Linda Sánchez Stands Up For American Businesses
Press Release
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-38), along with Rep. Billy Long (R-MO), has introduced the Enforcing Orders and Reducing Customs Evasion (ENFORCE) Act (H.R. 1440). This bipartisan legislation will help U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforce trade rules and prevent illegal imports. The ENFORCE Act would establish new procedures for investigating claims against foreign manufacturers for evading anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders.
Today, House Democratic leaders also announced that the ENFORCE Act will be included as part of the Democrats' "Make It In America" plan to grow manufacturing jobs.
"If we want to keep Americans working and our businesses strong, we have to ensure that Customs will aggressively enforce anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders," said Congresswoman Sánchez. "For too long, domestic producers have been undermined by foreign competitors using fraudulent schemes to avoid paying the duties they owe. Evading these duties not only breaks the law, but it hurts U.S. businesses and kills jobs. It's time we pass the ENFORCE Act and give our producers and American workers the level playing field they deserve."
Under the ENFORCE Act, domestic producers will be able to petition U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to investigate possible anti-dumping and countervailing duty evasions. H.R. 1440 puts in place timelines for CBP to make preliminary and final determinations about whether an importer is engaged in duty evasion.
Anti-dumping duties are imposed when it is established that foreign goods are being sold (or "dumped") in the U.S. at prices below the prices in the home market. Countervailing duties are imposed when foreign goods receive illegal subsidies which artificially hold down prices. The duties are meant to even out these illegal practices so that American and foreign goods are competing on a more level playing field regarding prices.
Congresswoman Sánchez also introduced the ENFORCE Act in the 112th and 111th Congresses. H.R. 1440 currently has 35 cosponsors.
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