[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 111 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 111

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding ensuring a competitive North 
                  American market for softwood lumber.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 9, 2000

   Mr. Nickles (for himself, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Graham, Mr. 
Grassley, and Mr. Lugar) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
             which was referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding ensuring a competitive North 
                  American market for softwood lumber.

Whereas the United States and Canada have, since 1989, worked to reduce tariff 
        and nontariff barriers to trade;
Whereas free trade has greatly benefited the United States and Canadian 
        economies;
Whereas the United States and Canada have been engaged in an ongoing dispute 
        over trade in soft-wood lumber for 18 years;
Whereas on May, 29, 1996, the United States and Canada entered into an agreement 
        to temporarily resolve the dispute;
  Whereas the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 does not 
        promote open trade;
Whereas the scope of the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 
        has been expanded, leading to uncertainty for importers, distributors, 
        retailers, and purchasers of softwood lumber products;
Whereas the availability of affordable housing is important to the American 
        homebuyer;
Whereas lumber price volatility jeopardizes housing affordability; and
Whereas the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 1996 will expire 
        on April 1, 2001: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement of 
        1996 should terminate on April 1, 2001, with no extension or 
        further quota agreement;
            (2) the President should continue discussions with the 
        Government of Canada to promote open and Competitive trade 
        between the United States and Canada of softwood lumber; and
            (3) the President should consult with all stakeholders, 
        including consumers of softwood lumber products, in future 
        discussions regarding the open trade of softwood lumber between 
        the United States and Canada.
                                 <all>