Obama Pushes Against House Commerce Budget Bill for Skimping on USTR, ITEC Funding

The Obama Administration voiced concern with H.R. 5326, the 2013 Commerce, Justice, and Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for reducing funding levels for several agencies, some of which are trade-related. If the President were presented with H.R. 5326, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill, a press release said.

Trade-related funding concerns voiced by the administration include:

International Trade Administration (ITA). The Administration urged the Congress to provide the requested funding level of $517 million for ITA, which plays an important role in increasing U.S. exports. The Administration strongly encourages the full request be provided for the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC) and SelectUSA initiatives, which will help protect against unfair trade practices and promote investment and jobs, the administration said. Without the requested funding, ITA would have to dramatically scale back its export promotion and counseling efforts, both domestically and overseas. This would result in fewer additional American exports, particularly by small businesses, and fewer new American jobs, according to the press release.

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The Administration opposes the reduction from the FY 2013 Budget request for USTR, said Obama's office. The bill does not fully fund the ITEC, a coordinated interagency approach to enhance trade enforcement which levels the playing field for U.S. workers and businesses.

The Obama administration said several provisions in the bill, particularly sections 509, 520, and 534, could raise constitutional concerns in certain applications by intruding upon the President's constitutional authority over international diplomacy.