The House of Representatives’ version of the budget reconciliation bill contains a measure that repeals the Byrd Amendment, a protectionist statute passed in 2000 that encouraged rent-seeking by distributing anti-dumping revenues to companies that filed grievances. The Senate budget bill does not contain such a measure.

Over two dozen senators have signalled their intent to fight in support of the Byrd Amendment. Rep. Jim Ramstad, a Minnesota Republican, has called the program “the ultimate combination of protectionism, corporate welfare and government waste.”