[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 22 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 22

 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

                             March 13, 2003

 Mr. Nickles (for himself, Mr. Bayh, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. 
   Hagel, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Roberts) 
 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>