1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-885 EUpdated May 3, 1999Fast-Track Legislative Procedures for TradeAgreements: The Great Debate of 1991(name redacted)Specialist in International Trade and FinanceForeign Affairs, Defense, and
2、 Trade DivisionSummaryThe last debate on whether or not to grant the President authority to negotiate tradeagreements with fast-track legislative procedures was in 1991. Many issues that wereraised in that debate are the same as those still being considered, including the role oflabor and the enviro
3、nment in trade negotiations and whether legislation to implementtrade agreements should be amendable. The result of the debate in 1991 was thatCongress allowed the President an extension of negotiating authority with fast-tracklegislative procedures. At the same time, however, it gave strong directi
4、ves to theAdministration on issues to be addressed in the negotiations and threatened to withdrawthe fast-track procedures if its directives were not followed.Background Trade negotiating authority with fast-track legislative procedures was introduced inthe Trade Act of 1974. It was approved for a g