Senate Trying to Pass MTB by Unanimous Consent Later Tonight
Senate leadership is hoping to move the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill on the evening of June 28, said Ron Sorini, a principal at Sorini and Samet. The hold from Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., that was preventing the vote (see 1806200043) was lifted and Sorini said that as senators were canvassed about allowing a vote under unanimous consent, there were a few objections, but "they think they’re resolvable."
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The MTB in the Senate has changed since the House passed it Jan. 16, by a 402-0 vote (see 1801170012). The International Trade Commission classified 1,825 products as qualifying for tariff-free or lower tariff status because there is no domestic competition, most of them chemicals, machinery and equipment, textiles, apparel and footwear. According to Sorini, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, convinced his fellow senators to strip out petitions approved by the International Trade Commission on automotive products that come from China. Brown's office didn't comment. Sorini said there may be some more product changes to get to unanimous consent.
Even if the bill does not move before the senators leave at the end of the night for a July 4 weeklong break, Sorini said there is time to get it through the Senate and back through the House before the August break. This bill would lower tariffs through Dec. 31, 2020, and would take effect 30 days after enactment. Extending the expiration for customs user fees is the pay-for to offset lost tariff revenue. The tariff reductions done through MTB have not been in force since the end of 2012. Of the news, first reported by Inside U.S. Trade, that MTB could move tonight, Sorini called it "a pleasant surprise." A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office said there is "no guidance or announcements on any other bills or nominees right now."