Protection of United States Jobs From Unfair Foreign Competition Act
Latest action. Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Protection of United States Jobs From Unfair Foreign Competition Act - Provides a cause of action for any person injured by sales of foreign merchandise at less than its fair value, which sales: (1) injure U.S. industry or labor; (2) prevent the establishment of industry in the United States; or (3) restrain or monopolize U.S. trade or commerce in such merchandise. Provides a cause of action by any U.S. person injured by reason of: (1) a private reciprocal trade agreement with a U.S. person who has contracted to provide goods and services to the United States; or (2) violation of U.S. Government contract warranties that the contractor will not enter into or comply with such private reciprocal trade agreements. Makes it unlawful for any person with a U.S. Government contract to enter into private reciprocal trade agreements with foreigners providing for the granting of contracts or other favored treatment to the contractor in exchange for subcontracts or purchases in connection with the performance of a U.S. contract or purchase. Penalizes violators of U.S. Government contract warranties against private reciprocal trade agreements by making: (1) such persons ineligible for future U.S. Government contracts; (2) existing contracts voidable at the election of the United States, and (3) such persons liable for treble damages. Sets forth jurisdiction, venue, and subpoena provisions. Prohibits the United States from taking a position contrary to that of the plaintiff in any action brought under this Act. Requires final judgement within 120 days of filing the complaints. Permits a special master to be appointed to hear the case and make findings of fact. Directs the court to prohibit the further sale of the foreign merchandise which is the subject of the action or to require the defendant to post a bond upon the plaintiff (but not a foreign manufacturer or U.S. importer of foreign merchandise) if the plaintiff sets forth facts on which relief could be granted under this Act. Shifts the burden of proof to the defendant upon such a showing. Specifies the damages to which successful plaintiffs and the United States are entitled. Amends the Clayton Act to include this Act within the definition of "antitrust laws". Subjects violators of this Act to criminal penalties.
Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in Senate" stage on April 24, 1980. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.
Where is it in the process, and what happens next?
4 steps remain before this bill could become law.
The record's latest action, on April 24, 1980: Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
- Clearing the committees it was referred to, and being scheduled for a floor vote
- Passage by the Senate
- Passage by the House
- The President's signature. If the President vetoes it, two-thirds of both chambers must vote to override.
How likely is it to become law?
Civibrief does not forecast outcomes and this page has no opinion about this one. What the record supports is a base rate, which is a fact about the whole pile, not a prediction about this measure.
In the 96th Congress (1979-80), 613 of the 12,581 bills and joint resolutions introduced became law, about 4.9 percent. That count covers every measure at every stage, including the many that never left committee.
This one is not there yet: 4 steps are still outstanding, listed above.
Has anyone actually voted on it?
No. No roll call in this Congress cites this measure. That is the ordinary outcome: most measures never reach a recorded floor vote, and a committee ends most of them simply by not acting.
A vote is not the only thing that happens to a measure. Hearings, markups, and referrals are all recorded actions, and none of them is a vote of the full chamber.
Who is behind it?
BIRCH BAYH (D-IN) introduced it on April 24, 1980. No cosponsors are recorded.
Cosponsoring is a formal signature on the text. It is not a commitment to vote for the measure, it does not bind anyone's party, and a long list of cosponsors is a measure of attention rather than of prospects.
How long has it been in play?
It was introduced on April 24, 1980, 16940 days ago. The most recent recorded action was 16940 days ago, on April 24, 1980.
Measures do not carry over. Anything the 96th Congress has not finished by January 3, 1981 dies when the term ends, and has to be introduced again from the start in the next Congress.
Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.
Vote history
- SenateIn committee, no floor vote yet
- HouseAwaits Senate passage
- PresidentAwaits both chambers