Request for tariff suspension leads to scrutiny

With little fanfare or public debate, First District Rep. Henry Brown has fought to suspend tariffs on more than 20 chemicals made overseas, saving four coastal companies thousands of dollars. However, the overall practice is drawing increased scrutiny from domestic manufacturers and watchdog groups.

Slightly more than 100 of Brown's colleagues in the House of Representatives have put in similar requests to suspend tariffs, although Brown ranks as one of the top lawmakers who participates in the practice. Only six other representatives have matched or topped his number of requests.

Brown said he seeks suspensions only for goods that aren't made in the United States and mostly to help companies in South Carolina. To him, it's another form of constituent service.

"If there's somebody who objected to it, nobody has raised a flag to me," he said. "This has been going on for 20 years. I found the process here when I arrived. We decided to continue that same process."

Tariff suspensions have been a relatively ignored phenomena in Washington, but in recent years, a growing number of people have begun to scrutinize who is asking for breaks and who is benefiting in the end. When the tariff suspension bill hits the floor this summer, there could be more eyes on it than ever before.

And that sits well with some government watchdogs, who question whether seeking specific tariff breaks for certain products is creating an unnecessary complexity that benefits only lobbyists, lawyers and those who support them.

Read more in Monday's Post and Courier.