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HR 212 106th Congress House

Freedom to Market Act

Official title: To require the General Accounting Office to prepare a report assessing the impact and effectiveness of economic sanctions imposed by the United States, to proh… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To require the General Accounting Office to prepare a report assessing the impact and effectiveness of economic sanctions imposed by the United States, to prohibit the imposition of unilateral sanctions on exports of food, other agricultural products, medicines, or medical supplies or equipment, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 3, 1999 See on congress.gov
International Affairs Agriculture and FoodAgriculture in foreign tradeAmerican agricultural assistanceArmed Forces and National Security
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCongressCongress and foreign policyCongressional investigationsCongressional oversightCongressional reporting requirementsDrugsEconomic impact statementsEconomics and Public FinanceExport controlsExport creditExport financeExportsFood reliefForeign Trade and International FinanceForeign trade promotionGovernment Operations and PoliticsHealthHuman rightsMedical suppliesPresident and foreign policySanctions (International law)
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This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 20, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3441)
May 5, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2641)
Feb 16, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.
Jan 6, 1999
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 6, 1999
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 20, 1999

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3441)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Freedom to Market Act - Directs the Comptroller General to prepare a report, and submit to specified congressional committees, assessing the impact and effectiveness of economic sanctions imposed by the United States on foreign countries.

Prohibits the President from restricting or prohibiting any exports (including restricted commercial or Federal financing) of food, other agricultural products, including fertilizer, medicines, or medical supplies and equipment as part of any policy of existing or future unilateral economic sanctions imposed against a foreign government. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions for one-year periods if it is determined to be in the national security interests of the United States.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to the Congress on the economic impact of multilateral and unilateral sanctions by foreign governments on U.S. exports of agricultural commodities. Directs the Secretary to expand agricultural export assistance under U.S. market development, food assistance, or export promotion programs to offset projected losses of agricultural commodity markets from such sanctions.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 9
All 9 Democratic 2 Republican 3
SMITH, NICK
· Jul 20, 1999
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Jun 8, 1999
 R
Lucas, Frank D.
Oklahoma · May 12, 1999
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· May 5, 1999
DOOLEY, CAL
· Apr 13, 1999
JOHN, CHRISTOPHER
· Apr 13, 1999
 R
Moran, Jerry
Kansas · Apr 13, 1999
 D
Smith, Adam
Washington · Mar 3, 1999
 R
Sessions, Pete
Texas · Feb 23, 1999
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 212: Freedom to Market Act. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-212/
MLA
"H.R. 212: Freedom to Market Act." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-212/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 212, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-212/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 212: Freedom to Market Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-212/)
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