A bill to require the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements to report to Congress by April 1, 1999, on the availability of certain wool fabric, and for other purposes.
Latest action (21 Oct 1998): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 2653 would direct the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, working with the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, to study and report to Congress by April 1, 1999, on the supply of certain high-grade wool fabrics ("Super 70's" and higher) used to make suits, jackets, and trousers. The report would assess current and projected availability of these fabrics from NAFTA countries through 2004, whether any supply shortages exist and their causes, the economic effects of such shortages on U.S. fabric and apparel producers, and the impact of scheduled 1999 tariff reductions and eliminations on domestic fiber, yarn, and fabric producers. It would also examine U.S. Customs Service's ability to monitor and verify compliance with tariff and quota rules, and the effects of wool tariff preference provisions under NAFTA and the earlier U.S.-Canada trade agreement.
The bill primarily affects U.S. textile and apparel manufacturers, domestic wool fabric producers, and government agencies involved in trade policy and customs enforcement. It does not change tariffs or trade rules itself but seeks information to help Congress evaluate whether adjustments are needed. The bill explicitly states it would not affect existing U.S. obligations under World Trade Organization agreements on textiles, clothing, or safeguards.
S. 2653 was introduced in the Senate on October 21, 1998, by Senator Richard Durbin, along with Senators D'Amato and Lott, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 105th Congress, so it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Directs the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements to report to specified congressional committees with respect to: (1) the current and projected availability through December 31, 2004, of certain categories of wool fabrics imported from North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries; (2) the existence of any deficiency in the supply of those fabric categories, including U.S. domestic producers of such fabrics and the causes of any supply deficiency; (3) the economic consequences resulting from the deficiency, if any, for U.S. producers of the textile goods and articles using such fabrics (including U.S. domestic producers of such fabrics); (4) the economic consequences for such U.S. producers and U.S. producers of fiber, tops, yarn, and fabric resulting from the reduction and elimination of tariffs in 1999 for each fabric category; (5) the capability of the Customs Service to monitor effectively and verify that the imports of wool fabrics meet U.S. tariff and quota requirements; and (6) the economic consequences of the wool apparel tariff preference level provision in the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA on the U.S. wool textile and apparel industry. Declares that nothing in this Act is intended to affect the elimination of quotas or the application of safeguards provided for in the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing or the Agreement on Safeguards.
Common questions
- What does S. 2653 do?
- S. 2653 would direct the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, working with the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, to study and report to Congress by April 1, 1999, on the supply of certain high-grade wool fabrics ("Super 70's" and higher) used to make suits, jackets, and trousers. The report would assess current and projected availability of these fabrics from NAFTA countries through 2004, whether any supply shortages exist and their causes, the economic effects of such shortages on U.S. fabric and apparel producers, and the impact of scheduled 1999 tariff reductions and eliminations on domestic fiber, yarn, and fabric producers. It would also examine U.S. Customs Service's ability to monitor and verify compliance with tariff and quota rules, and the effects of wool tariff preference provisions under NAFTA and the earlier U.S.-Canada trade agreement. The bill primarily affects U.S. textile and apparel manufacturers, domestic wool fabric producers, and government agencies involved in trade policy and customs enforcement. It does not change tariffs or trade rules itself but seeks information to help Congress evaluate whether adjustments are needed. The bill explicitly states it would not affect existing U.S. obligations under World Trade Organization agreements on textiles, clothing, or safeguards. S. 2653 was introduced in the Senate on October 21, 1998, by Senator Richard Durbin, along with Senators D'Amato and Lott, and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 105th Congress, so it did not become law.
- Has S. 2653 become law?
- Not yet. As of 21 Oct 1998, S. 2653 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 2653?
- S. 2653 was sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL] (Democrat-IL), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2653?
- Introduced (21 Oct 1998).
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