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Limiting Presidential Trade Authority: Congress Gains Oversight

This act changes how the President can restrict imports deemed a threat to national security. Now, Congress must approve such decisions, giving citizens more say in trade policy through their representatives. The changes primarily affect goods related to military equipment, energy resources, and critical infrastructure.
Key points
Presidential power to restrict imports for national security reasons now requires Congressional approval.
The definition of national security is narrowed to protection from foreign aggression, excluding general welfare.
The Department of Defense will now lead initial investigations into import threats, replacing the Department of Commerce.
A new process for excluding certain goods from import restrictions, administered by the International Trade Commission, is established.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_2934
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Process start date: 2021-10-05
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_2934.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-10-05.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Presidential power to restrict imports for national security reasons now requires Congressional approval.
  • The definition of national security is narrowed to protection from foreign aggression, excluding general welfare.
  • The Department of Defense will now lead initial investigations into import threats, replacing the Department of Commerce.
  • A new process for excluding certain goods from import restrictions, administered by the International Trade Commission, is established.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

CATEGORIES

Economy Security