ADVISORY
FROM THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

Subcommittee on Trade

Crane Requests Introduction of Miscellaneous
Duty Suspension Bills by April 16, 2002

Congressman Philip M. Crane (R-IL), Chairman, Subcommittee on Trade of the Committee on Ways and Means, announced, in a Dear Colleague letter dated March 7, 2002, that all Members who plan to introduce duty suspension legislation do so by April 16, 2002.

BACKGROUND:

The Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over legislation to amend the U.S. tariff schedule and to make corrections to trade legislation. To ensure that the Subcommittee on Trade has sufficient time to evaluate and consider these bills, the Subcommittee has followed a customary process beginning with a request that all Members who plan to introduce tariff legislation or miscellaneous corrections to the trade laws do so by a date certain.

After collecting and reviewing bills introduced by this deadline, the Subcommittee will issue a press release identifying the bills introduced and will request public comment prior to meeting to consider the legislation. In addition, the Subcommittee will request a review and analysis of each bill from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the U.S. Customs Service. It is possible that bills which create revenue losses, operate retroactively, or attract significant controversy or opposition will not be included in a comprehensive bill incorporating these measures.