PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.4328 / 104th Congress

Trade Modernization Act of 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 28, 1996

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: United States Trade Administration Subtitle A: Establishment Subtitle B: Officers Subtitle C: Transfers to the USTA Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions Subtitle E: Related Agencies Subtitle F: Conforming Amendments Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Title IV: Miscellaneous Trade Modernization Act of 1996 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth findings and definitions. Title II: United States Trade Administration - Subtitle A: Establishment - Establishes the United States Trade Administration (USTA) as an independent establishment in the executive branch, headed by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), who shall: (1) have the rank and status of Ambassador; and (2) represent the United States in all trade negotiations conducted by the USTA. Subtitle B: Officers - Establishes in the USTA: (1) a Deputy Administrator of USTA; (2) two Deputy USTRs (one for Negotiations, one to the World Trade Organization); (3) three Assistant Administrators (for Export Administration, Import Administration, and Trade and Policy Analysis); (4) a Director General for Export Promotion; (5) a General Counsel; (6) an Inspector General; and (7) a Chief Financial Officer. Subtitle C: Transfers to the USTA - Transfers to USTA all functions of: (1) the Office of the USTR in the Executive Office of the President; and (2) the Secretary of Commerce, the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade and other specified officers of the Department of Commerce. (Sec. 223) Transfers to the Director General for Export Promotion all functions of the Trade and Development Agency. (Sec. 224) Transfers to the USTA all functions of the Secretary of Commerce relating to the Export-Import Bank of the United States. (Sec. 225) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to make the USTR Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, with the Director General for Export Promotion as an ex officio nonvoting member. (Sec. 226) Directs the President to transmit to the Congress a comprehensive plan, with specified contents, to further consolidate Federal trade programs and export financing activities within the USTA. (Sec. 227) Terminates authorizations of appropriations under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act for: (1) the NAFTA Secretariat; and (2) the Border Environment Cooperation Commission. Abolishes the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA), and transfers: (1) to USTA certain CITA functions related to textile agreements; and (2) to the International Trade Commission those that relate to assessment of the impact of textile imports on domestic industry. Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions - Provides for the administration of USTA. Authorizes the USTR to establish: (1) a working capital fund for USTA; and (2) USTA service charges. Subtitle E: Related Agencies - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to make the USTR a member of the National Security Council. (Sec. 252) Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to require the United States executive director of the International Monetary Fund to consult with the USTR on trade matters. Subtitle F: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to the Inspector General Act of 1978, the Trade Act of 1974, the Foreign Service Act of 1980, and specified Federal law relating to chief financial officers of Federal agencies. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth additional administrative authorities and requirements. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Provides for effective dates, interim compensation and expenses, and interim appointments. (Sec. 403) Authorizes appropriations.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. White, Rick [R-WA-1] · R–WA

Committees

  • Financial Services Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Foreign Affairs Committee
  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy.

    2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

    3. Referred to the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.

    4. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Banking and Financial Services, Government Reform and Oversight, International Relations, and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    5. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Banking and Financial Services, Government Reform and Oversight, International Relations, and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    6. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Banking and Financial Services, Government Reform and Oversight, International Relations, and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    7. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Banking and Financial Services, Government Reform and Oversight, International Relations, and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    8. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Banking and Financial Services, Government Reform and Oversight, International Relations, and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    9. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Banking and Financial Services, Government Reform and Oversight, International Relations, and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    10. Introduced in House

    11. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

    Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

    Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.4328 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.4328 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.4328 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.4328 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

    View full prompt & sources