lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-02-10 00:00:00

Compact-Impact Reimbursement Act of 2015 

Amends the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 to authorize and appropriate FY2015 funds to the Secretary of the Interior for: (1) grants to any local government of the United States that demonstrates financial strain due to demands on public services by significant immigration from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau; and (2) aid in defraying costs incurred as a result of increased demands placed on health, educational, social, or public safety services, or infrastructure related to such services due to the residence of qualified nonimmigrants.

Directs the Secretary to provide for periodic enumerations of qualified nonimmigrants in the states and territories of the United States.

Defines "qualified nonimmigrant" as a person admitted to the United States pursuant to: (1) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association set forth in title II, or (2) section 141 of the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the government of Palau.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2015-02-13 00:00:00

Protecting America's Sovereignty Act

Prohibits the President from entering into any free trade agreement or investment treaty with a foreign country or countries that grants foreign investors the right to access an international tribunal to seek cash damages from or injunctive relief against the U.S. government if such investors believe that U.S. actions are in breach of rights conferred on foreign investors in the agreement or treaty.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-03-17 00:00:00

Balancing Trade Act of 2015

 Requires the President, if in three consecutive calendar years the United States has a trade deficit with another country of $10 billion or more, to take the necessary steps to create a trading relationship that would eliminate or substantially reduce that trade deficit by entering into an agreement with that country.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-04-21 00:00:00

Truth, Transparency, Accountability, and Fairness in Trade Act

This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the Department of Labor to make a joint annual report to Congress with the U.S. International Trade Commission on the operation of the trade agreements program during the preceding calendar year, including specified information about each free trade agreement in effect.

Any free trade agreement or portion of it that provides for the termination of portions shall cease to be effective with respect to the United States if annual reports on it show as a result of the agreement or a portion of it any:

 export disruption (declining U.S. exports to, and rising U.S. imports from, a country party to the agreement), either overall or for a specific commodity or industry, in three consecutive calendar years or in three calendar years during a consecutive five-calendar year period; labor disruption (an increase of 5% or more in the number of applications for adjustment assistance for workers and firms), either overall or with respect to a specific good or industry, in each of three consecutive calendar years or in each of three calendar years during a consecutive five-calendar year period; or trade balance disruption (an increase of 5% or more in the U.S. trade deficit in goods with respect to a country party to the agreement) in each of three consecutive calendar years or in each of three calendar years during a consecutive five-calendar year period. A termination bill, relating to such circumstances, must be enacted into law to effect a termination of the free trade agreement or a portion of it.

Fast track procedures are prescribed for congressional consideration of a termination bill.

The United States Trade Representative shall:

 take specified enforcement actions against any country party to a free trade agreement if it has implemented a tariff or nontariff barrier by reason of enactment into law of a bill terminating the agreement in whole or in part, and ensure that any free trade agreement entered into on or after enactment of this Act is negotiated in a form that provides for the termination with respect to the United States of specific portions of it.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-04-22 00:00:00

Trade and Environment Enforcement Act or the Green 301 Act

 Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to take certain discretionary trade action against foreign countries that engage in unreasonable acts, policies, or practices that fail to enforce their environmental laws effectively.

Directs the USTR to identify foreign country trade practices that affect negatively the environment of the United States, the foreign country, a third country, or internationally.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-04-22 00:00:00

Supplemental Trade Review, Oversight, Noncompliance and General Enforcement Resources Act of 2015 or the STRONGER Act of 2015

Establishes in the U.S. Treasury the Trade Agreements Enforcement Trust Fund. Directs the Department of the Treasury to transfer to the Trust Fund an amount equal to $15 million of the countervailing duties and antidumping duties received in the Treasury for each fiscal year beginning after enactment of this Act. Limits the total amount of funds in the Trust Fund to $30 million.

Authorizes the President to make sums in the Trust Fund available to: (1) the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to take specified actions relating to enforcement of free trade agreements; and (2) the USTR, the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Labor, and other departments and agencies with relevant expertise to take specified actions relating to implementation assistance and local capacity building under such agreements. Prohibits amounts made available in the Trust Fund from being used to negotiate any new free trade agreement.

Directs the President to establish a permanent interagency committee to ensure that actions taken under under this Act relating to implementation assistance and local capacity building are effectively prioritized, targeted, coordinated, and implemented. Requires the United States to promote aid effectiveness and accountability through transparency, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and fostering local ownership and implementation of U.S. assistance through such activities by requiring the interagency committee to: (1) publish timely, comprehensive, and detailed information regarding such activities on a quarterly basis, consistent with the U.S. commitment to full compliance with the International Aid Transparency Initiative; (2) conduct evaluations that are independent, methodologically rigorous, made public in their entirety, and transmitted to the International Aid Transparency Initiative Registry; and (3) develop and implement procedures for ensuring that data and evaluation results inform decisionmaking and lead to the revision and promotion of best practices among relevant executive branch agencies.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2015-05-22 00:00:00

Millennium Compacts for Regional Economic Integration Act or the M-CORE Act

This bill amends the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 to establish beginning with FY2013 new assistance criteria for a low-income or a lower middle income candidate country eligible to enter into a Millennium Challenge Compact with the United States. Such a country must:

 have a per capita income equal to or less than the lower middle income country threshold established by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the fiscal year; be among the 75 countries identified by the Bank as having the lowest per capita income; and not be ineligible to receive U.S. economic assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Reclassification limits are set forth as follows:

 if the per capita income of a low-income candidate country changes during the fiscal year so that it would be reclassified as a lower middle income country, it shall be deemed to continue to meet the per capita income requirements for that fiscal year and the two subsequent fiscal years; and if the per capita income of a lower middle income candidate country changes during the fiscal year so that it would be reclassified as a low-income country, it shall be deemed to continue to meet the per capita income requirements for that fiscal year and the two subsequent fiscal years. An eligible country that has entered into and has in effect a Millennium Challenge Compact may enter into and have in effect at the same time not more than one additional Compact if:

 one or both of the Compacts are or will be for purposes of regional economic integration, increased regional trade, or cross-border collaborations; and the country is making considerable and demonstrable progress in implementing the terms of the existing Compact. Congressional and public notification and disclosure provisions are revised.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-09-28 00:00:00

Earth Act

This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise requirements under the General System of Preferences (GSP).

The President shall not designate a foreign country as a beneficiary developing country eligible for preferential treatment under the GSP if it fails to enforce effectively its environmental laws or meet its international environmental obligations, including as they relate to public health.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-10-06 00:00:00

United States-Turkey Free Trade Promotion Act of 2015

This bill directs the United States Trade Representative to initiate negotiations to enter into a bilateral free trade agreement with Turkey that, among other things, promotes the export and import of natural resources, including coal, between the two countries.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2016-03-22 00:00:00

This bill directs the Department of State to: (1) develop a strategy to obtain membership status for India in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, including participation in related meetings, working groups, activities, and mechanisms; and (2) urge APEC member states to support India's membership.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2016-07-14 00:00:00

Improving Economic Sanctions Act of 2016

This bill establishes within the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence of the Department of the Treasury an Economic Sanctions Strategy, Coordination, and Planning Group. The group shall conduct contingency planning to enable the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to impose, monitor, and enforce a program of economic sanctions against a foreign country or entity pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The group shall: (1) review OFAC economic sanctions programs to identify specific problems with such programs and general problems with U.S. economic sanctions policy, and (2) create a strategy to improve such programs and policy.

The Office of Terrorism and Financial Crimes shall coordinate the development of U.S. economic sanctions policy with the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, and Commerce; the National Security Council; and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2016-09-27 00:00:00

Border Tax Equity Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on imports from any foreign country that: (1) employs an indirect tax system, and (2) grants rebates of indirect taxes paid on exports from that country. This tax shall be collected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and deposited into a special account.

The bill also amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the CBP, upon request of a U.S. exporter, to pay to the exporter from this special account an amount equal to the amount of indirect taxes imposed by the importing foreign country, minus any U.S. taxes rebated or funded upon exportation.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative must report on specified matters related to World Trade Organization negotiations, border taxes, and free-trade agreements.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-02-03 00:00:00

GSP Update for Production Diversification and Trade Enhancement Act or the GSP UPDATE Act 

 Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to authorize the President to designate certain luggage and travel articles as eligible for duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-02-10 00:00:00

Currency Undervaluation Investigation Act

Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the administering authority, upon the filing of a petition by an interested party, to initiate a countervailing duty investigation or review to determine whether currency undervaluation by the government of, or any public entity within, a foreign country is providing, directly or indirectly, a countervailable subsidy to its exporters or products.

Declares that the fact that such a subsidy is also provided in circumstances not involving export shall not, for that reason alone, mean it cannot be considered export contingent and actionable under a countervailing duty and antidumping duty proceeding.

Declares that the amendments made by this Act shall apply to goods from Canada and Mexico.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-02-12 00:00:00

Haitian Partnership Renewal Act

This bill amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to extend: (1) the 60% applicable percentage requirement for duty-free entry of apparel articles assembled in Haiti and imported from Haiti or the Dominican Republic to the United States, and (2) duty-free entry of such articles through December 19, 2030.

Duty-free entry for woven articles and certain knit articles assembled in Haiti and imported from Haiti or the Dominican Republic to the United States is extended through September 30, 2030.

The special duty-free rules for Haiti are extended through September 30, 2030.

The transition period treatment of certain textile and apparel articles is extended through September 30, 2030.

Duty-free coverage is provided:

 for certain footwear, travel goods, leather wearing apparel, and lamps, lighting, and other electrical components that undergo a change in Haiti and are imported directly from Haiti or the Dominican Republic; and through September 30, 2030, for a qualifying wire harness automotive component that is the product or manufacture of Haiti and is imported directly from Haiti.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-03-12 00:00:00

Level Playing Field in Trade Agreements Act of 2015

 No trade agreement with a country, or implementing bill for one, may receive expedited consideration by Congress under any provision of law, including any limitation on amendments or debate in either the Senate (except under rule XXII of the Standing Rules) or the House of Representatives unless the agreement:

 includes binding and enforceable requirements that all producers of merchandise exported to the United States from that country pay adequate wages and maintain sustainable production methods; and provides that, for purposes of such merchandise, the application of antidumping duty laws under the Tariff Act of 1930 shall be modified according to this Act. The administering authority, in determining the normal price of covered merchandise and whether it is or is likely to be sold at less than fair value, must increase the price by the difference, if any, between the actual cost of producing the merchandise and the estimated cost of producing it if the producer paid its employees adequate wages and maintained sustainable production methods.

 Certain interested parties that petition for an antidumping proceeding with respect to covered merchandise relying on calculations of normal value under this Act shall be presumed to demonstrate that they are materially injured, or threatened with material injury, by reason of imports of the covered merchandise unless:

 the country from which the covered merchandise is exported is covered by a precertification, or the estimated cost of producing the covered merchandise is equal to or greater than the cost of producing it in the country in which the interested party is located. The administering authority shall issue a precertification with respect to wages, production methods, or both, for merchandise of a requesting exporter or producer that demonstrates to the administering authority's satisfaction that all such merchandise, including significant components or ingredients, was or will be produced under conditions under which all employees receive adequate wages or sustainable production methods are maintained.

The administering authority shall also issue a precertification for all merchandise imported from a country if that country's government maintains and enforces laws requiring all producers of such merchandise in that country to pay its employees adequate wages and to maintain sustainable production methods.

The administering authority, the Secretary of Labor, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may jointly establish procedures pursuant to which obtaining certification from an independent third-party standards-setting organization may demonstrate eligibility for a precertification.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-03-17 00:00:00

Trade Enforcement Act of 2015

Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to establish within the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center to:

 serve as the primary forum within the federal government for coordinating with specified agencies the enforcement of U.S. trade rights under international trade agreements and of U.S. trade remedy laws; coordinate among the USTR, other agencies with trade-related responsibilities, and the intelligence community the exchange of information related to potential violations of international trade agreements by foreign trading partners of the United States; and conduct outreach to U.S. workers, businesses, and other interested persons to foster greater participation in the identification and reduction or elimination of foreign trade barriers and unfair foreign trade practices. Establishes in the Center the position of a Director, who shall be the Deputy USTR for Trade Enforcement to head the Trade Enforcement Division, as well as a Deputy Director and an Intelligence Community Liaison.

Establishes within the Office of the USTR a Chief Manufacturing Negotiator to conduct trade negotiations and enforce trade agreements relating to U.S. manufacturing products and services.

Makes it the principal functions of the Deputy USTR for Trade Enforcement to:

 ensure that U.S. trading partners comply with trade agreements to which the United States is a party, and assist the USTR in investigating and prosecuting disputes before the World Trade Organization and pursuant to other bilateral or regional trade agreements to which the United States is a party. Makes it the principal function of the Chief Manufacturing Negotiator to act as a vigorous advocate on behalf of this country's manufacturing interests.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-04-16 00:00:00

Trade Adjustment Assistance Enhancement Act of 2015

 Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal the declaration that trade adjustment assistance (TAA) program requirements in effect as of February 13, 2011, under the Trade Act of 1974 shall apply to petitions for certification to apply for TAA for workers, firms, and farmers that are filed before January 1, 2014.

 Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend through June 30, 2021:

 the TAA program, and the reemployment trade adjustment assistance (RTAA) program. Makes funds available for FY2015-FY2021 for training of adversely affected workers as well as (through June 30, 2021) reemployment and case management services.

Reauthorizes appropriations:

 through June 30, 2021, for the TAA program for workers; and for FY2015-FY2021 for the TAA program for firms and farmers. Revises and replaces core indicators of performance with primary indicators of performance. Adds among other factors the percentage and number of workers receiving TAA benefits who are in:

 unsubsidized employment, and an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary schooling credential or employment and who are achieving measurable gains in skills toward that credential or employment. Specifies criteria the Department of Labor must use to determine the eligibility of workers to apply for TAA if no determination has been made, upon enactment of this Act, as to whether to certify a group of workers or firms as eligible pursuant to a petition filed between January 1, 2014, and enactment of this Act. Requires the Department to reconsider any determination made before enactment of this Act not to certify such workers or firms, and to certify them as eligible if they meet the specified requirements.

 Increases from 52 to 65 additional weeks of TAA payments in a 78-week period the length of additional time permissible to complete training.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-05-19 00:00:00

African Free Trade Initiative Act

This bill amends the African Growth and Opportunity Act to revise certain plan and reporting requirements relating to the President's negotiating and entering into free trade agreements with interested beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.

The President shall develop a plan for negotiating and entering into one or more free trade agreements with 15 of the sub-Saharan African countries that are most ready for a free trade agreement with the United States.

The United States Trade Representative and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shall coordinate with the Millennium Challenge Corporation regarding countries with shared development objectives that have entered into a Millennium Challenge Compact in order to develop and carry out such plans.

USAID long-term development assistance funds for sub-Saharan Africa may be used to:

 carry out plans, including deployment of resources in individual eligible sub-Saharan African countries to assist them in the development of institutional capacities to carry out those plans; and coordinate U.S. efforts to establish free trade agreements in order to increase trade between the United States and sub-Saharan African countries, as well as investment in those countries.
Topic: Foreign Trade — Trade Agreements
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Date: 2015-05-19 00:00:00

Trade Transparency Act of 2015

This bill declares that expedited congressional procedures for consideration (fast track for approval) of implementing bills for trade agreements shall not apply to such bills unless the President makes available to the public the scrubbed bracketed text of the trade agreement at least 60 days before enactment of an Act giving the President trade promotion authority.