[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 719 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 719

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
    States should initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade 
                        agreement with Tunisia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 29, 2012

  Mr. Dreier (for himself, Mr. Meeks, and Mr. Paulsen) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and 
                                 Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
    States should initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade 
                        agreement with Tunisia.

Whereas the Arab Spring has swept through Northern Africa and the Middle East, 
        creating the greatest opportunity in more than a generation for true 
        democratic development in the region;
Whereas the resulting upheaval also creates enormous potential for instability, 
        violence, and power vacuums that could be exploited by anti-democratic 
        or extremist forces;
Whereas a key influence that drove protests came from Mohamed Bouazizi, a street 
        vendor who set himself on fire to protest police interference and a lack 
        of economic opportunities;
Whereas Mr. Bouazizi's death in December 2010 became a rallying cry for more 
        democracy and economic freedom in Tunisia;
Whereas demonstrations by the Tunisian people forced President Zine el Abidine 
        Ben Ali to flee Tunisia on January 14, 2011, after over 23 years of 
        authoritarian rule;
Whereas the political transition became known as the ``Jasmine Revolution'';
Whereas national elections were held on October 23, 2011, to select a 217-seat 
        National Constituent Assembly;
Whereas the October Tunisian elections were widely praised by international 
        election observers;
Whereas 54 percent of eligible voters participated in the election;
Whereas over 11,600 candidates participated in the election;
Whereas the National Constituent Assembly has put in place a transitional 
        government and is expected to draft a new constitution;
Whereas disputes over reform priorities, economic crisis, labor unrest, regional 
        tension, and lingering insecurity are continuing challenges;
Whereas Tunisia exhibits a number of unique attributes in its region, such as a 
        relatively small territory, a sizable and well-educated middle class, 
        and a long history of encouraging women's socioeconomic freedoms;
Whereas many view Tunisia as a ``test case'' for democratic transitions in its 
        region;
Whereas damage from the December 2010-January 2011 unrest, political 
        uncertainty, turmoil in neighboring Libya, and economic crisis in Europe 
        have contributed to severe economic difficulties in Tunisia;
Whereas it is estimated that Tunisia experienced zero percent growth in 2011, 
        following more than 3% growth in 2010;
Whereas jobs and living standards remain the primary concern for most Tunisians;
Whereas if the economic aspirations of the Tunisian people are not realized, the 
        potential for anti-democratic or extremist forces to exploit the current 
        instability will only be magnified;
Whereas strong, sustained economic growth and development would provide the 
        necessary resources for Tunisia to build democratic institutions and 
        solidify public support for democratic governance, as well as ensure 
        strong labor, environmental, and human rights protections;
Whereas engagement with Tunisia through trade negotiations would encourage 
        greater reform, including the protection of intellectual property, and 
        build its capacity to modernize and liberalize its economy, as well as 
        provide maximum leverage to facilitate the implementation of strong 
        labor, environmental, and human rights protections;
Whereas a vibrant, stable, and prosperous democracy in the Arab world is in the 
        interest of the United States and would fuel both economic and 
        democratic development throughout the region;
Whereas in 2010, the United States was Tunisia's fifth-largest trading partner;
Whereas American firms invested over $255 million in Tunisia in 2010;
Whereas U.S. exports to Tunisia were $586 million and U.S. imports from Tunisia 
        were $352 million in 2011;
Whereas Tunisia is an important market for U.S. grain, seeds, and cereal 
        exports;
Whereas Tunisia is an important source of oil, fats and food oils, and textiles 
        for the United States;
Whereas the United States and Tunisia have re-launched negotiations for a Trade 
        and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA); and
Whereas Tunisia has been a member of the World Trade Organization since 1995: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
the United States should initiate negotiations to enter into a free 
trade agreement with Tunisia.
                                 <all>