Wyden Says TAA, GSP, MTB Priorities in Lame Duck

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., told reporters there is bipartisan support for renewing the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, but he elided the primary issue that has held up the two programs all year -- House Democrats' insistence Trade Adjustment Assistance be renewed at the same time. House Republicans oppose renewing TAA, saying there is no tariff-lowering agenda for U.S. exports at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (see 2209200068). Wyden spoke on a phone call Nov. 15.

"I feel very strongly about getting Trade Adjustment Assistance now," Wyden said. The program expired July 1, so no new workers' layoffs can be certified as trade-related and therefore eligible for the job training and extended unemployment offered under the program. "Will Republicans cooperate in this area so we can have some bipartisan support," he asked rhetorically.

He noted he and Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, shaped a trade package that the Senate passed as part of its CHIPS Act, and said it received more than 90 votes. What he didn't say, however, is that TAA wasn't part of that package -- and that House Democrats didn't accept the Senate trade approach in the conference committee. The Senate approved a clean renewal to the GSP and MTB; House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., wants changes to both programs, particularly the MTB.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, has said he wants a "grand bargain" on trade that includes TAA, GSP, MTB and a limited trade promotion authority to allow for a traditional free trade agreement with the U.K. (see 2210180006). Asked about Portman's grand bargain, Wyden said that sounded a little ambitious for a lame duck session.