House Passes Export Promotion Reform Act

The House of Representatives passed the Export Promotion Reform Act (HR-4041) May 30 under suspension of the rules. The legislation would give the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) budget review authority over the export promotion programs managed by the Administration. The measure would also require the President to give the TPCC chair additional authorities to ensure that the committee's duties and its plan are implemented. The bill would also deploy U.S. Commercial Service personnel and budgets to help U.S. firms win sales in the markets with the best opportunities and require performance assessments of the effectiveness of embassies in carrying out commercial diplomacy and helping U.S. exporters. The legislation, co-authored by U.S. Reps. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), will next move to the Senate for consideration.

A statement from Manzullo is (here).

(See ITT's Online Archives 12030859 for summary of House Foreign Affairs Committee approval of the bill.)