19 Jul FDRA Encouraged By MTB Introduction: Bill in Congress Would Save Footwear Companies Millions
WASHINGTON, DC (July 18)— The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) today praised Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Charles Rangel (D-NY) for introducing H.R. 2708, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) last night. The bill is similar to the MTB introduced last Congress and will reduce or suspend duties on certain products, including footwear, that are not produced by U.S. companies, thereby lowering costs for U.S. companies and consumers.
FDRA has been instrumental in pushing forward this legislation and continues to encourage the inclusion of 40 new footwear bills that were opposed by the Obama Administration on the grounds of undermining trade negotiations. The footwear industry and its consumers have saved almost $150 million on footwear through the MTB process.
“We are very encouraged that a bipartisan group has introduced the MTB. I don’t think Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin would have introduced it if the felt it wouldn’t have a good shot at passing,” said FDRA President Matt Priest. “This is extremely important to many of our members because this means millions of dollars in cost savings. FDRA has been working behind the scenes to ensure all 40 miscellaneous tariffs related to footwear get high consideration and I think we are making good strides. We will continue to fight for these additions and look forward to helping get this passed.”
The most recent MTB expired at the end of 2012, and included 17 footwear bills that were up for extension. In the 112th Congress, the House introduced an MTB (H.R. 6727) on January 1, 2013 the day before the 113th Congress was sworn in, but did not see final passage. The Senate did not introduce a new MTB bill in the 112th Congress.