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Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act

Introduced: July 19, 2006 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) 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
Jun 27, 2006
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4668)
Jun 23, 2006
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman .
Jun 22, 2006
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4497-4498)
Jun 16, 2006
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, Government Reform, Rules, Energy and Commerce, and International Relations, 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.
Jun 16, 2006
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the prohibition on importing convict-made goods into the United States to make it unlawful to: (1) import into, or export from, the United States any sweatshop good; or (2) introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell, or transport or distribute in U.S.commerce, any sweatshop good.

Grants the President, for reasons of national interest, authority to recommend waiver of the applications set forth in this Act in connection with the goods of any country with respect to one or more of the principles and rights defined in this Act as a core labor standard.

Sets forth procedures for consideration of such a waiver.

Makes it unlawful for persons to introduce into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer to sell or transport or distribute in commerce any sweatshop good.

Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition as if it were an unfair or deceptive act or practice proscribed under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Allows specified persons with standing to bring a civil action in U.S. district courts against sellers of goods, wares, articles, or merchandise on grounds of a violation of such prohibition.

Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and federal law regarding the Armed Forces to prohibit executive agencies from entering into procurement contracts for sweatshop goods.

What's happening now June 27, 2006

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4668)

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 7
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5635: Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-5635/
MLA
"H.R. 5635: Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-5635/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5635, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-5635/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5635: Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-5635/)
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