) introduced H.R. 5986, bipartisan legislation to: (1) Extend the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) third-country fabric provisions through 2015 and add South Sudan as an eligible beneficiary country under AGOA; (2) Implement non-controversial technical corrections and modifications to the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free ... Read more

Today, the Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and granting Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR). Russia will join the WTO later this summer, and as a result will be required to open up its market and comply with the WTO’s rules. However, the United States will not receive any of these benefits until Congress grants Russia PNTR. Any delay in granting Russia PNTR will cause U.S. employers, workers, farmers, and rancher... Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Good morning. I want to welcome everyone and extend a special welcome to our guests, the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk; and the Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of State, Ambassador William Burns; as well as our second panel of witnesses, which will begin at 2:00 this afternoon. I am looking forward to a discussion about Russia’s accession to the WTO and permanent normal trade relations or PNTR for Russia. Our ongoing relationship w... Read more

Washington, DC - Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) today released the following statements in response to the announcement of the invitation for Canada to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. Chairman Camp: “I am pleased with Canada’s invitation to join the TPP talks, and Canada’s participation will further increase the value of TPP. I appreciate Canada’s commitment to resolve key issues and adopt TPP’s high standards a... Read more

Washington, D.C. - Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) today released the following statements in response to the announcement of the invitation for Mexico to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations: Chairman Camp: “I applaud Mexico’s decision to resolve key issues and its commitment to adopt TPP’s high standards and ambition. Mexico’s participation should result in even greater benefits to U.S. employers, workers, and farmers... Read more

Washington, DC - Today, the Ways and Means Committee posted approximately 1,300 Miscellaneous Tariff Bills (MTBs) introduced by nearly 80 House Republicans and 60 House Democrats for public comment. A key objective of MTBs is to boost the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers by lowering the cost of imported inputs that are not produced in the United States. Each bill under consideration, along with the accompanying bill description and disclosure form, is available on the website to ensure the ... Read more

Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) today announced a Subcommittee hearing to review customs operations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The hearing will focus on efforts to enhance economic growth and job creation by facilitating legitimate trade, modernizing customs procedures, and enforcing U.S. Customs and trade laws. The hearing will help the Committee develop customs reauthorization legisl... Read more

Our hearing today will focus on three critical aspects of the Customs mission: modernization, streamlining and facilitation, and enforcement – as well as the accurate, timely measurement of improvement in all three. I want to welcome everyone and extend a special welcome to our guests. Just 100 years ago, the main function of Customs was revenue collection revenue. For over 125 years, customs duties were our main source of funds. At that time, America’s imports were a mere $153 billion a year, a... Read more