S.J.Res. 41Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

An original joint resolution providing for an exception to the limitation on the appointment of certain persons as the United States Trade Representative.

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 2:50 PM UTC

This joint resolution creates a one‑time exception to a rule in the Trade Act of 1974 that limits who can be appointed as the United States Trade Representative (USTR). It allows the first USTR appointed after the resolution to be someone who previously served as a Deputy USTR before the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, even though they would normally be barred by the limitation. The change only affects that single appointment and does not alter the rule for future USTR selections.

Key Provisions

The existing limitation on appointing certain individuals as USTR does not apply to the first person appointed after this resolution if they were a Deputy USTR before the 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act.
The exception is limited to that one appointment only and does not change the rule for any subsequent USTR appointments.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 42.

April 25, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 25, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Finance. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Hatch. Without written report.

Finance Committee

April 25, 2017

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 42.

April 25, 2017

Bill Text

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Placed on Calendar SenateIssued April 25, 2017

IIA

Calendar No. 42

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. J. RES. 41

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 25, 2017

Mr. Hatch, from the Committee on Finance, reported the following original joint resolution; which was read twice and placed on the calendar

JOINT RESOLUTION

Providing for an exception to the limitation on the appointment of certain persons as the United States Trade Representative.

Exception to limitation on appointment of certain persons as United States Trade Representative

(a)

In general

The limitation under section 141(b)(4) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2171(b)(4)) shall not apply to the first person appointed, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, as the United States Trade Representative after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, if that person served as a Deputy United States Trade Representative before the date of the enactment of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).

(b)

Limited exception

This section applies only to the first person appointed as United States Trade Representative after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, and to no other person.

April 25, 2017

Read twice and placed on the calendar