House to move on trade extensions next week

The House next week is expected to pass legislation that would extend the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA), which lowers duties on imports from Andean countries, and the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Act, which helps U.S. workers hurt by overseas competition.

Both of these programs expire in mid-February, and according to legislation that the House will consider next week, both would be extended until the summer. Trade preferences under ATPA would be extended until June 30, while TAA benefits, which include extended health benefits, would last until July 1.

The House has been approving short-term extensions of these trade programs in part because there are limited funds available that can be used to offset their cost.

The House needs to vote on the bill by next week in order to avoid having ATPA and TAA expire on Feb. 13. The House will pass the bill under a suspension of House rules, which would prevent amendments and allow the measure to be approved by the House in short order.

The fate of the extension bill is uncertain in the Senate. While the House and Senate agreed last year on an extension, some Republican senators have argued that they should block a TAA extension until the Obama administration agrees to finalize the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. The White House has indicated it would not move on this agreement any time soon, and instead wants to focus on passing the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

—Updated at 3:43 p.m.