CEI Joins Coalition Letter Urging Congress to Support Congressional Approval for Section 232 Designations

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Dear Member of Congress:

On behalf of the millions of taxpayers, consumers, farmers, and businesses represented by our 38 organizations in all 50 states, we urge your support for the bicameral, bipartisan “Congressional Trade Authority Act.” This legislation would amend the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require Congressional approval before the President adjusts imports – often through tariffs or quotas – that are determined to impair national security.

Under this reform, any potential tariffs to be applied under Section 232 would be submitted to Congress and taken up within 60 days via an expedited procedure to ensure timely consideration. The bill would redefine the currently overly broad “national security” designation for 232 investigations to goods involving military equipment, energy resources, and critical infrastructure while also transferring investigative authority to the Department of Defense.

A four-year reach-back mechanism would capture recent trade decisions and bring them in line with this improved approach. And the bill would require the International Trade Commission (ITC) to administer an exclusion process that would apply to all importers of specific items for future Section 232 actions.

These commonsense reforms would reduce the misuse of alleged national security threats for costly, protectionist ends and help more appropriately balance power between the legislative and executive branches.

Ongoing trade uncertainty and harsh new tariffs are a serious threat to consumers and the economy that could undermine recent growth. Already, agriculture exports like soy beans have experienced significant losses. The cost of automobiles, both those imported and assembled in the U.S., could soar by an added $1,262 to $5,089. Numerous industries, such as boat and farm implement manufacturers, have also seen tariffs increase costs, eroding their profitability. This pain promises to grow worse – and to spread to all corners of the economy and family budgets.

Congress needs to take urgent action to stabilize our precarious trade environment. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the authority to impose tariffs and regulate foreign commerce. This is an essential power that Congress should use to prevent damaging trade policies that could hurt our economy, farmers, American workers, and consumers. We support this and other efforts to restore Congressional powers over tariffs and other barriers to trade.

We applaud Senators Toomey (R-PA), Warner (D-VA), Sasse (R-NE), and Hassan (D-NH) along with Representatives Gallagher (R-WI), Kind (D-WI), LaHood (R-IL), and Panetta (D-CA) for their bipartisan leadership on this important issue. We strongly urge all Members of  Congress to cosponsor the “Congressional Trade Authority Act” and work toward its swift enactment.

Sincerely,

National Taxpayers Union

Americans For Prosperity

ALEC Action

American Apparel & Footwear Association

American Bakers Association

American Commitment

Americans for Tax Reform

Beer Institute

Campaign for Liberty

Center for Freedom and Prosperity

Club for Growth

Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users

Competitive Enterprise Institute

Digital Liberty

Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce

FreedomWorks

Heritage Action for America

Hispanic Leadership Fund

National Confectioners Association

National Marine Manufacturers Association

National Restaurant Association

National Retail Federation

National Tooling & Machining Association

Niskanen Center

North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers

Precious Metals Association of North America

Precision Machined Products Association

Precision Metalforming Association

R Street Institute

Secure America’s Future Economy

Specialty Equipment Market Association

Taxpayers for Common Sense

Taxpayers Protection Alliance

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Retail Industry Leaders Association

Association of Global Automakers

Here For America

Dear Member of Congress:

On behalf of the millions of taxpayers, consumers, farmers, and businesses represented by our 38 organizations in all 50 states, we urge your support for the bicameral, bipartisan “Congressional Trade Authority Act.” This legislation would amend the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require Congressional approval before the President adjusts imports – often through tariffs or quotas – that are determined to impair national security.