Last week, President Barack Obama asked Congress to grant him “fast-track” authority to reorganize and consolidate the trade functions of a number of government agencies. Obama’s proposal would consolidate under one entity the work of five agencies—the Small Business Administration, the United States Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and Development Agency—as well as the business and trade functions of the Commerce Department.
Under fast-track authority, Congress is limited to an up-or-down vote within 90 days of the president submitting his proposal. No amendments would be allowed.
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) said he is concerned the consolidation would bump trade further down the president’s priority list.
“The enactment of trade agreements has been a hard slog with the president,” Grassley said. “Any reorganization that disrupts trade negotiations and expanded markets for U.S. businesses and farmers would cause me serious concern.”
Grassley added that consolidation that doesn’t hurt exports might work, and that Congress would need to consider Obama’s plans carefully.
Remarks by the president regarding government reform
American Soybean Association’s response
