October 27, 2009 - CPA letter to Baucus/Grassley

October 26, 2009 - CPA letter to Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley of the Ways and Means Committee 

CPA sent a letter to Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley regarding a Customs-related act that they are co-sponsoring.  There is an advisory board associated with the customs agency that is dominated by the importers and multinationals, just as the Industry Trade Advisory Committees are dominated by them. 

The letter asks the Senators to include more diversity, to include domestic producers, on the customs advisory committee.  

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October 27, 2009

The Honorable Max Baucus
Chairman
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
219 Dirksen
Washington, DC 20510-6200

The Honorable Charles Grassley
Ranking Member
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
219 Dirksen
Washington, DC 20510-6200

Re:  S. 1631, Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act

Dear Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley:

The Coalition for a Prosperous America urges you to include a diversity of interests within the Commercial Customs Operation Advisory Committee (COAC) within  your Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (S. 1631).  CPA is a coalition of agriculture, manufacturing and organized labor associations and companies representing the interests of over 2.6 million citizens.

The COAC addressed within section 204 of  S. 1631 would serve the purpose of advising the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agency on issues to include free trade agreements, "Buy American," and country of origin labeling laws.  

We have long been concerned that the interests of exporters and multinational companies have dominated the Industry Trade Advisory Committees, the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committees and other advisory groups.  The COAC has tended to be dominated by those interested in facilitating imports, such as retailers, importers, shipping companies, ports, large multinational corporations, import brokers, and freight forwarders.  

A broadening of interests on the COAC is appropriate and vital to the overall national interest.  Producers of food and goods primarily for the domestic market should also be included, in our view.  Thus, we ask that your legislation requires the inclusion of farmers, ranchers, domestic producers and workers who are sensitive to import competition.  Indeed, import competition is a rational and reasonable interest that should be addressed in your bill.

Thank you.