Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), joining with fellow Congressmen and bill co-sponsors Charles Boustany (R-LA) and Kevin Brady (R-TX) on Thursday, presented the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 that would promote trade to strengthen the nation’s economy.
“I am pleased to introduce legislation that will modernize, strengthen and streamline trade enforcement and facilitation,” Tiberi, chair of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, said. “In order to increase American exports and ensure that other countries are playing by the same rules, this measure would improve our agencies’ means to enforce trade agreements and protect American innovation. I look forward to working with my Senate counterparts to ensure strong and effective enforcement and to advance our trade agenda.”
Tiberi’s legislation also includes the provisions introduced in the Protect Act, which Boustany developed this year.
“The
Protect
Act is vital legislation allowing for greater cooperation between government agencies and providing essential tools for our federal agencies to more effectively and efficiently put an end to duty evasion,” Boustany said. “If foreign actors choose to violate our trade laws, we must ensure they face serious consequences. Important and historic South Louisiana businesses in the agriculture and seafood industries have been victimized by trade evasion, distorting market prices for their products and harming job creation.”
Brady said the 21st century is a rime when trade barriers can leave American companies less competitive in the global marketplace.
“This bill is going to lower costs and delays at the border while improving security and enforcement,” he said. “I am pleased to join Chairman Tiberi to move this legislation that will improve three vital aspects of the Customs mission: modernization, facilitation and enforcement.”