American Free Trade Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 25, 1994

American Free Trade Act - Requires the President to initiate trade agreement negotiations with Western Hemisphere countries for the reduction and elimination of tariffs and nontariff trade barriers and the establishment of a Western Hemisphere free trade area. Declares that this Act shall not apply to Cuba unless the President certifies that: (1) freedom has been restored in Cuba; and (2) the claims of U.S. citizens for compensation for expropriated property have been appropriately addressed. Sets forth determinations the President must make about Cuba before certifying that freedom has been restored. Requires that, once such certification is made, priority be given to negotiation of a free trade agreement with Cuba. Applies the fast-track procedures of the Trade Act of 1974 to implementing bills for trade agreements entered under this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Gramm, Phil [R-TX] · R–TX

Committees

Finance Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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

Jan 25, 1994
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jan 25, 1994
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S55-56)
Jan 25, 1994
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Jan 25, 1994 Formatted Text PDF

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 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1788 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 S.1788, 103rd Congress: American Free Trade Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/1788

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-01-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s1788/BILLS-103s1788is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:04Z. 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 S.1788 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 S.1788 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 S.1788, 103rd Congress: American Free Trade Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/1788

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-01-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s1788/BILLS-103s1788is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:04Z. 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 S.1788 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 S.1788 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 S.1788, 103rd Congress: American Free Trade Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/1788

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-01-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s1788/BILLS-103s1788is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:04Z. 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 S.1788 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 S.1788 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 S.1788, 103rd Congress: American Free Trade Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/1788

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1994-01-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s1788/BILLS-103s1788is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:51:04Z. 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 S.1788 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.