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H.R.481 / 105th Congress

Professional Trade Service Corps Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 21, 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: The Professional Trade Service Corps Title II: The Trade Service Institute Title III: Postemployment Restrictions Professional Trade Service Corps Act - Title I: The Professional Trade Service Corps - Establishes within the trade-related Federal agencies a Professional Trade Service Corps consisting of two tiers. Sets forth certain requirements for members of the Corps, including being well-informed with respect to current trends as well as the history of trade negotiations. Establishes a Policy Trade Service Interagency Council (Policy Council). Title II: The Trade Service Institute - Directs the Policy Council to establish a Trade Service Institute in order to furnish training and instruction to: (1) candidates for Tier I; (2) members of the Corps; and (3) other appropriate Government employees. States that the Director of the Trade Service Institute shall be appointed by the Policy Council. Title III: Postemployment Restrictions - Amends Federal law to impose penalties upon former Government employees who knowingly, within eight years after leaving the Government (currently, within one year), represent or advise a foreign entity before any Federal agency officer or employee with the intent to influence such person. Sets forth similar restrictions on former members of the Corps.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] · D–OH

Committees

  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

  3. Referred to House Judiciary

  4. Referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 House Government Reform

  6. Introduced in House

  7. 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

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

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.481 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

Examine H.R.481 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.481 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.

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