Ways and Means Committee Passes Panetta, Steel Bill to Strengthen Trade Enforcement

Monterey, CA – Today, the House Committee on Ways and Means passed H.R.5862, Global Trade Specialist Act.  Introduced by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Michelle Steel (R-CA) and the legislation seeks to strengthen U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ability to enforce U.S. trade policy. The bill authorizes CBP to streamline current staffing policies and establish a new position called a “Global Trade Specialist” with a broader mandate and more cross-training to address a more comprehensive range of trade enforcement priorities.



“U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) currently lacks a dedicated specialist to track supply chains and target imports despite its crucial role in enforcing U.S. trade laws, facilitating trade, and protecting the American economy,” said Rep. Panetta.  “I’m proud to work on this straightforward, bipartisan legislation with my California colleague Rep. Steel that would enhance CBP’s ability to respond to the rapidly evolving challenges of international trade with the necessary personnel.  With so much disruption to global supply chains over the last few years, this legislation would ensure agencies have resources and staffing to fulfill their essential mission and continue to strengthen our economy.”

“Global challenges and U.S. trade priorities have changed significantly since the CBP was established in 2002,” said Rep. Steel. “As geopolitical relationships change more rapidly and drastically in the modern world, it’s critical that our laws empower CBP to operate as nimbly and efficiently as possible.  This legislation will empower the CBP to address the dynamic and urgent nature of U.S. trade policy enforcement and help maintain American dominance in the global economy.”



“It is vitally important that America's trade laws are enforced to protect the interests of American workers and job creators,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.  “As our trading relationships evolve, Customs and Border Protection needs the flexibility to respond to change in real time and meet its responsibilities. I want to thank Rep. Steel for her leadership on this bipartisan legislation and her commitment to holding our trading partners accountable to benefit American workers, farmers, and small businesses.”



The full text of the bill is available here.

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