[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 135 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 135

 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding housing affordability 
and urging fair and expeditious review by international trade tribunals 
   to ensure a competitive North American market for softwood lumber.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 1, 2002

    Mr. Nickles (for himself, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. 
Bunning, Mr. Graham, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Hagel, and Mrs. Carnahan) submitted 
    the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 
                          Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding housing affordability 
and urging fair and expeditious review by international trade tribunals 
   to ensure a competitive North American market for softwood lumber.

Whereas the United States and Canada have, since 1989, worked to eliminate 
        tariff and nontariff barriers to trade;
Whereas free trade has greatly benefitted the United States and Canadian 
        economies;
Whereas the U.S. International Trade Commission only found the potential for a 
        Threat of Injury (as opposed to actual injury) to domestic lumber 
        producers but the Department of Commerce imposed a 27 percent duty on 
        U.S. lumber consumers;
Whereas trade restrictions on Canadian lumber exported to the U.S. market have 
        been an exception to the general rule of bilateral free trade;
Whereas the legitimate interests of consumers are often overlooked in trade 
        disputes;
Whereas the availability of affordable housing is important to American home 
        buyers and the need for the availability of such housing, particularly 
        in metropolitan cities across America, is growing faster than it can be 
        met;
Whereas imposition of special duties on U.S. consumers of softwood lumber, 
        essential for construction of on-site and manufactured homes, 
        jeopardizes housing affordability;
Whereas the United States has agreed to abide by dispute settlement procedures 
        in the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade 
        Agreement, providing for international review of national remedy 
        actions; and
Whereas the World Trade Organization and North American Free Trade Agreement 
        dispute panels are reviewing findings by the ITC; Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) the Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade 
        Representative should work to assure that no delays occur in 
        resolving the current disputes before the NAFTA and WTO panels, 
        supporting a fair and expeditious review;
            (2) U.S. anti-dumping and countervail law is a rules-based 
        system that should proceed to conclusion in WTO and NAFTA trade 
        panels;
            (3) the President should continue discussions with the 
        Government of Canada to promote open trade between the United 
        States and Canada on softwood lumber free of trade restraints 
        that harm consumers; and
            (4) the President should consult with all stakeholders, 
        including consumers of lumber products in future discussions 
        regarding any terms of trade in softwood lumber between the 
        United States and Canada.
                                 <all>