IV 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 147 
Establishing the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Trade Responsibilities to develop 
a plan under which the functions and responsibilities of the Office of 
the United States Trade Representative shall be moved to the legislative 
branch in accordance with article I, section 8 of the Constitution of 
the United States, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 14, 2016 
Mr. GRIFFITH submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on 
Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Establishing the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Trade Respon-
sibilities to develop a plan under which the functions 
and responsibilities of the Office of the United States 
Trade Representative shall be moved to the legislative 
branch in accordance with article I, section 8 of the 
Constitution of the United States, and for other pur-
poses. 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), 
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•HCON 147 IH 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Reclaiming 
Congress’s Constitutional Mandate in Trade Resolution’’. 
SEC. 2. JOINT AD HOC COMMITTEE ON TRADE RESPON-
SIBILITIES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Joint 
Ad Hoc Committee on Trade Responsibilities (referred to 
as the ‘‘Joint Ad Hoc Committee’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Joint Ad Hoc Committee 
shall consist of 14 members, who shall be appointed not 
later than 60 days after the date of the adoption of this 
resolution, as follows: 
(1) 9 Members of the House of Representatives 
who shall be members of the Committee on Ways 
and Means or the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce, of whom— 
(A) 6 shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives, one of whom (as 
designated by the Speaker at the time of ap-
pointment) shall serve as the Chair of the Joint 
Ad Hoc Committee; and 
(B) 3 shall be appointed by the minority 
leader of the House of Representatives. 
(2) 5 Senators who shall be members of the 
Committee on Finance, of whom— 
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•HCON 147 IH 
(A) 3 shall be appointed by the majority 
leader of the Senate, one of whom (as des-
ignated by the majority leader at the time of 
appointment) shall serve as the Vice Chair of 
the Joint Ad Hoc Committee; and 
(B) 2 shall be appointed by the minority 
leader of the Senate. 
(c) DUTIES.— 
(1) PLAN FOR TRANSFER OF USTR FUNCTIONS 
TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.—The Joint Ad Hoc Com-
mittee shall develop a plan under which the func-
tions and responsibilities of the Office of the United 
States Trade Representative shall be moved to the 
legislative branch in accordance with article I, sec-
tion 8 of the Constitution of the United States. 
(2) CONSULTATION WITH ADVISORY BOARD.— 
In developing the plan under paragraph (1), the 
Joint Ad Hoc Committee shall consult regularly with 
the Congressional Advisory Board on Trade Respon-
sibilities established under section 3. 
(3) DEADLINE FOR TRANSFER UNDER PLAN.— 
Under the plan developed by the Joint Ad Hoc Com-
mittee under paragraph (1), the functions and re-
sponsibilities of the Office of the United States 
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•HCON 147 IH 
Trade Representative shall be moved to the legisla-
tive branch— 
(A) upon the expiration of the 4-year pe-
riod which begins on the date the Joint Ad Hoc 
Committee submits the report described in sub-
section (e); or 
(B) on July 1, 2021, 
whichever is later. 
(d) AUTHORITIES; EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSA-
TION OF STAFF.— 
(1) AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Joint Ad Hoc 
Committee may— 
(i) subject to subparagraph (B), sit 
and act at such places and times as the 
Joint Ad Hoc Committee determines are 
appropriate during the sessions, recesses, 
and adjourned periods of Congress; and 
(ii) require the attendance of wit-
nesses and the production of books, pa-
pers, and documents, administer oaths, 
take testimony, and procure printing and 
binding. 
(B) MEETINGS.—Beginning on the date 
that is 90 days after the date of the adoption 
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