WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Global Trade Accountability Act Friday, a bill that would subject all Executive Branch trade actions (including raising tariffs) to congressional approval.



“Congress has ceded far too much law making power to the Executive branch including the power to unilaterally raise tariffs,” Lee said. “Sudden hikes in trade barriers could wreak havoc on many small and midsize manufacturers in my home state of Utah that rely on imports and globally connected supply chains. Congress must be involved in any decision that would increase barriers to trade.”



The Global Trade Accountability Act would require the president to secure a joint resolution approved by both houses of Congress before any “unilateral trade action” could take effect. The act does allow for “national emergency” exceptions, but only for 90 days, after which the president would still have obtain approval from both houses of Congress.



You can read Sen. Lee’s oped on the Global Trade Accountability Act here.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2017/01/19/make-trade-policy-accountable-again/#67a11d548c6d



The text of the bill is here:

The Global Trade Accountability Act by Senator Mike Lee on Scribd