House Approves Reauthorization and Expansion of TAA Program

November 6, 2007

The House of Representatives approved the Democrat’s “Trade and Globalization Act” (H.R. 3920) on October 31, 2007 by a vote 264-157.  The bill was drafted by House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI) and introduced by Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) on October 22.

The bill proposes to reauthorize the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) targeted unemployment and retaining program through September 30, 2012. It also proposes to expands the program's reach to include workers in service areas and secondary industries.

The Republican’s TAA bill (H.R. 3943), which is an amendment to Rangel’s bill would make relatively minor changes to the current TAA program.  This amendment was defeated by a 196-226 vote.

It is anticipated that the President will veto this bill which does not have the two-thirds necessary to override the veto.  Labor Secretary Elaine Chao has told Rangel that she advises vetoing the legislation.

On November 5^h, the Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Finance.  The House had been delaying voting on the Peru FTA pending the reauthorization and expansion of TAA.