Federal Advisory Committees
Advisory Committees
Advisory committees have played an important role in shaping programs and policies of the federal government from the earliest days of the Republic. Since President George Washington sought the advice of such a committee during the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, the contributions made by these groups have been impressive and diverse.
Through enactment of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (Public Law 92-463), the U.S. Congress formally recognized the merits of seeking the advice and assistance of our nation’s citizens.
The objective of this committee is to advise the Secretary on the necessary elements of a comprehensive, holistic national freight infrastructure and a national freight policy designed to support U.S. export growth and competitiveness, foster national economic competitiveness, and improve U.S. supply chain competitiveness in the domestic and global economy. This committee will provide detailed policy and technical advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary regarding: national, state, or local factors that inhibit the efficient domestic and international movement of goods from point of origin to destination and the competitiveness of domestic and international supply chains; infrastructure capacity, inter- and cross-modal connectivity, investment, regulatory, and intra- or inter-governmental coordination factors that affect supply chain competitiveness, goods movement, and sustainability; emerging trends in goods movement that affect or supply chain competitiveness; and metrics that can be used to quantify supply chain performance. The Secretary will use this advice, information, and recommendations in interagency discussions in the development of a national freight policy. The committee shall act as a liaison among the stakeholders represented by the membership and shall provide a forum for those stakeholders on current and emerging issues in goods movement, ensuring regular contact between the government and the supply chain industries. The committee shall advise and provide policy advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary with respect to the formulation, coordination, and oversight of domestic and foreign policy related to supply chains for goods and services. In administering this committee, the Department of Commerce will work closely with the Department of Transportation.
The purpose of the committee is to advise the Secretary of Commerce on the development and administration of programs to expand U.S. exports of civil nuclear goods and services in accordance with applicable U.S. regulations. Its advice is used to develop Department programs and activities in its role as a member of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Working Group on Civil Nuclear Trade. The committee, comprised of industry representatives, provides for greater U.S. Government and U.S. industry coordination on international civil nuclear energy issues and on U.S. international and commercial strategic objectives.
The U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC) advise the Secretary of Commerce in identifying effective ways to help expand access to trade finance for U.S. exporters, including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and their foreign buyers. The work of the TFAC focus on the following objectives: Provide the forum to facilitate the discussion between a diverse group of stakeholders such as banks, non-bank financial institutions, other trade finance related organizations, and exporters for the TFAC to gain a better understanding regarding the challenges facing U.S. exporters in accessing capital; Draw upon the experience of its members to identify how ne technologies and other innovative solutions can expand access to trade finance for U.S. exporters; Develop recommendations on programs or activities that the Department could incorporate as part of its export promotion and trade finance education efforts.
The Committee’s mission is to provide advice on the policies and procedures and focus the resources of the U.S. Government (USG) through the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) in order to increase environmental exports of U.S. companies. The ETTAC advises the TPCC through the Secretary of Commerce. Within the Department, the Director of the Office of Environmental Technologies and one staff person act as Executive Director and DFO of the ETTAC respectively. Members, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, provide advice on the international interests and competitiveness of the U.S. environmental sector. ETTAC members consult widely with U.S. environmental technologies firms, relevant federal and state government agencies, and other experts in developing their advice for the USG. ETTAC’s recommendations target critical issues facing the U.S. industry on international markets such as tariff and non-tariff barriers, advocacy/government support, and USG policies/programs to help U.S. environmental firms compete in export markets. The ETTAC is instrumental in guiding the reconstitution of the Environmental Trade Working Group of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (ETWG) and its U.S. Environmental Export Initiative. The interaction between the ETTAC and ETWG has been critical in developing an interagency strategy in increasing U.S. environmental exports.
The Advisory Council provides information, analysis, and recommendations to the President that address the following, in addition to other topics deemed relevant by the President, the Secretary of Commerce, or the Advisory Council: (i) creating jobs in the United States and Africa through trade and investment; (ii) developing strategies by which the U.S. private sector can identify and take advantage of trade and investment opportunities in Africa; (iii) building lasting commercial partnerships between the U.S. and African private sectors; (iv) facilitating U.S. business participation in Africa’s infrastructure development; (v) contributing to the growth and improvement of Africa’s agricultural sector by encouraging partnerships between U.S. and African companies to bring innovative agricultural technologies to Africa; (vi) making available to the U.S. private sector an accurate understanding of the opportunities presented for increasing trade with and investment in Africa; (vii) developing and strengthening partnerships and other mechanisms to increase U.S. public and private sector financing of trade with and investment in Africa; (viii) analyzing the effect of policies in the United States and Africa on U.S. trade and investment interests in Africa; (ix) identifying other means to expand commercial ties between the United States and Africa; and (x) building the capacity of Africa’s young entrepreneurs to develop trade and investment ties with U.S. partners.
Go to President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa
The President’s Export Council (PEC) provides advice and policy recommendations on exporting. Its primary function is to advise the President on export trade matters. The PEC advocates export expansion and explores options for the improvement of trade relationships with the global trading partners of the United States.
The Committee advises the Secretary of Commerce regarding the development and administration of programs and policies to expand the competitiveness of the U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
Go to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee
Once appointed, the Council will serve as the premier national advisory committee on advanced manufacturing. The objectives and duties of the Council are to identify and recommend ways to ensure that the Government responds to the challenges facing United States advanced manufacturers and ways that United States advanced manufacturers can ensure their continued competitiveness both at home and abroad. The Council is to advise the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect United States advanced manufacturing and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems. The Council acts as a liaison among the stakeholders represented by the membership, and may provide a forum for those stakeholders on current and emerging issues in the advanced manufacturing sector.
Solicit private sector advice on the promotion and retention of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the United States. The IAC shall advise the Secretary of Commerce on U.S. government policies and programs that affect FDI; identify and recommend programs and policies to help the United States attract and retain FDI; and recommend ways to support the United States remaining the world’s preeminent destination for FDI. The IAC shall act as a liaison among the stakeholders represented by the membership and shall provide a forum for the stakeholders on current and emerging issues regarding FDI. Specific priorities and recommendations will be determined by the appointed members of the IAC.
The Board advises the Secretary of Commerce on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, including ways to ensure the United States remains a preeminent destination for travel and tourism. The Board acts as a liaison to the stakeholders represented by the membership, consulting with them on emerging issues in the industry to support sustainable travel and tourism growth, and providing a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems. The Board provides recommendations to the Secretary regarding U.S. travel and tourism.