Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2023

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

This legislation changes the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches regarding trade policy, potentially impacting the cost of imported goods and the stability of existing trade tariffs for U.S. businesses and consumers.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Manufacturers

Manufacturers may be impacted by changes in duty rates on imported materials and can utilize the new exclusion process to request relief.

Importers

Importers are eligible to request exclusions from trade duties and may be entitled to duty refunds if previous actions are terminated.

President of the United States

The President's authority to unilaterally adjust imports for national security reasons is restricted and made subject to Congressional approval.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill requires the President to obtain Congressional approval before imposing trade restrictions based on national security concerns. It also shifts the responsibility for investigating these threats from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary of Defense and creates a formal process for businesses to request exemptions from such trade actions.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

This legislation changes the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches regarding trade policy, potentially impacting the cost of imported goods and the stability of existing trade tariffs for U.S. businesses and consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 'covered article' under this bill?

A covered article is defined as an item related to the development, maintenance, or protection of military equipment, energy resources, or critical infrastructure essential to national security.

How does this bill affect existing tariffs?

Existing trade actions taken by the President in the last seven years must be resubmitted to Congress for approval within 75 days of the bill's enactment; if not approved, those actions will terminate and duty rates will revert to their previous levels.

Can businesses request an exemption from new trade duties?

Yes, the bill creates an exclusion process administered by the International Trade Commission that allows businesses to request relief if the duties cause severe economic harm or impact critical infrastructure.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Related Legislation

Federal Bill85% related

China Trade Relations Act of 2023

This bill proposes to revoke 'normal trade relations' status for the People's Republic of China and requires the President to certify that China meets

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Shift in Investigative Authority

The bill moves the responsibility for national security trade investigations from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Defense, signaling a move toward a more security-focused assessment process.

Secretary of Defense Secretary of Commerce

Connected Entities

personComptroller General of the United States“Conducts an annual audit of the exclusion process.”Map →

organizationCongress“Enacts the bill.”Map →

organizationHouse of Representatives“Passes a joint resolution of approval.”Map →

organizationUnited States International Trade Commission“Administers the exclusion process for trade adjustments.”Map →

personSecretary of Commerce“Responsible for administering the exclusion process”Map →

organizationU.S. Customs and Border Protection“Responsible for liquidating or reliquidating entries”Map →

personPresident“Takes action under subsection (c) to adjust imports.”Map →

organizationUnited States“The enacting entity”Map →

organizationSenate“Refers the bill to the Committee on Finance.”Map →

personSecretary of Defense“Listed as a key agency involved in the trade authority”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy75
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment20
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz40
Current news / social attention level