Sponsors
The resolution moves control and oversight of U.S. trade responsibilities toward Congress to increase transparency and inclusive planning, but does so at the risk of politicizing and slowing trade policy, raising costs, creating constitutional uncertainty, and imposing administrative burdens.
Congress (and therefore taxpayers and elected representatives) would gain much greater direct oversight and control over trade policy and negotiations, shifting influence from the executive branch to the legislature.
Creates a clear, time‑bound transition mechanism (report in 16 months; transfer after up to 4 years or by July 1, 2028) and a Joint Ad Hoc Committee with subpoena and staffing authority to produce a structured, evidence‑based plan for moving trade responsibilities.
Establishes a bipartisan Advisory Board that brings diverse stakeholders (labor, industry, agriculture, small business, environmental and consumer groups) and expert input to improve the quality and representativeness of the transition plan, with travel reimbursements to enable broader geographic participation.
Businesses, consumers, and taxpayers could face slower, more politicized trade negotiations and implementation as legislative processes and oversight requests add delays and political considerations to trade policymaking.
Federal employees and the constitutional balance could face legal uncertainty and litigation risk because transferring operational executive functions to the legislature raises separation‑of‑powers concerns.
Taxpayers would likely bear new and ongoing costs for committee operations (staffing, reimbursements, printing and other expenses) to support the joint committee and advisory processes.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a congressional committee and advisory board to develop a plan to transfer USTR functions to Congress, with required executive-branch cooperation and firm timelines.
Introduced January 3, 2025 by H. Morgan Griffith · Last progress January 3, 2025
Creates a 14-member Joint Ad Hoc Committee in Congress and a 21-member Congressional Advisory Board to develop a plan to move the functions of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) into the legislative branch. The committee must be appointed within 60 days, produce a report within 16 months after all appointments, and propose a transfer to occur either four years after the report or by July 1, 2028; executive-branch agencies must cooperate with information requests.