H.R. 1890 would restore the President's authority to enter into multilateral and bilateral trade agreements. The authority would be extended through July 1, 2018, with the possibility to extend for another three years at the President’s request. Pay-as-you-go procedures apply because enacting the legislation could affect revenues. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending.
H.R. 1890 would authorize two different methods for the United States to enter into multilateral and bilateral trade agreements. First, the bill would reinstate a rarely used authority that would allow the President to reduce certain duty rates within specified limitations without further Congressional action. While this authority could result in a reduction in estimated revenue, CBO has no basis for determining when or if the President would lower duty rates or the extent of such changes. Therefore, CBO cannot estimate the effect of enacting this proposal.
Second, the bill would restore the President's authority to propose trade agreements under an expedited procedure for Congressional approval, often referred to as “fast track authority.” For such trade agreements, the Congress would not be able to amend the implementing legislation once it was introduced. Furthermore, as long as the President met statutory requirements concerning Congressional consultation during the negotiation process, the Congress would be required to act on the legislation following a strict timetable. CBO estimates that enacting this authority would not affect revenues or direct spending because future trade agreements would require the Congress to pass implementing legislation.
In addition, implementing H.R. 1890 would affect spending subject to appropriation. Based on information from the U.S. International Trade Commission, CBO estimates that implementing the reporting requirements under the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2015-2020 period, assuming the availability of appropriated amounts.