A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that there should be parity among the countries that are parties to the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to the personal exemption allowance for merchandise purchased abroad by returning residents, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2546-2547)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 11, 2000

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Secretary of the Treasury should initiate discussions with officials of Canada and Mexico to achieve parity with respect to the structure of the personal exemption allowance for merchandise purchased abroad by returning residents; and (2) in the event that parity with respect to the allowance of the three countries is not reached within one year after adoption of this resolution, the USTR and the Secretary should submit recommendations to Congress on whether legislative changes are necessary to lower the U.S. allowance to conform to the allowance levels established in the other countries that are parties to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] · R–ME

Committees

Finance Committee

5 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.

Apr 11, 2000
Referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2546-2547)
Apr 11, 2000
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2546-2547)
Apr 11, 2000
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 · Apr 11, 2000 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: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.285 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.285, 106th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that there should be parity among the countries that are parties to the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to the personal exemption allowance for merchandise purchased abroad by returning residents, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-resolution/285

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2000-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/sres285/BILLS-106sres285is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:42:35Z. 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.Res.285 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.Res.285 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.285, 106th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that there should be parity among the countries that are parties to the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to the personal exemption allowance for merchandise purchased abroad by returning residents, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-resolution/285

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2000-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/sres285/BILLS-106sres285is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:42:35Z. 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.Res.285 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.Res.285 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.285, 106th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that there should be parity among the countries that are parties to the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to the personal exemption allowance for merchandise purchased abroad by returning residents, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-resolution/285

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2000-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/sres285/BILLS-106sres285is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:42:35Z. 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.Res.285 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.Res.285 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.Res.285, 106th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that there should be parity among the countries that are parties to the North American Free Trade Agreement with respect to the personal exemption allowance for merchandise purchased abroad by returning residents, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-resolution/285

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2000-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/sres285/BILLS-106sres285is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:42:35Z. 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.Res.285 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.