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October 5, 1998
(House)


H.R. 563 - Establishment of a "Made in America" Information
Program in the Commerce Department
(Traficant (D) Ohio and 31 cosponsors)

The Administration opposes House passage of H.R. 563, which would require the Commerce Department to conduct a rulemaking to determine whether to establish a fee-supported program to help inform consumers whether a product is "Made in America". The Administration understands the desire to help consumers determine whether a product is American made; however, the Administration has serious concerns about H.R. 563.

The Treasury Department's Customs Service and the Federal Trade Commission already seek to provide U.S. consumers with information about country-of-origin and to protect them from fraudulently or deceptively labeled goods. Any attempt to legislate an additional Federal role in "Made-in-America" issues may unnecessarily duplicate current efforts. The toll free number proposal may also overlap ongoing private sector efforts. In addition, there are a number of serious administrative difficulties presented by H.R. 563.