HCR 29 – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

17Mar2010… 0770h

17Mar2010… 0970h

2010 SESSION

10-2125

05/04

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 29

A RESOLUTION requiring the Congress of the United States of America to reaffirm its adherence to the Constitution of the United States regarding international agreements and treaties.

SPONSORS: Rep. Vita, Straf 3; Rep. Rappaport, Coos 1; Rep. Hogan, Hills 25; Rep. Itse, Rock 9; Rep. Comerford, Rock 9

COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This resolution urges the President and Congress to comply with the United States Constitution in requiring a 2/3 vote of the Senate to approve treaties and urges Congress to revoke fast track authority for approval of international trade agreements.

17Mar2010… 0770h

17Mar2010… 0970h

10-2125

05/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten

A RESOLUTION requiring the Congress of the United States of America to reaffirm its adherence to the Constitution of the United States regarding international agreements and treaties.

Whereas, Article 2, Section 2 of the United States Constitution makes no provision for the creation of new treaties or agreements among nations without the concurrence of 2/3 of the United States Senate; and

Whereas, fast track authority, also known as trade promotion authority, allows the President of the United States to negotiate trade agreements or treaties; and

Whereas, fast track authority grants the United States House of Representatives authority to approve or disapprove treaties, authority otherwise limited by the United States Constitution to a 2/3 vote of the United States Senate; and

Whereas, fast track authority requires the leaders of both the House of Representatives and Senate to introduce the proposed treaty on the first day their body is in session; and

Whereas, fast track authority prevents the United States Senate and House of Representatives from amending the proposed treaty; and

Whereas, pursuant to the United States Constitution, all treaties approved by the Senate become the law of the land; and

Whereas, fast track authority limits Congress's authority to write implementing legislation; and

Whereas, the Congressional committee must take action on the bill within 45 days or the proposed treaty is automatically discharged to the floor for an up or down vote; and

Whereas, each body is limited to a maximum of 20 hours of floor debate, thereby denying legislators and the public appropriate time to consider the serious long-term ramifications of these trade agreements; and

Whereas the Senate cannot filibuster the proposed treaty, limiting their constitutional authority; and

Whereas, Senators elected to serve the public interest of their state and country have no role in the treaty process except to approve or disapprove the proposed agreement; now therefore be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the general court of New Hampshire hereby urges:

I. The President and the Congress of the United States to ensure that all new treaties or agreements among nations or supranational bodies meet the test of Constitutional authority and receive a 2/3 vote of the United States Senate as required by Article 2, Section 2 of the United States Constitution; and

II. The New Hampshire Congressional delegation use all of its efforts, energies, and diligence to prevent the reauthorization or expansion of fast track authority; and

That the clerk of the house of representatives deliver signed copies of this resolution to the President of the United States of America, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, each member of the United States Congress, the presiding officers of each state’s legislature and the members of the New Hampshire Congressional delegation so that they may be apprised of the sense of the citizens of New Hampshire in this matter.