19 U.S.C. § 3807 : US Code - Section 3807: Congressional Oversight Group

Search 19 U.S.C. § 3807 : US Code - Section 3807: Congressional Oversight Group

(a) Members and functions
(1) In general
By not later than 60 days after August 6, 2002, and not later
than 30 days after the convening of each Congress, the chairman
of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on Finance of
the Senate shall convene the Congressional Oversight Group.
(2) Membership from the House
In each Congress, the Congressional Oversight Group shall be
comprised of the following Members of the House of
Representatives:
(A) The chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Ways
and Means, and 3 additional members of such Committee (not more
than 2 of whom are members of the same political party).
(B) The chairman and ranking member, or their designees, of
the committees of the House of Representatives which would
have, under the Rules of the House of Representatives,
jurisdiction over provisions of law affected by a trade
agreement negotiations for which are conducted at any time
during that Congress and to which this chapter would apply.
(3) Membership from the Senate
In each Congress, the Congressional Oversight Group shall also
be comprised of the following members of the Senate:
(A) The chairman and ranking member of the Committee on
Finance and 3 additional members of such Committee (not more
than 2 of whom are members of the same political party).
(B) The chairman and ranking member, or their designees, of
the committees of the Senate which would have, under the Rules
of the Senate, jurisdiction over provisions of law affected by
a trade agreement negotiations for which are conducted at any
time during that Congress and to which this chapter would
apply.
(4) Accreditation
Each member of the Congressional Oversight Group described in
paragraph (!1) (2)(A) and (3)(A) shall be accredited by the
United States Trade Representative on behalf of the President as
an official adviser to the United States delegation in
negotiations for any trade agreement to which this chapter
applies. Each member of the Congressional Oversight Group
described in paragraph (!1) (2)(B) and (3)(B) shall be accredited
by the United States Trade Representative on behalf of the
President as an official adviser to the United States delegation
in the negotiations by reason of which the member is in the
Congressional Oversight Group. The Congressional Oversight Group
shall consult with and provide advice to the Trade Representative
regarding the formulation of specific objectives, negotiating
strategies and positions, the development of the applicable trade
agreement, and compliance and enforcement of the negotiated
commitments under the trade agreement.
(5) Chair
The Congressional Oversight Group shall be chaired by the
Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives and the Chairman of the Committee on Finance of
the Senate.
(b) Guidelines
(1) Purpose and revision
The United States Trade Representative, in consultation with
the chairmen and ranking minority members of the Committee on
Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Finance of the Senate -
(A) shall, within 120 days after August 6, 2002, develop
written guidelines to facilitate the useful and timely exchange
of information between the Trade Representative and the
Congressional Oversight Group convened under this section; and
(B) may make such revisions to the guidelines as may be
necessary from time to time.
(2) Content
The guidelines developed under paragraph (1) shall provide for,
among other things -
(A) regular, detailed briefings of the Congressional
Oversight Group regarding negotiating objectives, including the
promotion of certain priorities referred to in section 3802(c)
of this title, and positions and the status of the applicable
negotiations, beginning as soon as practicable after the
Congressional Oversight Group is convened, with more frequent
briefings as trade negotiations enter the final stage;
(B) access by members of the Congressional Oversight Group,
and staff with proper security clearances, to pertinent
documents relating to the negotiations, including classified
materials;
(C) the closest practicable coordination between the Trade
Representative and the Congressional Oversight Group at all
critical periods during the negotiations, including at
negotiation sites;
(D) after the applicable trade agreement is concluded,
consultation regarding ongoing compliance and enforcement of
negotiated commitments under the trade agreement; and
(E) the time frame for submitting the report required under
section 3802(c)(8) of this title.
(c) Request for meeting
Upon the request of a majority of the Congressional Oversight
Group, the President shall meet with the Congressional Oversight
Group before initiating negotiations with respect to a trade
agreement, or at any other time concerning the negotiations.