To authorize appropriations for the United States Customs Service for fiscal years 1999 and 2000, and for other purposes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for United States
Customs Service for Enhanced Inspection, Trade
Facilitation, and Drug Interdiction
Title II: Customs Performance Report
Drug Free Borders Act of 1998 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for United States Customs Service for Enhanced Inspection, Trade Facilitation, and Drug Interdiction - Amends the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations for FY 2000 and 2001 for the United States Customs Service for: (1) noncommercial and commercial operations; and (2) the air and marine interdiction program. Requires the Commissioner of Customs to submit to specified congressional committees a projected budget for the succeeding fiscal year (out-year).
(Sec. 102) Earmarks amounts for: (1) the acquisition and deployment of narcotics detection equipment (including maintenance and support of such equipment, training of personnel, and new technologies) along the United States-Mexico border, the United States-Canada border, and Florida and the Gulf Coast seaports; (2) additional inspectors, canine enforcement officers, special agents, and enhanced investigative resources during peak hours along such borders (including the Bahamas); and (3) air and marine drug interdiction operation and maintenance.
(Sec. 105) Requires the Commissioner of Customs, as part of the annual program activity performance plan set forth in the Customs Service budget, to establish performance goals and performance indicators, and comply with certain other requirements with respect to such border activities.
(Sec. 106) Changes the basic pay rate of the Commissioner from level IV to level III of the Executive schedule.
(Sec. 107) Directs the Customs Service, without regard to whether a passenger processing fee is collected from a person departing for the United States from Canada and without regard to whether funds are appropriated, to provide the same level of enhanced preclearance customs services for passengers arriving in the United States aboard commercial aircraft originating in Canada as the Customs Service provided for such passengers during FY 1997. Authorizes appropriations.
Title II: Customs Performance Report - Directs the Commissioner of Customs to report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to: (1) identification of enforcement priorities and trade facilitation objectives, including the reasons for selecting the objectives contained in its most recent performance plan covering each of its programs; (2) a review of the Customs Service's implementation of the Customs Modernization Act and a summary of the results of the reviews of industry-wide compliance assessments conducted by it as part of its compliance initiative; (3) proposals for improvement of the commercial operations of the Customs Service; (4) a review of Customs Service enforcement responsibilities; (5) a comprehensive strategy for the Customs Service role in the U.S. drug interdiction efforts; (6) the identification of ways to expand cooperation with U.S. importers and customs brokers, U.S. and foreign carriers, and other members of the international trade and transportation communities to improve the detection of contraband before it leaves a foreign port destined for the United States; (7) an outline of the basis for the current allocation of Customs Service inspection and investigative personnel; (8) identification of the automation needs of the Customs Service and an explanation of the current state of the Automated Commercial System and the status of implementing a replacement for such system; and (9) an overview of the current Customs Service personnel practices and workforce needs.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 105-541. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 105-541. Filed late, pursuant to previous special order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 307.
Mr. Archer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3407-3416, H3462-3463)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 320 - 86 (Roll No. 164).
Roll Call #164 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 320 - 86 (Roll No. 164).
Roll Call #164 (House)checking server…
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Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Committee on Finance. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Finance. Reported to Senate by Senator Roth with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-359.
Committee on Finance. Reported to Senate by Senator Roth with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 105-359.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 681.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12056-12059)
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12056-12059)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.