Document nkQ64DKkOJ28REGn38BRzBk38

yt-.iyti^Mir.i'n LIA21527 '^ S Lend Imhwlries Annoeiation 420 LEXINOTON AVENUE NEW YOHK.N.A'. March 28., 1990* THE TARIFF SITDATIOB To the Members of the Lead Industries Association! On Mondey, March 24, the Senate completed its long task cf amending the new tariff law known as B.R.2667. The status of the bill is now as follows: The Senate will report the bill back to the House as < amended by the Senate. As the House and Senate drafts are far apart on a great nany items and provisions, the differences will have to be adjusted, and a new draft made acceptable to both bodies of Congress. This will be accomplished through the medium of a conference between the five ranking comltteemen, three Republicans and two Democrats, of the House Ways and Means Com mittee and a like number of the Senate Finance Committee, who will attempt to reconcile all differences between House and Senate versions of what constitutes a proper tariff lew. All of the ; rates and provisions of E.R.2667 on which there Is complete agree ment between Senate and House are not subject to change in confer i ence. The conferees may not rewrite the tariff bill-' At most they can only compromise between the Senate and House views, or accept either Senate or House rates. It is expected that the conference committee will take about a month in Its labors. After having agreed on all rates and provisions the Con ference Committee will make a report tc the Senate and the House through its respective conferees. The Senate and the House then have the option of either accepting the conference bill as a whole, or rejecting it, or recommitting it to the conference committee with instructions to make oertain alterations. When the Senate and the House have finally agreed on all controversial points, and the bill has received the approval of both bodies the completed draft is sent to the President for his signature. As all of the House rates and provision# in which the Lead Industries Association has an Interest emerged unchanged from the Senate, no changes esn be made in conference affecting our Interests. An unexpected attempt was made in the Senate to cut the tariff on red lead, litharge and white lead but through the efforts of the Lead Industries Association the rates on red LIA21528 '2lead and litharge, which were actually cut, ware subsequently restored so that the lead pigment rates are now all on the present, or 1922 tariff law, basis. Regardless of whet happen* /\ In conference, the 1922 rates on lead as a raw material and fin ished product, or In the form of Its numerous manufactures will not be disturbed. Our drawback natter, See. SIS, Par. (b), has also emerged from beth Houses unchanged from the form in which we urged Its passage In originally advocating the measure and, regardless of the ultimate composition of the bill, will now become law if any tariff law at all la algned by the President. Thus culminates an effort which has been made repeatedly over a long period of years during previous tariffs to bring about an extremely con structive change in the tariff so that American manufacturers of lead producta may compete more readily for export lead trade. It la eery gratifying that the Lead Industries Association was fortunate In succeeding where so many others had failed. As a matter of fact, we have been 100 nar cent successful In all our tariff activities owing to the excellent co-opcration of our members. Respectfully youra. Secretary. ) ( @ I i