Blumenauer Exhausted in Efforts to Restrict de Minimis

The leading Democrat in efforts to restrict de minimis in the House of Representatives, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore, has tried to restrict de minimis eligibility since the beginning of 2022, and has said that getting a bill passed is how he'd like to end his career in Congress (see 2402150060).

On Sept. 20, the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee ranking member sighed heavily as he said he only has 103 days left in office, adding that the process of trying to find something that can pass with support from both parties in both chambers has been "exhausting and disappointing."

"We've been open to compromise, and our staff has been talking with the Senate staff and the Republicans," he said. "I think there's a little movement and softening [among Republicans], but it shouldn't be this hard."

Opposition from CBP to moves to change eligibility has evaporated, as the Department of Homeland Security put out a release asking Congress to not just require more data submissions for de minimis packages, but also to end eligibility for Section 301 goods, as well as for "import sensitive" goods from any country, which covers apparel, footwear, watches and a few other categories.

"I think it's an encouraging sign," Blumenauer said of that announcement.

When asked whether there could be a "grand bargain" in the lame duck, to legislate on de minimis, renewing the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program and passing a new Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, he replied, "It is theoretically possible, but I think the appetite for a grand bargain is very limited."

He said that's true on both sides of the aisle.