Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 9, 2020

Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

This bill abolishes the United States and Foreign Commercial Service and transfers from the Department of Commerce to the Department of State all functions that were authorized to be performed by the service under any statute, reorganization plan, executive order, or other provision of law. Specifically, the bill transfers to the State Department all contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of funds, as well as all personnel.

Further, the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs and the relevant diplomatic missions shall, through specified activities, emphasize (1) the promotion of exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small and medium-sized businesses; and (2) the protection of U.S. business interests abroad.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10] · R–TX

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]

Legislative record

Actions

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

Jul 9, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jul 9, 2020
Introduced in House
Jul 9, 2020
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in House · Jul 9, 2020 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 7408 · Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

Source last updated: Dec 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.7549 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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Discuss H.R.7549, 116th Congress: Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7549

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-07-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7549/BILLS-116hr7549ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-03T13:50:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.7549 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.7549 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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Discuss H.R.7549, 116th Congress: Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7549

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-07-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7549/BILLS-116hr7549ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-03T13:50:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7549 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.7549 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.

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Discuss H.R.7549, 116th Congress: Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7549

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-07-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7549/BILLS-116hr7549ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-03T13:50:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7549 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.7549 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

Discuss H.R.7549, 116th Congress: Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7549

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-07-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7549/BILLS-116hr7549ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-03T13:50:10Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7549 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.