[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 45 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 45

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 28, 2001

Mr. Kolbe (for himself, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Ganske, Mrs. Bono, Mr. Lewis of 
   Kentucky, Mrs. Roukema, Mr. Bonilla, Mr. LaTourette, Mr. Neal of 
Massachusetts, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Ehrlich, Mr. Knollenberg, Mr. Bilirakis, 
Mr. Miller of Florida, Mr. Dooley of California, Mr. Davis of Florida, 
   Mrs. Northup, Mr. McInnis, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Mica, Mr. Weller, Mrs. 
 Kelly, Mr. Kleczka, Mr. Ramstad, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Nussle, Mr. Wynn, Mr. 
 Hill, Mr. Lucas of Kentucky, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Mascara, Mr. Boehlert, 
Mr. Cunningham, Mr. LaHood, Mr. Matsui, Mr. Gary Miller of California, 
Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut, Mr. Leach, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Lampson, Mr. 
  Gutierrez, Mr. Gonzales, Mr. Latham, Mr. Phelps, Mr. Greenwood, Ms. 
Pryce of Ohio, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Sununu, and Mr. Barcia) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                             Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding housing affordability 
 and 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 and fair 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 softwood lumber for 19 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 home 
        buyer;
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 House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the 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, nor any renegotiation of trade 
        restrictions on lumber after the agreement expires;
            (2) the President should continue discussions with the 
        Government of Canada to promote open and competitive trade 
        between the United States and Canada on softwood lumber; and
            (3) the President should consult with all stakeholders, 
        including consumers of lumber products, in future discussions 
        regarding the open trade of softwood lumber between the United 
        States and Canada.
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