The Trade Priorities and Accountability Act Opens Opportunities for Nebraska Agriculture Producers

We have arrived at a crucial moment of opportunity for our country as we negotiate two important trade agreements: the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with 11 countries bordering the Pacific Ocean, and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the European Union. Considering trade supports one in five jobs in our state, opening more markets to Nebraska products is essential to growing our rural economy.

Trade agreements break down other countries’ barriers to our exports and require them to abide by the same rules we do, which is vital to leveling the playing field for Nebraska’s producers, manufacturers and consumers. These agreements also help maintain U.S. leadership in our global economy, rather than allowing countries like China to make the rules. If we do not step up and lead in the trade arena, American agriculture producers will be left behind.

Our negotiating partners make their best offers to lower trade barriers and set high standards if they know Congress will not re-write an agreement later. For America to get the best possible deal in trade negotiations, passing the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, also known as TPA, is the necessary first step.

The House Ways and Means Committee, on which I serve, has jurisdiction over trade policy. Chairman Paul Ryan recently introduced the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act (TPA), which we passed out of committee on Thursday. The president already has the constitutional authority to negotiate trade agreements with other nations, but TPA empowers Congress to direct the administration’s trade negotiations from the outset. This legislation will soon proceed to the House floor for a vote.

With TPA, the administration must consult with Congress throughout the negotiating process to allow for needed oversight. Chairman Ryan’s bill specifically requires the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to promptly provide the classified texts of all trade negotiations to any Members of Congress who request them. The text of a completed trade agreement also must be made public for at least 60 days before the president signs it to allow the American people to review it as well.

No trade agreement can go into effect without congressional approval. However, if the administration adheres to the negotiating objectives and meets stated obligations, TPA guarantees trade agreements are allowed an up-or-down vote in Congress. If not, Congress can certify TPA objectives were not adhered to and turn off TPA to stop the agreement.

During our Ways and Means Committee meeting on Thursday, I stressed to Chairman Ryan the importance of ensuring this TPA legislation addresses the European Union’s unscientific restrictions on U.S. meat, poultry, and biotechnology crops. He agreed this must be a priority and confirmed the negotiation objectives Congress provides to the administration under TPA would include reducing or eliminating these non-tariff barriers to U.S. agriculture products.

Nebraska’s Third District is the number one agriculture district in the nation. To remain the country’s agriculture leader and continue to grow our rural economy, we need to open more markets to Nebraska exports. With more than 95 percent of the world’s customers living outside our country, TPA is the first step to breaking down barriers for America’s hardworking producers.