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H.R.447 / 104th Congress

To establish a toll free number in the Department of Commerce to assist consumers in determining if products are American-made.

Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 9, 1995

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, upon determining on the basis of comments submitted in rulemaking under this Act that interest among manufacturers is sufficient to warrant the establishment of a three-year toll-free number pilot program and manufacturers will provide fees so that the program will operate without cost to the Federal Government, to: (1) establish such program solely to help inform consumers whether a product is made in America or the equivalent thereof; and (2) publish the toll-free number in the Federal Register. Requires: (1) the Secretary to contract for the establishment and operation of such pilot program and the registration of products; and (2) such number to be used solely to inform consumers as to whether products are American made. Requires consumers to be informed that such registration does not mean that: (1) the product is endorsed or approved by the Government; (2) the Secretary has conducted any investigation to confirm that the product meets the definition of American made; or (3) the product contains 100 percent U.S. content. (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary to propose regulations to: (1) establish a procedure under which the manufacturer of a product may voluntarily register such product as complying with such definition and have such product included in the information available through the toll-free number; (2) establish, assess, and collect a fee to cover all costs of registering products and including registered products in information provided under the number; (3) establish the pilot program; and (4) solicit views from the private sector concerning the level of interest of manufacturers in registering products. Requires the Secretary to promulgate such regulations if the pilot program and product registration is determined to be warranted. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) registration fees; and (2) penalties for knowingly registering a product which is not American made.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Traficant, James A., Jr. [D-OH-17] · D–OH

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
95 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 367 - 9, 1 Present (Roll no. 402).

    House roll call 402 · Individual votes
  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 367 - 9, 1 Present (Roll no. 402).

    House roll call 402 · Individual votes
  5. Considered as unfinished business.

  6. At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Oxley objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

  7. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  8. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9930-9932, H9983)

  9. Mr. Oxley moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  10. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 399.

  11. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 104-753.

  12. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 104-753.

  13. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  14. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  15. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  16. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  17. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  18. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2730)

  19. Referred to the Subcommittee Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.

  20. Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.

  21. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E57)

  22. Introduced in House

  23. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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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: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.447 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.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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