U.S. House of Representatives passes Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to set trade rules

Washington, DC – Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass Trade Promotion Authority,(TPA) in which Congress, not the this White House or the next, sets trade rules and ensures that the United States secures the most effective trade agreements possible. On passage of the bill Congressman Kevin Brady, (R-TX), a free trade advocate and the former leader of the Trade Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee said:

“I voted for more economic freedom for Americans and more jobs for Texas. This bill muscles up the constitutional authority of Congress and advances the economic principles of Ronald Reagan, while rejecting the Hillary Clinton/Elizabeth Warren doctrine that Washington and special interests should control how Americans buy, sell and compete around the world. Today, economic freedom for Americans prevailed.”

Background: TPA guarantees Congress a meaningful role in all trade negotiations and increases transparency over previous versions of the bill by empowering Congress to conduct vigorous oversight and hold the administration accountable while requiring the President to publish the text of a completed trade agreement 60 days before signing it.

TPA also ensures Congress maintains control over changes to U.S. law and provides rules for considering trade agreements and provides an “Off Switch” which allows Congress to turn off the expedited procedures if the administration fails to meet its TPA obligations.