Doc Hastings: “House Resolution 583 is a closed rule providing for 2 hours of debate in the House, equally divided and controlled by…”

“House Resolution 583 is a closed rule providing for 2 hours of debate in the House, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. It also provides that pursuant to section 151(f)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974, the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without intervening motion. Lastly, section 2 of the resolution provides that during consideration of the bill, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker in consonance with section 151 of the Trade Act of 1974. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 583 provides for the consideration of H.R. 4340, a bill to implement the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, in accordance with trade measures negotiated under the Trade Promotion Authority. Former United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick signed the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement on September 14, 2004. Under the agreement, all bilateral trade and consumer and industrial goods will be duty free, and 98 percent of U.S. agricultural exports will be duty free. Tariffs on the remaining products, such as alcohol and tobacco, will be reduced to zero within 10 years.…”