[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3553 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3553

  To provide for the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal 
 trade relations treatment) to the products of the Russian Federation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 20, 2001

  Mr. Thomas (for himself, Mr. Crane, and Mr. Dreier) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To provide for the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal 
 trade relations treatment) to the products of the Russian Federation.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that the Russian Federation--
            (1) has made considerable progress toward respecting 
        fundamental human rights consistent with the objectives of 
        title IV of the Trade Act of 1974;
            (2) adopted constitutional protections and statutory and 
        administrative procedures that accord its citizens the right to 
        emigrate, travel freely, and to return to the Russian 
        Federation without restriction;
            (3) has received normal trade relations treatment since 
        1992 and has been found to be in full compliance with the 
        freedom of emigration requirements under title IV of the Trade 
        Act of 1974 since 1994;
            (4) concluded a bilateral trade agreement with the United 
        States that entered into force on June 17, 1992;
            (5) has made progress toward democratic reforms and 
        creating a free market economic system;
            (6) has committed itself, including through exchanges of 
        letters, to ensuring freedom of religion and preventing 
        intolerance;
            (7) has committed itself, including through exchanges of 
        letters, to continuing its efforts to return religious property 
        to religious organizations in accordance with existing Russian 
        laws;
            (8) has demonstrated a strong desire to build a friendly 
        and cooperative relationship with the United States and has 
        been an unwavering ally in the struggle against international 
        terrorism that has taken place since the attacks against the 
        United States that occurred on September 11, 2001; and
            (9) is in the process of acceding to the World Trade 
        Organization and although the negotiations regarding the terms 
        of accession are not finalized the extension of 
        nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) 
        to the products of the Russian Federation will provide positive 
        momentum for those negotiations.

SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV OF THE TRADE ACT OF 1974 
              TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION.

    (a) Presidential Determinations and Extensions of Nondiscriminatory 
Treatment.--Notwithstanding any provision of title IV of the Trade Act 
of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.), the President may--
            (1) determine that such title should no longer apply to the 
        Russian Federation; and
            (2) after making a determination under paragraph (1) with 
        respect to the Russian Federation, proclaim the extension of 
        nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) 
        to the products of that country.
    (b) Termination of Application of Title IV.--On and after the 
effective date of the extension under subsection (a)(2) of 
nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of the Russian Federation, 
title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 shall cease to apply to that country.
                                 <all>