24 Apr FDRA praises the passage of TPA legislation in the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways & Means Committee
The Senate Finance Committee approved the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act on April 22 by a vote of 20 to 6. The House Ways & Means Committee approved the legislation on April 23 by a vote of 25-13. FDRA sent letters to members of both committees urging passage of the bill and signed a letter with 269 businesses and associations in support of TPA.
FDRA President Matt Priest commented on the bills committee passage:
“We applaud both committees for passing Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation with a strong, bipartisan vote. TPA is critical to finalizing and passing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade agreement with 11 Pacific countries that will greatly benefit American consumers and footwear companies. Our industry paid almost $2.7 billion in duties in 2014 — $450 million from TPP countries alone — and this agreement has the potential to save American consumers and footwear companies hundreds of millions a year in costs. As TPA moves through Congress in the coming weeks, FDRA will continue to lead the charge with congressional leaders to share our story and explain how TPA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership will help strengthen and expand footwear jobs.”