PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Feb 13, 2018
(Sec. 1) This bill extends the Generalized System of Preferences (a U.S. trade preference program that provides duty-free access to imports on products from certain developing countries) through 2020.
The U.S. Trade Representative, within one year of this bill's enactment and annually thereafter through December 31, 2020, must report to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on efforts to ensure that countries designated as beneficiary developing countries under the Trade Act of 1974 are meeting the eligibility criteria set forth in that Act.
(Sec. 2) The Trade Act of 1974 is amended to modify the deadline for the review process with respect to the competitive needs limitation. (The competitive need limitation terminates duty-free treatment with respect to articles from a beneficiary developing country if certain import limits are exceeded.)
(Sec. 3) The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 is amended to extend through August 1, 2027, the authority for customs user fees for the processing of merchandise formally entered or released into the United States.
People & committees
Rep. Reichert, David G. [R-WA-8] · R–WA
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 2 (Roll no. 71). (text: CR H1100)
House roll call 71 · Individual votesPassed/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): 400 - 2 (Roll no. 71).(text: CR H1100)
House roll call 71 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1104-1105)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4979.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1100-1103)
Mr. Reichert moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.4979 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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