No Further Shutdown; List 3 Exclusion Process Coming
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019 was signed into law on Friday, February 15, 2019, so the potential for another shutdown was averted, but there was a hidden gem buried in a related document. This new law contains a specific appropriation for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office which reads: “For necessary expenses of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, … $53,000,000, …”
Of particular interest to international traders is an interpretive statement which explains the content of the funding bill in more detail (all 218 pages, as opposed to the 465 page length of the actual bill). It is entitled: “EXPLANATORY STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY MRS. LOWEY, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS REGARDING H.J. RES. 3.”
It refers to the “$53,000,000 for … USTR,” but – here comes the hidden gem...
